Also this issue: Material Girls The Female Funny Fest might make you think, but it wants to make you laugh. -Debra Auspitz Brittle Women -Susan Hagen The Real Thing -David Warner Pal Around -Steve Cohen Human, Nature -Janet Anderson War on War -Sam Adams Sons Also Rises -David Anthony Fox Due Cause -Frank Lewis

October 31-November 6, 2002

artpicks

Better Late!

El Festival Cubano -- the posters with the masked, top-hatted revelers have been seen all over town for what seems like months. Isn't it time for them to come down? Well, not exactly. The festival hit a snag when CUTUMBA, who were to be featured artists, had trouble obtaining visas. Laurence Salzmann, the festival's organizer, says "it was on the wire, we never knew till the last moment. We had to delay our program for a month, had to change printers, venues, hosts, flights, everything." The change of flights alone added another $2,000 to the expenses. But Salzmann wouldn't give up. "They are an explosive, ecstatic dance troupe. Once you see them your life changes! CUTUMBA takes you to another world. Music and dance and rhythm transport you. Once you are there you can't leave." As a great part of CUTUMBA's repertoire involves the Caribbean transformations of Yoruban religious dancing, the spiritual transport Salzmann describes is exactly their goal. There will be many opportunities to interact with CUTUMBA through Nov. 10, including a First Friday conga line in Old City, breakfast chats and dance lessons. Starting it all off is an evening of percussion, dance and song both sacred and social when CUTUMBA joins their pupils, Philly's Kulu Mele African-American Dance Ensemble, at International House.

Ballet Folklórico CUTUMBA, Sat.-Sun., Nov. 2-3, International House, 3701 Chestnut St. For information on all festival events, call 215-222-4540 or visit www.elfestivalcubano.com.

—Mary Armstrong