Lila Downs

 

Mexican-American balladeer Lila Downs, kicks off the 2017-18 UCSB Arts & Lectures season with her deeply affecting voice and dramatic performance style on Wed., Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Photo by Marcela Taboada.

Mexican-American balladeer Lila Downs, kicks off the 2017-18 UCSB Arts & Lectures season with her deeply affecting voice and dramatic performance style on Wed., Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Photo by Marcela Taboada.

The Los Angeles Times describes Lila Downs as, “A renowned Mexican balladeer known for her wild outfits, wide range and powerful voice, a goose-bump-inducing instrument that can go from playful to grave from one note to the next.”

“Few alternative artists have the dynamic power and range of this bilingual warrior-woman,” states NPR.

Grammy Award-winning Mexican-American balladeer Lila Downs will kick off the 2017-18 UCSB Arts & Lectures season with her deeply affecting voice and dramatic performance style on Wed., Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Known for her powerful three-octave vocal range, unique synthesis of indigenous Mesoamerican music with cumbia, soul, jazz, hip hop and stunning wardrobe based on the textiles of Mexico’s indigenous cultures, Downs’ new album, Salón, Lágrimas y Deseo, was released in May to wide critical acclaim.

Mexican-American balladeer Lila Downs, kicks off the 2017-18 UCSB Arts & Lectures season with her deeply affecting voice and dramatic performance style on Wed., Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Photo by Marcela Taboada.

Mexican-American balladeer Lila Downs, kicks off the 2017-18 UCSB Arts & Lectures season with her deeply affecting voice and dramatic performance style on Wed., Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Photo by Marcela Taboada.

In addition to Downs’ performance, there will be an opening night celebration starting an hour before the show, featuring live music and dance from Chinelos of Santa Bárbara and Southern California in front of the Granada Theatre, plus Oaxaca-inspired drink specials next door at The Good Lion

For additional information or to purchase tickets, call 805/893-3535, visit www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu or contact The Granada Theatre at 805/ 899-2222 or granadasb.org

Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on September 24, 2017.