My name is Gary Zidek. Welcome to The Arts Section. Tune into the radio program every Sunday morning on WDCB 90.9 & 90.7 FM or listen to it online here. I'll be showcasing a variety of arts & entertainment stories.
WDCB’s Gary Zidek shines a light on some of the Chicago connections involved with the international streaming event, A CONCERT FOR CUBA.
WDCB's Gary ZIdek shines a light on upcoming A CONCERT FOR CUBA.
“We hope that people will actually get energized and activated to do something concrete. We want people to not just think of Cuba as a place to go on vacation, look at old cars, and drink rum, but actually do something that will improve the lives of the people that live there.” - Marguerite Horberg, Concert for Cuba organizer, talking about her hopes for the 2-night streaming event.
Tens of thousands of people all over the world are expected to tune into a special two-night streaming concert that aims to celebrate Cuba’s culture and humanitarian efforts. The first-ever CONCERT FOR CUBA will take place July 18 and 19. The free event is being promoted all over the world, but the origins of CONCERT FOR CUBA can be traced to Chicago-based HotHouse. The organization’s founder Marguerite Horberg partnered with the Cuban Institute of Music, talent agent Raul Cuza and attorney Bill Martinex to make the first COVID-19-era international music festival a reality.
Concert for Cuba will feature 30 performances by legendary Afro-Cuban musicians and international recording artists including: Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine); Bush (rock band); Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) and Dionne Warrick.
There’s another Chicago connection, Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic will also be part of Concert for Cuba.
“My reason for going to Cuba was to discover my African heritage through Cuba, and jazz is a big part of that.” - Orbert Davis, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic artistic director, talking about his connection to Cuba.