Zapatista Calendar of Northern CaliforniaCalendario Zapatista de Califas Norte

[Apr 3-4] Quebrando El Silencio de Mis Manos / Breaking the Silence of my Hands

Presentado por/Presented by El Teatro de La Colectiva de Mujeres
Quebrando El Silencio de Mis Manos
(Breaking the Silence of My Hands)
Abril/April 3 y/and 4, 8:00 PM

Boletos/Tickets $5 - $15
Teatro Misión/ Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts
2868 Mission Street (entre calles 24 y 25) en San Francisco

An urban fable about the risks that immigrant women workers face day in day out, and the need to understand the rights that protect them. An original creation by the Teatro de la Colectiva de Mujeres!, a theater company of Latina immigrant women day laborers, based on real life stories. Quebrando El Silencio reveals the abuses and dangers immigrant sisters confront doing domestic work, and how to solve them by demanding their rights.

***

Una fábula urbana sobre los riesgos que día a día enfrentan las trabajadoras inmigrantes, y la necesidad de conocer los derechos que las protegen. Una creación original del Teatro de la Colectiva de Mujeres!, una compañía teatral de trabajadoras inmigrantes Latinas, basada en historias de la vida real. Quebrando El Silencio nos muestra como nuestras hermanas inmigrantes se enfrentan a los abusos y peligros en el trabajo doméstico y la forma en que se pueden resolver, exigiendo sus derechos.

Desarrollo y Presentación por miembras de La Colectiva de Mujeres, incluyendo/
Developed and performed by members of La Colectiva, including
Esther Gress, Guillermina Castellanos, Libia Estrella, Lorena Carrillo, Maria Arroyo, Mireya Arroyo, Nancy Arroyo, Raquel Botello, Tomasa Zepeda Sanchez, y Alex Luján.
Dirección de/Directed by Violeta Luna
dramaturgia de/dramaturgy by Roberto Varea
creación visual de/visual art by Víctor Cartagena
composición musical de/music by Ricardo Torres y/and El Coro Jornalero.

Funded in part and supported by the San Francisco Arts Commission, La
Raza Centro Legal, and the University of San Francisco

In Spanish, with simultaneous English translation
Para más información o para reservar boletos llame a/ For more
information or to reserve tickets call
(415) 553-3406

[Mar 29] COMMUNITY ANTI-WAR AND MILITARISM FORUM

Sunday, March 29, 2009
1PM - 4PM
Oakland Public Library
125 14th St.
Oakland, CA

(Translation in Spanish and childcare will be available)

For the sixth anniversary of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq - Unconventional Action in the Bay* will be hosting a radical anti-war discussion and organizing forum. Please join us!

The forum will be both educational and participatory, asking everyone there to participate in strategic planning to resist the impacts of war and militarization on our communities. This won't be a passive event; we'll be asking participants to think actively, creatively, and strategically about how radical anti-war organizing should move forward.

We will open with several speakers who will frame the issues we will be discussing, and will raise themes about how we are all being affected individually and collectively by living in a country that is on a permanent war footing.

The majority of the forum will then be spent in breakout groups, where we will hold facilitated conversations about different ways in which militarization affects our communities, and about new approaches to collective organizing. These groups will be led by experienced guest facilitators, who will help us use these discussions to come up with concrete organizing goals and strategies. Each group will then report back on their discussions to the larger group.

These conversations will be held on the following topics:

Militarization of Police and the War on Immigrants
Corporate War Profiteering
The Militarization of Culture and Everyday Life

Speakers and guest facilitators will include:

Antonia Juhasz (author of The Tyranny of Oil and The Bush Agenda)
Matt Edwards (former conscientious objector and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War)
David Solnit (activist, puppeteer, and co-author of Army of None)
Hugh D’Andrade (artist, radical activist, and designer/activist for the Electronic Frontier Foundation)
Members of SF Cop and Migra Busters!
others to follow!

FREE vegan/vegetarian BARBEQUE at a nearby park after the forum.

Lets come together and build some new strategies for confronting the military machine!

