CCCA to Welcome Calpulli Mexican Dance Company in DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, 11/1

City College Center for the Arts (CCCA), NYC's newest center celebrating the diverse artistic voice of its community, presents Calpulli Mexican Dance Company as part of their inaugural 2014-2015 Season. Home to Aaron Davis Hall, CCCA audiences will experience Calpulli's world premiere Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), on November 1, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The captivating new work evokes the unending relationship between the living and the departed with music and dance as the language that transcends. Passionate live music, comical characters, amazing dance, and larger-than-life surprises are just a few of the highlights of this family-friendly piece.

"Calpulli is an ensemble of incredible musicians and dancers representing Mexican history and culture," said Gregory Shanck, Managing Director of The City College Center for the Arts. "We are looking forward to transforming Aaron Davis Hall into an exciting Day of the Dead destination."

A tribute to the heart and soul of Mexico here in New York City, under the Artistic Direction of Alberto Lopez and Musical Direction of George Saenz, the Company of 20 dancers and core of musicians will recreate folkloric Mexican dances with live music ranging from Mariachi serenades to Aztec rituals. A collection of interludes that weave together several characters through a story of love, the world premiere has been in re-development since 2012. Characterized by a myriad of colors and vibrant images, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company examines the cempazuchitl in this work-or marigold, a flower that holds significance in the festival. With these flowers sprinkled on the graves of the dead, the attractive scent of the marigold is said to draw them back to earth for the yearly Dia de los Muertos reunion.

"Calpulli Mexican Dance Company is interested in serving all audiences who seek to learn about Mexican and Mexican-American traditions in New York City," explains Albert Lopez. "We invite the Mexican immigrant community of New York to join us in remembering the rich culture and family roots through dance and music. The support of City College Center for the Arts allows us a remarkable stage and space for premiering this work.

Reserved Orchestra seating is available for $35, $25 for Mezzanine. A $10 CUNY student ticket is also available. Tickets are available for purchase by phone at 212.650.6900 or at http://adhatccny.org/shows/calpulli-dance-nov-1st/. The performance will take place at the Marian Anderson Theater, located in the Aaron Davis Hall at City College of New York on Saturday November 1 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Aaron Davis Hall is located on the campus of The City College of New York at 160 Convent Avenue, between West 133rd and 135th Streets. Convent Avenue is one block east of Amsterdam Avenue. The theater is accessible by the 1, A, D, C and C trains.

ABOUT CITY COLLEGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS - In 2014, The Office of Government & Community Affairs announced the launch of The City College Center for the Arts (CCCA). The Center serves as a cultural hub that builds a sense of community both within the school and its surrounding neighborhood, while inspiring creativity and diversity. Home to Aaron Davis Hall, the largest performing arts center in Manhattan north of Lincoln Center, it also provides a premier venue for local and national performers and for art patrons in the tri-state area. The venue showcases art that captures the college's culturally diverse student body, which speaks more than 90 languages, and includes dance, music, theater, literary readings, film, performance art and art exhibitions. For more information visit www.citycollegecenterforthearts.org.

ABOUT CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY - Calpulli Mexican Dance Company celebrates the rich, regional dance traditions of Mexico's diverse cultural history, interpreted through its charismatic and unique artistic vision. Founded in 2003, Calpulli is dedicated to the traditions of Mexico and Mexican-American cultural expression through dance and music. Its mission is to produce dance-based programming incorporating live music and theatre to promote the rich diversity of Mexican cultural heritage.