On December 5, 2010, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance debuts our 7th original musical "500 Years," the first-ever Tri-Lingual musical -- in English, Spanish, and Taino -- by PRFDance Director Ana Maria Tekina-eiru' Maynard in collaboration with Rupert Reyes, Director of Teatro Vivo.
This magical and inspiring story brings to light a cultural awakening whose time has come. Featuring live traditional music and dance, "500 Years" showcases near 50 of our own dancers, musicians, and performing arts students, and passes on a heritage to a new generation.
Sembrando Herencia 2010 - "500 Years" will debut on Sunday, December 5, 3pm, at the Davis Auditorium at the Texas School For the Deaf, 1102 S. Congress, Austin, Texas 78704. Adult tickets, $10.00 in advance ($12 at the door). Child tickets (ages 3-12) are $5.00. Children 2 and under are FREE. BUY TICKETS online without service charge! CLICK HERE for directions to the theatre.
The Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance Fall season of cultural arts programming is supported in part by IBM, Ruta Maya Coffee, Fiesta Mart, Target, ahora si!, The City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. Please consider joining the list of many private sponsors who also support our work.
Please share our
OFFICIAL POSTER and
enjoy this commentary by Rupert Reyes, Director of Teatro Vivo:
There is a whole world waiting to be discovered and it is right here in Austin, Texas. It is a world that revealed itself slowly. Once again, Dr. Ana Maria Tekina-eiru' Maynard brings to audiences around the state a musical spectacle that the whole family will enjoy! Dr. Maynard continues to shine in her artistic growth not only as a dancer and musician with her company but as a playwright/director as well. This musical marks the 7th musical that she has written, directed and choreographed. Come and enjoy a fun, exciting and educational performance. The magic she brings to her work will be highlighted in this performance as she guides us into the past, the present and the future in her latest work, 500 Years. Why is the play called 500 years? While the play takes us through this many years in Puerto Rican history it is also a reminder for a cultural awakening that has taken this long to complete. Come and experience an evening of music, dance, laughter and enlightenment with the newest play by Dr. Maynard and the Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance Company.
Rupert Reyes, Director
Teatro Vivo
The well publicized talk was well received, and generated enough interest from outside the Watson Research facility, that IBM provided streaming playback over the IBM Intranet during the talk. Followon requests resulted in the posting of the video on their internal website. In the morning that day, Navajo Sandra Begay-Campbell of Sandia National Laboratories gave a talk on renewable energy for tribal lands.
In this hands-on workshop participants will learn a little history about ancient Taino warfare, and how to make an authentic Taino Macana suitable for wall-display.
Materials required: wood and etc. (Details provided upon RSVP.)
During the 2nd half we will be thanking God for the many blessings we have received over the last 13 years with an authentic Taino Areyto (ceremonial dance), which will include an Areyto Guaytiao (friendship dance) that the audience will be able to participate in. So come sing and dance with us before the drums, or just bring your dominoes and come and play on our big, tree covered lawn. Our birthday celebration will take place at our cultural center 701 Tillery St, Austin 78702.
In 1969, under El Plan Espiritual de Aztlan, the Chicano Movement ushered in a renewal of the consciousness of mestizaje, the mixture of Spanish and Indian as a basis for cultural identity. By 1980 many Chicana/o activists had decided to steer a different course, that of reclaiming indigenous identity. "...and the dead shall rise" documents their efforts in both local and international settings, outlining an ideological framework that now resonates in nearly all Mexican American communities.
Through a narrative guided by the words of 80 year old Rafael Guerrero we witness the literal rebirth of practices once thought lost in a remote time. Don Rafael, a Yaqui veteran of the Mexican Revolution, founding member of the United Farm Workers, and graduate of the University of California, speaks with a compelling authority. He convinces the viewer that his message was prophetic and it continues to resonate whenever we hear Evo Morales speak before the U.N. or read blogs about 2012 on the internet.
The film premiered at the International Latino Film Festival in Chicago in 1990. Now you can participate in its revival and decide for yourself if don Rafael's prediction that the "dead shall rise" is becoming a reality. Join us for the Austin premier and participate in a dialogue of what constitutes an indigenous identity. Special guests for a panel discussion after the viewing include Dr. Mario Garza, Indigenous Cultures Institute; Dr. Tekina-eiru' Maynard, Tekina-Suania, Concilio Taino; and the film's producers Carlos Aceves and Gabriel S. Gaytan.
This event will take place at the Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center, 701 Tillery Street, Austin, TX, 78702. For more information, contact PRFDance or Maria Rocha, Indigenous Cultures Institute, (512) 393-3310, ICIinfo@IndigenousCultures.org.
This event will take place at our Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center, 701 Tillery Street, Austin, TX, 78702. Bring your hard questions. Our hope is this base understanding of Taino history and Tainos today will give attendees a deeper appreciation of the upcoming film/panel, "...and the Dead Shall Rise" (on Aug 21, see below.)
This once in a lifetime, unique production will merge Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance with Masters from Guateque and take you on a voyage across Puerto Rico's music and dance traditions. Don't miss the debut of a "Velorio de Angelitos" featuring beautiful Jibaro music and rescued traditions from the mountains of Puerto Rico. Our lively estampa "Pelea de Gallos (The Sequel!)" and an Homenaje a la Musica Popular de Puerto Rico are not to be missed!
