Michael Spiro on Facebook: “I am usually very hesitant to post things on Facebook about my accomplishments. It always seems a little self-serving. But in this case, I can’t help it. Jose Luis Seluma and I are very honored and proud to have been nominated for a Cubadisco award (the Cuban “Grammies”) in the “Tradicion Afro-Cubana” category for our CD, “Mabagwe—a Tribute to Los Mayores” .
It is hard for us to imagine that we could even be considered in the same group of artists as “Los Munequitos de Matanzas” and “Ochareo”. It is almost embarrassing for us, since Los Munequitos have always been, and will always be our idols. And so for once the cliché is true—just to be nominated in the same category is the honor of a lifetime.
We must of course thank our multi-talented producer, Jesus Diaz, and all the great artists who recorded with us—Lali, El Gato Gatell, Fito Reinoso, Colin Douglas, Genesies Reinoso, Beatriz Godinez, Jesus Gonzalez, Ivan Camblor, and El Rubio, Jason McGuire.
Obviously Seluma and I couldn’t be at the nominating ceremony in La Habana, so we don’t yet have our plaque—As soon as we can get a photo, we’ll share it with you!”
Michael Spiro knows how to surround himself and inspire the world’s best musicians.
Michael Spiro writes, performs, and produces critically acclaimed instructional books and DVDs on percussion, and he launched two ground-breaking educational websites which offer complete instruction on Cuban and Brazilian percussion over the internet: CongaMasterClass.com and SambaMasterClass.com. Michael Spiro continues to be in demand as a guest artist at universities worldwide, and is a frequent presenter at national and statewide conventions of the Percussive Arts Society.
He regularly performs with the reknowned percussionist Karl Perazzo, Wayne Wallace,
“BÁKINI En el Nuevo Mundo” (produced with Joe Galvin) had an official release date of September 21st, 2017. Previously he participated in these Grammy Nominated projects:
2017 – Michael Spiro and Wayne Wallace, Patois Records
2015 – The Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet, Patois Records
2014 – The Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet, Patois Records
2012 – John Santos and Grupo Folklorico Kindembo, Machete Records
2010 – The Wayne Wallace Jazz Quintet, Patois Records
Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12th, with Rolando Morales in Danville
April 30, 2019
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo, mi Gente!
On Sunday, Mexico and much of the U.S. celebrates Cinco de Mayo, when in 1862 some 4,000 Mexican soldiers obliterated a highly experienced French Army and traitorous Mexican forces of 8,000 in Puebla, just 100 miles east of Mexico City.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, Emperor Napoleon III, had embarked upon a very aggressive foreign policy claiming territories in Algeria, Indochina, Lebanon and more with an army that had not been defeated in 50 years, including the Crimean War. He detested the United States and had designs on ruling over a new empire in neighboring Mexico. The French feared no one, including the U.S. which was embroiled in its own Civil War. (The French were also positioning themselves to provide arms to the Confederate Rebels.) And so with the finest modern equipment and up to date fashion (they were French after all), they invaded Mexico.
They got more than they bargained for in Puebla. Instead of being showered with flowers by the conservative clerical town, they were out-maneuvered by General Porfirio Diaz’ men. The French shot off half their ammunition in less than two hours. The battles ended with much of the French cavalry killed or wounded, chased on horseback through rain and mud, and with many dodging stampeding cattle and Indians armed only with machetes.
The French tried again over a year later. This time, the Union forces were rushed to the border after their victory over the Confederates to assist the Mexicanos in expelling the French. Perhaps this is one reason why thousands of Mexicanos crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. armed forces. And why so many again flooded American consulates with phone calls during the Persian Gulf War trying to enlist to fight for America.
This little history lesson is something to think about when we witness the thousands of Latin American families risking their lives today to seek help in our country, only to confront oppressive executive orders that separate their family members and penalize them at their most dire time of need. The ideals of freedom, liberty and upholding the fundamental values of human dignity should be celebrated in this country and shared by us all. Ajua!
