Vívelo NY invites its audience to experience a unique night where jazz, swing and mambo meet on the same stage. On Saturday, February 7, Flushing Town Hall will present GLOBAL MASHUP: The George Gee Swing Orchestra Meets the Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Octet (Ballroom Dance Meets Mambo), a vibrant show that brings together two contemporary jazz powerhouses for the first time.
The evening begins at 6:30 pm with a dance class open to the public, guided by renowned instructor Vanda Polakova. No matter the experience level, everyone is invited to learn the steps and rhythms that will light up the track. At 7:00 pm, the bands take the stage with short sets that highlight their signature sounds—elegant swing and Afro-Latin jazz—then close with a collaborative performance where improvisation, cultural dialogue, and dance merge into an infectious celebration. The public will be able to go out on the court and show off their new movements.
Leading the Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Octet, pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill brings an exceptional career. A multiple Grammy Award winner, born in Mexico and raised in New York, O’Farrill has collaborated with legendary figures and has been recognized by DownBeat as “one of the great living pianists.” His music integrates Afro-Latin rhythms with an innovative vision of jazz. In 2023 he won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album for Fandango at the Wall in New York, and recently received a 2026 Grammy nomination for Mundoagua. In addition, he is the founder and artistic director of Belongó.
The other force of the night is the George Gee Swing Orchestra, led by New York bandleader George Gee. Inspired by masters like Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton, the orchestra has defined the sound of swing in the city for nearly three decades, with a historic weekly residency at Swing 46.
“Flushing Town Hall is honored to present these artists together for the first time,” says Ellen Kodadek, executive and artistic director of the venue. “Our Global Mashups series creates unrepeatable experiences. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for an unforgettable night!”
Tickets: $30 general public and $25 members.
Schedule: Dance class 6:30 pm | Concert 7:00 pm
Tickets and information: www.flushingtownhall.org
