Per a press release from Krannert Center for the Performing Arts: Announcing KCPA’s Opening Night Party, Featuring Tiempo Libre, Mariachi Sol de México® de José Hernández, and Samba Soul
Friday, September 12, 2014
6 p.m.: doors open, food sales begin in tented southeast terrace area
6:30 p.m.: Mariachi Sol de México® de José Hernández
7:15 p.m. & 8:15 p.m.: Capoeira Angola Center of Mestre João Grande, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
7:45 p.m.: Samba Soul
8:45 p.m.: Tiempo Libre
Summer might be at its end, but at Krannert Center things are just beginning to heat up! The 2014-15 season is bursting forth on opening night with all-ages energy, a fresh mix of revelers, lively activities for little ones, the wafting invitation from fabulous outdoor food vendors (including Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works, El Toro Mexican Restaurant, Rick’s Bakery, Caribbean Grill, Piato, Siam Terrace, KoFusion, and Rosati’s Pizza), exciting capoeira demonstrations, and a show-stopping set of Latin music masters.
Fifth-generation mariachi master José Hernández ignites the evening with his dazzling, Grammy-nominated, 13-member folk ensemble Mariachi Sol de México.® With brass fanfare, nimble strings, and powerful vocals, these cultural ambassadors preserve traditional Mexican tunes while peppering performances with novel renditions of pop, classical, and swing numbers.
After local favorite Samba Soul stirs in its trademark combination of classic Brazilian samba and sophisticated bossa nova, bandleader Jorge Gómez and the sensational Miami-based timba kings of Tiempo Libre are up. This is the third Krannert Center stop for these three-time Grammy nominees. Classically trained in Cuba’s top music conservatories, Tiempo Libre is celebrated for its sophisticated performances of timba, a joyous mix of high-voltage R&B, pop, jazz, and the seductive rhythms of son.
General admission tickets are just $5 (kids 5 and under are free but need a ticket) and are available at KrannertCenter.com or by calling 217/333-6280.
