Omara Portuondo John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts May 6
Cuban vocalist Omara Portuondo performs at Artes de Cuba boot-off concert. JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center hide caption
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JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center
Cuban singer Omara Portuondo performs at Artes de Cuba kick-off concert.
JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center
At 87 years young, the legendary Cuban Diva of the Buena Vista Social Gild, Omara Portuondo, brought gasps of delight, and then rapturous applause, just by walking out on the phase in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night. She graciously acknowledged the love in the room then continued with her rendition of beloved archetype "Veinte Años," backed by just a pianist.
She was office of a spectacular concert that was the kicking-off celebration for an unprecedented display of Cuban multi-disciplinary arts and civilisation currently underway at the Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts called Artes de Republic of cuba: From the Island to the World.
The commencement of its kind in the U.S., more 400 Cuban and Cuban-American artists will be participating in an extraordinary showcase of music, dance, fashion, theatre, film, visual arts and more, from May 8 - xx.
Kennedy Middle staff began coordinating the event iii years agone during President Obama's historic overtures to the Cuban government and people. But with the Trump assistants's reversal of Obama's Republic of cuba policy, they faced travel restrictions and a sharply reduced staff at the U.South. Diplomatic mission in Havana. With 200 visas nonetheless to process, they were determined not to allow politics go far the way, and routed the artists through United mexican states.
Opening night was a commemoration in which fine art trumped politics and was dotted with references to the longstanding musical relationship between the U.S. and Cuba.
Highlights from the opening night of Artes de Cuba at the Kennedy Heart.
Four members of the Yosvany Terry Quintet started the evening by calling out to the Yoruban spirits with an evocative a cappella version of Terry'southward composition, Laroko, in the Yoruba linguistic communication – a language deeply rooted on the island by African slaves – performed against a backdrop featuring projected images of Cuba's natural dazzler.
The classical guitar is part of the Cuban musical landscape thanks to internationally renowned composer and performer Leo Brouwer. Sitting in front of a projected quote from Brouwer, classical guitarist Alí Arango paid tribute to that legacy with a cute, complex and masterfully executed performance of "La Toccata De Pasquini" from the composer'south Sonata for solo guitar.
Guitarist Ali Arango JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center hibernate caption
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JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center
Guitarist Ali Arango
JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center
Then, the fun began. A flutist donning a cerise jacket and black shiny pants playfully made his way downwardly the aisles, enchanting various audience members along the way with a solo introduction of the elegant danzón, "Almendra." Every bit he hit the phase, the 12-slice Orquesta Miguel Faílde launched into the total charanga classic with violins, upright bass, timbales, keyboard, conga, trumpet, sax and soulful vocals.
Orquesta Migule Failde JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Eye hide caption
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JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center
Orquesta Migule Failde
JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Middle
Next came a gorgeous video interlude highlighting the festival'due south visual arts, images that featured many of the top visual artists from the island every bit well as Cuban Americans creating piece of work that explores their roots.
A significant pause in an otherwise seamless presentation turned serendipitous with the return of the total Yosvany Terry Quintet. Looking out onto the full firm, Yosvany spoke the words that struck the note of the celebratory evening: "Tonight is very special. We are participating in something historical. For the outset time both countries that are neighbors ... come together finally equally a family unit."
The excitement skyrocketed as powerhouse singer Aymée Nuviola was introduced equally the "voice of a generation."
Vocalist Aymee Nuviola JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center hide caption
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JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center
Vocalist Aymee Nuviola
JATI LINDSAY/Courtesy of the Kennedy Eye
"It'south very important for me to be here tonight, representing my music, my country, my God and my people," Nuviola said. "It's a great moment!" The large-voiced and vibrant performer endemic the phase – radiant in her bright yellow, high-slitted skirt/hot pant outfit and large Afro, and breaking into Afro-Cuban dance moves. In a nod of respect to everyone's favorite vocalizer, Celia Cruz, Nuviola belted out a vocal associated with Cruz,"Bembe Colorá," engaging the audience in a telephone call and response.
Portuondo's performance began on a unlike note, with her coyly singing from the wings of the stage then walking out resplendent in a white and pink guayabera-style dress with a huge, pink bow on her headband. Existence playful and spirited, a shake of the hips brought cheers of delight as she crooned another classic, "Quizas, Quizas, Quizas." The selection was some other music history reference, this time to Nat King Cole'southward 1958 album Cole Español, partly recorded in Cuba.
Nuviola so took to the piano for a gorgeous duet with Portuondo for some other archetype, "Tres Palabras." At that place was a stunning coaction between them, as they wrapped their blended harmonies around each other'south.
"I thought that they represented the past and present of Cuba," said Felix Sanchez, chairman and co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, after the show. "It was familiar, it was romantic and it was the future. Information technology brought so many elements to the table."
Cuban music and fine art hasn't been entirely shut off from the U.S. despite the six-decade-long economic embargo. The opening nighttime and the entire 2-week run of the Kennedy Center's Artes de Republic of cuba is a reminder of the artistic riches that are just xc miles away from the U.South.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2018/05/11/610365822/kennedy-centers-artes-de-cuba-festival-an-unprecedented-cultural-bridge
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