Something tells me not many people will be thinking about this during my big Cinco de Mayo weekend of double-header gigs. And that’s fine! We’re out to have fun!
I haven’t played at Maria, Maria in over 4 months, but I’ll be there at Maria, Maria in Danville on Saturday May 4 from 12-3pm, where I’ll be kicking off the festivities out on the patio for revelers enjoying tequila, margaritas, comida Mexicana and my tailored repertoire. And I follow that thesame night with an appearance at the Walnut Creek Marriott from 6-9pm. Details below.
Then on Cinco de Mayo, Sunday May 5th, I continue at Maria, Maria in Danville on the patio again from Noon to 3pm. Lot’s of fun to be had there! And the same night, I shoot across the pond to the Tavern on 4th in San Rafael, the newly renovated and shiny new watering hole and live music venue for some Latin sounds, drinks and dancing. I played there last year for this event and they invited me back, so all you North Bay fans, come out and join me! Details below.
There’s much more below, including my classic Triodebuting on Friday May 17 at Havana’s in Walnut Creek! This will be special. Danilo Paíz on Latin percussion and voice; David Belove on bass; and Yours Truly on guitar, guitar synth and vocals. This will be the first time we’re playing publicly in the East Bay in many years, so don’t miss it!
There’s plenty more in your new calendar, including a Mother’s Day appearance, so check it out and make your reservations.
Ciao and see you at the show!
Rolando
PUBLIC PERFORMANCES FOR MAY 2019
Rolando Morales on Saturday, May 11, at the Marriott in Walnut Creek
Friday May 3, Barone’s Restaurant, 475 St. John St., Pleasanton CA, approx 7:30-10:30pm. Rolando returns to one of Pleasanton’s premiere dining establishments. Enjoy exquisite meals and service, libations and Rolando’s vast repertoire in the lively Cocktail Lounge. See www.baronespleasanton.com, (925) 426-0987.
Saturday May 4, Maria, Maria Cantina Cinco de Mayo Event, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, 12-3pm. Santana’s Danville restaurant kicks off their big Cinco de Mayo Weekend Party featuring live music through the weekend. After 4 months away, Rolando kicks it off on the Patio on solo guitar and voice from 12-3pm, while you enjoy your cervezas, margaritas and comida Mexicana. Then dance through the night to a fun party band indoors while the food and libations flow. (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.
Saturday May 4, Walnut Creek Marriott, Lobby Lounge & Bar, 2355 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, 6-9pm. Rolando returns to this redesigned East Bay hotel and gathering spot in the newly renovated lounge in the shadow of Mount Diablo, where you can enjoy your favorite cocktail, fine wines and a lovely full menu. Enjoy a sophisticated environment with an international clientele and great acoustics, perfect for Rolando’s vast repertoire on solo guitar and voice and your wonderful night out. Reservations: (925) 934-2000, https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakwc-walnut-creek-marriott/.
Sunday May 5, Maria, Maria Cantina Cinco de Mayo Event, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, 12-3pm. Santana’s Danville restaurant wraps up their big Cinco de Mayo Weekend Party featuring live music through the weekend. Rolando kicks it off on the Patio on solo guitar and voice from 12-3pm, while you enjoy your cervezas, margaritas and comida Mexicana. (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at The Tavern on Fourth with Rolando Morales
Sunday May 5, The Tavern on Fourth, 711 4th Street, San Rafael, 7-9:30pm. After last year’s hit Cinco de Mayo debut at this newly renovated North Bay bar, Rolando was invited back to to bring some Latin sabor to the strip in San Rafael. Craft and classic cocktails, 18 Nor Cal draught beers and more. This is a special invite to you North Bay friends: Let’s pack the place! (415) 454-4044, www.thetavernonfourth.com.
