Mixing flamenco with an exuberant array of Caribbean styles via deliriously joyful rhythms, LoCura sprang directly out of San Francisco’s fertile music scene. Embodying the best of globalization, where people, ideas and cultures collide and recombine, the band reflects lead vocalist Kata Miletich’s experience growing up in Italy, the US, and Spain, where the expression “ida y vuelta” describes flamenco styles that returned to Andalusia after mixing with music from Latin America’s African and indigenous populations. In much the same way, LoCura completes a round trip with its embracing Califas flamenkito mélange of reggae, ska, cumbia and Cuban son.
El Teatro Campesino + La Familia Peña-Govea
03/28/16 UPDATE: This program takes place at Cesar Chavez Elementary School at 2pm. Please see the event details.
At Yerba Buena Gardens, Patrick Ball performs in Legends of the Celtic Harp at 1–2:30pm. Program details here.
Luis Valdez’s storied El Teatro Campesino presents Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven, a majestic pageant based on the sacred creation book of the Maya. Featuring large-scale puppetry, colorful costumes, stylized dance movement, and dynamic live music, it’s a dazzling theatrical experience narrated in three languages: Spanish, English, and Quiché. Continuing the company’s revolutionary mission of creating theater within the community, the production is designed for viewers of all ages performed by a diverse, multi-generational cast comprised largely of people from the historic Mission San Juan Bautista, where El Teatro Campesino is based.
From the Escovedo Brothers to Pointer Sisters the Bay Area boasts a fabulous tradition of family bands, and when it comes to Mexican-American music La Familia Peña-Govea proudly upholds the tradition. Featuring Miguel Govea on bass, Susan Peña on guitar, and their daughters, button accordionist Rene and Cecilia on guiro and trumpet, the band continues a legacy of family music making that encompasses the Chicano/Mexican/American traditions of love songs, rancheras, cumbias y mas. With percussionist Sergio Duran rounding out the ensemble, La Familia Peña-Govea turns every gig into a fiesta.
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición + Special Guest the Compañia All Stars
As the only ensemble on the West Coast devoted to danzón, the insuperably elegant and foundational 19th century Afro-Cuban style, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición is a charanga orchestra with strings, woodwinds and percussion that delivers driving and gracefully interlocking Afro-Cuban rhythms. Stocked with some of the finest musicians on the scene, La Moderna Tradición is directed by violinist Tregar Otton and percussion maestro Michael Spiro. While rooted in the dance music that coalesced in the final years of Spain’s dominion over Cuba, the band is also fluent in the sweeping boleros, surging salsa, and fierce timba grooves of recent decades.
Direct from Santiago, Cuba, the Compañia All Stars has struck the perfect balance of honoring tradition while experimenting within the rich genre of Cuban social dance. The ensemble has toured Europe, Mexico, and the U.S., and is now making its first West Coast appearance, hosted by Rueda Con Ritmo.
Pedrito Martinez Group featuring Issac Delgado
Cuban conguero Pedrito Martinez created a sensation in 2008 with his New York quartet, a joyously virtuosic ensemble rooted in the Afro-Cuban rumba tradition and the sacred batá rhythms and Yoruba chants of santería. Featuring Cuban pianist/trumpeter Edgar Pantoja-Aleman, Venezuelan electric bassist Alvaro Benavides, and Peruvian-born, New York-raised percussionist Jhair Sala, today’s concert celebrates the pre-release of Pedrito Martinez Group’s Havana Dreams CD (Motema Music) and features special guest Issac Delgado. Exclusive advance copies of the album will be available at the show! A short electrifying set by DJ José Ruiz (KPFA/KPOO) opens the program.
Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra
Eddie Palmieri, long hailed as The Sun of Latin Music, is shining as brightly as ever at 78. Since his early days leading the legendary, trombone-powered Conjunto La Perfecta, the percussive pianist and composer has been a force for innovation. Treating his Salsa Orchestra as a roiling rhythmic laboratory, Palmieri showcases some of the greatest improvisers in jazz and Latin music, delivering a brassy wallop sure to delight the most demanding dancers and listeners alike.