Dec.3, 2011 "Spanish Harlem Orchestra" at the Annenerg Center 8 PM

Salsa Navidad

December 3

New York style and sophistication meet Afro-Caribbean rhythm and passion with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra—the musical embodiment of the steamy, culturally rich neighborhood of Spanish Harlem. Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger and producer Oscar Hernández, this explosive 13-member, Grammy® award-winning ensemble has reintroduced the classic sounds of New York City salsa to music lovers worldwide. In their brand new, family-friendly holiday program, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra will invigorate classic holiday songs with their special Latin flare and leave you dancing in the aisles!

December 2, 2011 7:00 PM Benefit Concert for Cuban Quakers

Please join us for an evening of wonderful Cuban music and refreshments as we gather together for a fundraiser to help our Quaker Friends in Holguin, Cuba.

The William Penn Charter School will host a benefit to raise money for the Quaker community in Holguin, Cuba, that is in dire need of financial assistance and supplies for living, as well as materials for rebuilding their church and other buildings.

On Friday, December 2, Conjunto Philadelphia, a Cuban ensemble directed by Jeff Torchon, will be headlining this benefit event. Jeff, a Penn Charter graduate, is currently part of the IT staff at PC, and also teaches music and directs the MS and US Jazz Bands at Germantown Friends School. Conjunto Philadelphia is a musical ensemble based in the Philadelphia area performing the music of Pre-Revolutionary Cuba. The group's main aspiration is to maintain the authenticity of the music, while performing it in a way that pays homage to Cuba's deep and treasured musical history. Penn Charter's acapella group, the Quaker Dozen, will also perform, along with other musical guests. Cuban refreshments will be served and donations will be accepted at the door.

We will also learn more about this Cuban Quaker community and the challenges they face in a presentation from Fran Bradley, a member of George School, who has been running a humanitarian service trip to Cuba for the past 30 years. Another trip is planned for the summer of 2012.

This event will hopefully pave the way for a relationship between Quakers in Cuba and the broader Quaker community here in Philadelphia. Please join us on Friday, December 2 from 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm at Penn Charter's David L. Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts, 3000 West School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144. A suggested donation of $5 will be accepted at the door, and higher donations are most welcome and appreciated.

You can check out Conjunto Philadelphia online at www.torchonmusic.com

If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Torchon at 215-450-1349 or jazzjeff88@gmail.com

We hope to see you there for a wonderful evening of great Cuban music and fellowship in support of our Quaker Friends in Holguin, Cuba.

November 26, 2011 Conjunto Philadelphia at World Cafe Live PHL 9 PM

Conjunto Philadelphia is a musical ensemble based in the Philadelphia area performing the music of Pre-Revolutionary Cuba. The group's main aspiration is to maintain the authenticity of the music while performing it in a way that pays homage to Cuba's deep and treasured musical history. Genres include Son, Cha-cha-chá, Bolero, and Danzón.



Thursday, August 11, 2011 | Show 9pm | Upstairs Live

Advance Tickets:
General Admission Seating/Standing*: 10 ($7 ticket + $3 processing fee)

Day of Show Tickets:
General Admission Seating/Standing*: $12 ($9 ticket + $3 processing fee)



Saturday, November 26th, 2011 | Show 9pm | Upstairs Live


Tickets:
General Admission Seating/Standing*: $15 ($12 ticket + $3 processing fee)

November 26 7:00 PM and November 27, 2011 at 4:00 PM Kulu Mele: Sacred Journeys at the Painted Bride Art Center

November 26, 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 27, 4:00 PM

Sacred Journeys is a celebration of faith and the human spirit featuring new and revised selections from Kùlú Mèlé’s extensive repertoire of Afro-Cuban and West African sacred dance. Founded in 1969 by Robert Crowder, Kùlú Mèlé is known for infusing traditional African dance with urban American flair. The company has graced stages from New York to Guinea and throughout the African Diaspora, distinguishing itself with beautiful costumes, a thrilling percussion battery and dynamic choreography. General admission to Sacred Journeys is $20 in advance/$25 day of show; children under 12: $12 in advance/$15 day of show. For more information, visit www.kulumele.org.

Nov. 20, 2011 "Still Black, Still Proud" An African Tribute to James Brown 7 PM at the Annenberg Center

Discovering the points at which African and American music strike sparks off each other, Pee Wee Ellis (“The Man Who Invented Funk”) and a host of stars including Maceo Parker, Vusi Mahlasela and Vieux Farka Touré bring James Brown’s revolutionary music full circle in this innovative, rhythm-fueled tribute to Afro-funk. This extraordinary line-up of international talent celebrates the lasting legacy of the “Godfather of Soul” and explores the deep relationship between soul, funk and modern African music with timeless hits such as “I Feel Good” and “Gonna Have a Funky Good Time.” Artists from the United States and Africa join together in an ensemble that the Boston Globe dubs “a pancontinental funk-soul supergroup,” and that All About Jazz proclaims is simply “explosive.”

November 20, 2011 7:30 PM Kyo Daiko and Unidos da Filadelfia at Calvary United Methodist Church

48th Street and Baltimore Ave.
Philadelphia Pa
Tickets $5. to $15. on a sliding scale
Founded in 2005, Kyo Daiko is a community- based group, which is the result of a collaboration between Settlement Music School and Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park.

The group is led by instructor Kristopher Rudzinski, who is a member of the Settlement Music School percussion faculty. Mr. Rudzinski has performed with the group Taikoza, as well as studying with Taikoza’s founder, Mr. Marco Lienhard.

