Luna Negra

LUNA NEGRA 2008 VIDEO CLIP

2008-03-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

The night of Wednesday March 26 was full of magic, with 3 videos and the live art of:
Nina Serrano & MamaCoAtl,
Jackeline Rago,Lali Mejia, Edgar Lavado,
Aljibe Flamenco company:
Lea Kobeli, Anna Ciacchella,
Gina Giammanco, Sandra Gabas,
Roberto Zamora, David Mclean
& La Tania
Ojala percussion band:
Carolyn Brandy, Elouise Burrell,
Regina Wells, Annette Acosta,
Sue Matthews & Ava Square-LeVias

Here a video cut thanks to the camera of Sabina Nieto.

Thanks to all MCCLA Staff and volunteers who made this possible

LUNA NEGRA Wednesday MARCH 26, 7pm

2008-03-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

LUNA NEGRA 2008
PROGRAM

Wednesday March 26
Doors open 6:30pm

6:30: Reception in the Lobby
7:00: Welcome by Jennie Rodriguez, MCCLA director & Adrian Arias, Luna Negra producer
7:05: Videos:
"Las Fruteras" by Manijeh Gonzalez, Best Short Fiction, VideoFest 2005
"Flor" by Carolina Stankiewich,, Best Video del Barrio, VideoFest 2005
“AxSawFallRope” by Sabina Nieto, 2008
7:30: Poems by Nina Serrano & MamaCoAtl
7:45: Jackeline Rago, Venezuelan music
8:15: pm: intermission and collective poem

8:30: ALJIBE, Flamenco Dance Company
8:50: Carolyn Brandy / OJALA
9:25: *Good bye reading the collective poem created in LUNA NEGRA by the audience

We will have T-shirts available

complete info:
http://www.missionculturalcenter.org/arte-luna-negra.html

LUNA NEGRA 2008, poster, info & images

2008-02-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY MARCH 26, 6:30pm

Our special guests in LUNA NEGRA 2008:
OJALA Percussion women´s group
ALJIBE flamenco dance company
JACKELINE RAGO venezuelan music
NINA SERRANO & MAMACOATL
& VIDEOS

- - - OJALA - - -

Ojalá is a talented, multi-cultural group of women whose musical celebration inspires and uplifts. Infuenced by the African Diaspora, Ojalá wraps you in its special blend of percussion, vocals and dance.
Groundbreaking percussionist Carolyn Brandy has combined her extensive knowledge of rhythm with the soulful vocals of Elouise Burrell and Regina Wells, the drumming and back-up vocals of Annette Acosta and Sue Matthews, and the high energy dance of Ava Square-LeVias.

- - - ALJIBE - - -

"Aljibe" is a word that originates from Arabic. It was the place in ancient cultures where rain water was gathered to quench thirst. La Tania has created the flamenco group "Aljibe" to unite emerging talents in the Bay Area to show the richness and fluidity that Flamenco art has in this part of the World. "Aljibe" will perform "Agua" a work in progress which wil be performed for the first time in Luna Negra.
Dancers:
Anna Ciacchella, Lea Kobeli, Gina Giammanco, Sandra Gabas
Singer: Roberto Zamora
Guitarist: David Mclean
Choreography by La Tania
www.latania-flamenco.org

- - - JACKELINE RAGO - - -

Jackeline Rago was born in Caracas, Venezuela, she is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer and educator who specializes in Venezuelan Folk-Music.
Jackeline is the artistic and musical director of the "Venezuelan Music Project", www.venezuelanmusicproject.com
and a founding member of the"VNote Ensemble" www.vnotensemble.com

- - - MAMACOATL & NINA SERRANO - - -

Nina Serrano is a Bay Area poet, translator, storyteller, and independent media producer. She conducts storytelling and poetry writing workshops in schools, libraries, and community centers and was a co-founder of the Mission Cultural Center. She recently completed a video/DVD telenovela "Grand Cafe" about immigrant women. She hosts and co-produces radio programs on KPFA-fm Nina focuses on making the arts an everyday experience in the public schools and community. Serrano is serving as the artistic director for Ecocity World Summit 2008 to be held in San Francisco in April 08. After many decades of social justice and cultural activism campaigns, Nina Serrano does not give up hope.
“From seductress to revolutionary to Earth Mother San Francisco-based singer MamaCoAtl is a performer unafraid to sing and speak about our turbulent times. Her sharp lyrics are social commentary laced with poems and prayers. She brings the altar to the kitchen and cooks a multicultural stew, fusing songs made out of spoken word, bilingual blues, and the secret ingredient; "jazzmientos." At her outstanding debut at La Peña's Hecho en Califas Festival in 2006, MamacoAtl’s stage presence mesmerized the audience who responded with a spontaneous standing ovation.”
-LA PEŇA Cultral Center-

