Cascada de Flores – August 4, 2013

Arwen Lawrence and Jorge Liceaga are the creative force behind Cascada de Flores, celebrated for their heartfelt and authentic approach to old classics from Mexico and the Caribbean (bolero, canción, ranchera) weaving in son, traditional poetic dance music from the countryside. The sound of Cascada de Flores echoes the golden radio age of Latin America, where jazzy bolero and earthy traditions from the countryside were joyously juxtaposed. Offering elegant beauties from the lengua española as in casual conversation they make something seemingly foreign or distant, accessible and vibrant. You “learn the roots while listening to experts play music they clearly love. The result is rich, delicate, and lovely.” (Sing Out Magazine) Since its inception in 1999, the celebrated combination of artists from vastly different backgrounds that has formed this beloved ensemble has entertained while educating people of all ages and languages: from concert halls like the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM to community arts centers such as La Peña and the Freight and Salvage of Berkeley; from a 7 am concert/sing-along for day laborers at the Graton Labor Center to getting elderly latinos up to dance at the 30th Street Senior Center in San Francisco—the music they play resonates deeper than where differences lie. Dúo Cascada de Flores returns to Old First Concerts in collaboration with classically trained guitarist and composer Richard Flores. This new trio will delve into the intricacies of the communication between voice, guitars and percussive dance, whether in traditional formats such as Cuban or Yucatecan trova, or in creating new settings for pieces usually done in larger ensembles, such as danzón orchestras and mariachi ensembles. cascadadeflores.com