PEPATIAN

BX-RATED PIX by Marisol Diaz

2011-05-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

...La Bruja....

Jessie Flores

Cynthia Paniagua

Cynthia Paniagua and Jessie Flores

La Bruja and the red shoes

Jessie Flores, with her father playing guitar

Jessie Flores

Jessie Flores and Cynthia Paniagua

Jessie Flores, La Bruja, Cynthia Paniagua

Cynthia Paniagua

Cynthia Paniagua and Jessie Flores

Cynthiai Paniagua and Jessie Flores

La Bruja

Jessie Flores

Jessie Flores and Cynthia Paniagua

Cynthia Paniagua and Jessie Flores

La Bruja

Cynthia Paniagua

Jessie Flores and La Bruja

Cynthia Paniagua and Jessie Flores

Jessie Flores

Jessie Flores and Cynthia Paniagua

Cynthia Paniagua and Jessie Flores

Gabri Christa, Jessie Flores, La Bruja/Caridad de la Luz, Cynthia Paniagua

Happy Birthday Cynthia!

Producer Jane Gabriels, Pepatian

the one & only Charles Rice-Gonzalez, BAAD!

BX-RATED essay by Hanaah Frechette

2011-05-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

PEPATIAN

BX-RATED: La Mezclatina Rising, Volume 1
written by Hanaah Frechette

This past weekend I had the pleasure of experiencing Pepatian’s BX-RATED: La Mezclatina Rising, Volume 1 at BAAD. The show was the first part of a collaboration that connected La Bruja, a Bronx-based spoken word artist, with choreographers Jessie Flores and Cynthia Paniagua, and filmmaker Nadia Hallgren.

As I approached the theatre, I found myself surrounded by massive graffiti murals and was quickly reminded that I was no longer in Manhattan. But rather than serving as a “Keep Out” warning, these works of art carried a different message, preaching the truths of the artists and acting as representatives for the neighborhood. From the open door of BAAD I could hear the strains of “You Sexy Thing” and as I entered the space to flashing disco lights, I knew this was going to be a unique experience. I was immediately intrigued by the figure moving silently through the crowd, her plastic mask reflecting the blinking lights, until she finally stationed herself at the back of the house.

La Bruja

photo: (c) Marisol Diaz, 2011

The show consisted of a series of vignettes portraying the artists’ experiences as first and second-generation Latina women living in New York City. Each chapter was a reflection into themes of identity, gender and culture and represented common occurrences they all shared. The evening began as the masked figure moved to center stage accompanied by two others. They proceeded to remove her gloves and mask and she faced the audience with a face of raw defiance. Ironically, by stripping away this outer shell that so many of us use for protection, she is able to speak honestly and directly. The opening words of La Bruja paint an experience that unites history with the reality of the present and family traditions with modern existence. Her voice commanded, “Teach me what I’m supposed to know… We are the fruit, and the root,” illustrating the fine line between their heritage and urban life. This concept would resonate throughout the performance and manifest itself in various forms.

Jessie Flores, La Bruja, Cynthia Paniagua

During the show, the women continually addressed issues of self-image and stereotypes. While this is hardly a novel concept, these reflections are shared through the lens of the Latina female experience. In La Faja Lady, Cynthia enters flaunting a blonde wig, the make-up enhanced mask and tennis ball breasts supported by her faja. After a ridiculous attempt at a seductive dance, Jessie appears carrying a stethoscope and removes the superficial layers with the simple command: “Despierta”. She presses the stethoscope to Cynthia’s chest as if to remind her of her forgotten beauty and humanity and encourage her not to prescribe to the stereotypes. Like in the opening scene with La Bruja, the mask both literally and figuratively obstructs the view and clouds the judgement of the wearer.

They continued this exploration of the feminine body and sexuality in the film Holla, a hilarious yet brutally accurate depiction of what goes through men’s heads as they see a woman they want to “holla at”. These “highly edumacated” guys (as one of their shirts wittily announces) contribute to the stereotypes perpetuated by the media and in general do little to help change them. Hallgren’s film and the ensuing parody demonstrated by Cynthia and La Bruja shift the focus from female insecurity to male ignorance.

