Contraband Band

In the ’80s, while most American teens were watching “Thriller” on MTV on color TVs in the comfort of their living rooms, a group of young boys in Cuba, forbidden to listen to American music, were crowded around a homemade radio listening to the King of Pop, Chaka Khan, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Years later, these same seven boys immigrated to America and got the chance to live out their musical dreams. Saturday, Tiempo Libre is bringing its dance-inducing Latin and American music to the Arts Garage in Delray Beach. The Miami-based group, classically trained at one of Cuba’s premier conservatories, has been nominated for three Grammy awards, the first for its debut album, Bach in Havana. Since then, the group has been nominated for two more Grammy awards and has toured and performed, including an appearance on Dancing With the Stars, the Tonight Show, and Live From Lincoln Center. It has performed in concerts worldwide, including at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Hong Kong’s Kwai Tsing Theatre, and the Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy. And it frequently plays with leading orchestras, performing this season with the Cleveland Orchestra and the San Francisco and Houston symphonies. The band’s latest release is My Secret Radio. Hips will be shaking to Latin beats on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Arts Garage, located at 180 NE First St. Tickets cost $25 to $35 in advance and $5 more at the door. Call 561-450-6357, or visit artsgarage.org. Visit tiempolibremusic.com.
Sat., May 25, 8 p.m., 2013