Japanese Taiko percussion for beginners workshop
Compiled by the El Reportero’s staff
Learn the ancient art of Japanese Taiko drumming with Sensei Bruce ‘Mui’ Ghent. The Introductory taiko class will cover basic fundamental skills and history which will prepare students to advance to the next level of classes.
Beginners ages 12-adult, with little or no music experience are welcome. Taiko drumming is a rigorous physical activity. Bring water and wear clothes to exercise. Class is taught with traditional martial arts etiquette and discipline as outlined in the student handbook supplied.
For more information, contact Bruce “Mui” Ghent at bruceghent@gmail.com or visit www.maikazedaiko.com.
March 6-April 10: Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Dance Mission Theater. To register call 415-826-4441 or email dancemissiontheater@yahoo.com.
Chilean Pinochet victim Carmen Gloria Quintana to visit the Bay Area
Carmen Gloria Quintana will attend the encore performance of the cantata La Vida Vence a la Muerte / Life Triumphs Over Death, on Saturday, March 19, at Berkeley’s La Peña Cultural Center. She will be in the Bay Area, March 18, 19, and 20.
On the morning of July 2, 1986, during a two-day national strike and protests against the military rule of General Augusto Pinochet, two teenagers, Rodrigo Rojas de Negri, 19 year-old, and Carmen Gloria Quintana, 18, were cornered by a military patrol brutally beaten, doused with petrol and set them on fire. The patrol then dumped them in a ditch alongside a deserted road on the outskirts of Chile’s capital city, Santiago.
Rodrigo, a photographer who lived in Washington, DC, with his exiled Chilean family, died four days later from his injuries. Carmen Gloria, severely disfigured by burns on over 62 percent of her body, survived to became a symbol of the struggle for democracy in Chile. The case was one of the most notorious human rights abuses committed by the Pinochet regime following the U.S.-backed military coup of September 11, 1973.
On July of 2015 – 29 years after this event – the case was revisited when a Chilean judge ordered the arrest of the seven officers involved. One of the perpetrators, Fernando Guzmán, told Judge Mario Carroza that Lieutenant Julio Castañer, the patrol’s commanding officer, gave the deadly order.
On March 19, at 8 p.m., at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, California. For more information contact La Peña Cultural Center lapenachorus.org or call Aaron Lorenz 510-849-2568.
Following rave reviews and a successful sell-out run in New York and San Francisco, 3 Lopez Productions brings a new version of the one woman play:
“What is the Scandal? – The ignored cry of an Immigrant”
Eliana is a Venezuelan actress who arrived to San Francisco after falling in love with a raising politician from San Francisco. She leaves behind her country and career, so when their new son is born her new family becomes her only priority. However cultural differences, language barrier, her fear to lose her son because her immigration status, racial bias and a highly publicize political scandal will break her family until she almost loses it.
Based on a true story, this play have been seen for over 2000 people in NY and San Francisco, and the story has been eye-opening for some and cathartic for others. After 34 performances of this dramatic comedy and plenty of feedback, 3 Lopez Productions took the time to work in the evolution of the play rewriting several scenes in order to explore the effects of criminalization, family bonds and self transformation in a more intimate and personal way.
Performed by Eliana López, directed by Alfonso López and Produced by Ivette Carolina Agudelo. At the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, on March 25, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. For more info call 415- 70-5543, by email: whatistheescandal. To see the trailer: www.elianalopez.net