Jessie Flores and La Bruja

In the final chapter, the three women return to the stage with the masks. La Bruja’s closing words echo messages of negativity and disapproval that have been perpetuated over time, claiming that all women could be good for is “giving birth to another someone like you” and other ignorant traditional beliefs. For a moment, it seems as if they are considering putting the masks back on and falling into the vicious cycle. However, in an act of womanly solidarity and power, they place the masks on the ground, step firmly on the painted faces and stride forward towards the audience. By silencing this creature, they in turn silence the voices of negativity and doubt coming from the media, their peers, and even themselves.

Cynthia Paniagua

Jessie Flores

In the talk back session afterwards, one of the major talking points was the idea of existing at a crossroads that sometimes seems like a contradiction. As Latina women they all admitted to feeling like they live between two worlds – having curves but not too many, being strong yet dainty at the same time. Where do you draw the line between respecting tradition and forging a new path for yourself? How do you celebrate the culture you’ve been raised in without falling into the stereotypical roles? As I left the theatre and walked back to the train amidst a chorus of “Oye mami ven aca” and “God bless you”, I felt an even greater sense of appreciation for the work I had just seen as it speaks not just to Latina identity, but also to womanhood. I look forward to Volume 2 as they continue to unapologetically explore Latina identity and discover what BAAD-ass women are truly capable of.

talk back with Gabri Christa, who moderated the discussoin, here with Mr Flores (Jessie's dad who played guitar during her solo)

WRITER
Hanaah Frechette will graduate from Florida State University in June 2011 with a double major in Dance and Spanish. She plans to move to NYC to pursue a career in performance and choreography as well as explore her interests in the international dance scene.

top photo: Jose Castillo
all other performance photos: (c) Marisol Diaz, 2011

~ APPLAUSE! ~

BX-RATED PROMO VIDEO

2011-05-05T05:15:00.000-07:00

PROMO VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2_m12yOETo

BX-RATED: LA MEZCLATINA RISING, VOLUME 1

a new dance theater collaboration produced by Pepatian featuring:

La Bruja, Jessie Flores, Cynthia Paniagua. Filmed by Nadia Hallgren, edited by Jose Castillo.

BX-RATED on BronxNet !

2011-04-25T10:39:00.001-07:00

‎*WOW* Jessie Flores in collaboration with Zon del Barrio on BronxNet!

http://bronxnet.org/tv/open/viewvideo/649/open/open-friday--april-22-2011

go to: 23:49 !!

Performance is FRIDAY MAY 6, 8:00pm, tix: $15

Tix: www.bronxacademyofartsanddance.org Tel: 718 842 5223
841 Barretto Street, 2nd flr Bronx, NY 10474
6 Train to Hunts Point Ave

photo: Jose Castillo, 2011

Gabri Christa joins BX RATED project

2011-04-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

CONFIRMED!!

**Gabri Christa** will host the post-performance discussion for BX-RATED: La Mezclatina Rising, Volume 1 at BAAD! on Friday May 6, 2011

http://www.gabrichrista.com/

BX-RATED showing at BronxWorks/Betances Community Center

2011-04-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

JESSIE FLORES, LA BRUJA, CYNTHIA PANIAGUA

BX-RATED: La Mezclatina Rising, Volume 1 -

showing of new work at BronxWorks/Betances Community Center -

and in attendance, Richie Bastar, two-time Grammy winning percussionist with

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico!

!SMILES!

Cynthia Paniagua, Jessie Flores, Richie Bastar, La Bruja

REKTO:VERSO Interview of Full Circle by Kristin Rogghe

2011-04-16T19:57:00.001-07:00

Click image to read full interview in PDF form.

BX RATED

2011-03-14T19:05:00.001-07:00

PEPATIAN

in association with BAAD!

presents

BX-RATED: LA MEZCLATINA RISING, Volume 1

La Bruja, Jessie Flores, Nadia Hallgren, Cynthia Paniagua

multi-disciplinary dance theater collaboration

SHOWING - free @ BAAD!
Sunday April 3, 1:00pm-2:00pm

PERFORMANCE - $15 @ BAAD!
Friday May 6, 8:00pm

This new collaborative dance theater project explores issues of first and second generation Latina identity in a coming together of powerful, unapologetic voices that speak to personal journeys and female realities in the tight rope between urban life and ancestry.

