Tinariwen
31 | sunday
The Kuumbwa
When: 8 p.m. Where: 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Cost: $17/adv., $21/door. Info: 427-5531.
Given its placement at a pivotal point in history, it would be safe to say this will be a Halloween to be remembered. If ever there were a time to celebrate in an unusual way, this would be it, and a rousing get-down to the driving desert boogie of Tinariwen sounds like just the ticket. Exiled from the southern Sahara desert as teens, the future members of this group discovered the glory of electric guitars while receiving military training in Libya. Tinariwen´s fusion of guitar-based rock with their culture´s traditional music ultimately became the soundtrack to their own rebellion against the government of Mali. This music fans the flames of revolution even as it makes shaking your butt damned near irresistible. Dress sharp—there will be prizes for best costumes at this show. | DO