To the rhythm of Vamos a hablar inglés, Manuela Josefa Cabrera Taveras, known artistically as Fefita La Grande, made her debut in the Summer for the City series organized by Lincoln Center, a prestigious stage reserved for artists who have left an indelible mark on popular culture.
“Thank you very much for always looking out for old Fefa, I am wonderfully happy, thanking God for giving us the opportunity to share with an audience like you,” explains Fefita.
At 80 years old, she has dedicated more than seven decades to music, becoming a pioneer in the art of merengue tradicional, a rustic variation of that genre.
His performance, full of charisma and energy, and with his accordion, connected deeply with the public, many of them fellow Dominicans.
“Well, there is an audience here that always waits for the old Fefa, so I feel good because in New York, we are all Dominicans, so it is always the old fefa, the old fefa, you know how she is,” says Fefita La Grande.
His rendition of the traditional folk song “La Chiflera” is considered emblematic of the appeal of merengue tipico, and his ability to reinvent his sound has kept his work fresh and appreciated by his fans.
“The problem is that I always say something: that as an artist I have a privilege that I have followers of all nationalities, so I feel very good,” adds the merengue singer.
New York honored her with a special recognition, celebrating her impact on music not only in her native country, but also in the United States.
Paloma Estévez, Director of Artistic Programming at Lincoln Center says:
“We are so honored to have Fefita at Lincoln Center today, the community, in addition to the Dominican Republic, is vital to this city, there is no New York without the Dominican Republic. So it was very important for us to bring this icon and really a standard of celebration of our Latin music, our roots.”
The community welcomed her with open arms, celebrating not only her talent, but also her perseverance and dedication over the years.
“We are enjoying Fefita la Grande’s concert, as a woman I have to support her,” says Ceni Diaz, a fan of Fefita la Grande.
“Let’s have a good time, let’s speak English,” concludes Arelis Mendoza, another follower of the artist.
From the first chord to the last, and with her unmistakable charisma and energy, Fefita made her audience vibrate with every note, demonstrating that her music transcends borders and generations.
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