Cultural Connections

Upon arriving in the United States in 1994, Colombian-born Edmar Castañeda has made a name for himself as the preeminent jazz harp virtuoso. Castañeda brings forth a brilliance that beautifully merges the jazz tradition with a diverse set of styles and genres while bringing unbridled attention to a somewhat unfamiliar instrument: the harp. Singlehandedly, Castañeda has cemented the harp’s place in jazz with innovative technique and heartfelt creativity from a wealth of formidable collaborations with music titans such as Wynyton Marsalis, Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ricki Lee Jones, Hiromi, Pedrito Martinez, Marcus Miller, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ivan Lins, The Yellowjackets, Paco De Lucia, and Paquito D’Rivera....

Mahana Productions is a Polynesian dance group founded in 2015. The goal of our group is to perpetuate the Polynesian culture through the songs and dances of the South Pacific. We bring the Aloha spirit and provide educational opportunities for our community. Mahana Productions currently practices and performs dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and Aotearoa (New Zealand).

CubanOlé is a classical flamenco show created by Cuban-born artists Griset Damas-Roche and Orlay Alonso. The one-hour program unleashes the senses and allows the audience to be fully immersed in the rich tapestry of Andalusian tradition as CubanOlé presents an unforgettable evening of authentic Flamenco dancing and classical piano repertoire.

Flamenco, an art form born out of the cultural mélange of Gypsy, Arab, Jewish, and Christian heritages in Southern Spain, is a mesmerizing spectacle that seamlessly blends music and dance, culminating in an expressive and passionate display of human emotion.

The show features Griset Damas-Roche, as a dancer and a versatile expert on castanets, mantón, zapateado, and a variety of different rhythms, and styles. In addition, pianist Orlay Alonso, brings his classical training into the duo, infusing the performance with his love for Cuban music. Cuba's musical heritage is greatly infused with many Spanish traditions, so it is only natural that two Cuban artists would fuse their love for Spanish and Cuban traditions into one art form - CubanOlé.

Prepare to be swept away by the pulsating rhythms, the dramatic storytelling, and the raw power of Cuban Flamenco. This is more than a show: it’s an experience. It’s a journey. It’s Flamenco. It’s CubanOlé!