7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2015
Sones Marineros, por la esperanza with Laura Rebolloso & Ensamble Marinero
MUSIC
English |Spanish
Tickets: adults $25 advance, $28 door
Youth under 15, students, veterans $12 advance; $15 door
Laura Rebolloso is a sonera and songwriter, who performs the traditional instruments of Son Jarocho, especially "La Leona" and jarana. She also composes verses with topics ranging from nature, motherhood, death, women, Mexican voices, hope and spirituality that help ease the weight of every day life. This Mexican aesthetic mixed with traditional patterns and creativity are presented with Alonso at the piano, Vladimir Coronel on percussion and Hans Barklis in the jarocho requinto and guitar.
7:30 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2015
First Nations Celebration with Ed Edmo, Felix Chuma Pinguil & folkloric dance!
MUSIC, DANCE & STORY TELLING
English | Spanish |
Other
Tickets:
adults $6 advance, $10 door
Youth
under 15, student, veteran $5 advance; $8 door
A
night to celebrate ancestral cultures, oral traditions and dance in our
intimate theatre! Join renowned Native American and Indigenous storytellers Ed
Edmo and Felix Chuma Pinguil and a troupe of Aztec dancers.
ABOUT
THE ARTISTS
Ed Edmo is an acclaimed poet, performer, traditional storyteller and lecturer on Northwest tribal culture, consultant to the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, and recipient of a national Endowment for the Arts grant, Ed Edmo conducts writing workshops, storytelling performances, and informational lectures.
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Obiniza with Freila Merencio and her folkloric group "Oñican"
DANCE
Spanish
Tickets:
adults $10 advance, $15 door
Youth under
15, students, veteran $5 advance; $10 door
OBINIZA celebrates the different expressions of
the orishas—intercessory spirits that connect the mortal world to the highest
powers of the Yoruba religion. Obiniza reflects the female essence, powers and
spirituality of the Yoruba pantheon. Music, drums, Afro-Cuban songs and dances
are the elements that will demonstrate the evolution of women from our
ancestors to the present.
ABOUT FREILA
MERENCIO
Hailing from Havana, Cuba,
Freila began her professional career at the age of five, dancing with her
grandfather, Francisco “Tato” Castañeda, in the group Liberacion 75. She was
raised in a milieu of Afro-Cuban cultural traditions, becoming a practitioner
as well as performer. She gained national recognition in 1990 when she joined
Raices Profunda under the direction of Juan de Dios Ramos. During her tenure
with Raices (1990-2005) Freila ascended to the position of principal soloist
and choreographer, traveling to France, Belgium, Japan, Mexico, and Switzerland
as an invited artist and teacher. She has also performed with Yoruba Andabo, NG
La Banda Ballet Español de la Habana and has numerous other credits as an
actress and choreographer.
1:00 p.m. Sunday,
September 20, 2015
Legends of Mexico (Leyendas de México) with Nuestro Canto
THEATRE AND MUSIC
Spanish | English
Tickets:
adults $12 advance & door
Youth under
15, students, veterans $6 advance & door
“Legends
of Mexico-Leyendas de México Mexico is very well known for its legends, myths
and tales. We have legends since the time of the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs,
Huicholes, as well as legends after the arrival of the Europeans to the
American Continent. We have legends that talk about love, nature and everyday life.
Nuestro Canto has gathered legends from all over Mexico and has composed music
especially for the legends we narrate during our performances.
“Leyendas de México- Legends of
Mexico” is an original bilingual performance with Masks, Movement and Dance,
Songs and Music. During the program, participants will learn about Geography,
History,Traditional
ancestral music and the different languages still spoken in Mexico.
