November 2, 2011 7:00-10:00 PM Conjunto Philadelphia at Chris' Jazz Cafe

7PM-10PM
Cover is $10; $5 got students.

For those of you who have never been to Chris' Jazz Café:

1421 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA. 19102

Great Food, Great Drinks, Great Music!
There will be a dance floor and plenty of Cuban Music for all!

November 3, 2011 7:30 PM Compañia Flamenca Jose Porcel at the Temple Performing Arts Center

Compañia Flamenca Jose Porcel November 3, 2011 - 7:30 pm The Compañia Flamenca Jose Porcel was founded in Madrid, Spain and is among the premier dance troupes that exhibits the exciting art form of Flamenca. As a folkloric celebration where, even when "theatre art" is being provided, Flamenca retains irresistible erotic appeal and irrepressible enery. Thought to have originated in Andalucia toward the fifteenth century, during the Gypsies' encounter with the inhabitants of southern Spain, it has developed into a 'theatrical performance' only over the past century. Compañia Flamenca Jose Porcel brings this tradition to life vibrantly and colorfully with live musicians, vocalists and of course dancers and has delighted audiences around the world for many years. The Company scored a sensational success with their coast to coast tour of North America in the 2008-2009 season and returns to the United States and Canada in the 2011-2012 season in their thrilling new program “Gypsy Fire”. Performance in Lew Klein Hall .

October 29, 2011 9:30 PM Halloween Costume Party with PhillyBloco at The Blockley

Halloween Costume Party at The Blockley



Saturday, October 29th, 2011



Doors: 8pm / Show: 9:30pm



Tickets: $12/$15 (adv/door)



Ages 21+

October 29, 2011 8 PM Elio Villafranca and The Jass Syncopators at the Painted Bride Art Center

ELIO VILLAFRANCA & THE JASS SYNCOPATORS featuring Victor Lewis and special guest, members of Los Pleneros de la 21
Sat. October 29 | 8pm
$25 in advance, $30 day of show

Cuban-born Latin/modern jazz pianist-composer Elio Villafranca, internationally acclaimed for his genre-bending approach to modern Latin jazz, returns to the Bride to deliver a brand new project. Backed by his quintet and members of Los Pleneros de la 21, the fiery instrumentalist challenges the boundaries of jazz by fusing it with the syncopated nature of Afro-Caribbean music forms including ‘Bomba’ of Puerto Rico. Using an interpretive musical approach echoing Duke Ellington’s Colored Syncopators, Villafranca continues to produce unique compositional works. Featuring a folkloric dancer and a diverse group of musicians, Elio Villafranca & The Jass Syncopators strive to create a multi-layered musical/cultural dialogue enabling dancer and each musician to assert their unique artistic voice while maintaining the syncopation of the ensemble’s collective conversation.

Personnel and instrumentation: Victor Lewis- drums, Bruce Harris – trumpet, Greg Tardy – tenor sax, Gregg August – bass, Elio Villafranca – piano / compositions. Los Pleneros de la 21: Loisa Gutierrez-Rivera – dancer, Juango Gutierrez – barril-buleador, Nelson Mateo Gonzalez – barril-primo. Elio Villafranca played the Bride in February 2011 as accompaniment to the Philly debut of Cuban-born drummer-leader Francisco Mela.

His last performance at the Bride back in February as accompaniment to the Philly debut of Cuban-born drummer-leader Francisco Mela, Villafranca raised the roof with his tantalizing Afro-Cuban infused improvisational solos. Audiences anticipating Villafranca’s spiritually sublime passage through Cuba as leader need wait no longer. Fans of progressive jazz and world music will all want to grab a seat for this trip!

The fiery instrumentalist-composer is internationally acclaimed for his genre-bending approach to modern Latin jazz. He effortlessly combines the rhythmic vitality of his native Cuba with a straight ahead sensibility steeped in the bop tradition, and the result is a music that is stunning and fresh, but that resonates powerfully with the influence of his beloved forebears. Full of highly complex rhythms yet sophisticated and refined and emotionally expressive, his work has earned respect from Cuba’s performing-recording piano forefathers including Chucho Valdes, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, as well as the great pioneers of other traditions including Paquito d’Rivera, Wynton Marsalis, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Dafnis Prieto. Villafranca often collaborates with Jass Syncopaters, a variable-lineup group that has included Philly’s own Terrell Stafford (Temple University, Jazz Studies Dept.), legendary drummer Billy Hart, as well as Sean Jones, and Greg Tardy. The evening’s personnel and instrument configuration will be announced soon!

