Tiempo Libre comes to LCCC and BGSU for HHM

Grammy-nominated, Cuban-roots group, Tiempo Libre, comes to the Midwest this week with performances at the Lorain County Community College (LCCC) on Thursday, Sept. 21 and an appearance at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006, in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center.

This group is comprised of some of the most sought-after musicians in Miami and is considered one of the hottest young Latin bands of today. Following the traditions of the great timba bands, the group holds true to its roots with a musical blend of jazz, traditional Cuban, and Afro-Cuban music.

Since their formation in 2001, Tiempo Libre has been on a mission: to share the musical heritage in which they grew up with as wide an audience as possible, reinterpreting and reinvigorating traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound.

In 2002, at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival debut opening for Celia Cruz, Tiempo Libre dazzled a crowd of more than 12,000 people. They were re-engaged by Ravinia for 2003 where they shared a bill with Aretha Franklin, performing before an enthusiastic crowd of 20,000.
 

Tiempo Libre members include: Jorge Gómez (director, piano), Joaquin Díaz (vocals), Pavel Díaz (trumpet), Leandro González (congas), Tebelio “Tony” Fonte (bass), Luis Beltran Castillo (sax, flute), and Angel “Pututi” Arce (drums).    

At the LCCC, Stocker Arts Center event, Tiempo Libre will perform at 10:00AM and 7:30PM. Tickets for the 10:00AM performance are $4 each with tickets for the full-length evening concert at $15. For tickets call 1-800-995-5222 (extension 4040).

BGSU tickets are $18, $25 and $30, and can be reserved by calling the center box at 419-372-8171 or 1-800-589-2224.

At the BGSU concert, there will be a dance/baile floor for the audience to join in the fun.

BGSU is also hosting the Festival Series Forum, at 7:00 p.m. in Bryan Recital Hall of the Center, will feature free Salsa lessons. Lessons will be taught by faculty member Tammyan Metz Starr and students in the dance program from the School of Human Movement, Sports, and Leisure Studies at BGSU.

Editor’s Note: All Tiempo Libre photos by Henry Fair and courtesy of Tiempo Libre at www.tiempolibremusic.com.