Performance Encounters

Leticia Rodriguez Day?

2011-11-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

This week is a one of a kind in that I will receive an award from the City of Austin. This Thursday, November 10, will be declared "Leticia Rodriguez Day" by the City of Austin.

It is a way that the music-loving city of Austin recognizes artists, especially musicians.

Although, I don't feel especially shy, this title makes me think twice before making a posting. I seem to recall creating such events for others, especially kids, to make them feel good about themselves. I found out it works for adults too. It makes me feel good.

But, if I am to be recognized, I’d like to share it with the people who have helped me get here. An artist is only as strong as the community that supports them. So, if anyone is going to do any naming; I’d like to join in.

Legal Entities and Businesses The City of Austin has been instrumental in providing knowledge, financial support and recognition of my work. Thank you very much for your ongoing work in promoting the growth of Austin artists.

Artists Collaborators of all kinds, shapes, sizes, colors and persuasions need to be included. My work is collaborative, and is structured upon a team leaning upon one another to create a unified vision. And on this note, I’d like to recognize Steve Vidal and Darin Layne for joining me on this day, They support my work, and help me become a better musician. Here is a link to Darin’s website for those of you who wish to take a look: http://www.darinlayne.com/

Friends Friends are key for sustaining the work; friends who come to hear the music, friends who offer words of encouragement and friends who offer constructive advice during both good and bad spells.

Family Family members take over for you when you need a sitter, and need to get to work, sell tickets for you, when you need a hand and calmly listen to you rant and rave on occasion.

We can proclaim "Leticia Rodriguez Day." But I know better. It's really Community Recognition Day. It is also a day of thanks for being able to continue to do what I love with all of the heart, gusto and skills that I have. And then, if life allows, more of this, another day. If I happen to get tongue-tied on November 10, just know, this day is for you and me. And I can't see that ever changing, or ever wishing it would be any different.

The Gift of Song

2011-09-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

Waking up to cooler weather is enough to make me feel like I can write, not just a song, but a symphony. The energy it gives combined with the richness of an early day’s light, intoxicates. Listen first; then do.

My thoughts are running amok. I need to run, walk, ride a bicycle or just BE outside, before I can settle down and SING. (Laundry dirty dishes, bills, errands, etc., all take a back seat during this writing adventure. Yes!)

I am a dancer, who sings, and once a dancer, always a dancer. My physical being is tied to everything I do. I am the person in a reception room who paces. I twitch when I sleep, and rest in the shape of a big X, spread out over the bed.

When I close my eyes, I have visions of being upside down doing a handstand. Song is partnered with movement; it is a long term relationship.

I MOVE through the day, literally, singing and doing, doing and singing. Somewhere in between it all, I accomplish little pieces of a song, or thought for a show, a different idea about relating to an audience, something new when I suspend a note and focus on the meaning of that particular word and how it is pronounced. The creative process is my steak and potatoes; an entertaining evening, one end result. There are infinite details to mull over, and I savor it all. It is a process not unlike constructing a house.

Singing is motion, rhythm being in the vowels, the breath, the arms, the sway of the body and the sentiment of the lyrics. This dance, while appearing to have less movement to outside viewers, is just as rich as traditional forms of dance. The movement, the choreography, the feeling is more internal. Singing is accomplished by the diaphragm, instead of the torso. The mouth articulates, instead of the feet. The breath is similar in that it informs what is to come, and how the information is presented.

I’m very happy to have this gift of song.

Speaking of informing, my body is aching to get up and zoom around. My brain has already moved onward to next month's shows, recording music for a CD and continuing work on vocalizations, diction, considering the meaning of the each lyric and the historical context in which they were written.

My spirit is singing a song already, lyrics are around the bend. Being in action creates inner stillness for me. Sing, dance, love life, always.

What MOVES you?

This Land is Your Land

2011-09-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

I’m feeling reflective today, after Wednesday night’s republican debate, on the “viable” candidates and their hair, which to me, represents some of their own substance.

Let me set the stage.

