Miracle Insider
Volume 9 Issue 17: August 19, 2010

La Luna Nueva returns with more music, more dance and more events than ever
by Antonio Sonera, Festival Director

La Luna Nueva is one of those rare gems in a city. There is no other festival like it that celebrates Hispanic Heritage month in Portland. A year ago when I was creating the festival it was only a seed to present a staged reading series that quickly flourished into a celebration of Hispanic arts and culture from around the world. La Luna Nueva is unseen beauty revealed, as Miracle opens its doors and shines the light on its stage to reveal the talents of extraordinary artists.

This year La Luna Nueva will feature eight performing groups with 16 performances, four staged readings, and two open mic poetry nights. Returning this year are evenings of Cuban jazz, flamenco and poetry/storytelling. New offerings this year include tango, world music and mariachi. What is important to note is that these are all extraordinary world class performers, many who are from our own backyard here in Portland, but some coming from Eugene, Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver B.C., Madrid and Seville, Spain. I am thrilled that these artists will grace the stage at the Miracle this year. (For a taste of what's to come, follow the YouTube links below to watch or listen to these artists online.)

La Luna Nueva is a gift to the city of Portland, and I hope you all will join me in celebrating the beauty of Hispanic arts and culture at the Miracle. As the new moon reveals itself to you, it holds you, envelops you in its light, bathes you in its magic, and allows you to breathe the power of its beauty. La Luna Nueva… you really don’t want to miss it!

Insider tip for Miracle subscribers: Save $2 off festival tickets! Just call the theatre at 503-236-7253 weekdays 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and mention that you’re a subscriber so that we can make sure you receive the best deal!

• Tango éxtasis
Two performances: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. • Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 • $25
Uncover the exquisite passion and the burning intensity of tango for one night only. Let the music and the dance embrace your body and capture your heart with this unique performance showcasing moves you won’t see at milongas. Artists from Portland and Seattle include Sean Battles, Angela Bevill-Kohler, Dominic Bridge, Mauricio Carvajal, Jaimes Friedgen, Alex Krebs, Christa Rodriguez, Jenna Rohrbacher, Pols (Sungjong Oh) and Remanda Xiang.

• Aliolé: Flamenco agridulce
Two performances: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. • Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010 • $25
“Agridulce” is the newest work from flamenco troupe Aliolé expressing life's bittersweet moments through singing, guitar, percussion and dance by artists living in Portland, Oregon (Mark Ferguson, guitarist; Lillie Last, dancer; Laura Onizuka, dancer; Toshi Onizuka, percussionist and guitarist) and Sevilla, Spain (Melinda Hedgecourth, dancer) with special guest singer Stephanie Pedraza from Vancouver, B.C.

• Nuestro Canto: Leyendas de México (Legends of Mexico)
2 p.m. • Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010 (also Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010) • $7 ages 5-12; $12 ages 13+ • Bilingual
Mexico is well known for its legends, myths and tales from the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs and Huicholes — legends of love, nature and everyday life. In this family-friendly bilingual performance, Nuestro Canto (Gerardo Calderón and Nelda Reyes) fills the air with the magic of masks, movement and imaginative storytelling.

• Boomcracklefly written by Charise Castro Smith
One staged reading • 7 p.m. • Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 • Free • Presented in English
When you spend your life dreaming, what happens when you finally get what you want? In a New York barrio, a female impersonator ignores the advice of his imaginary grandmother to fall in love with an insatiable scientist; in a Key West circus, two acrobat sisters are divided over the ghost of Ernest Hemingway; and in revolutionary Havana, a man constructs wings to fly away to another land. Three seemingly disparate stories weave together in a clever combination of science fiction and magical realism to create an eccentric environment that is as unsettling as it is irresistible. This staged reading is part of the development process for this new play that will have its world premiere at Miracle in March 2011.

• Noche de los poetas (Poets Open Mic Night)
7 p.m. • Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010 (also Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010) • Free • Bilingual
Enjoy works of poetry by Latino poets as well as original work by local authors. Audiences are invited to also bring their own Latino poetry to share in English or Spanish. No reservations necessary.

• Our Lady of the Underpass written by Tanya Saracho
One staged reading: 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 • Free • Presented in English
The same week Rome announced a new Pope, a woman driving home from work spotted an image of the Virgin Mary on a discolored wall on the Fullerton Avenue underpass. In this comedy, award-winning playwright Tanya Saracho renders the voices of those who were drawn to that wall, exploring issues of faith and desire in present day Chicago.

