Direct from Cuba – Pablo Menéndez & Mezcla in Concert!
A musical celebration of the indestructible bridge of friendship between the San Francisco Bay and Cuba
Saturday, October 14
Join us when Brava presents the live concert Direct from Cuba featuring Pablo Menéndez & Mezcla plus a screening of Lourdes Preto and David Sandoval's documentary film Tan Cerca... Tan Lejos / So Near... So Far about the life of Cuban jazz musician and Mezcla founder Pablo Menéndez. This historic concert will feature collaborations by special guests John Santos, Barbara Dane, John Calloway, Greg Landau, Camilo Landau y mas, with host Chuy Varela of KCSM.
6:30pm - Pre-performance reception in Brava lobby with DJ Leydis de Cuba
7:30pm - Screening of documentary film So Near... So Far
9:00pm - Live concert Direct from Cuba featuring Pablo Menéndez & Mezcla
Tickets
$75 – includes seating in the center orchestra, two drinks from Brava's fully stocked bar, a signed CD, and donation to Brava
$40 – premium seating in the center orchestra
$25 – seating in the side orchestra and the mezzanine
Screening of the documentary film So Near... So Far
The recent Cuba/USA documentary, Tan Lejos / So Near…so far, about the life of Pablo Menéndez by the award-winning Cuban director Lourdes Prieto and L.A. Chicano David Sandoval, will have its US premiere at Brava Theater Center. The film follows the life of Pablo – born Paul in Oakland, CA, named after Paul Robeson – who arrived in Cuba at age 14 to study music for a year. He ended up staying and becoming part of the soundtrack of Cuba as a member of such legendary bands Grupo de Experminentacìon Sonora of the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC), and Sintesis. His mother, legendary singer Barbara Dane, was the first public person to defy the State Department ban on travel to Cuba after the 1959 Revolution and sang all over the island, on televisions, newsreels and on the front page of the newspapers, making her a symbol of the possibilities of friendship between the US and Cuba. So Near…so far reflects Pablo Menéndez’ journey and his life story as a “musical bridge” between the two countries.
Direct from Cuba – Pablo Menèndez & Mezcla in Concert!
The screening will be followed by a concert featuring Menéndez’ world fusion Cuban band Mezcla, with special guest artists John Santos, Barbara Dane, John Calloway, Greg Landau and Camilo Landau. Mezcla mixes Afro-Cuban/Yoruba roots music, rumba, Cuban rock, Cuban Jazz and Cuban new song resisting the commerciality of being defined by one style or sound. With Mezcla, Menéndez transforms a long and meaningful artistic life into spiritual richness – building on the strength of traditions while continuing to re-invent the future.
