RESTON, VA – Reston Community Center is proud to present singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Raul Midón for a one-night performance on March 29 at 8:00 p.m. at the CenterStage. The Reston audience is in for a treat as his highly anticipated ninth album, Bad Ass and Blind, debuts on March 24 – the same week as his Reston concert. Midón’s new release promises to be a smash hit and our CenterStage performance will be among his first for the new and exciting music. His work is bold, dynamic and demonstrates his genius. The title track alone is a tour de force that finds Midón celebrating blindness with a ripping guitar solo and fierce spoken word rhyme. This and many more of his musical gems come with stories that Raul will break down for us. South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School will host this gifted artist on Tuesday, March 28 as part of RCC’s Professional Touring Artist Series Artist-in-Residency program.
Blind at birth, Raul Midón has been creatively shattering boundaries with jazz, soul and pop signatures for the last decade. His soulful and funky artistry goes way beyond any notion of genre – it synthesizes musicianship, charisma, timing, songwriting and personality that unmistakably solidify the unique contexts of his songs. His music commands listeners to open minds, open ears and open hearts.
“We selected Raul Midón as our artist-in-residence this season because he brings a singular perspective and style to his music and a positive message of overcoming adversity,” said Paul Douglas Michnewicz, RCC’s Arts and Events Director. “Our goal is to give Reston students the opportunity to experience the work and background of a musical genius as well as the ability to see multiple points of view. Raul’s cultural frame of reference and his holistic response to his blindness help students connect and fosters respect for our differences.”
Midón’s guitar playing is widely acclaimed. He has a slapping style that allows him to play a melody while creating percussion as he plays without disrupting either sound. His songs can explode with a crazy improvisational mouth-horn technique that’s extremely unusual and very entertaining to watch. Midón has toured the world extensively; fellow musicians like Elton John, Bill Withers, Al Jarreau, Sting and Ravi Coltrane have all attested to his talents – several have toured or collaborated with Midón.
The CenterStage is located at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods – 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191. Tickets for the March 29 performance are $15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston. In-school residencies are not open to the public.
For more information, please visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com. Tickets are available for purchase online (until 1 hour before performance) or in person at our Box Office on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., and two hours prior to curtain time.
