Music critics' picks

How fitting that Ladysmith Black Mambazo should be in town Sunday, just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This amazing South African vocal harmony and dance group will focus on material from their just-out album, "Ilembe," which celebrates the warrior Shaka Zulu. He united the disparate tribes into a singular force, the Zulu Nation, that enabled South Africans to persevere amid the European domination of their country for nearly two centuries of apartheid.

Most songs on the album (the title translates as "The Greatest Warrior") are in Zulu dialect. Still there's no missing the rich emotion and spirituality running through this bliss-inducing work - earnest entreaties to overcome obstacles, treasure that which is pure and attainable, and trust in God.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 3 p.m. Sunday, $39-$65, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

- Jonathan Takiff

When quirky teen pregnancy comedy "Juno" came looking for music for its soundtrack, they found a perfect partner in anti-folk princess Kimya Dawson, who got her start singing in the Moldy Peaches with Adam Green in the early 2000s. She's collaborated with everyone from They Might Be Giants to Third Eye Blind. The just-married, brand-new mom with the big smile and even bigger curls is known for her sharp solo work, armed with an acoustic guitar and a conversational style. Fellow K Records artist Karl Blau and hubby Angelo Spencer open.

When quirky teen pregnancy comedy "Juno" came looking for music for its soundtrack, they found a perfect partner in anti-folk princess , who got her start singing in the Moldy Peaches with Adam Green in the early 2000s. She's collaborated with everyone from They Might Be Giants to Third Eye Blind. The just-married, brand-new mom with the big smile and even bigger curls is known for her sharp solo work, armed with an acoustic guitar and a conversational style. Fellow K Records artist and hubby open.

Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, 1 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 267-765-5210, r5productions.com.

- Sara Sherr

While Hugh Masekela's return to his native South Africa after the fall of apartheid was triumphant, he - like many of his contemporaries - realized that the struggle was far from over. Before fleeing the country in 1960, the trumpeter had co-founded the Jazz Epistles with pianist Abdullah Ibrahim (then known as Dollar Brand). The quintet found enormous popularity at home but before their sound could reach international audiences, the schism of exile split the group apart.

While Hugh Masekela's return to his native South Africa after the fall of apartheid was triumphant, he - like many of his contemporaries - realized that the struggle was far from over. Before fleeing the country in 1960, the trumpeter had co-founded the Jazz Epistles with pianist Abdullah Ibrahim (then known as Dollar Brand). The quintet found enormous popularity at home but before their sound could reach international audiences, the schism of exile split the group apart.

Masekela went on to find great international success, fusing South African sounds with an adult contemporary vibe to create accessible light jazz/world music hybrids. But since his return in 1990, Masekela has dedicated himself to revitalizing South African music through his label, Chissa Entertainment, to promote young artists. The Hugh Masekela's Chissa All-Stars tour features several of those artists, including Afropop diva Sibongile Kuhmalo, urban-zulu singer Busi Moholgo and young kwaito singer Corlea.

Montgomery County Community College, Science Center Theater, 340 Dekalb Pike, 8 tonight, $22, 215-641-6505, www.Mc3.edu.

- Shaun Brady

There's perhaps no hip-hop artist more eclectic than former Fugees frontman Wyclef Jean. The Haitian-bred Jean titled his 2002 album, "The Ecleftic," and it featured sounds ranging from soulful acoustic guitar to Creole and rap pleasing enough for die-hard fans of the genre.

There's perhaps no hip-hop artist more eclectic than former Fugees frontman . The Haitian-bred Jean titled his 2002 album, "The Ecleftic," and it featured sounds ranging from soulful acoustic guitar to Creole and rap pleasing enough for die-hard fans of the genre.

House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $37 and $39, 21+, 609-236-BLUE, www.hob.com.

- Damon C. Williams

"Grand Passions" is the perfect title for a concert-version showcase of Academy of Vocal Arts' talent. These brilliant singers will appear in ensemble acts from Verdi's "Un ballo in maschere" and "Il forza del destino," plus Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," each packed with sizzling drama. Christofer Macatsoris conducts. Sopranos Takesha Meshe Kizart, Joyce El-Khoury and Angela Meade have already made it big, and tenor Michael Fabiano debuts at La Scala in April, but each of the 23 voices here has the qualities for stardom.

"Grand Passions" is the perfect title for a concert-version showcase of ' talent. These brilliant singers will appear in ensemble acts from Verdi's "Un ballo in maschere" and "Il forza del destino," plus Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," each packed with sizzling drama. conducts. Sopranos , and have already made it big, and tenor debuts at La Scala in April, but each of the 23 voices here has the qualities for stardom.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 tonight; Rutgers/Camden Center for the Arts, 3rd and Pearl streets, Camden, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow; and Haverford School, 450 W. Lancaster Ave., Haverford; $48-$83, 215-735-1685, www.avaopera.org.

- Tom Di Nardo