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BY DARL ENE C . DONLOE – ART S & ENT ERTAINMENT EDI TOR May is one of the most beautiful months of the year with its temperate weather. The flowers begin to bloom and birds begin to sing. Mimic the flowers and birds. Do the same for yourself. Happy Memorial Day. June marks the beginning of summer. Everything begins to heat up! Check out these hot cultural events. FELA! IS PHENOMENAL! Fela! is brilliant! As Broadway shows go, this one has it all. There’s drama, music, comedy, dance and a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching story. From the moment the actors and dancers appear, Fela! fills up the stage. The musical explores the life of Nigerian artist/activist/composer-performer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The show explores the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of the Afrobeat legend, who used his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), to expound on his political views. Kevin Mambo, who shares the role of Fela with Sahr Ngaujah, (who recently received a Tony Award nomination) sets the bar high. His ener- getic and affecting portrayal of Fela, coupled with an occasional comedic turn, buoys the high-energy pro- duction. Theater veteran Lillias White is awe-inspir- ing as Fela’s mother, Fanmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti. The dancers don’t just dance – they bolster the story with their masterful, fluid West African movement. Run, don’t walk, to see Fela! This show is not to be missed! Kudos to everyone involved with this production. The show is conceived directed and choreographed by Tony®Award-winner Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. The Broadway production of Fela! is produced by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Douglas G. Smith, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Susan Dietz/Mort Swinsky and Knitting Factory Entertainment. Fela!, which opened Nov. 23, 2009, has an open-ended run. Running time: Two hours and 15 minutes with one 15-minute inter- mission. FELA!, is playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 West 49th Street, New York. For information: (212) 239-6200. PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL The 32nd Playboy Jazz Festival kicks off at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, June 12-13. The lineup includes Chick Corea Freedom Band, George Benson, Manhattan Transfer, Sax For Stax (Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum and Jeff Lorber), vocalist Kurt Elling, ”Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Tiempo Libre, Esperanza Spalding, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Marcus Miller and Cuban dance orchestra Los Van Van. Comedian/actor/activist Bill Cosby will, once again, serve as master of ceremonies. For information: playboyjazzfestival.com. THEY HAVE IT “MADE” The L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC) teams up with the a capella group Sonos in a double bill with BODY- TRAFFIC to present MADE IN L.A., an evening of contemporary dance, theatre, and music highlighting the unique visions of the companies. The performance, which takes place at 8:30 p.m., Fri., June 18, marks the opening of the Ford’s 2010 Dance Series, which includes 17 events reflecting the strength and scope of dance in Los Angeles. For information: (323) 461-3673 or (323) 769-2147. The Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., East, Hollywood, CA. 31 JAZZ FLAVORS The 31st edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal presented by TDin collaboration with Rio Tinto Alcan!, runs June 25-July 6. This year’s festival will include 370 free outdoor shows, 180 indoor ticketed indoor concerts on nine outdoor stages 10 Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com