FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Philadelphia, PA – Nov. 18, 2019. Led by four-time Latin Grammy nominated pianist and recording artist Suzzette Ortiz, Teatro Esperanza resident ensemble, AMLA will explore the folk and dance music of Puerto Rico next Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. – featuring the world premiere of a new work by Ortiz and performances by Esperanza Academy Dance Ensemble.
AMLA Artistic Director, Suzzette Ortiz describes the program, titled Musica Puertorriquena as a “compendium of danzas, musica Jibara (originally music from the mountain dwelling peasants), bomba, plena, boleros, salsa y regueton.” Ortiz continues “the concert will be multi-disciplinary, including audio-visual and dance. Esperanza Academy Dance Ensemble under the direction of Tania Y. Ramos Otón, will premiere original choreography to my new composition after Hurricane Maria entitled “Yukiyu” (the Taino Indian God that lives in “El Yunque”).”
Suzzette Ortiz will share the stage with Juan Medina on bass, guitar and vocals, Pedro Zayas on timbal, Augusto Febres on congas, Iriana Alvelo on cuatro, Rene Ginett on vocals and Ortiz herself on vocals and piano. Waleska Lopez will also make an appearance as special guest bomba dancer
Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos is part of Esperanza Arts Center’s Voces Series 2019 – a season-long spotlight on the arts and traditions of Puerto Rico.
WHEN: Friday, November 22, 2019, 7:30pm
WHERE: Teatro Esperanza, 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia PA 19140. Free parking available in the Bristol Street lot.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
- SVP Esperanza Arts Center, Bill Rhoads.
- Artists upon request
TICKETS: $10 Adults, FREE 18 & Under
BILINGUAL (ENGLISH & SPANISH) FLYER AVAILABLE HERE:AMLA FLYER
For media coverage, please contact Joy Huertas at (215) 324-0746 ext. 480, (267) 591-3394 or at jhuertas@esperanza.us
About Esperanza. Esperanza is a national community-based social benefit organization founded in 1986 by Rev. Luis Cortés and the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity with the biblical mandate to serve and advocate for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). Beginning with a local initiative, with programs targeted to address the unmet needs of North Philadelphia’s Hispanic community, Rev. Cortés is now sought by national and international leaders alike on issues of economic and workforce development, housing, immigration, and education. Under his leadership, Esperanza has grown from a small operation to a $50 million organization with more than 500 employees. Follow us on social media @esperanza_us on Twitter and Instagram, EsperanzaUSA on Facebook and Esperanza US on YouTube.
About Esperanza Arts Center. Guided by Esperanza’s core values of faith, integrity, and excellence, Esperanza Arts Center is the center for Latino performing arts in the Philadelphia region, spotlighting the rich spectrum of traditions from Central and South America and the Caribbean, as well as other cultures from around the world, creating positive transformational experiences for students, families, and attendees of all ages through the arts. For more information visit www.esperanzaartscenter.us
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