ABOUT
THE GROUP
Nelda Reyes, from Mexico,
is co-founder of Nuestro Canto, She has been a professional actress and
educator from the last ten years and has specialized in physical theatre and in
Latin American and Mexican cultural expressions. She holds a MA degree in
Theatre Arts from Portland State University and also has studied in the Moscow
Art Theatre School at Harvard University, with Luis de Tavira, and with Teatro
Línea de Sombra in Mexico City. In addition to from her acting experience and education,
she has studied language, literature, and classical and folk dance from
different cultures, specifically those of Spain and the Caribbean. She has been
a performer in ongoing projects at the Company of Theatre of the University of Guadalajara,
assisted in the direction of diverse theatrical and opera productions in
Mexico, and while in Portland, she has participated in several productions at
PSU, Theatre! Theater!, Profile
Theatre and Milagro, as a performer, singer and educator.
Gerardo
Calderon,
from Mexico, is Musical Director of Grupo Condor and Nuestro Canto, studied
classical guitar at the Escuela Superior de Música in Mexico City, Theory and Composition
at the Portland Community College and is currently pursuing a degree in Music
Therapy at the prestigious Marylhurst University in Oregon. As a professional
musician, Gerardo has pursued his interest in traditional Mexican music, Latin
American folk music and Pre-Columbian music by performing with folk ensembles
in Mexico, Canada, New England, and the Pacific Northwest. He has also toured
with choir and world music ensembles, and composed music and design sound for
dance, theater and most recently film. Gerardo is on the “Young Audiences of
Oregon and SW Washington” roster since 1993, “Oregon Historical Society”
since 2001, and Oregon's “Multnomah County Library System” since 2001.
7:30 p.m. Sunday,
September 20, 2015
Passionate Guitar with Alfredo Muro
MUSIC
Spanish | English
Tickets:
adults $20 advance, $23 door
Youth under
15, students, veterans $17 advance; $20 door
An
evening of the fiery, sensuous, jazz-flavored playing of internationally
acclaimed classical guitarist
Alfredo Muro.
World
renowned Peruvian classical guitarist Alfredo Muro brings to the city of
Portland, his great musical passion – the rich folkloric traditions and the
signatures styles of Spain, USA, Latin American & Brazil, for an evening of
passionate and vibrant music to stir the heart! Music by Piazzolla, Mancini,
Moreno-Torroba, Celedonio Romero, Jobim, Powell, Barrense -Dias, Tapajos,
Pixinguinha and the opportunity to hear Alfredo Muro’s own compositions!
ABOUT
THE ARTIST
Alfredo Muro shares the joy of his musical talent while performing,
composing and teaching throughout International Guitar Festivals, concerts,
lectures or coaching/teaching at his Guitar Studio. These three passions
provide the basis for the phenomenal success of this musician and his ongoing
and constant evolution. Alfredo Muro’s concerts unfold for audiences as a
personal and unique experience of emotional
awakening, bringing much more than just strong technical talent to the stage.
He brings an intense love for the music he chooses and performs with such great
sensitivity and emotion. He has the rare ability to become the music, losing
himself in it and enabling the audience to transcend their own experience and
share his. While this is evident on his many recordings, it is in live
performance where this manifests
most strongly.
Alfredo
Muro had the honor of representing Peru and the USA in three continents and in
several International Guitar Festivals in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Brazil,
Dominican Republic as well as Canada, Italy, Germany, Austria, Norway, Mexico
and Taiwan. While on tour in Europe,
Alfredo Muro played with his group Oro Del Peru for the late Pope John Paul the
Second at a “Special Audience” at the
Vatican.
Alfredo
Muro has presented concerts in many venues throughout the United States as a
soloist and playing with chamber orchestras. He had the privilege to be the
featured artist at the Kennedy Center for the Millennium Concert Series in
Washington D.C, at Benaroya Hall in Seattle and at The Smithsonian Museum.
In
March of 2005, Alfredo Muro was selected for the Jack Rosenberg Memorial,
Musician of the Month Award, by the Jazz Society of Oregon in their Jazzscene
magazine. The Centinela Newspaper in Portland, Oregon, featured Mr. Muro as the
“Hispanic of the Month”. The Hispanic Yellow Pages Directory introduced him as
the “Pride of the Hispanic Community”.
