Luna Negra Dance Theater performs the New York premiere of its show, Danzon, on Saturday, October 24, at 8:00 pm on the Main Stage at Staller Center. For this new work, Luna Negra Dance Theater has collaborated with the bold and ingenious Turtle Island Quartet and legendary composer and performer, clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera. Turtle Island Quartet and D’Rivera have collectively won 11 Grammy Awards.
In partnering with Turtle Island Quartet and D’Rivera, Luna Negra Dance Theater takes this traditional and quintessentially Cuban dance form and reinvents and reinvigorates it as a modern work of art. They are introducing mainstream American audiences to a thriving Latino tradition and are creating a milestone moment in the continuity of Latino artistic expression.
The Creation of Danzon
After working with artists from all over the Latino World and investigating the myriad of cultural influences that make up Latino culture, choreographer Eduardo Vilaro returned to his own roots for Luna Negra Dance Theater’s 10th anniversary season with the creation of Danzon.
The Danzon has been called the official dance of Cuba, and it initially evolved from Haitian contradance. Its current form was created by the Cuban musician and bandleader Miguel Failde Perez in 1879, and although the Danzon has evolved in many respects, much of the original structure remains. As traditional Cuban dance music, Danzon has never ceased to influence Cuban musicians, and its influences can be heard in virtually all popular Cuban music genres. It is this continuity that defines Danzon as a truly unique, living art form.
Tickets are $38, with discounts available for students and seniors (half price tickets for children 12 and under). Tickets are available at www.stallercenter.com
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