Yo Soy Teatro Led by Roy Garza & Benito Miller

By Moises Huerta 

Crisalida was invited to the Mecca Community Center for what turned out to be a real treat. Yo Soy Teatro led by Roy Garza and Benito Miller did a fantastic job. There were 4 plays done throughout the community in various locations. We were invited to see the performance Saturday August 15 which ran from 6-8pm.

We were treated to 2 short plays then they took a break to enjoy another wonderful dinner provided by Maria Galaviz. The feast consisted of pozole, tamales, fried chicken, tortillas, salsa, rice, & beans. As usual Maria did a great job. 

Then the actors came back for two more plays. The plays covered various topics such as injustice to undocumented persons, illegal use of pesticides, awareness of laws that exist to protect students from losing the right to an education, and awareness of laws that exist to protect undocumented persons involved in traffic situations from being deported. The audience consisted of students, parents, and children. 

After the performances awards were handed out to all the actors and also to persons who were instrumental in bringing it all together.

Here is a picture of the group after the certificates were handed out.

I saw this above the doorway and it caught my eye.

Benito Miller about to enjoy some great food.

The book giveaway was once again a big hit.

Last but not least CRISALIDA was one of the recipients for helping the Yo Soy Teatro project. Thank you Roy Garza and Benito Miller

Martha's Village Hosts Crisalida Mariachis

By Moises Huerta 

Thank you Elena Rosenthal from Martha's Village for welcoming Crisalida's crew and the Mariachis on Tuesday August 11. And thank you to the crew: Oscar Guevara, our talented artist/driver of the art van, Jorge Perezchica, our videographer/photographer, and myself, Moises Huerta, Crisalida's manager. Also a high five to my brother, Max, who came along and helped out with loading up the van afterward. 

It was a wonderful feeling listening to the mariachi music and watching people enjoying it. In particular one of the clients, Daniel Brown, really loved it and expressed his gratitude to the musicians. 

 

Mr. Daniel Brown, a local man told me he lives with a Hispanic family and works on their ranch. He loves mariachi music.

These guys killed it as usual, so good. And the young lady's voice shined on some of the love songs.

   

While we were there our videographer Jorge took a moment to appreciate the beautifully decorated chapel.

Coachella Valley Poets Perform Juan Felipe Herrera's Work (Pt 2)

By Moises Huerta 

Not trying to confuse anyone but something happened to the initial blog and it needed to be redone. I redid it in two parts. Here is the second part. Enjoy!

These are some performers that I couldn't get on the first blog.

 

This young lady's contribution was personal & was one that Juan Felipe Herrera seemed to admire.

 Jesse Martyr seemed to connect with Herrera not only with   poetry but also in his taste in jazz music.
                                                     

                          

                   

Coachella Valley Poets Perform Juan Felipe Herrera's Work

 
By Moises Huerta

We had a wonderful celebration for Juan Felipe Herrera on Friday June 19th at 7pm at Coachella Valley Arts Center in Indio, Ca. Yes, there are a few blogs about that night but they are all a little different so please feel free to enjoy them all.

As part of the celebration many poets were invited to share their poetry on the condition that they take time to honor Mr. Herrera by first performing one of his works. Many jumped at the chance and here are some of the entrants and their performances.

 Francisco Rodriguez, a former student of Juan Felipe Herrera, was the first to open the event with some friendly banter. The poem was even better.

 Mario "Giant" Garcia took Herrera's words & reworked them to a hip hop beat. It was great! 
Other performer have been added on a separate blog.