Compiled by the El Reportero’s staff
Sergent García
Sergent García brings his mix of salsa-fueled energy and global sounds to the Mezzanine in San Francisco on July 13. Opening by local favorites Bayonics and Bang Data.
Sergent García, an original figure in the Latin Alternative and European mestizo music scenes, is returning to North America with a burning live show a new album out on the Cumbancha label titled Una y Otra Vez (Time and Time Again).
A pioneer in blending the fiery Caribbean sounds of salsa, reggae, ska and dancehall with a punk attitude and continental style, Sergent García’s latest musical adventure finds him traveling to Colombia to dive into what is currently the epicenter of some of the world’s hottest sounds. Una y Otra Vez marks this former rocker’s return to his independent roots and renewed creative energy.
On Friday, July 13, 2012, at (444 Jessie St., San Francisco), at 9 p.m. Advance tickets: http://sergentGarcíasf.eventbrite.com/. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyp1n0E9aTc.
Traditional son jarocho spiked withurban rhythms, rock and R&B – Quetzal
Inspired by traditional son jarocho music of Veracruz, Mexico, and spiked with urban rhythms, rock and R&B, East LA Chicano group Quetzal rose from the ashes of uprisings in LA in 1992 as a vehicle for social commentary and activism. Called “provocative, heartfelt and strikingly original” by the LA Times and Quetzal was founded in 1992, Chicano rock guitarist Quetzal Flores.
Quetzal is an ensemble of highly talented musicians, joined for the goal of creating good music that tells the social, cultural, political, and musical stories of people in struggle. Martha Gonzalez (lead singer, percussionist, and songwriter) calls it an “East LA Chican@ rock group,” summing up its rootedness in the complex cultural currents of life in the barrio, its social activism, its strong feminist stance, and its rock and roll musical beginnings.
Besides being a rock band, the group and its members participate in a much larger web of musical, cultural, and political engagement.
In 1992, Chicano rock guitarist, Quetzal Flores discovered the burgeoning revival of traditional music of Veracruz called son jarocho. This jaranero resurgence began in Veracruz in the late 1970’s. It crossed the border into California, where other Mexican folk music traditions had already been appropriated by Mexican Americans as an expression of mexicanidad-Mexican roots. Local Chican@ music groups performed the music at rallies, marches, and events flowing from the Chicano vein of the Civil Rights Movement. Flores took up the music and its folk instruments and incorporated them into his own musical blend, which included sounds and sentiments from many sources: The Smiths, Ruben Blades, Stevie Wonder, and much more.
On Saturday July 14, 2012. 8 p.m. $15 adv. $18 dr. At la Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck
Ave., Berkeley. 510-849-
2568. www.lapena.org.
Lots of music at the Theater at Aquarium of the Bay
The best of roots music Blues Jazz Latin Jazz Gospel. One Night Only. Master of Ceremonies KCSM-FM Jazz Radio 91.1 Radio Host Jesse “Chuy” Varela. Performance by Glen Pearson, Wayne Wallace, Terrance Kelly, John Calloway, Faye Carol, Marcus Shelby and the legendary John Santos.
On Saturday July 14, two shows at 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. At the Aquarium of the Bay Theater on Pier 39 Non-Members advanced tickets $33, door $38.
International Festival of Food and Music
Various programs of typical dances of Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua (of Samoa is not confirmed yet). Entrance free. Bring your whole family to this great afternoon of fun starting from 1 – 4 p.m. There it will be food of the countries above mentioned and also dishes of Philippines, Italy, Samoan and the U.S.
On July 15, at the parking lot of Saint Timothy Church, 1515 Dolan Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401. (Enter on 3rd Ave.). For more information call Frank Alizaga, president of Hispanic Council at 650-703-4577 (cell).
Alfonso Maya CD
release and concert at MCCLA
One of the most talented singer-writers in Mexico today is Alfonso
Maya.
His mastery of trova – featuring acoustic balladry and
social protest song — combines poetic lyrics with contagious melodies.
Maya began his career at the age of 14 in Cuernavaca,
Morelos Mexico.He has performed
all over the Mexican Republic, France, Spain, Slovenia and the U.S. His work
was included on a compilation of best trova songs of Mexico called “1, 2, 3 por
la trova, produced by Fonarte Latino. http://www.alfonsomaya.net/
Alfonso Maya, who is celebrating the release of his new CD,
“Todo el Universo,” will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of La
Peña del Sur, which has brought the Bay Area some of the best trova that Latin
America has to offer!
Accompanied by all his trovador friends, musicians and poets from the Mission
neighborhood: Alfredo Gomez, Maria Loreto, Marta Sevilla, and more.
On July 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Mission Cultural Center for
Latino Arts, 2868 Mission Street, San Francisco, California. 415-821-1155.
