Arts and Culture

Then and Now: SF Bay Area Stars in Cuba/U.S. Diplomacy

Published

8 years ago

April 4, 2016

“Culture cures,” declares SF Bay Area music producer and immigration attorney Bill Martinez.

He’s been saying this for years, and Obama’s March 20-22 historic trip to Cuba proves him right.

SF Bay Area producer and attorney Bill “Culture Cures” Martinez receiving a kiss from famous Buena Vista Social Club singer Omara Portuondo when she was he last year at Zellerbach Hall.”

Musicians all around the world are ecstatic with this new development in U.S. relations with Cuba.

When Ivan Melon Lewis, Jimmy Branly and Carlitos del Puerto played in the Bay Area, they were overjoyed to see each other for the first time in 17 years since attending conservatory in Havana.

They played one show and flew out, not knowing when they would meet again.

This story has been repeated over and over since the late 1990s, as restrictions have made it virtually impossible for travel between the U.S. and Cuba.

Shabi Samoohi, from New York, who is working with Bay Area producers Partricia Morgovsky and Sue Taylor, says: “In 2009, we produced the first big Cuban timba (salsa) concert in San Francisco after eight years of a freeze on artist travel under Bush.

That was a big moment, and this a huge moment.

The Obama trip last week is more than I ever dreamed. Thank you Obama! I hope this continues!”

How many Bay Area musicians, producers, arts groups, and individuals have spent hours of effort to bridge the divide after the U.S. embargo was implemented in the early 60s, after the Castro took control of Cuba in 1959. The embargo was made harsher in 1992 with the Cuba Democracy Act and again in 1996, with the Helms-Burton Act, which still remains in force.

And how many of us know Cuba only from the vastly successful Buena Vista Social Club music group, now making their “goodbye” tour in the U.S. Omara Portuondo, a longtime Cuban singer, was here last year and many understood she might not come again.

SF JAZZ Executive Artistic Director and Founder, Randall Kline, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (YBGF) Executive Director Linda Lucero, and San Jose Jazz Festival Executive Director Arturo Riera have partnered for years presenting Cuban groups as often as possible. But now those efforts have become simpler, less risky, and the musicians will now be paid – not just provided room and board.

In August, these presenters will host Cuban musicians, among them Ivan Melon Lewis.

And in the last two years, after vowing when elected to close Guantanamo Bay prison, Obama has used executive orders to re-establish diplomatic relations, removing barriers by enabling banking activities, simplifying travel both ways, and generally ending the “cold war” freeze on relations.

This kick starts a new era for both countries. On March 20, he became the first U.S. President in 83 years to visit the island nation.

Our own Congresswoman Barbara Lee also has facilitated many steps in breaking down these barriers and has been a relentless advocate for good neighbor policies, traveling to Cuba for over 30 years and establishing friendships there.

The SF Bay Area is fortunate to have arts groups, elected representatives, and individuals working toward a common goal, but we also have a long-established, prestigious Cuban community as well.

Many are still reluctant to speak out regarding political matters in either country but in private settings are expressing the full range of opinions and emotions, realizing that only good can come from this new, positive direction.

Musicians, artists, teachers, large and small ensembles, and a growing and enthusiastic fan base – all are truly hopeful and optimistic for increased opportunity in both countries, while praying that U.S. elections put officials in place who will continue the work of President Obama.

See the Post website for more information on all things Cuban: presenters, programs, and classes around the Bay.

Cuban shows, classes and more, in addition to those in noted in the story:

The Beat, Berkeley, CA: www.theberkeleyperforming arts.org
Dance Mission, San Francisco, CA:
www.dancemission.org
www.cubacaribe.org
www.alayodance.biovo.com.mx

The Malonga (Casquelourd) Center, Oakland, CA: www.mccatheater.com

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Arts and Culture

Richmond Preps for Full Weekend of Cinco de Mayo Festivities

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival. The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.

Published

10 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Scene from the 2023 Cinco de Mayo parade from Richmond to San Pablo. Photo courtesy The Richmond Standard.

