March 16, 2020: Important Announcement: Remainder of Duke Performances spring season cancelled

Dear Friends,

Due to precautionary measures related to COVID-19, Duke University has temporarily suspended on-campus classes and is postponing all events with an expected attendance of more than 50 people taking place both on- and off-campus.

Sadly, we must cancel all Duke Performances presentations, both on- and off-campus, for the remainder of our spring season, through May 16. This includes our annual Black Atlantic festival from Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 10, including Natu Camara, David Virelles, Cha Wa, Etienne Charles, and Cimarrón.

We wish these changes weren’t necessary, but under the circumstances an aggressive course of action is justified to protect public and community health.

The Duke University Box Office will issue refunds to patrons holding tickets for Black Atlantic presentations. Tickets purchased with a credit card will be refunded to the card of purchase. If card of purchase is expired, refund will be issued via check. Tickets purchased via check or cash payment will receive a check reimbursement sent to the address on record. All refunds are expected to be completed within 8 weeks. We are doing everything we can to expedite refunds and appreciate your patience.

We thank you for your support of Duke Performances and hope you will attend our presentations later in the spring should conditions change.

Until then we wish good health for you and your loved ones as we endure this unprecedented challenge.

With best wishes,

Scott Lindroth
Vice Provost for the Arts
Duke University

Eric Oberstein
Interim Director
Duke Performances

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Born along the Orinoco River plains of eastern Colombia and western Venezuela is the region’s crown jewel: joropo. Energetic and infectious, joropo is “the Colombian answer to bluegrass,” comprised of tribal whistling, cuatro guitar, maracas, Peruvian-flamenco cajón, Brazilian surdo, Afro-Colombian tambora, and percussive stomp dancing (Chicago Reader). Best capturing the genre’s distinctive global fusion is Cimarrón, a collection of dancers, vocalists, and musicians founded in 1982. Cimarrón’s impressive ability to entrance contemporary audiences while retaining its roots is best demonstrated by its reclamation of the Gipsy Kings’ iconic cover, “Bamboleo.” Billboard calls the tribute to the Venezuelan country song — originally titled “Caballo Viejo” — a “raw and infectious acoustic version of this Pan-Latin classic.” Cimarrón’s blend of Andalusian, Indigenous American, and African roots has won the Colombian folk stars a GRAMMY nomination and an Independent Music Award for Best Latin Album — solidifying their position as leaders of modern joropo.