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IMPORTANT: EVENT CANCELLED

Dear community:

We regret to inform you that due to unforeseeable circumstances regarding immigration visa and last-minute bureaucratic issues, we are forced to cancel Rafael Riqueni’s Concert scheduled for this Friday, March 3rd, 2023. We are very sorry about this situation and we are doing everything in our power to allow Rafael to resume his tour through the U.S. later this year.

We will reimburse your tickets and we are available for any further questions that you may have. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to have you at La Peña very soon!

La Peña Cultural Center and The Flamenco Society of San José

 

ORIGINAL EVENT:

Coming directly from Spain, we are thrilled to be having on our stage flamenco guitar player and composer Rafael Riqueni! This incredible concert will consist of solo flamenco guitar and musical arrangements, and it is presented in collaboration with the Flamenco Society of San José.

Come witness the power and grace of flamenco through the hands of one of its living legends!

About Rafael Riqueni:

Rafael Riqueni is a Spanish flamenco guitar player and composer. He is considered as one of the biggest names in flamenco guitar history. One of Riqueni´s main characteristics is his capacity as a solo concert player, without the need of a backing group. This performance consists of solo flamenco guitar and musical arrangements. Rafael Riqueni’s music takes flamenco as a basis, plus classical music influences among other contemporary styles, highlighting the power and grace of Flamenco. At age fourteen, he won the two main national awards for flamenco guitar in Spain. As an adult, he has won the most prestigious flamenco music awards in Spain, including “XXXI Compas del Cante”, an award referred to by the Spanish media as the “Flamenco Nobel prize”.

Come to La Peña on Sunday, January 22nd from 4pm-6:30pm for a Special Rumba with Edmundo Pina Machin! Edmundo is a musician with 47 years of experience, 40 of which were with the legendary Cuban orchestra Los Van Van, and he is visiting the Bay Area! He will be presenting his research on the history and evolution of Cuban popular music. Don’t miss it! This event is FREE and open to the community. 

Learn about Afro-Cuban folkloric traditions and enjoy the beauty of their history and rhythms!

We are pleased to present at La Peña these two workshops that will go deep into the origins, the meanings, the sounds, the techniques, and the variations of two of the most important Afro-Cuban rhythms and cultural traditions such as Rumba and the Santería Ceremony.

This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from Lázaro Pedroso, Cuban cultural bearer who has been described as “one of the last remaining elder scholars in the field of Afro-Cuban folkloric percussion, song and dance.” We are so lucky to have him visiting the Bay Area!

• Learn more about each workshop below and reserve your spot in advance!
• These classes are BILINGUAL (English and Spanish)
• One workshop: $30 | Both workshops: $50

 

MASTERCLASSES:

1. Introduction to Cuban Rumba (3pm-4:15pm): this class will review the different styles of Cuban Rumba, the dances that go with each style, and the most important elements of Rumba songs. It will also cover the rhythms of Conga and Chancleta, including a musical demonstration in which everyone can participate. Bring your instrument if you want to! We’ll have some drums available in the space as well.

2. The Role of Song and the Singer in Afro-Cuban Religion (4:45pm-6pm): Lázaro Pedroso has been an Akpuon (lead singer) in Santería ceremonies for more than 70 years in Havana. In this class, he will share his knowledge about being a singer, the skills and techniques required to be a successful Akpuon, and the singer’s role with respect to the drums, the dancers, and the chorus in a Santería ceremony. This is a very special class designed for singers, musicians, and everyone who’d like to explore the depth, beauty and complexity of this tradition!

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Lazaro Pedroso has devoted an academic and spiritual lifetime in Havana, Cuba, to teaching the traditions and religions that were carried to the New World 300 years ago as the sole possessions of West African slaves. Prior to his retirement, Lazaro served for decades as a professor in the Escuela Nacional de Arte and the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana. He also served as a senior advisor to the Centro Superior de la Enseñanza Artística. Lazaro has given classes and workshops throughout Cuba, and in France and México. In 2012 and 2013 he was invited to be part of the faculty of Humboldt State’s Afro Cuban Dance and Drum conference.

