Cape Verdian performer Lura

Event Calendar Listing
Sunday, July 1
8:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts Concert Hall, located on South Main Street (Route 30)
Free and open to the public

On Sunday, July 1, at 8:30 p.m., the Portuguese School will present a concert performance by Cape Verdian singer Lura. Originally born in Portugal to parents from the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa, Lura’s repertoire draws on pungent blend of trade route cultures to create a unique musical tradition embracing French Afro-pop, Brazilian rhythms and earthy, traditional African music.

Her songs reflect the concerns of her nation. “In the poems and lyrics of Cape Verde, we speak a lot about immigration,” explains Lura. “A lot of people move away to make a better living. We talk a lot about rain because there is so little rain. And we talk about food, because sometimes it is very difficult to get food. And we talk about the relationship between parents and their children, because so many families are far apart. But the words talk about immigration in a symbolic way.”

Lura released her debut album, “Di Korpu ku Alma (Of Body and Soul)” in May 2005. She was awarded Best Newcomer at the BBC Radio 3 Awards and Best World Music Album at Les Victoires De la Musique in France. Her most recent album, “M’Bem di Fora (I Come from Far Away”), combines cool global influences and indigenous rhythms.

This concert is sponsored by the office of the Middlebury College Dean of Language Schools and Schools Abroad, and the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD).

For more information, contact Portuguese School Coordinator Sandra Bonomo at (802) 443- 5543 or bonomo@middlebury.edu.