Office of Public Art supports Miguel Sagué Jr.’s new album Songs From the Stone Hoop

Pittsburgh, PA — The Office of Public Art (OPA) is pleased to support the release of Miguel Sagué Jr.’s album, Songs From the Stone Hoop. The Pittsburgh-based artist, musician, and spiritual guide for the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle is one of the artists selected for OPA’s Artists Bridging Social Distance in the Public Realm initiative, funded by the Investing in Professional Artists program of The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, and Opportunity Fund.

About the Concert

A CD release concert will be held at The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, PA on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 pm). General admission tickets for the in-person event are $15; $35 includes a copy of the CD; $50 includes the copy of the CD and a limited edition poster of Miguel’s artwork.

For in person live tickets, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/OPA-Sague-tickets.

For online tickets, please visit : https://tinyurl.com/OPA-Sague-Online

The concert at The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls Theatre is an all-ages show. All guests attending indoor performances at Mr. Smalls Theatre and The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (a clear and legible copy or photo of your COVID-19 vaccination card, with the last does administered no less than 14 days prior to entry) or a negative COVID-19 test result (received within the previous 72 hours and administered by an official testing center), along with a government issued ID. These policy requirements may change at the discretion of the artist or venue. Masks are required for this event.

About Songs From the Stone Hoop

Songs From the Stone Hoop is a CD of original ceremonial music composed by Sagué, who is a spiritual guide for the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle. This community was founded by Sagué to support people Indigenous to the Caribbean in reclaiming their Indigenous spirituality. Songs From the Stone Hoop features Sagué’s original compositions, which serve as the foundation for the sacred Indigenous ceremonies of the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle. These seminal scores, recorded and documented here for the first time, have been used worldwide for over 40 years and preserve the oral traditions, history, and culture of the Taíno Nation into the future.

“As one of the founders of the Caney Circle, I was inspired to create a spectrum of sacred songs that would enhance our spiritual and ritual experience,” said Sagué. “We have been singing these songs for the past 40 years. It is now such an honor to be able to share these songs with the world at large in the form of this new music album that we have, called Songs From the Stone Hoop. These songs carry the power and energy of our ancestral wisdom and introduce the listener to the beauty of our culture.”

Songs From the Stone Hoop features Sagué singing his original compositions with Carlos Peña (guitar), Tony DePaolis (bass), his son Miguel Sagué III (mayowakan, voice), the Pittsburgh Community Singers directed by Kris Rust with fellow Taíno leaders and members of the community on vocals: Lenia Sagué, Dayvanna Caraballo, and Jeffry Mucaro Blake Johnson. Phat Man Dee provides background vocals and acted as executive producer of this work with Sagué at Mr. Smalls Recording and Mastering Studios in Pittsburgh’s North Side community. All songs were recorded, mixed, and mastered by Larry Luther. Songs From the Stone Hoop shall be released on Creative Life Support Records which is a non profit record label directed by Liz Berlin.

“It has truly been an honor and privilege to support Miguel’s work in Songs From the Stone Hoop,” said Divya Rao Heffley, OPA’s Associate Director. “This recording bridges social distance across both time and space, offering connection and community for those of Taíno descent around the globe as well as generations to come. Through Songs From the Stone Hoop, the stories, rituals, and culture of the Taíno Nation can be celebrated and preserved long into the future.”

You may purchase a CD in advance to support the project:
http://www.caneycircle.org/caney-circle-indigenous-songs/

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Miguel Sagué Jr. is an artist, musician, and spiritual guide for the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle. He was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, in a region associated with the historic Indigenous town of El Caney, one of the most important centers of Indigenous tradition in the country. He grew up immersed in the culture, art, and music for which his native region is famous. When he was 15, Miguel immigrated to the United States with his family, first living in Erie, PA and later moving to Pittsburgh. There, he built his life as a schoolteacher, father, and working musician.

In 1981, Miguel founded the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle, a community to support people Indigenous to the Caribbean in reclaiming their Indigenous spirituality. He serves as a behike, or spiritual leader, and is responsible for composing the sacred music used in ceremonial traditions worldwide. In 1988, Miguel founded Sagué Presents Entertainment Agency, featuring his flagship ensemble, Guaracha Latin Dance Band.

Miguel sits on the board of directors of the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center and is active in the arts and Indigenous culture scene both in the Pittsburgh region and globally.