Juan de Marcos González Afro-Cuban All-Stars

Of all the world's musics, perhaps Cuban is the most effervescent. We defy anyone not to feel uplifted by the work of Juan de Marcos González and the ensemble Afro-Cuban All Stars. The hardest part may be staying in your seat. Work out energy beforehand at the Latino Art Fair taking place at the Promenade Hall and Terrace from 5:30-7:30 p.m., showcasing Latin artists from throughout South Central Wisconsin. Admission to the art fair is free for all; find concert tickets at overture.org. (Note: Previously announced performer Barbarito Torres will be unable to attend this concert.)

media release:  Join an evening of cultural celebration on Friday, March 3, starting with the 9th annual Latino Art Fair in Overture Center’s Promenade Hall and Terrace from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a performance by the Afro-Cuban All Stars in Overture Hall at 7:30 p.m. The Latino Art Fair is a free community event. Tickets ($25-65) for Afro-Cuban All-Stars are available at overture.org. In addition, a special month-long Rotunda Gallery exhibit pays tribute to two artists’ shared experiences and Mexican heritage.

Latino Art Fair – Free!

Celebrate the rich roots of Latino art in culture at the 9th Annual Latino Art Fair! Talented artists from throughout South-Central Wisconsin will exhibit and sell their artwork, including paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, music and more. Plus, enjoy a marimba performance by Eric De Los Santos.

Featured artists and craftspersons will include Rodrigo Carapia, Jessica Guttierrez, Issis Macias, Mojo’s Majik, Nuria Moffett, Gina Nieves, Tanay Rivera, Jorge Santana, Eric de los Santos, Mayra Tepepa, Nabil Hamdan, Carlos Raul, Chele Ramos, Tomy Tepepa and Eder Valle-Artesan Fruit.

The Latino Art Fair is co-presented with Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development (LOUD).

Juan de Marcos Afro-Cuban All Stars

Afro-Cuban All Stars was the band created by Juan de Marcos González, founder, musical director, A&R and co-producer of the Buenavista Social Club session albums, along with Nick Gold, executive producer and owner of World Circuit Records, to introduce and promote such productions.

Since its debut, the ensemble has performed the best of the Cuban repertoire in its shows, presenting most of the genres that have made Cuba an influential country in terms of popular music, from the most traditional such as Son Montuno, Guajira, Bolero and Danzon, to contemporary ones like Timba and Latin Jazz. Their concerts are simultaneously intellectual, educational and joyful, ending in most cases in a Cuban-style party.

Rotunda Gallery Exhibit

In a month-long special exhibit, Rodrigo Carapia and Issis Macias present “Bajo el Mismo Cielo / Under the Same Sky” in the Rotunda Gallery (first floor). The exhibit runs through Sunday, March 12. A reception with the artists will be Saturday, Feb. 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Rotunda Gallery.

Artists Rodrigo Carapia and Issis Macias present powerful collaborative paintings that are a tribute to their shared experiences and Mexican heritage. The title reminds us that despite our differences, we are all united by the same sky and human experiences. The exhibition asks viewers to reflect on our memories, life journeys and the dynamic interplay of cultural influences that shape our lives.

OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS in Madison, Wis., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that features seven state-of-the-art performance spaces and four galleries where national and international touring artists, nine resident companies and hundreds of local artists engage people in nearly 700,000 educational and artistic experiences each year. With the vision to provide “Extraordinary Experiences for All,” Overture’s mission is to support and elevate our community’s creative culture, economy and quality of life through the arts. overture.org