Jorge's Percussion & Dance Workshops

JORGE'S PERCUSSION & DANCE WORKSHOPS
BY JORGE T. CUEVAS
Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
(607) 256 - 4106

FUN & EDUCATIONAL FOR ALL AGES, ORGANIZATIONS, &OCCASIONS
Jorge Cuevas has been teaching percussion& dance workshops since 1989. Youth & adults have enjoyed his workshops& residencies in schools, community centers, and summer camps. Besidessinging & playing his conga drums to a variety of afro-latin rhythms, like"salsa" & "merengue", he also gives his audience anopportunity to experience percussion by playing & dancing with him. Jorgesupplies a large variety of unusual & traditional percussion instrumentsfrom around the world that captivate and excite the audience to participate. Youwill experience thrilling fun through the rhythms & songs, and you'll learnquite a bit about the African & Latin American cultures that created theseinstruments, rhythms, and their accompanying dances. Where there is percussion,there is dance. All ages and levels experience success and fun with theDominican Republic's national dance "Merengue".

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT WORKSHOPS
- Demonstrate many unusual & traditional percussioninstruments from around the world.
- Discuss geographic & cultural origins.
- Allow participants to play instruments.
- Conduct exercises for an understanding of time & space inrhythm / music.
- Teach participants to play the different afro-latin rhythms(Salsa, merengue, cha-cha-cha, bomba, plena &etc.).

DANCE WORKSHOPS
- Teach the easiest & most exciting dance, the DominicanRepublic's national dance, "Merengue".
- Demonstrate the basic steps & moves, then have theparticipants practice.
- Teach a repertoire of dance moves for a possible choreographedperformance.

NATURE SOUNDS
- Exploration of many earth & animal sounds through the useof percussion instruments.

MAKING PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
- Making percussion instruments from common, recyclablematerials.
- Rain sticks - Shekeres - Windchimes -Maracas - Guiros - Shakers - Turning drums - Cuicas
*Materials not included in cost.
ORIGINAL SONGWRITER'S SEMINAR
- Discuss original lyrics, styles, & accompanying music.
- Guide the students to collaborate on a song about theirschool.
RESIDENCIES MAY ALSO INCLUDE
- Latin American history - Geography
- Puerto Rican folktales, myths, & legends - Spanishlanguage
- Cooking hispanic food
- plantains - yuca
- yautia - rice & beans
*Food expenses not included in cost.
SCHOOL PACKAGE RATES AVAILABLE
(CDs = $15 / Cassettes = $10)
- Solo recording of Jorge's original songs called "SueñosDel Caribe" (Caribbean Dreams) also
- includes english translations.
OTHER DETAILS
Class size to assemblies are fine, but more hands-on withsmaller groups.
Depending on age attention span, all programs can range from 30to 60 minutes.
Allow for 1 hr. set up time.
Equipment stays set up between presentations.
P.A. system plus one microphone on a boom stand required forassemblies.
Lighting is up to your preferences.
Seating arrangement for presentations in classrooms is asemi-circle on the floor or in chairs, but for dance workshops we need a clearedfloor.
Workshops can be tailored to meet your specific needs & agegroups.
Combinations of these services work very well together.

Jorge's Percussion and Dance Workshop Contract

JORGE'S PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
This percussion ensemble is an extremely exciting quartet of some of the best percussionists in this area. The ensemble explores the details of the many afro-latin rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, The Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Whether we're playing Salsa, Merengue, Bomba, Plena, Samba, Guaguanco, Mozambique, or Comparsa, we establish the traditional interweavings of these rhythms and then add our own original arrangements and variations. The ensemble will always briefly discuss the particular rhythm's origin, instrumentation, and variations.
When it's appropriate, we'll also have audience members join us or at least sample some of the instruments.
The ensemble's members are:
- Jorge T. Cuevas ........................ kalimbas, congas,bongos, tambora, udu, cajonlimba, etc. & vocals
- Charlie Izzo ................................. congas, bongos,tambora, shekere, etc. & vocals
- Charlie Shew ............................. congas, djembe,cajonlimba, etc. & vocals
- Michael Wellen .......................... timbales, cowbells,etc. & vocals
Most of the original songs come from Jorge's solo CD "Sueños Del Caribe". The ensemble is every percussionists dream of intricate rhythmic interweavings, tight arrangements, and burning-hot solos. Sitting still won't be an option!
RISING SIGN
Rising Sign (aka.Signo Ascendenté) plays an irresistible mix of Salsa, Cha-Cha,Merengue, and Samba. Originals or well known hits, you’re gonna wanna danceand smile! Our 9 piece orchestra is a 3 piece screamin horn section, soaringflute, burning guitar, sparkling keyboards, funky solid bass, ripping smokin’timbales, congas, guiro, and bongo, with layers of distinctly rich vocalists andharmonies. We’ll bring the Caribbean dance party to you!
Rising Sign's sound is bright, hot and exciting and perfect for any occasion!Whether we're singing in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, we sing about love,dancing, freedom, and the joy of being ourselves. This music makes us happy, andwe invite our audience to share in the fun.

Rising Sign'scurrent line-up features:
• Jorge T. Cuevas.....................percussion & lead vocals
• Laura Branca..........................keyboards & lead vocals
• Alex Specker............................guitar & flute
• Ryan Zawel.............................trombone
• Peter Forlano..........................saxophone
• Frank Campos........................trumpet
• JamesArmstrong.....................percussion & vocals
• Michael Wellen ........................drumset& timbales
• Harry Aceto..............................bass