Heat up before the holidays with the award-winning African Guitar Summit as they bring their fresh, lively sounds to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (400 Culver Street) on Saturday, November 19 at 8 pm.

Think: Ladysmith Black Mambazo meets the Buena Vista Social Club. That describes the African Guitar Summit’s upbeat, toe-tapping melodies and vocals.

“A collection of outstanding guitarists from across the African continent, African Guitar Summit is a joyful, danceable celebration of contemporary African Music,” said the Good Times Newspaper.

Hailing from multiple African countries, including Ghana, Guinea and Madagascar, each member is an award-winning musician in their own right and bring their own fusion of styles and instruments. The Guitar Summit was formed in 2004, recorded their first album in just three days, and went on to win the 2005 Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) for World Music Album of the year.

Their second album, African Guitar Summit II, was also nominated for a Juno. National Public Radio said, “Drums may be the heartbeat of African music, but the African Guitar Summit makes a powerful case for the guitar as the signature instrument of modern Africa.”

Tickets are $37 in advance and $39 at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit sc4a.org or call 269.857.2399.