Artists from New York, Cuba celebrate Afro-Cuban culture with drama-dance recital

A mythical goddess of the sea will come to life on stage this weekend at City College via the world premiere of “Siete Mares,” or “Seven Seas.”

The dance-drama performance was written, choreographed and directed by Danys “La Mora” Pérez, founder of New York-based Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble.

Ten Afro-Cuban performers from Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second-largest city, will join the troupe to celebrate Yemayá, a deity who signifies motherhood and the seas.

Pérez trained many of the guest artists in the children’s dance company she founded two decades ago in Santiago de Cuba. Today, they are working as principal performers and musicians for renowned Cuban companies such as The Ballet Folklorico Cutumba and The Folklorico National de Oriente.

Performances for “Siete Mares” will be held at City College Center for the Arts in Aaron Davis Hall at 129 Convent Ave. in Harlem on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students/children and $20 for senior citizens.