The unique Garifuna culture, centered in Belize, is a distinctive blend of West Africa, indigenous Caribbean, and Central America's Latin culture. It originated when survivors of a 1600s slave ship wreck off the coast of St. Vincent mingled with the island's indigenous Caribs. More than a century later, the entire community was exiled to the Caribbean coast of Central America. Relatively few, but fiercely independent, the Garifuna have their own traditions, language, and music, which singer/guitarist Andy Palacio and the Collective are making great strides to preserve. On their gloriously infectious Watina(Cumbancha), the Garifuna sound shimmers like the sun dancing on azure Caribbean waters, mingling sly, percolating polyrhythms from a dozen different sources; undulating melodies whose joy is haunted by lingering shadows; yearning vocals that sometimes suggest Cuban son or drift into call-and-response; Spanish acoustic guitar flourishes; and electric passages that hint at juju and highlife. This is an inspired, relatively new tack from Palacio, a Belizean star and originator of dance-happy Punta rock. The Collective, meanwhile, is a loose assortment of leading Belize musicians, including the scene's 75-year-old godfather, Paul Nabor. Sponsored by the Walker (for free!) in Loring Park and matched with the 1954 film Magnificent Obsession, this is easily the biggest bargain of the summer. For a review of the film, please see page 47. With DJ Bill Kubezko. 7:00 p.m. Loring Park, Willow St. at W. 14th St., Minneapolis.

By Rick Mason