Crisalida Week in Review

By Moises Huerta

Hello Everyone,

Been so busy behind the scenes that I hadn't submitted a blog in a minute. So here's what's been going on in Crisalida-land. David Gonzalez and I had a very nice visit with Nancy Vance from the Indio Senior Center on Sept 23rd where we brainstormed regarding upcoming events involving Olga Loya, a wonderful performer & workshop facilitator from Fresno (http://olgaloya.com/) who will be in the Coachella Valley November 16-20. There is a great vibe at the ISC every time I have been there. They have a great facility there and lots of potential for collaborating.

                                                              Nancy Vance and I

  On Sept 24 we did some equipment organizing and storing. Oscar is down for the count.

The rest of the week was devoted to the 10 Minute Play Fest that involved 7 plays which all took place at a taqueria. The subject matter ranged from issues of immigration, abortion, Alzheimer's, grieving of a lost love, veganism, and a tattoo love triangle that had a gay theme.  Sept 24th was dress rehearsal for Tacos, Teardrops, & Tequila. Sept 25th and 26th were performance nights and the turnout was impressive. Following are highlights from the three evening's performances.

David conducting a Q & A after the dress rehearsal.

 

Jorge Perezchica zooming in for a good shot.

 

 

 

 

                                                       
Carlos Garcia stole the show with a sentimental story of the celebration of a love that has passed on.

All the actors joining hands raised on a job well done. Bravo!

                        My friend Juan Rodriguez was a big help in getting the food table set up.


                                  Check out David's blog on the 10 Min Play Fest...great pics!
               http://crisalida-arts.blogspot.com/2015/09/east-valley-rep-10-minute-play-festival.html

“Tacos, Teardrops, and Tequila” NEW EAST VALLEY THEATRE LAUNCHES WITH A “TEN-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 25 AND 26

 by David Gonzalez

NEW EAST VALLEY THEATRE LAUNCHES WITH A “TEN-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL" ON SEPTEMBER 25 AND 26 

at Coachella Valley Arts Center

Not long ago the idea for a local theatre company was a twinkling in the eye of Carlos Garcia, then there were active dreams, then brainstorming, planning, and last Spring the EVR launched with two new bi-lingual play readings.  And now the EVR is back with an exciting program of short new theatre pieces written by, directed, and acted largely by East Valley community members.

Playwright Laura Aranjo and EVR Artistic Director Carlos Garcia prepare scripts for auditions.

Hopefuls prepare their audition.

Carlos and David G - dueling, (actually collaborating) computers during a strategic planning session.

PRESS RELEASE

East Valley Rep, a new theatrical venture located in the eastern end of the Coachella Valley, will launch its first full production, “Tacos, Teardrops and Tequila,” a Ten-Minute Play Festival, on September 25 and 26 at 7pm at the Coachella Valley Art Center, 45140 Towne Street, Indio.

“Starting a new theatre company is a daunting adventure,” said artistic director Carlos Garcia. “So we recruited adventurous playwrights and actors seeking the challenge of staging a theatrical production of original works. The result is “Tacos, Teardrops and Tequila.”

Seven playwrights participated in playwrighting workshops in August creating seven ten-minute plays addressing issues such as abortion, mental illness, immigration, Alzheimer’s, funeral planning, veganism and homophobia. “Some are funny, some are sad, but all are entertaining and they demonstrate the talent of Coachella Valley residents,” said Garcia.

The writing workshops were supported in part by the Crisalida Arts Project, which is spearheaded by New York performer David Gonzalez in partnership with the McCallum Theatre and funded through a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. Mr. Gonzalez will be moderating a Questions and Answers session immediately following the performances. 

Tickets for the festival are $10 per person. It is recommended for mature audiences only. The material is not suitable for children. Please contact carlos@eastvalleyrep.com to make reservations or for more information about the program and/or the theatre company.

VISIT THE EVR @ https://www.facebook.com/evr.happenings

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.

Poetry Workshop Graduation in North Shore

By Moises Huerta

Felicidades a todos los alumnos de la clase de poesía en North Shore. Este viernes 24 de Julio celebramos la graduación de los estudiantes de poesía. Fue una celebración bonita que incluyó niños, jóvenes, y personas de todas edades. 

 

La celebracion incluyo una sena, lectura de poesias de los alumnos, y la entrega de certificados y reconocimientos especiales. Acabamos el evento con un pastel delicioso. 

 

Muchisimas gracias a todos, especialmente a Maria Galaviz por ser la maestra y por preparar la sena y el pastel delicioso. Gracias tambien a Jesus Galaviz por cantar y entretenernos despues de la sena.

Crisalida Is On The Move!

By Moises Huerta

Lots going on!
The big theme this week is Live Mariachi Music. Paul Lomeli's Mariachi group will be providing the ambience for most of our coming events.
Thursday is a big day. Crisalida will be at the Galilee Center in Mecca providing Live Mariachi music from 3:30-4:30 right before the food distribution. That evening our own Maria Galaviz will begin a new poetry workshop in Spanish in Indio at the Coachella Valley Art Center which will run from 5:00-8:00 pm.
The Crisalida Art Van will soon be visiting the Indio Senior Center and also Martha's Village in Indio. I had the honor of meeting Felicitas Lugo of ISC and Elena Rosenthal of Martha's Village. Plans are set for Crisalida to be at the Senior Center July 30th to celebrate all July birthdays. We will be providing Live Mariachi music for this event.
Plans are also in the works for Crisalida to come to Martha's Village, provide Live Mariachi music, and set up the Art Van for the residents and visitors to enjoy. We were received with much enthusiasm and we hope to incorporate other events as well at both locations. We hope this is just the beginning of another East Valley collaborative effort.
Thank you for all the likes on Facebook and for being a part of a growing East Valley movement.

Rolling in the East Valley

Unrelated to the events but I love this picture

The Time Is Now for the 10-Minute Play Festival!

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

for 10-Minute Play Festival:

“Tacos, Teardrops &  Tequila”

East Valley Rep is now accepting completed 10-minute plays, or synopses and well-developed ideas for plays. All participants must participate in Writing Workshops to be held in August. Auditions and rehearsals will be conducted in September. This is an exciting opportunity!

Performance dates: September 25 and 26, 2015

at Coachella Valley Arts Center, Indio.

      Please contact Carlos Garcia at carlos@eastvalleyrep.com for guidelines regarding play setting and number of characters.