- - - VIDEOS - - -

Las Fruteras: A Fruitvale Tale (Manijeh Gonzalez Fata, 2005, 12 min)
The daily ritual of two Latina women, a young prostitute and middle-aged fruit vendor, who share the same street corner in East Oakland produces a heartening outcome.

FLOR (Carolina Stankiewich, 2005, 7 min)
When Flor, a Latina living in San Francisco sees her image all across the Mission, she finds herself immersed within an internal quest . . . Meanwhile, she is not aware of an angel that observes and changes her near destiny.

AxSawFallRope (Sabina Nieto, 2008, 2:10 min)
A look at early construction instructional films multiplies the motion of (men) yielding materials. A performance for working the land by hand.

LUNA NEGRA producer: Adrian Arias
MCCLA Events contact: Sebastian Davila: events@missionculturalcenter.org
direct: 415-643-2791

---For complete Extended Press Release please check:
http://mcclaphotos.blogspot.com

MCCLA reception: 415-821-1155

LUNA NEGRA 2007, 140 minutes of magic....

2007-03-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the LUNA NEGRA artists this year to make possible a magical night with the power and softness of the women´s art, thanks for the support of the New College of California and to all MCCLA friends, volunteers and staff to put together this annual night honoring the WOMEN´S ART in the Bay Area.
We has a beautiful FULL HOUSE, full of creation, love, fun, spiritual and conscious. MUCHAS GRACIAS! Maria Medina, Claudia Cuentas, Laura Inserra, Aida Salazar, Tania Padilla, Butterfly, Skyler Fell, Naomi Quiñonez, Sonia Caltvedt, Rob Riddel, Sabina Nieto, Mariana Lopez, Consuelo Mendez, Judy Grahn, Anne Carol, Latanya, La Tania, Nina Serrano, Camilo Landau, Meklit Hadero and Indira Urrutia.

--- here some images from LUNA NEGRA event ---

The amazing master of ceremonies Maria Medina Serafin, The Word-Weave Rumbera, poet and musician

Claudia Cuentas and Laura Inserra, creating a poetic trip for our senses

The powerfull poems of Aida Salazar
-in the background Consuelo Mendez painting, as part of Solo Mujeres show "Recollections", open in the MCCLA Gallery until April 27-

Tania Padilla and Butterfly with accordion accompaniment by Skyler Fell presents “The Dragons Gift”, a enchanted experience of shadow puppets

Naomi Quiñonez, master poet and cultural activist

Sonia Caltvedt -magical flute- accompanied with Rob Riddel

Stills from CICATRIZ, acclaimed video-art by Sabina Nieto and Mariana Lopez

Maestra Judy Grahn !!!, poet, activist and director of the Women´s Spirituality program at New College of California, with composer and singer Anne Carol
-in the backroung still image from video MUÑEQUITA LINDA by Consuelo Mendez-

Anne Carol, captivating voice and music

Latonia, poet from Women´s Spirituality program

La Tania, Flamenco video-poem TUS MANOS
-video by Adrian Arias-

Nina Serrano, poet and activist, one of the Mission Cultural Center founders, 30 years ago and her grandson Camilo Landau

Meklit Hadero, singer, composer and activist, co-director of The Red Poppy Art House, ending this magical night

and the reception....

Indira Urrutia in front of her work in progress for LUNA NEGRA
you can see this work in the MCCLA Lobby

Nathan Embretson –thanks for volunteer with us- and Amazing Avant Garde puppeteer Tania Padilla

Laura Inserra, Claudia Cuentas in company of master Jorge Molina

La Tania Flamenca, Claudia, Camilo Landau and his Abuela, the lovely Nina Serrano

Marissa & Orlando Montez –thanks for the sound and lights-, Eduardo Waller from New College and friend

Carlos Castillo, Meklit Hadero –angel voice-, volunteer and La Tania -!-

Indira Urrutia, Nina Serrano, Claudia Cuentas and Camilo Landau

Adrian, Laura, The Word-Weave Rumbera Maria Medina Serafin -with the LUNA NEGRA poster- Eduardo and La Tania

