By Hilda Chacón, Ph.D.
The exhilarating performance of the Miami-based salsa band, Tiempo Libre, rendered a gala experience for general audiences at the Callahan Theater of the Arts Center of Nazareth College on Saturday February 16, 2008. There could not have been a better presentation to closure this year’s adult programming for fans of the Arts Center: a magnificent spectacle of lights, colors, Cuban music, and a great performance that involved audiences of all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds in the joy of collective dancing at the sides of the main stage. Tiempo Libre is a band integrated by seven dynamic Cuban-born musicians lead by pianist and musical director, Jorge Gómez, with main vocalist Joaquín (El Kid) Díaz, Tebelio (Tony) Fonte at the bass, Luis Beltrán Castillo at the saxophone and flute, Leandro González at the congas (who also participated in one singing intervention), Raúl Rodríguez with the trumpet (who at some point was performing among the audience in the back of the Callahan Theater!), Hilario Bell with the drums, and sound engineer Alain Aguilar. It was inevitable to notice that the talented performers were just slightly older than our students at Nazareth College –who were also dancing enthusiastically on the sides of the Callahan Theater at the beat of Tiempo Libre’s music.
Multiple times Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre was formed in 2001 with the goal of conveying their rich Cuban roots with a new youthful and modern musical reinterpretation of their heritage vis-à-vis their American experience. The successful outcome of this enterprise was evident for Rochesterians, Cubans, Cuban-Americans, Americans and Italian students who enjoyed their presentation on February 16. They have performed extensively throughout the United States, as well as in numerous countries of Asia and Europe. They have performed along with prominent salsa and jazz starts such as Celia Cruz and Aretha Franklin. In 2007 the young musicians embarked in a new one-of-a-kind musical experience in their career, the writing of musical works that fusion symphony orchestra tradition and Cuban band music –something they call “Rumba Sinfónica”.
On February 16, Tiempo Libre, superbly recreated old traditional Cuban tunes such as “Lágrimas negras” a guaracha composed in the 1930’s by Cuban musician Miguel Matamoros (1894-1971) and widely performed in Cuba. We also heard “Guantanamera” whose authorship has been attributed to José Fernandez Díaz (Joseíto) around 1929, which borrows some stanzas from 19th Century Cuban poet and pro-independence fighter, José Martí’s “Versos sencillos”. Another great performance was “El cuarto de Tula” a Cuban son tune made famous in the United States by Ibrahím Ferrer and the magnificent group of musicians gathered by Ry Cooder, “Buena Vista Social Club”. The audience also listened to Tiempo Libre’s recreation of the old Cuban guaracha “Bilongo” composed by Guillermo Rodríguez Fifé (b. 1907), among other great Latino tunes that made of this performance an unforgettable one –a performance that leaves all of us with great desire to attend next year’s programming at the Callahan Theater of Nazareth College.
By Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez, Rochester City School District, Director of Community Partnerships; Founder & Artistic Director, Borinquen Dance Theatre, Inc.
I had the opportunity to attend three wonderful events over a two day span involving Ballet Hispanico. Nazareth College Arts Center and the sponsors, we thank you for your vision and for supporting diversity at its best! The excitement of being part of all three experiences left me with a great sense of Latin “Sabor” (Flavor).
The participation of Rochester City School District Dr. Martin Luther King elementary School #9 students in the Ballet Hispanico workshop was splendid! I witnessed the enthusiasm and glow in the students’ faces and determination to engage in a new cultural experience through dance. The students were in awe particularly with Eric Rivera, a native of Humacao, Puerto Rico and the lead instructor. The dancers introduced themselves, sharing their countries of origin and backgrounds; leaving the students at the workshop with inspiration for more inquiries of what to expect at the performance for students of the RCSD the next day. The following afternoon, Ballet Hispanico program included a sampling of traditional dances from various Latin American countries. The range of costumes, entertainment and dance left the students with joy and excitement as they cheered and chanted with pride. What a rich cultural experience for over 450 RCSD students!
The Master Class conducted by Nicolas Villeneuve, (a Canadian raised in Kingston, Jamaica) for Borinquen Dance Theatre and Hochstein dancers was superb! Nicolas presented his genre of dance and instruction with patience, precision and conviction, but most of all with finesse. While the dancers attempted to dissect his technical demonstration, they embraced the energy necessary and discipline to capture the essence of the movements with passion. Nicolas flowed and undulated his body like wind vibrantly passing infinitely. By the end of the class, the dancers were mesmerized with his execution and fluidity of movement and technique. As a result of this workshop, three dancers were inspired to audition for Ballet Hispanico.
The evening performance at Nazareth on January 11 was the highlight of Ballet Hispanico’s visit to Rochester. Their fusion of ballet, modern, jazz dance and Latin influence was harmony in movement. How exciting it was to be a spectator of such an astounding young group of dancers. They dazzled the audience with rhythm, multicolored festive costumes, fluid dancing, sensuality and passion, and a great selection of music and choreography. What a rich cultural experience! It reflected diversity of Latinos in the arts, history, music and dance. It all left me wanting MÁS (more)!