Today, I take my mom to the ENT doc in Kyle. I steel myself with granola, stuff a newspaper into my backpack and remember to take out the trash. My mom is in her eighties, but moves like someone much younger. If you were to ask her, she would let you know in a flash, she prefers younger company. Today, that’s me.

This will all take place in the early morning, a round trip to and from Austin. As I drive and wait, I will chew metaphorically on the Republican debate, and keep thinking about how much hair is present on most on the candidates. I’m glad I saw these debates, because the entertainment value was high.

Although the debates were focused on Mitt Romney and Rick Perry sparring, there were also wonderful moments from other candidates. Ron Paul, while lacking hair, delivered what I felt were the most honest comments of the evening. I saw why Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann are good friends; they could be sisters, and look like they have the same hairdresser. In fact, no matter the party politics, women are now asking their hairdressers for the "Bachmann look."

Both senators, Rick Santorum and Jon Huntsman, were polished and well prepared to respond to their questions. If hair could speak, theirs would not conflict with their performance Wednesday night. Newt Gingrich, beautiful silvery hair, rose above the fray to expound on his former contributions and, amazingly enough, credit Barack Obama for his part in the capturing of Osama Bin Laden. And Georgia businessman, Herman Cain, was extremely well spoken, direct and practical. I would follow him anywhere, but for his lack of hair.

As for Rick Perry and Mitt Romney, they appeared substantially presidential looking while making strong, yet vague statements about how they would create jobs in our struggling economy. Without a doubt, both had great hair to support all comments.

Frequently questions were answered in a way to highlight a point a candidate wished to deliver to the audience, regardless of the question. And so, questions were often not answered.

I am of course, skipping over much of the debate, but this is, after all only a blog, and, like Wednesday night’s debate, lacks in real substance. There’s nothing profound here, but in Texas, still putting out fires, we want solutions. I still see a drought ahead not only for Texas, but for our country.

What are you thinking about this week’s debates? I’ll be playing “This Land is Your Land” today on my piano.

On Romantic Love and Boleros on Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T06:49:00.000-08:00

Romantic love changes with time, and with this experience, changes us.

The first blush of romantic love is about romance, discovery, excitement; everything is possible. It defines, creates and destroys. There is no middle ground. It is riding a rollercoaster, it is diving off the cliffs of La Quebrada; it is divine.

Through time, love is an instrument. There are goals that a couple has made together or separately, that through love become accomplished, diminished or slowly worn away. Raising a family, establishing a livelihood, running a household, and building a life together. Romance dulls, but certain surprises occur such as children, or accomplishment of other lifelong goals, that give unimaginable joy and unbelievable sorrows to either support your love or tear it apart, bit-by-bit.

After completing some of these tasks, comes the search for love to be rediscovered, renewed. There are different needs and new challenges. What was it that you once saw in each other, what goals do you now have in common, how have each of you changed, grown apart, or grown closer.

Rediscovering love takes great work. Sometimes you cannot find it any longer, it changes so. We become, doubtful, irritable, non-compromising. There are also moments in which you know what your lover is going to say by a look on their face. You can predict how some discussions and arguments will begin and end. You learn about caring and compassion. You chose to stay or leave and find that as each day has a sunrise and sunset, love is also cyclical.

Boleros, trovas de amor, are not about happiness. Boleros reflect love’s perplexities. Within a seemingly happy tune, the lyrics tell of sorrow, loss and betrayal, as well as compassion, and love’s endurance.

Ya no estas mas a mi lado Corazon

En el alma solo tengo soledad

Y si yo no puedo verte porque Dios me hizo quererte para hacer me sufrir mas

Already, you are no longer at my side, my heart

in my soul I only have solitude

and if I cannot see you it is because God made me love you

to make me suffer

(Historia de Amor)

News and More News!

2008-09-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

There has been so much activity and buzz about and around the show, Canciones For Generations, it has been a challenge to report it.

In order to keep us on the page here's some of the past events to acknowledge, celebrate and allow YOU to participate in the future. In order of most recent:

September 18 -20

Canciones For Generations runs Thursday-Saturday/ 8 pm. Tickets at http://www.performanceencounters.org/
Canciones For Generations on Aeilli Unleashed today on http://kut.org/unleashed

September 16th

Leticia Rodriguez celebrates Diez Y Seis de Septiembre at Central Market North. The
patio fills with dance y gritos!

