by the El Reportero’s staff
Raíces Profundas
Raíces Profundas makes its US Debut with an incredible show that displays the talent and virtuosity of the group and its director / choreographer Juan de Dios Ramos Morejon. The engagement includes classes, workshops and five days of performances exclusively in San Francisco.
The concert follows the dynamic history of Cuba’s music and dance genres starting with the colorful Afro-Cuban traditions, including Palo Monte and the fiery Orisha dances of the Yoruba pantheon (Elegua, Oshun, Ogun, Chango and Yemaya).
Raíces Profundas is widely regarded as one of the world’s most authentic performing ensembles of the Afro-Cuban folkloric tradition. The dancers and musicians have intense dedication to their company, art and ritual customs.
Raíces Profundas comes to the 2012 SFIAF, co-presented by PlazaCUBA, with an incredible show that displays the talent and virtuosity of the group and its director/choreographer Juan de Dios Ramos Morejon. This performance marks the first time ever the group has performed in the USA, with five days of performances exclusively in San Francisco.
Raices Profundas was founded in 1970 and today is widely regarded as one of the world’s most authentic performing ensembles in the Afro-Cuban folkloric traditions. The dancers and musicians have intense dedication to their company, their art and their traditions. In addition to Mr. Ramos, the 17 member touring ensemble will feature 12 dancers and four musicians/vocalists. The ensemble members are all proficient teachers of music and dances of the Afro-Cuban traditions spanning Yoruba, Arará, Bantu and Carabalí, as well as Rumba and other modern Cuban styles such as Son, Chachacha and Mambo.
The show follows the dynamic history of Cuba’s music and dance genres, starting with the colorful Afro-Cuban traditions, including Palo Monte and the fiery Orisha dances of the Yoruba pantheon (like Elegua, Oshun, Ogun, Chango and Yemaya).
The second half of the show gives the audience a glimpse into Cuba’s popular music and dance styles, such as Chankletas, Son, Cha Cha Cha, and contemporary Cuban Salsa. The two parts of the show are tied together by the group’s interpretation of the sensual and provocative movements of the Rumba cycle (Yambu, Guaguanco and Columbia).
Wednesday, May 2 & Thursday May 6, 8:00 p.m., Friday May 4, 9 p.m., Saturday, May 5 9:30 p.m., Sunday May 6, at 4 p.m. Box office: www.sfiaf.org, 415-771-6900.
Poet, performance artist playwright
Paul S. Flores Paul S. Flores is a published poet, performance artist, playwright and well known spoken word artist. Flores’ new play, titled PLACAS will premiere in September 2012 at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. PLACAS will star Ric Salinas, be directed by Michael John Garces and is co-produced by Flores, SFIAF and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN).
He wrote and now performs the solo show You’re Gonna Cry. Flores’ most recent play REPRESENTA! toured to 17 cities, including HERE! Art Space in New York. Flores’ past performance projects have taken him from HBO’s Def Poetry to Cuba, Mexico and El Salvador.
Flores will be performing as part of the International Arts Festival, at the International Festival Lounge, 540 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Saturday, May 12, 8 p.m.