Please come out, and please invite your friends and allies!

- Unconventional Action in the Bay

* This is an openly anarchist, anti-authoritarian, anti-racist, and anti-capitalist forum. You do not have to be an anarchist to attend. We welcome everyone interested, as long as they respect others' turns to speak and don’t try to co-opt the forum.

[Mar 29] Venezuela Youth Orchestra Documentary

VENEZUELA YOUTH ORCHESTRA DOCUMENTARY

Sunday, March 29 at 4 PM

The Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station

The Task Force on the Americas is hosting a free screening of Tocar y Luchar (To Play and To Fight). The documentary presents inspirational stories of world class musicians trained by the Venezuelan system, including the Berlin Philharmonic's youngest player Edicson Ruis and world renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Contains interviews with many of the world's most celebrated musicians, such as the great tenor Placido Domingo, Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle, Guiseppe Sinopoli, and Eduardo Mata.

For more information, call 415/663-8392.

[Mar 27] Muralist Report back from Lebanon and Palestine

Precita Eyes Muralist Presents…

Muralist Report back from Lebanon and Palestine

You are invited to join us for a report back on recent projects created in Palestine and Lebanon. In January 2009, artist from Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center traveled to these countries and worked with over a hundred community members in the creation of 6 monumental murals.

Friday March 27th 2009 7 to 9 p.m.

2981 24th St, San Francisco, CA. 94110
For more info call (415) 285-2287
Or visit www.Precitaeyes.org

[Mar 21] March against the war (SF)

March Against the War on March 21

Bring All the Troops Home Now!

During his presidential campaign, Obama's popularity soared with the promise that he would bring the troops home from Iraq within 16 months. But his recently announced plan would continue the illegal occupation indefinitely. It would leave up to 50,000 troops in that war-torn country for who knows how many years. And it would delay the withdrawal of the first batch of troops for 18 months. The remaining forces would no longer be called "combat troops" but rather "advisory and assistance brigades". Make no mistake, all U.S. troops are "combat troops" and these forces, along with thousands of U.S. contractors and mercenaries are to remain to staff U.S. bases and the mega-Embassy, shore up the puppet government, conduct "counter insurgency" operations, and ensure continued protection of US economic interests. The numbers can go up or down at any time and the draw down time-table can be revised.

"When President Obama said we were going to get out within 16 months, some people heard, 'get out,' and everyone's gone. But that is not going to happen," said a senior military officer.

This plan doesn't "leave Iraq to its people and responsibly end this war," as Obama claimed during his Feb. 24 Congressional address. Instead, it entrenches the U.S. in a brutal counter-insurgency war for oil that helped to bankrupt our country and sends an endless stream of Americans to continue dying and killing. It prolongs the U.S. policy of domination over Iraq, and the region.

At the same time, Secretary of Defense Gates and President Obama announced their plan to deploy an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan - that's a 50 percent increase - despite the fact that the Department of Defense has no exit strategy. Only 34% of the American people approved this move, according to a CBS/Washington Post Feb. 17 poll. And the U.S. is expanding the covert war run by the CIA inside neighboring Pakistan with increasing numbers of aerial bombing attacks. President Obama is maintaining the fundamental strategic orientation by keeping the Bush team - Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Generals Petraeus and Odierno - on the job to oversee and manage the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations.

We don't need phony time-tables for withdrawal some day. We demand Out Now! Let the people of these nations determine their own destiny and control their own resources.

The U.S. government, the American people, the Afghanis, and the Iraqi people need to hear our voices of opposition on March 21!

We cannot afford another quagmire.

Please join us in Washington, SF, and LA on March 21!

Meanwhile, the U.S.-funded occupation and blockade of Gaza continues after a brutal weeks-long assault in which over 1,300 Palestinians, most of them civilians including 412 children, were killed, and the economy and infrastructure were destroyed. Even United Nations schools, food storage warehouses, and shelters were not spared from the onslaught of human rights crimes and violations of international law. Even now, the Israeli government refuses to open the borders to allow humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials. At the same time, plans to add 73,000 units to illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank have accelerated.

