Las Cafeteras To Perform at UH-Hilo PAC

The University of Hawai’i Performing Arts Center will play host to the urban folk sound of Las Cafeteras on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Las Cafeteras has appeared on stage with a wide-range of acts, including Mexican icons Califanes, Colombian superstar Juanes, Los Angeles legends Ozomatli, indie folk favorite Edward Sharpe, and the Magnetic Zeros.

One of the group’s most recent performances was with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

UH-Hilo PAC Manager Lee Dombroski says the group has taken the music scene by strom with their live performances and genre-crossing sound.

“Las Cafeteras seamlessly fuses traditional Afro-Caribbean music with modern rhythms and lyrically rich storytelling to create a sound that reflects the streets of today’s East Los Angeles,” Dombroski said.

The group will perform for one night only, and Dombroski says the Las Cafeteras songs tell the story of their parents’ journey crossing the borders and living in East L.A.

“They tell stories of love and struggle and often use social satire to point at political inconsistencies,” Dombroski added.

“Music makes sense as a way to provoke a dialogue on present social and political issues,” noted singer and multi-instrumentalist Denise Carlos.  “You don’t always have to talk politics, but if you are singing it in a very fun way, you hear the beat, you dance to it, and the words start meaning something to you.”

Pre-sale tickets to the performance are $25 general, $20 discount, and $12 for UH-Hilo and Hawai’i Community College students who have a valid student ID, as well as for children up to age 17.

At the door, tickets are $30 general, $25 discount, and $17 for UH-Hilo and Hawai’i CC students with a valid student ID, along with children up to age 17.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the UH Hilo Box Office at 932-7490 or by visiting the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center website.