Year: 2011

Behind The Scenes

As show time approached and the crew tried to rectify some technical difficulties, the dancers and I posed for pictures, exchanged information, talked about our family members in the audience, and did everything in our power to remain calm.

I am a firm believer in that some people are meant to enter your life at the precise moment. This was the case when I met and connected with make- up artist Lillybeth Gonzalez.

She was warm, honest and a true professional. We knew instantly from our brief conversation that we would be working together again soon. Aside from having worked on hair and make-up for television and film she also does SFX makeup! Check her out at http://www.lillybethgonzalez.com/

Showtime!

I headed backstage with my essentials. Thank you Naci Skii Rosa for taking this photo!

After viewing this photograph, I realized that these essentials are exactly what I need in life:

– To breathe deeply- (As represented by my inhaler)

– To connect with positive people- (My business cards)

– To continuously move in the right direction- (My cute black heels with comfort insoles!)

After the show Daniel Freiberg, Rossana Rosado, and Darlene Rodriguez greeted the cast as photographer Jose Chevere (cheverephoto@gmail.com) took several amazing shots.

It was a pleasurable challenge to work with Addie Diaz in the realization of her dream – Plantando Banderas. I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with her again.

“Vamos A Seguir Plantando Banderas!”

My souvenir – A Plantando Banderas Hat!

Conversations With My Skin is the first book of poetry of writer and educator Peggy Robles- Alvarado. She vividly depicts her violent poetic journey from a pregnant teen to a resilient woman determined to redefine herself. Her story embodies resolve, redemption, and healing for both mother and child. Go to homepage for more info.

This week I will be in the final rehearsals for Plantando Banderas.
I have met my challenge of writing and committing to memory five original pieces for this production. Poetry incorporated into a theatrical piece is a new adventure for me and I welcomed the challenge. Linda Nieves-Powell, who is serving as creative and script consultant, has been an inspiration to work with while Orlando Ferrand has bought me to tears of uncontrolled laughter with his intense energy. Rhina Valentine joined the production in its later stages as a narrator and has bought her sense of flair to this already lively presentation. Working alongside seasoned actors and dancers has given me a new perspective on spoken word and its distinct approach and ability to move a crowd with each verse. Dance, music, and poetry are so innate that incorporating them in order to create Plantando Banderas was simply magic.

Many have asked me

What is Plantando Banderas?

It is the creation of Addie Diaz, renowned dance choreographer, recipient of the 2011 Westchester “Arts Alive Project Grant”, and founder of Addie-tude Productions.

“Plantando Banderas” (Planting Flags) is a multicultural theatrical project that will celebrate the contributions and achievements of four highly successful Hispanics through music, dance, and poetry.

Who will we be honoring?

– Daniel Freiberg -Record producer, composer and musician
– Rossana Rosado- Publisher & CEO of El Diario/La Prensa, the oldest Spanish-language newspaper in the country
– Rafael Palomino-Restaurant owner, chef, and author of six successful cookbooks
– Darlene Rodriguez-co-anchor of Today in New York on WNBC

When and Where is the show?
Saturday, November 12th at 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 13th at 3:00 pm
at the Washington Irving School Theater
located at 103 South Broadway
Tarrytown, NY.

Ticket prices are as follows:
Premium Orchestra $25, Orchestra $20 and Mezzanine $15. Seniors, students and group discounts are available.
For more information and ticket purchase, please visit www.Addie-TudeProductions.org, contact Addie Diaz at addietudedance@gmail.com
or by calling 917.215.1720.

On October 11th Bonafide Rojas and I were the featured poets at Capicu’s Cultural Showcase as part of NYU’s celebration of Latino Heritage Month hosted by Papo Swiggity and coordinated by the one and only George Urban Jibaro Torres.

Bonafide and his Pedro Pietri inspired BOX spoke out against the gentrification of Brooklyn and the power of creative writing.

Albert Taino Image Areizaga painted live! His portrait of Don Pedro Albizu Campos hovering over El Morro as if appearing in a sunset sky was beautiful. I know Albert as a photographer, visual artist, and poet. He is a true gentleman who never fails to tell me how proud he is of my accomplishments.


Puerto Rican Bomba filled the auditorium as the group Bombayo lead by Jose Ortiz invited the audience to dance.

Kyle Matthews accented Cynthia Pilar Renta-Carrera and Cristal Reyes as they lit the floor on fire with each piquete.