• Una noche con Edna Vazquez
One performance: 7:30 p.m. • Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 • $15 • Bilingual
Portland’s rising star Edna Vazquez, a singer/songwriter/guitarist originally from Colima,Mexico, brings her evocative voice to this intimate concert filled with mariachi and folk songs as well as original music. Guest artists include acoustic guitarist Juan Carlos Serbulo from Oaxaca, among others.

• Correo Aereo: A Sultry Night in Latin America
Two performances: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. • Friday, Sept. 24, 2010 • $15 • Bilingual
Correo Aereo (“air mail”) are Austin Music Award-winners now based in Seattle. The Latin American/world music trio performs traditional and original music from Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico and beyond, combining a stunning array of string and percussive instruments with silken vocal harmonies described by the Austin Chronicle as “locked in carnal embrace.” Hailed for exciting musical virtuosity and profoundly moving performances through unknown landscapes of Latin America, their sensual music is both viscerally ancient and vibrantly contemporary. Abel Rocha plays Venezuelan and Mexican harp, guitar, cuatro, quinta huapanguera and vocals. Madeleine Sosin offers violins, maracas, bombo, jarana, quijada and vocals. They are joined by Amy Denio, (KultureShock & The Tiptons), on accordion, clarinet and vocals. Their music is richly polyrhythmic and soulfully melodic – soaring, fiery, haunting and joyful … this is the universal language.

• Jessie Marquez: La noche de boleros (Night of Boleros)
Two performances: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. • Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 • $20 • Bilingual
Jessie Marquez, an emerging Northwest Latina artist that LatinoBeat Magazine calls “a musical gem,” brings to the Milagro a night filledwith boleros, those intimate and poetic Cuban love songs. Pianist Clay Giberson accompanies.

• Don Juan Tenorio written by José Zorrilla
One staged reading: 7 p.m. • Monday, Sept. 27, 2010 • Free • Presented in Spanish (no subtitles)
The legendary Don Juan, that selfish rogue who took great pleasure in defying the opponents of his romantic interests, is revisited in this classic version by José Zorrilla. Presented in its original Spanish, Don Juan Tenorio offers a chance to experience the legendary play that inspires this year’s Day of the Dead celebration at Miracle. If your Spanish is a little rusty, read the script in advance in this free, online side-by-side English/Spanish version.

• Tío Pepe written by Matthew Lopez
One staged reading: 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010 • Free • Presented in English
The Candelarias are a family of singer/dancer/actors who dream of a life as Broadway gypsies. They live on West 66th Street in Manhattan which would be an ideal location were it not for the fact that the year is 1958 and the city of New York plans to tear down their building to make way for Lincoln Center. As their neighborhood disappears around them and eviction is imminent, they retreat more and more into the dream life that only Broadway musicals provide. Visit Matthew’s Web site to read more about this young Latino playwright.

• Dreaming the Americas: Encounters/Encuentros
One performance: 7:30 p.m. • Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 • $10 • Bilingual
From Latin America to the Texas border to the Northwest, “Encounters/Encuentros” dreams the Americas anew. Poet-dramatist Cindy Williams Gutiérrez is joined by guitarist/Aztec instrumentalist Gerardo Calderón, and writer/storyteller Lynn Darroch teams up with Latin Grammy-nominated guitarist Alfredo Muro to present poetry and stories in a lively interplay with music. Gutiérrez’s poems reveal the indigenous tapestry of the Americas — from Olmec to Chinook — accompanied by Calderón on water drums, clay flutes, and wind whistles, and by Native American drumming. From Panamá to Beaverton, Darroch’s musical portraits of activists, musicians, and brujos ride the boleros, rumbas, and danzones from Muro’s guitar. Also joining the evening’s presentation are cellist Kendra Carpenter and didgeridoo player Coral Barry.

• Jessie Marquez: La Habana jazz (Havana Jazz)
Two performances: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. • Friday Oct. 1, 2010 • $20 • Bilingual
"Jessie Marquez has become la reina of Cuban music inthe Pacific Northwest,” writes Latina Style magazine, and she returns to Milagro with an evening of cool and soulful sounds of Cuban jazz. Guest artists include Upper Left Trio and Idit Shner.

• Fusion Flamenco: Travesuras (“Pranks”)
Two performances: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. • Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010 • $25
Flamenco guitarist Ricardo Diaz — who recently recorded his debut album in Spain’s Jerez de la Frontera, the cradle of flamenco music — taps the passionate and intense gypsy energy that will leave audiences with stories to remember. At Milagro, Diaz will be joined by international artists Laura Onizuka, Cristo Cortes, Vicente Griego and Antonio Arrebola.

