Queens-based Afro-Columbian music and dance group to perform at Flushing Town Hall
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Afro-Colombian music and dance trio Grupo Rebolu: Johanna Castaneda, from left, Morris Canate and Ronald Polo. Photo courtesy of Flushing Town Hall.
By Noah Singer
Flushing Town Hall’s new season includes an interactive, high-energy performance by Queens’ own Afro-Colombian music and dance trio Grupo Rebolu.
The concert, which is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, will feature Colombian folkloric songs alongside original compositions. The group performs music from Colombia’s Caribbean coast, in the styles of gaita, tambura, chalupa, and bullerengue.
“Flushing Town Hall is known for our engaging, global arts programming. We bring the world’s music to our stage,” Flushing Town Hall Executive & Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek said. “With Grupo Rebolu’s performance, we are excited to begin our season with the melodies and rhythms of Colombia!”
Grupo Rebolu was founded by childhood friends Morris Canate and Ronald Polo. Canate is considered by many to be currently one the greatest players of Colombian percussion instrument tambor alegre in the world. Polo has been writing songs since age seven. He sings and plays the gaitero, a wind instrument.
Vocalist and dancer Johanna Castaneda rounds out the group. She plays the cuatro, a four-stringed guitar.
All three musicians live in Queens, and were born and raised in Colombia.
The group’s concerts often include additional musicians, which at Flushing Town Hall will include Erica Parra (drums), Carlos Pino (bass), Seth Trachy (saxophone) and Dan Blakenship (trumpet), as well as dancers Lorena Ayub and Danny Ochoa.
Audience members can arrive early for an interactive dance workshop at 3 p.m., which will teach the steps of Afro-Colombian dances cumbia, puya, mapale, and bullerengue. The hall will also be giving out free percussion instruments to those who arrive early. The concert begins at 4 p.m. and will conclude with a jam session.
Grupo Rebolu are currently recording a new album, titled “Tiempos Buenos,” and will tour this spring in South Korea.
Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd. Tickets for the event can be purchased online at www.flushingtownhall.org or by calling (718) 463-7700 x222.
