Soy Andina: The Blog

SOY ANDE-NEWS | March 11, 2008

Below:

* Screening this weekend in Chicago
* Screenings at Dance Fests in NY, SF
* New Movie!
* Neli reports from Lima at Racism Conference
* Latest Press (Variety and NY Times online)

"A fabulous piece of Peruvian culture. My mom is serrana and connected with Nelida's experience. I related to Cynthia as a 1st-generation American. It captivated & educated everyone in the theatre, that Latinos are not just all about "techo-cumbia."

-- June & Rosie Fonseca Munoz, California

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THIS WEEKEND! CHICAGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL
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Sat, Apr 12, 4:00pm and Mon, Apr 14, 8:30pm

Big thanks to Peru Profuno Dance Company and Consulate of Peru in Chicago for spreading the word. I'll be at both shows.

More info

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May 11 & 12: DANCE ON CAMERA | JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER
(Westchester County, NY)
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More here

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June 26: SAN FRANCISCO ETHNIC DANCE FESTIVAL
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More here

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THE NEW MOVIE IS DONE!
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Here's the scoop on "Llamellin and the Fiesta Patronal"

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SCREENING AT RACISM CONFERENCE IN LIMA
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Neli was on the panel, and files this report

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LATEST PRESS
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Variety

NY Times online
All Press
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MORE NEWS SOON ABOUT:
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- DVD release
- Report from Wharton Conference Lima
- More screenings

Hasta pronto! Thanks for reading. FORWARD TO FRIENDS!

Support Village Earth's projects with Indigenous Communities in Amazon

Check out Village Earth's website for inspiring news about work they are doing in the Amazon.

The organization is having a Peruvian dance/fundraiser April 23 in Colorado (but you can donate online)

Poets in English, Spanish or other language sought for Festival in NY/NJ

The Tiksi Group is looking for poets to participate in an International Poetry festival in June:

"This event will try to emulate the world acclaimed Medellín International Poetry Festival... We welcome poets of different ethnic backgrounds and multiple languages. Poets will read their own work in English, Spanish or other language...

Email Ana Maria Quispe for more info: anaq2000 AT hotmail.com

New Video "Llamellin y su Fiesta Patronal!"

Our new video is done! "Llamellin y su Fiesta Patronal" -- 8 days of the astonishing fiesta, bursting with Andean music, dance and tradition, distilled into 27 minutes for your viewing pleasure and spiritual growth.

This is the Complete Fiesta, featuring all your favorite Llamellin traditions and characters, from the guinea pig procession to the Epic Battle between the Last Inca and the Spaniards. A must-have for fans of Neli, who adds some great voice-over commentary, but mostly does what she does best -- dances!

I'm thrilled to have finally completed this. It delivers what many of you have asked for -- more footage of Neli and her world. Hopefully all our Llamellino friends will like it too. Which could mean extra-large portions of cuy for me at the next fiesta, we'll see.

As usual, I couldn't have done a thing without my talented and patient editor Diana Logreira. Thanks also to Gretchen Hildebran, for additional fine editing work....Grammy-award winning sound editor Juan Sosa...associate producer/future arts therapist/Llamellin specialist Doris Loayza...associate producer/stellar musician Bruce Markow....co-producer Leda Duif....and John Ayala, who will be designing the DVD.

"Llamellin y su Fiesta Patronal" will be available as a special bonus feature on the DVD of "Soy Andina," coming soon.

"Chicha para todos!"

New Llamellina Pallas clip from Nelida!

Direct from the source, Nelida supplies us with this recent clip from the Llamellin fiesta outside Lima (I don't know who shot it, though I imagine they had a healthy portion of chicha!)

Pallas Llamellinas & The Death of the Last Inca from Nelida Silva on Vimeo.

NYC: Sonia Peña stars in new Spanish-Language play "Las Manos de Dios"

Our friend Sonia Peña makes a cameo appearance in Soy Andina, dancing at the Llamellin Fiesta (merengue meets wayno) -- but she's become a full-blown, seductive star in the new Spanish-language play "Las Manos De Dios:"

"Las Manos de Dios"
Lehman College
250 Bedford Pk Blvd, West Bronx
Sat April 12 & Sat April 19 @ 8PM
Tickets: $20 & $25
Order directly from the star by email.

Below: Sonia's wearing the white hat in the poster...and below that, a photo of her surrounded by fans (click to enlarge)

Andean Music/Dance in NYC, April 16 & 19

Mosaicos Del Peru Andean Folklore Foundation Inc presents:

The Virgin of Candelaria from the Andes, to New York --
Folkloric Music and Dance from the Andes
(Part of New York City's Immigrant Heritage week)

Wed, April 16, 7-9:00 pm
CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th street
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Sat April 19, 5:00-6:30
Queens Museum of Art, Flushing Meadows

More info here

Docuclub's work-in-progress series is back, and seeking submissions

DocuClub is back! Now under the auspices of Arts Engine, Docuclub is a New-York based film series that shows works-in-progress documentaries for moderated feedback.

Coordinator Felix Endara reports they are seeking submissions for 2008 -- namely, rough cut docs between 45-120 minutes.

To submit -- and to join the Club, which includes free admission to all events -- go to their website or email Felix.

Peruvian Peña in Queens, Sat 12 de Abril

Saturday April 12
Elmhurst Memorial Hall, Queens

GRAN PENA SHOW
with Perú Andino
Ballet Folklorico Perú
Italo Masgo
Zaida

Tickets/info: (516) 671-1768

Soy Andina in Chicago: Sat April 12 & Mon April 14, at Chicago Latino Festival

I'm thrilled to be debuting Soy Andina in Chicago at the 24th Chicago Latino Festival, one of the longest-running Latino film festivals in the nation:

Sat April 12 at 4:00 pm
Mon April 14, 8:30 pm
Instituto Cervantes | 31 W. Ohio St. (Directions here)

Tickets $10 (discounts for students and seniors), available at the theater starting one hour before showtime.

New Review from The Chicago Reader

The Chicago Latino Film Festival runs April 4-17, see the complete calendar here.

A big GRACIAS to Carmen, Kathy, Ron, Brando and everyone at Peru Profundo Dance Company in Chicago, who are helping us with outreach and more -- from airport pickup to local Peruvian restaurant guide to hosting us!

I first connected with Peru Profundo nearly three years ago, after receiving this inspiring blog response from Kathy.

They'll be selling DVDs of their shows after both screenings.

FOR PRESS RELEASE, CLICK BELOW