Compiled by the El Reportero’s news services
A statewide coalition of families of murder victims, law enforcement, innocent persons wrongfully convicted of crimes, and over five thousand volunteers will announce the filing of petition signatures at four simultaneous news conferences in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego.
The final number of signatures goes far and above the minimum required to qualify the SAFE (Savings, Accountability and Full Enforcement) California Act for the November, 2012 ballot. The SAFE California Act would replace California’s death penalty with a sentence of life without possibility of parole; it will be the first-ever statewide vote on replacing the death penalty with a punishment of life in prison with no chance of parole.
On Thursday, March 1, 2012, at 10:15 a.m. at Goodlett Steps of San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Plaza, San Francisco.
Exploring individual and social transformation
The Creole nature of Latin jazz, and Caribbean culture in general, is in many ways a template for diversity, respect, and understanding for the entire planet. It tells an urgent story that is a beautiful testament to human perseverance, but it is not a pretty story. Genocide, slavery, apartheid, and continued colonial mentality are the results of the American experiment and clash of cultures. Identities lost and found also epitomize American history and are the basis of great turmoil and passion to the individual and collective mindset.
This lecture is based on the music of the Spanish-speaking Antilles-music that documents and embodies the American saga as well as any.
Five-time Grammy nominee and USA Fontanals Felprisonlow, John Santos, is one of the foremost bandleaders, composers, producers, percussionists, and educators in Afro-Latin music. He currently teaches at the Jazz School in Berkeley and the College of San Mateo, and has lectured and conducted countless clinics and workshops in the United States, Europe, and Latin America since 1973.
Lecture on Friday, March 9, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the CIIS Main Building, 1453 Mission St., San Francisco. $18/$14.
Celebrating International Women’s Month at La Peña Cultural Center
Women’s Revolution in Latin American Song & Poetry. A dazzling collaboration with singers MamaKoatl & Maria Loreto and poet Nina Serrano.
Three outstanding Bay Area voices join forces to commemorate the International Women’s Month and to pay tribute to the woman of the world, guardian and creator of the human hope.
La Peña is proud to present this rare opportunity to enjoy a collaboration that fused together the styles, voices and work of creative and independent local women artists.
On Saturday, March 10, at 8:30 p.m. $14 adv. $16 dr. At La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley 510-849-2568 http://www.lapena.org/event/2029.