El Orqueston Oct 14th Gearin Hotel
Local event organiser, Meg Benson, has always had a love of the cheerful and huge sound that is Latin music. After some years of planning, she will bring two great live salsa nights and a series of salsa lessons. The first evening is with an energetic Afro-Cuban band from Sydney` El Orqueston on October 14 and the next with much loved local seven-piece band Babalu on Nov 18.
"I used to have to travel to Sydney on a weekly basis to attend Sala classes, it's been a dream for me and some of my friends to get this happening up here for a while,” said Benson. “We are lucky to have Fraudy, a Cuban man, from Havana Dance, who has agreed to come to us in the Blue Mountains. The plan is, after these initial workshops, to continue the Saturday lessons on a monthly basis and to continue bringing huge salsa bands to the Mountains at least twice per year.
On Saturday, October 14, El Orqueston, a 12-piece Afro Cuban powerhouse band will perform salsa, timba and changüi at the Gearin Hotel.
Led by bassist Tina Harris, this mighty charanga style ensemble honours the great Cuban orchestras that feature the heavenly and punchy sound of three trombones, violin and tres cubano, on a bed of Latin percussion, bass and keyboards. Playing a Cuban repertoire of tunes by Los Van Van, Elito Reve y Su Charangon, Havana De Primera, Timbalive, Pupy, Sur Caribe and Dan Den, plus kickass original compositions, El Orqueston is sheer joy and energy from beginning to end.
El Orqueston is comprised of a who’s who of Sydney’s top musicians from the Latin music scene. The band is fronted by Peruvian Richard Valdez, whose powerful and dynamic tenor voice is complimented by Cuban multi-talent, Issac Zorzano ,sharing centre stage and putting out some serious energy.
El Orqueston is for listeners and dancers alike.
At Hotel Gearin, 273 Great Western Highway, Katoomba on October 14. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tables will be placed in the wings for those eating in the bistro prior to the show; the dance floor is just for dancing. Band starts 8.45pm and performs three sets of music.
Significant group bookings specials plus entry at concession rates for members of Blue Mountains Artists Network, APRA, Radio Blue Mountains and Toolo. To book or to find out about the Saturday Salsa Dance Workshops in Katoomba on Saturdays visit musichunter.com.au.
