Continuing its success of presenting programs that celebrate the popular genres in Latin music, including Boogaloo and Mambo, the Hostos Center presents a nostalgic look back at the Charanga era, based on lively Cuban dances, with "Charanga-Fest" featuring three of the top Charanga bands in New York, and special guest artists on Saturday, November 5, at 7:30 PM in the Center's Main Theater.
"Charanga-Fest" includes performances by Orquesta Broadway, under the direction of Eddy Zervigon, Charanga '76 with Andrea Brachfeld, and Típica Novel, led by Mauricio Smith, Jr., and special guest artists including the legendary Cuban violinist Félix 'Pupi' Legaretta, and flutists Karen Joseph and Connie Grossman. Chico Álvarez, host of the Latin Jazz show "New World Gallery" on WBAI, is master of ceremonies.
Tickets are $25 and $30 ($10 for students and under 18) and are available through www.hostoscenter.org or by calling (718) 518-4455. The Hostos Center Box Office, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street, Bronx, is open Monday through Friday 1 PM to 4 PM and two hours prior to performance. "Charanga-Fest" is co-produced by the Hostos Center with Richie Bonilla Artist Management.
A Charanga is a traditional ensemble that plays Cuban dance music. These ensembles made Cuban dance music popular in the 1940s and their music consisted of heavily son-influenced material, performed on European instruments such as violin and flute. The style of music that is most associated with a Charanga is termed 'Danzón', and is an amalgam of both European classical music and African rhythms. Cuban immigrants to New York in the early 1960s formed Charanga bands including Típica Novel and Orquesta Broadway, forming in 1961 and 1962 respectively. During the Latin music explosion in New York in the 1970s and 80s, the next wave of Cuban immigrants to New York revived the genre and formed Charanga groups, including La Charanga '76 in 1976.
Support for Hostos Center for Arts and Culture programs are provided by the Eugenio María de Hostos Community College Foundation, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the New York City Council, the Office of New York State Assemblyman José Rivera, and the Office of New York City Councilmember, Rafael Salamanca, Jr.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Orquesta Broadway was co-founded in 1962 by Cuban-born Eddy Zervigón and Roberto Torres and has proved to be one of New York's longest surviving charangas. With confusion over what to call the band, the members eventually settled for the suggestion of a promoter, who dubbed them 'Orquesta Broadway' because most band members lived near the avenue. Orquesta Broadway made their debut with Dengue (1964) on the Gema label, which contained the cha cha hit "Como Camina María." Their series of four albums between 1965 and 1968 helped to consolidate their popularity as one of New York's top ten bands. After being based in Miami for several years, Orquesta Broadway returned to New York in 1975. Signed to Coco Records, they released four albums between 1975 and 1981. Pasaporte (1976), produced by revered trombonist Barry Rogers, enhanced their popularity, and, in 1977, the Orquesta was the city's busiest band, playing 15 dances a week. In 1982, Orquesta Broadway Loves New Yorkwas released on their own Broadway Records label. Orquesta Broadway celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2002 with a well-received recording of the same name and its 50th anniversary, in 2012, with a spectacular concert outdoors at Lincoln Center.
The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture consists of a museum-grade art gallery, a 367-seat Repertory Theater, and a 900-seat Main Theater, presenting artists of national and international renown. It is easily accessible from Manhattan, Queens and New Jersey and is a mere 15 minutes by subway from midtown Manhattan
Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change, transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. Hostos serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, and a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College's unique "student success coach" program, which partners students with individualized guidance, is emblematic of the premier emphasis on student support and services.
Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and 5 certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos Community College is part of CUNY, the nation's leading urban public university serving more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.
Videos