Year: 2012

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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A special thanks to Jose Chevere (cheverephoto@gmail.com) and Adrian Montanez for documenting the performances! (click here to visit her site)

A Panel of Authors

Including
Peggy Robles- Alvarado, Gloria Rodriguez, and other authors

Join us for a morning of fellowship, education, prayer, and books!

Sunday October 21, 2012
Time: 11:00am (be on time so that you can participate in the opening libation)

Location:
Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building
163 West 125th Street; Manhattan, NY 10027

Between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. [7th Ave.] & Malcolm X Blvd. [Lenox Ave].
(Closer to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.)

You Must Bring Photo ID

Ask for AYA for room assignment information, or look for it on the wall posted to the left of the guard at the entrance to the building.

Donations are accepted and welcome!

Not Another “Abuela” Story?

Who and What I Found in a Sacred Space

I can hear a million compliments (and complaints) on a daily basis about my writing but when something adheres to my chest like the pain of a swift punch and remains there for a few days growing into a bruise, I tend to examine it until I receive the true message behind the comment. Am I bitter? Well, maybe but usually there is more to explore because as I have always said words carry energy and power.

I was told recently that my writing has great detail that engages the reader. That I have wonderful potential BUT, the topics I choose to write about are cliché and that if I want to be published by the mainstream I need to include other details, something else,  that would make my story unique because

“who wants another “abuela” story?”  FUAKATA! PEGGY GOES DOWN!

I carried those words home and sat with them for a while thinking that those are the stories I like to read. Am I alone in this? I want to read about the Babushka, the Nana, the Abuela, the woman who needs to be remembered as we modify our identities to be in tune with the times.

On the other hand was she was right? Should my “abuela” story include a crime fighter? A sleuth who solves SVU crimes and beats her suspects with a brass cane? Bueno, esta bien, I will explore that further as I rub Vick’s vapor rub on my chest. (what cliché too?)

The next few days were rough as I wrote poems and free writes about women, my women, other women, Latina women, Afro-Latino women, Afro- Latino men, and myself. That line mocking me:

“who wants another “abuela” story?”  PEGGY RUBS HER CHEST

Thankfully, this Saturday I attended A Women’s Writing Retreat organized by Gloria Rodriguez, award winning author and founder of Dealmas.org. The co facilitator for the day was Dahlma Llanos- Figueroa, author of Daughters Of The Stone, a book filled with abuela stories! (coincidence? I guess some may call it that but I prefer to think of it as a message.)

 

The day long writing retreat was well organized, challenging and refreshing on several levels, but one specific feature made this workshop unique and meaningful. Before the activities began we all created a sacred space. Gloria led us on a meditative journey to release all the strife of the morning commute and the last minute child care arrangements, and allowed us to fully be present to write our stories. As I sat trying to stop fidgeting, breathing, and ignoring my aching chest I heard a voice. It was the voice of my paternal grandmother who I never met but who I have come to know through my writing and family stories. I hesitated thinking that the damn comment was once again getting to me and I really needed to be present here. NOW! But the more I allowed my body to sink into the floor, relax and listen all I could hear was her voice telling me not to forget her.

In the next exercise Dahlma detailed instructions on how we can personalize our writing journals and transform them from simple composition notebooks into valuable tools that would hold our most important thoughts. The previous night I printed out images and words that were symbolic in my life. So many that I could probably fill several notebooks. So as the group cut and pasted, glued and chatted I sat quietly selecting images. As I pulled from my stack, I found one of the countryside of Ciales, Puerto Rico and heard my grandmother again.

Acuerdate de mi.

Without notice, a steady stream of tears began to flow. Not like the novelas, all dramatic and mascara ridden. It was quiet, peaceful and very private although I was in a crowded room.

PENDEJA! What is wrong with you?  I thought.

But only for a few seconds because the more I listened the more I came to understand that she was trying to relieve the pain in my chest. So my journal cover had images of the ocean, Dominican coffee, my children, my husband, Ciales mountains, and tear stains.
In writing activity that followed Dahlma had each woman meditate on the idea of imagery and then select from a scattered pile of postcards that were laying face down.  Blindly, we all selected images and wrote about them or what they represented in our lives. What did I get?  Look below!


Yes! It was a picture of an abuelita standing by a mural of Don Albizu Campos in Calle San Sebastian in San Juan. Still think it’s a coincidence? Well, I don’t. Not at all. So I wrote her voice as she instructed me that she has much to share with me and that I need to listen. She reminded me that Albizu said to love Puerto Rico is to love the Puerto Rican woman, La mujer Puertorriqueña. No importa que sea campesina, jibara, dama o doncella. To love myself is to write what I love, abuelita stories.

When the retreat ended and the women shared their reflections of the day, Dahlma said it best when she expressed gratitude for readers like us who value her words when mainstream publishers do not. She said we must make a space for our stories because they are valuable.

Thank you Gloria, Dahlma and all the ladies present that day. I left that sacred space with a new journal and a soothed chest as I was able to release the doubt, the worry and the fear that my stories had no place. I left with the understanding that my “abuela” story is not the same as other “abuela” stories and there is room for all of them. Being able to meditate and once again listen to my abuela restored me as a writer. Gracias Dolores Ocasio Ortega. Ibaye y Ashé

PLANTANDO BANDERAS
(PLANTING FLAGS)

SHOW TICKETS On Sale NOW!!

