Border Concert Association presents Alborada: Music from Central and South America

Border Concert Association presents “Alborada” as its third installment of the 2006-2007 concert season on Feb. 6. The Batista Family will perform their Andean show at 7:30 p.m. on the stage in the Backus Auditorium for the Performing Arts.
Milo Batista, long-time musical director of Khenany, with his family band consisting of his wife Lourdes and children Johanna and Paul, play a diverse program of songs and tunes from Central and South America along with popular songs from the United States. The family plays over 30 different instruments during the course of their show.
“Alborada” means the first light in the morning, the sun being the first deity in importance. Alborada, to the Batista family, signals the beginning of a new day for them as they take their music throughout the world.
Often mistakenly called “Inca music,” present-day Andean folk music is the product of centuries of cultural and ethnic blending beginning with pre-Columbian wind and percussion instruments played in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia, Chile, Paraguay and Mexico.
Among several selections, guests will hear “La Paloma,” “El Toro Manchao,” “American Medley,” “Classical Medley,” “Siempre he de Adorate” and “El Condor Pasa.”
Milo Batista was one of the founding members of Khenany and with them, toured extensively throughout the U.S. performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and in many of the nation’s leading theaters and concert halls. He has traveled extensively throughout the Americas collecting the tunes he an his family now play and sing. In addition, he embodies a lively sense of humor in introducing the instruments and songs to each audience.
The Batistas have performed for literally thousands of audiences and hundreds of thousands of adults and children throughout the U. S. Each year the family travels from coast to coast presenting their infectious, lively and often humorous show for concert series, arts councils, festivals and fairs.
Prior to the show, from 4:30 until 7 p.m., will be the traditional “Top the Tater” supper fund raiser held by the Citizens for Backus/AB. The meal includes supper, beverage and dessert for $5 for any individuals who would like to partake. Attendance at the concert is not necessary.
Admittance to the performance is by Border Concert season membership only and will still be available at the door.