Acts of Resistance, Acts of Joy
​Dance and music have been and continue to be a way to resist oppression, release joy, alleviate suffering collectively, all critical to human survival and built into the fabric of Cuban, Brazilian, Haitian, Afro-Peruvian, Puerto Rican cultures. CubaCaribe honors that celebration of joy is revolutionary and how living art forms evolve and respond to the changing world.
June 7-9 at Dance Mission Theater
WEEKEND 1: MIXED PROGRAM
Seven local dance companies will create original choreography rooted in the Caribbean and its Diaspora based on the curatorial vision-Acts of resistance, Acts of joy. These artists will explore and answer the questions- Where are the two acts visible in your culture? How do we resist? How do we find and express joy?
Featuring:
Yamulee Project San Francisco
Folklo Ayisyen Lakay
Agua Doce Dance
Rueda Con Ritmo
Los Lupeños de San José
Cunamacué
Herencia Guantanamera
Marco Palomino & Fredrika Keefer
Grupo Experimental Nago
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Tickets:
$28 General Admission / $34 at the door
$25 Youth (12 years old and under)
June 7th at 8pm
June 8th at 8pm
June 9th at 4pm
Dance Mission Theater
3316 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110​​
June 14-16 at ODC Theater
WEEKEND 2: ALAYO AND ABADÁ
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Choreographers Ramón Ramos Alayo of Alayo Dance Company and Marcia Treidler of ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco will collaborate to present an evening length show as a part of the 18th Annual CubaCaribe Festival of dance and music entitled Acts of resistance, Acts of joy, the work will investigate Brazil’s and Cuba’s history and significance with Carnaval, specifically to the African heritage and culture, deepening understanding of the cultural legacy of Blocos, Cabildos and comparsas in Carnaval and how they have historically functioned as forms of resistance and power and expressions of joy. This piece will bring the community together to heal following a long period of isolation, strengthening community connections around shared stories and uplifting the Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian community.
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Tickets:
$35 General Admission (+ $4 fee)
$25 Youth (12 and under) and Senior (+ $4 fee)
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June 14th at 8pm
June 15th at 8pm
June 16th at 5pm
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ODC Theater
3153 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110​
Special Events - June 5th at 7pm
CUBAN AND BRAZILIAN MUSIC & DANCE: CULTURAL RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION IN THE AFRO-DIASPORA
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Lecture with John Santos
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Five centuries of colonial oppression and a century and a half of post-colonial reality have forged a relentlessly harsh environment for generations of enslaved and abused working class communities throughout the Americas. How has cultural expression and identity played a role in addressing this historical dilemma? This brief presentation focuses on some traditional and contemporary examples from Cuba and Brazil.
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Tickets:
$20 general admission
$25 door
MoAD members get $5 off, email for code
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Museum of African Diaspora
685 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105​
Special Events - June 12th at 7pm
¡BOMPLENAZO!: AN EVENING OF BOMBA AND PLENA INTERPRETED AND EXPLAINED THROUGH FILM, DISCUSSION AND MUSIC
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Live music and presentation with Hector Lugo and La Mixta Criolla and film shorts curated by Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi. Bomba and Plena rhythms need to be understood and appreciated because of their historical significance and relationship. These two most important genres of Afro-Puerto Rican music each have very different musical characteristics, histories and social foundations.
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Tickets:
$20 general admission
$25 door
MoAD members get $5 off, email for code
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Museum of African Diaspora
685 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105​
MASTER AFRO-CUBAN MODERN DANCE CLASS WITH MARCO PALOMINO
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Afro-Cuban modern is a technique mixed with Limón, Graham and AfroCuban Folkloric. Featuring visiting dancer Marco Palomino, formerly with Carlos Acosta’s Dance Company & Ballet Revolución.
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Tickets $30
Sunday, June 16th from 11:00am-12:30pm
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ODC Theater
3153 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110​
ACCESSIBILITY
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All of our Festival venues (ODC Theater, Dance Mission Theater, Museum of the African Diaspora) are ADA compliant. Please email contact@cubacaribe.org if you need special accommodations or have any questions. We hope to see you at a show!
