Tenemos IRÉ, at Pregones / PRTT
“Iré is Lucumí (Yoruba) for the good fortune we experience when our lives are in balance. We are blessed with positive energy when we are in tune with nature, when we are fulfilling our purpose, when we are spiritually in line with our destiny.” A new multidisciplinary theater work by award-winning poet, performance artist, and playwright Paul S. Flores, We Have IRÉ, explores true stories of immigrant Cuban artists living in the United States, as well as their influences on and experiences with American culture.
Co-commissioned by six independent national arts presenters, and winner of both Creative Capital and Map Fund awards, We Have IRÉ features the performances of Afro-Cuban jazz luminary Yosvany Terry and musicians; award-winning choreographer Ramón Ramos Alayo and dancers; Oakland-based hip-hop artist DJ Leydis; and poet, writer, and Youth Speaks co-founder Paul S. Flores. Shaped by Flores’ research into his own roots and interviews with collaborators, the performance centers around the passion of four immigrant artists, their traditions, life in Cuba, and their individual journeys, from Cuba to the United States.
Directed by Rosalba Rolón of Pregones/PRTT with videography from filmmaker Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, We Have IRÉ speaks to the challenges of being an immigrant artist and celebrates the triumph of establishing one’s voice in a new country through live Cuban jazz, traditional Yoruba songs and dance, Latinx hip-hop, and spoken word.
PUERTO RICO EARTHQUAKE BENEFIT: In light of damages and sustained duress resulting from seismic activity, Pregones/PRTT and the creators of We Have Iré are designating 100% of box office proceeds for this NY Premiere towards emergency relief for artists in Puerto Rico. Funds will be disbursed in the form of micro-grants to impacted artists. This fundraising effort is modeled on the success of Pregones/PRTT’s 2017-2018 Hurricane María Relief Drive, which provided no-strings assistance to over 200 artist households on the island.
Promotional photograph by Harvey Castro. Display typography by Chris Cuadrado. All elements property and courtesy of the artists.
Read MoreCo-commissioned by six independent national arts presenters, and winner of both Creative Capital and Map Fund awards, We Have IRÉ features the performances of Afro-Cuban jazz luminary Yosvany Terry and musicians; award-winning choreographer Ramón Ramos Alayo and dancers; Oakland-based hip-hop artist DJ Leydis; and poet, writer, and Youth Speaks co-founder Paul S. Flores. Shaped by Flores’ research into his own roots and interviews with collaborators, the performance centers around the passion of four immigrant artists, their traditions, life in Cuba, and their individual journeys, from Cuba to the United States.
Directed by Rosalba Rolón of Pregones/PRTT with videography from filmmaker Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, We Have IRÉ speaks to the challenges of being an immigrant artist and celebrates the triumph of establishing one’s voice in a new country through live Cuban jazz, traditional Yoruba songs and dance, Latinx hip-hop, and spoken word.
PUERTO RICO EARTHQUAKE BENEFIT: In light of damages and sustained duress resulting from seismic activity, Pregones/PRTT and the creators of We Have Iré are designating 100% of box office proceeds for this NY Premiere towards emergency relief for artists in Puerto Rico. Funds will be disbursed in the form of micro-grants to impacted artists. This fundraising effort is modeled on the success of Pregones/PRTT’s 2017-2018 Hurricane María Relief Drive, which provided no-strings assistance to over 200 artist households on the island.
Promotional photograph by Harvey Castro. Display typography by Chris Cuadrado. All elements property and courtesy of the artists.