Meet new board member Ursula Rojas
As Miracle grows, so does its board of directors, including the recent addition of Ursula Rojas. Originally from Mexico, Ursula has been the Community Affairs Consul for the Consulate of Mexico in Portland since 2006. At the Consulate, Ursula oversees the Institute for Mexicans Abroad program and advocates on behalf of the Latino community regarding issues of diversity, civil rights, health and education. Her work is mainly focused on promoting quality-of-life initiatives for the Mexican community in Oregon in areas of health, education, economic affairs and community development. She also promotes Mexican culture and artists through different projects, such as bringing exhibits, promoting Mexican films and organizing art and literature contests among many other activities. Ursula holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Angela Bolaño-Osorio recently chatted with Ursula and here is an excerpt of their conversation …
 
Angela Bolaños-Osorio: How did you first become aware of Miracle Theatre?
Ursula Rojas: I arrived to work at the Mexican Consulate in Portland almost four years ago. It was late October 2006 and I saw the fliers for el Día de Muertos at Milagro. I was impressed that a theatre company in Portland was celebrating this beautiful and unique Mexican tradition.

When did you decide to join the board of directors?
I was invited to participate at Miracle’s board after a couple collaborative projects with the theatre, namely Entre Villa y una mujer desnuda for which Mexican Director, Juan Carlos Vives traveled to Portland to direct, sponsored by the Mexican Consulate in Portland, and I was all too happy to help make this happen. I felt very honored for the invitation and started dreaming about becoming part of the Miracle.

What is your function as a board member?
I am helping to organize a charrette, brainstorming with a group of artists to come up with ideas for a new use for the former photography studio in the corner of El Centro Milagro that has a lot of potential and that Miracle would like to remodel as a multipurpose gallery/theater/dance/movie space for the community to perform and use.

What play are you looking forward to seeing this upcoming season?   
I am looking forward to seeing ¡Viva Don Juan! I love the Día de los muertos celebration!     

Sabor Milagro: Day of the Dead Dinner at Milagro Nov. 2
Mark your calendars now to celebrate Día de los muertos with dinner at Milagro on Tuesday, November 2. We’ll be serving up a traditional Mexican feast along with special entertainment amid a fascinating exhibit of artist altars recalling our loved ones. Don’t miss this wonderful way to celebrate Day of the Dead and support the Miracle Theatre at the same time. For more information, contact Outreach Coordinator Gabriela Portuguez at gabriela@milagro.org or 503-236-7253 ext. 115. Limited seating; all proceeds to benefit the Miracle.

Out and about with
Stu Rasmussen
On a recent hot August day, Milagro staffers were attending a letterpress fair, looking for opportunities to support local art. In attendance, representing Zebra Press, was none other than Stu Rasmussen, Mayor of Silverton. Featured in Teatro Milagro’s “Journeys” workbook on tolerance teaching curriculum, Stu is an inspirational leader for the LGBTQQIA community. Pictured here is Teatro Milagro Artistic Director Dañel Malan with Stu, the Mayor of Silverton. To find out more about Teatro Milagro’s “Journeys” workbook, contact Dañel at 503-236-7253 ext. 116 or malan@milagro.org.

There’s no place like home…
Except if you are on the red shoes tour to Kansas! The Teatro Milagro crew will be clicking their ruby heels together and going to Kansas City, Kansas City here they come… performing their current work American Sueño in Topeka, Emporia and Lawrence, along with Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday and Thursday, September 15 and 16, the first two days of Hispanic Heritage Month. American Sueño shares the stories of LGBTQ Latinos in a charming one-hour musical story focused on family and searching for the “American Dream” and like Dorothy, the characters are all hoping to find something somewhere over the rainbow. As for the Teatro Milagro crew, on the 17th of September they will again click their red shoes together as they fly off into the sunset, saying “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” For a tour schedule and booking information, visit:
 http://www.milagro.org/1-Performance-Presentacion/TeatroMilagro/booking.htm

That crafty Don Juan
This year’s Day of the Dead celebration is inspired by the legendary Don Juan, a play that is produced during the time of Día de los muertos. This year’s production will once again be a collaborative effort created by cast and crew in the rehearsal studio. What we know so far is that the traditional play Don Juan Tenorio is the jumping off point and likely to be the play-within-a-play. With that in mind, Dañel and Tim worked together to create an original Don Juan-inspired muertos shadowbox to grace this year’s art card. The postcard won’t mail for a while, but tickets are already on sale. Insider tip: Our Day of the Dead celebrations always sell out, so choose dates now and be sure to have seats. Plus, tickets will be more expensive at the door, so you’ll save money, too!