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VIDEO SHOWCASE
18th Annual CubaCaribe Festival
Acts of Resistance, Acts of Joy
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Week 1 - Mixed Program
Cunamacué - Pregoneros
Yamulee Project San Francisco - Yamulee San Francisco's Dance Journey
Folklo Ayisyen Lakay - A Haitian Journey of Uprising and Love
Herencia Guantanamera - Tumba Francesa (The Fusion)
Rueda Con Ritmo - Como Se Toca Se Baila
Dance Mission presents Fredrika Keefer & Marco Palomino - Flor
Agua Doce Dance - As Ondas da Vida
Los Lupeños de San José - Yoremadas Sierreñas, Fiesta en el Pochotal
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Week 2 - Alayo / ABADÁ
ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco - Spirited Acts of Resistance
Alayo Dance Company - Esperanza Negra
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
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Agua Doce Dance
Stephanie Emmanuela Da Silva (Artistic Director / choreographer) is a devoted dance artist who pursued an MFA in dance and choreography after becoming captivated with Afro-Brazilian dance at the source. She immersed herself in the dance culture of Salvador from 2007-2012, living there as a student, a professional dancer, a teacher and a designer. She has been a student of and has danced for Rosangela Silvestre, Vera Passos and Paco Gomes since the early 2000’s, and became a certified Silvestre Technique Instructor in 2010. She danced professionally in Bahia with Anderson Rodrigo of Attomos Dance, Norma Santana of the Norma Santana CIA de Dança, Nem Brito of Diaspora Dance Company. She trained with the world renowned Bale Folklorico da Bahia and graduated from the Escola de Dança in Salvador. Stephanie performed as a soloist portraying Oya Iansã and Yemanja for O Kontra, an Afro-Brazilian Jazz Performing Group under the direction of Nei Sacramento, amongst other choreographers.
Alayo Dance Company
Ramón Ramos Alayo (Artistic Director / choreographer) was a principal dancer with several prominent Cuban dance companies, including Danza del Caribe and Narcisco Medina Contemporary Dance Company, touring throughout Europe, Belize, and Canada. Since relocating to the U.S. in 1997 he has performed with Robert Henry Johnson, Kim Epifano, Sara Shelton Mann, Zaccho Dance Theatre and Robert Moses’ Kin. He founded Alayo Dance Company in 2002 and CubaCaribe in 2003. His work is an innovative fusion of Afro-Cuban modern, folkloric and popular Cuban Dance, having choreographed and produced twelve full length dance performances. He has been featured in National Geographic Magazine, received the prestigious Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation Emerging Choreographer’s Award, was recognized as “Best Dance Dynamo” by the SF Bay Guardian, was the recipient of a SF Bay Guardian Goldie Award, and has been hailed by dance critic Rita Felciano as “the best Afro-Cuban dancer whose choreography stands well beyond traditional modes.” His piece Goodbye was named one of the best premieres in 2016 in Dance Europe Magazine.
Cunamacué
Cunamacué is a performing arts company founded in 2010 in Oakland by Carmen Román with the purpose of bringing visibility to the presence and cultural knowledge of the African descendant population in Peru. Cunamacué brings awareness of Peru’s African descendants by sharing their deep cultural history through music and dance. Cunamacué promotes the continuity of Afro-Peruvian culture, representing it as a living, vibrant and evolving form whose music and dance can be used as a means of contemporary expression.
Folklo Ayisyen Lakay
F.A.L Haitian dance, songs and music company is a performance company and non-profit arts organization incorporated in the state of California. Our mission is to foster and promote Haitian heritage and representations of diversity through music, dance and art. Director Laurie Fleurentin was born in Port-au-Prince and received her education at the Ecole Nacionale des Arts. She was a principal dancer in Viviane Gauthier Dance Company and came to the United States 12 years ago to teach dance. She dedicates her time to choreographing and teaching at San Francisco State University, Destiny Arts Center, The Beat, Dimensions Dance Rites of Passage, and at many public schools throughout the Bay Area.
Herencia Guantanamera
Yoel Mulen Robert (Artistic Director)
Herencia Guantanamera's mission is to preserve, celebrate, and share the rich cultural heritage of Guantánamo, Cuba. Through our diverse range of events, educational programs, and artistic endeavors, we aim to honor the traditions, music, dance, and history of the region, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of Guantanamera culture for present and future generations.
Los Lupeños de San José
Samuel Cortez Balderas (Artistic Director)
Established in 1969, Los Lupeños de San José stands out as one of the pioneering Mexican folk dance companies in the United States. Our company is passionately dedicated to promoting Mexican culture and traditions through the beautiful art of dance.
Rueda Con Ritmo
Founded in San Francisco in 2007 by Sidney Weaverling and Ryan Mead, Rueda Con Ritmo is a community of dancers offering classes, events, and performances throughout the Bay Area and beyond. We strive to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere that welcomes dancers of all levels, from all backgrounds, and of all ages. In 2023, RCR performed as the opening act before separate concerts by Los Van Van and Havana D' Primera in SF, and in Cuba with the Conjunto Folclórico Nacional, Compañía All Stars, and the Fundadores de la Rueda de Casino.
Yamulee Project San Francisco
Yamulee Project San Francisco started in 2018 with a group of friends that wanted to learn more about NY style salsa. It has since grown to a team of approximately 30 dedicated dancers that love to work and train and grow. The growth that we have seen in the team is truly inspiring.
Joshua & Natali (YPSF Directors): Joshua Barbosa & Natali Colom were born and raised in Puerto Rico where they fell in love with Salsa On 2. They started training in this style in Puerto Rico in 2011 and then moved to San Francisco where they trained and performed with Salsamania Dance Company for several years. Natali also trained with Karel Flores San Francisco for many years where she discovered her love for New York Style Salsa On 2. Natali & Joshua began to expand their knowledge in this style which led to creating and directing their own team, Yamulee Project San Francisco, in 2018. The team has grown a lot since and has presented in multiple events and festivals. Natali and Joshua also love to train in Afro Cuban dance and are a part of Arenas Dance Company.
