By Han Eun-jung
Staff Reporter
“The Bar at Buena Vista” is a show that brings the unique heritage of Havana to life on stage. |
To soak up of the sounds and feel of Cuba, a visit to the Caribbean island would be ideal. But many of us have no choice but to rely on recordings and films, such as Wim Wenders’ 1999 documentary ``The Buena Vista Social Club,’’ which vividly evoked the Cuban scene.
Luckily, in this fall, Cuba comes to Seoul with a multitude of performances, including a vocal concert and musical and instrumental collaborations.
Starting off this celebration of Cuban culture will be the staging of the musical ``The Bar at Buena Vista'' at the Ewha Womans University Main Auditorium Oct. 1 through 3.
Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion blend classical music with the beats of Cuban music. |
The musical is the perfect opportunity for those who have always wondered about the origins of the Buena Vista Social Club, the Havana-based music club that was at its height in the 1940s. By recreating the dress codes, the dance etiquette, the gossip, the show brings to life the feels and emotions of the unique musical heritage on stage.
What makes ``The Bar at Buena Vista’’ special is its authenticity. In an encounter with Social Club bartender Lucas, who has served the likes of Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe and Ernest Hemingway during a four-year stay in Cuba, it dawned on the show’s director, Toby Gough, to ``not just to take the musicians of Buena Vista on tour, but to bring the Bar as well,’’ he said in a press release.
The cast includes includes members of the Buena Vista Social Club with singer Reinaldo Creagh, guitarist, 80-year-old Jose ``Maracaibo’’ Castaneda. Dancer Eric Turro will introduce the hybrid mix of street and salon styles regularly danced in 1940s and ’50s Havana.
Ticket prices start at 30,000 won running up to 70,000 won. For schedules and details, call (02) 598-8277.
Havana-native Omara Portuonda, hailed as the ``grand old lady of Cuban music,'' had already been a star performer in Cuba. However, it was after her taking part in the documentary ``The Buena Vista Social Club'' did she move into the international spotlight.
Now, as the last surviving member of the all-star group featured in the film and one of the few performers that experienced Havana at its prime, Portuonda comes to Seoul to sing live at the Yonsei University Auditorium Hall on Nov .11 at 7:30 p.m.
Portuonda will be accompanied by a 13-member band as she goes over classics as well as songs off her critically acclaimed 2000 album `` The Buena Vista Club Presents Omara Portunonda’’ and 2004 solo effort ``Flor de Amor’’ with her famous richly textured voice that is capable of carrying all human emotions, from lust to tragedy.
Tickets are 60,000 to 150,000. For more information, call (02) 563-7110
The Klazz Brothers, a group of classical musicians from Germany known for their ethnic blends, collaborates with Cuba Percussion bringing music from their latest recordings, ``Classic Meets Cuba’’ and ``Jazz Meets Cuba,’’ to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The two albums were released in South Korea last October.
The group is made up of pianist Tobias Forster, his brother and bass-player Kilian Forster and drummer Tim Hahn. In a press note introducing the upcoming performance, Tobias Forster said concertgoers should expect ``a combination of virtuosic, emotional, danceable and meditative music.’’
Alexis Herrera Estevez on the timbales and Elios Rodriguex Luis on the congas make up the Cuba Percussion, who will be providing the sensual beating and rhythms of Cuban music.
Ticket prices run from 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 598-8277 or log on to www.ticketlink.co.kr.
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