The rhythm of Bomba is intoxicating. It calls on a part of my spirit that rejects embarrassment, exhaustion or shame. It summons me to dance even if my steps aren’t polished or perfected. It grounds me to the Ciales land of my Abuelo Pedro Robles Miranda and my Abuela Dolores Ocasio Ortega. The drum stimulates my heartbeat and before I can say no, I greet the drummer and spiral into the natural movement, honoring the flow of ancestral blood pumping to the beat of the drum.

Thank you Capicu, NYU, Bombayo, Abuelo and Abuela for a wonderful night!

On this beautiful Monday morning I worked with Linda Nieves-Powell, founder of Latino Flavored Productions, filming scenes with Orlando Ferrand for the upcoming Plantando Banderas Project to debut in November.

Jovanny Ramos stepped up as production assistant while Orlando and I were directed by Linda. After scouting a few areas, unpacking equipment, setting up tripods, testing for sound quality, fighting off mosquitoes, packing up equipment and moving to a bug free area, we eventually succeeded in completing several shots.

Why all this hard work you ask?

Well,
Renowned dance choreographer and recipient of the 2011 Arts Westchester “Arts Alive Project Grant”, Addie Diaz of Addie-tude Productions, will debut her latest project entitled “Plantando Banderas” (Planting Flags) — a multicultural theatrical project that will celebrate the contributions and achievements of four highly successful Hispanics through music, dance, and spoken word poetry written and performed by Orland Ferrand and yours truly!

Addie Diaz’s goal is to enrich, transform, and inspire the Westchester community by honoring four empowering individuals who are; Daniel Freiberg, record producer, composer, arranger and studio musician who has worked with musical giants Marc Anthony, Alejandro Lerner, Chayanne & Christian Castro, just to name a few; Rossana Rosado, Publisher & CEO of El Diario/La Prensa and the only woman to have ever run the publication, has spent over 14 years at El Diario/La Prensa, the oldest Spanish-language newspaper in the country; Rafael Palomino, Restaurant Owner & Chef of one of several restaurants, including Sonora Restaurant in Portchester, NY is also the author of six cookbooks; and Darlene Rodriguez, the co-anchor of Today in New York on WNBC who has also served as a newsreader for Ann Curry on The Today Show .

This amazing presentation will be held on November 12th at 3pm & 8pm, and November 13th at 3pm, at the Washington Irving School (theater) located at 103 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY. Ticket prices are: Premium Orchestra $25, Orchestra $20 and Mezzanine $15. Seniors, students and group discounts are available. For more information and ticket purchase please visit http://www.addie-tudeproductions.org/or contact Addie Diaz at addietudedance@gmail.com or 917.215.1720.

September 18th I had the pleasure of participating in the Brooklyn Book festival
thanks to Nora Comstock from Las Comadres Para Las Americas (lascomadres.org) and Aurora Anaya-Cerda from La Casa Azul Bookstore (lacasaazulbookstore.com).

I sat with accomplished authors as well as new voices in the literary word and was humbled and excited. Carmen Mojica Fabian (thesewatersrundeep.com), Gloria Rodriguez (dealmas.org) and Charlie Vazquez (charlievazquez.wordpress.com) read from their latest published works while posing for pictures!

 While speaking with Alicia Anabel Santos, author of Finding Your Force,(findingyourforce.blogspot.com) I stated that it was not coincidental that we were on the program with literary greats. I believe that envisioning my book on a shelf with Esmeralda Santiago years ago prepared me for that moment and others yet to come.

Visualization is essential to preparing us for the great moments of our lives. If we can see ourselves doing whatever it is that we wish to do, then the image becomes firm, set and has a greater possibility of becoming reality.

I look forward to the continuation of this journey.
 

On September 23rd I performed for Voices Unleashed at the Milford Arts Center. Flora La Poeta Montes (senoritachef@gmail.com) prepared an array of dishes and bought New York Spoken word to Milford. This woman is making moves in the world of spoken word and is bridging it to community service by committing erself to helping those less fortunate. Look forward to more posts dedicated to her work.

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On September 30thI was a featured poet along with Alicia Anabel Santos  at La Finca Del Sur’s Earth Mother Voices – All Women’s Open Mic Hosted by Maria Aponte-Gonzalez. As we sat on wooden benches and admired the crops growing near the Metro North and the Major Deegan expressway, we marveled at the little plots growing over concrete and realized that we, as women, are treasures growing over any perceived obstacles. The women who attended and read for the first time shared intimate, gritty and very brave stories of love, heartbreak, and motherhood.

These women solidified the idea that we are
bearers of fruit no matter how many weeds threaten our survival.

Thank you Maria Aponte- Gonzalez for creating a safe and fertile place for women to share their words.