L.A.-based chanteuse, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jessica Fichot is a lot like her hometown of Paris: French at heart, but with a soul that's truly international. Drawing from her multi-ethnic French / Chinese / American upbringing, her music fuses styles and languages, taking the listener on a twisting journey out of the French chanson tradition, into the lands of gypsy jazz, Chinese and Latin American folk music, and into the wilderness of her imagination. Stick around all night and enjoy a late set from Albuquerque's own Le Chat Lunatique.

When the nine friends, all students in various engineering faculties at Havana University, first decided to form a music group, they were thinking of maybe funk or something Brazilian, both so popular at the time. It was the father of the two brothers in the group, Juan de Marcos and Carlos González, who suggested they play son instead. Calling themselves Sierra Maestra after the birthplace of the music in Eastern Cuba, the group quickly found they were on to a big hit. From 1976 onwards they were popular all over the island and their first album in 1980 was an island-wide success. Son was back, after a lull of some 40 years. Having revived it, the group became prize winners in Cuba, and started touring internationally.

Every year Camp Mabina brings Zimbabwe's finest musicians and dancers to the Synergia ranch for two weeks of intensive African music and dance workshops. We are happy to once again be offering a kick-off concert in partnership with the camp. Camp Mabina always provides an exceptional staff of teachers to share their culture, music, and dance. Stay tuned for more details about who will be appearing at this concert!