La Clave Show
"La Clave" is a seventeen minute dance performance co-commissioned by the American Dance Festival and Cary, NC. ADF support provided by The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation. Performed as part of the "Made in NC" Show in the 2025 Season.
This dance show portraits the story of the most important African rhythm in Latin music, called "La Clave", and how it evolved into the high energy music and dance known around the world as Mambo. The audience is taken in a journey through time and space, from Africa, Cuba to NYC, and how the music and dance was shaped by the amalgamation of African, European and Native American cultures.
This is a dance anthropology work, in which choreographer, Betto Herrera, was meticulous in the accuracy to the stylistic movements for each dance style. It touches on the cultural practices that were sociably acceptable during these times, and how music and dance helped Latin/Hispanic immigrants create a community after migrating to the USA.
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- Choreographer: Norberto "Betto" Herrera
- Assistant / Manager: Stephanie Watkins-Cruz
- Lighting Design: David Ferri
- Costume Design: Stephanie Watkins-Cruz and Betto Herrera
- Cuban Folklore Advisor: Maestra Marisol Blanco
- Music Director: Sara "Pedrita" Town
- Music by: sabrosura
Performers (A-Z):
- Carrie Anazia
- Angélica Collazo Martínez
- George Diaz
- Elena Francis
- Brian Frias
- Jennifer Geyer
- Andrés Hincapié
- Annie McCollum
- Marisa Melvin
- Nina Rivers
- Stephanie
Musicians (A-Z):
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- Beverly Botsford (percussion)
- Maria Isabel Matos (bass / vocals)
- Ramon Ortíz (percussion / vocals)
- Tim Smith (flute)
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Brian Torres (trumpet)
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Sarah Town (piano/vocals)
- sabrosura music credits:
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- "Herencia" - Sarah Town comp.
- "Rumba" - Sarah Town arr.
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"Chan Chan / Candela" - Francisco Repilado aka "Compay Segundo" / Faustino Oramas aka "El Guayabero" comp. Sarah Town arr.
- "Mambo #5" - Dámaso Pérez Prado comp. Sarah Town arr.
- "Ran Kan Kan" - Ernest Anthony “Tito” Puente comp. Sarah Town arr.