Sun 7/12 @ 5-7PM
Roni Benise is a flashy guitarist from Nebraska who performs under his last name (pronounced Buh-nes-say). And he did what many flashy guitarists do: he moved to Los Angeles to “make it.”
But while he kind of resembles the hair metal guitarists who pounded the pavement on the Sunset Strip in the ’80s, he’s not playing their musical game. He calls himself the “Prince of the Spanish Guitar” and plays Spanish-style guitar-and-dance music that incorporates flamenco, samba, salsa, Parisian-style waltz, tango, global percussion, jazz and rock & roll.
He’s currently on the road with his 25th anniversary show, featuring a full band and choreographed dancers, mounting the sort of full-scale theatrical experience he’s become known for. The music is an eclectic hodgepodge, ranging from an excerpt from Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” to “Ave Maria” (!).
He’ll be bringing the whole shebang to the Maltz Performing Arts Center in University Circle. Go here for tickets.