6:30 p.m. Monday,
September 21, 2015
One Night in Frog Town (Una noche en Villa Ranas) with FROGTOWN
MUSIC AND THEATRE
Spanish | English
Tickets:
adults $12 advance, $15 door
Youth
under 15, students, veterans $8 advance; $10 door
Family of
4 advance $35
Bilingual
World Premiere!
FROGTOWN celebrates “Diversity through
Music!” in this award-winning all-ages show. Part theatre, part dance party
concert, FROGTOWN follows a saxophone-playing tadpole on a musical journey
through blues, funk, soul and pop by Emmy-Winning Writer/Composer Philip
Pelletier. Featured on THE GRAMMYS, FROGTOWN has won two National Gold Awards and
received rave national reviews.
ABOUT THE CAST
Pepe Raphael – Narrator /
Vocals
Pepe
successfully blends dance, opera and musical theatre to deliver a fresh and
innovative performance. Born in Madrid, Spain, Pepe began his career with the
National Ballet of Spain. He then worked with Ballet Liceo of Barcelona and
upon moving to the US, danced with Ballet Hispanico of New York, Princeton
Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and, most recently, Oregon Ballet Theatre. Pepe has
performed leading roles in Evita with Music Theatre of Oregon and in West Side
Story with the Musical Theatre Company and with The Portland Opera. Pepe has
also appeared in several major motion pictures, television movies, and has been
a featured stand-up comedian. Pepe has sung in Madrid, Paris, and Las Vegas,
including appearances with Pink Martini at the Cannes Film Festival and with
the Oregon Symphony. http://www.bottleblondes.com/band.htm
Andy
Stokes - Lead Vocals
Andy’s
soulful talent and exciting stage presence are legendary. He has performed with
Esperanza Spalding, Tower of Power, Chicago, Michael Bolton, George Clinton,
Temptations, Stylistics, Curtis Salgado, Linda Hornbuckle, and many
others. A recent inductee into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, Andy Stokes
has recorded with A&M Records, Warner Brothers Records, toured Japan, and
enjoyed a solo career. His recording of the song "Test of Time" made
the Top 10 on the Billboard charts. Additionally, he was voice for one of the
famous California Raisin characters, developed at Will Vinton
Studios. Andy continues to perform his unique soulful music throughout the
US and beyond. http://www.andystokesmusic.com
Heather
Christie - Vocals
Heather Christie was born singing to a family of musicians in
the Pacific Northwest. As a baby she attended her dad's
rock shows under her mother's poncho. Early on she began playing in
bluegrass jams, country & western tunes, gospel sing-alongs & radio
theater. After a major stint of spinning seventies vinyl in her early teens,
she borrowed her mom's 1940's Martin guitar & started writing music. With
nuances of Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones & Joni Mitchell, Heather has
written and produced three albums of her own. A Lilith Fair Finalist, Heather
has shared the stage and recorded with A-List talents like Curtis Salgado, Linda
Hornbuckle, Fred Eaglesmith, Tracy Grammer & Andy Stokes.
https://heatherchristiemusic.bandcamp.com/album/love-road-studio-album
Andy
Warr - Saxophonist
Andy
plays and records for major network and cable television programs, feature
films, and blockbuster video games. His
sax playing has appeared on many of Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions
and OWN programs, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Rosie, Nate Berkus, and The
Dr. Oz Show. Andy has recorded & performed with a long list of world-class
musicians, and currently tours the country with FROGTOWN.
