Monday, August 16, 2010

Huerta got 'em to The Greek

The Greek Theater in Los Angele swas the place to be Friday for inspiration, dancing, and to pay tribute to greats. Famed activist Dolores Huerta celebrated her 80th birthday there at the fun, but also enlightening fiesta along with an almost packed house of supporters and fans. Acts that performed included guitar legend Carlos Santana, Lila Downs, Zack de la Rocha, and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra.
The night opened with the orchestra, and the smell of marijuana among the back of the theater, as the audience began taking their seats. They were amazingly rhythmic and were only a taste of what was to come for performances, as strong as the movements that Huerta is known for.
Speakers read admiring words for Huerta, such as Ina Coleman, managing director of the Feminist Majority Foundation: "At 80 years old, doing what she's doing...my respects for her," she said.
15 cities around the country were participating in celebrating Huerta's 80 years, and a few were broadcast on the giant screens.
Lila Downs was first up with her group of multi-cultured musicians, hailing from counties such as France and Chile. Downs's voice, with range to go loud and full force accompanied with Latin, and sometimes rhythm and blues, was enough to get the crowd out of their seats. Songs like her popular "Cumbia de Mole" was appropriate when a full row of young girls in regional Mexican dress to get up and groove along. Next in the set, Downs and company played "Los Pollos." Lyrics seemed with an activist undertone:

"Y a los pollos les aviso
Para que corran la voz,
porque van a ser un guiso de pollos en arroz,
Y a los pollos les aviso
Para que corran la voz."

This, if read between the lines, could be an indirect hit to those who feel anti-immigrant sentiment, warning of the stew that will be made with them,the "pollos" or chickens. I doubt that the stew would symbolize violence, but it seems that it does state resistance from those who support legalization of undocumented immigrants.
Downs payed her respects as well. "I am very greatful to Dolores Huerta," she said at the end of her set.
Zack de la Rocha, with his band Once As A Lion, also pumped up the crowd, with the Rage influence that was expected. Their song "The Last Letter" proved for a modern feel of activism, with his afro-like hair do to go along with it. The driving beats would prove a great background track for anyone wanting to fight for a just cause.
De la Rocha openly criticized Sheriff Joe Arpaio form Arizona and also spoke of Huerta's relentlessness, using an anecdote as an example. He once asked Huerta what her plans were and she spoke of traveling to various specific cities in the United States. Rocha then asked if she was going to get some rest after that and Huerta responded "I don't rest!" This comment drew a roar from the crowd, showing their support for Huerta.
The benefit concert having taken place in Los Angeles, a celebrity touch was not absent. Actors Benjamin Bratt and Martin Sheen spoke. Bratt talked of his Peruvian mother and Sheen yelled it loud and proud that he was of Irish and Spanish decent, emphasizing that his birth name is actually Ramon Estevez, both men showing solidarity with the mostly Latino crowd that was present and the immigrant population.
The headliner and the one whom Huerta noted as, in the few words she spoke, "The real voice of God," was Carlos Santana. He was joined on stage with the Pete Escovedo Orchestra. They opened up with "Corazon Espinado," a rock,"danzon" fueled song made famous by Santana and the veteran Mexican group Mana, which made the overwhelming majority sing the chorus in unison.
The Latin flavored night went on as Lila Downs accompanied Santana by singing vocals on "Black Magic Woman," which added a fierce, first person point of view. The ending of the song, which enters into"Gypsy Woman" was played slower than usual and provided a soothed and relaxed air than the recorded sped up version, which surely those "smoking out" enjoyed.
Santana and the orchestra then send the audience off with "Oye Como Va," and Escobedo attributed the great Tito Puente for the classic song.
Happy birthday Dolores Huerta.
Here is an old clip of another song performed by Santana at the benefit.
 Samba Pa Ti

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