Yes, everything is set and ready for the 5th Annual Latin American Cultural Week that will take place in New York from November 10th to 17th. In fact, the festival’s schedule runs as far as November 24th, and judging from the scheduled events and invited artist, this year’s edition is going to be celebrated big and loud.
Organized by the Pan American Musical Art Research (PAMAR) since 2006, The Latin American Cultural Week is one of the most important festivals of the Latino community to be celebrated in New York, reaching out to more than 400,000 people every year. Many institutions and artists throughout New York City participate hosting presentations of music, dance, film, theater, literature, visual, and performing arts from or influenced by the diverse cultures of Latin America. Almost every single Latin–and even some non Latin– American organization is taking part in the festival: The American Symphony Orchestra, The World Music Institute, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Instituto Cervantes, Museo del Barrio, Americas Society, Cuban Artist Fund, Music Artist Guild, Jose Limon Dance Company, and Repertorio Español, just to name a few.
The Pinta Art Festival, an annual exhibit with the best of modern and contemporary Latin American art, the Flamenco Festival Gitano, The 3rd Annual Latin American Piano and Song Festival of NYC, six new theatrical productions by Repertorio Español, and the special Sotheby’s and Christie’s Latin American Art Auctions, are among the most important events for the LAWC 2010 edition.
Here is just a small probadita of the treats–many of them FREE–that the 2010 Latin American Cultural Week has prepared for us. If you still crave more, go check the LACW calendar, we promise you won’t be disappointed.
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MUSIC & DANCE
Brasil/ Susan Pereira and Sabor Brasil
November 11
Brazilian jazz quintet led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Susan Pereira, performing both original material and fresh arrangements of Brazil classics. Vanderlei Pereira-drums, Alain Mallet-piano, Barry Olsen-trombone, Itaiguara-bass.
Uruguay/ “River of Painted Birds” by Sabrina Lastman
November 11, The Old American Can Factory
“River of Painted Birds” is a music perfomance for solo voice, pre recorded voice/sound tracks and percussion, inspired by writing created as a consequence of the repression during and after the dictatorship in Uruguay.
United States/ Nuevo Latino: Una Fiesta de Musica
November 12
An electric night of three latin bands from Nueva York! The bands will strut their unique styles throughout the evening, with hot music and South American flair.
Spain/ Flamenco Festival Gitano
November 13
Definitely one of the stellar events at the LACW. The festival will feature important performers like Gypsy flamenco dance icon Angelita Vargas and the dynamic young Jairo Barrull, dancer Pepe Torres, and his award-winning ensemble Son de la Frontera, returning to New York with the debut of his acclaimed company to pay homage to Torres’ father, famous Gypsy flamenco singer Joselero de Moron.
Argentina/ Dock Sud 8 Electro Tango!
November 17
Dock Sud’s sound is rough and raw as its name suggests. While some of the beats blend in dirtily, in an almost industrial way, four live instruments contribute to a wide dynamic and improvisational range, as the form and phrasing sound like the old, traditional tango schools. This is a LACW closing event.
Colombia/ Pablo Mayor and Maria Mulata
November 17
As part of its closing event, the LACW presents Pablo Mayor and members of his renowned NYC-based band Folklore Urbano, teaming up with Viña del Mar prize winner María Mulata to present a display of Colombia’s traditions paired with Mayor’s modern innovations.
Jamaica/ Ibo Cooper
November 19
The Jamaican keyboardist, a founding member of the renowned band Third World, will offer a taste of his talent which bridges the gap between formal musical training and oral tradition.
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VISUAL ARTS
Worldwide/ Pinta 2010
September 2010 – January 2011
Another standout event at LACW this year. Pinta is a one-of-a-kind event exhibiting annually the best of modern and contemporary Latin American art, with the participation of 60 select art galleries from the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
United States/ Nueva York “1613-1945”
September 2010 – January 2011
Presented by the Museo del Barrio in collaboration with the New York Historical Society, this intriguing exhibition reveals the powerful role that Latinos and Spanish-speaking countries have played across four centuries to help shape New York into the most culturally vibrant city in the world.
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THEATER
Cuba – United States/ Nilo Cruz’s “Anna In The Tropics”
November 12 and 15, Repertorio Español
Directed by René Buch, this poetic play addresses the traditions brought to the United States by Cuban immigrants and how these are threatened by technology. In Spanish with live translation.
Colombia/ Gabriel García Márquez’s “Chronicle of a Death Foretold”
November 13 and 17, Repertorio Español
A spectacular wedding, a savage scandal, and a murder to which an entire Latin American town appears to be an accessory to. Presented in Spanish with live translation.
Worldwide/ Universes
November 20, Museo del Barrio
Universes, a national/international ensemble company of multi-disciplined writers and performers who fuse poetry, theater, jazz, hip-hop, politics, down-home blues, and Spanish boleros, create moving, challenging, and entertaining theatrical works, commemorating 14 years together by performing for the first time at El Museo del Barrio.
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Remember, for details and more events, check LACW Calendar. Remezcla whishes you a happy Latin American Cultural Week 2010.