Max Pollak inventively melds Latin rhythms, jazz, tap dance, and body percussion to create RumbaTap, a company comprised of a multi-talented, international cast. Pollak, named one of “25 to Watch in 2007” by Dance Magazine, is also responsible for conceiving the first-ever tap festival in Cuba. RumbaTap has been performed, taught and exhibited all over the world. 

Central Park SummerStage is located at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.

               For more information on Central Park SummerStage visit:

 

http://www.summerstage.org/

 

 

African Guitar Festival Feat. Habib Koite and Oliver Mtukudzi  Sunday, August 3rd @ 2 - 9pm   Our annual all-day festival of food, clothing crafts, and music from across the continent features a stellar lineup, led by Zimbabwe’s deeply soulful national treasure OLIVER MTUKUDZI and heirs to the Malian music throne HABIB KOITÉ & BAMADA and DABY TOURÉ. YOSSI FINE’s funk-infused pan African approach and EXTRA GOLDEN, who combine traditional Kenyan Benga with indie rock, complete our most eclectic African festival ever. Artist websites: http://www.tukumusic.com myspace.com/olivermtukudzi habibkoite.com myspace.com/habibkoite extragolden.com myspace.com/extragolden                                                                                               myspace.com/excentricsoundsystem                                                                                                                     myspace.com/dabytoure   CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn All Celebrate Brooklyn Performances Take Place at the Prospect Park Bandshell  The entrance to the Prospect Park Bandshell is located at Prospect Park West & 9th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn.       Noche Flamenca Thursday, August 7th @  7PM   Lincoln Center Out of Doors - free, no tickets required “Since starting as chief critic here in April, I have encountered many dance companies, and many more individual dancers … Of these there has been none I have been so glad to discover as Noche Flamenca and, above all, its lead dancer, Soledad Barrio. I can think of no current ballet dancer in the world as marvelous as she.”                   — The New York Times Formed in 1993 by Martin Santangelo and his Bessie Award–winning wife, Soledad Barrio, Noche Flamenca is hailed by critics for its transcendent and deeply emotional performances. Recognized as the most authentic flamenco touring company in the field today, Noche Flamenca brings to the stage the essence, purity, and integrity of one of the world’s most complex and mysterious art forms. “Flamenco is a primal scream, an essential cry to express the joy, sorrow, comedy and tragedy of individuals and groups who are repressed by some by some form of limitation — social, economic, spiritual, physical … Flamenco is our vehicle,” exclaims Santangelo. www.nocheflamenca.org Damrosch Park Southwest corner of the Lincoln Center Plaza (62nd Street near Amsterdam Avenue) For more information visit: http://www.lincolncenter.org/     African Film Festival Presents: Family Day Celebration on Governors Island  Saturday, August 9, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm   Have you ever wanted to experience the sights and sounds of Africa? If you can’t make it to the continent yourself, the next best thing is to hop on the ferry to discover a new corner of the city, just be sure not to miss an emerging favorite New York City summer tradition. Do join the African Film Festival, Inc. and Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation in welcoming world-class music, drumming and dancing, storytelling and quilting, film and cuisine, during an all day celebration on Governors Island. Location: Governors Island, Manhattan(directions) Note: All of the outdoor activities will be held at Colonels Row.  The film screenings will take place at the Chapel of St. Cornelius the Centurion. Rain or shine For More information visit: http://www.africanfilmny.org/    Amadou and Miriam All Points West Music & Arts Festival  Sunday, August 10th Doors open at noon all 3 days   Amadou and Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Mariam Doumbia (vocals) (born in Mali's capital Bamako 15 April 1958 and Amadou Bagayoko (guitar and vocals) (born in Bamako 24 October 1954). The pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music.  The duo produces music that mixes traditional Mali sound with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian Ney, Colombian trombones, Indian tablas and Dogon percussion. All these elements put together have been referred to as "Afro-blues".   