by Magdy Zara
After its premiere on September 5, the play Paradise is giving people something to talk about as it shows life in Puerto Rico and the relationship that the United States has with Puerto Rico.
The production is by La Lengua Teatro en Español and Brava, and it is about the lives of Julián, Andrea, Tata and Quiko, who are a reflection of what it means to live on the island.
This is a new bilingual play by Tere Martínez, performed in Spanish, English or Spanglish, which will have projected subtitles to guarantee access and eliminate language barriers.
Paradise uses the tensions between compelling characters on stage to shed light on the exploitative relationship that the United States, after more than a century, has with Puerto Rico.
The play aims to draw attention to the unjust political situation on the island. Julian, an American resident in Puerto Rico, takes advantage of the tax incentives offered by the Puerto Rican government to foreign “investors” who agree to move to the island.
Andrea, a teacher at a local public school, teaches Spanish to Americans to make ends meet, while taking stock of the damage these incentives are doing to her country and the speculation of foreigners who contribute little while benefiting a lot. Tata needs to find a new home in a city plagued by Airbnbs, but clashes with Andrea and Julian because of her own perspective. And Quiko, who has lived his entire life between the island and the mainland, describes the harsh disparities suffered by “American citizen” residents of the United States territory.
The last performance of this season of El Paraíso will be this Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Brava Theater Center, located at 2781 24th Street San Francisco, starting at 6 p.m., tickets range in price from $25 – $100.
Celebrate Independence with the Viva Nicaragua Festival
As part of the celebration of Nicaragua’s independence, the Viva Nicaragua Festival has been organized for 14 consecutive years, a unique opportunity to share an afternoon with the family and relive the cultural traditions, typical foods and music of this beautiful country.
Among the artists who will perform are La Cuneta, Carlos Mejía Godoy, Banda Blanca and Marimba Flor de Pino.
The invitation is for the entire Nicaraguan community in northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area, to attend with the family what will be a Nicaraguan tradition. The place chosen for this celebration is Swiss Park, 5911 Mowry Ave., Newark, this Sunday, Sept. 29th starting at 10 a.m. Tickets are $30 for those over 10 years old.
More information through the number 415-424-8809.
La Moderna Tradición Orchestra in concert
For the first time this year, the La Moderna Tradición Orchestra comes to the San Francisco Bay Area to captivate audiences with the best of traditional and modern Cuban music.
Made up of 12 members, La Moderna Tradición brings its full repertoire, including sensual danzones and cha-cha-chás with contemporary rhythms infused with timba.
The Orchestra’s exceptional musicians inspire music lovers and dancers alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the essence of Cuban music, where tradition meets innovation on the dance floor.
The date is this Wednesday, Oct. 2 of this year, at Yoshi, located at 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25.
Agua Pura showcases their talent
The Agua Pura group is an acclaimed all-female salsa combo known for performing classic songs by artists such as Fania All-Stars and El Gran Combo with authority.
This initiative was initiated by conga player and vocalist Rebecca Rodriguez, who after participating in salsa and Latin jazz concerts, decided to take the step of forming her own band, which also showcases the female talent of the Bay Area.
Rodriguez defines Agua Pura as a creative hotbed that encourages women to spread their wings of improvisation.
The concert is this Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., at the East Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens, located on 3rd St. between Mission and Howard Sts. San Francisco.
