Random Notes 5/16/18
What a spectacular show to benefit KPFA at Berkeley’s UC Theater on Saturday, May 12th. Arturo O’Farrill and his mighty 20 piece Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Bobi Cespedes and her all star band with special guest John Santos, the Son Jarocho All Stars led by Camilo Landau and the Bras Arte dancers led by SF Carnaval legend Concesao Damasceno provided a great, entertaining show that was full of special highlights. After playing a dynamic set that wowed the crowd, Bobi Cespedes and John Santos were invited to perform a touching version of “Lagrimas Negras” that featured an original arrangement by O’Farrill. Renowned actor Danny Glover made a guest appearance to praise KPFA and it’s importance as a prominent voice in alternative media. I had the pleasure of serving as MC of this fine event. It was one of those great shows that you had to be there! If you missed it…you missed it!! Carnaval San Francisco celebrates its 40th Anniversary on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 on Harrison Street between 17th and 22nd Streets. The free two day festival will feature the salsa diva India backed by Pepe, Christian Pepin and a hand picked all star band, Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca and others on the 17th Street Stage. The 22nd Street stage will feature an all day tribute to Latin Rock featuring Malo, El Chicano and Tierra on Saturday afternoon. The Sunday show on the 22nd Street Stage will feature the Carnaval Salsa Legends Band comprised of renowned veteran musicians who have performed with great salsa bands throughout Carnaval San Francisco’s history at 2:15 pm. Other featured acts on Sunday will be LoCura, Jesus Diaz and QBA, Aquarella and more!! For more information, visit...
Read MoreSF International Film Festival
The 2018 San Francisco International Film Festival has gotten off to a flying start with multiple screenings in various venues throughout the SF Bay Area. Established venues such as the Castro Theatre, the Roxie Cinema and the Victoria Theatre are now joined by newer venues Children’s Creativity Museum, SF MOMA, Dolby Cinema and the Walt Disney Family Museum and across the bay at BAMPFA and Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre. Film screenings range from a tribute to Oscar nominated actress Charlize Theron to live music/film happenings featuring the Kronos Quartet, Blonde Redhead and Marc Capelle’s Red Room Orchestra. A slew of domestic and international films ranging from mainstream to independent releases are featured with a range of subject matter from the banal to profound changes in our ever changing world. Boots Riley’s outrageous and controversial film “Sorry To Bother You” makes it debut at both the Castro and across the bay at the Grand Lake Theatre. Be sure to visit www.sffilm.org to review your schedule and get your tickets quick! Some films only have one screening so you have to jump on it. As always, the SF International Film Festival has something for everyone so check it...
Read More10th Annual SF Salsa Festival Blasts Off!
The 10th Annual SF Salsa Festival is taking over the Park Central Hotel on 50 Third Street in San Francisco this weekend! Trombonist extraordinare Jimmy Bosch teams up with master sonero Herman Olivera to headline the festival Saturday evening 3/24. Orquesta Taino will be also featured. Grammy Award winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra are headlining tonight. The festival which features dance performances and dance instruction from noted dancers from around the world, dance congress DJ’s and rooms dedicated to Zouk, Kizomba and Bachata music is produced by John Navarez and Liz Rojas who are the brainchild behind the long running, award winning Salsamania Dance Company. Their opening night party on Thursday evening at the three floor Calle 11 night spot featured the fresh sounds of the Cabanijazz Project who are releasing a new recording in early June. If you are a dancer who loves to dance or a music fan who appreciates great live music, the festival is worth checking out. For more information, go to...
Read MoreRumba Que Zumba at the Havana Jazz Festival
The 33rd annual Internacional Jazz Plaza attracted huge crowds in a variety of settings concentrated in the Vedado neighborhood in Havana. The festival featured outdoor concerts at venues such as Jardines De Mella (an outdoor garden on the side of the Teatro Mella) featuring Rumba groups such as the youthful Timbalaye whose front line of vocalists dressed like Reggaeton or Timba pop stars. Their expressive dancers were led by a young, blond haired mulata whose moves were awesome as well as authentic. Their percussionists, barely in their twenties, were in command of their drums as their rhythmic call and response was inspired and explosive. Other groups featured during the week were Yoruba Andabo, Rumbata and Explosion Rumbera. The “OG’s ” of Rumba were represented by Rumberos De Cuba, a veteran rumba group celebrating 20 years together who played at the salon of the Egrem studios. I was invited by my friend Ricardo “Robertico” Oropeza of El Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piniero. What a great scene full of atmosphere, emotion and special guests in the audience such as Freddy, the bassist from El Gran Combo and the renowned Puerto Rican sonero Luisito Carrion on vacation in Cuba. The veterans of the Rumberos De Cuba quickly displayed their mastery of the rumba…the quinto and...
Read MoreLive Appearances
Follow Luis on
Follow Luis on