CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE CUNY DANCE INITIATIVE

Los Ricos and Sekou McMiller & Friends

SAT, NOV 16, 7 PM
LeFrak Concert Hall
“most charismatic performer”
The Washington Post

Join us for an electrifying double-bill dance performance with live music as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the CUNY Dance Initiative! Experience two alumni of this groundbreaking residency program: Los Ricos, featuring flamenco powerhouses Sonia Olla & Ismael Fernández, and Sekou McMiller, a leader in the Afro-Latin dance movement.

Los Ricos: Sonia Olla (Dancer & Choreographer/Artistic Director), Ismael Fernandez (Singer, Composer & Musical Director), Isabel Estrada Jamison (dancer), Ana Lucia Lugo (dancer), Ricardo Sanchez (guitar), Camila Cortina (piano), and Juan Diego Villalobos (percussion & vibraphone).

Sekou McMiller & Friends: Sekou McMiller (Dancer & Director/Choreographer), Marielys Molina (dancer), Diego Rivera (dancer), Adriel Flete (dancer), Selena Tornez (dancer), Calvin Booker (tap), Desiree Godsell (Rehearsal Director), Camila Cortina (piano/Music Director), Raul Reyes (bass), Camilo Molina (trumpet), Elijah Maduro (tenor sax), Sebastian Natal (drums/percussion), and a special guest vocalist.

Both companies will perform excerpts of work created during their past CDI residencies. Sekou McMiller & Friends will present Afro Latin Soul, an exuberant exploration of the Jazz and African roots of salsa dance and music, developed during the company’s 2023-24 residency at LaGuardia Community College. Sonia Olla & Ismael Fernández will reprise the “palmas” section from ELLA, created during a 2018 residency at Queens College.

“a furnace of earthy sensuality” (The New York Times)

Los Ricos featuring Sonia Olla & Ismael Fernández are known for bridging the culture of traditional Flamenco dance with contemporary global influences. Sonia, originally from Barcelona where she earned her degree at the Instituto de Teatro y Danza, has been hailed by The New York Times as “a furnace of earthy sensuality.” Ismael has been described by The Washington Post as the “most charismatic performer” and praised for his “connection to the Gypsy source.” Ismael grew up performing in flamenco festivals throughout the world with his internationally renowned family, La Familia Fernández. Sonia and Ismael’s approach to the art form does not stop at its traditional roots: the couple was tapped by the pop-icon Madonna to choreograph the worldwide “Rebel Heart Tour” (2015-2016), with Ismael providing vocals. They also provided the same for Ricky Martin for the “Lola Lola” Flamenco choreography in his Las Vegas concert All In!

Sekou McMiller is pioneering at the forefront of a new movement in Afro Latin dance. His unique fusion style has a strong Afro-Caribbean essence that is laced with many different dance techniques combined with an explosive energy. His dancing and choreographies have garnered him broad recognition worldwide. Sekou’s diverse career as a Choreographer / Performer / Instructor ranges from performing off-Broadway in both Celia: the Musical and Afro-Tango to choreographing for Bravo TV, NUVO TV and Good Morning America. Also he has performed and choreographed for Top Latin artists including Gilberto Santa Rosa, Willie Colon, Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Johnny Pacheco, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, PitBull, as well as the pop icon Madonna.  Sekou can be seen in the upcoming Warner Bros theatrical feature “In the Heights” (2021) directed by Jon M. Chu and in the newly release documentary “Uprooted: the journey of Jazz Dance”. Sekou has worked with the Radio City Rockettes and was invited to choreograph for the Alvin Ailey School and Joffrey Ballet School. In addition, he was a special invited guest performer/ choreographer for the United Nations Unveiling of the Monument the Ark of Return: honoring the victims of Slavery and lives lost during transit of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

$30/FREE for CDI Artists

Are you a current or past CDI artist? Celebrate with us for FREE! Request your complimentary tickets HERE.

(718) 793-8080; Box Office Hours: TUE-FRI, 12-6 PM & one hour before event time.

Discount Offers: 50% off for Queens College students! Various discounts available for groups, students, seniors, first responders, healthcare workers, and Queens College alumni, staff, and faculty members. Have an offer passcode or discount code? Find out how to use it here.

For more information, please visit our Box Office.

MorE UPCOMING