The people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine are struggling to rid themselves of deadly, racist occupations. Let us stand together with them, and say:

Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine; Occupation is a Crime!

The March 21 united mass actions are also needed to connect the massive war funding to the economic meltdown - to demand jobs for all; a moratorium on foreclosures; rebuilding the crumbling infrastructure; guaranteed, quality health care for all; quality education, an end to the ICE raids and deportations; and funding for sorely needed social programs. So long as trillions of dollars continue to be spent on wars, occupations, and bailouts to the banks and corporate elite, the domestic needs of the people of the U.S. can never be met.

The National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations has joined a broadening alliance of hundreds of coalitions, organizations, and networks in a united MARCH 21 NATIONAL COALITION to mobilize people across the United States to take part in a March on the Pentagon on the sixth year of the military invasion and occupation of the Iraq War: Saturday, March 21. Demonstrations will also be held on that date in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities across the U.S.

Bring ALL the Troops Home NOW!

Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!

End U.S. support for the occupation of Palestine!

No war on Iran or Pakistan!

For updated information on the March 21demonstrations (buses, flyers, endorsers, etc.), and the coalition, including labor unions, peace and anti-war groups, student, veterans' and community groups and more, go to www.pentagonmarch.org

For more information about the National Assembly, visit our website: www.natassembly.org

The actions are needed to assure the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and other countries threatened by Washington's expansionist policies that tens of millions of people in this country support their right to settle their own destinies without U.S. interventions, occupations and murderous wars. International law recognizes - and we demand - that the U.S. respect the right to self-determination. We reject any notion that the U.S. is the world's self-appointed cop.

[Mar 19] March and Rally to End the War (SF)

[Mar 19] Demonstration: War in Irak/War against youth of color (SF)

[English below]

Para el 6to Aniversario de la Guerra en Iraq

ven con nosotr@s para demostrar y resistir

la Guerra Local contra In/migrantes y Jovenes de Color

La guerra en Iraq y la guerra local contra gente de color son inseparablemente relacionados. Este 19 de marzo, planeamos tener una demostración divertida para destacar las relaciones entre estas dos guerras.

Campañas electorales no terminarán ambas injusticias porque son parte del mismo sistema opresivo. ¡La guerra en Iraq y la guerra contra nuestr@s jovenes y gente in/migrante no terminarán hasta que nos levantemos y digamos ¡Ya Basta!

Seguimos buscando organizaciones para trabajar con nosotros en este evento. Por favor juntense con nosotr@s para levantar animo y movimiento para las acciones del Primero de Mayo en 2009. Pongase en contacto con uainthebay@gmail.com si tiene pregunta o si quiere volantes.

El programa incluye- Comida, Musica, Teatro, Película y Platica sobre:

- Reclutamiento en las prepas para el militar,

JROTC

-Centros de Detención que abusan a las familias

In/migrantes (breve documental sobre Hutto,

centro de detencion en Texas)

-Nuevas leyes conta pandiller@s

-La Guerra en Iraq

Patrocinadores hasta ahora:

*Policia y Migra Cachadores: Grupo abolicionista recien formado para crear una red de la comunidad contra la Migra y abusos de la policia, (antes llamado SF Copwatch).

*SF Comida No Bombas

*Acción No Convencional en la Bahía: Grupo anarquista recientemente formado para combatir abiertamente el capitalismo y para construir una comunidad unida. www.uainthebay.org

*ARCO, Accion y Resistencia Colectiva: Zapatista colectiva local

Jueves 19 de Marzo

3:30 PM en la estacion del BART, calle16^th y la Mission

(Junta organizativa: proximo Martes 10, 7pm, en Cafe le Boheme, Calle 24)

For the 6th Anniversary of the War in Iraq,

join us to demonstrate and resist against the

War at Home against im/migrants and Youth of Color!

The war in Iraq and the war at home against people of color are inseparably related. This March 19^th, we plan to hold a demonstration and rally to highlight the relationships between these two wars. Electoral campaigns will not end either of these injustices because they are part of the same oppressive system. The war in Iraq and the war against our youth will not end until we rise up and demand enough is enough!

