INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF NEW YORK

Chase Latino Cultural Festival 2008
July 23 - August 3, 2008
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Produced by Queens Theatre in the Park

During this year's Festival, Queens Theatre in the Park will present artists and ensembles in an intensive 12-day period offering audiences an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich diversity of Latino culture.

Wednesday, July 23, 8:00 PM
Grupo Afro-Peruano Caracumbe
Caracumbe is an Afro-Peruvian group composed of thirteen dancers and musicians, many former members of the Peru Negro ballet. Director Marcos Napa shares the artistic legacy of his ancestors skillfully and passionately through music and movement that has endured the test of time.

Thursday, July 24, 8:00 PM
El Perro screening
(In Spanish with English subtitles)
In this warm-hearted and poignant road movie, a man and a dog embark on a delightful adventure across the stunningly beautiful Argentine Patagonia. Fifty-two-year-old Juan is laid off when the gas station where he has worked for the last 20 years is sold. Unemployed, middle-aged, unskilled, and living in a region with high unemployment, his prospects for a new job are very slim. He temporarily moves in with his daughter, but cannot see a way out of his dire situation until his luck turns in a most unexpected way. An elderly widow with little money gives Juan her late husband’s dog, Lechien, as payment for repairing her car, but Lechien ends up being not just any dog; he is a pure breed Argentinean Dogo, a potential dog show winner who may hold the key to Juan’s future in his paw. FREE

Thursday, July 24, 8:00 PM
Corina Bartra
A sophisticated, innovative vocalist from Peru, Corina Bartra is the first singer to blend jazz with Afro-Peruvian music. This rich, fascinating fusion of musical textures is unique to Bartra, a ground-breaking musical explorer. Her new album, BAMBU SUN, is a pioneering mix of jazz, world and Afro Latin music. Bartra has performed at the Birdland, Allice Tully Hall and other prestigious venues across the United States.

Friday, July 25, 8:30 PM
Tola and Maruja and the Elvirita Elvirulo Conference
Carlos Mario Gallego, Tola, and Luis Alberto Rojas, Maruja, two extremely popular performers from Colombia bring to Queens Theatre a fascinating and hilarious new show centered around a traditional “joke.” In the sketch, Tola and Maruja play two elderly sisters, gossiping about their lives, and waiting for a bus that never arrives. These brilliant comedians also examine the cultural significance of this historical joke, which was banned by the Catholic Church for many years.

Saturday, July 26, 1:00 PM
Inca Rose Duo
(Family performance) Tango and Beyond: The Story of Argentinean Music - with the participation of the Inca Rose Duo. The development of music and culture in Argentina was influenced by gauchos (the Argentinean cowboys), European dance forms brought over by the Spanish in the 17th century, the musical traditions of Africans and indigenous Indian populations, and of course, the tango. This entertaining and informative program brings to life the music and culture of Argentina from its earliest roots to the present day. FREE

Saturday, July 26, 8:30 PM
Inca Rose Duo
The Inca Rose Duo—Annelise Skovmand and Pablo González Jazey—is dedicated to building cross-cultural understanding through music. Skovmand and González bridge the divide between classical and popular music by melding elements from both worlds into new musical expressions. Skovmand and Jazey take audiences on a musical journey that combines traditional folk music, classical selections and popular songs, all performed with the Duo’s original arrangements and unique sound.

Saturday, July 26, 8:30 PM
Jimmy Sabater
Musician, vocalist and songwriter extraordinaire, Jimmy Sabater is considered by many to be the founder of the “salsa” genre. In the course of his remarkable career, Sabater has performed all over the world, and recorded a vast, impressive catalogue of albums featuring many major artists such as Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. With his versatile musical skills and his romantic, velvety voice, Sabater is a consummate entertainer.

Sunday, July 27, 7:30 PM
Noche Flamenca
The award-winning Noche Flamenca is Spain's most successful touring company, with a dedicated audience across the United States and around the world. Hailed by critics everywhere for its transcendent and deeply emotional performances, Noche Flamenca is recognized as the most authentic flamenco company in the field today. They bring to the stage the essence, purity, and integrity of one of the world's most complex and mysterious art forms. All aspects of flamenco; dance, song, and music, are magically integrated in their performances, which convey the heart and soul of flamenco.