http://andywarr.com
Philip
Pelletier - Vocals / Writer / Composer
FROGTOWN
is the latest creation from Emmy Award-winning Writer/Director/Producer Philip
Pelletier. He is the founder of One World Musical Books, an Oregon company
dedicated to creating Socially Conscious Entertainment for all ages. Philip has
written, composed and directed projects for
film & TV studios like Disney, Pixar, and Amblin' Entertainment. Pelletier
enjoys collaborating with all kinds of talented folks, from the LA Philharmonic
Orchestra to the Willie Nelson Band. His productions have been Official
Selections in over 75 festivals world-wide, broadcast on Bravo, IFC, FX &
MTV, and
www.frogtowncentral.com
1:00 p.m. and 6:30 pm Tuesday,
September 22, 2015
When Animals Were People with Tears of Joy
THEATRE
English | Spanish
Tickets: Advance
$20; Adult at door $25
Youth under 15, students, veterans $15 advance; $20 door
Family of 4 advance $60
Folktales
from Mexico and Argentina are brought to life in this dynamic bilingual play.
When
Animals Were People is a story from the Huichol Indians of Mexico. As
the play begins, Grandfather Vulture, Turtle and Squirrel are making a
delicious stew when a stranger asks to join them. The stranger is Wolf
who would prefer Turtle and Squirrel for dinner rather than the stew they are
making! This
story is paired with The Lazy Bee, by I-Iqracio Quiroga from
Argentina. Haragana, the lazy young bee, cannot be bothered with doing
her share of work. When the elder bees refuse to let her into the hive
she spends the night with a hungry snake and learns her lesson.
ABOUT THE GROUP
Tears of Joy is recognized nationally for its commitment to excellence and
innovation. Four of our productions have received American puppetry's highest
honor, the Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry. Tears of Joy performs
in theaters, community centers, festivals and schools throughout the U.S. and
abroad. Each year we perform for over 250,000 people.
The
Mission of Tears of Joy Theatre is to produce, develop, and present puppet
theatre that celebrates the diversity of world cultures; and to teach children
and enrich their lives by helping them experience, create, and perform art with
professional artists.
Besides
our extensive touring program, Tears of Joy Theatre is a resident company at
the Portland Center for the Performing Arts where we present six productions
each year, for a total of over 100 performances.
10:00 a.m. Wednesday,
September 23, 2015
Taiko Journey with Unit Souzou
MUSIC AND THEATRE
English | some Japanese
Tickets: Adult
Advance $6; Adult at door $8
Youth under 15,
students, veterans $4; $6 door
UNIT
SOUZOU will take you through a rhythmic journey weaving a narrative about
cultural awareness and honoring lineage, while recognizing Taiko as an
innovative expression for an evolving art form.
Through
powerful drumming, personal stories, and engaging audience participatory
exercises, this program will share the unique history and context of Taiko in
Japan and the United States.
ABOUT UNIT SOUZOU
Portland’s
newest professional Taiko company, UNIT SOUZOU (pronounced “sohzoh”) is
at the forefront of a growing artistic movement within the world-wide taiko
community. With over 20 years of professional experience, Michelle Fujii
and Toru Watanabe, co-directors of UNIT SOUZOU are relentless innovators known
for their fusion of taiko and Japanese folk dance. 'Souzou' can be
written in three ways meaning 'creation' (創造) 'imagination' (想像) or 'noisy' (騒々) alluding to a
force by which new ideas are born and take shape in the world. Inspired
by these words UNIT SOUZOU focuses on building creative and imaginative works
for the art form of Taiko. In addition to creating groundbreaking
theatrical works, UNIT SOUZOU is deeply committed to share Taiko through
teaching in schools, collaborating with the local community, and offering public
classes.
6:30 pm. •
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015
Sueños de Fútbol with Milagro
Written and directed by
Ajai Terrazas-Tripathi
THEATRE
English |Spanish
Tickets: Adult
Advance $8; Adult at door $12
Youth under 15,
students, veterans $6; $10 door
Family of 4 $20
In
this brisk bilingual escapade filled with endearing characters and Mayan
legends, Candelaria (“Candi”) dreams of trying out for the Fútbol team. She wants to play soccer, but lacks
confidence, so she plays videogames instead.
Suddenly, a giant runaway Hamburguesa
pops out of the TV and into her living room! Following the Hamburguesa through the flat-screen and into her videogame, Candi embarks
on a great adventure in La Tierra de los
Sueños.