Stage: Blue Comet  For Directions and additional information about the show visit: http://www.apwfestival.com/getting-there Tickets for ALL POINTS WEST are on sale now! Single day passes are $89 and three-day passes are $258.    Maria Rita Performing at SummerStage Opening Night of the Brazilian Film Festival August 10th @ 7 PM International Recording sensation Maria Rita is scheduled to perform at the 2008 Brazilian Film Festival on August 10, 2008. The daughter of two icons of Brazilian music, Elis Regina e Cesar Camargo Mariano, the platinum selling artist made her debut in 2003 with her self-entitled CD and DVD. Both were launched in more than 30 countries, including Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, England, Italy, Japan, Korea, Czech Republic, Mexico, Holland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and Venezuela. Rita’s sophomore album, “Segundo” was equally received by audiences all over the world, granting her, two additional Grammy Latinos in 2006 – Best MPB Album and Best Brazilian Song with “Caminho das Águas” authored by Rodrigo Maranhão – and over 50 shows abroad, with full public and reviews acceptance in the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Irving Plaza (NY), San Francisco Jazz Festival, among others. Now back again with her third album release (“Samba Meu,” 2007), produced by Leandro Sapucahy and co produced by the artists herself, Rita will be opening the Brazilian Film Festival at Central Park Summerstage Festival on August 10th at 7pm.   For more information visit: http://www.brazilianfilmfestival.com FREE ADMISSION  DOORS OPEN: 6 PM/ SHOW STARTS: 7 PM ADDRESS: CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE - Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.        Jimmy Delgado y su Orquesta Wednesday, August 13th @ 7PM Free**Free**Free     This world-renowned percussionist has been performing Salsa for over 30 years. He has performed with Tito Puente, Harry Belafonte, and Johnny Pacheco among others. Recently Jimmy followed his heart and produced his first CD entitled “Salsa Con Dulzura”. Phone: 212.417.2000 Website:  www.batteryparkcity.org    Wagner Park Just north of Battery Park on Battery Place between West Street and First Place, For More Information about the Event and the RivertoRiver Festival visit: http://www.rivertorivernyc.com/venues/Wagner_Park.php       Bajofondo, Osulande & The Yoruba Soul Orchestra  Friday, August 15th @ 7PM Central Park SummerStage  Free**Free**Free Bajofondo, from South America, skillfully mix traditional music styles from Argentina and Uruguay with house, trip-hop and lounge sensibilities to create what critics have dubbed “tango electronic.” This is music to dance to, and their live performances include strikingly original projected video imagery. Yoruba priest and musician Osunlade has amassed a global legion of faithful fans through his spiritually-based compositions, and as a prolific house music producer and the founder of Yoruba Records. He has worked with artists such as Patti Labelle, Roy Ayers and Cesaria Evora and has remixed countless artists from every genre. His discography is extensive and impressive, with over 50 releases to his credit, the latest of which is Elements Beyond. Location and Directions Central Park SummerStage is located at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.                For more information on Central Park SummerStage visit:   http://www.summerstage.org/        Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown (New York Debut) Friday, August 22nd @ 7PM Lincoln Center Out of Doors - free, no tickets required FREE*FREE*FREE Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, Musical Directors Featuring Vieux Farka Touré, Cheikh Lô, Martha High, Fred Ross and others Africa gave birth to the blues, which begat jazz, which spawned funk, which will always be the music of James Brown. To celebrate his musical and cultural legacy, Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley – cornerstones of Brown’s legendary band on saxophone and trombone, respectively – present the New York debut of Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown. Ellis and Wesley have put together a pan-continental supergroup which features special guests Vieux Farka Touré, the rising Malian star and son of the legendary Ali Farka Toure, and the spiritual and enigmatic Senegalese vocalist Cheikh Lô, joining a band which includes vocalists Fred Ross and Martha High; alto saxophonist Charles McNail; guitarist Reggie Ward; keyboardist Peter Madsen; bassist Eric Herman and drummer John Mader, for what promises to be an unforgettable tribute to a seminal singer and performer. Damrosch Park Southwest corner of the Lincoln Center Plaza (62nd Street near Amsterdam Avenue) For more information visit: http://www.lincolncenter.org/