Words by Kristen FogleIf the sultry sounds of Cuban music move you, look no further. Director, choreographer, and singer Roclan Gonzalez Chavez pays homage to the great Cuban performers and dance styles from the country with a cool, contemporary twist with his “Kings of Salsa,” which came to San Diego’s Balboa Theatre Sunday, November 6.
The youthful cast (most, if not all, are under 30), picked from the best of Cuba’s top dance companies, beautifully execute moves and maneuvers from street salsa and hip hop, and utilize traditional Afro Caribbean moves, world class contemporary dance, and Cuban classics such as the Mambo, Rumba, and Cha Cha Cha.
Backed by nine piece band Cuba Ashire, two hours of Latin rhythms fill the air with non-stop singing and dancing. And though the singers are no doubt talented, the crème of the performance definitely is the dancers; with refined, cut bodies, these youths are a true testament to Zumba or any fitness program infusing Latin dance. Cuba may be well renowned for its food but after this performance, all I can think about are hard bodies, ripped abs, and superfluous strength! Not only was the fitness level and physicality of the dancers impressive, though, but they utilized all kinds of props—the dances involving drumsticks and wooden shoes were most impressive.
Having performed all over the U.S. and as far away as Hamburg and Bankok, the troupe is well versed in audience involvement. Patrons sway and sing all the way through, and in the second act, are encouraged to become part of the action. As this company makes their way through the U.S. and beyond in the following months, if you are in one of the lucky cities, this is a great show for any audience member…everyone from grandma to kids will enjoy.
And for those in San Diego, even though Kings has wrapped, a trip to Balboa Theatre is not to be missed. Through the Balboa Theatre Foundation, the theater was reopened in 2008, restored to all its 1920s era glory. Pink Martini, a 12 person “little orchestra” plays November 12, Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite” plays the day after, and Herb Alpert and Lani Hall are on November 18.
The youthful cast (most, if not all, are under 30), picked from the best of Cuba’s top dance companies, beautifully execute moves and maneuvers from street salsa and hip hop, and utilize traditional Afro Caribbean moves, world class contemporary dance, and Cuban classics such as the Mambo, Rumba, and Cha Cha Cha.
Backed by nine piece band Cuba Ashire, two hours of Latin rhythms fill the air with non-stop singing and dancing. And though the singers are no doubt talented, the crème of the performance definitely is the dancers; with refined, cut bodies, these youths are a true testament to Zumba or any fitness program infusing Latin dance. Cuba may be well renowned for its food but after this performance, all I can think about are hard bodies, ripped abs, and superfluous strength! Not only was the fitness level and physicality of the dancers impressive, though, but they utilized all kinds of props—the dances involving drumsticks and wooden shoes were most impressive.
Having performed all over the U.S. and as far away as Hamburg and Bankok, the troupe is well versed in audience involvement. Patrons sway and sing all the way through, and in the second act, are encouraged to become part of the action. As this company makes their way through the U.S. and beyond in the following months, if you are in one of the lucky cities, this is a great show for any audience member…everyone from grandma to kids will enjoy.
And for those in San Diego, even though Kings has wrapped, a trip to Balboa Theatre is not to be missed. Through the Balboa Theatre Foundation, the theater was reopened in 2008, restored to all its 1920s era glory. Pink Martini, a 12 person “little orchestra” plays November 12, Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite” plays the day after, and Herb Alpert and Lani Hall are on November 18.
For the full schedule, please visit http://www.sandiegotheatres.org/eventstickets.
No comments:
Post a Comment