Fatoumata Diawara, whose debut album, Fatou, was released in North America last summer on World Circuit / Nonesuch Records, kicks off a month-long tour of the United States with an Afropop Spectacular with Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, California, this Saturday. The 13-city tour includes a two-night run in Seattle, shows in Chicago, Minneapolis, Austin, Albuquerque, El Paso, New Orleans, and sets at the Houston and Louisiana International Festivals, as well as a trip to Mexico for a show in the capital city. Diawara returns to the States later this spring to perform at the Bonnaroo festival in June.

See below for all of Diawara's currently scheduled tour dates; for additional details and ticket links, go to nonesuch.com/on-tour. To pick up a copy of Fatou, head to the Nonesuch Store, where CD orders include a download of the complete album at checkout.

Earlier this month, Fatoumata Diawara performed a special show with Angélique Kidjo for International Women's Day at Royal Festival Hall in London. The Guardian gives the "highly entertaining show" four stars, with reviewer Robin Denselow describing Diawara as "something of a revelation." She offered "a sophisticated, attacking set in which controlled and powerful vocals wer ematched against a passionate peace song for Mali, followed by an inspired dance workout."

FATOUMATA DIAWARA ON TOUR