UFPA events kick off Hispanic Heritage Month

September 13, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Three-time Mexican National Dance Award winner Delfos Danza Contemporánea’s performance at the Phillips Center for Performing Arts kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15.

“America’s Got Talent” runner-up Barbara Padilla – born in Guadalajara, Mexico – continues the celebration with her Sept. 23 show at the Phillips Center.

“The opportunity to showcase two excellent performing arts entities during Hispanic Heritage Month is an ideal situation for our community,” UFPA director Michael Blachly said. “The diversity provided by Delfos Danza Contemporánea and Barbara Padilla speaks to the rich cultural heritage of Hispanic artists available to audiences in the heart of Florida.”

In its 20th year in existence, Delfos is lauded as one of the most important contemporary dance companies in Latin America. The company creates dynamic new works in the spirit of collaboration and has received numerous international dance awards. Delfos will perform When “Disguises are Hung Up,” which was nominated for Best Touring Show by the Austin Critics Table.

Padilla is best known for her stirring performance on “America’s Got Talent” in 2009, which earned her a second-place finish. Since then, she has performed as a soloist for many symphonic events around the world, including oratorio and concerts in America, Italy and Mexico. P.K. Yonge Performing Arts will open for Padilla, performing a medley of selections from Broadway shows.

The show is part of University of Florida Performing Arts and UF&Shands’ Chords of Color for a Cause™ festival, raising cancer awareness and promoting healing through music. It is sponsored by the Climb for Cancer Foundation.

Tickets are on sale and available for both performances. Call 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll free within Florida), or visit www.performingarts.ufl.edu for more information.