La Mixta Criolla will be playing in the Lounge of La Peña on March 31, 2012 at 10pm
Check out “Calimerenge” in their reverbnation page.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXTTqGeBi40&w=853&h=480]
Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.
La Mixta Criolla will be playing in the Lounge of La Peña on March 31, 2012 at 10pm
Check out “Calimerenge” in their reverbnation page.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXTTqGeBi40&w=853&h=480]
Read this article to learn more about an approach that “brings to life the world that we know is possible. ”
“Most World Courts of Women have focused on specific clusters of issues that are especially relevant to their region, but they have shared the common aims of destabilizing dominant narratives and bringing the realities of the everyday violence in people’s lives to the forefront. Speakers bear witness to many injustices, but the Courts are also about empowerment and the validation of women’s diverse experiences and subject positions.”
The Women’s Economic Agenda Project will Coordinate The Western Court (held in Oakland, CA, May 10-13). Check out their website for more information.
“Because poverty is rapidly growing in the U.S., and how to end poverty gets hardly any serious public discussion, the Women’s Economic Agenda Project and its allies are mounting a series of public hearings to shed more light on this shameful, mostly hidden issue.”
This week is going to be full of ideas, poetic flow, hip hop, art, activism, and inspiration. Come join La Pena this Tues.3/20 for Climbing Poetree and THEN this Thur. 3/22 for Bocas Radioactivas.
Climbing Poetree
Lila Rose, Raw-G, Steelo, Aima the Dreamer, Cleome Bova and Ariel Luckey
“Critical”, “Powerful”, “Heart-Wrenching”, “Magical”, “Raw”
These are some of the words audience members have used to describe Climbing Poetree’s performance.
This duo has sharpened their art as a tool for popular education community organizing and personal transformation.Their voices will take on the stage with other great local talent such as Lila Rose and Aima the Dreamer. A powerful force and energetic pulse not to be missed!
Doors @ 7, $12-15
With Special Guest DJ AL KRAZE (Domincan Republic)
Feedbacks.- International Women’s Day Performance. La Peña, Berkeley. March 10, 2012.
“The evening performance was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I learned things about women’s history that made me proud to be a woman, the music was incredible, and the singers had the voices of angels. Being able to participate in our group’s performance was an incredible experience in the power of what women of any age can do… the sisterhood involved was an incredible joy.” —Lynn mc Kinney
“It was a privilege to perform at La Peña on the important Int’l Women’s Day evening in such illustrious company. The mutual respect and appreciation between the performers, the humans, coming together to celebrate justice and creativity and connectedness between generations is the best lift for the spirit.” —Diane Bloom
“Thank you one and all at the La Peña Cultural Center for inviting us to your Women’s Revolution in Latin America. I love the fabulous energy, the culture, and the incredible singing and music. I experience inspiration in the history of many cultures in such an inclusive light. May I say bravo to all the women at Stagebridge who are Movers and Shakers, each one of you are special and without you this could not have happened.” —Linda Moore
I was honored to be included in a program where powerful and accomplished women were sharing their art. The slide presentation opened my eyes to aspects of women’s history that I had never known–and I’ve been a feminist since the 70’s! I felt a renewed sense of the importance for us as women to bond together, to declare our rights and show our strength. Both singers inspired me with their passionate performances. This is the first time I have witnessed a pregnant diva (Maria) and she was unforgettable. Thank you, Mamakoatl for curating an inspiring evening as well as singing your heart out.
For our movement group, this was our first public performance. I am so proud of the work we are doing together. This experience at La Peña feels like the beginning of something much bigger–who knows where it will lead? We were thrilled to debut at La Pena and now feel a special connection to this venue. I am hoping that we will be able to make an annual tradition of sharing a piece in celebration of International Women’s Day. Very special thanks are due to Nina Serrano who invited us to perform with her.” —Greacian Goeke. Instructor, Rhythm and Moves class at Stagebridge, home of the Movers and Shakers
“It was a joy and an honor to read my poems amidst such a talented group of artists, curated by Mamakoatl. I have read poetry before with musical accompaniment, but this was the first time I was accompanied by moving dancers echoing my words. I deeply appreciate their collaboration. It was thrilling. The opening presentation of women’s history by Max Dashu inspired me for the rest of the night, as did the fabulous music of the band and the songs of MamaKoatl and Maria Loreto. I felt the creative forces unleashed in the theatre of which the big beautiful pregnant belly of Maria Loreto was the symbol. –Nina Serrano
Eyewitness Report: by Nina Serrano
“Mujer, Te Han Crecido Las Ideas / Woman, Your Ideas Are On The Rise” March 10, 2012 La Peña, Berkeley, CA
Performing in “Mujer, Te Han Crecido Las Ideas / Woman, Your Ideas Are On The Rise” was a groundbreaking experience for me as a poet and performer. I’ve worked over the last six years with the incomparable healer, poet /musician and cultural promoter, Mamacoatl. But, this time she guided me into another zone. Never was I so engulfed in women’s creativity. The beautiful sight of creation itself in the bare, round pregnant belly of musician Maria Loreto made this more visible. The big red heart painted around her belly button awed both performers and audience.
Nor, had I ever read one of my poems accompanied to movement and the dancers echoing my words. Their participation was a thrill for me. Diane Bloom, Linda Moore, Lynn Mc Kinney, our teacher/director Greacian Goeke and I entered the stage filled with inspiration as women elders instilled by Max Dashu’s opening presentation of “Women’s History From Ancient Times To The Present.” The women-themed Latin American music sung by Mamacoatl and Maria Loreto were solidly supported by the band of male musicians: David Emhe, guitar, Rafa Turincio, bass, Axel Herrera, drums, and Miguelito Martinez, flute. They demonstrated an awesome improvisational approach, musical skill, and applause-raising solos.
Mamacoatl’s bilingual narration underlined the “curing” in both her curation of the event and the presentation of the performances. She offered the audience a healing from the oppressive patriarchal bruises that our society suffers. Then, singing a closing duet with Maria Loreto and the marvelous band she left us dancing in the aisles. The evening reinforced our awareness of the need to preserve the feminine energy of Mother Earth/Pachamama, herself.