Oh Susana

Afro-Peruvian chanteuse Susana Baca is a lady with an extraordinary glow, as evidenced by Memoria Viva, the documentary that celebrates her; she matches that outer radiance with a famously strong vocal tone. This folk treasure, who hails from Lima, might have passed under the North American radar altogether if not for Luaka Bop, which has released four of her albums. The New York-based label, founded by former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, draws a diverse, cross-generational audience with its artists, who include Zap Mama, Os Mutantes, and Los Amigos Invisibles. With a sound that bridges age and cultural gaps, Baca's work is perfectly at home in this cosmopolitan and world-wise aesthetic.
Thu., April 3, 8 p.m.; Fri., April 4, 8 p.m., 2008