Academia de Bachata (Bachata Academy), the world’s only school dedicated to bachata music, will perform on Thursday, October 10, at 18th Street Casa de Cultura in Chicago. Based in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, the Academy offers intensive, tuition-free music education to 250 boys and girls. The institution is renowned for its focus on Latin and Caribbean music traditions, guided by Grammy-nominated instructors Martires de León and Abel Mendez.
As part of their 2024 tour, an eight-piece student band, led by Academy faculty, will showcase their talents in concerts and workshops throughout the Dominican Republic and the United States. The Chicago event will feature music performances and dance workshops, with faculty members Benjamin de Menil, Abel Mendez, Darlin Castillo, and Luzmery Fernandez leading the activities.
Bachata, a genre that evolved from Spanish, African, and indigenous Caribbean roots, was initially practiced by marginalized communities and later embraced globally. In the late 20th century, Dominican migrants introduced bachata to the United States, where it fused with funk, rap, and R&B to create the popular “Bachata Urbana” style, exemplified by Romeo Santos.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m., at 18th Street Casa de Cultura, located at 2057 W. 18th St., Chicago.
For tickets, visit latinoculturalcenter.org.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central