The Labia's anniversary is twofold: May 1949 saw Princess Labia opened it as a home for performing arts and managing director Ludi Kraus transformed it into a home for independent and art cinema 20 years ago. Expect celebrations including live music, events and a specially selected slate of movies to be screened until 29 May (see LabiaCelebrationExchange.co.za for more). Tonik play two shows at 8.30pm after a special screening (Fri, "Hay House Film Festival", 6.15pm; Sun, "Finding Freedom Behind Bars" (Exploring Consciousness), 6.15pm). Other musical events include Breakfast Included (Sat, 8.30pm after "Hay House" film, 6.15pm), Nice (Wed, with "Delicatessen") and  Dear John Love Emma (Fri 22 May with "Me, you and everyone we know").


Sweat.X helps Fiction celebrate "Year 3", featuring MC Spoek Mathambo and DJ/producer Markus Wormstorm. Also on the bill is dub-step mistress Funafuji ("Step Up"), analogue-infected bass-addict Dank and drum 'n bass master Hyphen ("Homegrown", "It Came From The Jungle"). Highly recommended (Sat, 226 Long St).


Also dance-inclined, chart-topping SAMA nominees Flash Republic play a rare Cape Town show (Fri, Karma Lounge, Camps Bay), and Cape Town International Jazz Festival urban-stage highlights Napalma return to Cape town from South America to play the Roots "beach", also featuring PH-Fat and Champampa & Ganada (Sat, 8pm, R20 before 10pm, R30 thereafter).


Next Wednesday, guitar-maestro Guy Buttery celebrates his move to Cape Town, with a show of material intended for a new album, and acoustic classics (Zula Bar, 194 Long St, 9.30pm, R40, details 021-4242442).

Award-winning songstress Louise Carver launches a Kirstenbosch winter concert series - expect current hits, adaptations like "Spirit Of The Great Heart" and old favourites in an intimate dinner setting (Sun, Silvertree Restaurant, R100; pre-booking essential 021-7629585).  Andy Lund and the Mission Men play the 24 May session.  


With an all-nations line-up, the jazz-drenched and Latin-inspired, Tucan Tucan are an ensemble guaranteed to get audiences dancing, but they're also a band with a lot of heart. They play a benefit show for 15-year old cancer survivor Kyla, along with LoRez (Sat, Mercury Live, 43 De Villiers St, District Six, R50). Dirty Skirts play the venue on Friday.


Upcoming: Bandstand "Eclectic Anniversary" with SAMA "Best Jazz" winner Moreira Chonguica, the return of Closet Snare, tattoo-rockers Damn Right, new dub-step material by DJ Ballard (Kalahari Surfers), DJ Richard da IIIrd (Jhb) and Magnum HiFi (Fri 29 May, Assembly, R50 door, R30 pre-book from TheAssembly.co.za).

This column originally appeared in the Cape Argus 'Tonight; section on 14 May 2009. Find out more on Tonight.co.za.

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