Cuban Dance Fever Captured in Bilingual Photo Exhibition Opening September 13 at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

From 2001 to 2004 American photographer Gil Garcetti visited Cuba and trained his camera lens on its streets, its schools, its rehearsal studios and stages, everywhere both professional dancers and ordinary citizens kick up their heels to the beats of Afro-Cuban, ballet, contemporary, flamenco, and folk dance. The results of his fascination with this vibrant culture can be seen in the 59 photographs in the exhibition Dance in Cuba, with wall-text in both English and Spanish, at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Captivated by the country's dance spirit, his photographs encapsulate dramatic moments. In one photograph, he shows young girls competing in a flamenco dance class. In another, he follows a percussive beat down a narrow street in Havana Vieja and freeze-frames a group of men and women in matching polka-dot outfits, gyrating to an Afro-Cuban rhythm, their faces beaming. Dance in Cuba will be on view in the Plaza Corridor and Steinberg Room Gallery at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, from Wednesday, September 13 through Saturday, October 28, 2006. For further information, telephone 212. 870.1630 or visit the Library's website at www.nypl.org.

Viengsay Valdés, a prima ballerina with the National Ballet of Cuba, confided to Garcetti, "Gil, you have to understand, we are a poor country. Every day is a struggle. But we dance and we forget about all that." Garcetti, who was the elected District Attorney of Los Angeles from 1992-2000, returned to Cuba six times over the course of four years and photographed dancing in the street, in private homes, at clubs, in restaurants and pavilions, in schools, as well as on television and on the stage. Working with Director Alicia Alonso, Official Historian Miguel Cabrera, and Prima Ballerina Viengsay Valdés of the National Ballet of Cuba, as well as with Miguel Ferrer, Director of Contemporary Dance of Cuba, he had unprecedented access to professional dancers.

About Gil Garcetti
Known primarily for his prestigious career as a prosecutor and Los Angeles District Attorney, Gil Garcetti has spent more than 40 years as an urban photographer. His photography books Iron: Erecting the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Frozen Music have received critical praise in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Oregonian, and The Washington Post, among other media. In 2003, he had a photography exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. That same year American Photo Magazine named Garcetti one of the nation's master photographers. His book Dance in Cuba was published in 2005 by Balcony Press.

Dance in Cuba is on view from September 13 through October 28, 2006 at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza. Exhibition hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from noon to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday from noon to 8:00 p.m.; closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. Admission is free. For exhibition information, telephone 212.870.1630 or visit the Library's website at www.nypl.org.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the leadership support of Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman. Additional support for exhibitions has been provided by Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg and the Miriam and Harold Steinberg Foundation.

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Contact:    Rima Corben        212.704.8600

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