Trio Los Unicos will perform at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. Courtesy photo.
Music @ the Mill: Noche de Boleros will be presented from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula. Start your Valentine’s Day celebration early with classic Bolero ballads, the museum reported in a media release.
Jerry Lugo and his “Trio Los Unicos” have been together for more than a decade, as have Michael Leal and Albert Rodriguez of “Dueto Los Amigos.”
Xavier "Big X' Montes, left, and Lencho Moraza, will perform on Feb. 8 at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. Courtesy photo.
Lencho Moraza and Xavier Montes of “Dueto Santa Paula” have played together since 1976. Moraza also sings the main vocals for “La Familia Moraza” and Xavier Montes is a harpist who plays throughout California. Bolero music has its roots in 19th century Cuba and became popular in Mexico in the 1940s and 1950s when songs like “Sabor A Mi,” “Cerca del Mar,” and “El Reloj” were made famous by groups like “Trio Los Panchos,” “Los Dandys” and “Los Aces.”
Bolero music is not widely performed today and it is a rare treat to hear musicians who specialize in it. The music requires great skill to perform. Musicians, usually in trios or duos, play melodic scales and unique rhythms on stringed instruments as they sing close harmonies. Sometimes, because of the Cuban influence, congas, bongos and maracas are added to the mix. All three groups performing on Feb. 8 will present traditional ballads, and these songs of love, desire, courtship and heartbreak will make for a romantic evening.
Admission to the concert is $10 for the general public and $5 for museum members. Refreshments and a no-host bar will be available. Doors open at 7 p.m. and seating is first-come, first-seated. Admission includes entry to all Agriculture Museum exhibits.
Call 805-525-3100 or visit www.venturamuseum.org