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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DownBeat Rising Star David Virelles, raised in a musical family in Santiago de Cuba and now a staple of the New York jazz scene, where he has collaborated with artists such as Henry Threadgill, Ravi Coltrane, and Román Díaz, has been hailed by Cuban piano legend Chucho Valdés as “the most advanced of our pianists,” and as “the new school of pianists from Cuba” by tastemaker Gilles Peterson. In 2018, Virelles released Igbó Alákọrin (The Singer’s Grove) to critical acclaim, a heartfelt tribute to the music of his birthplace, featuring a range of Cuban styles — danzón oriental, son, and trova. For this special concert at Duke Performances, Virelles will explore a program of danzones by some of the legendary composers of this 19th century genre (considered the island’s national dance), informed by a contemporary approach. Virelles’ band will be rounded out by timbal (a percussion instrument originally used in típicas), congas, güiro, and acoustic bass.