Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble

The Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble will perform at The Ark on Saturday, April 28th at 8 pm.

The Toronto-based professional music group has been delighting audiences since 1998 with rhythmic beats and mesmerizing movements. Their performances bring new life to a sacred Japanese tradition.

Want more info? Check these out:

Japanese Taiko Drumming

Japanese Folk Music

Soh Daiko

Enjoy!

Jennifer Lopez

Released March 27th, Como Ama Una Mujer will have Jennifer Lopez fans singing Spanish ballads in the streets. This is actually J.Lo's first all-Spanish album and honestly, this one is a step above her English recordings.

One song that particulary stands out is Por Arriesgarnos. Hubby Marc Anthony joins her in this powerful duet that would melt even the hardest of hearts.

And check out the new video for Que Hiciste. It's a good introduction to the album.

Want more? Peruse AADL's J.Lo collection. You'll notice that she's come a long way since Jenny from the Block.

Enjoy!

Stone Sour

The Jagermeister Music Tour is coming to the State Theatre in Detroit this Friday, March 30th at 6:30pm.

Headlining the event will be Stone Sour (FYI: The song 30/30-150 from the album Come what (ever) may was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Metal Performance").

Joining them will be Shadows Fall and Lacuna Coil.

Now believe me when I say that this concert is not for the faint at heart. Even you "die-hard" metal fans need to boss up before you go...

In the spirit of the 1950s folk music revival, the AADL Library Songsters program brings folk musicians, storytellers and dancers into our public schools to teach these traditional arts to students. This year Banjo Betsy Beckerman taught fourth graders at Angell and Pattengill how to write Michigan history songs; Glen Morningstar Jr. brought "Dancing Through American History" to Burns Park, and Lee Knight showed storytelling to sixth graders at Slauson. At the end of each three-day residency, students came to the library to perform their creations for each other or parents. They had a good time learning history, and some go to hear live folk music at places like The Ark or Crazy Wisdom Tea Room. AADL has a excellent collection of folk music recordings, histories and songbooks.

Willie Nelson

Here's a real treat for all you Country & Western fans... Willie Nelson is coming to the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Friday, March 23rd @ 7:30pm. Joining him will be Merle Haggard, Ray Price, and Asleep at the Wheel...

And who knows? If you are able to get front row seats, you may be close enough to see a few signatures on Trigger...

Enjoy!

Bobby "Blue" Bland

Let Bobby "Blue" Bland help chase them away at the Detroit Blues Festival this Saturday, March 10th. Performances times are 4pm and 8:30pm at the Detroit Opera House.

Other artists include: Bobby Rush, Shirley Brown, Marvin Sease, Latimore, Mel Waiters, Floyd Taylor, and Theodis Ealey.

Need weekly "Blues" therapy? Check out the Detroit Blues Society's Web Site. Their calendar stays packed...

Enjoy!

Talib Kweli

Catch one of Hip-hop's greatest, Talib Kweli in concert w/ special guest, Jean Grae this Friday, March 9th - 9pm at Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac. This Brooklyn native is consider a legend among his peers. If you know your Hip-hop facts, you may remember Jay-Z's famous rhyme from "Moment of Clarity" on The Black album, "If skills sold, truth be told / I'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli."

Need another Hip-Hop lesson? Check out these artists:

Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae is an English born songstress with a Neo-soul sound. You may have heard the radio single, Put Your Records On. She has a lighter sound than some of artists of the same genre, but if you enjoy Amel Larrieux, Vivian Green, and Erykah Badu, then check out Corinne's self-entitled album.

Enjoy!

March 4, 1968 marked the TV premiere of The Dick Cavett Show, then a daytime talk show on ABC which morphed into late night entertainment. Cavett was known for his quick wit and adeptness as an interviwer. The Library has a collection of his shows, "Comic Legends" and "Rock Icons" which include interviews and performances by such greats as Groucho Marx and the Rolling Stones.

Bald Britney Spears

Okay, okay... I know that was a little harsh... but when a news anchor delivered the line with a straight face, I laughed pretty hard... (Ummm, I guess you had to be there...)

Anywho... I figured this was a good time to highlight AADL's collection of Britney Spears CD's. You should also check out the March 5th edition of People magazine (yes, we have that too). Then come back and tell us what your theories are on the whole situation...

:-D