“We hope to bring a deep sense of joy and unity to our Faces of Love event at Union Avenue Christian Church, which sits on the “Delmar Divide,” the east-west street in St. Louis that separates poor and wealthy residents,” said Cecilia Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions.

Karamu will feature the best of St. Louis’ Latin and African American musicians, including the Latin Fire Ensemble, the Bosman Twins and Denise Thimes.

“Salsa Con Salsa” will invite guests to taste and vote on the “Best St. Louis Salsa Sauce” from 10 local Mexican restaurants while Carmen Guynn of Cha Cha Cha leads free salsa dance lessons. The salsa sauce competition is sponsored by the St. Louis – San Luis Potosí Friendship Committee.

The Karamu fiesta also will feature drumming by Bokulaka, poetry readings, and an art exhibit on Latin culture and the celebration of Carnaval, sponsored by the Latin Legacy Project. Viva Brasil, a nonprofit organization promoting Brazilian culture, will sponsor an educational activity that identifies African words that are commonly used by Latinos.

“Karamu celebrates the common foundations that link Latinos and African Americans in a complex historical and social context that goes back to slavery and the motherland of Africa,” said Nadal. “These two cultures share values such as the importance of extended family, religion and music in daily life as well as the common experience of overcoming stereotypes and social / economic barriers as people of color.”

According to Nadal, African rhythms helped shape the Caribbean and Brazilian musical styles of Samba, Merengue, Salsa and Bachata; African American jazz; and the Latin music rhythms of Mambo, Bossa Nova and Latin jazz. More recently, African-American styles such as R&B and Hip-Hop have defined Latin music genres such as Reggaeton and Urban Music.

Tickets for Karamu are $20 general admission, $18 for seniors and students, and may be purchased online at www.gitana-inc.org, at the event or by calling Gitana at (314) 721-6556. Group discounts up to 15% are available.

The Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council have provided funding to support Gitana Productions events.

Gitana Productions, Inc. is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural awareness and collaboration by bringing international music, dance and drama to the St. Louis community. Gitana events present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting an array of traditional and innovative artistic expressions. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556.

PERFORMER BIOS
The Emmy Award-winning Bosman Twins are writers, composers and performing artists who share in the legacy and tradition of great jazz through education, creativity and innovation. Named “Best Jazz Artist in St. Louis” by the Riverfront Times, The Bosman Twins have performed with such greats as Curtis Mayfield, Branford Marsalis, Fontella Bass, Roy Ayers, jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie, The Ohio Players and Freddie Cole. The Bosman Twins also are dedicated to preserving school and community music programs through music workshops, seminars and training programs.

Jazz vocalist Denise Thimes has become one of St. Louis’ most cherished modern jazz voices. As jazz aficionado Phoebe Jacobs said, “Denise Thimes is like Ella and Sarah born all over again.”

The multi-ethnic Latin Fire Ensemble features band leader and percussionist Herman Semidey, Jr. from Puerto Rico; classically trained cellist and vocalist Patricia Ruiloba from Panama; jazz, soul and classical trumpeter Dawn Weber from St. Louis; percussionist Thor Anderson from Cuba; pianist Hector Molina from Puerto Rico; bass player and percussionist Juan Quesada, a recent immigrant from Cuba; and vocalist Enrique “Kike” Molina Ortiz from Veracruz, Mexico.

Salsa dancer and instructor Carmen Guynn of Cha Cha Cha is one of the most influential instructors in St. Louis, with a background in tap, jazz, modern and hip hop dance. Her troupe the Almas Del Ritmo Dance Company performed on the OWN Network TV show “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s.” Guynn also is the first African-American woman to produce the annual St. Louis International Salsa/ Bachata Congress.

World-renowned Congolese drummer, singer and dancer Bokulaka will share the culture of Central Africa through a drumming performance. Shirley LeFlore and Jaime Torres will perform poetry readings.

Media Contact
Mary Schanuel
[email protected]
314-266-7035