September 11-13

Canciones For Generations runs at the MACC. Matinees were filled with children from Sanchez Elementary, senior citizens and savvy Austinites. Despite the hurricane, all shows were held con gusto.

September 6

Leticia Rodriguez y la banda performed at El Sol y La Luna. Doggonit if people were'nt dancin in the streets!

August 23

Leticia Rodriguez y la banda performed at Westgate Central Market for the Hatch Chile Festival. Music caused havoc as shoppers began singing in the produce section!

Performance Encounters Upcoming Events

2008-07-30T05:17:00.000-07:00

El Sol Y La Luna

Leticia Rodriguez performs Mexican classics, boleros, musica tropical y corridas, and songs made famous in the 1940s – 1960s by her aunt, Tejana singer, Eva Garza, the renowned "Sweetheart of the Americas," Saturday, August 9, 7:00 p.m., at El Sol y La Luna, 1224 South Congress Avenue.

Canciones For Generations

Canciones for Generations is presented by the Mexican-American Cultural Center for the Arts and Performance Encounters.

The multi-media, bilingual play, performed by Leticia Rodriguez, explores the origins of her Latino heritage through comic circumstance, video interviews and music. For more information on show dates and tickets go to: http://www.performanceencounters.org

Opening night is Friday, September 12, at 8:00 p.m.

Canciones Picking Up Steam! ¡Andale oy vey!

2007-09-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

Second weekend of CANCIONES FOR GENERATIONS and the audiences are going WILD!

- Learn which brand of marinated jalepenos are the best!

- Get the inside scoop on coconuts!

- Find out how Leticia maintains her pronunciation!

Last show tonight, hope to see you there!

¡ Ahorale pues!

What A Beginning!

2007-09-25T05:12:00.000-07:00

"Cancíones For Generations" has begun and the audience response has been tremendous! Laughter, great music, family tales that leave you wishing for more; it is all there waiting for those who arrive.

The venue, Zavala Elementary School, is in itself an experience to savor. Built in 1936 to provide schooling to the Mexican American community, the 200 seat mini-theatre is a "find" for theatre lovers.

With only one weekend left, we encourage all to get tickets pronto! This unique show appeals to all ages and in the tradition of musicals of yesteryear, leaves you with hope and inspiration.

Get tickets while you can!

Those of you who have seen the show, feel free to write us at pe4u@sbcglobal.net and we will post it for you! ¡Gracías y vamos al show!

PE Performing Plus!

2007-05-19T01:38:00.000-07:00

Performance Encounters performed at the announcement of the Latino/Latina Oral History World War II project’s new website last weekend. You may have been reading about this group in the news over the past several months.

They have been primarily responsible for holding Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker, accountable to include the history of the Latinos/Latinas in his new documentary of World War II to arrive this fall. The World War II History Project, held at the University of Texas, has interviews of over 500 World War II veterans across the country. Their stories and histories are rich and moving.

We had the honor of meeting several of these veterans, now in their eighties, who knew well the music that PE performed during the evening and will be presenting at “Canciones For Generacions,” our concert this fall. Many expressed a heartfelt connection to the songs whose melodies and words express sentiments of love and beauty that are timeless.

And now a note, no pun intended, on another composer whose songs will be featured on “Canciones For Generation,” this fall.

Armando Manzanero (born in Mérida, México on December 7, 1935) is a Latin American musician and composer, widely considered the premiere Mexican romantic composer of the postwar era.

