The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

presents

 

ORQUESTA AKOKÁN

Grammy-nominated band from Havana serves up a fresh take on Cuban mambo

May 5, 2022 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $25, $35, $55, $75*
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall

MIAMI – March 7, 2022 – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) presents ORQUESTA AKOKÁN (@orquestaakokan) on May 5, 2022.  A sensational ensemble creating deeply soulful mambo reminiscent of Benny Moré, Pérez Prado and banda gigante of the 1940s and ’50s, the Grammy-nominated band makes their Miami debut as part of the Center’s Live at Knight series – live and in person in the Knight Concert Hall.

Tickets for ORQUESTA AKOKÁN are $25, $35, $55 and $75* and may be purchased at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at arshtcenter.org. 

The 2021-2022 Live at Knight series is generously supported by presenting sponsor Spirit Airlines. EPIC Hotel, Bacardi and Café Bustelo are supporting sponsors.

Assembled and led by Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gómez, ORQUESTA AKOKÁN is a big band collective made up of the finest musicians on the island. The band infuses legendary Cuban grooves with a renewed vitality and powerful sense of akokán – the Yoruba word meaning “from the heart.” Their self-titled debut album was nominated for Best Tropical Latin Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards. The group has also been nominated for a Billboard Latin Music Award and Telemundo Latin American Music Award and have received critical acclaim from media around the globe.

ORQUESTA AKOKÁN’s latest album, 16 Rayos, boasts all original songs recorded at the historic Estudios Areito with Cuba's finest players, young and old, led by Gómez, produced by Chulo Records' Jacob Plasse, with blazing arrangements by Michael Eckroth. The ferocious and pedigreed wind and rhythm sections consist of musicians from storied groups including Irakere, NG La Banda, and Los Van Van. Robust, time-tested musical architectures of son cubano and mambo are honored and modernized through a synthesis of the rich compositional styles of Havana, New York and beyond.

For more information, visit orquestaakokan.com.

 

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alexandra Medina
786-468-2234 
amedina@arshtcenter.org

Gino R. Campodónico
786-468-2228
gcampodonico@arshtcenter.org

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*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the

Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami- Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, as well as the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations.

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AboutUs

Set in the heart of downtown Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami- Dade County is committed to welcoming and connecting ALL people to the arts, to the Arsht Center and to each other. Our stages are alive year-round with artists from around the world, innovative programming from our resident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and arts education experiences for thousands of Miami children each year.

Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has been recognized as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area, a leader in programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, a host venue for historic events and Miami’s hub for arts education.

Each year, we serve more than 60,000 young learners and offer more than 100 culturally diverse and inclusive education programs — many enhanced by the Arsht Center’s relationship with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, local teaching artists and Miami-based arts organizations.

The Arsht Center is also a home stage for three resident companies — Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony — and a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage. Our 300+ events each year include the Center’s Signature Series of classical, jazz, Broadway, local theater and much more. We present a robust series of touring Broadway musicals direct from New York, the largest jazz series in South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival and an award-winning Miami-based theater program. In addition, our Family Fest, Free Gospel Sundays, CommuniTEA LGBTQ+ celebration and Heritage Fest are among dozens of free events that bring together people from all corners of our community. For more information, visit arshtcenter.org.