September 26, 2000

Bossa Nova Dance Party Brings Latin Heat to MASS MoCA

(September 29, 2000 -- North Adams, MA) ) ö (North Adams, Mass.) MASS MoCA's Hunter Center will be transformed into a Brazilian dance party when the sensual voice of Adela Dalto fills the hall with the best of Bossa Nova on Saturday, October 14, at 7:30 pm. Professional dance instructor Bill Tenanes, arranged by Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, will make learning the steps easy with Bossa Nova dance lessons for all.

Although Bossa Nova is Portuguese for 'new trend', the style is more than 30 years old. The popular Brazilian music evolved in the '50s from a union of cool jazz and the Brazilian music and dance called Samba. The Bossa Nova dance is very similar to the Samba. It uses the same subtle body and hip rhythm and two-step foot movement. The musical style has been on the map of American pop-culture since its introduction in the 1959 Academy Award and Cannes Film Festival grand prize-winning film Black Orpheus. The instrumentation varies but is intentionally simple and limited to a few rhythm instruments such as guitar, drum, single-note piano, and marimbau or musical bow. The instruments often take a back seat to vocals allowing the singer greater freedom for improvisation.

Born in Texas to Mexican parents, Adela Dalto grew up with the influence of R&B and a growing interest in jazz. Her late husband, Jorge Dalto, former pianist for George Benson, encouraged her musical career and introduced her to the subtle and exciting rhythms of Latin and Brazilian music. Dalto's career has been greatly inspired by personal favorites such as Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Latin singers Graciela and Celia Cruz, as well as the Brazilians Elis Regina and Leny Andrade.

Dalto has performed in the local clubs in New York City including The Rainbow Room, S.O.B.'s, Visiones, and Birdland. She toured as featured vocalist with the late Mario Bauza's Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra at the Pori Jazz, North Sea Jazz, Umbria Jazz and the Montreux Jazz festivals. Dalto's latest CD release, Papa Boco, on Milestone Records is a mix of Latin, Brazilian and jazz tunes containing several of her lyrics.

Spicy Brazilian favorites courtesy of Mezze Bistro and Bar will be for sale before and during the party. Doors open at 6:30 for dinner before the show.

Tickets to the Bossa Nova Dance Party are $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office at 87 Marshall St. in North Adams from 10 am until 6 pm daily. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased online at www.massmoca.org.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org