Oct. 28, 2011 7:30 PM "Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet and Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band" at The Annenberg Center

Afro-Cuban jazz great Omar Sosa and the legendary Jerry Gonzalez team up with their bands for one incredible double bill. Hailed by All About Jazz as a true “fusion artist in the best sense of the word,” who “mixes his Cuban roots with tastes of bebop, free jazz, even hip hop and electronica, into a strikingly fresh and spicy modern stew that’s much more than the sum of its ingredients,” Omar Sosa will bring the audience to its feet with his dynamic playing and improvisational mastery. Then, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band—the band the New York Times calls “the best Latin Jazz group working” and one of the most influential modern Afro-Caribbean jazz groups in the world—take the stage with their unique fusion of complex Latin rhythms and impeccable jazz improvisations.
Tickets $20-$45.


Also, the second rumba dance class at Raices Culturales takes place Oct. 28th. Learn authentic Afro-Cuban rumba from an excellent Cuban teacher, taught to live percussion by accomplished musicians: Andres Cisneros, Christian Noguera, Yinka Moore, and Shakoor Sanders.

October 26, 2011 5:30-7:30 PM An Evening to Imagine Africa at Penn Museum

Community Night
An Evening to Imagine Africa

Explore the vast continent of Africa through an evening of traditional and modern music, dance, and storytelling with local artists. Be adventurous, and take a scavenger hunt around the Museum discovering new ways to connect with ancient artifacts.

Admission is free!

Oct. 25 and 26, 2011 "Drumline Live" at the Merriam Theater 7:30 PM

Drumline Live kicks off its second U.S. tour! The show's vibrant cast has honed its precision and energy with years of training in marching band programs across the southern United States. This versatile group of musicians and dancers brings an explosive energy and athleticism to an eclectic mix of sounds. Equally at home with the hottest contemporary hip-hop, R&B, classic Motown tunes, and the rousing sounds of the great brass tradition, Drumline Live is thrilled to share the American Marching Band experience with Philadelphia audiences

"We've taken the excitement of an HBCU football game halftime show, increased the intensity by a thousand watts, and created a musical journey that will touch every emotion." — Don P. Roberts, Creator and Director
Tickets $20-$35.

October 23, 2011, 2:00 PM "Brazilian Night" at Le Gourmet Restaurant in North Wales, PA

3 course dinner plus live 5-piece Brazilian ensemble $30.

October 22, 2011 Latin Fiesta 8 PM at The Painted Bride Art Center

October 16, 2011 6 PM Creole Choir of Cuba at The Painted Bride Art Center

Sunday. October 16 | 6pm
$30 in advance, $35 day of show
The sweet harmonic sounds and melodies from the Creole Choir of Cuba brought audience members to their feet with tears of joy. … Spiritually uplifting … A must see for the whole family!” - The Voice

“Celebratory, with brisk Haitian rhythms and endlessly inventive vocal combinations.”
- The New York Times

Prepare to be blown away by the jubilant and sublime Creole Choir of Cuba. With vibrant dancing, spectacular harmonies, and soul-stirring melodies, these showstoppers perform undiscovered musical treasures from Haiti, Dominica, and Cuba.

This uniquely impassioned singing group, celebrating roots, resistance and the irresistible rhythms of life, embarks on their first major U.S. city tour including the Bride in Philadelphia. Regional audiences will have the thrilling opportunity to witness the vibrant Choir just before they become the next international world music sensation. This will be a must see music show of the fall season!



Real World recording artists The Creole Choir of Cuba are an entirely fresh export, easily the most original vocal group to come out of their island country in many years. On the heals of their album release TANDE-LA (“listen”) performed to critical acclaim and sold-out houses in the UK, weeks following the album’s release in the U.S., The Creole Choir debuts Philadelphia. A performance slated to take place earlier this year (Jan of 2011 – canceled due to enhanced visa clearance measures) the now highly sought after ensemble follows through with its promise to share the songs and stories of their Haitian ancestors.



“Desandann” – the Choir’s Cuban name — literally means “descendents,” emerged in 1994 a time when Cubans faced difficult times due to economic collapse following the the fall of Soviet USSR. In response to food, clean water and electric shortages, the singers decided shift into survival mode and re-forge resistance songs and laments of their forebears and pay homage to the freedom songs passed down in their families beginning in the early 19th century. Since first appearing at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009, the choir’s mesmerizing sound, jubilant dancing and deep spirit has made them into an instant hit in Europe.

