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Ballet Folklórico México Danza's Alexa Chavez: Sights & Sounds

Nopal Media

Sights & Sounds is your weekly guide to the Bay Area arts scene. Alexa Chavez, a dancer with Ballet Folklórico México Danza, told KALW’s Jen Chien about three fantastic arts events happening around the Bay this week.

 

Credit Shaun Roberts

The Summer Season of Friday Nights @ OMCA is back! That means half-price admission; the gardens are open for picnics; live music outside is back, gallery hours are open until 10 p.m.; and the Off the Grid food truck market expands onto Oak Street. 

"I really hope that people are traveling out to our neck of the woods, and Oakland has a lot to offer between the different dance groups, the different food trucks, all the artists that are featured in that museum."

For 14 years the Spanish Harlem Orchestra has been playing authentic New York Style salsa with a raw, organic and vintage sound. The band is led by the legendary Oscar Hernández, who has worked with Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto to Kirsty MacColl. Hernández is influenced by his Puerto Rican traditional roots, as well as his close upbringing to the nearby Spanish Harlem neighborhood in the Bronx. Hernández and Spanish Harlem Orchestra create a unique and fresh approach to keep the music relevant as they pursue their mission of keeping the musical legacy of expanding “hard salsa” to an audience who loves great music. They're playing four shows over two nights at Yoshi's.

"I really hope people come out and see them. They have so much energy, seeing them live is such a treat. They really have that salsa heart. I'm just a fan of Spanish Harlem Orchestra."

Come celebrate the 40th annual Carnaval parade in San Francisco, and experience global cuisine, international music, dance, arts and crafts, and other fun activities and entertainment on every street corner for the entire family to enjoy. The two-day festival will be held 5/26 and 5/27 on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th streets. The 2018 Grand Parade will be held on 5/27 at 9:30 a.m. Watch a brilliant procession of contingents, most of which will feature beautifully adorned floats depicting rich multicultural themes and featuring performers who engage and entertain the crowds. La Mestiza, Los del Rancho Norteño, and Batala San Francisco are just a handful of the many performers who will be out this weekend.

"I feel like Carnaval San Francisco is just a Bay Area tradition, something everyone should experience at least once. I've gone quite a few times, and it's always a blast, it's always different. There's always so much to see! A lot of dance, a lot of music. Just a lot of joy in the public."

Ballet Folklórico Mexico Danza is performing at the Presidio Picnic on 5/27 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., and they'll be part of the Oakland Ballet's East Bay Dances '18 on 6/3.