African return

More than a few people have remarked that, in this country at least, the new millennium either feels like an unwelcome return to 1980s excesses or a resurgent “morning in America”—depending on your politics, of course. However, one thing you could easily find in the ’80s that seems like it’s disappeared in the decade since is live African music. It’s been a while since a genuine Afrobeat group performed in this area, so when Thomas Mapfumo & the Black Unlimited play Wednesday, May 2, at the Palms Playhouse in Davis, it should prove to be a real event, not to mention a mighty good show. Mapfumo, from Zimbabwe, is what you might call a legend. He’s also intensely political, and you can pretty much bet he won’t be promoting tax cuts for the wealthy. The show’s at 8 p.m., the cover is $18.75, and the Palms is located at 726 Drummond Ave. in Davis. For information call (530) 756-9901.