IN ADDITION
Workshop - SHAKING OFF THE FAJA Wednesday March 23, 6:30pm-8:00pm at BAAD! - free

Showing at BronxWorks/Betances Community Center Monday April 4, 6:00pm - 7:00pm - free
Betances Community Center 465 St. Anns Ave. Bronx, NY 10455 www.bronxworks.org tel: (718) 585-5040

Pepatian Bronx Artist Spotlight 2011
www.pepatian.org

Tix:www.bronxacademyofartsanddance.org Tel: 718 842 5223
841 Barretto Street, 2nd flr Bronx, NY 10474
6 Train to Hunts Point Ave

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and also with public funds from the Bronx Council on the Arts through the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program.

Photo credit: Jose T. Castillo, Jr. aka "ZALO"

SHAKING OFF THE FAJA workshop March 23

2011-03-11T07:14:00.000-08:00

Pepatian in association with BAAD!
presents

SHAKING OFF THE FAJA
dance and nutrition workshop

Taught by Dancers: Cynthia Paniagua, Jessie Flores, with Nutritionist Ana Maria Quispe

WORKSHOP MARCH 23, 2011 - FREE with suggested donation
6:30pm-8:00pm

SHAKING OFF THE FAJA
A workshop on embracing curves and body awareness. With dance class to urban and Latin beats followed by a professional dietician and chef to talk about healthy food choices within a budget. A workshop to encourage inner strength and confidence.

BAAD!/Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance
841 Barretto Street, 2nd flr Bronx, NY 10474
6 Train to Hunts Point Ave
www.bronxacademyofartsanddance.org Tel: 718 842 5223

Pepatian Bronx Artist Spotlight 2011
www.pepatian.org

Special Note:
Dancers are collaborating artists, with actor La Bruja and documentary videographer Nadia Hallgren, in the Pepatian dance-theater project, BX-RATED: LA MEZCLATINA RISING, Volume 1

Events at BAAD!
BX-RATED: LA MEZCLATINA RISING, Volume 1
work-in-progress showing Sunday April 3, from 1:00pm-2:00pm and
final performance on Friday May 6, all happening at BAAD!
www.pepatian.org

TEACHING ARTISTS
Jessie Flores creates dances with influences from contemporary sources; social dances from Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Peruvian and West African traditions; and martial arts like Qichong and Win Chung and her new trapeze and acrobatic skills. All her work is infused with an urban, street style aesthetic honed in clubs and dance floors throughout NYC. Dancer, Choreographer, Educator. www.pepatian.org

Cynthia Paniagua is a NYC-based dancer, choreographer, activist and educator. A Fulbright scholar, she specializes in creating works that combine modern and Peruvian folk traditions to explore themes of social and cultural identity. Born in Queens N.Y., Cynthia identifies herself as Peruvian, Puerto Rican, and a New Yorker. After obtaining a B.A. in Dance at Hunter College in 2003, Cynthia won a Fulbright grant in 2004-06 to study in Peru and “unearth the mystery of the dances.” She studied at two leading institutions in Lima (University of San Marcos and José María Arguedas) before journeying into the heartland -- up the coast, into the Andes, through the Amazon -- to study with living masters of dance, a story shown in a PBS televised documentary Soy Andina. In 2007, she has performed and taught throughout Peru on a U.S. Embassy-sponsored film tour. She was then hired to choreograph and perform in Peru’s biggest music-theater shows: El Vuelo Del Condor in Lima (2008) and Kusikay in Cuzco (2009). Now at New York University, Cynthia is earning a Masters in Performance Studies. She currently performs contemporary solo work and teaches dance workshops across the U.S. in conjunction with the documentary film. She has just finished choreographing for Circo Etno's new show "Paukartanpu" in Lima. In NYC, she plans to found a new dance company/school that will incorporate modern dance with Latino culture, identity and politics. “My journeys to Peru are part of a quest in order to respect my ancestors through dance, and share that energy and to my students.”

Dancer, Choreographer, Activist, Educator
http://www.soyandina.com www.kusikay.com www.circoetno.com

Nutritionist Ana Maria Quispe
Ana María Quispe is a freelance new age independent nutritionist, environmental and human rights activist. She is also a writer and translator, conducting/serving educational programs/events. She offers courses, conferences in the US and abroad.

Quispe’s story is one of hard work, perseverance and strong commitment helping others. A native of Peru, Ana came to the US in 1978 pregnant, single and with limited means. With great effort she has obtained her degree as well as her citizenship mentoring others to do the same.

