African Cuban Arenas Dance Co and Jazz Singer Bobi Cespedes

Last nights program for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival featured two African Cuban artists, the Arenas Dance Co. and jazz singer, Bobi Cespedes at the Raven Theater.  The Arenas Dance Co. lead the program with vast styles and influences of Cuban dance.  Artistic Dir. Susana Arenas Pedroso diverse choreography captured the multi-influences of African and Catholic religions as well African spiritual traditions and African, Spanish and Haitian Creole languages.  The glorious, kaleidoscope colored costumes for each of the dances shimmered and flowed.  The outfits were stunning and enhanced dancers' undulating body movements.  The twirling of the layered skirts captured the syncopation of the bata drums.  Rippling of the dancers' shoulders and rolling of heads felt languid and fluid.  Folkloric storytelling and African call and response were ingrained in the choreography.  I loved the women enacting laundering using wicker baskets and colorful silk garments.  The dancers portrayed the joy of daily chores done with humor and camaraderie.  My favorite number was a salsa style dance.  The women's props were neon colored fans that matched their flowing skirts. The twirling, opening and shutting of the fans was hypnotic.  The all female bata drummers were the sturdy backbone to the various styles.  Women were forbidden from touching bata drums until 1988 because of religious taboos.  Onstage female vocalists accompanied the dancers. Their soulful, clarion voices rang clear.  Warrior dancers used a shrill call and response that was piercing.  The program was dedicated to the strength and dignity of women.  The second half of the program brought the energy to a luxurious, jazzy Afro-Cuban style.  Bobi Cespedes' rich contralto voice posted a velvety quality that was mesmerizing.  She brought a feel for both African and Cuban musical heritage.  The Orisha influence blended South American and Caribbean rhythms with a contemporary funk sound.  The folklore heritage made a "Funkloric" soothing sound bringing together the past and present in a relaxing and stirring style.  Bobi improvised several numbers in a call and response style.  The talented quintet consisted of two percussionists on bongos, timbales and congas.  The pianist/arranger, Orientz Lopez playing was phenomenal. The music reverberated viscerally making it impossible to remain inert in one's seat.  The enthralled audience could not be contained in their seats for long.  Soon most got up and   danced in the aisles moving to the front of the stage.  A glorious, spontaneous dance party ensued.   I could have danced all night.  And, I thought to myself, what a wonderful world.