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Fredrika Keefer & Marco Palomino
Fredrika Keefer was born and raised in The Mission District of San Francisco, CA. She is a Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, and Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performer and instructor. She is currently the Grrrl Brigade Director and Studio Manager at Dance Mission Theater. She is currently pursuing her master’s in dance At University of Arts in Philadelphia.
She has been an ongoing member of the Dance Brigade and Alayo Dance Company. Fredrika started her dance training at age 5 at the Pacific Ballet Theatre. When she was 14 years old, she started her hip-hop dance training with the well-renowned choreographer and Mind Over Matter’s director, Allan Frias. She proceeded to dance for his company for 6 years. Her Taiko Drumming Training began when she was 11 years old with Bruce 'Mui" Ghent and began teaching when she was 17 years old. In 2009 she graduated from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts High School. Since then, she has worked with choreographers such as Kim Epifano, Anne Bluethenthal, Christy Funch, Krissy Keefer, and Ramon Ramos Alayo. Fredrika’s broad experiences have brought her to travel to teach and perform nationally and internationally (Ukiah, Oregon, New York, Mexico, Cuba, Lebanon, Africa, Egypt, and St. Maarteen). She also premiered in TV, “Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist” as a core dancer on NBC in 2019. From 2009 to 2017 Fredrika traveled back and forth to Cuba to train and set work on Danza Caribe, the national dance company of Santiago, Cuba. From 2011 to 2016 she was a resident artist at Performing Arts Workshop where she taught dance and critical thinking to ages 3-6 years old. Fredrika continues to teach dance and critical thinking workshops both nationally and internationally.
Marco Palomino is a choreographer, dancer, and director based in Los Angeles, CA. Originally born in Cuba, he graduated from Escuela Nacional de Arte with a BFA from La Universidad de las Artes in Havana. Recently nominated for the Princess Grace Award in Choreography. Marco has worked with Jacob Jonas The Company, Ballet Revolución, Rosario Cárdenas, Carlos Acosta’s Acostadanza in collaboration with Birmingham Royal Ballet, with revered choreographers such as Juliano Nuñes, Jacob Jonas, Pontus Lidberg, Micaela Taylor, Javier de Frutos, Norge Cedeño, Jorge Cresis, Osnel Delgado, Mike Tyus, Alexis Fernández (Maca), Goyo Montero, Rosanna Gamson and Carlos Acosta.
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La Mixta Criolla
La Mixta Criolla is a dynamic Bay Area ensemble with deep roots in the creole musical cultures of Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean. Blending instruments and styles from diverse Afro-Latin traditions this hard swinging sextet has captivated dancers and music lovers everywhere with soulful performances of singular strength and beauty. Their repertoire of originals and funky renditions of classic tunes features a variety of Afro-Caribbean grooves from plena, bomba, aguinaldo and seis, to cumbia, merengue, son, rumba and bolero. La Mixta was founded by percussionist, singer and songwriter Héctor Lugo and features an all-star cast with Román “Ito” Carillo on bongó, pandero and barril, Ayla Dávila on bass, Javier Navarrette on congas and cajón, Camilo Landau on electric cuatro, Pedro Pastrana on acoustic cuatro and güícharo, and dancer and singer Shefali Shah. For this presentation La Mixta will perform “a puro cuero” to highlight the traditional percussion and voices sound of plena and bomba, Puerto Rico’s foremost Afro-Caribbean music and dance genres.
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John Santos
John Santos is a master percussionist, internationally renowned seven-time Grammy nominee, composer, producer, bandleader, educator and cultural activist. He is a keeper of the Afro-Caribbean flame steeped in Cuban and Puerto Rican folkloric traditions as well as salsa and Latin jazz. A 2012 San Francisco Latino Heritage Arts Awardee, born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District amidst an extended family of Puerto Rican musicians, he’s been at the center of the Bay Area’s Latin music scene for over five decades. He has written, recorded and published well over 100 original compositions. He served on the Smithsonian Institution’s Latin Jazz Advisory Committee, was SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director (2013 & 2014) and has played an essential role in expanding Latin jazz’s rhythmic lexicon beyond the foundational Cuban grooves. He has produced a steady stream of critically acclaimed, peer-respected recordings on his Machete Records label since 1984 and has travelled the world as a performer, teacher and lecturer since the mid-eighties. He was founder and director (1985-2006) of the internationally renowned, Grammy-nominated Machete Ensemble, and currently directs the Cubadisco-nominated, John Santos Sextet. The documentary film, Santos: Skin to Skin about his life’s work, premiered at SFJAZZ, the Mill Valley Film Festival, and Cinefest in Puerto Rico in the Fall of 2023.
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Funded in part by and presented with: