Soy Andina: The Blog

Peruvians in NYC: Encounters with the Queen of Lando Eva Allyon, jazz virtuoso Gabriel Allegria, and blogger (and champion salsa dancer) Javier L. Orellana

Two weeks ago I got an email from Javier Orellana, co-writer of the terrific blog Tempo Expresso ("a Double Shot of Latino Life"), asking me to spread the word about upcoming Afro-Peruvian jazz shows with Gabriel Alegria and Eva Allyon.

So I did. But wasn't sure I'd make it.

Then the next week Carlos Quiroz raved about Gabriel's appearance in Washington, DC. That clinched it, I had to go.

So on Monday I headed down to NYU's Steinhardt School for a Peruvian Descarga for jazz and Peruvian musicians. Eva performed with Gabriel's incredible Afro-Peruvian jazz band. An amazing night. Especially in such an intimate setting.

Afterwards, a lot of us headed around the block to the jazz club Cachaca, where the musicians kept on jamming.

Here's a photo.

Gabriel's touring other cities in the USA, and leading a Jazz Tour of Peru in August.

Peruvian-American filmmaker Edward Hermoza Kramer

Keep an eye out for Edward Hermoza Kramer, the son of Peruvian immigrants. We connected through the Santa Barbara Film Festival, where a film he co-produced/shot/edited (Thinking Grande!) appears.

I keep gravitating towards music docs and the communities that surround them....Check out the my last doc Community Band. I am working on a new documentary where the Cajon is the main character, using it to reveal Afro Peruvian culture.

Behind the Scenes with Skylight Pictures

We've mentioned Pamela Yates, Paco de Onis and Peter Kinoy from Skylight Pictures frequently in this blog, for good reason: their film State of Fear is a must-view for anyone interested in Peru.

There's another reason to toast these filmmakers however -- they throw parties that nearly rival the Llamellin Fiesta Patronal in spirit and fun (if not guinea pigs):

Marinera Mania

This week's issue of Living in Peru has a nice article about the Marinera and the upcoming National Marinera Trujillo Competition (The Super Bowl of Marinera....speaking of which, go Giants!)

Screening: West Long Branch, NJ | Feb 15, 2008 | Two Rivers Film Festival

I'm excited that Soy Andina is a part of "LatinAmerican Realities," a serious month-long program of events (Jan 22-Feb 22) that explore the art, people and culture of Peru and Brazil. It's being presented by Monmouth University in partnership with the Two River Film Festival.

Our screening takes place Friday, February 15, 7:30 p.m. at the Pollak Theatre. (Directions here).

The other Peruvian films include the acclaimed feature Dias de Santiago; Hands of God, a doc about Afro-Peruvian percussionist Julio “Chocolate” Algendones; and "State of Fear: The Truth About Terrorism" by our friends Pam Yates and Paco de Onis.

And anchoring the entire program is Afro-Peruvian dance by Peru Negro, described on the site as the "Official Ambassadors of Peruvian Culture" (actually I'd propose that title be shared with our Nelida Silva -- but hey, I'm biased.)

Our screening and all the events (with the exception of Peru Negro) are free.

Thanks to Professor/Anthropologist Dr. Bill Mitchell for inviting us after finding our website. His book about life in the Andes, Voices from the Global Margin, won the 2007 LASA Peru Flora Tristan Award for best book published in any language on Peru.

UPDATE ABOUT BILL:

More buzz about the Program:

Two River Film Festival

The Independent

Monmouth University News

Dave Shraeger

Meet Carolina Huaranca: Wall Street investment banker turned education entrepreneur, who's helping bring Soy Andina to schools

I've lost count of how many amazing people have found us through the internet. Here's another. I asked Carolina to write her own story, below. She will attend the Wharton Global Conference in Lima this March with me, where we'll be seeking underwriters to develop study guides and distribute Soy Andina in schools.

While scouring the Internet for Marinera classes, Carolina Huaranca, a former Wall Street investment banker turned education entrepreneur, came upon the Soy Andina weblog and became instantly captivated by the documentary.

"This film fully embraces Peru's culture, traditions, and ethnic diversity. It not only helps re-ignite cultural pride amongst Peruvians-Americans from all walks of life, it encourages dialogue across all cultures."

Ms. Huaranca was just as fascinated with the online community that developed around the documentary.

"I was amazed at just how many people felt as passionately as I did about this film. After meeting Mitch I was inspired to spearhead an effort to introduce Soy Andina to U.S. schools."

Today's U.S. youth are living in a global society. It's imperative they develop a strong understanding of other cultures. Teaching cultural awareness is difficult, especially when students find what they read about challenging to identify with. This is even more problematic for children attending schools in low-income urban areas. The main challenge many educators face is finding a way to present social science materials in a way that can be easily understood and relatable.

According to Ms. Huaranca: "A film like Soy Andina is the perfect teaching tool to facilitate this. The Soy Andina team aims to create an engaging yet rigorous curriculum to be used along with the film in schools. Our ultimate goal is to elevate cultural understanding, enhance learning, and increase student engagement."

Kuyayky, a superb Andean music group

They live in North Miami, but their music and hearts are rooted in the Andes.

Meet Kuyayky. Music group, family, and foundation. On a mission to promote Peruvian culture and bridge worlds.

And if the timing works out, collaborators with Soy Andina. We are plotting a show with them for April. More info soon.

Meantime: catch them them live on Friday Feb 8, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Seth Godin and my editors

Marketing Guru Seth Godin writes:

Turns out that for the last seventeen twenty-seven years, every single movie that managed to win the Oscar for best picture was also nominated for best editing.

Great products, amazing services and stories worth talking about get edited along the way. Most of the time, the editing makes them pallid, mediocre and boring. Sometimes, a great editor will push the remarkable stuff. That's his job.

The easy thing for an editor to do is make things safe. You avoid trouble that way. Alas, it also means you avoid success.

Who's doing your editing?

My Answers: here and here.

Pachamama Peruvian Arts presents "El Nino," an original musical: Friday, Feb 1, in Jackson Heights

From Gabrielle Hamilton and Rosa Carhuallanqui:

The Center for Traditional Music and Dance and the Pachamama Organizing Committee are pleased to present El Niño, an original musical based on a Peruvian folk narrative.

Complete press release in Spanish and English, below:

Help Neli and her “Organización Llamellina Llapantzi” find a home in Lima

You may know the story by now:

In 2006 a group of Llamellinos including Nelida founded "Llapantzi” to revive traditional fiesta patronals (as featured in Soy Andina) in Lima. But the bigger mission has been to acquire land and establish a permanent "local."

They launched a big fundraising campaign and are closing in on their goal. They just found a dream site. They are seeking finishing funds.

Want to make a donation and be part of the resurgence of Llamellin/Andean traditions and pride?

Contact Llapantzi's tesorera (treasurer) Noelia Silva immediately by email for more information.

I don't know if there are tax deductions, but I do know all contributors get to dance with Nelida and Noelia. If that's not a powerful incentive, I don't know what is.