LATINO HERITAGE MONTH 2010

THE SALSA REVOLUTION: EXPLORATION OF LATIN MUSIC

Thursday, October 14, 2010 7pm

Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 200A

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• MUSIC BY ORQUESTRA LUCENA
• LECTURE BY RENOWNED ENTERTAINER/PRODUCER - JESSE BERMUDEZ
• VIDEO DOCUMENTARY SCREENING OF THE PBS SERIES FEATURING THE SALSA REVOLUTION
• DANCE INSTRUCTION BY FLACO
• STUDENT DANCE PERFORMANCE BY ESENCIA LATINA

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

ORQUESTRA LUCENA:

In 1978 Hector Lucena, Kip Morris, Anthony Silva, and Danny Rodriguez formed Orquesta Lucena. They followed their hearts and their passion to form a ten piece salsa band.  They began by interpreting various latin cover songs from famous musicians such as El Gran Combo, Bobby Valentin, and Sonora Poncena. Orquesta Lucena has shared the stage with many of the most popular salsa artists throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s such as Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Willie Colon,  El Gran Combo, Hector La Voe, Sonora Poncena, and Bobby Valentin, just to name a few. To hear some of their music, link to some of their youtube videos by clicking Orquestra Lucena.

JESSE BERMUDEZ:

Jesse Bermudez has been involved in the Latin music scene of Philadelphia for over 30 years. In the mid 1970’s, Jesse turned his focus to the Latin Music scene of Philadelphia as a performer and eventually as a promoter, coordinating the biggest Salsa Concert attended in the Philadelphia area, Salsa con Salsa, held at the Philadelphia Civic Center. 

After his many endeavors in the Latin music scene as an advocator of Latin musicians, Jesse founded the Asociacion de Musicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) in 1982 and in 1986 founded the first Latin Music School known as the AMLA School of Performing Arts. The founding organization was later renamed Artistas y Musicos Latino Americanos.   He currently is the Host of “Sonido Diferente” on Mega 1310 Saturday’s from 11am to 1pm, which is transmitted live from a very popular record shop he interviews local recording artists, plays their music, and also provides important information to the Latino community. 

THE SALSA REVOLUTION:

As part of this year's Latino/a Heritage Month Closing Ceremony,a small portion of the PBS Series, Latin Music USA, to highlight the contributions of that Latino/as have made to American music.Latin Music USA celebrates Latin rhythms at the heart of jazz, rock, country and rhythm and blues. The Salsa Revolution explores "how Puerto Ricans and other Latinos in New York reinvented the son cubano and the plena from Puerto Rico by adding elements from soul and jazz to create salsa — which became a defining rhythm for Latinos the world over" (http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/oct/09/latin-music-usa-bridges-salsa-revolution/).To preview the documentary, go to The Salsa Revolution.

FLACO:

Flaco, born Mark Best, is a native Philadelphian and has been teaching dance since 1996.  From Latin rhythms such as Salsa and Cha-Cha-Cha to American styles that range from Line Dance to Foxtrot, Flaco’s experience as a social dancer and instructor of social styles has earned him a reputation for being one of the most versatile and effective teachers as well as for being an inspiring and energetic performer who is equally comfortable and proficient in almost any rhythm.

Currently in his ninth year teaching at AMLA (Asociacion de Musicos Latino Americanos) and going into his eleventh year with MALT (Mt. Airy Learning Tree), Flaco is also tenured with Imhotep Charter High School and has finally opened his own studio, a milestone achievement in his life.

ESENCIA LATINA:

Temple University's Latina/o student dance troupe, Esencia Latina, will be performing. To view a clip of Ecencia Latina, click on Esencia Latina.