Afro-Cuban Drum & Dance
Afro-Cuban Drum & Dance captures
the high impact and vibrant energy of Santeria, the primal trance-dance
and drumming chant rituals of Havana’s back streets.
Melbourne’s
most charismatic Afro-Cuban and Latino performers dedicate the night to
capturing Cuba’s deep country and carnivale traditions, in full
costume.
Afro-Cuban Drum & Dance celebrates the powerful healing rhythms of
African ritualistic dance traditions, through the roots of Afro-Cuban
and Salsa music; through Son, Rumba and Mambo, Palo and Yuka to Makuta
dances from Congo.
Aloy Junco, a graduate of the Havana National School of the Arts, arrived
in Australia three years ago. Regarded as one of the finest Cuban dancers
in Melbourne, Aloy has performed with well-known dance groups including
Arte Kanela and currently leads his own dance school. Christina Monneron
has spent considerable time in Cuba. A leader of her own dance company,
she is dedicated to performing and teaching Cuban dance.
Javier Fredes regularly performs with Melbourne’s best Latin salsa
orchestra’s Los Cabrones, Rumberos and the tasty 6-piece combo Azucar.
A core member of Ray Pereira’s Bongo Fury for many years, Javier
has also performed with well-known Melbourne jazz, pop and dance artists
Kate Ceberano, Sam Keavers, and popular electronic outfit Decoy. After
spending considerable time performing and studying in Havana, Javier’s
inspiration remains to re-create the intensity, innovation and excitement
of Afro-Cuban music here in Melbourne.
