Mexico's outstanding trovador
Alfonso Maya
Friday July 13, 2007
$12 - 8pm
AMERICA CANTA: LA GRAN NOCHE DE LA TROVA MEXICANA
La Peña Cultural Center and Acción Latina's Encuentro del Canto Popular
Present Mexican singers - songwriters
Alfonso Maya and MamaCoAtl
Friday, July 13, 2007, 8pm $12
At la Peña 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley 510-849-2568 www.lapena.org
"Bridging the past and present…Alfonso Maya is living proof that music is a universal language. This new singing talent from Mexico City is receiving high praise and respect for his native contemporary music…he has touched the hearts of many who…are drawn to the passion of his performances." Jane Yin, Berkeley Daily Planet
Alfonso Maya is one of the most talented singer-songwriters in México today. A true master of the trova genre of acoustic balladry and social protest song, Alfonso's music combines insightful, poetic lyrics with contagious melodies that have universal appeal. A consummate performer as well as a virtuoso musician, Alfonso casts a spell that leaves his audiences in equal parts enlightened and entertained.
Alfonso's Accomplishments:
* Was flown to participate in the 2006 Central Asian Music Festival, which was held that year in Astana, Kazakhstan. Alfonso won the award for best song arrangement.
* Has shared the stage with some of the most venerated artists in Latin American music, including Hector Infanzón, Mexicanto and Fernando Delgadillo.
* Included on the compilation of best Trova songs of Mexico called
"1, 2, 3 por la trova," produced by Fonarte Latino, and including the best Trova songs from Mexican artists. Alfonso has released three studio recordings: Giros y Giros, Tarot, and En El Mismo Lugar.
MamaCoAtl. San Francisco-based singer and performance artist, MamaCoAtl, is known for her love for transformative sounds, eloquent songs, spoken word, bilingual blues, and as she called “jazzmientos and funk ranchero.” After her outstanding debut at La Peña’s Hecho en Califas Festival in 2006, MamacoAtl presentation received an spontaneous standing ovation.
From seductress to revolutionary to Earth Mother, MamaCoAtl is a performer unafraid to sing and speak about our turbulent times. Comfortable in the art of performance, she curates “happenings” to bring beauty and a sense of sacredness to theaters, public spaces, and the heart.
In the Nahuatl language, MamaCoAtl means Mother Serpent. CoAtl also means being of the water’s reflection, sacred twins: the one you see in the mirror, yourself.
MamaCoAtl is an articulate, concise and inspiring voice. She sings for those humans rendered invisible in dominator culture; for the campesinas, the maquileras, and the silenced majorities. Her art is an invitation to healing our earth, to renewing our human spirit. Her debut album Border Crossing Diosa is a historical document of poetry, prayer and protest.
Accion Latina is a non-profit, San Francisco-based organization founded in 1985 to promote social change and cultural pride in the Latino community. We produce El Tecolote, a bilingual newspaper, El Encuentro del Canto Popular, an annual Latino music festival, and coordinate a journalism project for community youth. Our projects are a training ground for young people educating them on cultural traditions, increasing their social awareness, and inspiring them to serve the community. We are a volunteer-based collective committed to excellence in Latino education, art and culture. Our office is located in the Mission District, San Francisco's historic Latino community. Please visit the event website for a list of performers or read our recent article in El Tecolote. Accion Latina, 2958 24th St. San Francisco, CA 94110. (415) 648-1045. Fax (415) 648-1046. http://accionlatina.org
A local cultural center with a national reputation and a world vision. Since 1975, La Peña Cultural Center has raised the social, political & cultural consciousness of our diverse communities. Constantly seeking and supporting new & old voices, La Peña has become an integral part of the Bay Area's cultural & political life. At La Peña, one can enjoy progressive expressions of art and culture, impassioned poetry, innovative waves of new music, theater, and good Latin American Food. A not-for-profit, community-based performing arts and cultural center in Berkeley La Peña (lapena.org) relies on the support of the community. In this era when public funding for the arts has virtually disappeared, we need your support more than ever. All donations to La Peña are tax-deductible. In this season of giving, please consider sending a donation directly to La Peña at: 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705 USA. Please become a member of La Peña or renew your membership today!
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