La Peña Cultural Center

Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.

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Amor Dolor Flamenco – Melissa Cruz 2016 Showcase

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Oakland-based Flamenco artist and instructor Melissa Cruz presents her fourth annual showcase featuring a cast of over 15 dancers and musicians. Entitled “Amor Dolor Flamenco,” (Love Pain Flamenco) the program is partially-curated by her dancers, who have created pieces expressing a wide range of emotions, including feelings surrounding the current political climate. This year, Melissa is pleased to present visiting flamenco singer, Daniel Azcarate.  More information at http://melissacruz.weebly.com/.

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EcoViva’s 20 Year Anniversary Celebration

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ecoviva

For two decades EcoViva has worked alongside its partners to improve quality of life for rural communities and protect critical coastal ecosystems in Central America. Join EcoViva’s staff, board, and friends for a night of inspiration to celebrate 20 years of solidarity with resilient communities.

The evening will include two special guest speakers: award-winning author and activist Rebecca Solnit and filmmaker Avi Lewis, who most recently directed the film adaptation of Naomi Klein’s This Changes Everything. There will be a preview of a short film by Avi Lewis about our colleagues and the social movement they have built in El Salvador, as well as messages of solidarity from our partners.

EcoViva will also honor Jeffrey H. Haas for his eight years of service as EcoViva’s Board Chair. He will be succeeded by board member Mary LaPorte and will continue to serve on the board.

Join us for drinks at the open bar, delicious Salvadoran food from Platanos Restaurant, and lively music provided by DJ Sandina. Meet up with old friends, make new ones, and hear some powerful and inspiring messages at our anniversary event.

As we face an uncertain future it’s more important than ever to stand with vulnerable communities that need our support.

Get your ticket today!

NO CLASSES THIS WEEK – LA PEÑA IS CLOSED JAN. 2-8

Hello La Peña community,

We will be closing the building for repairs/maintenance and staff vacation time January 2-8. No classes or events will be held during this time. Thank you!

See you again January 9!

Warmly,

LP Staff

International Afro-Peruvian Day 2016

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$10 Door 

Dia Internacional Afro-Peruano 2016!

De Rompe y Raja Cultural Association is celebrating the legacy of Africans in Peru on International Afro-Peruvian Day!

Featuring special guests performances and a tribute to Victoria Santa Cruz and Nicomedes Santa Cruz. 

“Las Lavanderas”

“Devuelta al Callejon”

Guests

  • Hermandad del Senor de los Milagros de Concord

  • Hermandad de San Martin de Porres

  • Afro Peruvian yourth Ensemble Huaranguito

  • Members of the Atajo de Negritos de San Francisco

  • Lucho Cruzado-guitar

  • Rosa Los Santos-vocals

  • Peta Robles-cajon, vocals & percussion

  • Marina La Valle-poetry & vocals

Friday, June 10, 8:30pm-10:30pm

PAZ: Fandango Urbano 2016 – Son Jarocho Concert

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Come enjoy the music,  dance and culture from Veracruz, Mexico at this Son Jarocho concert! Witness the debut of four new original compositions by DíaPaSon, sones from the 2014 PAZ: Fandango Urbano project and traditional son jarocho repertoire. DíaPaSon’s guest artist from Veracruz, Mexico: Tacho Utrera, and other surprise guests will participate!

This concert is part of a two-week artist residency of the Son Jarocho group DíaPaSon at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley. The artists will share a cross-cultural and cross-generational musical experience reflective of Bay Area urban fandango/son experience.

This series of events and workshops is commissioned by La Peña Cultural Center Berkeley and La Peña Austin and funded by NPN Creation Fund. 

 PAZ Fandango Urbano 2016

ABOUT DíaPason:

DíaPason is a collective of artists who are practitioners of folk music and dance, particularly the son jarocho, in the interest of promoting and preserving these cultural treasures. Gathered by María de la Rosa, these artists are active in the rich sonero community of the Bay Area and have collectively and individually studied the son art form with internationally renowned master artists of son jarocho and recently collaborated with them to create new repertoire. DíaPaSon often enjoys the privilege of having master artists from Mexico perform as guests in its programs. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

PAZ: Proyecto A Zapatear was a 2011 collaboration between master son jarocho artist Rubí Oseguera Rueda of Veracruz and local artist María de la Rosa of the Bay Area. In 2014, the pair invited additional master artists Patricio Hidalgo Belli and Felix José “Liche” Oseguera Rueda from Veracruz and additional local artists Artemio Posadas, Hector Lugo, Kamakshi (Tania Rodriguez), and Devin Valdez to form an artistic team that produced PAZ: Fandango Urbano. The team collectively created four new sones that are based on the contemporary Bay Area experience; have universal themes; are rooted in the son tradition; and are an invitation to others to add their voices to them over time. Their themes speak to the historical impact of the Gold Rush on the forming of the Bay Area; the expansivecommunity efforts in the fight for food justice, the growing concern for quality care and safe neighborhoods for children and a whimsical look into the altered reality of the American dream through the eyes of recent immigrants to the area.