Sones de Mexico to Perform at UNCA

Sones de Mexico

The critically acclaimed Sones de Mexico Ensemble will perform a concert of their rich and lively traditional Mexican music at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. The concert is open to the public.

Sones de Mexico is a six-piece ensemble which specializes in "son," the cross-cultural heritage of mariachi music and dance. Featuring Mexican musical traditions, regional instruments and costumes, Sones de Mexico Ensemble creates an upbeat dance fiesta from the influences of the Mestizo, Native American, Spanish and African music of Mexico.

Based in Chicago, this Mexican folk music group features over 25 folk string, percussion, and wind instruments along with four-part vocal arrangements and acrobatic dance demonstrations. The band includes director Victor Pichardo, dancer and musician René Cardoza, ethnomusicologist Juan Díes, lead vocalist Gonzalo Córdova, percussionist Raúl Fernández, multi-instrumentalist Renato Cerón and musian and dancer Lorena Iñiguez.

Sing Out Magazine calls the group "serious artists who have chosen to renew and embellish their heritage." The Chicago Tribune urges audiences to "forget Cuba, birthplace of the son. The best son happening right now is Mexican, and the group that's taking it up a notch is Sones de Mexico."

Tickets for the Sones de Mexico concert are on sale now and are $18 general admission. Call 828/232-5000 to order your tickets by phone. Tickets may also be purchased with cash or check only at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville.

Sones de Mexico will perform as part of UNCA’s Native American Heritage Month celebrations. The concert is sponsored by UNCA’s Cultural and Special Events and OLA, UNCA’s Hispanic Outreach for Learning Awareness organization.

For more information, call UNCA’s Student Activities Office at 828/232-5000 or visit the Web site.

Media Contacts:

• Barbara Halton-Subkis, UNCA Student Activities Assistant Director, 828/232-5000
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526