This is really galling: the news that the classic Cafe Ayllu in Cusco is gone, to be replaced by a Starbucks.
Many of my favorite bloggers have wrote about the story with passion, and you should too:
Carlos Quiroz AKA Peruanista
Stuart Starrs
Barbara Drake's an American in LIma
Rachel in Peru
Also be sure to check out Mario Silva's video about the Cafe, on YouTube.
File under "instant classic quote" -- Soy Andina fan Cindy Arlinsky (the Organizing Goddess) sends this from her blackberry, minutes ago:
"It's the Gay Peruvians at the gay pride parade! They're among the most entertaining and colorful! Wish you were here, what a hoot. All these men dressed like Nelida!"
Juan
Carlos is an exceptional Peruvian-born, NY-based folk dancer. I met him
while making Soy Andina. He is Cynthia's dance partner in New
York. He was in a very serious car accident last week. And still hospitalized.
On Saturday, June 27, we are gathering in
Paterson, NJ to raise funds for his recovery. Everyone
is invited. Details below.
Can't make it? Make a pledge in any amount on a FUNDABLE PAGE. Your donations will be recognized online.
Here is what Cynthia has to say:
For those of you who have not gotten to know
Juan Carlos --
he is my friend, dance partner and a wonderful
artist. Unfortunately he has recently suffered a serious car accident
and needs our support during this difficult time. He has been one of the
few dancers in NY to represent our Peruvian heritage through
folklore, to make his performances a way of
connecting others to our culture. Thank you.
Cynthia Paniagua (Peruvian folk dancer/educator)
Saturday, September 26th
Trinity College, Hartford, CT
Organized by the Association of Peruvian American Professionals and Hispanic Studies Program at Trinity College
Very pleased about this upcoming presentation in Hartford, CT -- the premiere screening of Soy Andina in a city with thousands of Peruvians (even a Peruvian consulate). In the context of a conference that showcases how film and art can be used in the classroom.
The Conference will offer workshops on literature, music, dance, history, cuisine...an authentic Peruvian lunch, Peruvian dance , and keynote by Ministro Alfredo Chuquihuara from the Consulate General of Perú in Hartford. Participants will receive educational materials and activities on Perú that they will be able to use in their classrooms.
Registration and more Information here
Soy Andina premieres in Utah next Saturday in Salt Lake City, part of a giant all-day Inca Solstice event at the University of Utah -- featuring food, crafts, and of course live music and dance by the likes of Jaime Alvaro from Bamboo Peru, Nostalgia Andina, a musical ensemble from Las Vegas, and Las Danzas del Peru, including a rarely-seen performance of the Scissors Dance.
Sat, June 27, 2 pm
Kingsbury Hall, Center for the Performing Arts
Salt Lake City, UT
Event sponsored by:
Salt Lake City Film Center
KUED 7 / University of Utah
Bamboo Peru
SIT Study Abroad, a program of World Learning, is recruiting for an Academic Director for its study abroad program located in Cusco, Peru. The theme of the program is Peru: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization.
I know there are qualified readers of this blog out there!
Just got email about the NY theatrical premiere June 11 of Paul Devlin and Claire Missanelli's new doc BLAST!
"Astrophysics Indiana Jones style...a spectacular and suspenseful story of space exploration"
Funny thing is, I'll be directly across the street from the IFC on opening night, showing SA at a private event for travel agents and PromPeru. As soon as I've downed my free pisco sour and pitched PromPeru on a new movie, I'm running (staggering or weaving if the pisco is really good) across the street to catch Blast!
see the website for clips, screening schedule, reviews and more.
Once again, Carlos Quiroz breaks the news.
If you liked Soy Andina, or you're from the Bronx (like me) -- then you'll probably want to to see this play. One of the stars is the ridiculously handsome and talented son Eduardo, son of our legendary friend Sonia Pena, who herself has seduced fans from the New York stage to the Llamellin Fiesta.
And if name-dropping Sonia and Eduardo isn't enough, how about this incentive -- its free!
Click the flyer below for more info.
Gracias to General Consul Jorge Román Morey of the Peruvian Consulate in Altanta for promoting our screening in Atlanta next Friday -- and to our mutual friend/huge Soy Andina fan Ame Cisneros-Piña for the intro!
I just got an email from Fabian Muenala of Kichwa Nation about this. I don't know him or the organization personally, but if the event is as fine as the poster, it should be really good. The fact that the Queens Museum is sponsoring, and Columbia University's Miller Theater is hosting, also bodes well.
