Charanga Danzón

Thanks to all who joined Charanga Danzón on May 10, 2008 at

Catherine Person Gallery

for a sold-out show!

Irene Mitri (right) with Catherine Person (Gallery owner) and David Schendel (filmmaker)

The Film: Yank Tanks
The first in-depth look into the largest, living, automobile museum in the world and its curators. Where? In Cuba, of course!

Click to hear Irene's May 8 interview on KUOW radio

	Charanga Danzón in action....

a memorable evening of Cuban music and thought-provoking film was held in the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford on Thursday, April 10, 2008

		Photo credit: Auston James	photo credit: Irene Mitri Click here to download flyer
Thanks to all of you who helped fill the wonderful space on April 10!	The performance generated rave reviews (click to read)...	...And even inspired poetic reflections! (click to read)	Click here to see a YouTube video of the performance

Musicians included:

Special Guest Michael Nicolella, guitar

Irene Mitri (violin), Pedro Vargas (percussion), Jim O'Halloran (flute), Ben Verdier (bass), Fred Hoadley (piano and tres), Andy Schloss (percussion).

This concert also included a special film:

MIRROR DANCE

Producer: Frances McElroy and Maria T. Rodriguez

Genre: Documentary 1 Episode/60 Minutes

Courtesy of Ramona de Saá Bello / ITVS

Two sisters. One passion. Romance. Revolution. MIRROR DANCE is the story of Cuban-born identical twins Ramona and Margarita de Saá, who become estranged through politics when one moves to the United States and the other remains behind. Though separated for almost 40 years, both continue to share a passion for dance. Shot in the United States and Cuba over a period of four years, the film reveals some of the complexities of the sisters' relationship: the worlds in which they live, the choices each has made and the conflicts each has endured. Set within the context of the turbulent dynamic between the two countries, MIRROR DANCE focuses on the twins' story of division, difference and ongoing efforts at reconciliation. It is a universal story that speaks to the personal pain, loss and waste that can result from international hostilities.

Looking forward to the next time,

Irene Mitri, M.M., Ed.M. -- violinist and director, Charanga Danzón

Thanks to all who came to see/hear us at Café Rozella – the café is calling the event a “smashing success”! It was a wonderful evening, and packed (sorry to those who couldn't get in the door) and we already have requests for a cd (we'll make one soon)

We played on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 as part of "Spanglish Potluck", an evening of words and music presented by Hedgebrook, the internationally-known writers' retreat on Whidbey Island. This event took place at Cafe Rozella, in White Center (see www.caferozella.com for more details).

For this event I was so fortunate to be joined by Fred Hoadley (tres), Ben Verdier (bass), Jim O'Halloran (flute), and Andy Schloss (percussion).

photo credit: Hedgebrook
photo credit: Hedgebrook	photo credit: Hedgebrook