by the El Reportero staff
Enjoy lots of merengue and salsa at Club Roccapulco in the heart of the Mission District. The great Elvis Crespo, directly from Puerto Rico, coming as a special attraction to bring joy to all the Bay Area people. Party starts at 9 p.m. July 11, at 3140 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110.
Viva Cuba, an American musical
Viva Cuba is a journey into avant-garde musical theatre and a stylish documentary on post-revolutionary Cuba. Based on fact, Viva Cuba is a provocative blend of culture and expression presented in dance (jazz, salsa, hip-hop, modern, ballet) to an original musical score of ten songs. Its theme song, Viva Cuba is the hallmark refrain of the enduring spirit of the Cuban people.
I’ll Swim if I Have To and American Tourists are songs which echo the frustration with Cuba’s economic isolation and desperate need for a better quality of life. Viva Cuba is a captivating story told with hot Latin rhythms, and an exuberant song and dance ensemble. It is diffi cult to sit still while watching it!
Written, choreographed, and directed by David A. Jones. Friday July 11, 2008 – 8pm; Saturday July 12, 2008 – 8 p.m.
Elsa & Fred from Spain
ELSA & FRED are two people, and at the end of the road discover that it’s never too late to love or to dream. Elsa (China Zorrilla) is 82-years-old and for the past 60 years she’s dreamt of a moment that Fellini had already envisaged: the scene from La Dolce Vita at the Fontana di Trevi. Only she would be Anita Ekberg and she’d share the scene with the love of her life. Disturbed and confused after losing his wife, the slightly younger Alfredo (Manuel Alexandre) moves into a smaller apartment where he meets Elsa.
From that moment on, everything changes. Elsa bursts into his life like a whirlwind, determined to teach him that the time he has left to live—be it more or less—is precious that he should enjoy it as he pleases.
Fred surrenders to Elsa’s frenzy, to her youth, to her boldness, to her beautiful madness. And this is how he learns how to live. Opening Friday, July 18, 2008 at Landmark Theatre venue tbd in San Francisco, Camera Cinemas in San Jose and other venues/cities tbd.
This film is directed and co-written by Argentinean filmmaker Marcos Carnevale. In Spanish, fully subtitled in English. Friday, July 18, 2008 at Landmark Theatres.
Bay Area Now 5 Opening Night Party
Join us for the party of the year as we celebrate the opening of Bay Area Now 5 with bands, djs, interactive projects with BAN 5 artists, performances by the Bay Area’s best talent and of course Campari cocktails. Expect performances and sets by Softhug (Official Tourist), T.I.T.S., Eugene International and a band so secret we can’t even tell you!
From 8–9 pm in the YBCA Forum renowned cellist Joan Jeanrenaud takes an imaginative, new direction, teaming with Italian designer/artisan Alessandro Moruzzi, to create an interactive musical installation titled ARIA.
YBCA Grand Lobby, Galleries, Screening Room, Forum & Sculpture Court, 701 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103 Saturday, July 19 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Doors open at 8 pm and the party lasts till Midnight.
For info call 415-978-2787 or www.ybca.org. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. FREE for YBCA Members.