More info here
Coming all the way from Connecticut, Queens, and Peru: Folk artists Roberto and Daniela Cornejo, Lirar Leon and Danny Garcia thrilled the El Taller crowd last night with a dazzling display of Tondero, Marinera Norteña, and Festejo -- thank you guys for supporting Soy Andina and inspiring us with your devotion to your roots and craft!
Study Peruvian dance!
Celebrities in LA like Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Qorianka Kilcher, Jesse Garcia, Alex Meraz and Clifton Collins gather in LA to support Peru's Indigenous peoples. Thanks to the "Mr. Peruanista" Carlos Quiroz for turning me onto this. To follow this story, (including fascinating videos from protests in Peru), visit Carlos's invaluable "Peruanista" blog.
Diana Logreira and John Ayala moved today from Brooklyn to Washington. I was able to capture this poignant scene during the final days of their editing home studio.
Diana is the co-editor of Soy Andina, and John authored our DVD and edited the broadcast version. Both excellent young filmmakers in their own right.
Now onto Washington, where Diana has landed a cool-sounding job producing online videos for the Latin American section of Voice of America.
Naturally I expect Diana to pitch Soy Andina to her bosses! But I'll give her a week or two to get adjusted.
Curso intensivo dictado por Odi Gonzales
nativohablante del idioma y profesor de New York University
1 mes / Total de hrs. dictadas: 24 (2 días por semana)
Inicio del curso: sábado 23 de Mayo 2009
Final del curso: sábado 20 de Junio 2009
Horario: Sábados de 11 a.m a 2 p.m
Día de semana y hora (se decidirá en coordinación con los inscritos)
Lugar (por confirmar):
219 Sullivan St between Bleecker and West 3rd street
(Children’s Aid Society, close to Washington Square)
Costo: $ 350
Contacto:
Odi Gonzales: odigonzales@hotmail.com or 646 300 1367
The audience was treated to a special Ancashina dance performance after the film, by Nélida's niece Edith (seen here surrounded by fans). That's Nelida's almost equally famous sister Noelia on the far left.
Nélida, la ambajadora de la cultura Andina, sigue difundiendo la mensaje
This is from Lima's Somos" magazine, which is not online. Thanks to legendary Soy Andina supporter Hillmer Reyes for posting. Click to enlarge:
Doris and I must account for like 80% of the YouTube views -- we're hooked. Now you will be too, in time for Mother's Day:
Soy Andina won a Best Director award last year, but this is bigger -- watch the video here!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamitas Lindas!
South American Explorer's Laura Kurland reports from Lima, where we screened Soy Andina last night. I did a live Q & A via Skype, which was great fun. Neli couldn't make it but her nearly equally famous sister Noelia and lovely niece Edith came to dazzle the crowd with their Ancashina dance. Pictures, I need pictures!:)
I just wanted to share with you all that Soy Andina night was a great success yesterday evening. The audience really enjoyed the movie. The real "hit" of the night was a tie between our skype chat with Mitch, and Edi's Anchashino dance presentation. The group really enjoyed the interactive/unique style of participation that the event promoted. We sold a few copies of the DVD. I've attached an excel file with the list of participants and their emails for the SoyAndina newsletter. I'll get you the pictures a bit later!
Saludos,
Laura
This is from Lima's Somos" magazine, which is not online. Thanks to legendary Soy Andina supporter Hillmer Reyes for posting. Click to enlarge:
Save the date: Sunday June 7, 11am-6 pm for the 17th annual "Festival of the Andes on the campus of Jersey City State Univesity, " a free outdoor festival celebrating the cultures of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay.
According to the postcard, the event will include live music, dance workshops, arts and crafts; llamas for petting, and my favorite -- a shrunken Head (tsantsas) display. Yikes.
Got a doc in progress, or on your mind? Get yourself to this event, no excuses (that goes for you old pros as well as first-timers).
Fernanda is the best in the business on helping us overwhelmed filmmakers figure out stories, make trailers to raise cash, getting our visions realized. Did I mention she's also a wicked tango dancer?
The thing is, she doesn't do workshops much anymore -- she's working on another book, and always in demand for private consults. So when she shows up in your area, you act.
Here's the clincher - for this upcoming workshop, the price is ridiculously low, thanks to the National Association of Latino Independent Producers and a host of partner presenters supporting "diverse visions, regional voices."
The agenda includes:
- full day workshops on story structure and trailer
- lectures on camera and new media
- one on one mentoring with industry pros
- Breakfast and lunches included
- Fernanda's book on trailers
The price:
$190 for general admission
$125 people of color (as the flyer says)
$75 students
Complete info and registration at the NALIP website.