LUNA NEGRA poster

Thanks to all our volunteers and MCCLA staff:
Jennie Rodriguez -MCCLA executive director, musician and singer-
Patricia Rodriguez -artist and MCCLA gallery director, curator of Solo Mujeres Show-
Michelle Arrieta -artist and bookings & volunteers coordinator-
Carolina Lucero -artist and gallery assistant-, Juan Fuentes -artist and Mission Grafica director-, Jose Leon -musician and youth dept coordinator-, Ani Rivera -performing artist-. Andres, Angel, Cesar, Erika, Hugo and Nora

More information about Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts:
www.missionculturalcenter.org

LUNA NEGRA 2007

2007-03-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

a night of WOMEN Art at the MISSION CULTURAL CENTER FOR LATINO ARTS as part of the SOLO MUJERES SHOW in collaboration with WOMEN´S SPIRITUALITY program at New College of California

WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 6:30pm
2868 Mission Street, San Francisco CA 94110
admission $ 5
rsvp: 415.821.1155

(((click to enlarge the photos)))

LUNA NEGRA program for the night

6:45 Intro by Maria Medina Serafin, master of ceremony, musician and poet
6:50 Music by Claudia Cuentas & Laura Inserra, Flute, Didgeridoo and percussion
7:00 Poetry by Aida Salazar
7:10 “The Dragons Gift”, Puppets by Tania Padilla
7:20 Poetry by Naomi Quiñonez
7:30 "3 Brazilian Choros", Sonia Caltvedt, flute, Rob Riddell, guitar
7:40 Video "Cicatriz" by Sabina Nieto and Mariana Lopez
7:45 Video "Muñequita" by Consuelo Mendez
7:50 Poetry by Judy Grahn
8:00 Music by Anne Carol
8:10 and 2 guest artists-poets from New College
8:25 "Tus manos" Flamenco-video-poem by La Tania
8:35 Poetry by Nina Serrano, accompanied by Camilo Landau
8:45 Songs by Meklit Hadero
8:55 End by Maria Medina Serafin, musician and poet

Live art action by Indira Urrutia (at the same time in the Lobby)

* * * * * * * *

ABOUT LUNA NEGRA ARTISTS

* * * * * * * *

MEKLIT A. HADERO (Ethiopia/US), vocalist, musician, arts organizer

Meklit was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and has since lived in twelve cities on three continents. Additionally, she has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, and Central America, giving her an international perspective that proves invaluable in our multicultural neighborhood, city and world.
She has been singing all of her life but began formal vocal training in October of 2004. In May of 2005, she was awarded the Young Musicians Scholarship from Blue Bear School of Music, which enabled her to tremendously deepen her musicianship and technical skills. She plays guitar, writes her own original compositions and performs regularly. She is also a longtime organizer of the Mission Arts and Performance Project. She is the co-director of the Red Poppy Art House.

"The sunday song"
By Meklit Hadero

give me sundays
give me mondays too
give me all week
all month
all year
i need time

i'm in no rush
i'm patient like a woman from ancient days
patient like a woman from ancient days
i need time

woke up to the sound of the alarm
it's buzz,
made my bones buzz,
made my bones buzz.
if only i had, just a little more time

i walked down to the corner
saw the bus just pull away.
a little girl smiled from the back window
and she waved.
if only i had, just a little more time.

my friends tell me-
girl, you walk slow,
saunter like a person with no place
to go
but that's not true
i just like to take my time

give me sundays
give me mondays too
give me all week
all month
all year
i need time

i'm in no rush
i'm patient like a woman from ancient days
patient like a woman from ancient days
i need time

* * * * * * * *

JUDY GRAHN, (US), poet and activist

Judy Grahn is a long time activist, poet, and cultural theorist. She co-directs programs at New College of California, in the arts and Women’s Spirituality. Her forthcoming poetry collection is called: love belongs to those who do the feeling. She invites you to explore her new origin story online at metaformia.org.

