Upcoming Event:
“Separated!”
One of the songs that we will be performing for our up-coming play “Who is Responsible?” by Agustín Lira;
We are still accepting actors – beginners thru experienced – crowd scenes and character roles….it is informative and entertaining. 6:00 p.m. each friday @ the Mosqueda Community Center. For more info call Teatro de la Tierra @ 559-485-8558.
The author is Venezolano, but he wrote of the Salvadoreños – their history, as the history of Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and more, is heartbreaking…it is no wonder that Central Americans are coming here. We need to allow them in.
Past Events:
Review: Agustín Lira, ‘Songs Of Hope And Struggle
Agustín Lira’s new album, Songs Of Hope & Struggle, comes out June 24.
Courtesy of the artist
California’s San Joaquin Valley runs right along the middle of the state, from just south of Bakersfield up to Sacramento. It was ground zero for Cesar Chavez’s groundbreaking campaign for farmworkers, and it was where I met Agustín Lira when I lived in Fresno.
He was a hero there — someone who helped kick off a historic social-justice movement using a guitar and his voice. He, along with brothers Luis and Daniel Valdez, used song and theater from the back of flatbed trucks on the edges of orchards to get Chavez’s message to the folks working in the unforgiving San Joaquin Valley sun.
Luis Valdez went on to create El Teatro Campesino, which became a world-renowned Chicano theater organization. Agustín Lira stayed in Fresno and continued to sing songs about dignity and resistance to exploitation, with a deep understanding of the value of hard physical labor.
With the release of Songs And Struggle And Hope, Lira finds a new home with the legendary record label Smithsonian Folkways. It is the 44th release in the Traditions/Tradiciones series, produced with the help of the Smithsonian’s Latino Center, and it’s a perfect match. Lira is a bit of living history who is moving the tradition of protest music forward.
Here, Lira, along with his musical partner Patricia Wells, adapt their message for modern times, while maintaining the same inspirational lyrics and conviction. Their music resonates as strongly as it ever has.
Save the Date: August 12th, 2017 @ 3:00 p.m. the students of Generaciones Project will perform new additions to their repertoire, along with their instructors Lira & Wells, special guest is Merlinda Espinosa; Raffle prizes, aguas Mexicanas (jamaica, piña, & limonada), and more…1515 Divisadero Ave., Alfonso Hernandez Youth Center, Fresno CA (559) 485-8558
Wednesday 9am – 8pm
Hope Lutheran Church
Fresno, California
A day of justice projects, fellowship and mission. Registered participants will get a free t-shirt, lunch and supper. Learn more and sign up to be on the email list here: http://
Organized by Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer
Sponsored by: Sierra Pacific Synod – ELCA, SPS ELCA 500, ELCA Reformation 500, Thrivent Financial, Hope Lutheran Church Fresno
Confirmed Speakers and Groups (more being added):
Rev. Lyle J Beckman (San Francisco Night Ministry); Nancy Nielsen(Lutheran Social Services Golden Gate and Leavenworth.);ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation (Sierra Pacific).
Confirmed Service Opportunities at: (more being added)
ARF – Animal Rescue Fresno, Habitat For Humanity (ReStore in Clovis), Hope Lutheran Church Fresno
I’m pleased to announce that Agustin Lira will be our evening keynote after dinner. Join us for a free folk with music from a justice worker who wrote protest songs to support the Caesar Chavez boycotts in Fresno.http://www.npr.org/…/first-listen-agust-n-lira-songs-of-hop…
https://www.facebook.com/teatrodelatierra01/photos/a.879273598859181.1073741830.839039476215927/1275012029285334/?type=3
EVO BLUESTEIN
CONCERT FOR BOOK RELEASE
APRIL 22, 7 PM, 2017
The Press at California State University, Fresno
Road to Sweet’s Mill
Folk Music in the West during the 1960s and ’70s
concert performers: Evo Bluestein, Terry Barrett, Barry Shultz, Alma (Agustin Lira & Patricia Wells Solorzano), Two for the Road and The Gilly GirlsThe book is a study of the regional folk subculture of the era with archival recordings, photos, interviews and more.
“Sweet’s Mill was a jewel in the crown really. There’s something so beautiful about the Central California location.” –Barry Olivier, Berkeley Festival Director
“We could be who we were. Extravagantly, we could celebrate it.” —Mac Benford, Highwoods String Band
“People do music because they have no choice. Some folks are put together so they can’t not pick tunes.” —Solomon Feldthouse, maestro
“We wanted a lot more cultural events than just music. All around life, you know, all the way through. Since people stayed longer, we wanted other things happening because some of them weren’t musicians. I tried to include as many kinds of art as we could.” — Virgil Byxbe, Sweet’s Mill Director
Wahlberg Recital Hall, Cal. State University Fresno, old music building, 7 PM
free to students, $10 general admission, $7 for students of other schools (with ID)