***LIMITED ENGAGEMENT***
3-Shows Only

 Created, Directed & Produced by: Addie Diaz

FAMILY SHOW: Educational, Informative, Inspiring!

Latino-Pride Poetry and Dance Play
Bringing you the success stories of 4 prominent Hispanics; using Poetry
and Latin Dancing as the vehicle which takes us through their inspiring journey.

CELEBRATED LATINOS:
DARLENE RODRIGUEZ (Bio)
Co-Anchor, NBC’s “Today In New York” Morning Show
FELIPE LUCIANO (Bio)
Community Activist, Poet, Media Personality

ROBERT SANCHO (Bio)
Vice President, Bronx Lebanon Hospital

ROSSANA ROSADO (Bio)
Publisher & CEO, El Diario La Prensa

—————————————- // \\———————————————–

THE TALENTED PLANTANDO BANDERAS CAST

SHOW NARRATOR: Rodney Lopez
SPOKEN WORD POETS: Peggy Robles-Alvarado & Intrest Borges

OUR PLANTANDO BANDERAS DANCERS:
GALS: Amanda Marquez, Arelis Beato, Crystal Rodriguez, Destiny Garcia, Jazmin Garcia, Jennifer Silva, Meghan Brunke, Nydia Ocassio and Yamari Solano.
GUYS: Adriel Flete, Devin Flores, Elvis Collado, Jose Henriquez, Michael Garcia, Steve Seda and Tito Sandoval

To Order Tickets On-Line, Go To: http://www.addie-tudeproductions.org/
            -OR-
Contact : Ph: 917-215-1720 / Email: Addie.PBanderas@gmail.com

LOVINGER THEATER
at the Lehman College Campus
250 Bedford Park Boulevard West
Bronx, NY 10468

SHOW DATES:
(*Please Note the Time Change for Sun)
Friday, October 26th 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 27th, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28th, *5:00 p.m.

Premium Orchestra: $35 each
Orchestra: $30 each
Mezzanine: $25 each
20% – Group (of 10 or More), College Students & Senior Discount!

For More Information Call:  Ph: 917/215-1720  -OR- Email: Addie.PBanderas@gmail.com

RSVP TO OUR FACEBOOK INVITE AT: FACEBOOK.COM

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING HISPANIC THEATER!

Finding So Much Beauty In My Scars

La Casita at Lincoln Center and Pregones Theater
August 11th and 12th

La Casita Artist : Manny Vega

This summer I was part of La Casita at Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors free outdoor performances. La Casita is a program intended to celebrate the oral traditions of the Caribbean, Africa, the United States, Native America, Spain, and Latin America through music, poetry, storytelling and dance. The event is co-curated by Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center Out of Doors), Melody Capote (Caribbean Cultural Center), Lillian Cho (Consultant), C. Daniel Dawson, Caridad de la Luz, Claudia Norman (Claudia Norman Management), Richie Villar (Acentos Foundation), and Shawn Termin (The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian). This year’s event was hosted by my friend and fellow poet Simply Rob.

When deciding which poems to recite I settled on performing the poems that began my career as a spoken word poet and writer. I selected the poems that reflected my story as a survivor of physical and emotional abuse because I wanted to honor this full circle moment where the events that could have made me stagnant did, in fact, bring me to a Lincoln Center stage. It was a moment to praise the strength in my scars.

Saturday, beneath a shady canopy of trees at Hearst Plaza, the audience (that included a group of my family and friends) enjoyed diverse performances and celebrate this moment with me.

          

Sunday at Pregones Theater, as I was making my way through the street I was quickly ushered into the lobby by and George Acevedo and George “Urban Jibaro” Torres. There I had the pleasure of meeting an icon, Mrs. Miriam Colon Valle, an award winning actress and founder of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (better known to many as Scarface’s mother).

I gave her both my books and she enthusiastically asked me about each one. As I shared my story she shared hers. She even stayed to watch me perform although I went on late in the evening. Her warmth towards me and my story was humbling.

Again, as I have expressed several times before, I have found beauty in my scars and know for certain that I was destined to heal.
Ashé

Soledad Speaks
A Spoken Word Journey

Created and directed by Linda Nieves- Powell
Co- curated by Peggy Robles- Alvarado and J.F. Seary
Written by Peggy Robles- Alvarado, J.F. Seary, Maria Rodriguez and Meriam Rodriguez

On September 30th the poetry of four dynamic women of the New York City Spoken Word scene will collaborate on themes of identity, exclusion, femininity, and pride. Come and take part in the talk back at the end of this workshop production

Historical event at La Casa Azul Bookstore


I will be at La Casa Azul Bookstore for this historical event.
I will be reading from Sandra Cisneros’ book
The House On Mango Street.

Join me for this free act of protest!

50 for Freedom

Friday September 21, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

New York City’s Latino literary community will converge to participate in “50 for Freedom of Speech,” a national day of action protesting the de facto banning of Latino literature in the state of Arizona (with similar legislation poised to pass in other states as a result).

Reading by banned Puerto Rican author and award-winning poet Martín Espada and readings of other banned book texts by some of New York City’s top Latino academic, literary and spoken word talent.

Organized by: Librotraficante, Sangre Viva Arts Alliance and Acentos, Latino Rebels and La Casa Azul Bookstore