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BLUE TANGO
A World Tango fusion concert and dance celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month by Argentine singer/guitarist Maria Volonte and Kevin Footer on harmonica.
Friday, September 10, 2010
8pm - midnight
$15/$10 (students/seniors)
Community Music Center – Concert Hall
544 Capp St. (between 20th&21st Streets, Mission & So.Van Ness)
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.647.6015 - www.sfcmc.org
Event Schedule
8-8:30pm World Tango Fusion Concert with Maria Volonte (vocals, guitar) and Kevin Footer (harmonica)
8:45-9:30pm Introductory Tango dance lesson with Sonja Riket (no partner or dance experience necessary)
9:30pm Tango dance party (Milonga) starts
10:15-11pm Live music set for Tango social dancing by Maria Volonte and Kevin Footer with guest Darren Morgan on cajon.
11pm Milonga continues till 12 am.
For more info, please call: Sonja Riket 415.661.1852 – intimate_embrace_tango@earthlink.net www.IntimateEmbraceTango.com
Argentine singer/songwriter Maria Volonte is a Latin Grammy nominee, Gardel Prize winner (Argentina’s Grammy) and member of the Tango Hall of Fame who combines a love of her Argentine roots with an absolutely personal approach to making music – result of a life lived intensely as a woman and as an artist – that has fascinated critics and audiences around the world. |
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Maria returns to the US following her recent tours of Argentina and Europe bringing with her all the passion and sensuality of her native Buenos Aires. Her new music explores the fusion of tango with the blues – two musical traditions born on the margins of society, which went on to seduce the entire world.
In tonight’s concert Maria will perform uniquely original compositions, deeply rooted in the Argentine tango with elements of blues and jazz. She will be accompanied by Kevin Footer on harmonica.
After an introductory dance lesson by award winning tango teacher Sonja Riket, the Milonga will feature a more traditional Live Tango music set for social dancing by Maria, Kevin and guest Darren Morgan on cajon. Come listen, watch the social Tango dancers or join in the dance!
More info about the artists:
MARIA VOLONTE (vocals & guitar):
Maria Volonte is an Argentine artist celebrated for the intense emotional universe that fires her music. Filling theaters and fascinating audiences and critics around the world, Maria turns each concert into a celebration of life, art and music.
Winner of the Gardel Prize (Argentina’s Grammy award) and a Latin Grammy nominee, Maria is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who takes the music of Latin America to unexpected places by crossing musical boundaries and honing a deeply personal approach.
As the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Volonte is a good example of an artist who is respectful of her roots yet not afraid to go beyond musty old formulas… Her musical concept is refreshingly broad.”
Jazz Perspectives wrote: Maria Volonte combines the earthiness of Edith Piaff with the sassiness of Eartha Kit.
Maria’s love of the musical life and her passion for experimentation have lead to far-reaching projects, from an exploration of the sassy roots of tango to tango fusion to collaborations with revered icons of jazz such as Horacio Larumbe (a project which lead to her 2003 Latin Grammy nomination). She has performed the title role in the Astor Piazzolla opera “Maria of Buenos Aires”, opened for jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, played at the famed jazz club Yoshi’s in California and thrilled audiences at music festivals from Punto de l’Este to Helsinki.
Maria has released six albums. Her latest, “Sudestada” (2007) features four of Maria’s own compositions and was produced by famed singer-songwriter Raul Carnota. “Yo soy Maria” (2006), explores the fusion of tango with jazz and bossa nova and was nominated for the 2007 Gardel Prize. “Tangos” (2004), brought together a classic collection of tangos from her repertoire and was nominated for the 2005 Gardel Prize. “Fuimos” (2003), a duo project with the legendary pianist Horacio Larumbe, won Maria the 2004 Gardel Prize and was nominated for a Latin Grammy. “Cornisas del Corazon” (1999), was recorded live at the historic Tortoni Cafe in Buenos Aires while her first, “Tango y Otras Pasiones” (1996) was chosen by the “La Nacion” newspaper as one of the “Top 100 Tango Recordings of All Time.”
In 2007, Maria was inducted into the Tango Hall of Fame.
Maria says: “For me singing is a celebration of life itself. It is the ecstasy and pain at childbirth, the mystery of the long voyage, the thrill of chance encounters, the surrender in love and the slow revelation on one’s true self. In singing I renew the force of life within me. I am never more myself than when I sing.”
