Flamenco at the Coprodeli Fundraiser. April 9, 2009
Flamenco guitarist Guillermo "Tito" Aguilar at the Coprodeli fundraiser. April 9, 2009 7:27pm
It's 10-something pm on Wednesday as I type these words. If you've been keeping up with my twitter updates, you'd have known that I've been spending a lot of daytime hours at bookstores with Wifi access cuz for the past few weeks from 9-5 there's been some repair work going on in my apartment involving lots of noisy tools, dust, water and toxic fumes.
Not exactly an environment conducive to working on the computer, not to mention that I don't have a comfortable place to practice guitar. Grrr....but thank God, I mean Mother Nature, that the weather is gradually warming up now, so in a worst case, I can always resort to practicing outdoors (checkout these pics from March 2004).
OK...so my being "exiled" from my apartment the past few weeks has taken a huge toll on my practice routine. So what to do? Just show up earlier at gigs and squeeze in as much warm-up time as I can. It hasn't been that bad to be honest, but once this repair work is done in my apartment, I'm going to have to double-up on practice time for sure!
Anyhow, let's talk about these pics you see here...
Flamenco dancer Emily Mazzotti performing alegrías. April 9, 2009 7:32pm
First of all, I'm sure you're wondering, "What is Coprodeli?" Sounds Italian doesn't it? Actually it's an acronym for COmmunity PROmotion DEvelopment LIberation.
According to the Coprodeli website,
"Coprodeli USA supports the work of Coprodeli in Peru which aids Peruvian families by providing for fundamental needs, promoting education and job training, and developing strong self-sustaining community programs. Volunteers from the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and from among the disadvantaged people of Peru provide hope and vital services to those in need."
Emily Mazzotti. April 9, 2009 7:33pm
Local flamenco dancer Emily Mazzotti happens to be from Lima, Perú originally, so naturally she, along with guitarist Guillermo "Tito" Aguilar and a guest male dancer, donated their services to raise money for this worthy cause.
The performance took place in the historic mansion of the Josephine Butler Parks Center which overlooks Meridian Hill Park, not too far from Adams-Morgan.
Since I happened to be free that night, I took the liberty of tagging along and take pics of the performance. In a way, you can say I donated my services too, since a LOT of people with an interest in flamenco keep up with my blog. Who knows? Some of those same people may end up making a donation to Coprodeli too!
Aside from the flamenco, the theme of the evening was Perú so there was a Pisco bar (which proved to be very popular!) and some tasty samples of Peruvian delicacies such as ceviche and rocoto.
Anywayz, you've probably seen Emily dance in local tablaos many times, but it's not too often you see Tito playing for flamenco dancers lately. Usually you'll find him performing with his band Gypsy Karavan on Fridays and Saturdays at Las Tapas playing mostly songs by the Gipsy Kings and other selections from the rumba repertoire.
Guillermo "Tito" Aguilar. April 9, 2009 7:34pm
Emily Mazzotti. April 9, 2009 7:34pm
Emily Mazzotti. April 9, 2009 7:35pm
Emily Mazzotti. April 9, 2009 7:39pm
I interviewed Emily a couple of months ago and I'm still, albeit slowly, transcribing the audio recording of that interview. Which means I still have to edit it etc. But I promise an interview will be published on my website very soon! As you can imagine, my to-do list is pretty full right now (not even counting stuff I have to do as a professional performer). But I have a review of a DVD about rumba and a review of Rubem Dantas' latest CD, not to mention the backlog of blog entries about local flamenco events, whew!
Emily Mazzotti and Guillermo "Tito" Aguilar. April 9, 2009 7:53pm
Exterior view of the Josephine Butler Parks Center. April 9, 2009 9:16pm
As for this evening (Wednesday), I was so tempted to go to Café Citrón to say hello to my favorite female bartender Sachi, who works at Citrón's third floor VIP lounge (you do know about it, don't you?), but knowing me, if I went, I'd end up staying until 2:00am and probably oversleep the next day. Not wise considering I have a school show on Thursday early afternoon (with two beautiful and talented flamenco dancers) that I have to be well-rested for to pull it off!
OK it's getting late. I hope you enjoyed these pics. Ciao for now!
PS...come to Cabanas this Friday for my usual flamenco show with dancer Ginette Perea at 8:00pm. It's going to be a warm and beautiful night. So why not enjoy it at the most beautiful spot in Georgetown with a view of the Potomac? See you there!
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