Queens Theatre in the Park to Present Chase 2011 Latino Cultural Festival

Queens Theatre in the Park (QTP) announced the Chase 2011 Latino Cultural Festival, which will take place from July 20 – 24, 2011, at Queens Theatre in the Park. This is the 15th year of the festival, which will feature 8 events including music, dance, comedy, spoken word, film, and family-friendly performances.

Highlights include Afro-Cuban dance and music with Oyu Oro; Colombian music with Folklore Urbano; multiple Grammy nominated drummer, percussionist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Bobby Sanabria; and Cuban pop diva Albita, performing songs from her new CD, Toda una Vida. The Chase 2011 Latino Cultural Festival is sponsored by Chase and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 8pm – Opening Night Show & Party!

Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Folklore Dance Ensemble / Dance (New York/Cuba)

Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Folklore Experimental Dance Ensemble is committed to the preservation of Afro-Cuban culture through dance, song and music. Join us afterward as we celebrate our 15th year with an opening night celebration.
Tickets $25

Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 8pm

Folklore Urbano / Concert (New York/Colombia)

This 12-piece New York City-based Colombian groove band plays original music and arrangements of pianist Pablo Mayor. While featuring vocals, five horns, Colombian percussion, piano, bass, and drumset, Folklore Urbano showcases music that is danceable, festive, and intriguing.
Tickets $25

Friday, July 22, 2011 at 7pm

HASTA EL ULTIMO TRAGO…CORAZON (TILL THE LAST DROP…MY LOVE) / Film (Mexico)

Beto Gómez, Mexico, 2005, 82 min. In Spanish with English subtitles

This documentary is a valentine to the women who have contributed to the development of Mexican music with their distinctive voices. Director Beto Gomez explores the struggles and successes of women such as Chavela Vargas, Lila Downs, Eugenia León, Astrid Hadad, La Negra Graciana, and Iraida Noriega. Through this intriguing film, Beto illuminates what is vital in modern Mexican music.
Tickets FREE – call 718-760-0064 for reservations.

Friday, July 22, 2011 at 7pm

MC and Host by La Bruja / Open Mic (New York)

The Open Mic Night provides a platform for poets, singer-songwriters, and spoken-word artists to showcase their talents in front of a live audience. The host and MC of the evening will be none other than America’s leading spoken word artist, La Bruja.

Tickets FREE – call 718-760-0064 for reservations.

Friday, July 22, 2011 at 8pm

Los Chantas Tango Quartet / Milonga-Dance (New York)

While collaborating with professional dancers, Los Chantas will host a traditional Milonga (lively form of social tango dance). The evening will begin with a half hour crash course for guests dancing tango for the first time. Following the Milonga, Los Chantas will perform live to everyone. A photo display in the lobby of the theatre will feature featuring photos of tango dancers and music by Sergio Reyes.

Tickets FREE – call 718-760-0064 for reservations.

Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 1pm

Clave – The Key: A Rhythmic Journey from Africa to the New World / Concert (New York)

Multiple Grammy Award-nominated drummer, percussionist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Bobby Sanabria uses the five-beat rhythm of the clave (the rhythmic pattern and unifying principle of Cuban son, rumba and contemporary salsa) as the key to unlock the roots of Afro-Cuban music and show its presence in the music of present day United States.

Tickets FREE – call 718-760-0064 for reservations.

Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 7pm and 10pm

Tola y Maruja / Comedy (Colombia)

This Colombian comedy duo, formed in 1990 by journalist and cartoonist Carlos Mario Gallego (Tola) and writer Sergio Valencia Rincón (Maruja) mocks Columbian politics and society in the form of two old paisa (from Medellin City) ladies. Tola y Maruja started as a feature in Frivolidad, a humor magazine created by Carlos and Sergio. After five issues, Frivolidad became a theatre company which continued the satirical antics of Tola y Maruja. This performance is in Spanish only.

Tickets $25

Sunday, July 24, 2011 at 7pm

Albita / Concert (Cuba-Miami)

Toda una vida Tour

Performing original songs from her new CD Toda una Vida, Albita‘s pop flair and uncanny songwriting ability have given her the ability to move hearts and bodies simultaneously. The daughter of famous singers, this Cuban diva made her long and hard way to Little Havana via Colombia and Mexico, and her elegant pop songs retain an international scope and appeal.

Tickets $25

In 1997, Queens Theatre in the Park founded the Latino Cultural Festival with the Latin America Cultural Center of Queens to celebrate the contributions of Latin American artists to New York’s cultural life. Under the leadership of Claudia Norman, Festival Artistic Director since 1999, QTP highlights Spanish, African and Caribbean influences, presents rich folk traditions, and spotlights a range of popular and cutting edge artists. Many of the participating Central and South American artists now make the Festival their exclusive NYC engagement. This once local effort to better serve Latino audiences has become a major cultural attraction in the northeast.

Tickets are available:

* Online at www.queenstheatre.org.

* By phone at 718-760-0064, Sunday 10-3, M-Sat 100in.

* In person at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY.

* Groups: Contact group coordinator Katherine Borrero 718-760-0064 for parties of 15 or more.

Queens Theatre in the Park is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY.

By Subway: Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point stop. Exit and turn left after passing through turnstile, walk downstairs on the parking lot side and follow the theatre shuttle signs. Take free trolley to the Theatre. Trolley runs for one hour before and after all performances.

By Car: Take the Grand Central Parkway to exit 9E (from Manhattan) or 9P (from Long Island) and follow the signs for the Theatre. Free parking in adjacent lot.

For more information, visit www.queenstheatre.org.