Live in Concert - Spirology y su Batanzón

With Spirology, Michael Spiro creates Batanzón—blending Lukumí bata drum traditions with Cuban charanga’s oldest form, the danzón.

Lukumi rhythms, drums and songs are mixed with strings, flute and piano, and traditional danzones are played over the bata drums instead of the normal Latin percussion battery. The blending of these styles creates a unique musical adventure, one in which you can of course dance all night, or you can listen and appreciate the textures and timbres of this new and creative ensemble.  

Spirology features some of the best charangueros and bata players in the Bay Area (listed below).

This will be a special performance for the band, as it will be a final chance to play their music for a live audience before heading into the recording studio for an upcoming album. You are invited to join in the rich Batanzón experience and support live music at La Peña, Berkeley’s iconic music and culture venue!

Michael Spiro’s Afro-Cuban charanga ensemble Spirology brings an original approach to Afro-Cuban music. Spiro is one of the true veterans of the charanga scene in San Francisco, beginning with his tenure in the Orquesta Batachanga in the 1980s and continuing as a founding member of the now-iconic Orquesta la Moderna Tradición. He is also a mainstay of Afro-Cuban folkloric music, and is known internationally for his work in this genre. 

Spirology features:

Michael Spiro--Leader, arranger, percussion (bata, congas, timbales) and lead vocal

Tregar Otton--violin, arranger

John Calloway--piano, flute and percussion

Steve Senft-Herrera--bass

Sandy Poindexter---violin

Miguel Martinez----flute and background vocals

Pablo Caro---violin and background vocals

Osvaldo Carvajal---guiro, percussion and background vocals

Remi Spiro---percussion (bata, congas, timbales) and background vocals

Ed Valencia---percussion (bata and cowbell) and background vocals

Check out www.Michael-Spiro.com  for more information.

Accessibility

• La Peña is a wheelchair-accessible venue with step-less entry, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.
• Masks are strongly encouraged. If you’re experiencing COVID-19, cold, or flu-like symptoms, please consider staying home to protect our community. HEPA air purifiers operate throughout our space.
• All-gender restrooms available

We strive to make La Peña a welcoming, accessible space for everyone. All are welcome.

If you have any specific needs or questions about accessibility, please contact us at least one week in advance. Email us at programs@Lapena.org

Support La Peña!

• Become a La Peña Member: Enjoy free entry to our monthly political education film series, plus La Cumbia and ¡BAILA! dance parties, rental discounts and more. Join here: Lapena.org/members
  
• Make a one-time gift: Support our programs and keep La Peña thriving by donating here: Lapena.org/donate (donations are tax-deductible)