MEChA de UW and the Pacific Northwest MEChA Region are Proud to host the 17th Annual National MEChA Conference. Our entertainment consists of an Open Mic on Friday, Tolteka, Las Ramonas, Quetzal/Seattle Fandango Project, and Mark Gonzales.
Thursday, May 27th, 2010: Spoken Word/ Open Mic.
Ethnic Cultural Theatre
7-10pm
Friday, May 28th, 2010: TOLTEKA and Las Ramonas
Husky Union Building, Ballroom
9pm-11pm
Tolteka is an Emcee / producer TOLTEKA ignites stages with furious flows and blazing poetic energy.Refusing to relegate himself to the monotony, misogyny, and materialism of most mainstream hip hop, Tolteka instead utilizes the medium as a tool in the modern fight for cultural survival, revival, and universal social justice. Mexicano Cubano Xikan@ Native equipped with a passionate voice, sharp delivery, and meaningful trilingual content for humanity (and other species of animals, plants, etc. who can dig it), he has performed throughout his native California, from the megalopolis mazes of Mexico City to New York City, humble housing projects to international cultural festivals to prestigious universities. A teacher, keynote speaker, and street poet who diversifies his artistry at times, Tolteka has been creating various multimedia presentations, as has also done work as an organizer, host, and actor. He held the lead role in Theatre of the Oppressed’s production of “The Complex” at 24th St. Theatre, and also kicks comedic currents with Xikana teatrista troupe Las Ramonas. Always appreciative of the school of Indigenous cultura and the elements of true hip hop which help make him who he is, he also has formal education from UCLA, where he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors, and USC, where he is currently working towards his Master’s Degree. A raw truth spitting emcee, bringing knowledge to the people, from the underground up.
Las Ramonas; Via the light of moon goddess warrior Coyolxauhqui a prophecy was fortold 513 years ago to young weaver Pocha-hontas (the mother of all Pochas) who, inspired, weaved the prophetic statement into a intricate huipil. This huipil, lost for the last 500 years was found one day while 3 mujeres were bargain shopping at a thrift store. Gazing at their amazing find the weaved prophecy revealed itself stating: “Ey.....Relax, stop taking yourself and this story so seriously,” These Chicanas pondered, meditated, and finally responded, “…oh.” Thus, LAS RAMONAS were born!
LAS RAMONAS is comprised of teatristas who have independently created, performed, and taught teatro throughout Los Angeles and beyond for over 10 years. This force of mujeres came together for the Mujeres de Maiz celebration in 2007 to create, re-create, share, and provoke a Xicanista critique through the medicina of carcajadas.
Saturday, May 29th, 2010: Mark Gonzales and Seattle Fandango Project/Quetzal
Husky Union Building, Ballroom
9pm-11pm
Mark Gonazales
One of the most engaging voices of a generation, Gonzales has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry, Fox News, Mun2, NPR, and shared stages with literary, Hip Hop, and academic icons across the globe. The depth of his work can be seen in the diversity of his audience, as he has received acclaims from educators, senators, foster youth, former prisoners, and members of the United Nations. Over 100,000 people have watched him speak the words: "In a war on terror, maybe testosterone is the real terrorist”, in the virtual world. His allies and lyrical supporters cross nation-state identities including: Lebanon, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Cuba, Iran, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Jordan, and Indigenous of the Americas.
The vision is more than the voice. The people of Palestine opened their homes to him in 2003, and in return he opened his heart. Youth in prisons have spoken to him in the language of sliced wrists, forcing him to find words that not only speak our pain, but heal our wounds. His tongue tap-dance tangos between Brooklyn mothers and Baghdad sons, and he hums in the name of both. In 2008, he continued to break borders and build beauty by becoming the first Chicano spoken word artist to perform in Syria.
Seattle Fandango Project/ Quetzal
The Fandango traditions of Veracruz, Mexico, use music, singing, and dancing to generate a spirit of convivencia—of living and being in community. For a decade, musicians in Veracruz and in California have built a movement of convivencia through Fandango Sin Fronteras (Fandango Without Borders). The Seattle Fandango Project brings this movement to Seattle with local workshops, concerts, and public discussions with guest artists Son De Madera, as well as community members, organizers, and educators. Come experience, and learn!
This event is free for University of Washington Students and Faculty. All other members must register to attend the conference. For more information contact MEChA de UW at
mecha@u.washington.edu or contact Entertainment Chair: Maria L. Guillen Valdovinos at
guillenml3@gmail.com
