La Peña is a weekly showcase of Latin folk music and dance featuring the best local and touring talent hosted by Mateo Mulcahy, the Community Outreach Director at the Old Town School of Folk Music. The concerts take place every Wednesday, August 30th to November 1st from 8:30pm – 10:30pm. Thre Old Town School of Folk Music is loacted at 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago. Call (773) 728-6000 or visit www.oldtownschool.org/lapena. Admission is free (suggested donation $5). Cash bar and empanadas.
 
 Featured La Peña Artists – Fall 2006:

Havana
August 30
For the past 12 years, Latin jazz superstars Havana have been an integral part of the Chicago music scene. Created by bassist Richard Pillot, Havana’s line-up reads like a who’s who of Chicago’s Latin Jazz and salsa top veterans including pianist and guitarist Rob Block who will oversee the rebirth of the Latin Jazz Ensemble at the Old Town School. This show is part of the Jazz Institute’s 23rd Annual Jazz Club Tour.

Chicago Samba And Samba 1
September 6
Help us celebrate Brazilian Independence day with a large dose of music and dance. Chicago Samba is our city’s most sought after Brazilian dance band playing a wide range of Brazilian styles. Shirley Vieira’s Samba 1 features the most elaborate costumes and spectacular dancers this city has ever seen including our very own Samba instructor Dill Costa.

La Ley Del Norte
September 13
For more than 20 years, La Ley Del Norte has been a mainstay in Chicago’s Mexican music scene. Roberto Serrato, La Ley’s prolific accordionist and vocalist brings the very best in Mexican Norteño, Conjunto and Tex-Mex styles to the Old Town stage. Watch for Old Town’s upcoming accordion/norteño workshop offerings.

T.B.A.
September 20
New artist T.B.A. Son de la Frontera has cancelled this date.

Pimienta Negra
September 27
In their first Chicago appearance, Costa Rica’s Pimienta Negra or “Black Pepper” will be bringing a first rate tropical Latin show to Old Town. With a number of well known hits across Central America, Pimienta Negra is touring the U.S. with a super show that features a mix of all the most popular tropical styles including Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Reggaeton.

Luna Negra And Trio Perú With Perú Profundo
October 4
In this amazing two part show, Luna Negra Dance Theater will lead off with a presentation about their upcoming music/dance collaboration “Mi Corazón Negro”with acclaimed Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca. Eduardo Vilaro, Luna Negra’s Artistic Director and choreographer and Susana Baca will discuss this joint venture and invite audience response. Our second half will feature Trio Perú and Perú Profundo, Chicago’s foremost proponents of Peruvian folkloric dance and music and both featured artists in Old Town’s collaboration with the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival; Nuestra Música – Latino Chicago.

Juvenato Vallenato With Tierra Colombiana And Estampa Colombiana
October 11
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of Colombian music and dance. Chicago’s very own Juvenato Vallenato brings this unique accordion based style to life featuring veteran members of Colombia’s vallenato elite. Folkloric music and dance will be well represented with Chicago’s most recognized troupes, Tierra Colombiana and Estampa.

Nuestro Tambo
October 18
La Peña is not complete without a dose of Puerto Rican culture. Chicago’s Nuestro Tambo and composer-writer-artisan Ramón Lopez have combined traditional Puerto Rican music, dance with spoken word to create “Otras Historias de Elena” a series of pieces chronicling the life and times of Elena, a legendary figure that speaks to the fascinating diversity of Puerto Rican women.

Noche De Flamenco
October 25
Prepare yourselves for a spectacular evening of Flamenco featuring the renowned faculty of the Old Town School and their top students.

Son Del Viento
November 1
We close the 10th Anniversary Peña season with Son Del Viento. This Chicago based Son Jarocho group uses acoustic instruments including Harp, Jaranas, and Cajón and will also present the Mexican dance style of Zapateo. Son Del Viento is co-directed by Raúl Fernandez who is teaching Old Town’s brand new Cajón class.