The World Music Institute kicks off its vibrant, danceable World to Brooklyn series with Cuban vocal sensation José "Pepito" Gómez on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at8:00 p.m. at Roulette. The show is preceded by an open cocktail hour beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Cuban dance lessons at 7:30 p.m., and is followed by an after-party DJ set untilmidnight. The specialty cocktail will be a traditional Cuban mojito.
José "Pepito" Gómez's "beneficent alarm" (The New York Times) of a voice has carried him on a fast track from playing with local bands in his hometown of Camagüey, Cuba to becoming lead singer of Maravilla de Florida, Charanga Latina Orchestra, and Habana Ensemble, respectively. He has toured with the late Compay Segundo of the Buena Vista Social Club, and was a lead singer of the Cuban mega-band, Pupy y Los Que Son Son before moving to the U.S. Backed by a powerhouse ensemble of NYC's Cuban all-stars, he moves from heart-wrenching romantic ballads to high-octane timba arrangements, replete with torrents of improvisations and frenzy-inducing call-and-response.WORLD TO BROOKLYN
World to Brooklyn is the World Music Institute's vibrant new dance-party series that takes place in the cultural hub of downtown Brooklyn. Offering a socially immersive way to enjoy a culture's music, World to Brooklyn replicates a dance-party in a specific country-one can eat, drink, listen and dance to the culture-and attracts a remarkably friendly, all-inclusive cross-cultural mix. Utilizing the unique flexibility of Roulette's space (seats are removed downstairs to create a dance floor, while the upstairs has fixed seating for those who prefer to lounge), the series offers pre-performance dance lessons, after-parties featuring DJ's connected to the culture presented, culturally specific cocktails, meet-and-greets and art exhibits.
Upcoming World to Brooklyn Concerts
at Roulette
COLOMBIA TO BROOKLYN:
Gregorio Uribe Big Band (3/14)
The 16-piece orchestra's first album
JOSÉ PEPITO GÓMEZ
www.josepepitogomez.com
José "Pepito" Gómez was born in a small town called Florida, in the province of Camagüey, Cuba in 1972. After a few years of singing with small local bands, the word was out that Maravilla de Florida was looking for a new singer. Mr. Gómez went in for the audition and was tested on voice and improvisation skills. Shortly thereafter he was accepted as a new lead singer. Maravilla de Florida boasts over 50 years of rich musical tradition and several number one hits in Cuba. This was the band that would begin to shape his future career as a vocalist.
TICKETS
Tickets for all World Music Institute events are available for purchase online at www.worldmusicinstitute.org, by calling (212) 545-7536, or in person at the WMI Box Office at 101 Lafayette Street, #801.
Student and group discounts are available, as are VIP tickets for select events. Discounts are also available for WMI Friends with memberships starting at $70. WMI Friends enjoy priority seating throughout the season.Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist
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