Cascada de Flores plays Música from the heart, for all ages. “Featuring Arwen Lawrence’s ravishing voice and guitarist Jorge Liceaga’s supple accompaniment, Cascada de Flores brings intoxicating energy to the Latin American songbook.” (Andrew Gilbert). In concert, the dúo is supported by master musicians of the SF Bay Area’s traditional music and latin jazz scenes. With the simple grouping of voice, string and percussion (including the explosive foot-stomping called zapateado) there is space for musical communication and improvisation, bringing a personal and creative sound to celebrate the Latin musical cultures that they love.
ada de Flores has 5 albums, gives theatrical concerts (such as Radio Flor, a creative and humorous homage to old-time Latin American Radio), scores music for film, shadow-theater and modern dance, and performs for children in libraries to stages throughout North America. After more than two decades, Cascada de Flores still makes their audiences cry, laugh, dance and sing along. The band name “Cascada de Flores” continues to be their credo: that the diversity of Mexican culture flows like a waterfall exploding with flowers of all colors, the traditions are deep, varied and old, but living and breathing, and that the effect of their music, while it brings both cultural awareness and pride should resonate deeper than where differences lie.
Additionally, Cascada de Flores is firmly committed to music and cultural education. They present bilingual music and dance programs, in the form of original theatrical stories, for children, in schools, libraries and theaters throughout California and the United States. They have a longstanding residency at the Oakland Museum and have visited theaters such as Montalvo Arts Center (Saratoga), National Hispanic Center (Albuquerque) and Reno's Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. A very special visit was to sing for the community in a library in the Mixtecan hills of Oaxaca, Mexico. Close to home, members of Cascada de Flores present ongoing bilingual classes and special workshops for children and families focused on traditional Latin American folk songs and Mexican traditional music and dance.