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After the Boleros de Noche concert on April 12, the Latino Alliance held a festive reception, where attendees piled their plates with mini cupcakes, provided by Molly's Cupcakes.
Photography by Elliot Mandel
The CSO Latino Alliance’s 2024/2025 Nuestras Noches season marked the 11th year of joyfully celebrating culture, community and creativity — brought to life through the timeless, unifying power of music. With a dynamic lineup spotlighting extraordinary Latino composers, artists and conductors, the season spanned genres from classical and jazz to innovative new music. Every performance at Symphony Center wasn’t just a concert — it was a shared experience. I personally loved every moment, and the guests I brought were equally uplifted and inspired!
Through the Nuestras Noches series, select evenings were elevated with artist meet-and-greets, networking opportunities and lively pre- or postconcert receptions featuring brief performances, artist Q&As and more — bringing people together in powerful and meaningful ways.
Over the last summer, the CSO Latino Alliance Advisory Board worked strategically to enhance the Nuestras Noches experience — and the results were clear. We saw a significant increase in attendance, with many new faces joining our community. Whether it was your first time at the CSO or your hundredth, the energy and sense of belonging made each night unforgettable.
Let’s take a look back at the unforgettable journey shared this year:
September: A Grand Opening — The Latino Alliance launched the season in style on Sept 19 with a double feature: Celebrating Andrés Orozoco-Estrada leading the CSO in Romeo and Juliet. Maestro Orozco-Estrada, a longtime supporter of the Latino Alliance since 2016, was honored for his contributions and artistry — a perfect opening that set the tone for a season rooted in cultural pride and musical excellence. For the second consecutive year, I had the joy of curating a special Spotify playlist for Hispanic Heritage Month — an eclectic mix of rhythms ranging from traditional classics to vibrant Latin pop (check it out here). It was a fun and meaningful way to celebrate our rich musical heritage and share the sounds that move us.
October: History and Heritage in Harmony — October brought rich storytelling through music. On Oct. 8, Jordi Savall — Monteverdi: A Baroque Revolution transported us back in time with stunning period music. Then came the CSO in Strauss’ Don Quixote (Oct. 24–26), a symphonic adventure worthy of Cervantes himself. On Oct. 27, Lila Downs: Día de los Muertos moved us with music that honored heritage and memory — complete with embroidered shawls and vibrant attire that turned Symphony Center into a tapestry of tradition and joy.
November: Passionate Dialogues — On Nov 8, Riccardo Muti, Music Director Emeritus for Life, and the CSO anchored a Nuestras Noches evening alongside a powerful conversation with Osvaldo Golijov, the Latin Grammy-winning composer. The event was complemented by Argentinian wines graciously provided through the coordination of the Consulate of Argentina — a cultural and culinary pairing to remember.
December: Festive Celebrations — The holidays came alive with the annual ¡Noche Navideña! on Dec. 21 and Merry, Merry Chicago! Our Nuestras Noches celebration that day was especially heartwarming, with families and longtime Alliance members — some of whom have been attending since childhood —gathering to celebrate the season together.
February: Spotlight on Emerging Artists — Feb. 25 brought Sphinx Virtuosi: American Form/s, a breathtaking Nuestras Noches event featuring exceptional Black and Latino classical musicians.
March: Emotion and Expression — March delivered a trio of transformative performances. The CSO in Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe (March 6–8) captivated audiences with its lush, sweeping beauty, while the Music of Our Emotions on March 8 — part of the CSO for Kids series — reminded us how deeply music can mirror feelings. It was a joy to volunteer for the post-concert Mini-Maestros activity, where I helped lead children in conducting a live ensemble on the fifth floor of Symphony Center’s Rotunda — pure magic!
Then, on March 23, Jimmy López: Inner Dialogues, a MusicNOW concert curated by the acclaimed Peruvian-born composer, left us inspired and energized — especially with the Nuestras Noches afterparty that followed. The concert drew many young people, including some college students I had mentored in years past — now returning with friends of their own. The ripple effect of community was palpable. Earlier that month, CSO Latino Alliance members also had a chance to meet conductor Gustavo Gimeno, adding another memorable moment to a music-filled month.
April: Romance in the Air — April 12 brought Boleros de Noche featuring Tres Souls from Los Angeles and Trío Remembranza from Puerto Rico. The evening — our Noche de Romance — felt like a tropical escape. I wore my guayabera, as many others did, and for one magical night, Symphony Center pulsed with Latin love songs and golden nostalgia.
May: Global Sounds — Eliane Elias/Edmar Castañeda: Family on May 9 was a soulful fusion of Brazilian, Colombian and Venezuelan artistry — a vibrant celebration of family and musical kinship through samba and Latin jazz. The rhythms and energy transported me back to my time at the Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana earlier this year — pure magic!
June: A Grand Finale — The Latino Alliance will end its season on a high note on June 12 with Maestro Muti and the brilliant Esteban Batallán, the CSO’s principal trumpet. Don’t miss this season’s final Nuestras Noches event — a vibrant celebration of music and culture. With Muti’s legendary artistry and Batallán’s electrifying talent, the evening promises to be a spirited performance and a perfect finale to a season filled with excellence, collaboration and joy. Plus, join us after the concert to meet Esteban in person!
From passionate performances to meaningful cultural moments, the CSO Latino Alliance’s 2024/2025 season was a powerful testament to music’s unique ability to bring people together. On a personal note, having attended nearly every concert, welcomed newcomers at our Nuestras Noches events and proudly introduced guests to the brilliance of the CSO, it has been incredibly fulfilling to witness the spirit of collaboration ripple through our community. After nearly a decade of dedicated work, it feels like a dream come true to have played a role in launching the CSO Latino Alliance.
Here’s to more unforgettable Nuestras Noches, and the vibrant, welcoming community we continue to build — one note at a time. ¡Nos vemos en la próxima temporada!
