Experience an evening of Cuban culture – the music, the food, the rum, the art - with a night in Havana at Festival Cubano featuring Chuchito Valdés Quartet at The Ridgefield Playhouse for movies and performing arts in Connecticut on Saturday, August 15.

The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. under the tent on the field next to the Playhouse with a wine tasting, specialty Rum drinks and Cuban inspired food tastings from Babaloo Cocina Latina. A special Cuban art exhibit will be showcased courtesy of DiscoveriesInArt.com and collector Terri and Steven Certilman.

At 6:30 p.m. the heir to the Cuban Jazz Piano dynasty, Chuchito Valdés and his Quartet take the stage with an exciting and energetic blend of spicy music to drive audiences wild. This show is part of No. 109 Cheese & Wine Evening of Art, Wine and Jazz Series and the Palm Bay International World Beat Series. This concert is produced with the founder of the Caramoor Jazz Festival, Jim Luce of The Luce Group.

Following in the footsteps of his famed father Chucho Valdes and Grandfather Bebo Valdes, Cuchito continues the legacy of great piano players from Cuba. He is recognized as a master of Cuban music including Danzon, Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more.

With the restoration of relations with Cuba, Americans are renewing their interest in Cuban culture, music, traditions and art. This fresh, new enthusiasm is a perfect match for the mission of the Palm Bay International World Beat Series, which is to bring diversity, culture and new and exciting music from around the world to our area.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut.