Wednesday, August 27, 8:00 pm
Eleyé de Cuba
Sponsored by Blue Sky Cultural Connections, Inc. and Westminster United Church
Admission $15
Westminster United Church
3025 13th Avenue
www.westminucregina.ca
summerinthevillage.blogspot.com
Eleye de Cuba comes direct to Canada from the historic Caribbean coastal town of Trinidad, Cuba. The sensational seven-piece group is a favourite at Cuban fiestas, festivals, and traditional celebrations. They are regular performers at Trinidad’s Teatro Brunet, the famous Casa de Trova and the Palenque de las Congos Reales.
Eleye de Cuba’s music reflects a broad range of traditional and popular Cuban music. The group’s repertoire of music genres pleases world beat lovers, jazz enthusiasts, salsa dancers and classical Cuban music devotees. At many performances you may see over a hundred people participating in a Chachacha mega-dance lesson. Their performances also include Trova, Son, Salsa, Afro-Cuban, and Bolero as well as original compositions.
In 2007, Eleye de Cuba performed at over 40 venues for incredibly enthusiastic audiences throughout Saskatchewan and into Alberta. Because the response was so great, Blue Sky Cultural Connections, Inc. of Regina, Saskatchewan, has invited Eleye de Cuba to perform throughout Western Canada during the summer of 2008.
In every venue from large festivals, to schools, to cultural centres and house concerts, music director for the group, Lachi Najarro amazes audiences with his flute and saxophone playing while Liliett Alarcon leads on spectacular vocals and maracas. Anselmo de Jesús Rabi intricately plays tres, a traditional Cuban guitar. Guillermo Galon specializes in timbales and minor percussion, Joel Oviedo plays congas masterfully, and Joel Bordon is fabulous on string bass. The group is led by guitarist and guiro player, Chichi Martinez who toured in Canada with Hecho en Cuba in 2006.
Guest percussionist and animateur David Lopez Garabito, who also performed with Hecho en Cuba in 2006,
has garnered many avid fans throughout Western Canada. David is one of Cuba’s foremost conga masters, and he will again be joining Eleye de Cuba on the 2008 tour.Eleye de Cuba’s visit will continue to be an exciting cultural exchange and an opportunity for Canadian audiences to discover talented performers who live and love their music. We know that Eleye de Cuba will be sure to have audiences everywhere up on their feet!