She became an activist for health, hunger, nutrition, agriculture, environmental, social and human rights issues since she graduated in 1998 from Montclair State University of NJ. She has obtained outstanding nutrition awards from the American Dietetic Association in 1998 and 2000, special recognition by the NJ Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the NJ Peruvian Consulate, and local ecology institutions of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and Dolores, Hidalgo Mexico. She has been a candidate for the State of NJ to the US Congress for the OXFAM Program “Sisters of the Earth 2010”

She has actively participated in numerous organizations such as Gay Men Health Crisis, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Dietetic Association, Brooklyn Food Conference, Global Trade Justice, NJ Organic Farming Association, NJ Literacy Volunteers Program, Center for Community Alternatives, Oxfam, Organic Consumers Association, NJ hospitals and other civic/cultural organizations.

Quispe has been featured in many radio and TV stations in the US and abroad. She is the author of “Nutrinotes” a bilingual nutritional bulletin that is published in the web and other media.

She teaches “Green Cooking” a program to reverse some common diseases. She promotes vegetarian ethnic alternative meals, focusing in the nutritional value of many native plants and in the science of evolutionary medicine.

She is the director and founder of The TIKSI Group a nonprofit educational organization where she is expanding her educational mission to human rights issues, liberal arts and literature. http://anamariaquispe.wordpress.com/v/

photo: Jose T. Castillo, Jr. aka "ZALO"

NEW* Dance Theater Collaboration, Spring 2011 !

2011-01-28T06:59:00.000-08:00

BX-RATED: LA MEZCLATINA RISING, VOLUME 1

with artists:
LA BRUJA, JESSIE FLORES, NADIA HALLGREN and CYNTHIA PANIAGUA

A new collaborative dance theater project explores issues of first and second generation Latina identity in a coming together of powerful, unapologetic voices that speak to personal journeys and female realities in the tight rope between urban life and ancestry.

WORKSHOP
Wednesday MARCH 23
from 6:30pm-8:00pm
Workshop at BAAD! -- SHAKING OFF THE FAJA
Embrace your curves and increase body awareness with a dance class to urban and Latin beats followed by a professional dietician to talk about healthy food choices within a budget. Encourage inner strength and confidence with dancers Cynthia Paniagua and Jessie Flores and nutritionist Ana Maria Quispe. Co-presented with BAAD!.

WORK IN PROGRESS SHOWINGS
Sunday APRIL 3
from 1:00pm-2:00pm
Work-in-Progress Showing at BAAD!

Monday APRIL 4
6:00pm
Work-in-Progress Showing for youth program at BronxWorks Betances Community Center

FINAL PERFORMANCE
Friday MAY 6
Performance at BAAD!
with post-performance discussion
Boogie Down Dance Festival 2011

BRONX HIP-HOP ACADEMY

2010-11-24T08:09:00.001-08:00

Boricua College, Bronx New York
Workshops with: La Bruja and DJ Fred Ones
SPRING 2011 DATE TBA

Pepatian on BRONX NET

2010-10-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

photographer Vanessa Bahmani talks about Pepatian's upcoming show and her collaborative work with Full Circle Productions

http://bronxnet.blip.tv/file/4251342/

2010-10-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

PEPATIAN
in association with BAAD!/Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance

presents a night of multi-disciplinary performances by
visual and performance artist MELISSA CALDERON;
choreographer JESSIE FLORES;
FULL CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS in collaboration with photographer VANESSA BAHMANI;
duet with dancers PEDRO JIMENEZ and SARI NORDMAN; and
an exhibition of comic visual art work by GARY CAMP, RAY FELIX and ED MOUZON, curated by VANESSA GONZALEZ

at BAAD!
Thursday October 21, 2010 at 8:00pm
Tickets $15
BAAD! tel 718 842 5223

New Board Members!

2010-09-18T11:32:00.001-07:00

MELISSA CALDERON
Visual Artist and Activist Administrator
Coalition of Mott Haven Artists

NEYDA MARTINEZ
Founder, Monserrat, Ltd.

PUBLISHED / Summer 2010

2010-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

http://bronxdancecoalition.org/?p=267

PUBLISHED
- articles by Alicia Diaz and Sheila Maldonado -

on Pepatian's Bronx Artist Spotlight
Choreographers Showcase
presented in association with Pregones Theater

June 16, 2010

2010-07-20T05:24:00.000-07:00

Pepatian with Full Circle Productions presents Kid Flash with Sole Junkie
May 2, 2010

NY Walk to Cure Psoriasis
The event aims to raise funds for research programs to help find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Early morning kick-off event at the NY Botanical Gardens
featured KID FLASH and SOLE JUNKIE performing to a rap song written and recorded by Dr. John Clarke, L.I.R.R. Medical Director, recently featured in NYT.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/19/a-physicians-a-musician-and-safety-is-his-mission/?ref=nyregion

Bboy Kid Flash
From Brooklyn, Kid Flash started Bboying at the age of 19 and since 2009, he now performs with Full Circle Productions.