You've probably seen and admired Hiromi's work without knowing it -- she's the designer of our beautiful DVD cover, as well as posters, postcards, etc. I drove her crazy over the years. But she is very strong. It didn't stop her from continuing to paint.
Her latest work will be on display soon -- along with art by the talented Akikos (Yamamoto and Matsuo).
Click image below to enlarge:
Soy Andina inspires many comments. Here's one I wanted to spotlight, from Christina (via blog comment):
My mother is from Lima, Peru, and my grandparents sent her to the United States for a better education. She came to this country not knowing any English and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business from Ohio State. She then became a citizen. As a single parent she has raised me to carry on tradition and how important it is to have passion in what you do.
This movie reminded me how important those things are in life, and reminded me of the things she taught that I have lost within the rat race of life. This movie has inspired me to complete my degree, which will be international hospitality management. I will also travel around the world completing a study abroad program. I will take in the different cultural differences and share it through my work for the world to come and see. I want to send a thank you for this movie -- it reminded me of my passion in life. Watching this movie has been an overwhelming inspiration to just go after what I want. It will be a journey.
Our screening at the West Side YMCA on April 23 celebrating Immigrant Heritage Week was bolstered by special guests:
1. Commissioner Guillermo Linares from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs spoke passionately about the film and offered to help set up more screenings.
2. The Pallas (Katty Huarcaya, Arantxa Roman, Doris Loayza y Patricia Aranibar) paid homage to the Incan noblewomen, characters who also appear in the Llamellín Fiesta.
3. In the house: filmmakers Gaby Yapes (Danzak) and Keith Aronowitz (Metamorphosis); musician/associate producer Bruce Markow; photographer Doug Klosterman (photos below):
Last weekend Nélida traveled to Jauja (Junin, the Central Andes) with fellow Ancashinos Noelia Silva and Hillmer Reyes to present Soy Andina at the municipalidad. Naturally, the event was hosted by Jaujino treasure Nicolas Martinez, the professor and musican featured in the movie.
(All photos by Hillmer Reyes)
Nélida promoting the event on Tropical Light 95.5
(La Mejor de tu dial, Juaja-Huancayo-Concepcion-Chupaca)
Nicolas Martinez and Nélida
Nélida (pictured here as superwoman Palla Ancashina) dazzles the local authorities
Here's another opportunity to see the film in Lima and meet the inspirational title character Ms. Nelida Silva:
Breaking news: Finally, after months of speculation, gossip, rumors and concern from her legions of fans, www.soyandina.com has learned that Cynthia Paniagua is indeed alive, choreographing a show called "Paukartanpu" for the Kusikay Theater in Cusco. Stay tuned for further developments as they unfold. Meantime: click the image below to see her credit, and read more here.
Tate Hausman, founder/manager of the Studio Guild collaborative space I'm based at, has just launched a cutting-edge web 2.0 PR campaign for his prodigy son's new film. He's asking for reader comments and distribution leads on his website. Sample scene below:
The amazing Rosa Carhuallanqui -- dancer, ethnomusicologist, and founder of Peru Inca Folk dance company -- is leading Peruvian dance workshops next month in convenient locations in Manhattan and Queens. (Rosa will also be performing and teaching at Jersey City arts High school Program, during our Soy Andina event on May 1. She teaches at schools at around the tri-state region)
IZAMPONA _ SIKU-SICURIS (Suri)
Saturday,May 9
TONDERO
Saturday, May 9
FESTEJO
Saturday, May 23
MARINERA NORTENA
Saturday, May 23
Locations:
Manhattan: Lotus Music & Dance (109 West 27th St
Long Island City: ISIS 30-01 Northern Blvd
Register/info:
Peruvian Music and Dance Project
(973)478-9379, (212)697-2495
peruviandance_project@yahoo.com
Centro Comunitario CEUS is a non-profit agency serving the Hispanic immigrant community, based in Union City, NJ (just 10 minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel).
Besides educational and cultural activities, CEUS provides excellent immigrant legal services through staff attorney Marguerite Marty, at rates about half charged by law firms.
I can personally attest -- I worked with Marguerite after researching plenty of high priced law firms. She helped secure my wife Doris's green card leading to citizenship. The process was a pleasure. Marguerite was super-attentive and knowledgable (she even came to our last screening!)
I highly recommend CEUS for immigration-related cases, including citizenship, family petitions, political asylum, work permits (NACARA, VAWA), domestic violence cases.
If you're in the NY/NJ area, look no further. CEUS will also work with clients outside the region by mail or phone.