Please join us in a great momentum-builder for May 1^st actions. We are currently looking for organizations to work with us on this event. Meet with us next Tues, 3/10 at Cafe la Boheme on 24^th St, SF to get involved. Contact uainthebay@gmail.com for questions, info, or flyers.

Preliminary program includes film, food, theater, speakers and rally addressing:

- High School Military Recruitment, JROTC

- Immigrant Detention Facility Abuses

(film on Hutto, im/migrant family detention center in Texas)

- Gang Injunction Laws

- The Iraq War

Sponsors so far:

*ARCO- Collective Action and Resistance: Local Zapatista Collective

*Cop & Migra Busters: Prison abolitionist group building a community response network against ICE raids and police misconduct.

*SF Food Not Bombs

*Unconventional Action in the Bay: Openly anarchist group recently formed to combat capitalism and build community. www.uainthebay.org

Thursday March 19th

3:30 PM at 16^th and Mission BART station

(Organizing Meeting, Tuesday March 10^rd, Cafe le Boheme on 24^th near Mission St. 7pm)

[Mar 8] Fundraiser for Palestinian Unions (Oakland)

[Feb 27] Book presentation - "Dateline: Havana" [Larkspur]

Meet Dateline: Havana Author Reese Erlich and moderator Norman Solomon Friday · February 27 · 7 PM The Redwoods Presbyterian Church 110 Magnolia Avenue · Larkspur Commemorating of the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban revolution, author Reese Erlich will discuss the real story of U.S. policy and the future of Cuba. Erlich explores Cuba’s strained history with the United States and the power of the Cuba lobby. From Miami-based terrorists in Cuba to the green revolution in Cuban agriculture, he unearths details about U.S.-Cuba relations and present day realities on the island. He also lays out the new American president’s options and challenges regarding Cuba now that Fidel has exited the stage. This event is sponsored by the Task Force on the Americas. A $10-25 donation is requested. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Wheelchair accessible. For more information: 415/924-3227 or mitf@igc.org.

[Jan 30] Fuga CD Release

[Jan 30] John Gibler -- "Mexico Unconquered"

2nd Annual Encuentro on Activist Journalism in Latin America
"... desde abajo y a la izquierda..."

featuring

JOHN GIBLER (Global Exchange / KPFA)
DIEGO OSORNO (Mileno)

Mexico-based journalist-activist John Gibler presents his new book, Mexico Unconquered: Chronicles of Power and Revolt (http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100093700), which explores the concept of the Rule of Law in a land known for its implacable corruption and impunity; the political machinations behind Mexico's devastating economic disparities; the implications and consequences of the annual exodus of half a million Mexicans to the United States; the unprecedented civil disobedience uprising in Oaxaca state; and the continuing Indigenous Present that resists the government's attempts to confine Mexico's 10 million indigenous peoples to calm and controlled corners of the past.

Friday, January 30, 7:00 pm
126 Barrows Hall (UCB)

Sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the Division of Arts and Humanities

5 Things You Can Do Right Now About the Oscar Grant Shooting

1. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it (Thanks, Jabari For this link):
http://digg.com/world_news/Oakland_Police_Officer_Shoots_Unarmed_Man_Handcuffed_Man
or
http://digg.com/world_news/Oakland_Police_Officer_Shoots_Unarmed_Man_Handcuffed_Man?OTC-em-st1
2. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and 3) BART establish an independent residents' review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors at BoardofDirectors@bart.gov
3. Call the BART police to complain about the officers' conduct and demand immediate action:
Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029, dchlebo@bart.gov
Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov
Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.
4. Talk it up on your blogs, networks and talk radio shows (call Michael Baisden 877-6BADBOY or Rev. Al, etc. to get this on the national radar)
5. Stay tuned for other actions, protests, etc., especially if you are in the Bay.