Please visit: www.mariavolonte.com and Artist Video Link: http://vimeo.com/12754767
KEVIN FOOTER (harmonica)
Kevin Carrel Footer is a writer, photographer and harmonica player deeply inspired by the intense passions of tango. Since 2001, his writings are featured in the “Buenos Aires Herald.” His photographs, writings and music focus on the intimate, glimpsed world of the spirit. He plays harmonica professionally and tours the world performing with the celebrated Argentine tango diva Maria Volonte.
His writings, photographs and music can be read, viewed and listened to at: www.kevincarrelfooter.com
TANGO HARMONY
A world-class Tango concert and dance
celebration of Hiroshima Peace Day by International Tango
harmonica/piano duo Joe Powers and Naoko Aoki.
Sponsored by Tango Revolution
Sunday, August 9, 2009
7pm – 12 midnight
$12/$10 (students/seniors)
Community Music Center- Concert Hall
544 Capp St. SF
415.647.6015 www.sfcmc.org
Event Schedule
7-8pm Introductory Tango dance lesson with Sonja Riket
8:15-8:45pm Tango Concert with Joe Powers and Naoko Aoki
9-10pm Tango dance party (Milonga) and CD signing
A portion of the proceeds will be dedicated to the CMC scholarship fund
10-10:45pm Live music set for Tango social dancing by Joe and Naoko.
10:45pm Milonga continues
The events of Aug 6-9, 1946
(nuclear bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Japan) may have left a bitter
taste in the world’s collective mouth, but this year Japanese pianist
Naoko Aoki and US harmonica phenomenon Joe Powers intend to bring us a
different message. Their friendship and musical partnership are a great
example of how the power of the arts can bridge differences between two
very distinct cultures.
Joe Powers, the only Tango
harmonica artist in the US, is well known for his unique and
soulful blend of jazz, tango and blues. When traveling to Buenos Aires,
to record his first Tango CD, he met Japan’s top Tango pianist Naoko
Aoki. Together, the international duo has exhilarated audiences from
Argentina to USA and Japan with performances of this seductive dance
music. This concert marks their first duo appearance in San Francisco!
Enjoy a selection of
traditional Tangos, Waltzes and Milongas as well as Nuevo Tango and
original compositions. The concert is preceded by an introductory dance
lesson by award winning tango teacher Sonja Riket (no partner or dance
experience necessary) and followed by a Live music Tango party.
Come listen, watch the social Tango dancers or join in the dance!
Watch a video-clip from
their February 2009 performance at the University of Oregon, in
Eugene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qTuOpU1Doc
For more info contact Sonja Riket at 415.661.1852,
intimate_embrace_tango@earthlink.net, www.IntimateEmbraceTango.com
More info about the artists:
International harmonica
sensation, Joe Powers is taking his instrument to new heights with his
engaging and energetic performances that cover a full spectrum of
musical genres from Jazz, Blues, and Pop-Rock, to Classical, New Age,
Argentine Tango, traditional Japanese music, and other world
traditions. He was the recipient of the 2008 Belgian Crystal
Harmonica Award in the Classical Division, was nominated for 2008 Best
Male Artist, Portland Music Awards, and Won 4th place in Jazz at the
2005 World Harmonica Championships in Germany. Joe is considered one of
the top Tango harmonica performers in the world. He has shared the
stage with top Tango artists: NarcoTango, ColorTango, and "Gotan
Project" singer, Veronika Silva, and performed with groups as diverse
as Pink Martini, British Pop Icon Jamie Cullum, and Smooth Jazz Pioneer
Tom Grant. His current CD, "Amor de Tango" was recorded in Buenos Aires
in 2007 and features members of the famed Leopoldo Federico Tango
Orchestra, including Latin Grammy Nominee, Nicolas Ledesma on Piano.
His newest CD, "Melancolie" (Summer 2009) is a collaboration with
Grammy Nominated, British Composer/Pianist, Michael Hoppé, featuring
classically inspired, New-Age melodies. Michael Hoppe calls him
“amazingly versatile and deeply musical”. For the latest information
please visit www.joepowers.com.
Naoko Aoki, a most highly
regarded Tango pianist, began her piano studies in Japan at the age of
4. After graduating from the prestigious Musashino Conservatory in
Tokyo, she lived in Argentina and studied Tango with such Tango masters
as Nicolas Ledesma and Emilio de la Pena. In addition she served as the
principal pianist for over two years at the only Tango Orchestra School
in the world, "La Orquesta Escuela", in Buenos Aires, under the
direction of famed Tango maestro, Emilio Balcarce. Today she is
considered by many to be the top Tango pianist living in Japan. She
travels every year to Argentina for performances and recorded 2 CD’s in
Buenos Aires: “Tierra Querida” and “Buenos Aires, Mi Refugio”.
