Cuban Singer José 'Pepito' Gómez Kicks Off World Music Institute Series 'World to Brooklyn'

Cuban singer José “Pepito” Gómez will kick off the World Music Institute's third season of the dance-party series “World to Brooklyn."

Gómez is a Cuban vocal sensation with humble beginnings. He started by playing with local bands in his hometown of Camagüey, Cuba, and has grown to become lead singer of Maravilla de Florida, the Charanga Latina Orchestra and Habana Ensemble. He has toured with the late Compay Segundo of the Buena Vista Social Club, and was a lead singer of the Cuban mega-band Pupy y Los Que Son Son before moving to the U.S.

His vocals range from heart-wrenching romantic ballads to high-octane timba arrangements, replete with torrents of improvisations and frenzy-inducing call-and-response.

This new series from the World Music Institute offers a socially immersive experience for people who want to enjoy the music and customs of different cultures. World to Brooklyn replicates a dance-party in a specific country where one can eat, drink, listen and dance to the culture. The event attracts a remarkably friendly, all-inclusive, cross-cultural mix. The series offers pre-performance dance lessons and after-parties featuring DJs connected to the culture presented, culturally specific cocktails, meet-and-greets and art exhibits.

The performance will take place Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. at Roulette in Brooklyn. The show is preceded by an open cocktail hour at 7 p.m. with Cuban dance lessons at 7:30 p.m., and is followed by an after-party DJ set until midnight. The specialty cocktail will be a traditional Cuban mojito. To purchase tickets to this event, click here.