[Jan 3-4] 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution

[Dec 27]Community Vigil for Peace and Healing

Where: 1500 Visalia Avenue , Richmond , CA (near Richmond Bart Station)
When: Saturday, December 27, 2008, 9:30pm-10pm
What: Peaceful vigil in response to hate-motivated gang-rape
Alert: Members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersexed communities will hold a peaceful vigil with support from Hand to Hand Martial Arts Center, at the location where a lesbian woman was raped by four men on Saturday December 13th 2008. LGBTQQI community members and all allies are welcome to come join in peace, healing, and support for the survivor and her courage in speaking out about the violence that was perpetrated against her.

People can bring a candle and are encouraged to carpool or take BART or walk-together. For more information regarding the incident in question please go to:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/21/BAV714SBA1.DTL

[Dec 19] SF CopWatch: Creating Sanctuary Together (SF)

[Español abajo]

SF COPWATCH presents:

Creating Sanctuary Together- Cop and Migra/ICE Watching in SF
(‘cuz surveillance and repression worsens & we need to count on each other)

Friday Dec 19th, from 6:30-9pm
Bilingual Spanish-English event
Station 40 Collective Space
3030B, 16th street, SF
(near Mission BART, between grocery and dollar store)

Free Event, donations for food and drinks kindly accepted

Schedule: includes

6:30-6:45pm= Greetings, Serve food, Present Event
6:45= Copwatch training, role play and brief legal info,
7:30= speaker from Rapid Response to Raids Network + Q and A
8= speaker from Migra Watch Network + Q and A,
8:30= Open discussion on direct action tactics to ICE on the streets
9= Announcements, Copwatch meeting info and close

To receive Migra Watch emergency text on your cell phone, send an email to:

SF_COPWATCH@yahoogroups.com

or you can text it to: 415.595.8251. This is also the # to report Migra sightings and is also the Copwatch hotline, so please include that you'd like to be added to the Migra Watch list.

Also, Cafe Le Boheme is at: 3318 24th street, near Mission 24th st BART

SF Copwatch presenta:

Junt@s Creamos Santuario - Vigilamos la Policia y la Migra en SF
(porque la vigilancia y la represion empeoran y tenemos que contar con nosotr@s)

Viernes Dec 19, de 6:30 a 9pm
El evento sera bilingue en Ingles y Español
Station 40, Espacio Colectivo
3030B calle 16, SF
(cerca de el BART de la Mission, entre tiendas de comida y de dólar)

Entrada Gratis, donaciones pa las bebidas y comida son apreciadas

Horario:

6:30-6:45pm= Saludarnos, Servir Comida y Presentar el Evento
6:45= Copwatch entrenamiento, teatro de personajes y breve info legal
7:30= platica de la Red de Ayuda Rapida para personas afectadas en las Redadas y preguntas y respuestas
8= platica de Migra Watch de Watsonville y preguntas y respuestas
8:30= Discussion Abierta sobre tomando accion directa conta la Migra en las Calles
9= Anuncios, info sobre cuando Copwatch se reune y cerrar

Para recibir textos de celular avisando sobre acciones de la Migra, manda un correo a:

SF_COPWATCH@yahoogroups.com

o puedes mandar un texo a: 415.595.8251. Este es tambien el # para reportar a la Migra, casos de brutalidad de la policia y reenes de carros o de personas, asi que por favor incluye que quieres ser agregad@ a la lista de Migra Watch

Café le Boheme está en la 3318 de la calle 24, cerca de la Mission
BART de la Calle 24

[Dec 18] Call to action: International Migrants Day

International Migrants Day

December 18, 2008

Following a historic Presidential election, the National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR) invites you to close the year by organizing and supporting events to commemorate December 18^th – International Migrants Day, and by reaffirming our commitment to the rights of all immigrants by joining us to call for an end to immigration raids, detentions, and deportations.

About December 18, International Migrants Day

On December 18, 1990, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was approved by the United Nations General Assembly, after almost a decade of governmental negotiations and pressure from migrant rights advocates around the world. Following lobbying efforts by advocates and migrant groups, in December 2000 the United Nations proclaimed December 18 as International Migrants Day.