This year, in addition to her west coast concerts she will travel
to Buenos Aries to perform and record with her Tango Ensemble,
"Orquesta Aurora", together with some of Japan's finest Tango
musicians. Visit her web-page: http://celeste.coplan.jp/
Tango Revolution is a program
of Intimate Embrace Tango under direction of Sonja Riket, which
envisions Argentine Tango as a relational matrix of connection to
ourselves, each other and the world. Since 2005 this free weekly
Tango music and dance event, held in an accessible café, encourages the
spontaneous inclusion of music and dance in our everyday life as a
communal experience. 7x7 Magazine “Best Tango Teacher” Award
winner and movement therapist Sonja Riket teaches dance and movement
classes and organizes cultural-, social and fundraising events around
critical issues of our time. After a long professional modern dance
career in Europe, USA, Mexico and Africa, performing with such
luminaries as Jose Limon and Lar Lubovitch dance cies.in NYC, she moved
to SF where Tango found her in 1998. At a very early age her
father, who was a music teacher in Belgium, instilled in her a deep
love of music which always inspired her to dance. She is faculty member
of the SF Community Music Center and a humble student of the bandoneon.
This year a Tango Youth Project was initiated to offer youth from high
schools, conservatories and universities the opportunity to learn about
the music, dance and history of Argentine Tango and to perform as an
ensemble under the guidance of expert coaches. Donations are welcomed
towards a proposed study tour to Buenos Aires, Argentina! For
more information visit: www.IntimateEmbraceTango.com
SF Community Music Center is
making music accessible since 1921. Its mission is to make high quality
music instruction and performances available to people of all ages and
backgrounds. Last year 2,276 students ranged in age from
four to people in their mid eighties and CMC hosted 262 no or low-cost
concerts in their Capp Street Concert Hall and other locations around
the Bay. www.sfcmc.org
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GOLDEN TANGO!
TANGO YOUTH PROJECT in concert with JEREMY COHEN.
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2009 from 7pm-12am
St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church
500 De Haro (Mariposa)
San Francisco CA 94107
FREE ENTRANCE AS PART OF NATIONAL DANCE WEEK!
Join us for an evening of Argentine Tango music and dance in one of San Francisco ’s most beautiful churches!
Come celebrate Best Tango Teacher Sonja Riket’s golden anniversary of a
50 year-long dance career as a worldwide performer, dance educator and
community arts organizer.
Take a class with Sonja and witness the burgeoning of the SF Tango
Youth Project: a collaboration between young musicians from high
schools and conservatories with mature expert musicians under direction
of Jeremy Cohen of Quartet San Francisco.
Enjoy dancing till midnight to the sultry sounds of Argentine Tango surrounded by exquisite murals!
Tango Youth Project musicians showcase their skill and enthusiasm for
playing Golden Era and Nuevo Tangos for listening and dancing with
renowned Quartet San Francisco’s guest musician Jeremy Cohen. In 2004
Quartet SF won the International Tango Competition in NYC and Cohen
mentored the musicians with his expertise.
Intimate Embrace Tango encourages the inclusion of music and dance in
our everyday life as a communal experience. We envision Argentine Tango
as a relational matrix of connection to ourselves, each other and the
world. As an extension of this vision, we also organize classes,
workshops, awareness- and fundraising events around the critical social
issues of our time.
7-8pm Introductory dance class with Sonja
8-9pm Tango Youth Project in concert with Jeremy Cohen.
9pm-12am Tango Dance Party (Milonga) with live music.
Snacks and wine are available. Bring your own to add to the celebration! (please no hard liquor).
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
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Please join us this
Sunday July 16 during our weekly Sunday dance event "Tango
Revolution" to celebrate Sonja's birthday with delicious
food and guest music and dance performances.
Come to the most intimate cafe in the Mission District to enjoy
a great community! |
TANGO REVOLUTION
WHEN: Sunday, July 16th 2006, from 8 - 11:30 PM
8 PM Basic Introductory Class
9 PM - 11:30 PM ( or later) Social Tango Dancing with dance performance
by Mariana Dragone and live music by special guests.
WHERE: REVOLUTION CAFE
3248 22th St. (Bartlett St. b/t Mission & Valencia)
in San Francisco
From 8-10pm Radio Africa Kitchen will offer incredibly delicious Organic
African Cuisine for a very reasonable price.
Please, note that both the Tango class and social dance gathering are
free of charge. (donation accepted) . Please, take a courtesy drink
at the bar.