Contact CEUS at (201) 617-2466. Tell 'em I sent you.
You can also support CEUS's work with tax-deductable donations -- see their website for more info.
Update on tonight's return screening in Jauja in the beautiful central Andes, thanks to Twitter and email:
Just got this tweet from Ancashino amigo/social entreprepeneur/Soy Andina supporter and fan Hillmer Reyes:
In Jauja, Peru http://english.jauja.info/ with friends who are presenting documentary film http://www.soyandina.com
A few minutes later, this email came in, from the legendary Nelida herself:
Saludos de Jauja, tonight we´ll screening it at the municipalidad and I will dance Palla Llamellina
Peruvian-American Filmmaker Alex Rivera's new film opens this Friday in NY and LA.
Go see it, as I did -- it's pretty amazing. Go this weekend if you can, to help the film's run to continue.
As Alex writes:
"It's science-fiction, but has nothing do to with space aliens, or cops who shoot robots. SLEEP
DEALER is a film of ideas, and it looks at the future from a
perspective never seen before: from south of the border, looking at
America from the outside.
The NY TImes calls it: "exuberantly entertaining -- a dystopian fable of
globalization disguised as a science-fiction adventure"
More information at http://sleepdealer.com
Here's what it looked like from my laptop in Manhattan - answering questions from students in Caroline Cruz's media production class at Católica University in Lima:
(Also check out Caroline's cool rocker life outside the classroom....This is getting to be annual event!)
Well, it seems I have been nominated for an ORGULLO PERUANO (Peruvian pride) 2009 award. For the "Extranjero Solidario" category. (Thank you Araceli Ma Cárdenas for the nomination!)
The funny thing is, Nelida and Ballet Folklorico Peru won an award last year!
I don't know if I'll win, but it's nice to even be nominated for the same prize won by legends of Peruvian folklore Ballet Folklorico Peru. Here's what they wrote:
Ha sido registrado entre los Postulantes al Premio ORGULLO PERUANO 2009...Considera su participacion por: Director del Film Soy Andina....Ademas de haber creado un documental hermoso de nuestras danzas peruanas, desde un punto de vista peruano-americano se ha dado el trabajo de congregar a la comunidad peruana en varias ciudades de Estados Unidos para mostrar su film.
THis is the company that organizes the event.
Attention Chicago:
Peruvian dance workshops this Saturday with Peru Negro co-founder Lalo Izquerdo, celebrating the first anniversary of Circulo de Estudios Peruanos:
Saturday, April 4th, 2009
10.30 am - 12:00 pm: Peruvian Cajon
6 to 7.30 pm: Marinera Limena
AfriCaribe Cultural Center (2547 W. Division St, Chicago
Donation: $ 25
More info: Gustavo Alatta, director
847- 398-6433 / 847-322-3499
circulodeestudiosperuanos@yahoo. com
As you know I am in Cusco working with Kusikay, which has me on board until November. But I am still waiting from NYU to see whether I begin my Masters in NYC starting in June.
.
El Museo Nacional del Indígena Americano en Nueva York anuncia:
XIV FESTIVAL DE CINE + VIDEO INDÍGENA AMERICANO
26-29 de marzo, 2009\
Vea el video del festival en www.redesindigenas.si.edu
From Africa to Peru to Australia to the world:
Peruvian-born Angelli Meza hosts a live streaming Afro-Peruvian music show from Australia's FM99.3 website: tomorrow night and every Friday, 7:00-8:00 pm.
Toma!
The name says it all....join us!
It's here at last! The Big Fiesta/Party of the Year, hosted by our amigos Hillmer, Carolina and friends! With special guest appearance by fellow Ancashina/dancer Nelida Silva!
Hillmer Reyes te invitó al evento: 'Cortamonte del Cultural Bolognesi' en Bolognes, Provincia de Pallasca, Ancash, Perú.
Están cordialmente invitados al cortamonte de Bolognesi en el local del Cultural en Lima. Los que están lejos, estarán con nosotros en espíritu :) Saludos.
Cortamonte del Cultural Bolognesi
Hora: marzo 21, 2009 a las 1pm para marzo 22, 2009 a las 1am
Ubicación: Asociación Deportiva Cultural Bolognesi
Organizado por: ADCB y los padrinos: Hillmer, Carolina, Raul, Manuel y Wilmer
Ver más detalles y RSVP en Bolognesi - Perú
P.S. don't forget to consult Hillmer's famous list of Restaurantes Favoritos en Lima
Between the fiesta and the food, we got you covered in Lima
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