Since 2001, in solidarity with other migrant rights organizations around the world, NNIRR has commemorated this day with members and allies. Each year we assist growing numbers of local events and initiatives with widely-endorsed call-to-actions, educational and organizing materials, and commemorative posters and t-shirts. (For more details, visit www.nnirr.org/december18; for international events, visit www.migrantwatch.org and www.december18.net.)

International Migrants Day 2008

2008 has been a challenging year in the struggle for immigrant rights, with immigration raids, detentions and deportations taking place during the course of the build up to the recent election.

During the last eight years of the Bush Administration we have witnessed and experienced the assault on the human rights of immigrants: families, workers and entire communities subjected to intense policing, hundreds of thousands detained, and due process rights blatantly violated and ignored.

Using new forms of illegal racial, ethnic/nationality and religious profiling, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) heightened policing of immigrant workers, violating their labor rights, implemented special policies, including secret programs targeting Arabs, Muslims, South Asians and Sikhs, and illegally rounded up and deported hundreds of thousands.

In recognition of the challenges ahead of us, NNIRR calls on organizations and individuals around the country to commemorate this year’s International Migrants Day with a local event or action highlighting the following demands:

Ø The immediate cessation of all immigration policing and raids;

Ø A moratorium on all immigration detentions and deportations, while hearings -- that must include the testimony of those affected -- are held to determine the changes needed to restore due process rights and humanitarian policies and to hold DHS accountable.

By ending raids and placing detentions and deportations on hold, President-elect Obama and the new Congress can create a respite to consider humanitarian policy alternatives that reinstate due process and the rule of law to immigration services and enforcement.

We encourage these activities and messages as a launch pad to press the new Administration and Congress to implement humanitarian policies and practices -- to decriminalize immigration status and protect the rights of all workers. We must continue to demand a fair and just immigration policy that is “de-linked” from national security, and which includes the demilitarization of our borders.

Especially on International Migrants Day, when we recognize and honor migrants throughout the world, we need to raise awareness about the need for policies that ameliorate involuntary displacement and forced migration, including fair trade and sustainable community development, and fulfilling the need and access to healthcare, education, housing, and safe, healthy environments.

* * * * * *

To spotlight these urgent petitions, NNIRR encourages you and your community to organize a local event on or around December 18, 2008. Your event can take place at any number of places, and in various forms -- an afternoon action at a Federal Building, an evening gathering at a place of worship, even a potluck dinner at a local community center.

We encourage you to publicize your activity in the media to call attention to the significance of the day as well as to highlight our collective efforts to end immigration raids. We also encourage groups to coordinate their efforts with others locally, and to reach out to allies through this event.

NNIRR will collect information on all these activities to publicize them nationally and internationally, to raise the collective power of grassroots community action. We will also circulate a national press release on December 16, 2008, highlighting your events, and post this information on our website.

If you plan to organize an activity for International Migrants Day, please complete this online form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=FyTSqSOQ38Jez_2bF7JB5jaw_3d_3d) or the attached response form and email to crajah@nnirr.org, or fax to 510-465-1885. For more information, contact:

Colin Rajah, NNIRR

510-465-1984 x306

crajah@nnirr.org

~•~

International Migrants Day Actions 2008

Registration Form

Yes! Please register our activity as part of the International Migrants Day Actions 2008.

Name of Organization:

Contact Person:

Contact Phone:

Contact Email:

Date & Time of Event/Action:

Brief Description of Event/Action:

Please email or fax (by December 14^th, 2008) to:

Colin Rajah; crajah@nnirr.org; Fax: 510-465-1885

Colin Rajah

International Migrant Rights & Global Justice Program Director

National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR)

310 8^th Street, Suite 303

Oakland, CA 94607 U.S.A.

tel: +01-510-465-1984 [ext. 306] fax: +01-510-465-1885

www.nnirr.org

[Dec 12] Poetry, music and dance (Berkeley, Oakland)

Sit down first for great poetry and performance and then head to La Estrellita afterwards for great music & revolutionary politics to dance with FUGA! and La Colectiva guest performers!

