This show is a part of the Rivanna Roots Concert Series, presented by The Front Porch and Rivanna River Company. Doors open at 5 pm and music is from 6-9 pm. This is an outdoor show and all concerts are rain or shine. For more information about what to bring, parking, and policies, check out our FAQS! 

Kadencia

Kadencia is a band comprised of musicians that have toured with local and international bands in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Founded in Puerto Rico by singer-songwriter Maurice Sanabria-Ortiz and percussionist Roberto Candelario, Kadencia was reborn in Richmond, Virginia in late 2018, thanks to percussionists Maurice “Tito” Sanabria and Santos Ramirez. The band plays original Bomba, Plena, and Salsa music to promulgate Puerto Rican culture, educate audiences on the Island’s native musical expressions, and make audiences move in ways they never imagined. Their 2022 album “En Otro Barrio” received international airplay and was recognized as one of the Top 20 albums of 2022 by Puerto Rico’s National Foundation for Popular Culture. The band and its songs were featured on Season 2 of the AppleTV+ Series “Swagger.” The band is certified by the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture as a performer of traditional music. Kadencia is a member of the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Touring Directory and a resident artist at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education. Kadencia and co-band leader Maurice “Tito” Sanabria were featured artists at the 2024 Richmond Folk Festival’s Virginia Folklife Area/Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage. Tito leads Kadencia’s educational workshops. He is a 2024 graduate of the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program where he studied Mayaguez-style plena under master plena practitioner and recording artist Kily Vializ. Kadencia actively creates, records, and produces, and releases original Afro-Puerto Rican musical compositions, singles, and albums. Kadencia has opened and headlined performances at festivals, concerts, and organizations such as the Library of Congress, Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center, 2024 & 2020 Richmond Folk Festival, 2nd Street Festival, Winter Blues Jazz Fest, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Norfolk Latino Festival, Que Pasa Festival, Smithsonian National Postal Museum, George Washington University, Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, College of William & Mary, Richmond Performing Arts Alliance, Perkinson Center for the Arts, University of Richmond, Bridgewater College, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Mountain Empire Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, and the Academy Center for the Arts.

Beleza

United by musical interests that include samba, funk, soul, blues, bossa nova, jazz and Spanish flamenco; Humberto Oliveira Sales and Madeline Holly Sales blend the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic riches from North and South America.  Berto, native to Brazil, pursued a formal education in classical guitar. His knowledge of Brazilian rhythms and study of Spanish Flamenco add to the unique finger picking style he uses.   Madeline brings with her the strong influence of soul, jazz and blues.  She sings in Portuguese, English and Spanish.  Her sensual, rich voice, playful interpretations, and strong stage presence make their combination extremely unique. 

It takes a village to make the magic of these concerts possible! A huge thank you to Flow Subaru, WNRN, Tiger Solar, Martin Horn, and Sun Tribe for supporting local music and community gatherings. We’ll also be serving some of the finest local beer, wine, and cider from our wonderful community partners: a big thank you to Random Row Brewing Company, Potter’s Craft Cider, and Blenheim Vineyards for being our exclusive beverage partners, and to our Artist Hospitality sponsor Hogwaller Brewing. Please visit and support these local businesses – they’re wonderful people, passionate about our community, and we’re grateful to feature them at Rivanna Roots 2025.