Latin American Celebration

Tiempo Libre, a six-time Grammy-nominated Afro-Caribbean music group remains one of the hottest Latin bands today. The Miami-based group is celebrated for its sophisticated performances of timba music, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of Latin jazz and Cuban son. Tiempo Libre has introduced Cuban music to new audiences through appearances on shows such as the Tonight Show, Live from Lincoln Center and Dancing With the Stars and concerts worldwide including performances at Tanglewood, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Hong Kong’s Kwai Tsing Theatre and Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy. Tiempo Libre collaborated on “Para Ti” with violinist Joshua Bell for his At Home with Friends album and frequently plays with leading orchestras, including concerts this season with the Cleveland Orchestra and the San Francisco and Houston Symphonies. Every Tiempo Libre concert is a party, a celebration, and – regardless of whether “guests” choose to enjoy their sophisticated sound from their seats or on the dance floor – all engage all in exhilarating shared experience of community.

Allyson Briggs has created an eclectic cocktail of high-class music, topped with the glamour of a bygone era. From Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center to the Rainbow Room and Birdland Jazz Club, she has brought her incredible voice to lead Fleur Seule to delight audiences around the world. Fleur Seule is a retro jazz band with 7 languages of repertoire and many classic styles of music, that transports audiences to their favorite musical memories. The Fleur Seule experience is a mixture of the most beloved music, with sounds of soothing Karen Carpenter and vibrant Ella Fitzgerald, to the infectious Peggy Lee and diverse Linda Ronstadt. Allyson is fondly known by her fans as “The Glamour Girl of Jazz” and by her Latin fans as “La Rubia de la Salsa,” a nickname given to her at their debut salsa performance at La Marqueta in el barrio in Spanish Harlem. Fleur Seule has been the house band of Tavern on the Green for 8 years, bringing Old Hollywood glamour to a modern day audience. With over 300 performances per year, she is one of New York’s most in demand vocalists, and has shared the stage with Lionel Richie, Michael Feinstein, Ciara Renée, Catherine Russell, Jeremy Jordan, and Luba Mason.

Laurie Shayler has been dancing her entire life and started teaching children at an early age. Before falling in love with Ballroom Dancing and forming her company Dance Connection, she received a B.A. in Dance from SUNY Brockport. After moving to New York, she worked as a professional modern dancer with many choreographers performing and teaching in New York City, and touring across the U.S., Europe and Asia. She created the innovative Dance as a Second Language Course (DSL), merging the studies of English and Social Dancing at Baruch and LaGuardia Community Colleges. Now settled in Brooklyn, her passion for dance and teaching continues with her company Dance Connection offering group and private classes in Swing, Latin & Ballroom styles and specializing in Wedding Choreography.

Veritas is the pre-professional dance company of Dream Studio located in Red Hook, NY. Artistic director and choreographer, Lara Ganz, founded the company in 2005 to offer advanced and highly dedicated students the opportunity to experience being part of a professional dance company while still nurturing their needs and interests as budding artists. With inclusivity and acceptance at the forefront of our mission, we welcome all genders, sexes, body types, colors, and origins to experience the power of dance as an art form. Veritas performs versatile, original works by local choreographers across the Hudson Valley.

Luzia Castañeda, born to Brazilian and Spanish parents, established herself as a self-taught artist in New York City since 2014. Her extraordinary artistic contributions led to her being granted permanent residency in the U.S. in 2019. With a Ph.D. in Genetics and a background as a biologist, educator, and researcher, Luzia seamlessly blends her scientific mind with her artistic soul. Nature, whether explored through science or spiritual traditions, serves as the wellspring of inspiration for her creations. Recent accolades include the showcase of her “Urban Orishas” series all over NYC and the 2019 Queens Council on the Arts award for her series “Rebirth.”