91³Ô¹ÏÍø

February 12, 2024

Musical genres include flamenco, Irish, American folk and classical guitar music

91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Cultural Affairs Program resumes its popular noontime concert series for the Spring 2024 semester with four varied events, beginning on Feb. 15 with flamenco and jazz guitarist Juanito Pascual and three special guests.

The one-hour performances are free to the public in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center (BTC) Auditorium on the Troy campus. No reservations or tickets are needed to attend.

Juanito Pascual with Flutist Jorge Pardo, Dancer Nelida Tirado and Percussionist José Moreno
Thursday, Feb. 15 at noon
BTC Auditorium
Juanito Pascual is recognized in the U.S. and Spain as a unique flamenco and jazz composer/performer. His influences range from Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead to Miles Davis and J.S. Bach. Born in Minneapolis, Pascual has released three, critically-acclaimed albums, including “Cosas en Común” that features all original flamenco compositions. His special guests for this appearance are Jorge Pardo, who is credited with introducing the flute in flamenco while playing with the late guitar master, Paco de Lucia. Pardo remains one of the world’s most innovative flamenco artists. His album, "Trance Sketches," featuring Pascual and others, earned 2023 Best Jazz Album at MIN in Spain. Flamenco dancer Nelída Tirado and José Moreno, percussionist/vocalist, two exceptional performers from New York City, appear with Pascual at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø for the second time, greatly enhancing what promises to be a showcase of flamenco’s beauty and passion.

Remaining concerts in the Spring 2024 series:

• Toss The Feathers
  Thursday, Feb. 29 at noon
  Toss the Feathers, featuring Amy Schoch, violin, viola, vocals; Dave Smith, Irish bouzouki, banjo, vocals; and David Pease, Irish flute and whistles, brings Irish music to life through stories and song. The three met at informal Irish and traditional music sessions and formed a trio in 2015 to play at local pubs, weddings and festivals. Recent performances were at New Year’s Fest and The Flurry, both in Saratoga Springs. Flutist Dan Majallali often joins the group, which also hosts a monthly evening of Irish music, dancing and storytelling in Albany.
• Lost Radio Rounders: Songs America Voted By
  Tuesday, March 26 at noon
  “Songs America Voted By (1840-1940)” is a rousing review from the days before radio, television and social media, when political campaigns were advertised with “songsters.” These booklets contained new, politically-charged lyrics to popular songs of the day that promoted a candidate’s virtues and vilified the opposition. An acoustic trio, the Lost Radio Rounders share vocal duties, with Tom Lindsay on guitar, bass and piano; Michael Eck on mandolin, guitar and ukulele; and Paul Jossman on banjo and guitar.
• Finger Lakes Guitar Quartet
  Thursday, April 18 at noon
  The Finger Lakes Guitar Quartet’s repertoire spans several centuries and includes music written for and premiered by its members: Joel Brown, Sten Isachsen, Brett Grigsby and Paul Quigley. These veteran and virtuoso guitarists recently performed in the Albany Symphony’s world premiere of Evan Mack’s “Forever Wild for Guitar Quartet and Orchestra.” The quartet has performed for the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, Great Lakes Guitar Society, Mid-Hudson Valley Guitar Society, Upstate New York Classical Guitar Society, and at many colleges, festivals and performing arts venues.

All events are offered free by 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Cultural Affairs Program. For additional information, contact Debby Gardner at d.gardner@hvcc.edu or (518) 629-8071.