Music of the Americas: Nicaragua En Casa and Longleash Onstage in New York

Tuesday, April 25, 10 am

Ceshia Ubau, singer and psychologist, was born in Managua. Her music fuses Latin American folk music with new sounds from around the world, celebrating life, her own roots, and each individual's strength. She has performed in Europe and the Americas. Her most recent album, “Luz” was part of the pre-selection for the 23rd Latin Grammy awards in the songwriter and new album categories. She has participated in human rights and violence prevention campaigns for Unicef, Unesco, and the European Union.  

From her home in Heredia, in greater San José de Costa Rica, she sent us an intimate version of "Las mujeres de mi tierra," one of her greatest hits. The song was written as a tribute to her grandmother. It highlights the strength of Nicaraguan women and of women worldwide, their importance to society, and the struggle to uphold their human rights. Written in the ternary meter typical of Nicaraguan music, this song invites us to connect with the maternal root we all carry within us. 

Wednesday, April 26, 10 am

Marimba Niquiriche (Samuel Aragón, Keyvin Moreno, George Rivas, Jeffrey Mendoza) was founded in 2007 by Aragón and Moreno. "Niquiriche" is a colloquial way to say "Nicaraguan," derived from local indigenous languages. They have performed throughout the country with a repertoire of traditional music reflecting their country's musical variety. 

From Managua, they sent us four songs; today we share "Nicaragua, Nicaragüita," by Carlos Mejía Godoy, and Jorge Paladino's "Cumbia chinandegana."

Friday, April 28, 7 pm

The piano trio makes their Music of the Americas debut live on our stage in New York. Find more information and register. 

The MetLife Foundation Music of the Americas concert series is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor MetLife Foundation.

The Spring 2023 Music program is also supported, in part, by the Howard Gilman Foundation and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Additional support comes from the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, The Amphion Foundation, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, New Music USA’s Organizational Development Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals’ ArtsForward program, made possible through support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and The Augustine Foundation.