La Peña Community Chorus’ Cuba Trip Report Back Concert

$15 in advance, $20 at the door

Doors open at 7pm

The La Peña Community Chorus went to Cuba in February and met terrific people, heard fabulous music, and learned so much about Cuban society, where basic needs are met for everyone. The Chorus has stories to tell, pictures to share, and songs to sing for you!

Founded in 1978 by Chilean refugees and community supporters, La Peña Community Chorus has been performing Latin American New Song (Nueva Canción) for over 35 years. The chorus includes guitars, flutes, drums, and a large assortment of Latin American instruments.

A wealth of talented composers and arrangers have provided original repertoire over the years. Founder and current directors, Lichi Fuentes and Jan Thyer arrange and conduct new pieces in much of the largely Spanish and English social justice-focused repertoire.

Since 1995, when the Chorus was the first U.S. Chorus to participate in an International Choral Festival in Santiago de Cuba, the Chorus has also traveled to Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina always returning with stories, songs, and images that are largely missing from mainstream news broadcasts. Lasting personal and cultural connections with people in the host countries are relived and passed on as the chorus shares with each new audience the music learned and the stories collected.

The Chorus has sung for schools, churches, homeless shelters, retirement homes, drug rehab centers, benefits for farm workers, and peace demonstrations and rallies.

The chorus is a close-knit group of caring people whose long-term commitment to the organization bespeaks consistency and a sense of family unique in today’s difficult times.

For more information about the Chorus and to find out how to join, please visit the La Peña Community Chorus website.