La Peña Cultural Center

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Son Jarocho Class (Fall Series)

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FALL SCHEDULE
September 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23
November 6, 13, 20
December 4
All classes held in the community room unless otherwise noted.

$20/class, drop-ins welcomed

Discount options:
Pay for five or more classes in advance, $15/class (5x$15 = $75) -OR-
Pay $20/class, fifth class is free and pay $15/class for remainder of session.
-OR-
Speak to Maria de la Rosa about other options if you require further financial assistance. We do our best to be sensitive to financial needs and not turn anyone away for lack of funds.

Instructor: María de la Rosa with occasional invited guest master artists.

Full session price includes pricing for visiting master artist workshop held during the regularly scheduled class time. Class fee is for two hours of class.

For more information: mariadlr4@gmail.com

The tradition of son jarocho music originated in Veracruz, Mexico. Son jarocho is practiced in community and reflects the cycle of life. We hope to have at least one guest master artist in this session.

Class focuses on instruction in jarana jarocha, singing (including poetry), and percussion (including zapateado dance), although all son jarocho instruments are welcomed. Emphasis is placed on working in ensemble and understanding “how all the parts fit together”. No previous experience necessary. Please bring your own instruments, hard-soled shoes (for zapateado), skirt. If you do not have a jarana jarocha, a few jaranas are available for in-class use, please contact the instructor, Maria de la Rosa, for more information on borrowing an instrument or other questions: mariadlr4@gmail.com

The study of jarana and zapateado are mutually beneficial.  Many master teachers recommend that anyone studying son first learn the basics of the zapateado.  And those who feel drawn principally to dancing (zapateado) are advised that learning the basics of the jarana benefit a dancer’s learning process — it helps everyone understand how these two crucial elements fit together in this community music.  All levels are welcomed to participate, this is a group class and we do our best to find a middle ground where everyone can enjoy practicing what they are learning while they progress in their learning process.

The class is invited to participate in monthly Fandangos, which are community jams, held on the third Friday of each month.

Fandango Jarocho: Son Jarocho Jam Session (Community Event)

FREE – Donations of any size are welcome and greatly appreciated!

Enjoy a lively evening of son jarocho music, dancing, and zapateado– bring your dance shoes and instruments, or just come and enjoy the music and dance! There is no entrance fee, but any monetary donations are accepted in support of programming at La Peña.

Son Jarocho is a lively traditional art form from the southern Mexican state of Veracruz that sits on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.It is a lyrical and danceable music genre that formed in the melding of three cultures: Arabic-Spanish, African and indigenous Mexican.  It is at the same time highly improvised and highly structured—filled with complex poly-rhythms and musical dialogue in its dance, song, poetry and music.  The basic instrumentation of the son jarocho includes the jarana jarocha, guitarra de son (both guitar-like instruments) and zapateado (percussive footwork).  Regional variations include the harp and various percussive instruments such as quijada, pandero, marimbol or cajón, with the latter two instruments being contemporary additions.
On a communal level, the son jarocho is used to celebrate various life occasions and often speaks of love (including courtship), happiness and the beauties of life as well as the hardships including sadness, loss and death.  Hundreds of years old, the son jarocho is a living, contemporary art form that continues to evolve with time and under the influences of trans-cultural exchange and inter-generational dialogue.

LA PEÑA IS CLOSED: NO CLASSES OR EVENTS AUGUST 5 – 11

La Peña Cultural Center will be temporarily closed from Monday, August 5th through Sunday, August 11th for building repairs and projects. No classes or events will be held during this time. If you have any questions, you can get in touch with us through our contact page. Thank you for your understanding!

Children’s Bomba y Plena Workshop (Fall Series)

Trimester: Thursdays, September 12-December 12 (13 sessions)

Children’s Bomba y Plena Workshop: Dance, Percussion and Song

Thursdays at 4pm $15 Drop-in class  / $156 for entire trimester ($12 per class, due in full on September 12) / Sibling discount available!

Instructors: Shefali Shah & Hector Lugo | Location: Theater Space

For more information email: bombaaguacero@gmail.com  or visit www.bomba-aguacero.org

Students will learn dance, songs, drum rhythms, and history. For those interested in staying healthy, connecting with the community or learning a rich musical tradition, Bomba is for you.

Bomba reflects the powerful forces that shaped Puerto Rico’s history, emerging from the African experience on the island before the 1700’s. Bomba music and dance originated in the sugar cane plantations and was played, danced and sung as a means to express daily hardships, cope with oppression, and escape captivity. Bomba is the oldest living musical tradition of Puerto Rico. The Bomba ensemble consists of “barriles” or barrel drums with goat skins, a “maraca” played by the lead singer, and a pair of “cuas”, or sticks traditionally played on the wooden body of the drum. Inspired and guided by songs and the drum rhythms, dancers improvise their movements in a dynamic communication with the “primo” or lead drum.

This class is open to all levels and drop-ins are welcome. Instruction is geared to different levels and skills from beginner to more advanced.

Básico y Fundamento: Bomba Dance with Shefali Shah

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Workshop price:
$20 per session and $35 for both workshops if paid in advance.

Instructor: Shefali Shah
Live drumming

Spaces are limited. Reserve your space:
510-681-1036
Bombaaguacero@gmail.com

Payments can be made by cash or Venmo using this link: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=1951117147635712928

This special two workshop series will focus on the basics and foundational aspects of Puerto Rican Bomba dance. This will include repeated practice, drills and incorporation of the basic steps (Paso básico) of the rhythms sica, yuba, cuembe and holandés. Participants will learn how to execute “paseo”and paso básico with each rhythm and strategies to hold your skirt or your arms as you walk through your dance. Body posture and figure or figura will be practiced as well. We will examine the dynamic between the dancer and lead drummer or “primo” player without losing sight of the importance of staying locked in with the basic rhythms and “buleadorxs”.

This workshop is perfect for all levels and if you are just beginning your practice, promises to be a really good starting point.