Its propulsive grooves often result in outbreaks of wild dancefloor mania, yet Afrobeat has always had a serious side. While its funky, orchestrated rhythms are designed to get your body in motion and keep it there, the genre’s lyrics have always talked about struggle, spirit, and a belief that, as Fela Kuti once said, “music is the weapon.” This weekend, fight back against the devastation of African civil war with the Afrobeat All Star Extravaganza, a benefit for the African Immigrant and Refugee Resource Center. The event, held at Cafe du Nord in SF and put together by DJ Jeremiah, aka “Mr. Worldbeat” — himself a former Liberian refugee — features the best in local African music: Baba Ken & Afro-Groove Connexion and Jujuba, plus sets by DJ Jeremiah and Immanuel Nado. Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30. 8 p.m., $18-$20. Ticketweb.com, MaishaProductions.com
.Afrobeat Benefit
All Star Extravaganza at the Cafe du Nord.