Considering herself part of a generation that "began wresting poetry from the exclusive clutches of the sons and daughters of the American upperclass and returning it to the basic groups from which it seeped and sprung," Judy Grahn--lesbian feminist poet, gay cultural theorist, archaeologist, critic, autobiographer, historian, archivist, publisher, biographer, activist, editor, anthropologist, and teacher who picketed the White House in 1963 with the Mattachine Society--has been one of the most effective leaders of the gay rights movement both pre- and post-Stonewall.
In cogently and eloquently displaying ways in which sexuality is related to other economies in our culture like gender, race, and class, she is perhaps the most successful of our contemporary writers.
Thus her Blood, Bread, and Roses: How Menstruation Created the World (1993) is dedicated "To poets." Though it argues that the female body is the origin for all knowledge, even for scientific measure, this is not an exclusionary book written exclusively for women, for inclusivity is at the heart of Judy Grahn's vision.

Love Rode 1500 Miles
by Judy Grahn

Love rode 1500 miles on a grey
hound bus & climbed in my window
one night to surprise
both of us.
the pleasure of that sleepy
shock has lasted a decade
now or more because she is
always still doing it and I am
always still pleased. I do indeed like
aggressive women
who come half a continent
just for me; I am not saying that patience
is virtuous, Love
like anybody else, comes to those who
wait actively
and leave their windows open.

* * * * * * * *

LA TANIA (Spain-France-US), Flamenco dancer

La Tania grew up in "Andalucia" southern Spain in the heart of the flamenco culture where she began to learn this art form. By the age of 17 she was performing professionally. She made Madrid her base and performed in many "Tablaos" such as Corral de la Moreria", "Zambra" and toured internationally with many companies including Mario Maya, Paco Pena etc. She began her own company in 1991 and performed in the US for the first time in 1993. Since then she has won many awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship, the California Arts Council Fellowship, the National Endowments for the Arts Fellowship, the James Irvine Fellowship in Dance and the Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Artistic Excellence in the category of Individual Performance. Currently she is based in San Francisco where she teaches regularly and continues to perform locally and Internationally.

"Tania, una joven bailaora de hermosa estampa, que en las siguiriyas y las cantiñas demostró hallarse preparada para hacer baile de contenido hondo."
("Tania, a young dancer of beautiful appearance, demonstrated in the siguiriyas and cantiñas that she is prepared to perform dance of deep content."
Angel Alvarez Caballero, Madrid, Spain, EL PAIS

"La Tania's combination of restraint and release are capable of unleashing the extraordinary..."
David Gere, Los Angeles, California,
LOS ANGELES TIMES

more information: http://www.latania-flamenco.com/latania/

El Hogar Dentro
by La Tania

Estoy buscando mi hogar en el desierto de mi infancia
veo una hoja suspendida en el aire
esperando
una mano en el aire
esperando

La hoja cae sobre la mano
las luciernagas despiertan
veo un desierto, un arbol viejo, una luna transparente
y el sol que la besa suavemente.

* * * * * * * *

ANNE CAROL (US), singer, composer

Anne Carol who calls her music "elemental enchantment with a rock edge" comes from the lineage of Patti Smith, weaving song and spoken word to earthen rhythms. The vision of her music is one of reawakening the intrinsic link humans share with Nature and with one another through her evocative tapestries. From activist outcries to seductive melodies, her music invokes courage and is a well of renewal.

"... melodious spoken word with flawlessly sung vocals...enticing layers of sound..." Tea Party Magazine-Oakland

From “Where Two Rivers Meet”
by Anne Carol

Oh my Honey don’t you wonder where I’ve been?
I’ve seen the ocean rise and fall I have seen the end of sin.
I have looked the eagle in the eye,
I have not been burned away.
I’ve walked this battlefield for many night and day.
As the bombs surged through my bones,
The river it turns red.
There was no right or wrong only blood that was shed.
As the bombs surged through my bones,
the river it turns red.
There was no right or wrong only blood that was shed.
Only blood…only blood…only blood…

links:
http://www.annecarol.com
http://www.myspace.com/annecarolmusica
http://www.sonicbids.com/annecarol

* * * * * * * *

AIDA SALAZAR, poet

Phoenix
by Aida Salazar

I've fallen and emerged with swells of
a red ocean's crescendo
I am no longer the same sad siren
now my daughter's wonder whips grief back into
the curve of a wave that
had taken my faith in the tumble
le petite morte
I rise from the froth like the phoenix
ribbons of new wisdom flap from my wings
she seals my open heartache when I land on the
shore of my own mothering and
I am able to love

