Yuko Nexus6, a prolific and internationally recognized sound artist, will perform at the annual summer experimental music series, “sound,” at the Shindler House in West Hollywood.  The show will take place on Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 pm.  Yuko Nexus6 began composing electronic music in the early 1990s, performing in both Japan and the United States using simple, and rough sound sources.  In 2003, she received the Digital Music Honorary Mention in Europe's prestigious Prix Ars Electronica competition with Journal de Tokyo, her third solo album. Singing jazz, folk and traditional standards in Japanese, English and German, Yuko Nexus6 processes her voice using the most high-tech devices, as well as the cheapest recording gadgets.  Schindler House is at 835 North Kings Road in West Hollywood.  Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchases are recommended.  Tickets: $18 advance admission, $14 for students with valid ID, $25 all at door.  For more information and for ticket purchases, call SASSAS at (323) 960-5723, or visit www.soundnet.org.
  

The First & Central Summer Concert Series (in Little Tokyo) continues on Thursday, August 3 at 7:00 pm with Lenine, a singer, composer, arranger, musician and producer. who has become one of the stars of Brazilian popular music.  Lenine is acclaimed by the public, the press, his fellow artists and tastemakers alike and is considered one of the standard bearers of the Brazilian scene for the 21st century for his brilliant talent at combining original music with the rhythms of Northeast Brazil over a base of rock, pop and electronica. DJ Sergio Mielniczenko from KPFK 90.7 FM will open at 6:30 pm. Free. Sponsored, in part, by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the Irvine Foundation. Media sponsors: KFPK 90.7 FM and Downtown News.
  

On Sunday, August 6, the 20th Annual American Red-White Song Competion (“Beikoku Kouhaku Utagassen”) produced by Rakusho Kai will be held at The Aratani/Japan America in Little Tokyo. The show will take place from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.  Long an annual staple at New Year’s, the variety show pits two teams, the Red (Women) team versus the White (Men) team, against each other in competition of song and dance. Each team will have special guests from Japan and the local community.  $30 general admission.  Aratani/Japanese American Theatre at 244 South San Pedro Street. Tickets: (213) 680-3700.
  

Take time out from that tofu tamale and check out the hip hop duo, BLACKALICIOUS, live in concert at the Tofu Festival on Saturday, August 12 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Begun humbly in high school in 1987, BLACKALICIOUS now claims five critically acclaimed albums and EPs to its credit, including “The Craft,” released in 2005. The song, “Alphabet Aerobics,” was featured in Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 3 for the Xbox.  Emerging from the influential Bay Area indie scene of the mid-90s, they burst onto the world stage and provided a roadmap for hundreds of underground artists to follow. They went on to tour the globe, headlining hundreds of shows and joining the likes of Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, The Roots, and Public Enemy.  The BLACKALICIOUS show is free with admission to the LA TOFU FESTIVAL
  

The 13th Annual Nisei Week Taiko Gathering will take place on Sunday, August 20 from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm.  Experience the sheer power and human spirit of Japanese American taiko as Southern California taiko groups showcase their diverse range of taiko and performance style on the outdoor stage at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.  Sponsored by Nisei Week and the JACCC as part of the 66th Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival.  For more information contact Johnny Mori at JACCC, (213) 628-2725 ext.139, or email at mori@jaccc.org.  Free Admission.  JACCC Plaza is at San Pedro and Second Street.
  

On Thursday, August 24 at the Aratani Japan America Theatre 
in Little Tokyo, SHIDARA, a troupe of brilliant young men and women from deep within the mountains of Japan, will present the art of Taiko drumming like it's never been seen before! The show starts at 8:00 pm.  Blending top-notch skill, blinding energy and breakneck speed, their performances carry a deeper spiritual purpose rooted in ancient times. Defying time and place, their music captures the earthy tones of long ago, and thunders with new images of Japanese mountain life. The sheer joy of SHIDARA's stage resonates in the minds and hearts of the audience long after the last beat has been played.  Sponsored by Kishin Daiko.  For more information, visit www.shidara.co.jp or www.kishindaiko.com/shidara.  $35 Orchestra; $30 Balcony.