Post-retirement, Lazaro has continued to teach local children through community centers in his neighborhood, and he is regularly consulted by students and scholars regarding Bata and Conga drumming, and Orisha songs and dances. Lazaro is always willing to share his lifetime of knowledge, study and practice as part of his commitment to pass that information on to the future generations.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Vaccination, Booster Shots, and the use of masks inside are encouraged but NOT mandatory. Please refer to our latest Covid-19 Policy for classes here.

 

Come get inspired by local Bay Area talent or get ready to perform yourself! Due to the tremendous success of the Empowering Womxn of Color Open Mic, we are officially launching this Open Mic Series at La Peña!

With the blessing of our collaborators from the Womxn of Color Initiative at UC Berkeley, we are now offering this curated open mic to center the voices of BIPOC, Women, LGBTQ+ folks, Immigrants/Migrants, and all other voices that have been historically marginalized and underrepresented. We want to hear you, support you, and transform the world with you!

• Get your donation-based tickets now! This event is made possible 100% by your contributions. Please consider donating what you can to ensure that this event can continue.
• You can also sign up to volunteer! Each shift includes free food and beverages.
• Sign-ups to perform are now CLOSED. Thank you for participating! We will contact selected artists on Monday, January 30th, 2023.
• Doors open at 7:30pm. We recommend arriving early to get some food at Los Cilantros!
• Meet the Featured Artists below!

Event presented by La Peña Cultural Center. Questions? Contact La Peña through their website Lapena.org.

PLEASE NOTE: We will require ID & Proof of Vaccination at the door. Booster shots and the use of masks inside are NOT mandatory. See our most updated Covid-19 Policy here.

 

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Faith Adiele is the author of two memoirs: “The Nigerian-Nordic Girl’s Guide to Lady Problems” and “Meeting Faith: The Thai Forest Journals of a Black Buddhist Nun,” which won the PEN Open Book Award. Named one of Marie Claire magazine’s “5 Women to Learn From,” Faith is co-founder of the nation’s first workshop for BIPOC travel writers, as well as BIPOC Writing Party, and African Book Club, which she hosts at the Museum of the African Diaspora. Follow Faith here!

DjeRae is a dynamic and insightful artist who uses their music, composition, lyricism, and creativity to explore themes of love, identity, grief, and healing. As a Black Gender Transcendent person, DjeRae believes it is their responsibility to use their work to create opportunities that support the holistic freedom of Black Queer People. They use their organization the Underground Rainbow Group to help creatives reframe and embrace their creative processes. Follow DjeRae here!

 

We are starting 2023 strong!! Our first BAILA of the year is on February 17th!

1. GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE! Early Bird: $20 | Pre-Sale: $25 | Door: $30
2. VOLUNTEER & COME FOR FREE! Every shift includes free food and beverages.

     

 

The night will include:

• 7:30pm: Doors open with Ritmos Tropicales Dance Party in our Lounge!
• 8:00pm: Gender-inclusive Bachata & Salsa Dance Classes with In Lak’ech Dance Academy in our Theater (no partner or experience necessary!)
• 9:30pm: Dominican Bachata Party with DJ Ron in our Lounge & Dance Party with DJ Jose Ruizin our Theater!
• 10:00pm: LIVE Salsa Concert with Julio Bravo y su Orquesta Salsabor on our mainstage!
• Party goes until 1:00am in our Lounge (Dominican Bachata), Theater (Salsa y más) and Community Room (fundraising bar and hang out)!

 

The vibe of this party will be like a spontaneous dance party that broke out in your kitchen, only if your kitchen had big wood floors, a great live band and sound system, and 200 of your friends, chosen family, and a few intriguing strangers…

Like all events at La Peña, this gathering is inclusive of all cultures, ages, orientations and identities so you can bring your whole self to the dance floor and be properly celebrated.

 

ABOUT JULIO BRAVO & ORQUESTA SALSABOR: Celebrating their 28th anniversary, Julio Bravo’s group of dynamic musicians have created a flavor all their own. Beyond the talent of each individual member, Julio Bravo y su Orquesta Salsabor is a unique blend of vocal styles unlike other salsa bands in San Francisco. Peruvian born singer, composer, and bandleader, Julio Bravo creates an explosion of sound and energy that keeps their diverse audience coming back for more.

 

PLEASE NOTE: We will require ID & Proof of Full Vaccination at the door. Booster shots and the use of masks are encouraged but NOT mandatory. See our most updated Covid-19 Policy here.