Saturday May 11, Walnut Creek Marriott, Lobby Lounge & Bar, 2355 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, 6-9pm. Rolando returns to this newly renovated lounge in the shadow of Mount Diablo, where you can enjoy your favorite cocktail, fine wines and a lovely full menu. Enjoy a sophisticated environment with an international clientele and great acoustics, perfect for Rolando’s vast repertoire on solo guitar and voice and your great night out. Reservations: (925) 934-2000, https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakwc-walnut-creek-marriott/.
Sunday May 12, Maria, Maria Cantina Mother’s Day Brunch, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, 12-3pm. Give your mom a special treat and bring her to Santana’s Danville restaurant. Brunch, mimosas and Rolando’s broad repertoire out on the Patio on solo guitar and voice. Speaking of roses, bring her here and you’ll be smelling like one. Be sure to make reservations! (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.
Friday May 17, Havana Cuban Cuisine, 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, approx 9-11:30pm. The Rolando Morales Trio finally comes to the East Bay! The classic version of this exciting trio makes its debut at this fine Cuban restaurant and live music venue. Tonight will feature for the first time in years, the powerful Latin percussionist-vocalist from Nicaragua who played with Ruben Blades and Dizzy Gillespie, Danilo Paíz; the rock-solid bassist who played with Pete Escovedo and Tito Puente, the great David Belove; and on guitar, guitar synth and voice, Rolando Morales. This is a rare treat, first time publicly in the East Bay. You won’t believe what just three guys can create! Reserve early. It’ll fill up. www.havanarestaurant.net, (925) 939-4555.
Friday May 31, Havana Cuban Cuisine, 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, approx 9-11:30pm. Rolando returns for this special series of duet engagements at this fine Cuban restaurant and live music venue. Tonight will feature the charismatic Latin percussionist-vocalist who played with George Benson and Prince, the entertaining Estaire Godinez; and on guitar, vocals and his pedal board of magic, Rolando Morales. Together they create a unique musical alchemy, so don’t miss it! www.havanarestaurant.net, (925) 939-4555.
CD SALES
If you would like to order a CD, read on. If you’d like to order our CD “Rolando Y Qué?!”, you can pick it up at my website, the gigs or by mail. They’re $15.00 at the gigs, or $17.00 by mail to cover postage and handling. TO ORDER THE NEWEST CD “ROLANDO, Y QUÉ?!” by mail: Send a check or money order payable to Rolando Morales for $17.00 for the CD and postage to Rolando Morales, 9028 Burr Street, Oakland, CA 94605. and I’ll send it to you. Let me know if you’d like .it signed.
TO ORDER THE ORIGINAL “PASSPORT: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION” CD by mail, send $17.00 to the same address as above. Be sure to include your return address.
All other shows are private. Why not hire Rolando for your own private event? He’s available for corporate shows, weddings, parties, concerts and festivals. The Rolando Morales Group is available as sextet, quintet, quartet, trio and duo depending on your entertainment needs and budget.
This email was sent to you for Rolando Morales: RMG, 9028 Burr Street, Oakland, CA 94605
Join us to celebrate Year 100 of the ACLU at Jack London Square this Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 3:30pm with a concert by Jonah Melvon featuring Adesha
March 29, 2019, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA, at 3:30 pm Jonah Melvon featuring Adesha will perform to celebrate the ACLU 100 Years celebration, which will go on the entire weekend. See entire line up here.
This weekend’s Bay Area Celebration is part of a national tour. https://www.aclu100.org/aclu-100-experience/ which was started at SXSW. With celebrations in Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The key focus this year is to encourage everyone to join the effort to remind US citizens and voters that “Voting is a Right, not Privilege.” The Gerry Mandering and Voter Suppression have affected the countries leadership in a way that the majority of the voters are not heard:
Voting rights have come under attack across the country. States have passed laws that have made it harder for people of color, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities to cast a ballot. Experience an interactive exhibit about the many barriers erected throughout American history to prevent people from voting.
Learn how you can help ensure that everyone has the ability to exercise their right to vote.