WORKSHOP: No Fences, Barefoot Salsa Workshop with CARMEN RUIZ

2010-06-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

Pepatian
in association with BAAD!
presents
No Fences, Barefoot Salsa Workshop
with CARMEN RUIZ

FREE with suggested donation $10

Saturday June 19, from 11:00am-1:00pm at BAAD!
Train: #6 Hunts Point

This workshop is a space for individual and collective creation. It is inspired by folkloric and popular rhythms from Latin America, and the Caribbean. Carried by self expression, participants are invited to move from their personal stories and to explore salsa as a liberating, and profound common language.

Carmen Ruiz is part of the Barefoot Salsa Collective. Formed by a group of dancers and percussionists, the collective shares a common dream: to dance and teach how to dance to celebrate life and to act against violence. Ruiz is a Colombian born, and Montreal based dancer, choreographer and instructor. Her solo work has explored Colombia’s past and the scars of violence that linger on both the body and the memory of her people.

BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance
841 Barretto Street, 2nd floor
www.bronxacademyofartsanddance.org tel (718) 842-5223

Pepatián Bronx Artist Spotlight 2010

2010-05-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

Special artists event for local youth groups

2010-05-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

2010-02-19T18:05:00.000-08:00

Vanessa Gonzalez, project assistant at Pepatian, wrote the following essay describing her reactions to the work-in-progress performance of Out of La Negrura at Pregones Theater, June 2009.

Essay: Out of La Negrura
by Vanessa Gonzalez

I identify as a Nuyorican, and when I watched the performance of Out of La Negrura, I felt that there were a lot of issues addressed that are things I’ve either experienced or seen.

I liked the different experiences the performance explored. There was this one scene where the performers line up for a job interview, but then they end up trying to one-up each other by using negative stereotypes about Latinos to get ahead of the others in line. For example: “At least I have my degree!; I speak better English than both of them.” One of the performers was in a scene where she walked into a salon and exclaimed: “What do you mean, you don’t do my kind of hair?” Although these were small parts within the performance, it opened a whole range of topics such as appearance and beauty, and what is considered normal in American society, and the significance of hair to class and culture.

There were three solo dances in the piece and they were each done in almost complete darkness with the only source of light coming from the open doorway. Each dancer was in silhouette. The lack of a set, and the juxtaposition of light and darkness forced the audience to look even more at the dancers and their characters in the work. With the stark contrast of dark and light, the viewer was able to interpret their movements not only as dancers but also as actors.

I also really liked seeing a woman break, and break with a lot of strength, confidence and take it or leave it attitude. Her energy was amazing. My mind was blown, seeing Rokafella break was the epitome of fierce; breakdancing from what I’ve seen is very male-dominated. Part of the message I received from her dancing was that: I am here to stay!

Another thing I really liked about the piece was the Question and Answer at the end. I felt like the added a whole layer to the performance because the audience was allowed to share their experiences concerning racism, sexism and being Latino. Latinos are diverse within their own culture, but I felt like through the Q and A, the experiences Latinos and other minorities face were united under one umbrella. It was powerful to hear people of different cultures talk about how they have faced experiences similar to Latinos; it shows how racism is still alive and affecting all different types of people.

Personally, the work made me think of my own experiences as a Latina woman. I am 23 years old and you’d be surprised how many times I’ve been asked how many kids I have; not do you have kids? But how many. And on random occasions by random people I’ve been called Maria. Latina doesn’t mean I am named Maria! I feel like although I am Puerto Rican and Dominican, Out of La Negrura provides experiences that Latinos and people of color from all can relate to and find a common ground.

ARTISTS SHOWCASE at The Living Room, NYC Monday, February 22, 2010

2010-02-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

APAP SHOWCASE At New York City Center - January 8, 2010

2009-12-12T05:42:00.000-08:00

APAP SHOWCASE At The Living Room, NYC - January 10, 2010

2009-12-12T05:35:00.000-08:00