* * * * * * * *

NAOMI QUIñONEZ, poet

Quiñonez is a recognized American poet whose two collections, Hummingbird Dream/Sueño de Colibri and The Smoking Mirror have received critical acclaim. Her forthcoming collection is entitled Exiled Moon. She co edited a groundbreaking literary anthology Invocation L.A: Urban Multicultural Poetry which won the American Book Award and she also co edited a highly regarded critical anthology Decolonial Voices: Chicana and Chicano Studies in t 21st Century. Quiñonez has also edited journals and magazines such as Caminos Magazine and Chiseme Arte Revista. Her next critical book Hijas de la Malinche is a history of Mexican origin women in the United States and the development of Chicana literature. Quiñonez’ creative and critical work are referenced in numerous articles, essays, journals and thesis throughout the world.
Quiñonez, who has distinguished herself among a cadre of Chicano Poets informed by the social change movements of the 1970s such as Lorna Dee Cervantes and Gary Soto, is also part of a larger genre of U.S. ethnic writers and she has appeared in programs with Quincy Troupe, Leslie Marmon Silko, David Mura and Octavia Butler to name a few.
She also appears in multicultural anthologies such as From Totems to Hip Hop, edited by Ishmael Reed.

Salt
by Naomi Quiñonez

You have perched
on the middle ground of love
and your heavy wings
cannot fly the shuffling, footless step
across the lined face
of distinction
Bird
Burdened
still as salt
on the shifting mounds
of yesterday’s wounded
departures.

* * * * * * * *

SONIA CALTVEDT (US), musician

A blend of different traditional European and Afro-Brazilian music forms, the choro was born in Brazil in the first half of the 19th century. Many believe the origin of the name comes from the Portuguese verb “chorar” (to cry), stemming from choro's lilting melodic lines which sound like weeping.
Also another theory states that the term originated from xôlo, a word used by Afro-Brazilians for vocal or dance concerts. Sonia and Rob also play in a five-piece bossa nova band, Bossa Five-O
more info: www.bossa50.com

* * * * * * * *

TANIA PADILLA, puppetier

Puppet Medicine performs
“The Dragons Gift”
10 min shadow puppet show

A girl escapes her grim reality and travels through her world of
imagination. Upon her return to earth she learns how to bring her
dreams into the material realm.

* * * * * * * *

CLAUDIA CUENTAS (Peru), musician

LAURA INSERRA, percussionist

Claudia Cuentas Gutierrez: Digiridoo, Flauta, Ucarina
Laura Inserra: Percusion

"Mis Miedos me persiguen como tormentas.
Mi cuerpo es el contenedor de mi pasion vida.
Soy como una hoja guiada por el viento,
lista para entrar al fuego central"

* * * * * * * *

INDIRA URRUTIA (Chile), Art installation

Indira Urrutia graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1994. Since then she has been following her passion for photography with explorations into other formats such as mix media, installations and video. Indira’s work is exhibited extensively.
“Photography is my own therapy. Art allows me the freedom to explore my inner self juxtaposed to my outer self.”

* * * * * * * *

SABINA NIETO (US-Spain), video
VIDEO: Cicatriz, (2 min 30 sec) 2007
Co-directors, Co-producers: Sabina Nieto and Mariana Lopez

Film Text

Before the scar there was skin.
Before the skin there was muscle.
Before the muscle there was bone.
And bone was thawed from fossil.

Cities were built from stone and mudded over by earth,
like the body was felted over by skin.
An earthquake threatened the integrity of the surface and a fissure was endured.
The surface plane compressed, and tore from the energy of interior heat.
Surface structures fell toward the fault to fill it.
What remained was a seam.

Skin, the most elastic and forgiving organ once used to cover the Earth.
Tenting between geological peaks, the skin caught all the rain,
and was mostly buried by the water.
The protrusions that couldn’t be sunk became the sites of exploration.
Cortes had landed on a scar mistaking it for Cuba.

Before the Scar tamed the ocean, roped seismic waves, or sought the metaphysical,
the only vessel for transportation was the body.
When the body was tired, it rested against a surface.
This placed the Scar behind the body,
between repose and the bones.
This was before the time of backs.