ABOUT MILAGRO
For more than 30 years, Milagro has been
dedicated to bringing the vibrancy of Latino theatre to the Northwest
community. In addition to its national tours, Milagro provides a home for
Spanish and Latin American arts and culture at El Centro Milagro, where it
enriches the local community with a variety of community outreach projects and
educational programs designed to share the diversity of Latino culture.
ABOUT THE CAST
Giovanni
"Geo" Alva
is a Chicano actor from San Diego, California. He is a recent graduate
from Humboldt State with a BA in Theatre Arts. In addition to his
academic training, he also honed his acting skills as an ensemble member of
This Is (Improv) and Underground Improv, specializing in Long Form Improv.
As an actor of traditional theatre, he has performed at Chronos and Teatro
Mascara Magica in California in such plays as La Pastorela de Creencia
and Johnny Tenorio respectively. This will be Geo’s first season
touring with Teatro Milagro and he will also be leading educational workshops
for Hacienda CDC’s Expreciones Program.
Monica
Domena is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Central
Washington University. Of Puerto Rican decent, she is delighted to share
her Spanish speaking skills with Teatro Milagro. In addition to acting,
Monica is also a dance and fight choreographer, specializing in unarmed,
broadsword, and rapier and dagger. Some favorite credits include
playing Ariel in The Tempest with Central Theatre Ensemble and
originating the lead role in Ramon Esquivel’s Luna. Last season Monica
debuted at Milagro in the title role of SUPER ANA! and as an ensemble
member in Searching for Aztlán.
Shenekah Telles is an actor and costume designer from Las
Cruces, New Mexico. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from
the University of Portland. In addition to her acting experience, she brings to
Milagro her skills as a costume and hair designer. At the University of
Portland she appeared in the title role of Cymbeline and as Divata in Speech
& Debate. In California she performed in The Children’s Hour
and Urinetown with Mayfield Theatre Productions. This is
Shenekah’s first season of touring with Milagro and she will also be the
resident costume designer for the 2015-16 touring season.
Ajai Terrazas Tripathi, Tour Manager, Playwright and
Teaching Artist, is originally from Corvallis, Oregon, where he graduated from
Oregon State University with a BA in Theatre.
Ajai has directed many community and university productions, and
produced, wrote, and directed Stories of Discrimination, two original plays
based on real life stories. In his sixth
year in the Milagro touring company as a performer and teaching artist he leads
and manages all of Milagro’s regional and national touring productions. As Milagro’s leading teaching artist he has
led social justice theatre and bilingual arts education workshops throughout
the country. He is one of Milagro’s resident playwrights, having written and
directed the regional touring show Sueños de Futbol. He does community outreach, and facilitates
health education workshops for Opciones y Educación, the Latino Sexual Health
Coalition. Ajai is also the assistant
grant writer, and the development and production assistant for Milagro touring
and educational programs
6:30 pm. •
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015
Okropong from The Obo Addy Legacy
MUSIC AND DANCE
English | Ga
Tickets: Adult
Advance $8; Adult at door $10
Youth under 15,
students, veterans $5; $8 door
Okropong provides
audiences with a performance that explodes with the sounds of authentic African
rhythm and song.
Okropong meaning “eagle” in Obo Addy’s native Ga language,
performs traditional Ghanaian dance and music chosen from the various ethnic
cultures in Ghana, including Ga, Ewe, Ashanti, Dagomba and Dagarti. Using a
variety of hand and stick drums, talking drums, bells and shakers, the
musicians build layers of driving rhythms while the dancers, clad in colorful
West African garments, participate in an energetic physical “conversation” with the
drummers. At the end of each concert, both musicians and dancers engage the audience
in a spirited call and response, celebrating that shared experience with them
through song and dance.
