The series launched last weekend with Nuno Cristo’s presentation of Anima Fado featuring the stunning vocals of Sónia Tavares. The series continues next Wednesday, March 30 with another Nuno Cristo presentation, TRAVELS IN LUSOMANIA, a musical extravaganza dedicated to the music of the Portuguese diaspora. In April Lula will present Catarina Cardeal and Mike Siracusa in Fado Blues "15" - an innovative fusion of Portuguese Fado and Blues. Portuguese speakers should also watch for Brazilian Storytelling Sunday April 10.

Kick off spring on Friday April 1 at Lula Lounge with our Brazilian Dance Party featuring the 16-piece samba group Batucada Carioca lead by internationally renouned percussionist, Maninho Costa. Let Lula Lounge transport you to Rio for the evening, $45 includes a three-course tropical fusion menu, beginner samba dance lesson and first class live Brazilian music. Take a one night tropical vacation at Dufferin and Dundas. Visit lula.ca to reserve your seat.

Small World Music returns to Lula Lounge April 7 with Korongo Jam’s mix of global funk and African folk. Lead by singer Erik Aliana, this group captures the sounds of the forest of Aliana’s native Central Cameroon. Korongo Jam has received rave reviews at festivals across Europe and is visiting Lula as part of a North American tour.

Internationally renowned jazz pianist Norm Amadio returns to Lula April 20 with vocalist Tommy Ambrose to headline this concert in support of the Orthopaedic Foundation of Canada. Amadio was last at Lula as part of the Chet Baker Tribute last November. We are very proud to welcome him back to the Lula stage for what promises to be a great evening of jazz.

Stay tuned to www.lula.ca for announcements regarding the lineup for this month’s Red Cabaret. Curated by Lisa Pijuan, this bi-monthly cabaret series is in it’s third season at Lula. Each evening of Red is an eclectic mix of dance, theatre, film, poetry, puppetry and more. More details can be viewed at www.girlcancreate.com.

Michael Pickett, Harrison Kennedy and Peter Price join together at Lula on April 5 for a night of driving blues rhythms and soulful vocals and harmonica. Gary Topp's last presentation at Lula was so popular that we had lineups down the block, so arrive early or call Lula at 416 588 0307 to reserve a table for dinner.

As expected, the three night Adalberto Alvarez engagement kicking off March was a huge success. We’d like to thank JAZZ.FM91’s Amanda Martinez (host of Café con Leché) for being such a gracious master of cereomonies for the three evenings.If you were too late to get tickets last time don’t despair. We’re already working on fall dates. Send us an email if you’d like to be put on a list for special advance tickets for the next engagement. Thank you also to presenters Billy Bryans, Alan Davis of Small World Music as well as sponsors Cubana Airlines for making the evening possible.

Adalberto Alvarez at Lula Lounge. Photo by Roger Humbert: The Live Music Report