New York City Center will present a series of free pre-and post-show events in conjunction with the three-week Latin dance festival A Bailar: Dance at the Center, including dance lessons, video installations, an art exhibit, a panel, and a tango dance party, from February 18 – March 7, 2015. The Festival kicks off with the U.S. debut of Havana Rakatan, a celebration of Cuban dance and music, and continues with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s m¡longa, which captures the sultry world of Buenos Aires tango. Voces, Suite Flamenca, a new work from flamenco superstar Sara Baras, closes A Bailar.

A BAILAR: CALENDAR OF FREE EVENTS
All Events Take Place in New York City Center’s Grand Tier Lobby (except Art Exhibit)

ART EXHIBIT, February 18 – March 7

TRANSITIONS
A Snapshot of Contemporary Cuban & Cuban-American Art
February 18 – March 7
This month-long art exhibition features some of the most relevant Cuban and Cuban-American artists working today, and is anchored by two large-scale works from the acclaimed Brooklyn-based artist Emilio Perez. His two pieces—the diptych dreaming out of season and the monumental 40-foot-long abstract work Footprints on the Ceiling—employ Perez’s signature technique of applying paint, building layer upon layer, and then “drawing” into the painting with a blade. Transitions also features La Isla (The Island)
and Diaspora by Leslie Sardinias, whose work was recently the focus of a solo show at The 8th Floor gallery, as well as a variety of two-dimensional works by Glenda Leòn, Alexandre Arrechea, and Roberto Diago, courtesy of Magnan Metz Gallery. The video art wall in City Center’s central lobby displays pieces by Glenda Leòn and Alexandre Arrechea, also courtesy of Magnan Metz Gallery.

HAVANA RAKATAN, February 18 – 22

Wednesday, February 18
When: 6:15 pm
What: Panel Discussion, “U.S.-Cuba Policy: The Artist Perspective” - Prominent arts professionals will discuss how evolving relations between the United States and Cuba will affect the arts and cultural exchanges between the two countries, featuring Eduardo Vilaro, artistic director of Ballet Hispanico; Rachel Weingeist, an independent curator who has engaged with the visual arts community in Cuba for many years; and Pedro Ruiz, the recently appointed associate artistic direction of Endedans – The Contemporary Ballet of Camagūey. The conversation will be moderated by Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, a leader in Cuban arts advocacy and a program director at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Friday, February 20
When: 6:45 pm
What: Mambo Lessons for all levels

Saturday, February 21
When: 12:45 pm
What: Cuban Drumming for kids of all ages

Saturday, February 21
When: 6:45 pm
What: Salsa Lessons for all levels

Sunday, February 22
When: 12:45 pm
What: Lesson in a variety of Cuban dance styles, for kids of all ages.

m¡longa, February 26 – March 1

Friday, February 27
When 6:45 pm
What: Tango lessons with Strictly Tango NYC for all levels

Saturday, February 28
When: 12:45 pm
What: Tango lessons for all levels

Saturday, February 28
When: 9:30 pm
What: A post-show tango party hosted by Juan Pablo and featuring m¡longa cast members Claudio Gonzalez and Julia Urruty.

BALLET FLAMENCO SARA BARAS, March 4 – 7

When: 75 minutes before each performance

What: Flamenco lessons for all ages