Blues and soul artist Curtis Salgado will kick off DNACA's 2021-22 season. Photo courtesy of Joe Rosen

From the Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness:

(Crescent City, CA) Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness (DNACA) is pleased to announce its 40th Anniversary Performance Series. This season will present five top performing acts in a variety of styles, from national and international artists.

“Although part of the 2019-20 season and all of the 2020-21 season were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’re pleased to be moving forward with our 40th Anniversary season this year,” said DNACA Executive Director Stephanie La Torre. “The community has shown their support for DNACA across the span of 40 years, and we are grateful to be able to show our appreciation through the presentation of these truly stellar performances.”

The season will open on Saturday, October 9, 2021 with legendary blues and soul artist Curtis Salgado. Salgado was the original inspiration for the movie “The Blues Brothers” and NPR calls him “an icon” with “a huge voice.” As an award-winning vocalist, instrumentalist, and songwriter, Curtis Salgado is known worldwide for his ability to wring every ounce of soul out of every song he performs. Salgado is famed for his powerhouse live shows, and has won nine Blues Music Awards, including the B.B. King Entertainer of The Year. Billboard says Salgado’s music is “inspired and powerful.”

Ghanaian musician and storyteller Okaidia Afroso will perform on Feb. 11 in Crescent City. Photo courtesy of DNACA

Friday, February 11, 2022 DNACA welcomes Okaidja Afroso to the stage. Okaidja was born into a family of musicians and storytellers in Ghana. He began his career as a dancer with the celebrated Ghana Dance Ensemble; but as he toured internationally, Okaidja expanded his artistic reach. He now tours as a master singer, guitarist, percussionist, storyteller, and dancer. He brings soul-filled music that charts a journey from the traditional songs of his youth in Ghana to the influences of international collaborators, always striving to embody the human experience. While he is here, Okaidja will present a program of Ghanaian music and dance to local elementary students.

Sundae + Mr. Goessl, whose act includes jazz, pop, Americana, country, fashion, comedy and vaudeville, will be in town March 11. Photo courtesy of DNACA

On Friday March 11, 2022 Sundae + Mr. Goessl will bring their vintage charm to our community. Their act encompasses jazz, pop, Americana, country, charm, fashion, comedy, and vaudeville - with accolades and awards to boot. Sundae + Mr. Goessl features award-winning vocalist Kate Voss (Earshot Magazine's Vocalist of the Year, two-time Seattle-Kobe Vocal Jazz Princess) and virtuoso guitarist Jason Goessl, who has played with such jazz greats as saxophonist Michel Brecker and guitarist Charlie Byrd. Sundae often surprises her audiences with a melodica solo and JazzTimes says "her voice nails the authenticity of this era.” This delightful duo will also present a music class to our local students while they are here.

Los Tangueros del Oeste will be featured in April. Photo courtesy of DNACA

Friday, April 8, 2022 Los Tangueros del Oeste will grace the stage with their Nuevo Tango style. Focusing on original compositions by group founder Sascha Jacobsen (who was last seen by DNACA audiences with the group Barrio Manouche in 2020) the group combines beats and textures from Hip-Hop and Electronica, with Flamenco influences to create a sound that’s both cool and impassioned, seductive, and utterly dance-inducing. Including World Champion Tango dancers Maxi Copello and Raquel Makow in the show, Los Tangueros have created a unique and compelling performance experience for modern audiences. While in our area, Los Tangueros will teach master classes in Tango music and dance to local students.

The season will conclude on Saturday, May 14, 2022 with Sarah Hagen starring in her original project, “Perk Up, Pianist!” Hagen is an accomplished, passionate pianist with awards such as Musician of the Year and Best Classical Performance to her name. This critically-acclaimed, one-woman “sit-down comedy” project charts the tale of a touring classical musician who remains optimistic amidst challenging and ridiculous situations. The performance includes witty comic relief set to stunning classical piano compositions.  

This season, DNACA is also partnering with the Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation and Lucky 7 Casino to present three of their concerts at the Tolowa Event Center in Smith River.

Pianist Sarah Hagen will close DNACA's 2021-22 concert season in May. Photo courtesy of DNACA

“The first three concerts will take place at the Tolowa Event Center,” says La Torre. “It’s a beautiful venue and we’re excited to present concerts at this location. The support we are receiving from the Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation and Lucky 7 Casino really shows their commitment to our community.” The venue provides DNACA with resources such as separate dressing areas and bathroom facilities for artists, and on-site restaurant dining for concert-goers. Other resources include COVID precautions such as an in-depth sanitization program, and flexible seating arrangements to offer more distancing between seats and audience groups.

“The last two concerts of the season will take place at Crescent Elk Auditorium in Crescent City. The auditorium is undergoing extensive renovation, and it’s going to be the perfect venue for our tango concert, with the dancers elevated on the stage, and for Sarah Hagen’s concert, since there’s a beautiful piano for her there,” says La Torre.

Season tickets are available, and provide a significant discount to attend all five performances. General season tickets are $80, Seniors (65 years and older) are $70, Students (K-full time college) are $60, and Family passes (two General and two Students) are $200. For individual shows, General tickets are $20, Senior tickets are $18, and Students are $15.

Season tickets and individual show tickets are available online at dnaca.eventbrite.com, in Crescent City at Del Norte Office Supply at 240 I Street, in Brookings at Wright’s Custom Framing at 810 Chetco Avenue, and at the door.

DNACA would not be able to present such outstanding performances without the generous support of program underwriters Patty Brunsing, Caldwell Clan Fund, Lisé Hamilton, Lucky 7 Casino, Bill and Kathy Maffett, Moore Heating and Air, Nick and Lisa Rail Music Fund, Michael and Jennifer Schmidt, and Bob and Diane Weir. DNACA’s in-kind supporter is Bicoastal Media. DNACA is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency and by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Performance and engagement activities by Okaidja Afroso and Los Tangueros del Oeste are made possible by TourWest, a program of WESTAF, the Western States Arts Federation.

For more information, visit dnaca.net. You can also contact 707-464-1336 or office@dnaca.net. Check Facebook @DNACACC for links to the artists’ websites, music videos, and event updates.

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