Kyo Daiko performs regularly at schools and community events, and has performed XPN’s World Cafe, the Kimmel Center’s Summer Solstice Celebration and ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Unidos da Filadelfia (Philadelphia United) is a community-based samba school modeled after the Carnaval parade organizations of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador da Bahia in Brazil. Founded in 2005, the school's mission is to spread the joy and excitement of Brazilian percussion through music education and performance. Members of the school have the opportunity to play the traditional percussion instruments and learn the rhythmic styles of Brazilian Carnaval, and to perform at various community events. No prior musical experience is necessary.

November 19, 2011 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM "Bomplenazo de Otoño"

Instituto Puertorriqueño de Música
2661 N. 5th Street
Philadelphia PA 19133

November 18, 2011 6:30-8:30 PM "Dos Y Mas" Elio Villafranca and Arturo Stable

AMLA Presents

DOS Y MAS
A musical duet of exquisite beauty performed by rising Cuban/Jazz/Classical crossover masters, Elio Villafranca and Arturo Stable. Villafranca's virtuosic and multifaceted pianism engages Stable's poly-rhythmic percussion genius on ten original compositions that tribute the spiritual, classical and traditional legacies of Cuba, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Spain.
Where: 191 W. Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia Pa

Rumba dance class has been extended through November 18th, with possibly more classes to be added soon. Come learn the flirtatious rumba dance to the live percussion of 4 outstanding drummers, and a great Cuban instructor, George Pupy Castellanos.
Address: 1417 N. 2nd St. (enter through iron gated parking lot on 2nd Street)

November 12, 2011 6:00 PM African Musician Oumou Sangaré at Penn Museum

Well known African musician Oumou Sangaré performs LIVE at 8 pm.

The Museum's African Gallery and the "Imagine Africa with the Penn Museum" gallery project remain open from 6:00 pm to 7:45 pm.

Presented by the African and Caribbean Business Council and Orijin Magazine.

Tickets: $40 general admission, in advance and at the door.
Students with Penncards, $20. For ticket information: (215) 327-7783.

November 12, 2011 Underground at Ron's #45

UNDERGROUND AT RON'S # 45
PRESENTS
Multi Instrumentalist Jeremy Dyen
w/ Percussionist Josh Robinson
Saturday, November 12,
1012 E Southampton Ave Wyndmoor, Pa. 19038

8:00PM - Show Time Community Drum Circle/Potluck 7:00 - 7:50PM
$20.00 (or less if needed)

1012 E Southampton Ave Wyndmoor, Pa 19038
Concert Space is limited to 70

Contact Ron To Reserve Seats NOW at:
215 233 0777 or ron@musicinthemoment.com

24 hr. notice is appreciated in case of cancellation. Some refreshment & non-alcoholic beverage will be provided. Feel free to bring a Potluck. There is on street parking, as well as at the top of the hill on Flourtown Ave. in the Professional Center lot. Support Underground at Ron's by coming to this event, inviting your friends to join you & by forwarding this invitation to others.

Thanks! ... IN PEACE .. Ron

Fridays, October 21 to November 11 at Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas

Rumba dance class
7:00-9:00 PM Fridays Oct.21 through Nov. 11, 2011
Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas
1417 N. 2nd Street (enter through the parking lot on 2nd St., inside iron gates)
Philadelphia PA
$15. per class
The first three classes were a huge success! There is nothing like learning to dance to live drumming by such accomplished percussionists as Andres Cisneros, Shakoor Sanders, Yinka Moore, and Christian Noguera. George Pupy Castellanos is a patient and thorough teacher, and you will leave class with a natural high.

November 12, 2011 Venissa Santi and her Afro-Cuban Sextet at Chris' Jazz Cafe

2 Shows: 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM
Chris' Jazz Cafe
1421 Sansom St.
Philadelphia Pa
215-568-3131
$20.
Venissa Santi with a full sextet and guest artists sitting in.
Born in NY, trained in jazz in Philly, and schooled in sacred/secular music in her ancestral homeland of Cuba, vocalist Venissa Santí traveled a long road to develop her signature musical style. She is a 2008 PEW Fellow, signed to Sunnyside Records.
"Venissa Santi is a refreshing spirit, an extraordinarily talented and diverse musician with the knack for making the unexpected sound so welcome." -- Pianist, Educator, Author, Rebeca Mauleon

November 3, 2011 Rhythm Class with Ron Kravitz

Hi Folks ... I will be teaching a rhythm class tonight at my place, (1012 E Southampton Ave Wyndmoor, Pa 19038 ) Thurs. Nov. 3, 7:30 - 9:00pm. $16.00
This class will happen through the month of Nov. on Thurs. evenings.

Quint Lange will be back to teach on Thurs evenings, Dec. 1, 8, & 15 for a 3 week session and for ongoing 6 week sessions
beginning Jan 5.

In tomorrow nights class, some areas of play that we might cover are the following ...
Playing/improvising over a groove ( with a big assist from Joe Machamer who will provide the steady beat)
Utilizing other instruments from the percussion collection as well as the djembes/bells/dunduns.
Going over some basic djembe technique for those in need.
Some African rhythms.
Playing in different meters and how to navigate between them ... 2 (2/4), 3 (3/4), 4 (4/4) 6 (6/8)
We will have fun!
If you are able to attend, please contact me no later than 5pm to confirm.
215 233 0777 or email.
Thanks!
Ron