by Magdy Zara
Kick off the year enjoying Latin music with a concert by the renowned Grammy Award-winning Latin Big Band Pacific Mambo Orchestra (PMO), whose repertoire is full of contagious energy and superb musicianship.
The Orchestra has received international praise at prestigious festivals including the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), the Tempo Latino Festival (France), the Antagonish Jazz Festival (Canada), the 5th Annual Tribute to Salsa in Mexico City, as well as numerous appearances at other top-level festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, the San Francisco International Jazz Festival, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the Aspen Jazz Festival and many more.
Latin Big Band Pacific Mambo Orchestra, performs on January 3rd and 4th, 2015, starting at 7pm, at Yoshis restaurant located at 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland.
Tickets range from $33-$65.
Last performance of La Virgen del Tepeyac
La Virgen del Tepeyac, is a dramatization of the four apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill outside Mexico City in 1531.
This staging is a tradition that has been on stage for more than 50 years.
The play culminates with the miracle of the roses that sealed the conversion of pre-Columbian Mexico to Christianity. The appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe is a beacon, a ray of light and hope for the indigenous people of the Americas, through centuries of darkness and injustice.
This Christmas performance was adapted from a four-character liturgical drama written by an anonymous Spanish monk in the 18th century.
Artist Luis Valdez reworked the original story to include new characters and scenes, and also introduced music and dance.
Importantly, the piece includes Aztec songs and dances, adding complex layers to this show that encompasses both Catholic and indigenous rituals.
This is recognized as El Teatro Campesino’s longest-running work, and is appreciated by spectators who come from all over the world to see it performed every two years since 1971 in concert with “La Pastorela.”
Performances began on December 19 and conclude on January 11, 2025 at 5 p.m., at the Teatro Campesino located at 705 4th Street, San Juan Bautista.
For tickets visit: www.elteatrocampesino.com
2025 Social and Economic Justice Music Festival
Everything is set for the People’s Congress and the Social and Economic Justice Music Festival that will bring together a wide range of activists, and artists in a call to fight against social and economic injustices.
The Social and Economic Justice Music Festival will feature all genres and styles of music, as well as other art forms besides music. On Saturday there will be three workshop sessions on various topics and on Sunday there will be three sessions of song sharing and shared performances. Both days end with an evening concert.
The Social and Economic Justice Music Festival is scheduled for Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26 starting at 9 a.m., at Mission High School, 3750 – 18th Street, between Dolores and Church streets.