* * * * * * * *

CONSUELO MENDEZ (Venezuela), visual artist, performer

Born in Venezuela,1952, based in Caracas, Venezuela
Residing in Texas and California between 1964 and 1976, she received a BFA (SF Art Institute, 1974) and MA (SFSU, 1976) degree in Printmaking. She belonged to the group Mujeres Muralistas of SF until 1976. Then goes back to Venezuela. Works at the Simón Rodríguez University from 1981-1991. Since 1991 she is a university level art professor at the Institute of Superior Studies of Fine Arts Armando Reverón in the area of Experimental Drawing and Body Art.  
* * * * * * * *

MARIA MEDINA SERAFIN, musician, poet, activist

* * * * * * * *

NINA SERRANO, poet

Nina is a Bay Area poet, writer, and storyteller. She also conducts workshops in schools and community center. She recently completed an 18 segment telenovela "Grand Cafe" for a non-profit about immigrant women setting up thier own small businesses. The first segment goes into production next week in Oakland as a pilot project and she is very excited. In 2006, Serrano wrote the introduction to the ALAMEDA THEME POEMS ANTHOGY and her poem was published in WORDS UPON WATER, a poetry anthology about the New Orleans disaster published by Juke Box Press She hosts regular community and literature programs on KPFA-fm.

September Birthday 2006
(age 72)

the days spread a silken rug
beneath bare feet
the tune of the universe singing
an infinite song I first heard
before my birth
in harmony with all I breathe
through these September days
quiet joy hums along

Memory: The founding of the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts San Francisco, CA
by Nina Serrano

My history in the building vibrates
casting moving shadows across the ceiling
of earlier scenes
passing pieces of dialogs
faces forgotten or recalled without names
Remembered faces
that smiled saddened cooperated competed raged or encouraged
Memories right or wrong
Sketchy or in depth
Only the feel of them left to me

All bonded together by the belief
that art and culture are a human right

Once the building was an abandoned furniture store
built to help customers
fantasize the palaces their homes might become
This sofa That lamp

Imagine walking into the three-story expanse
up the sweeping staircase to the mezzanine
passing occasional cartons of left-over furniture
We had to envision a cultural center
Did we know how?
How do imagine what you have not seen?
What hasn’t been?

In late `70’s in the first years of the Centro
Men ran everything
Women were their secretaries
Then it happened a few years later in the eighties
what Betita Martinez called “The Longest Revolution”
The Centro held its first woman art show
Women curators and women artist displaying the female sensibility
and today its an annual event with a thriving woman-led administration

But back in the empty furniture store days
up the stairs we went
wondering is this the right place?
Yes! We came to a consensus
Art and culture could blossom here
The dancers and the drummers moved right in
as did our literary circle
Ladders stood everywhere to build walls and spaces
Artists painted the Mezzanine Gallery and filled it with art
For the first gallery opening I scrubbed the floors with Dora
from El Salvador who had three beautiful daughters
and created on canvas the memories from her heart
never mentioning the cancer
that would too soon take her life
Scarlett saw the deeply stained staircase carpet
and stayed up all night painting it step by step an elegant gray

The opening - what a great event it would be
But an inauguration wouldn’t be an inauguration
without a poet to bless the project
We wanted to invite Ernesto Cardenal the poet priest from Nicaragua
a strong spokesperson for social justice and spirituality
“Watchman, watchman, what of the night?”

But first things first
-Power-
There is a bottom line in human enterprise
even in art and culture
muddling the human heart
relations between lovers
between parents and children
Politics is its deadliest form
In the community election
which faction would control the Centro?
Shape its direction and services?
The poverty pimps with their grantsmanship
padded the meeting by paying the disinterested to vote
Cultural workers and their hours of volunteer organizing
watched in wary silence
as tossed beer cans hit the floor
It didn’t bode well for art and culture that night
Tensions high
Violence threatened the room
Then seven or eight men marched in military formation
not very large
They stood in silence and their moral force
spread across the crowded room
Who were they?
The Sandinistas
The exiles and immigrants headquartered in a storefront
a few blocks away
working to free Nicaragua from the dictator Somoza
I don’t remember a microphone
or who stood in the middle of the room
No chairs We didn’t own them yet
Suddenly the beer cans stopped falling to the floor
Did the paid voters leave or just forget to vote?
The motion to invite Ernesto Cardenal
to inaugurate the Centro
and for arts and culture to be the center’s focus
from that night on-triumphed

Then came
endless struggles to meet fire department regulations.
People who left to fight liberation wars in Central America
and those who stepped in to take their place

Love passion and commitment
The ceiling shadows whisper
the song caught in the heating system and the plumbing
gurgling and humming in the water pipes installed on the third floor
for use in silkscreen and photography

I married the man who installed that plumbing.

* * * * * * * *

Curator, poet and visual artist, Adrian Arias
Video dept and Literary events coordinator at MCCLA
Contact: adrian661@yahoo.com