|
|
 |
Concert Preview
|
| Click Here to go back. |
Queens Tribute, Concert Preview >>
Latino Festival Arrives For 10th Annual Run
By IMAN KHAN
Queens Theatre In The Park will celebrate a decade of the best in Latino arts during the JPMorgan Chase Latino Cultural Festival beginning next week.
Spanning 12 days, this multidisciplinary festival, the only one of its kind in New York City, will showcase talents from the whole of the Latin and Hispanic world.
"We want to be the meeting point where the community has the opportunity to learn, see and experience, in 12 days, the best of Latino and Latin American culture, and to function as on important platform for artists," Festival Director Claudia Norman said.
This year's roster of artists brings some familiar faces, such as Afro-Peruvian singer Eva Ayll6n, buf also is spotlighting new acts. Grupo Krapp, a five-member dance and music company based in Buenos Aires, will test the waters with a theater-dance routine, a performance being presented in association with LaGuardia Community College.
Jeffrey Rosenstock, executive director of Queens Theatre, said he believes that this year's lineup of performances is a solid indication of how far this festival has come over the past 10 years. "I remember when the only Latino program at our theater was the Borough President hosting a Hispanic heritage event.
'This year's festival will host 16 different companies of performers from 10 different countries outside of the U.S., with more than 20 performances all together," he added. "Latino programming has definitely expanded."
Rosenstock attributes the success of this festival to numerous factors, one of which is the festival's curator, Norman, who is respon sible for its programming.
"The main force behind the arlistic decision is the good quality," Norman said. "The second force and actually a challenge, is to represent the diversity of the Latino and Latin American culture and reflect in the programming a representation of traditional, popular and contemporary voices."
With Norman, Rosenstock believes that Queens Theatre has been able to offer people quality product that has helped to foster a relationship of trust and consistency with the community.
Norman agreed. "After eight years as curator and artistic director, 1 have won credibility. Our audiences, sponsors and other cultural institutions are responding very positively to the curatorial decisions and the artistic direction of the festival," she said.
The Latino Cultural Fesitval opens Wednesday, July 26, wilh a dance performance by Noche Flamenca from Madrid, which has been described by many as one of the best flamenco companies in the world.
Schedules and ticket prices can be found at www.queenstheatre.org or by calling (718) 760-0064.
07/20/06
|
| Click Here to go back. |
|
 |
|
|
|
