From Day of the Dead to taiko, two of the top professional multicultural performance groups in Portland offer new artistic celebrations. First up, Dmae talks with artistic director Olga Sanchez and director Lakin Valdez from Milagro Theatre’s Dia de los muertos show, Corrido Calavera. And later we hear from Michelle Fujii of Portland Taiko about Making Waves 2013 featuring LA-based taiko group ON ENSEMBLE. (Encores 11am Sat 10/12/13o on KZME 107.1FM)

More about CORRIDO CALAVERA: In celebration of its 30th anniversary season, Milagro Theatre invited Lakin Valdez of the renowned El Teatro Campesino to lead the creation of Corrido Calavera, the story of Juan and Amanda, a couple who, wanting to spice things up in their failing marriage, decide to go on a second honeymoon.get-attachment-1

Lakin Valdez was born into a family of theater artists.  The son of Luis Valdez, founder of El Teatro Campesino (Zoot Suit and La Bamba), Valdez was raised not only among theater practitioners, but in the theater environment itself at El Teatro Campesino, his family-owned and operated farmworkers theatre that supported Cesar Chavez during the formation of the United Farmworkers union.

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Olga Sanchez & Lakin Valdez

CORRIDO CALAVERA, a bilingual celebration of the Day of the Dead
Oct 17 – Nov. 10, 2013, Thursday Oct, 17, 7:30 p.m Preview, Friday Oct, 18 p.m Opening night with post reception event catered by La Bonita restaurant. 

Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m. All shows are at El Centro Milagro, 525 SE Stark Street, Portland, Oregon 97214

Tickets: $15 – $26; discounts for students, seniors, groups of 15+ and advance purchases. More info: http://www.milagro.org/ or 503-236-7253

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ON ENSEMBLE

In the 2nd part of Stage & Studio, Portland Taiko’s artistic director Michelle Fujii joins us to talk about Making Waves 2013.

The performance brings together a classic taiko show of rhythm. melody and movement in  dynamic original music.

Also featured is the Los Angeles-based taiko group ON ENSEMBLE that fuses hip-hop, rock and electronica to create what Modern drummer magazine calls “exciting taiko…”

Making Waves –upcoming1 Saturday, October 12th. 8:00pm – Sunday, October 13th. 2:00pm
The Aladdin Theater | 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland, OR.

For more info visit: Portlandtaiko.org or call 503-288-2456.

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