Havana Comes to Birmingham in Feel-Good Latin-American Dance Spectacular

Hot off the heels of a sell-out Summer season at Sadler's Wells, Birmingham Hippodrome is thrilled to welcome Vamos Cuba!, an intoxicating mix of traditional and modern Cuban dance styles, arriving on the Main Stage from Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov.

Choreographed by Nilda Guerra, Vamos Cuba! (Let's Go Cuba!) is a spectacular new co-production between Sadler's Wells, Blancon Productions, Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg and Birmingham Hippodrome from the team behind the smash-hit Havana Rakatan.

Set in the crazy chaos of Havana airport, where families are parted, lovers reunited and time flies when you're having fun, the show evokes the joys and vibrancy of Cuban life with all the passion and humour that embodies the Cuban spirit.

The high-energy production includes salsa, mambo, rumba, cha-cha-cha and reggaeton, performed by a band led by Julito Padron, a DJ and a cast of the most sizzling dancers Cuba has to offer. Experience the joyous spirit of Havana as Vamos Cuba! reveals contemporary Cuban culture through a mix of music and dance.

Internationally established choreographer and director Nilda Guerra began her professional career in 1993 as a dancer at Havana's Teatro Lírico. In 2001 she founded Ballet Rakatan, one of Cuba's most prestigious dance companies, performing on world renowned stages including Sydney Opera House, New York City Center, Le Carre Theatre, Tokyo City Hall and Oslo Opera House among others. Havan Rakatan has been seen by more than 200,000 people worldwide and has enjoyed six West End seasons at the Peacock.

Julito Padron, widely recognized in Havana as one of the most promising jazz musicians coming out of Cuba, is a member of Irakere the Cuban jazz band led by Chucho Valdés. While continuing his association with the famous band, he is developing his own repertoire and assembling his own group. An alumni of the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Padrón anchors his art in the Cuban musical tradition. His professional career includes working with masters Ignacio Piñeiro and Adalberto Alvarez. As outside influences, Julio Padrón acknowledges American jazz and Brazilian music.

Ticket sales: 0844 338 5000 www.birminghamhippodrome.com

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

Birmingham Hippodrome is an independent, not-for-profit, registered charity welcoming an average 500,000 visits annually making it the most popular single auditorium in the UK. Birmingham Royal Ballet and DanceXchange are resident partners; the theatre presents all of Welsh National Opera's repertoire, co-produces the award-winning International Dance Festival and welcomes the best in international dance, major touring dramas, and West End musicals. Home to the world's biggest Pantomime it also houses the 200-seat Patrick Centre, with extensive events facilities, and its own restaurant.

As a charity with no public revenue funding, Birmingham Hippodrome receives generous support from the business community through sponsorship and other partnerships; from individuals through donations and memberships; and from grant-making Trusts for special programming and infrastructure projects. It is a major employer and plays a leading role in the Southside Business Improvement District.

Through Hippodrome CREATIVE we deliver successful projects in education and the wider community. With numerous supportive partners we have recently co-produced and produced new events including Minimum Monument, The Voyage, Summer in Southside, About Town, Blitz, the 4 Squares Weekender and Birmingham Weekender (celebrating the opening of New Street and Grand Central alongside the Rugby World Cup).

Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance house, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the best international and UK dance to London and worldwide audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding, the theatre's acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.

Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 100 new dance works to the stage and its award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour internationally. Sadler's Wells supports 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies, an Associate Company and two International Associate Companies. It also nurtures the next generation of talent through its New Wave Associates and Summer University programmes, its Wild Card initiative and hosting of the National Youth Dance Company.

Located in Islington, north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera all having started at Sadler's Wells.

Sadler's Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 10% of its revenue from Arts Council England.

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