October 16, 2011 Sidi Touré at 7:30 PM at Calvary United Methodist Church

Sidi Touré

Malian singer and guitarist
“Sidi Touré is a worthy successor to Ali Farka Touré. Among Songhaï musicians, Sidi is the best. Sidi Toure has all the talent, quality , simplicity, playing and singing skills, it’s incredible. We need people like Sidi.” – Bassekou Kouyaté

October 12, 2011 5;00-7:00 PM "How Philly Moves"' mural dedication and dance party

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program has completed it’s most ambitious project to date: the 50,000+ square foot How Philly Moves mural is installed at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Now it’s time to celebrate! [updated]

The dedication date is set for 5pm – 7pm on Wednesday, October 12th in conjunction with Mural Arts Month. The Mural Arts Program is hosting a rooftop dance party at the airport, but an RSVP will be required. Come celebrate with us on Level 6 of Parking Garage F. Take SEPTA to the airport, disembark at Terminals E and F where you will be directed to the party!
To save your spot:

Send an email to howphillymoves@muralarts.org to RSVP.

October 8, 2011 9 PM World Cafe Live PHL Bio Ritmo

Bio Ritmo

Neither today nor ever before has there been a salsa group quite like Bio Ritmo. The group undeniably plays with the beat and attitude of ’70s-era salsa dura (hard salsa), but the conventionality stops there. With a roster that includes former rastas, punks, rockers, and jazzistas, Bio Ritmo can’t help but bring an exhilarating unorthodoxy to its music. It’s “salsa for the Space Age,” with a ridiculously tight and competent band that make the record interesting to listen to, while unmistakably danceable. Bio Ritmo has proved it is still possible to be true to the roots while expanding the parameters of their music in an intelligent, thoughtful and entertaining way.
Saturday, October 8th, 2011 | Show 9 pm | Upstairs Live

Advance Tickets:
General Admission Seating/Standing*: $15 ($12 ticket + $3 processing fee)

Day of Show Tickets:
General Admission Seating/Standing*: $18 ($15 ticket + $3 processing fee)


Save money!
Processing fee is only $2 per ticket when you purchase with CASH at our box office BEFORE day of show

October 7, 2011 AMLA Quintet at Art After 5 5:00-8:45 PM at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

In January 2010, Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) created a Latin jazz quintet under the direction of Cuban master percussionist Juan “Cuco” Castellanos. The group’s performances blend traditional and contemporary Latin jazz, inspiring everyone within earshot to get off their seats and dance. If you haven't had enough salsa for the evening, try the Painted Bride's Salsa Caliente party, which starts at 9 PM.
Free after museum admission ($16. for nonmembers)
Now that you're warmed up, head over to the Painted Bride for their Salsa Caliente dance party (see post below).

October 7, 2011 Salsa Caliente 9:00 PM dance lesson 10:00 PM dance party at The Painted Bride Art Center

SALSA CALIENTE 2.0
Cabaret Concert and Dance Party | BYOB
2 Big bands live | Instruction by Flaco’s Dance Factory
Fri. October 7 | Dance Lessons: 9pm, Party: 10pm
$20 in advance, $25 day of event



“If you haven’t dance to a live Latin band, you haven’t danced salsa, embrace the heat!”
- Jesse Bermudez, Regional Latino cultural ambassador and Salsa Caliente co-producer

Philadelphia’s only BYOB cabaret concert and dance party series featuring two live Latin big bands returns for a second season at the Bride. Drawing from the buzz looming from last season’s wide appeal and diverse attendance, Salsa Caliente 2.0 continues its non-stop flight service from the fringes of Old City to the heart of Old San Juan alongside the hottest large music ensembles from the region such as Orquesta Herencia de Soneros and Papo Buda y Saboricua who performed last season. Plenty of room for dancers of all experience levels, each evening starts with FREE dance lessons from Flaco’s Dance Factory. Put some salsa on your sexy and come join the party!

October 7, 2011 8 PM PhillyBloco at World Cafe Live Wilmington

PhillyBloco is modeled after the blocos of Rio de Janeiro, with their large percussion sections and harmonic/vocal accompaniment. Our group is comprised of twelve drummers, electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals, horn section, accordion, and Brazilian dancers. The group performs a raucous mash-up of SAMBA, FUNK, REGGAE and more made popular by both Brazilian and non-Brazilian artists including: Olodum, Timbalada, Monobloco, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder. The one constant in all of our music is a heavy percussive element (12 drummers!) that we use to explore the tremendous range of Brazilian rhythms, applying our own unique creativity and energy to each arrangement.
PhillyBloco's 20+ members perform a raucous mash-up of Samba, Funk, Reggae and more, all set to the infectious drumming of Brazilian Carnival. Earth Shaking Rhythms. Boundless Energy. Serious Fun. PhillyBloco...Get ready to Dance!"


Friday, October 7, 2011 | Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pm | Downstairs Live


Tickets:
General Admission: $15 ($12 ticket + $2 processing fee + $$1 to support the Light Up the Queen Foundation)

Please Note: There will be limited seating available for this performance.

XPN Members: Use your member number to purchase up to two discounted tickets by phone or at our box office (not available online