ABOUT OBO ADDY LEGACY PROJECT
Established in 1986, Homowo African Arts and Cultures
celebrated its 26th anniversary with a new name and a more focused direction
for the organization. Hereafter known as The Obo Addy Legacy Project, the
non-profit will carries forth the work begun by Homowo African Arts & Cultures
while focusing on creating, performing and teaching African Arts following the
vision of Obo Addy. Obo passed away on September 13, 2012 leaving this rich
legacy for the Obo Addy Legacy Project to continue.
Addy was renowned as a leader, a teacher, an entertainer and
an artist of numerous genres. Under his leadership and vision, the Obo Addy
Legacy Project concentrated its efforts on producing major artistic
performances, teaching in both K-12 schools and at the college level, and
writing compositions.
“Through his music and teaching, Obo affected hundreds of
thousands of lives in the Pacific Northwest and beyond,” said Susan Addy,
executive director of The Obo Addy Legacy Project. “His legacy is being written
through his commitment to share his talent with young people around the
country.” obo-solo
Founded by Obo and Susan Addy in 1986, Homowo African Arts
& Cultures originally existed as a virtual cultural center with offerings
in schools, parks, community centers and performance venues all over the country.
The Obo Addy Legacy Project continues Homowo’s valuable work of adding to the
quality of life, the diversity and the creativity of the Northwest.
“The organization’s name has changed, but the vision of
Homowo remains the same,” stated Susan Addy. “We will bring meaningful programs
to communities encouraging cultural connections, providing a different view of
the world and growing as a music and dance professional company as we reach
world class status.”
7:30 pm. • Friday, Sept. 25, 2015
Ora Nui Tahitian Dance with Ora Nui Tahitian Dance troupe
DANCE
English| Tahitian
Tickets: Adult
Advance $7; Adult at door $10
Youth under 15,
students, veterans $5; $8 door
Ori Tahiti, with its rhythmic drum beats and fast hip/foot
movements, is one of the most physically challenging cultural dance styles of
the Pacific.
Ori Tahiti, with its rhythmic drum beats and fast hip/foot
movements, is one of the most physically challenging cultural dance styles of
the Pacific. Dedicated dancers gain strength and endurance right along with
grace, poise and agility. Ora Nui’s dancers also develop confidence, commitment
and team work through weekly practices and public performances. Contact Ora Nui
if you are interested in bringing a little piece of paradise to your live!
ABOUT ORI TAHITI
Ora Nui is owned and operated by Polynesian sister duo Roxie “Tevai” Gabriel
and Charlie Okada. These sisters have made it their mission to share authentic
Ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance), music, language and culture with the Vancouver and
Portland communities. Since its opening in November of 2011 the school has
grown leaps and bounds and now includes dance classes for girls ages 4 - adults
and guys ages 6 - adults.
Roxie and Charlie also make it a point to spread the
Hawaiian idea of Aloha with all they come into contact with. Respect, Integrity
and ALOHA are values that have been instilled into them through their family
and values they integrate into their studio and students. It is because of
these ingredients that Ora Nui has become a home away from home for many of the
dancers, an island paradise in the middle of Vancouver.
Come on by and experience some of the magic of the South
Pacific. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday night and Saturday
afternoons. First introductory class is FREE! Contact us for more
information.
More Info: www.oranuidance.com
6:30 pm. • Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015
Bharatanatyam with Anjali School of Dance
DANCE
English | various languages from India
Tickets: Adult
Advance $10; Adult at door $12
Youth under 15,
students, veterans $5; $7 door
Join the students from the Anjali School Of Dance in a night of
performing a lecture demonstration with an interactive session with audience
members. This will be followed by solo and group dances by the performers.
ABOUT THE GROUP
The Anjali School of
Dance was founded in 1996 to provide training in the ancient Indian art form of
Bharatanatyam to students in the greater Portland area. There are over fifty
students currently at the studio in Hillsboro. Students are directed through
the rigorous process of learning the basic steps and gestures to choreographing
major pieces. They also receive instruction in the various elements of stage
performance and production. Students have presented over 800 performances at
various community events. There is ongoing enrollment at all levels
