"Wemilere.com" Cuban Dance and Music Festival
Company:
Oyu Oro Afro Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble
“Del Caribe Soy” is Oyu Oro's first Cuban popular dance presentation with a special solo performance by Aruan Ortiz, pianist from Santiago de Cuba. The stage involves a majestic rainbow of movement, song and music that recreates popular Caribbean dances, Cuban modern dance, Afro-Cuban culture and new choreography directed by Danys “La Mora” Perez. Featured Cuban artists include Liethis Hechavarria (dancer), Alexander La Rosa (dancer, musician and choreographer), Maikel Castellanos (singer, dancer and musician) and Elvis Ferrera (dancer).
Tickets: Available starting on April 1 at oyuoro-afrocuban.com;
General: $20 Plus Mojito: $25 At the Door: $30 Cash only
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Wemilere.com Festival Brings Cuban Dance and Music to New York
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NEW YORK - April 20th, 2018 - As spring begins to flourish in the city, the beauty of Cuban dance is already in full bloom for May and June. Oyu Oro, an Afro-Cuban Manhattan-based dance company, creates the festive climate of "Wemilere.com" with four-weekends of activities from May 12 to June 1 at different venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
“It is a cultural dance and music tour of Cuba,” says Danys “La Mora” Perez, artistic director of Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble. “It is a scenic work that illustrates the genuineness of the African and Latin cultures that crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled in Cuba.”
In Cuban culture, Wemilere is a celebration dedicated to the Orishas of Cuba. Perez created “Wemilere.com” to communicate traditional values to contemporary audiences. “Technology is a part of the world’s new language,” Perez says. “Through social media, we communicate, come together and share information. With Wemilere.com, Cuban traditions enter a new age.”
The presentations include workshops, lecture demonstrations, performances and a Rumba with celebrated singers and musicians. The festival presents new choreographers who strengthen the artistic work of Cuban culture in New York City.
“We honor the Antillean culture by using various brushstrokes with wonderful colors, using new theatrical accents that highlight the strength and beauty of modern art,” adds Perez, a former prima ballerina of National Ballet Folklorico Cutumba.
A culturally diverse participation of Oyu Oro’s artists will perform choreography with traditional fragments expressed through Caribbean songs, music and social dances.
“Wemilere.com” / Oyu Oro's performance dates and sites:
When: Saturday, May 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What: “Wemilere.com” grand opening
Where: The Ailey Studios, 6th Floor, 405 W. 55th St., New York, NY 10019
Why: It is the eve of Mother’s Day with a Cuban social event. The event features dance and music performances by Oyu Oro and local artists, as well as a display of Cuban arts and crafts. Light refreshments and wine will be served. Bring your mother, sister, family and friends to celebrate this special weekend. Visit oyuoro-afrocuban.com/PARTY.html to get a taste of this festive feast of dance and music.
Tickets: Available starting on April 1 at oyuoro-afrocuban.com General: $15 Plus Mojito:$20 At the Door:$20 Cash only
When: Friday, May 18th, from 8 p.m.
What: Rumba en Teatro LATEA (Room 203) with Melvis Santa
Where: 107 Suffolk Street, New York, NY
When: Saturday, May 19, 6 p.m to 9 p.m.
What: Noche Cubana
Where: TBA
Why: Cuban social event. Celebration of the Cuban Popular music and dance. Join us to explore the latest Cuban movements and styles on the dance floor. There will be a mini-class taught by Alexander La Rosa and Liethis Hechavarria from Santiago de Cuba. Light refreshments and wine will be served.
Tickets: Available starting on April 1 at oyuoro-afrocuban.com General: $15 Plus Mojito:$20 At the Door:$20 Cash only
When: Thursday, May 24, at 9 p.m.
What: "Rumba" with Roman Diaz
Where: Zinc Bar, 82 W. 3rd St., New York
Why: This event is the most authentic Rumba performance in New York City led by the renowned Rumbero from Havana, Cuba, Roman Diaz. Oyu Oro’s Cuban artists from Santiago de Cuba, including Danys “La Mora” Perez (master dancer), Liethis Hechavarria (dancer), Alexander La Rosa (dancer and musician), Maikel Castellanos (singer, dancer and musician), Elieser Mendoza (dancer and musician) and Elvis Ferrera (dancer) will be participating.
When: Friday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m.
What: “Del Caribe Soy”
Where: Roulette, 509 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn
Why: “Del Caribe Soy” is Oyu Oro's first Cuban popular dance presentation with a special solo performance by Aruan Ortiz, pianist from Santiago de Cuba. The stage involves a majestic rainbow of movement, song and music that recreates popular Caribbean dances, Cuban modern dance, Afro-Cuban culture and new choreography directed by Danys “La Mora” Perez. Featured Cuban artists include Liethis Hechavarria (dancer), Alexander La Rosa (dancer, musician and choreographer), Maikel Castellanos (singer, dancer and musician) and Elvis Ferrera (dancer).
Tickets: Available starting on April 1 at oyuoro-afrocuban.com General: $20 Plus Mojito:$25 At the Door:$30 Cash only
Note: Afro Cuban Dance classes will be available on May 2, May 9, May 16 and May 23 at The Ailey Studios, 405 W. 55th St., New York; and on May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24 and May 31 at Cumbe at Restoration ART, 368 Fulton St. Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (Ask for 247 Herkimer St. building, within Restoration Plaza
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