PORTLAND’S PRIMO CUBANO HEATS UP THE DANCE HALL!

Popular dance band has become a local favorite

Kittery, Maine - On Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 7:30pm Portland’s popular Latin dance band Primo Cubano returns to The Dance Hall with their Maine made Cuban music. 

Primo Cubano has become one of The Dance Hall’s favorite dance bands and has developed a devoted following after several appearances there. They play traditional Cuban dance music dating back to the turn of the 20th Century. Son is the most popular style to come out of Cuba and is the primary contributor to the blend of Latin styles today known as Salsa. It was first a music of the country people and eventually migrated to Havana, where it was urbanized and began to draw a wider audience.

Guitarist Paul D’Alessio, a simple-living country man himself, came into contact with this music on a trip to Cuba in 2004 with the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association, a cooperative between Brunswick, ME and the city of Trinidad, Cuba. He began learning to play Son music on a guitar-like instrument native to Cuba called the tres and subsequently formed Primo Cubano, “Cuban Cousin”.

Trumpeter Marc Chillemi has also spent time in Cuba and has played in various other Latin groups. He also

Water Dog Tavern hosting Trekkers Fundraiser on June 28 with Cuban dance Music from Primo Cubano

THOMASTON, Maine - Water Dog Tavern is excited to host a Trekkers fundraiser with traditional Cuban dance music from Primo Cubano, on June 28th, 2014 at 8:30 pm. The event will be held at 1 Starr Street in Thomaston, ME. A donation of $8 is requested which will benefit Trekkers, a non-profit, outdoor-based mentoring program that connects young people with caring adults through expeditionary learning, community service and adventure-based education.

Primo Cubano delivers high-energy traditional Cuban dance music to anxious audiences around the State. Known for getting you up on your feet, Primo Cubano draws on their members' love and passion for Cuba and the country's diverse Latin music (not to mention the dance moves). The band is comprised of Paul D'Alessio, Marc Chillemi, Lenny Hatch, Eric Winter and Duane Edwards and includes congas, drums, horns, guitar, bass and so much energy you won't be able to sit still.

Trekkers began in 1994 as a volunteer community initiative for students attending Thomaston Grammar School and soon included students from St. George School. Since 1999 Trekkers has offered programs to local students from 7th to 12th grades living year-round in the communities of Cushing, St. George, and Thomaston. Trekkers provides myriad educational, experiential, and cross-cultural opportunities for young people, with an emphasis on relationship building and an appreciation of the earth as “educator”. Trekkers follows students as they “graduate” from one program into the next along a six year journey that starts when

Primo Cubano Returns to The Dance Hall

Kittery, Maine - On Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 8pm, Primo Cubano, Portland's popular Latin dance band, will return to The Dance Hall. They first played the Hall in January and packed the house with their Maine made Cuban music.

Primo Cubano plays traditional Cuban dance music dating back to the turn of the 20th Century. Son is the most popular style to come out of Cuba and is the primary contributor to the blend of Latin styles today known as Salsa. It was first a music of the country people and eventually migrated to Havana, where it was urbanized and began to draw a wider audience.

Guitarist Paul D’Alessio, a simple-living country man himself, came into contact with this music on a trip to Cuba in 2004 with the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association, a cooperative between Brunswick, ME and the city of Trinidad, Cuba. He began learning to play Son music on a guitar-like instrument native to Cuba called the tres and subsequently formed Primo Cubano, “Cuban Cousin”.

Trumpeter Marc Chillemi has also spent time in Cuba and has played in various other Latin groups. He also plays percussion and sings o the choruses, or coros, to which the lead singer, or sonero responds with an improvised lyric.

Lenny Hatch has loved the congas since he first heard Mongo Santamaría play Watermelon, and he has been playing them in addition to the bongó and other percussion instruments for over 20 years now.

Eric Winter has been singing all his life and began studying Spanish at the age of 12. He has become particularly interested in Cuban music in the last few years. Eric also plays maracas and is the newest addition to Primo Cubano.

Keeping it all together is Duane Edwards on the bass fiddle. He is a graduate of the University of Maine at Augusta and plays in various groups in the area. As a jazz student, he took very quickly to the tumbao pattern that makes this music so danceable.

Music starts at 8pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at: www.thedancehallkittery.org or RiverRun Bookstore in Wallingford Square, Kittery.

Primo Cubano Heats up The Dance Hall

Portland's popular dance band kicks off 2014
Kittery, Maine - On Saturday, January 18, 2014, Primo Cubano, Portland's popular Latin dance band, will heat up The Dance Hall with the first event of the new year.

Primo Cubano plays traditional Cuban dance music dating back to the turn of the 20th Century. Son is the most popular style to come out of Cuba and is the primary contributor to the blend of Latin styles today known as Salsa. It was first a music of the country people and eventually migrated to Havana, where it was urbanized and began to draw a wider audience.

Guitarist Paul D’Alessio, a simple-living country man himself, came into contact with this music on a trip to Cuba in 2004 with the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association, a cooperative between Brunswick, ME and the city of Trinidad, Cuba. He began learning to play Son music on a guitar-like instrument native to Cuba called the tres and subsequently formed Primo Cubano, “Cuban Cousin”.

Trumpeter Marc Chillemi has also spent time in Cuba and has played in various other Latin groups. He also plays percussion and sings o the choruses, or coros, to which the lead singer, or sonero responds with an improvised lyric.

Lenny Hatch has loved the congas since he first heard Mongo Santamaría play Watermelon, and he has been playing them in addition to the bongó and other percussion instruments for over 20 years now.

Eric Winter has been singing all his life and began studying Spanish at the age of 12. He has become particularly interested in Cuban music in the last few years. Eric also plays maracas and is the newest addition to Primo Cubano.

Keeping it all together is Duane Edwards on the bass fiddle. He is a graduate of the University of Maine at Augusta and plays in various groups in the area. As a jazz student, he took very quickly to the tumbao bass pattern that makes this music so danceable.

Music starts at 8pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/539316

For more information: www.thedancehallkittery.org or 207.703.2083

Check out The Dance Hall's Winter/Spring 2014 schedule that includes upcoming events 1/14 4TH FRIDAY FORUM- Vaudeville; 2/1 Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm; 2/22 Classic Vinyl Listening Club featuring The Rolling Stones Aftermath and writer Steve Morse.