By Mike Kinney

The Richmond Standard

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival.

The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.

The parade’s Grand Marshall this year will be community organizer Diego Garcia, owner of Leftside Printing.

The festivities continue Sunday with the Cinco de Mayo Festival along 23rd Street, which last year drew over 100,000 people, according to the 23rd Street Merchants Association. This year’s festival will again run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between the intersections of Rheem Avenue and Clinton Avenue. It will feature two entertainment stages, one sponsored by La Raza 93.3 FM at 23rd and Rheem, and another sponsored by Radio Lazer FM at 23rd and Clinton.

Both events are important for the city and the region’s Latino community.

San Pablo Mayor Genoveva Calloway, who co-chairs the parade alongside John Marquez, president of the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees, says Saturday’s festivities are about bringing the Richmond and San Pablo communities together in unity.

“This truly connects the spectators and people in the parade as one,” Calloway said. “The parade showcases the real communities of Richmond and San Pablo – our nonprofits, schools, horse riders, classic cars and trucks, our local businesses. All of these people represent the heartbeat of our community.”

Rigo Mendoza, vice president of the 23rd Street Merchants Association, said that at its heart, Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festival celebrates the date the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

But John Marquez started up the popular festival to bring the community together and also to exhibit the community’s businesses and culture to visitors, Mendoza said. The gathering was also a way to promote peace in the community.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Art

Mario Van Peebles’ ‘Outlaw Posse’ Screened at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre

Published

11 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Film director Mario Van Peebles, who also stars in “Outlaw Posse,” appeared at a press conference held at RBA Creative on MacArthur Boulevard hosted by the Oakland International Film Festival. Photo By Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland International Film Festival hosted a screening of “Outlaw Posse” at the Grand Lake Theatre on Monday. Special guests included director/actor Mario Van Peebles and his co-star, Oakland native Scytorya Rhodes. The film is Peebles’ second western, the first being ‘Posse,’ 13 years ago. Filmmaker Van Peebles shared his passion for independent artistry and producing projects with his son, Mandela, who also starred in the film, along with Whoopi Goldberg and Cedric the Entertainer. Next week, The Post will publish an in-depth interview featuring Peebles’ reflections on his work, future projects, and continuing his father’s legacy and Rhodes on her grandfather, a real-life cowboy.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Arts and Culture

Kedrick Armstrong: New Music Director for the Oakland Symphony

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director. In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Kedrick Armstrong is the new music director for the Oakland Symphony. Photo credit Scott Chernis.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director.
In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Armstrong is the successor to previous music director and Conductor Michael Morgan, who passed away in 2021 after a 30-year tenure at the Symphony.

Armstrong will open the Oakland Symphony 2024-2025 season on October 18.

Armstrong, who is 29 and hails from Georgetown, South Carolina, is currently the creative partner and principal conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony.

The Chicago Tribune has praised Armstrong for his ability to “simply let the score speak for itself.” He enjoys a wide range of repertoire, spanning early music to premiering new works, using his joy and curiosity for all music to cultivate understanding and collaboration within diverse communities.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new music director of the Oakland Symphony,” Armstrong said. “As a Black conductor, I find it humbling to stand on the shoulders of both Michael Morgan and Calvin Simmons,” the most recent and the first African American music directors of the Symphony, respectively.

Armstrong led three programs at the Symphony between 2022 and early 2024, which showcased his broad knowledge of the classical repertoire and enthusiasm for spotlighting diverse voices.
On his Oakland Symphony subscription debut on Feb. 16, Armstrong led the world premiere of “Here I Stand: Paul Robeson,” an oratorio by Carlos Simon on a libretto by Dan Harder, commissioned by the Oakland Symphony.

Armstrong was selected unanimously by the Oakland Symphony’s board of directors and musicians after an extensive two-year search. “The search committee was overwhelmed by Kedrick’s scholarship and curiosity about all kinds of music, from classical and jazz to gospel and hip-hop,” said. Dr. Mieko Hatano, executive director of the Oakland Symphony. “We are thrilled to have him join us at the Oakland Symphony.”