We will be dedicating this year's performance as a big THANK YOU to God for the safe return of our cuatrista Adam from military duty in Afganistan. Discount hotel rates available for those who want to come into Austin and celebrate with us!
Celebrando will take place on June 26 (8pm) & 27 (2pm) at The Theatre at Reagan High, 7104 Berkman Dr, Austin Texas, 78752. Admission: Adults $12 advance/$15 door, $5 Children (12 & under), lap children free (2 & under).
BUY TICKETS online without service charge!
This performance is sponsored in part by IBM, Ruta Maya Coffee, Fiesta Mart, Country Inn & Suites-Round Rock, Ahora Si, The City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Enjoy our Facebook Page where we are keeping exciting updates!
This joyful, traditional music and dance performance will be take place at the Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium, 600 River Street, Austin 78701. This event will be in partnership with the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) who, along with the City of Austin, is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access will be provided upon request. For special accommodations please call the MACC at 512-478-6222, or 711-Relay-Texas, or 1-800-735-2989 TTY.
***SPECIAL NOTE***: We will be collecting a donation at this event for a cultural center family in need of financial help. Little Isabella has undergone 5 brain surgeries this year to try and control severe epileptic seizures. Unfortunately, her seizures continue and is in need of a medical-aide dog for safety and assistance. Details and contact information are in this flyer.
Around 7000 years ago, the native peoples of Mesoamerica breeded the first corn they called "teozintli" from indigenous grass. Over time, corn made its pilgrimage into North America, to Florida, and from there to the Taino who called it "maisi" (maiz). The Spanish conquistadors brought the name maiz to Mexico, as corn is most commonly called today.
During this special event, the Kalpulli Tlalteca people of Mesoamerica complete a three year journey they have made to complete the circle -- and fulfill a prophesy -- in the return of the original maiz to the Taino people. In 1982, when they were working to restore the tradition of the planting of original corn, an elder by the name of Rafael Guerrero (Yaqui) gave them them a prophecy: indigenous nations that were thought dead will come back to life. That will be one of the signs that their time has come.
With the greatest honor and respect, we the children of the Taino of Boriken will accept this gift and bring it home so that it can be planted on sacred land to "continue" the circle. While we wait, enjoy website of the Kalpulli Tlalteca.
PRFDance will honor Puerto Rico's "primera raiz" (1st root) with a performance of native Taino music, with authentic ceremonial log drums and bajio (Taino flute). We will also perform Bomba, featuring authentic barril drums and improvised dance, to honor Africa's contribution to our lively culture. The event will feature the 2010 Census Texas Road Tour Van, an interactive display that will be prominently featured against the capitol building, and will open with an inspirational performance by the Austin Community Steelband Band (Steelpan). I won't spoil the surprise, but if you are easily moved, bring your tissues!
Boricuas be counted! We urge all Puerto Ricans to fill out their Census , especially those here with me in the Big State of Texas!!! Judging by the large numbers of "banderas" I see in cars today, our numbers have greatly grown!
To those Boricuas who further identify as Taino, this is an opportunity to reverse the 1800 Census (to Spain) that eliminated the Indio category, and erased on paper the existance of thousands of Taino still living in the mountains of Boriken. The Taino people, thousands across the US and Puerto Rico, have a unique opportunity to let the world know...
"We, the Taino are still here." Here are Simple directions how Taino from Boriken can be counted on the Census.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. This Valentine, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance will once again celebrate love and family with a Salsa Dance in the tradition of the old-fashioned Pot-Luck, Family Parties Saturday, February 13, 7-10pm.
Find those "dress up" clothes you never get to wear anymore, and bring the kids! In the spirit of sharing, please bring a main dish, finger food, or dessert to share to the this (non-alcoholic) family-friendly event.
Come dance "Salsa Dura" with your kids on Valentines Day, at the Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center, 701 Tillery Street, Austin, 78702. Our PRFDance Director will be spinning her amazing collection of Fania. No partner needed!
P.S. We hear some Dads in our community are bringing their dominoes!
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Do you know why Puerto Ricans are such joyful people? It's because we celebrate the Christmas season (Las Navidades) longer than any culture on the planet! Last year was so much fun that once again, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance is partnering with The Parranderos de Austin to throw the largest "Octavitas" celebration Central Texas has ever seen, Sunday, January 24, 2010, 2-5pm.
Puerto Rico's Holiday Season begins with Thanksgiving and ends with Octavitas, the last holiday of the season, beginning 8 days after the Epiphany and lasting for 8 days (no kidding)! In Puerto Rican tradition, if you received a visit from a friend or relative on Three Kings' Day, you are supposed to return the visit eight days later. So bring your instruments and come sing along -- one last time -- to joyful Puerto Rican holiday songs led by The Parranderos de Austin. Come participate in or just enjoy traditional dance and music performances by PRFDance's Professional & Junior Company and Performing Arts Students. This celebration, free and open to the public, will take place at our Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center, 701 Tillery Street, in Austin, Texas 78702. Here are directions. This family event is sponsored by Fiesta Mart.
Become a SUSTAINING DONOR with a recurring MONTHLY donation!
Or DONATE through PAYPAL GIVING FUND (no fees are subtacted)!