IN BERKELEY

La Peña Immigration Series Presents

Nicolas Valdez & Maria Ibarra: "Mi bandera es la tierra"

Friday December 12, 2008

$10 adv. $12 dr. - 8pm

A poetic journey through a seasonal landscape of vivid dreams & nightmares. Written and performed by Nicolas Valdez and Maria Ibarra. Mi Bandera es la Tierra is a project born out of La Pena's Hecho en Califas Festival of 2006. Originally a 20 minute collaboration between long-time friends and creative partners, Maria Ibarra and Nicolas Valdez, Mi Bandera has taken on a life all it's own. As a multi-disciplinary work its themes cover a wide range of political, cultural, and social issues that ebb and flow with the natural rhythms of the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) that bind it together. An experiment in "organic creative process," Mi Bandera pushes the boundaries of contemporary "Latino" Theater by skillfully weaving together contemporary issues with universal themes of balance and wellbeing. Rooted in the age-old traditions of storytelling, Mi Bandera follows the journey of two characters as they attempt to connect with the Great Spirit and bridge the gap of the historical disconnect between the masculine and feminine while simultaneously addressing current issues of globalization, environmental racism, immigration, and health. Told through poetic dialogue, indigenous chanting, live instrumentation, choreographed movement, and projected imagery, Mi Bandera resonates with an intoxicating compassion creating a shared emotional frequency that will surely move your heart and inspire you to proclaim Mi Bandera es la Tierra!

IN OAKLAND

Benefit Show for Fuga!

On Jan. 30 2009 El Paso/Oakland band FUGA! will release it's second album "Relatos Rebeldes/Rebel Stories" and embark on 3 Month US/Mexico tour.

The tour will take their music throughout the US southwest along the border then cross into Mexico to play Mexico City, Veracruz, Chiapas, and Oaxaca among others. Fuga! is independently run and owned by the musicians themselves and are hosting an end of the year benefit for their tour next year. We invite you to come sing and dance with FUGA! and special guests son/cumbia/salsa band La Colectiva this FRIDAY, DEC. 12 in Oakland. For more information check out website and flier below. See you there!

FUGA!

w/

La Colectiva

Friday, Dec. 12th, 2009

At LA ESTRELLITA Restaurant

446 E. 12th ST.

OAKLAND,CA

myspace.com/fuguista

La Estrelliita is a few blocks east of Lake Merritt BART Station.

*

I'll be doing a poetry set at La Peña to open before the "Mi bandera es la tierra" performance.

arnoldo garcia

música humana blues y poesia

www.lacarpadelfeo.blogspot.com

www.myspace.com/arnoldogarcia

www.nnirr.org

[Dec 7] Manos de Resistencia: Women Peacemakers in Colombia (SF)

Manos de Resistencia: Women Peacemakers in Colombia
Sunday, December 7, 7 pm.
Women's Building
3543 18th St. San Francisco

A Benefit Featuring:

Amanda Romero is a leading Colombian human rights activist, co-author of the collection of Colombian women's testimonies, "We Will Never Be Silenced." She will speak about Colombian women, human rights and the need for international presence.

Aluna is a Bay Area multicultural ethnic and Colombian folkloric band that features traditional Colombian music styles such as Cumbia, Puya, Bullerengue, Currul?o and Mapal?, as well as original music.

Food, Poetry by Maria Mercedes Carranza, raffle drawing, and honoring Bay Peace.

$12-20 donation. No one turned away.

This event is raising funds for the human rights accompaniment work of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Colombia. FOR?s teams live with the Peace Community of San José de Apartad? and other grassroots initiatives, in order to dissuade political violence and ensure their rights to stay on their lands and continue their nonviolent work. See http://www.forcolombia.org for more information.

Co-sponsors: Global Fund for Women, American Friends Service Committee Pacific
Mountain Region, Fund for Nonviolence, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Women?s
International League for Peace and Freedom San Francisco Chapter, Peacemakers.
Information: 720-296-6429