Arts - Charanga Tropical is Live on the Drive - Charanga Tropical is Live on the Drive

    Smooth strings, Caribbean beats, and a sound that inspires visions of Old Havana at sunset - this is Charanga Tropical, the featured band performing "Live on the Drive" on Thursday, August 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. This free concert takes place on Victory Memorial Drive at 34th Ave. N. in one of the most beautiful concert settings in the city.

    Charanga Tropical is a nine-piece salsa orchestra featuring three violins, flute, and a sizzling Latin rhythm section. The Star Tribune calls the band "a pick to click" while City Pages describes the group as "a musical delight and a visual spectacle."   

    With an instrumentation that dates back to the roots of Cuban music, Charanga Tropical is one of the only groups of its kind performing in the United States. The band repertoire features rarely heard danzones and a spicy variety of modern son, salsa, cha cha cha, and timba.  

    The group is comprised of master musicians from Cuba, Brazil, Mexico and the U.S. Their collective accomplishments include international tours, platinum recordings, and multiple Latin Grammy nominations. Formed in 2006, Charanga Tropical has released a CD and DVD and has performed at elite nightclubs and many major music festivals. 

            Concertgoers are encouraged to save gas and walk or roll to the events. Live on the Drive is presented by founding partner, North Memorial, with the Cleveland Neighborhood Association, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Northwest Minneapolis Business Association, North News, and with funds provided by the COMPAS Community Art Program through a grant from the McKnight Foundation. For info call 612-588-1155 or visit www.clevelandneighborhood.org