FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nachito Herrera and Creole Choir of Cuba to Perform at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

October shows kick off 2014-2015 World Music & Dance Series

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Sept. 4, 2014) The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that it will kick off its 2014-2015 World Music and Dance Series in October with two special one-night-only performances. The season will open with A Night in Havana with Nachito Herrera and his Cuban Orchestra on Oct. 5, followed by the Creole Choir of Cuba on Oct. 22. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office

One of the worlds greatest Cuban pianists, the incomparable Ignacio Nachito Herrera combines his love of classical music with traditional Cuban rhythms and Latin jazz for an evening like no other. Herrera will be joined on stage by members of the Havana Jazz Social Club, Minnesota Youth Symphonies and local professional musicians. Herrera will lead the orchestra through a wide array of music that one would expect to hear at such legendary places as the Tropicana Club in Havana. The show also includes a dance floor for the audience to use.

Direct from Camagüey, Cuba, the Creole Choir of Cuba celebrates the history and resiliency of their Haitian ancestors who came to Cuba more than 200 years ago to escape enslavement. With influences from both the Caribbean and West Africa, the Creole Choir of Cuba tells stories of survival, faith and tragic history. Songs are sung in Creole, and are a rich blend of Haitian folk and Cuban rhythm combined with their own unique contemporary sound.

The very first time I saw each of these artists, I immediately fell in love with the heart and soul each one brings to the stage, said Dayna Martinez, artistic director of World Music & Dance. Nachito is not only an amazing performer, but his ability to take a familiar classical melody and transform it and give it new life with a Cuban feel is unparalleled. And Creole Choirs gift of storytelling through song not only draws you in, but makes you feel the passion and heartache conveyed through their arrangements. We are so excited to be able to share both of these amazing performances with the community.

Nachito Herrera and the Creole Choir are also part of Raíces y Suenos: the Artistry of Cuba, a series of arts-based learning and community engagement events hosted by the Ordway. Translated as Roots and Dreams, Raíces y Suenos celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Cuba through master classes, cultural conversations, workshops, lecture demonstrations and a visual arts exhibit that will open new doors for artists and audiences alike. Raíces y Suenos will continue in February 2015 with CONTRA-TIEMPO, an urban Latin dance company that fuses elements of Salsa, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop, urban and contemporary dance.

The Ordways World Music and Dance Series is presented by Target. For tickets and more information, visit www.ordway.org.

ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nations leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Pauls most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordways Music Theater and soon-to-be completed Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordways mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Childrens Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances. For more information, visit www.ordway.org.