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US Premiere
Conceived and Performed by Dorian Wood.
Designed by Matthew Johns
“The performer, who bends genres as much as [they] bend gender, in performances that are a little bit torch song and a lot avant-garde, delivers vocals that offer sublime beauty and pain.” — Los Angeles Times
“Armed with a vocal charisma that would befit a preacher and an experimental streak that would make avant-gardists swoon.” —WNYC
Coinciding with the centenary of Chavela Vargas, the unforgettable voice of La Llorona, Los Angeles-based artist Dorian Wood honors Chavela with Xavela Lux Aeterna, a riveting personal tribute with songs made popular by Chavela, original compositions and folk music from Costa Rica. Accompanied by an exquisite string quartet, Xavela Lux Aeterna is both a tribute and a dialogue between two creative souls passing through one body. With Xavela Lux Aeterna, Wood’s distinctly powerful voice explores Chavela’s “whys” with great respect and reverence, and they invite the audience at REDCAT to join them in this exploration. Xavela Lux Aeterna is a deeply personal project and a unique tribute to a legend, by one of today’s most important artists.
Special guests: Carmina Escobar and SAN CHA.