At the age of eight he was introduced into the world of music in the Escuela de Bellas Artes (School of High Arts) of his native city, later furthering his musical studies in Mexico City. In 1950, at the age of fifteen, he composed his first melody titled Nunca en el Mundo (Never in the World), of which twenty-one versions in different languages have been recorded to date.[2] The following year he began his professional career as a pianist.
In 1957 he was signed as musical director by the Mexican branch of CBS International and as Musical Promoter for EMI, [3] becoming the next year the pianist of Latin American artists such as Pedro Vargas, Lucho Gatica and Raphael. [4]
In 1959, an executive of RCA Victor urged him to record his first album of love songs, which he named Mi Primera Grabacion (My First Record).[5]
In 1965 he won the first place of the Festival de la Cancion (Song Festival) in Miami with the song Cuando Estoy Contigo (When I'm With You). [6]
In 1970, his song Somos Novios was translated into English by Sid Wayne, composer for Elvis Presley. The English version "It's Impossible" was performed by Perry Como and was nominated for a Grammy
His work has been performed by singers such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Elvis Presley, Frank Pourcel, Paul Muriat, Ray Conniff, Manoella Torres, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Raphael, José José, Andrea Bocelli, Christina Aguilera, Luis Miguel, Cristian Castro, Il Divo, and accompanied the piano of Raúl di Blasio.
During his lifetime, Armando Manzanero has composed more than four hundred songs, fifty of which have given him international fame. He has participated in numerous radio and television shows, has recorded more than thirty albums and composed the musical scores of several movies. (Taken from Wikepedia.org)

Email dancedoc@sbcglobal.com with blog response and we will post it for you!

2007-03-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

March 23, 2007

A beautiful Texas evening unfolded on Monday night. Performance Encounters had its very first “Spring Fling.” Family, friends and newcomers came together with wonderful music, food and atmosphere in ways that left everyone feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Carrie Rodriguez, our special guest, played fiddle with her cousin Jake and the whole yard was toe tapping and grinning. Leticia Rodriguez, Eric Callistri and Gerard Villanueva played classic boleros that pierced the heart and were deep and soulful.

As promised, here is a word on one of the composers of the classic bolero, “Sabor A Mi,” by Alvaro Carillo.

Alvaro Carrillo (1919-1969) - Composer

Genaro Alvaro Carrillo Morales, was born on December 2, 1919, in San Juan Cacahuatepec, Jamiltepec district, State of Oaxaca, at Melchor Ocampo Street No. 1, de la Cruz neighbourhood. His parents were Francisco José Maria Carrillo Jimenez, and Candelaria Morales, a mulatto from Juchitan, Guerrero, who died when Alvaro was very young.

In Chapingo, Alvaro dedicated his free time to song writing. These songs belonged to that period: "Luz de Luna" (Moonlight), "Magnolia," "Eso" (That), "Azul" (Blue), "Mañanita" (Little Morning), "Flores del corazon" (Flowers of the Heart), "Orgullo" (Pride), "Matematicamente" (Mathematically) and others"

Among his most famous compositions are "El andariego" (The Traveller), "Pinotepa", "Amor mio" (My love), interpreted by famous artists of the period, such as Luis Gatica, Los Santos, Los Panchos and many others.

Alvaro Carrillo died in a tragic accident on April 3, 1969, on the Mexico-Acapulco highway.
Taken from Oaxaca’s Tourist Guide on the Web

Welcome!

2007-03-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

WELCOME each and all. We gratefully announce the launching of Performance Encounters website!

On this BLOG site, PE will have periodic information and discussions related to community and international arts, philosophy and social issues. It will also give updates on our upcoming show, Canciones for Generations of which we hope you can all take part.

We also want your voice, your opinions. Group participation has always been a key to the opening of greater visions. Look at Wikipedia; right? It can also lead to long hours of heated discussions, which I love or dislike intensely (when I haven’t had my nap). We look forward to seeing what develops.

It’s a great week to launch. Speaking of noteworthy national events, here is what some Academy Award winners had to say:

“It is possible, it is possible, for a kid from East Texas” to make it big. – Forest Whitaker, Best Actor Award for “The Last King of Scotland”

“Can you double-check the envelope?” – Martin Scorsese, Best Director Award for “The Departed.” Many think he should have won this award 30 years ago.

“It’s a moral issue, not a political issue.” – Al Gore, on movie winning Best Documentary Award, “An Inconvenient Truth.”

Notes from Leticia Rodriguez
Artistic Director of PE

- What if each moment was an act of prayer and each prayer a moment in which to act?