The Run De Los Muertos event was impressive on many levels. If you have loved ones that have passed then you would be touched by the beautiful expressions of love and appreciation shown in the beautiful altars that were built in their honor. If you are a lover of art then you would be in for a real treat because artistic expression was everywhere at this event. Poetry, song, art, beautiful altars, and children's painted faces were present all around. Look at these memorable pictures and see for yourself how festive and touching the event was.
This beautiful altar was created by Carlos Galaviz.
The size of this Calavera is huge.
The originality of these Day of the Dead costumes is awesome!
Sofia Enriquez was able to create a beautiful painting on the back of her calavera.
Did a 4th grader really create this? Congratulations Gonzalo!
This is just beautiful to look at.
The dynamic poetry was a bright spot in the evening. Coachella does it again!
Oscar Guevara's art workshop at the Coachella Community Homes had their last night on Friday, October 23. There was pizza & juice for all the students. I dropped in and was treated to some pizza & to their beautiful work. It is not just the art but watching the students' characters develop knowing that someone cares about their creativity and talent. Thank you Oscar.
Here is their excellent work!
Everything that the students chose to use on their letters came from items at home.
Their creativity is truly amazing!
Oscar says this is the class mascot.
Lots of detail in these letters to express each student's individuality.
Karina's creativity comes in many forms
The maturity is these young students is amazing!
Thank you McCallum Theatre for your attention to the East Valley.
Tuesday, October 6 was the 2015 date for National Night Out, a yearly event that brings the people in the community and the Fire and Police Departments together for an evening of information, food, and fun. This year was a little extra special because Crisalida was there providing the bad ass sound of AMFM. Following are photos from various participants. A shout out to Target for sponsoring the event & to Rosalva Campos for hooking us up. A special thank you to the McCallum Theatre for believing we in the East Valley have something to offer the Art World. And thank you to all who continue to support our efforts to illuminate what was always there all along, East Valley Community Talent. That's what Crisalida is all about, bringing out our shine.
This is one member of AMFM, Rolo.
And this is Mario "The Giant" Garcia also of AMFM.
This is a top notch facility. Please drop by and check it out. Your teens will love it!
The Emergency Community Response Team (plus Irene Rodriguez) provided lots of info.
The Target Mascot Dog pulled me in for a group photo.
These are Indio's Finest. They are there when we need them. Respect.
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
We are delighted that poet Maria Galaviz has started a new poetry workshop at Bill Shinsky's wonderful Coachella Valley Arts Center. New and experienced writers gather each week to explore writing themes and techniques.
It was a joy to be a guest teacher this night...fun prompts led to laughter and fresh approaches to language.
AND...Maria starts each workshop with delicious homemade food.
Thoughts & Poems by Maria Galaviz and Her Students One day I was invited to a workshop that was being given by poet & writer David Gonzalez. On that occasion he asked if someone knew of a person who could teach workshops on poetry and short stories and I answered that I could. In that moment I did not understand the great challenge that I was about to embark on; you see my experience only consisted of teaching poetry to children.
Building a dream. The building of our dream started when I invited a group of women to write poetry and short stories. And they all asked, "What is that? I can't do that! I don't like poetry! I can't learn anything! I am too old!" I smiled and I told them that life begins at 50.
I asked them if they loved someone or something; if they liked to see the sun rise! if they liked the rain! if they loved nature, their children, their grandchildren, their mate. And they all answered "yes". And I told them, "Put all those feelings on paper and that is poetry."
The turning over of all our feelings from our heart and mind on to paper nourishes our heart and our soul and frees us of our demons. These are some thoughts of our female & male poets after 16 classes and having the most marvelous view of our salted lake (Salton Sea) which was and will be an endless fountain of inspiration for any artist.
Purepecha Native Art/Crafts
Maria~Rios: You are like the air that I breathe The air is felt but it can't be seen Just like your heart, it can't be seen but I feel that great love in me.
Irma~Soto: The dreams of my children are also mine The joys they give me are my dreams The love that is theirs is my life Wherever they go I will be there.
Maria~Pozas: I have a bright star name Jaquelin that is the light in my eyes. My beautiful child you are all mine.
Maria~Galaviz: I want the sea to continue its song I want the sky to rain like before I want birds singing in the sky I want the stars to shine in the night
Maria~Ortega: The youth in your skin is coming to an end but not that of your soul that will always be young and beautiful and you will always have a lovely soul.
Arturo~Castellanos: In the fields you learn much Not only to work the grape but rather life itself. One passes time alone Talking to the grape and you learn much about yourself.
These thoughts are examples of beautiful poems that we wrote with all our hearts despite the fact that the majority of the students would arrive to class on many occasions directly from working 8 or 10 hours in the field under the hot desert sun. They would arrive with a sack of inspiration! with an immense joy! and an enviable vibe that would fill the room and it was contagious. And we shared a plate of food but mainly we shared a great friendship and together we built family ties that will last a lifetime. For all that and more I thank you. Likewise the whole group gives thanks:
North Shore Poetry Graduating Students
To Crisalida for giving us the opportunity for our art to be born, to flourish and mature in the same way a butterfly does. To McCallum Theatre for bestowing the grant that allowed us to cover all of our needs which made it possible for us to produce art in the East Coachella Valley. To David Gonzalez, poet and writer, for guiding us in our search and flourishing of dormant art in the East Coachella Valley.
But the desert awoke with its beauty with its beautiful light of its radiant sun with its mountains that have the color same as that of its inhabitants warm and smiling, hardworking and productive but above all in one beautiful word that contains everything, human. Author: Maria Galaviz
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
