La Peña Cultural Center

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

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Barrio Manouche at the Freight and Salvage: Celebrating La Peña’s 43rd Anniversary

Doors: 6:00 pm / Show: 7:00 pm  (All ages)

General Admission: $15 Advance / $19 Door (plus fees)
Premium seating: $30 VIP  / Special Discounts for Seniors & Youth!
Please note: This event will be held at The Freight & Salvage: 2020 Addison St. Berkeley, CA 94704

The Freight and Salvage presents Barrio Manouche in honor of La Peña Cultural Center’s 43rd Birthday!

Barrio Manouche is a gypsy jazz & flamenco fusion ensemble based in San Francisco, with musicians from Spain, France, Brazil, California and Quebec.

Barrio Manouche is considered one of the Bay Area’s biggest rising stars, mesmerizing audiences with their live musical performances that incorporate flamenco dancing and other memorable surprises. They are known for curating their concerts with special guests from Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain and beyond!

The band performs a repertoire of original musical compositions deeply influenced by a range of musical traditions: from the swing of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, to the hot jazz of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, the flamenco & rumba of Paco de Lucía, to the avant-garde sounds of Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane.

The band just released their first full length album “Aires de Cambio”. Get your copy at the show!

Special thanks to the Freight & Salvage for gifting us this concert at their beautiful theatre!

Barrio Manouche, a Bay Area-based flamenco and jazz fusion band will be headlining this event at the Freight and Salvage. Picture courtesy of Barrio Manouche.
Barrio Manouche is known for their spectacular live shows that include special dance performances. Photo by Frederic Aube.

Fidel Nadal & DJ Stepwise – Reggae en Español Directly from Argentina!

$20 Advance / $25 Day of Show

La Peña Cultural Center is humbled to present Argentine reggae legend Fidel Nadal – directly from Argentina!

Plus, opening set by DJ Stepwise, who will be spinning reggae, dancehall & more – flying in from San Diego, CA specially for this show!

ABOUT FIDEL NADAL:
Nadal was born in Buenos Aires, a fifth generation Argentinian with Angolan roots, his music has raised awareness and recognition of the rights of black Argentines. 

He was heavily influenced by the music listened to by his parents: blues, soul, jazz & Caribbean rhythms. His ideology involves deep Rastafarian culture from countries like Jamaica and Haiti; one of his inspirations is Bob Marley, whom he credits for helping him shape his personal and musical identity. His main influences are related to reggae rhythms and Afro-Argentine culture.

Nadal has 15 solo records to his name, and his album “Forever Together” was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2011. Before going solo, Nadal spent a lot of time as a member of the punk-reggae-ska band “Todos Tus Muertos”, which made six albums between 1988 and 2010. 

ABOUT DJ STEPWISE:
DJ Stepwise is best known for his Reggae en Español radio show and for co-founding the monthly Kulcha Latino parties in Oakland, which popularized and gave a platform to reggae, dancehall en español in the Bay Area. DJ Stepwise brings a wide variety of danceable grooves en español and he is coming directly from San Diego, California! Listen to his program, featuring the best reggae and dancehall en español & english: www.galanginternational.com

*La Peña Cultural Center is wheelchair accesible.

*Please note: This is a standing room concert. No refunds available for this event.

Announcing La Peña’s Mundos Musicales Summer Camp!

A Bilingual Summer Camp Exploring Latin & Caribbean Culture through Music, Dance & Art!

THREE CAMP DATES: 
June 25-29, July 9-13 and July 16-20 
Best suitable for ages: 7-11 years old

The emphasis of Mundos Musicales Summer Camp is hands-on learning and fun activities! The musical and artistic curriculum is designed to develop musicianship, physical coordination, bilingual literacy/pronunciation skills, multi-cultural awareness, and comfort with public speaking and performance among our students. At the end of the week the children will have an opportunity to share what they learned with their friends and family!

At La Peña’s Mundos Musicales Summer Camp, participants will:

  • Take an imaginary trip through Mexico with maestra María, exploring its music, legends, dance, and song. They will learn to sing, play and dance to son jarocho music and other Mexican folkloric genres. 

  • Through drumming, song, and story telling, children will be introduced to the musical traditions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic by maestro Hector. They will learn to play hand drums, maracas, bells, claves and other Afro-Caribbean percussion instruments. They will also learn beats, songs and stories that come from these countries.

  • Using the music and dance classes as inspiration, students will design and prepare stage scenery for use in their showcase the last day of camp! Maestra Laura will guide students to creating murals and props created with their imagination based on what they learn in their mundos musicales classes!

     

Daily Itinerary:

8:30am-9am: Drop off time at La Peña Cultural Center (3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705)

9am-9:30am Circle Time with 3 core teachers – Work on skills that are part of the program, bring energy up, bond, build comradery, play musical games from different parts of the world – a repertoire of games.

9:30am-10:30am 1st Class Rotation

10:30am-10:45am Break (Snack Break/Bathroom Break)

10:45am-11:45am  2nd Class Rotation

11:45am -12:30pm LUNCH TIME 

12:30pm-1:30pm 3rd Class Rotation

1:30pm-2pm Closing Circle

PLAY TIME 2pm-2:30pm – Also pick-up time for those not in Extended Program

CHOOSE “EXTENDED CARE” PROGRAM: 2:30pm-5pm Bilingual after-school care. ONLY $50 MORE PER WEEK!

Please remember to bring lunch every day! 

We provide basic snacks and drinks. 

Berkeley Chamber of Commerce Mixer – Open to All Businesses & Non-Profits!

This event is free for Berkeley Chamber Members or $10 for non-members.

Join the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce at La Peña for a Networking Mixer!

 

Enjoy music, sips, bites and socializing with other business owners and organizational leaders!

This event is open to all business owners, non-profits, city officials, etc.

Looking forward to seeing you!

 

Orquesta La Peña is BACK! Salsa Party & Dance Class (One Night Only)

Doors open at 7:45pm / Dance Class at 8:00pm / Live Music at 9pm

$10 Advance / $15 Door

Orquesta La Peña’s Salsa Party & Dance Class is BACK for one night only!

Come brush up on your salsa dancing skills by attending the beginners-intermediate salsa class at 8pm-9pm (NO EXTRA COST!)

The class is followed by TWO sets of LIVE SALSA MUSIC by Orquesta La Peña – directed by Josh Jones – from 9pm-11pm! The band will perform songs from your favorite salsa artists including Eddie Palmieri, Beny Moré, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, El Canario, Celia Cruz and many more.

Beginners Encouraged! All levels welcome!

The door cover is only $10 Advance / $15 Door!

Secure your spot and register today!