by the El Reportero’s staff
Jessie Márquez
The Peralta Hacienda in Oakland, will celebrate Zorro By Night, a fund-raising Fiesta, Flamenco and Fire party to take place Dec. 1 in the Hacienda’s Historical Park from 6 to 9 p.m.
The celebration will transform the Hacienda into the land of El Zorro, showing guests the spirit of justice and equity the hero projected in his movies. The organizers look to ignite the stage with Flamenco dancers performances, followed by the projection of the most distinguished Zorro movies in a candlelit environment.
The Peralta Hacienda will offer food, wine and live music during the fund-raising party, all donations are considered crucial to continue the after school program, community garden, field trips and historical preservation the Peralta Hacienda supports. For more information about the event go to: www.peraltahacienda.org.
A night of Jazz in La Peña
Latin jazz vocalist Jessie Marquez will let her Cuban, Brazilian and pop music influences be heard in a performance to remember, at La Peña Cultural Center on Dec. 2. The vocalist, whose themes revolve mainly around love, promises to wrap attendees in a soothing heart healing vocal wave.
Marquez has trained in Havana, Cuba, where she recorded with Afro Cuban all-stars. Her lyrics display a poetic sensibility and appreciation for love. The artist’s most recent work is All I See is Sky, produced by pianist Phil Baker, features “a texture soundscape alongside the singer’s intimate and understated approach.”
Jessie Marquez will be at La Peña on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. for tickets and information go to www.lapena.org, or call (510) 849-2568. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, Ca.
30th Canto Popular celebration
This year the Encuentro del Canto Popular turns 30, and for this special occasion organizers bring more than a dozen singers, bands and Latinoamerican performers.
The Brava Thethre will be the host of the Encuentro de Canto Popular, which has become one of San Francisco’s most important Latino folk music festival. This year the event will feature Cuban music by John Santos Sextet, Puerto Rico and the Afro-Caribbean diaspora and jazz improvisation; a reunion of Grupo Raíz, interpreting the Nueva Trova Cubana, and Los Peludos playing tropical folk music of Central America and the Caribbean, as well as the Mexican corrido.
The event will take place on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. in the Brava Theathre, 2781 24th St, San Francisco. Tickets: $15-$18. For more information call (415) 648-1045.
