Selected Events

D’Gary--The virtuoso guitarist from Madagascar, known for unique finger-picking sounds and open tunings, plays music that touches on blues and dance music. Tonight at the Skirball, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Free. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. (310) 440-4500.

Cafe Z--The Skirball’s free Saturday afternoon concert series features local musicians who play world music styles. Coming soon: Saturday, UCLA West African Music Ensemble; Aug. 17, the Masanga Marimba Ensemble (African music); Aug. 24, the Fetatonics (Eastern European folk dance music). Saturdays, 1-2 p.m. at the Skirball, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Free. (310) 440-4500.

“World Reggae”--Reggae masters Steel Pulse, who merge ska, calypso and bluebeat; Jamaican band Burning Spear, known for its plaintive political dub reggae; and South African singer Lucky Dube perform. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. $1-$70. (213) 480-3232.

Kepa Junkera--Of Basque origins, Kepa Junkera blends rock, jazz and blues with Malagasy folk and Spanish pop trends. Next Thursday at the Skirball, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Free. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. (310) 440-4500.

Gigi--Ethiopian singer Gigi Shibabaw performs ancient Nile rhythms with contemporary jazz, dub, reggae and pan-African syncopation. Aug. 16 at noon at Grand Performances, California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Free. (213) 687-2159.

Central Asian Festival--Scheduled on Aug. 17: “Near Eastern art music,” from L.A.-based Axiom of Choice, which fuses Persian classical and Western and Indian styles; Omar Faruk Tekbilek, who infuses Sufi spirituality, African rhythms and traditional Turkish folk music with Western jazz; Virtuosos Iranian percussionist Pejman Hadadi; and Shabaz, who builds reggae, African, electronic and rock beats into its traditional qawwali sound. Planned for Aug. 18: “A Journey to India,” with classical Indian mother-daughter dance team Ramaa & Swetha Bhardvaj. Aug. 17-18 at 8 p.m. at Grand Performances, California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Free. (213) 687-2159.

“Old House Under the Elms”--China’s Zheng Zhou Qu Opera Company performs the renowned folk opera. The troupe, known for its beautiful melodies, is on its first tour in the United States. With English subtitles. Aug. 23 at noon at Grand Performances, California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Free. (213) 687-2159.

“Spirit ‘n’ Soul”--R&B-soul; songstress Erykah Badu is paired with the energetic a capella group Zap Mama, originally from central Africa. Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. $1-$70. (213) 480-3232.

“Fandango Jarocho”--Mono Blanco, Mexico’s premier ensemble that resurrected the son jarocho movement, and Son de Madera, Vera Cruz’s new generation of soneros that expands the definition of son jarocho, are joined by some of L.A.’s finest interpreters of the genre. Sept. 7, 7 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. $25. (323) 461-3673.

“The Beat of Brazil!”--Gal Costa, Brazilian singer of everything from sambas to bossa novas; bossa nova singer Leny Andrade; guitarist, singer, pianist and composer Oscar Castro-Neves, known for breezy styles; and Monica Salmaso, the up-and-coming new vocalist, perform. Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. $1-$70. (213) 480-3232.

World Festival of Sacred Music--A 16-day, 56-event series begins Sept. 14 in venues ranging from Northridge to Long Beach, Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles. For a complete list of events, times, places and prices, see www.festivalofsacred music.org.

“The Passion of Spanish Jews: A Tapestry of Songs and Stories”--The Ladino language, spoken by Sephardic Jews, expresses music and poetry drawn from the culture developed in Spain before 1492 (when the Jews were expelled) as well as Turkey, Bulgaria, Morocco and South America. Sept. 19, 8 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. $16. (323) 461-3673.

“Boleros Under the Stars: A Tribute to Lucho Gatica”--An evening of boleros features the internationally acclaimed Trio Los Panchos and Guicho’s Los Dandys. Oct. 4-5, 7:30 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. $25-$35. (323) 461-3673.

Caetano Veloso--A true artist of the world, the Brazilian guitarist is a musical revolutionary, incorporating everything from rock to tango, rap to samba. Oct. 29, 8 p.m. at Royce Hall, UCLA campus, Westwood. $45-$60. (310) 825-2101.

Salif Keita--Called “the golden voice of Mali,” this singer blends African sounds with jazz, funk and Euro-pop. Nov. 2, 8 p.m. at Royce Hall, UCLA campus, Westwood. $20-$35. (310) 825-2101.

Afro-Cuban All Stars--Juan de Marcos’ multigenerational group of Cuban musicians play tropical and jazz music. Nov. 14, 8 p.m. at Royce Hall, UCLA campus, Westwood. $30-$45. (310) 825-2101.

Compiled by Robin Rauzi and Lynell George