Event

Feliz Navidad with Perla Batalla

Arena Theater presents Feliz Navidad with Perla Batalla, an all-ages bi-lingual and bi-cultural celebration of the Christmas season, on Friday December 11, 2009 at 7:30 PM.

Grammy nominated vocalist, composer, and arranger Perla Batalla was born in Los Angeles where her father was a musician and owned a popular Spanish language record store. She first gained international attention as a backup singer for Leonard Cohen who later encouraged Perla to embark on a solo career. She released her debut "Perla Batalla" on the Warner/Discovery label in 1994. Not surprisingly, the critics loved it, calling her singing "sublime" and her talent "stunning". Like many original artists, Perla opted to go independent, releasing her second album, "Mestiza" in 1998 on her own Mechuda Music label. An immediate favorite on Public Radio shows throughout the U.S. "Mestiza" was selected as Best Independent Release of the Year by Amazon.com. "Heaven and Earth" followed in 2000, along with a nod to Perla as Amazon's Emerging Artist of the Year. Both "Mestiza" and "Heaven and Earth" celebrate a powerful civilization born from the explosive marriage of separate worlds. A resplendent, vibrant culture nourished by mysticism, imagery, magic and myth.
Perla's eagerly awaited follow-up to the "Mestiza" song cycle was an innovative undertaking of contagious rhythm and pure joy. Named for her parents' record shop, the "Discoteca Batalla" project was a compilation of original compositions interspersed with traditional Spanish language classics arranged to reflect the singer's rich bicultural personal and musical heritage. By taking the timeless songs heard growing up and molding their rhythmic and melodic forms Perla has created a stunning cross-pollination of trend and tradition. "Discoteca Batalla" has appeared on "best of" lists throughout the country.