COME JOIN US TO EAT, WATCH, LISTEN , OR DANCE!
7x7 Magazine named Sonja Riket
"Best Tango Teacher"

7x7 Magazine named
Sonja Riket "Best Tango Teacher" in their June 2006 issue.
To download article as PDF, please
click here
National Dance Week 2006
I am proud to once again participate in National Dance Week 2006 for
the 8th consecutive year! NDW means one week of FREE dance classes,
rehearsals, performances, etc. all over the Bay Area! It is your chance
to try out a dance style, discover the work of a choreographer or dance
company or find out about other kinds of movement education.
It is an honor to continue offering these events to the community. Please,
find the NDW 2006 program below. For all the listings you can go online
at www.bacndw.org or pick up a special NDW newspaper at the dance studios
throughout the Bay Area or in the Bay Guardian.
I hope you will take advantage of this wonderful week of dance. Please,
note that if you take one of the Free Pre-Beginner Tango workshops during
NDW it will serve as the pre-requisite for further Tango study with
me in the follow up technique classes next May.
REMEMBER TO CALL 415.661.1852 TO SIGN UP. YOU WILL HAVE PRIORITY WHEN
THE CLASSES ARE FULL.
"Deporting The American Dream 2"
A Special Event To Raise Awareness On Immigration
Issues And Benefit The Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition
WHO: Speakers and performers include:
Chris Daly, District 6 Supervisor, SF Board of
Supervisors
Sheila Chung, Director, Bay Area Immigrant Rights
Coalition
Jack Hirschman, SF Poet Laureate
Aimee Suzara, Philippino spoken word artist
Bukshish, Indo/Afro fusion and Jorge Molina,
singer
Blue Bone Express, New Orleans-style jazz band
Quinn Devaux, blues singer/guitarist
Potingue, latin/flamenco band
Special Tango performing guests
Beth Baron, In Touch Community Fundraising
Information tables by several Immigrant Rights organizations. Food
by Radio Africa & Kitchen
WHAT:
"Deporting the American Dream 2" is a volunteer community
organized and based fundraising event for the invaluable work of the
Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition. It aims to raise awareness
about pending anti-immigration laws and offer resources for positive
action. The evening will feature awareness raising speeches by elected
officials, live music, spoken word, tango dancing and massage based
fundraising.
WHEN:
Sunday March 19, 2006
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. speakers, live music, spoken word, massage.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. tango dancing, music & performances
$10-$50 sliding scale.
WHERE:
Red Ink Studios
1035 Market St. (b/t 6 and 7th St.eets) in San Francisco
Nearby parking available:
at 5th & Mission garage OR 7th & Mission lot
BART: 1 block from Powell or Civic Center
MUNI: All Market & Mission St.eetcars and buses
WHY:
Since the tragic attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, the American
government has enforced a policy resulting in decreased tolerance for
immigrants. This policy's effect is showing up in all communities throughout
the country, as many who have made their homes here for years are being
deported. Others who would wish to make this country their home are
barred from entry. Green Card applications are being denied.
A new anti-immigrant bill HR 4437, the "Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism,
and Illegal Immigration Control Act" has already passed the House
of Representatives. The Senate version is currently being debated in
the Senate Judiciary Committee and may come up for a vote on the Senate
floor as early as March 27, 2006. These bills promise to erode judicial
review, expand the definition of an aggravated felony, criminalize U.S.
citizens and legal residents who have routine contact with undocumented
immigrants, and increase the potential for employer discrimination and
abuse of workers. Now is the time to let people know how these egregious
bills will affect everyone.
Sheila Chung, director of BAIRC www.immigrantrights.org
writes: "This bill completely misses the mark on reforming our immigration
system. Instead of wasting tax payer dollars on enforcement efforts
that have proven ineffective time and time again, our representatives
need to advance reforms that reunify families, provide a path to citizenship
and protect worker and civil rights."
Through this event, artists, professionals, academics and students are
bringing people together through the energy and beauty of multicultural
artistic expressions. We hope to transform hardship to hope and inspire
people to action.
The evening will end with a tango party. Argentine Tango, a social dance
of immigrants, continues to cross the boundaries of race, culture, religion
and social status. We offer the beautiful connection between human beings
in the Tango Embrace as an antidote to the isolation, separation and
fearful existence we are led to believe is necessary.
CONTACT:
Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition
(510) 839.7598
www.immigrantrights.org
Intimate Embrace Tango Community
(415) 661.1852
www.IntimateEmbraceTango.com |
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