Don’t miss the Garbo, the Spy and the Festival of New Spanish Cinema
Once again, Milagro is pleased to sponsor one of the entries in NW Film’s annual Festival of New Spanish Cinema, a rich, nine-film, showcase confirming that diverse new talents are continuing a cinematic legacy that extends from the classic work of Luis Buñuel to contemporary directorial greats such as Pedro Almodóvar and Alejandro Amenábar. Among the terrific movies to be screened this year is Garbo, the Spy, playing at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10 and again at 9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12. Directed by Edmon Roch, this 2009 film from Spain won the Goya Award for Best Documentary. Director Roch weaves a compelling mixture of fictional reconstruction, interviews, archive footage and spy-film clips to tell the largely unknown and incredible story of Joan Pujol, a Catalan businessman who was one of the most important double agents during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, while pretending to be spying for Nazis, Pujol (called Alaric by the Germans and Garbo by the British) passed them a mix of false and real information — carefully fabricated by the Allies — which played a fascinating and critical role in changing the course of the War. His most famous exploit came in 1944 when he succeeded in diverting German defense forces to Calais while the D-Day landings were taking place in Normandy — averting considerable bloodshed. Honored as a hero on both sides at the end of the war, Pujol subsequently disappeared. Rumor had it he died in 1949 after contracting malaria in Angola — until he was discovered more than 30 years later living a new life, yet again, in Venezuela. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.nwfilm.org

Oregon Latino Agenda for Action Plans Inaugural Summit
 “One United Voice – Una Voz Unida” is the theme for an historic two day Summit slated for Oct. 17 and 18, 2010, in Salem, Oregon convening Latino leadership from throughout the state to catalyze and coordinate statewide efforts promoting the social and economic well-being, political capacity, and civic leadership of the Latino community in Oregon. Organized by the Oregon Latino Agenda for Action (OLAA), the event has been in the planning by Latino leaders from civic, community, and government sectors, including Miracle Theatre's Artistic Director Olga Sanchez.

Consuelo Saragoza, OLAA Co-Chair says, “This event will be catalytic for the positive presence and forward movement our community deserves in a climate of increasing challenges; and we expect new relationships and networks will be forged at the Summit that will strengthen our social, economic, and political capital and be of benefit not only to Latinos but also to the community at large.”

On the first day, the Summit will focus on the reception of community input and the research papers.  On the second day participants will prioritize findings into a strategic agenda for action.  The event will also feature a community fair with organizations, Latino businesses, sponsors, plus an art exhibit and cultural presentations to showcase Latino artists.

A pre-Summit online survey, also available in hard copy, will help prioritize the issues.  Responses will contribute to the content of the Salem event.  Summit details, registration info, and survey can be found on www.olaaction.org  For more information, please contact:  Andrea Cano, Summit Director, 503 804 2785, acano@olaaction.org

Announce your business to thousands of Miracle theatre fans
If you’re looking for a unique place to promote your business or service, have you thought about advertising in Miracle Theatre’s programs? We receive some 12,000 visitors during the course of the season — a cross section of loyal, motivated and culturally aware consumers that spans the growing Latino community; traditional arts and culture patrons; as well as educators and students from all walks of life. Audiences visit our Inner Southeast Portland home from all around the metropolitan area — from Hillsboro to Hood River, Vancouver to Eugene. And when you sign up for a full-season package, your ad not only appears in programs for special events like La Luna Nueva and Posada Milagro, but we also offer a profile of your company in this newsletter (circulation of over 5,000)! Demonstrate your pride and show your commitment to the diversity and cultural vitality of our community by placing your ad for as little as $125. Call us at 503-236-7253 and ask to speak with either Maya or Tim, or request a media kit by e-mail by contacting marketing@milagro.org.

Season tickets save money — and you don’t have to choose dates in advance!
That’s right — when you purchase 3-, 4- or 5-show packages, you can choose dates up front to lock in your seats, or you can wait and choose as you go. Plus, subscribers receive special invitations and discounts to a variety of events throughout the year. Download our season ticket order form and subscribe today!

Make a difference and make it monthly
We believe in the transformative power of art to make the world a better place. And we can only do this together with you. Please make your tax-deductible donation today and help us keep the Miracle affordable and accessible to all. If you prefer, you can break up your contribution into easily monthly payments charged automatically to your credit or debit card. It’s easy and it adds up -- you can make an annual contribution for as little as $12.50 a month! Click the button to make your donation online right now or, if you prefer, mail a check to Miracle Theatre Group, 425 SE Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97214.

The Insider goes outside
That’s right – it’s summer vacation time, when the Insider wants to go outside (that is, if it ever becomes sunny and warm again). So you may not hear from us quite as regularly over the next month. But never fear — we will continue to give you lots of notice of all the exciting things we have planned for La Luna Nueva, our festival of Latino arts and culture for Hispanic Heritage Month beginning in mid-September. ¡Hasta luego!