WASHINGTON— Beyonc and Rodrigo y Gabriela will entertain Wednesday night following the State Dinner the Obama White House is hosting for Mexico President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala.
From the White House…
Rodrigo y Gabriela – Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero met as teenagers in Mexico City, both dedicated heavy metal fans at the time. They combined their talents for a time in the metal group Tierra Acida, playing in some of the roughest clubs around Distrito Federal while working day jobs. Frustrated with their chances in the Americas, Sanchez and Quintero decided to try their luck in Europe. They traveled to Dublin, Ireland where a friend offered them a place to stay. Speaking no English, and with about a thousand dollars between them, they found that their offer of hospitality had vanished. The pair soon turned to busking on the streets of Dublin where they established many contacts and connections. Among their newfound friends was fellow busker Damien Rice, who asked them to accompany him on tour. They released their debut record in 2003 entitled Re-Foc, followed a year later by Live: Manchester and Dublin. They now continue to tour the world music circuit, compose, and record. Rodrigo y Gabriela have appeared on many national television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman and the Today Show. Their recently sold out concert at Radio City Music Hall featured a guest performance by Robert Trujillo from Metallica.
Beyonc – With a mesmerizing stage presence and visionary artistry, Beyonc has earned her place in arts and culture globally. She has won over 100 awards including sixteen Grammys. This year she made Grammy history with six wins–the most by any female in a single year. She has starred in six highly successful films including Dreamgirls and Cadillac Records. She is a dedicated humanitarian through her work with Make A Wish, Feeding America and GEMS. With her family in 2005, she created the Survivor Foundation, a charitable entity with the motto, “Where There’s A Will, We Help Make A Way.” The foundation provides aid for the homeless and displaced, recreational and educational services for kids in need, job training and placement, and assistance for those suffering from AIDS. Recently she opened the Beyonc Cosmetology Center at Phoenix House in Brooklyn, New York to help former addicts learn skills to meet their personal and professional goals. Beyonc is a phenomenal entertainer who continues to dazzle on and off stage.
Watch the Live Streams:
* 7:10 PM EDT President Obama and President Caldern of Mexico deliver a toast
* Performance by Rodrigo y Gabriela at the State Dinner