As part of our 12th Chase Latino Cultural Festival, Noche Flamenca’s performance features La Dama del Mar, Martin Santangelo’s first narrative-driven work for the company – inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s “Lady from the Sea.” Hailed by Alastair Macaulay of The New York Times as a leading dancer of our time, Soledad Barrio will perform. Experience for yourself this acclaimed flamenco ensemble as they present their authentic presentation of this cathartic art form.

Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 PM
Open Mic hosted by Rich Villar
Come jam at Queens Theatre’s open mic session of poetry and spoken word, hosted by poet/curator Rich Villar. Let your word be heard, speak your mind & bring your art. If you are interested in participating in this event please contact Gabriela at 718.760.0686, ext 226 or galcala@queenstheatre.org. Each act is restricted to 10 minutes. Bilingual work (Spanish/English) encouraged. FREE

Wednesday, July 30, 8:00 PM
Camerino 4
One of Mexico’s newest and most innovative companies presents an exciting program of dance inspired in part by “theater of the absurd.” An eclectic combination of influences - including playwrights Harold Pinter and Eugene Ionesco, the language of cinema, and Mexico City itself - provide the basis for this lively and ambitious program. Each voice, word and sound, each conflict, and each moment of silence is vividly brought to life in three pieces, including a World Premiere called “Acrílico”, commissioned by Queens Theatre in the Park. Directed by Magdalena Brezzo. FREE

Thursday, July 31, 8:00 PM
Aquiles Báez
Aquiles Báez is a multitalented Venezuelan musician - a performer, arranger, composer and master guitarist. His personal style fuses sophisticated harmonies with Latin American rhythms, creating a totally unique sound. Aquiles has recorded many successful solo albums, as well as collaborations with well-renowned artists and major world orchestras. His innovative, genre-defying pieces combine jazz, classical and folk music. Báez has appeared on Grammy nominated CDs by Danilo Pérez and Paquito d'Rivera.

Thursday, July 31, 9:00 PM
Zemog el Gallo Bueno
Zemog El Gallo Bueno plays 21st Century Latin music, reflecting all of the contradictions and tensions of what it means to be Latin in America in 2008. His folksy, energetic and jazzy sound, with passionate, fiery vocals, is uniquely uncategorizable. Downbeat magazine says that Zemog has developed “an original, satisfying spin on Latin rock.” Zemog’s music is hot, bold, brash and fun!

Friday, August 1, 8:30 PM
Bachata Roja Legends
Bachata is one of the greatest Afro-Caribbean dance styles of all time. This U.S. debut concert features some of the classic Dominican bachata stars of the 1960s to the 1980s. These musicians - Singers Ramon Cordero, Augusto Santos, “El Chivo Sin Ley” (The Lawless Goat), and guitar giant Edilio Paredes, all enduring legends - charted the course of bachata’s rise to international popularity with their irresistible dance rhythms. Also featured is rising bachatero star, singer-guitarist Joan Soriano a.k.a. “El Duque” (The Duke).

Saturday, August 2, 1:00 PM
Dragones: Destino de Fuego screening
Eduardo Schuldt. Peru. 2006. 3D. Animation. 80 min. John, a young dragon, was adopted by a family of condors on a Lake Titicaca island. Though he was raised like other kids, John knew deep down inside that he was different. Now a teenager, he discovers a truth that will change him forever, and sets off on an adventure to find his “true” identity. A box office hit in Latin America, “Destiny of Fire” is the charming, inspirational story of the importance of kindness and the value of brotherhood. FREE

Saturday, August 2, 8:00 PM
Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto
The native Kogi tribe descended from the snow-capped peaks of Columbia’s Caribbean coast. Singing of life and love, they gave birth to “gaita” music. Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto are the greatest maestros of this tradition. Preserving this sound for over five generations, the group has become one of Colombia’s cultural treasures, and the living expression of Latin America’s history of passion and survival. On stage, these seven musicians come to life with rhythm and power. Their most recent album, Un Fuego de Sangre Pura (Fire in the Blood), won the Latin Grammy Award 2007. Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto provide a century of tradition inspired by the passion of a lifetime.