There are many other ways to give. You may designate your support for the ACLU of Northern California (not tax-deductible) or the ACLU Foundation of Northern California (tax-deductible):
Honor a friend’s birthday, wedding, or graduation with a special gift
Celebrate the life of a loved one with a memorial gift
Make a gift of stock
Leave a legacy. Make a planned gift to keep the ACLU strong after your lifetime.
If you are interested in making a gift to support LGB T rights by giving a gift to the FrontLine Fund, please contact us. For assistance, please contact the Development Department at giving@aclunc.org or (415) 621-2493.
Networks with Bay Area and California Non-Profits
We are honored to collaborate with these non profits that make positive changes happen:
Ella Baker Center for HumanRights
Heyday Books Initiate
Justice League of Women Voters
BOSS: helping the homeless, poor, and disabled people achieve health and self-sufficiency
ACILEP network for immigrant rights
Youth Speaks
Oakland Public Library
Secure Justice
Design Action
Planting Justice
ARC: The Anti Recidivism Coalition
TGI Justice Project for transgender freedom and survival
ACCESS Women’s Health Justice
It takes a village to raise a child and a community to shape and strengthen a city. The Oakland, CA is known to have a population of which 38% hold secondary degrees. This is largely due to the effective education successes, strong family support, and a community that believes that everyone is created equally and should be treated as such under the law. Naturally, we need to reinforce these values on a daily basis to continue our history of civil rights successes.
Our History
The ACLU-NC was alone in standing with Fred Korematsu and against the forced detention of Japanese-Americans during WWII, in a case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. We dared to oppose obscenity laws in the prim 1950s, defending Lawrence Ferlinghetti for selling Howl, the groundbreaking book of poetry, in his San Francisco City Lights bookstore. In the years after 9/11, the ACLU pushed back on a wave of bigotry and fear mongering to protect the civil rights of Muslims and people of Middle Eastern and South Asian decent. In recent years, as discrimination has shifted to target Latinos and others perceived as “foreign,” the ACLU has stamped out anti-immigrant laws around the country and challenged unlawful policing in immigrant communities in California. We may be best known for litigation, but through our history the ACLU-NC has been powered by the passion of our activists. The organization was forged through the courage of trade workers and labor organizers in the 1930s. We aided the growing civil rights movements of the 1960s, providing legal protection to campaigns by African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, as well as anti-war protestors and LGBT activists. Over the decades, battles have been fought and won by ACLU activists in fifteen chapters across Northern California and student groups on California’s university campuses, from the activists who launched the Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley in 1964 to the UC Davis students who endured pepper spray while exercising their free speech rights in 2011.
The ACLU of Northern California is one of the largest ACLU affiliates in the nation with nearly 170,000 members. We have a critical role to play. We must use our decades of experience in impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and fearless organizing to fight these un-American policies and protect our most cherished rights and freedoms. We are the resistance. Join us.
Did you know that prisoners get paid only $1.45 per day to put their life on the one fighting fires? Maybe they are in jail because they could not afford their bail, like wealthy citizens. Equity for all!
About us and how to get in touch for further conversations, interviews, etc.:
The ACLU of Northern California is an enduring guardian of justice, fairness, equality, and freedom, working to protect and advance civil liberties for all Californians. To learn more about the ACLU in Northern California please contact Carmen King at 415.621.2493 | cking@aclunc.org
To learn more about Jonah Melvon and the Rainwater Project, please visit his website at https://www.jonahmelvon.com/
See you at the show! To set up an appointment or for request for additional materials with the label, college, get photos, video links, or more please text Edie Okamoto, Media Relations, at 510-693-0166 or facebook or linked in.
You may also mail a check to our office at:
ACLU Foundation of Northern California Attn: Development Department 39 Drumm Street San Francisco, CA 94111
About the Rainwater Project
You can hear the music on Spotify or purchase them on Amazon.
Please join our list of sponsors who like you believe that education is the answer to a higher standard of living for all.
This email was sent to you for Jonah Melvon and the Rainwater Project
