The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC) announces the hotly anticipated return of Diego El Cigala, charming vocalist and three-time Latin GRAMMY winner, Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 7pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall. Known for his uncanny ability to meld sounds of his Spanish Gitano heritage with other treasured genres, El Cigala will showcase the intoxicating rhythms and melodies of salsa with works from Indestructible, his upcoming album slated for release on Oct. 28, 2016.
Named “one of the most beautiful flamenco voices of our time” by legendary guitarist Paco de Lucia, Diego El Cigala is a master at knitting together musical influences – flamenco, son, bolero, tango, and now salsa – to create a spectacular blend. Born in 1968 in Madrid to a musical family deeply-rooted in the flamenco tradition, he started his solo career singing flamenco with the 1997 release,Undebel. Upon receiving his first Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Flamenco Album, El Cigala joined forces with celebrated Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés. Together they recorded the breakthrough album that sent El Cigala’s career soaring, Lágrimas Negras (Black Tears) in 2003.
Following the commercial success of Lágrimas Negras, which sold more than one million copies and received critical acclaim the world over, El Cigala began to explore other musical influences, in particular from Latin America. He has since produced a series of cross-genre albums, and will add the much-awaited 2016 release, Indestructible, to his impressive discography.
Chan Centre Connects Events (chancentre.com/connects)
A series of ancillary events programmed in conjunction with Chan Centre performances, exploring the role of arts and artists in society.
• The Art of Resistance – Thursday November 10 / 7pm @ VIVO Media Arts Centre, 2625 Kaslo Street, Vancouver. Art has long been a powerful vehicle of expression used to challenge and resist negative stereotypes. In partnership with the Canadian Romani Alliance, this multimedia presentation and discussion touches on art, Roma self-representation, and the deconstruction of Gypsy / Gitano stereotypes.
• Pre-Show Talk – Opre Roma: Rise Up Roma – Sunday November 20 / 6:15pm @ Royal Bank Cinema, Chan Centre. Dr. Shayna Plaut (UBC, SFU, Global Reporting Centre) and Gina Csanyi-Robah (Canadian Romani Alliance founder) discuss Diego El Cigala’s influential music and how Roma worldwide create music, art and media as a form of resistance and empowerment.
Chan Centre Presents: Diego El Cigala
Date: Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 7pm
Ticket prices: From $54
Address: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts University of British Columbia 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Box Office: 604-822-2697 /chancentre.com
In person at the Chan Centre ticket office
Open Tue-Sat, 12pm-5pm
Website: chancentre.com