Sunday, August 3, 3:00 PM
Pregones Theater: Migrants
This bilingual play with music celebrates the Puerto Rican pioneers who established communities in the United States and struggled for the preservation of their culture. The play is a collective creation of Pregones Theater, based on written and oral history, interviews and the works of writers such as Guillermo Baralt, René Marqués and Klemente Soto Beles. First premiered in 1986 and heralded by critics worldwide, this signature production of Latino theater has been re-staged by award-winning director Jorge B. Merced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pregones' Summer Stage Tour. FREE

Sunday, August 3, 7:00 PM
Rubén Rada
Candombe is an Afro–Uruguayan rhythmic style music, and Ruben Rada is one of its masters. One of the most prolific composers in the world, Rada’s magical songs are fresh, brash and dynamic. They reveal the influence of his favorite artists, from Ray Charles to The Beatles to Louis Armstrong. His songs assimilate different styles including jazz, world music, funk, pop, tango, rock, and of course, Candombe. A brilliant vocalist and composer, and an outstanding showman, RADA has charisma and swing that cannot be equaled.

Camerino 4
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 8 PM
The Little Theatre: 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY

One of Mexico's newest and most innovative companies presents an exciting program of contemporary dance inspired in part by theater of the absurd. An eclectic combination of influences - including playwrights Harold Pinter and Eugene Ionesco, the language of cinema, and Mexico City itself.
Additional performance: Wednesday, July 30th at 8 PM at Queens Theatre in the Park.

Free Admission - Reservations Required
Presented as part of the Chase Latino Cultural Festival (718) 760-0686
Directions: Take 7 train to 33rd/Rawson or the E, G, V, R to Queens Plaza.

LPAC Box Office: (718) 482-5151

Teresa Margolles – OPERATIVO
May 29 - July 30, 2008

Y Gallery is pleased to present OPERATIVO the first solo exhibition in New York by Teresa Margolles curated by Cecilia Jurado.
Margolles was born in Culiacán, Mexico, where men and women are murdered every day in drug related violence. Since her early work with collective SEMEFO (Forensic Medical Service), and later as solo artist, Margolles has addressed anonymous death by collecting, reusing, and manipulating objects and procedures from the morgue in Mexico City. For this exhibition Margolles will present work focusing on current relations between her native country and the United States.
Teresa Margolles earned degrees in Forensic Medicine and Science of Communication at Universidad Nacional in Mexico. Her work has been shown internationally at institutions such as P.S.1/MoMa in New York, the Kunst-Werke Berlin, in the South London, Kunsthalle Wien, The Museum of Modern Art Frankfurt, Centre d'art contemporain de Brétigny, MALBA Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, El Museo del Barrio and The Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York, among others. She has participated in the Liverpool, Moscu, Prague, Mercosul and Cuenca Biennials. She lives in Mexico City.

Y Gallery
32-70 85th Street at Northern Blvd
Jackson Heights, Queens, NY 11370
718-565-6285
Gallery Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday, 12-7 pm
info@ygallery.com
www.ygallerynewyork.com 

About the MCINY
The Mexican Cultural Institute, founded in 1991, is a 501 c 3 and Tax exempt organization committed to generating awareness of the richness, dynamism and cultural diversity of Mexico as a democratic, plural and creative nation, fostering a better understanding of our country, and promote cultural expressions and industries in art, education, science, technology and research of Mexico in New York.

Through strategic partnerships with local individuals and organizations, the Institute has presented over 550 Mexican cultural programs including visual arts, culinary arts, performing arts, literature programs and film and video in addition to academic and family-oriented activities.

Learn more by calling us at 212.217.6478
For a complete listing of events, please visit www.mciny.org