Susana Baca in Concert April 3, 2008

Susana Baca
Afro – Peruvian Sensation
Latin Grammy-Winner
2 Nights Only!
April 3 & 4, 2008 (Thurs. & Fri.)
Brava Theater Center

San Francisco, CA - Brava! For Women in the Arts proudly presents two exclusive performances of Internationally acclaimed Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca
on April 3 and April 4, 2008 at the Brava Theater Center - 2789 24th St. (at York)
in SF. Two Nights Only! April 3 & 4, 2008 (Thurs & Fri.) 8:00 pm. Tickets $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Box Office: 415/ 647-2822 or www.ticketweb.com

Baca came to world attention when her rendition of "Maria Lando," a heartbreaking ballad of Third World worker oppression, was included on former Talking Heads front man
David Byrne's The Soul of Black Peru compilation on his Luaka Bop label. Baca is not only among the best-known Afro-Peruvian performers, but one of the best-known performers on the Luaka Bop label as well. In 2002, Susana Baca won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album, for her Lamento Negro CD. With a splendid voice and equally impressive interpretive gifts, Susana Baca is a primary exponent of the Afro-Peruvian musical tradition. “My repertoire is both old and new, it has to be that way.
That’s how you mature in life, and how you grow into your culture. I have traditional songs about the life of our grandparents in the countryside, others are more about rhythm and dancing. “

Susana Baca has the advantage of a stable partnership with her musical director and double bass player David Pinto for the last seven years. With one proverbial eye on tradition and the other wandering inquisitively into vaguely experimental territory, they keep their music vibrant and engaging. Along with the acoustic guitar, the band plays a variety of oddly beautiful Peruvian percussion instruments like the cajón (box-drum), the checo (a hollowed-out pumpkin skin), and the extraordinary quijada (a rattle made from a donkey's jaw bone - complete with teeth). Band members include Hugo Bravo on percussion, Juan “Cotito” Medrano on Cajon, and Sergio Valdeos on guitar. Since 1987 she has recorded nine CD’s.

Utilizing her unique experimental style of traditional folk music from her region, singer, dancer, teacher, student, Ms. Baca is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the history of Afro-Peruvian culture. The singer’s connection to her African ancestors who were transported to South America as slaves provides the focus of her music. Baca’s music celebrates the cultural forms that African ancestors brought from their homeland that created newly mixed traditions, languages and music. Baca’s music is strikingly contemporary in its expression of African identity, in the struggles of contemporary Latin America and in the celebration of women’s endurance.

Baca and her husband, Ricardo Pereira, started a cultural center, the Instituto Negro Continu [“Black Continuum”] in Lima in 1998 with the goal to teach children about music and art. One of her ideals is to give voice to people that may not be heard otherwise.
The institute started initially to create a facility for exploration, expression and creation of Black Peruvian culture. The artistic growth of the Institute has gone from children to learn about music to the creation of a library, an archive, and a performance and dance space.
Susana Baca web page: http://www.luakabop.com/susana baca

New BRAVA Artistic director Raelle Myrick-Hodges is elated to present the acclaimed singer and states “These two exclusive performances allow BRAVA to continue to bring international women artists that align with our mission to present/produce works and performances that show the eclectism and cross-culturalism of San Francisco and its audiences”.

WHAT: Brava Theater Center presents…
SUSANA BACA
Afro-Peruvian Sensation & Latin Grammy-Winner

WHEN: April 3 & 4, 2008 (Thurs. & Fri.)

TIME : 8:00 pm

WHERE: Brava Theater Center
2789 24th St. (at York St.), San Francisco, CA 94110

PRICE: $25 in advance or $30 at the door

TICKETS: Box Office: 415/ 647-2822 or www.ticketweb.com

WEBSITE: http://brava.org

YOU TUBE LINK:

AUDIO CLIPS: http://www.luakabop.com/susana_baca/travesias/

Brava Theater Center is wheelchair accessible.

Parking at SFGH at San Bruno & 23rd St. (2 blocks from theatre.)

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Official Website: http://www.brava.org