Smile! You’re with Candido Camero

About the only music lovers making out in this scorching heat are the crickets. But no worries — while they’re rubbing their wings into a sweat, you can saunter inside to the cool club feel of the Coral Gables Congregational Church’s Community Arts Program and rub shoulders with artists who’ve taken their musical talents far beyond the coffee-hour courtyard. CGCC kicks off its 2008 Summer Concert Series at 8 p.m. with a chill performance by Afro-Cuban jazz percussionist and 2008 NEA jazz master Candido Camero.

The octogenarian has performed with the likes of Charlie Parker, Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Tony Bennett ... the lists rolls on and on like a conga drum in the night, pounding up, up into the rafters until your limbs are squirming in the pews. Restless legs syndrome becomes downright infectious when Afro-Cuban maestros Bobby Sanabria (drums), Justo Almario (sax and flute), Oscar Hernandez (piano), and Eddie Resto (bass) join Candido, so don’t be surprised if you and your neighbors go holy rollin’ straight down the aisle. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Thu., June 5, 2008