by the El Reportero’s staff
Jerry García
San Francisco’s Mclaren Park will once again host the annual Jerry Day event Sunday August 5. Celebrating its 10th year, the event will be held at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, named after the late Grateful Dead guitarist, who grew up in the Excelsior District.
As has become tradition in recent years, the daytime music festival will be headlined by Melvin Seals and JGB. Seals, longtime keyboardist for Garcia’s solo band will be joined by an eclectic group of musicians who always gives the event a Garcia ‘feel,’ covering the guitarist’s songs both with a little funk and flair thrown in.
Jerry Day was founded in 2002, holding its first event at the McLaren Park Amphitheater in 2003. Soon after renamed the ‘Jerry Garcia Amphitheater,’ the venue continues to host the annual free event, which raises awareness for neighborhood art and culture and honors the late leader of the Grateful Dead.
Jerry day 2012, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater / McLaren Park
45 John F. Shelley Drive – Excelsior District – San Francisco. Info: http://www.jerryday.org/.
Puerto Rican music lecture series: The Museum of the African Diaspora www.moadsf.org and SF JAZZ www.sfjazz.org present: Criolla y Sabrosa: La Música Puertorriqueña. an 8-week lecture series by John Santos at MOAD, The Museum of the African Diaspora, Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Aug. 1 through Sept. 19, 2012. 685 Mission St. at Third Street, San Francisco. To register and for more info: http://www.ybgf.org/programs/specialprojects.php.
Afro-Latin Percussion Clinic/Workshop with John Santos
For more information email: info@opcmusic.org. The first part (1:00 to 1:45) is family-oriented and will consist of the demonstration and historical perspective of several percussive instruments including tumbadoras, bongos, timbales, maracas, claves, chekere and bell, as well as some basic ensemble rhythms to be played by all.
In the second part (2:00 to 3:30 p.m.) which is directed to more advanced students, Mr. Santos will conduct ensemble rhythms from Cuba and Puerto Rico and dig deeper into the technical aspects of playing the respective instruments. Bandleader, composer, percussionist and educator, John Santos is a five-time Grammy nominee with a career that spans 40 years. www.johnsantos.com.
Saturday, July 28, 2012, 1:00 p.m., Oakland Public Conservatory. 1616 Franklin Street at 17th Street, Oakland.
Nicaraguan celebrate Santo Domingo de Guzmán
You’re invited to meet us with religiousness and joy to celebrate the Patron of Managua on Sunday, July 29, at St Finn Barr Church. The Campesino mass is unique and very Nicaraguan, it will take place at 11:30 am, after the end of the mass, followed by the traditional procession toward the church dance salon to celebrate to the Patron of the Poor, and of Managua, Santo Domingo de Guzman!
With nostalgia but with faith, we will carry, dance and sing together.
Let’s go all Managuans, the nicoyas, to dance and to fight bull the cow and celebrate the traditional festival brought to San Francisco.
Celebrating 20th anniversary of La Peña del Sur
Singer and songwriter Natalia Contesse is in the United States showcasing her outstanding CD Puñado de Tierra.
Natalia mixes Chilean traditions such as the Cueca, Tonada and the guitarra campesina (folk guitar). Her singing and composing is inspired in the South American folkloric tradition. Rafael Manríquez has been one of the leading exponents of Latin American music in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Both singers are inspired by Victor Jara, Atahualpa Yupanqui, VioletaParra–as well as the struggles for social justice, peace, and respect for La Pachamama/ Mother Earth.
Friday July 27, 8 p.m. A.N.S.W.E.R., 2969 Mission St., between 25th and 26th Street,,San Francisco.
