CHICANO! 500 Years of Struggle
AGUSTIN LIRA & MUSICAL GROUP ALMA |
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"The mission of musical group Alma is to remind people under siege that they are not alone, to honor their strength and 'to wake up the memory' to the continuum of change and creation - while stomping their feet to music." PATRISIA
GONZALES & ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ |
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ALMA is an all-acoustic ensemble that brings to life the Chicano/Latino experience through musical presentations. The group features original compositions by Agustin Lira: it presents works by authors from throughout Latin America and employs the musical styles prevalent in Mexican, Latin American, American and Afro-Cuban cultures.
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Agustin Lira cofounded EL TEATRO CAMPESINO (FARMWORKERS THEATER) in 1965 with Luis Valdez during the Delano Grape Strike directed by Cesar Chavez. He wrote plays and songs associated with the farmworkers' struggle and the Chicano movement.
Lira and Patricia Wells Solorzano began playing music together in 1979 and formed musical group ALMA, Ravi Knypstra joined them in 1991. Lira plays rhythm guitar, and sings vocals/lead vocals, Wells plays lead guitar,and sings vocals/lead vocals, Ravi plays bass and sings vocals. Alma is known for its duets, authentic song-writing, and lead-guitar playing. Other guest musicians may also appear with ALMA at performances.
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The group has released their latest CD titled
I HAVE BEEN HERE FOREVER (1998)
featuring original compositions. ALMA's music was spotlighted on the following
national radio programs: Latino USA and National
Public Radio. Jon Beaupre won the 1999 GOLDEN MIKE AWARD for producing the pieces. ALMA has
also scored the music for the PBS and Paradigm film THE FIGHT IN THE
FIELDS: CESAR CHAVEZ & THE FARMWORKERS' STRUGGLE. ABC and NATIONAL
COUNCIL FOR LA RAZA have presented the film with the ALMA AWARD for best documentary
(1998). The film has also won numerous other awards.
Currently, ALMA is touring two musical presentations: CHICANO! 500 YEARS OF STRUGGLE and CESAR CHAVEZ: HIS LIFE & TIMES. Both programs use songs and narration focusing on the contributions and accomplishments of Mexicans and Mexican Americans. CHICANO runs approximately 90 minutes and the CHAVEZ program is 60 minutes in length. Children's programs are available as are lectures, demonstrations, and residencies.
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ALMA has performed at festivals such as: American Folklife Festival in Washington D.C., the Cervantino
International Arts Festival in Mexico, the 1st International Festival of La Raza in Mexico, the Latin American New Song Festival in San Francisco, and the U.S.-Cuba Friendship Concert in Havana, Cuba, etc. The group is also on the touring rosters of the American Programs Bureau and the California Arts Council for 2000-02. Both Agustin and Patricia are CAC artists in residence.
These are some of ALMA's recordings: Agustin & Patricia, 'Songs of Love & Struggle' (a Lira/Wells Production), "We Shall Overcome", 'World Music of Struggle' (Columbia/Folkways), Agustin Lira, 'From the Fields to a New Beginning' (Ambiente Productions).
The group is best presented in a concert setting. ALMA requires sound technicians and a sound system adequate for the space/number of seats in the house. Lodging is also required, according to the length of the engagement.
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EL TEATRO DE LA TIERRA
414 North Park
Fresno California 93701
(559) 237-3016
Email: almas2@earthlink.net