Maintaining A Balance

Hurricane Sandy Blows Plantando Banderas’ Final Performance into December!

I am learning that anything performed LIVE requires a great deal of planning, positive support, and acceptance of the uncontrollable. Things can and will go wrong! It’s the nature of life. On one hand you have a ground breaking high energy show with a fearless dreamer at the helm, dedicated dancers, a charismatic narrator, and engaging spoken word poets, so of course you must have on the opposing end a super storm barreling through the boroughs to keep things balanced. Prayer always helps but when nature decides it will take center stage, let the lady have her solo!

This year I had the privilege to once again work with Addie Diaz, the creator, director, and producer of Plantando Banderas. Addie is a staunch optimist with a drive to create live performances that honor Latinos from various walks of life. She makes the folks we view as role models, the men and women who we watched on TV, or the lesser known warriors that build our communities, assessable to audiences. Their lives and accomplishments are played out on stage in jazzy dance numbers set to Michael Buble’s Feeling Good or the heated mambo, Que Se Sepa, of Roberto Roena.

The honorees included Darlene Rodriguez, Felipe Luciano, Roberto Sancho and Rossana Rosado. Performances at the Lehman College Lovinger Theater on October 26th and 27th began with the usual preparations and jitters, but resulted in noteworthy performances by all the artists involved. Darlene and Roberto expressed gratitude to the cast after the show.

By early Sunday, as reports of Sandy’s arrival swamped media outlets, the cast and crew of Plantando Banderas packed up and headed home uncertain as to whether or not the final performance would take place.

Despite the time frame, the additional rehearsals required, the scheduling and rescheduling at the theater, Addie was determined to find the balance amidst the chaos and the final performance was December 16th. Felipe Luciano was sitting in the front row.

After the show Felipe shared his thoughts with the audience and commended all of us for honoring the lives of Latinos in a way that represented us authentically, through music, dance and poetry.

As we prepare to welcome 2013, I look forward to working with Addie Diaz and all the people involved in Plantando Banderas in the future. Despite any obstacles (and there are always a few!) we put on one foot stomping, hand slapping, heck of a show!