An important message from La Peña
Frijoles, Música, Arroz & Social Commentary
Saturday December 27, 2008
by Pablo Rodríguez
November 2008
Frijoles, Música, Arroz & Social Commentary
A message from Board Member member Pablo Rodríguez
Dear Friend of La Peña,
"¡Si Se Puede!” “Yes We Can!” are no longer hopeful words of something to happen in some far off future. Tuesday, November 4th, 2008! What an outstanding historical moment it was! Hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds gathered at La Peña that pivotal and memorable night to witness the end of the Bush Regime and usher in a new era of possibility.
Let’s keep building on the momentum that elected President Barack Hussein Obama. Let’s keep working together to deliver on his promise of a new direction. The task will not be easy and will bring many challenges. La Peña likewise is facing tough challenges as we go through the turbulent political and economic times. It is in times like these that we turn to our friends, families and community for help. Your donation -- no matter what amount -- really counts! We need to raise $91,000!
I want to take this opportunity to share my personal story with you and how a community gathering place such as La Peña made a difference in my life.
My own family lived through difficult times that uprooted us and forced us to look for a better life here. As a result, I was raised in an agricultural community called Hilmar in the San Joaquin Valley.
When I entered 4th grade, I remember asking my father to let me play the saxophone. My father said, “ … I’m sorry m’ijo … we’re still paying for Elsa’s clarinet; we can’t afford for you to learn to play this year.” Elsa is my older sister. I fought back tears not wanting to make my father feel worse. Unfortunately, the school could offer no alternatives to us. Cuts in funding forced school districts to eliminate art and music programs. I never learned to play an instrument.
Determined to create, my hands picked up paintbrushes and graphite pencils that the school provided, and my pens began to fill journals of poetry. Years would pass, and the need to be surrounded by artists and organizers saw me drive from where I lived in Modesto to La Peña on a regular basis starting in 2000. Like countless artists and organizers, La Peña felt like home the instant I stepped through its doors.
As a result, from 2001-2003, I had the great fortune to participate in a La Peña project to develop partnerships with Fruitvale-based community organizations, emerging Latino spoken word artists (like me) and acclaimed Costa Rican Director, Elia Arce. Together we produced the two docu-theater performances, “We Carry A Home With Us” and “The Fruitvale Project”. We fused spoken word, dance, theatrical monologues, live music, recorded interviews, and more to convey the struggles and dreams of the Fruitvale immigrant community as it moved through a large economic and social transition.
From that experience, I have learned how to design successful projects that develop the powerful intersection between art and community organizing, and do so both in my professional life as Director of the Dolores Huerta Community Organizing Institute (a project of the Dolores Huerta Foundation) and in my artistic life.
Now, it is my honor to serve on La Peña’s Board of Directors and work towards achieving its mission of promoting peace, social justice and cultural understanding through the arts, education and social action.
We are living in urgent times. Today, more than ever, it is important to support artists and arts organizations that provide a space for progressive people to gather, a place where it is clear that Hope unites us, and Dignity is our moral compass. La Peña is such a place. Frijoles, música, arroz and social commentary are the basics and food for our souls, all of which can be found at La Peña de Berkeley.
In order to continue our work – we need the financial support of people like you. Please consider joining me in making a generous donation to keep this vital center going. Let’s keep on working for peace and social justice!
Paz, Luz y Poesia,
Pablo Rodríguez
Product and Board Member of La Peña Cultural Center
P.S.: Join us to bring in the New Year with with Orquesta La Moderna
Tradicion!
Such a vibrant and crucial cultural center deserves our support. Please elp us rise above the economic and political crisis and raise $91,000!
Send your donation to:
La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, Ca. 94705
or donate securely here
