Entertainment

Disney Stage

• John Muir Alumni Drummer Association (J.M.A.D.A.) represents forty plus years of drumming expertise with members ranging in age from seven to mid forties.  While playing their original syncopated cadences and displaying precision maneuvers, J.M.A.D.A. strive to preserve their unique, soulful style and tradition known throughout the community.  John Muir is a Pasadena Unified High School that prides themselves on ahistory of being a college campus from 1946 to 1954.  This group is nothing short of amazing and will no doubt gather and entertain the 2007 participants of Feria del Libro.  Please join us in the morning just before opening ceremonies on the Disney Stage to feel the rhythm and power of J.M.A.D.A.  For more information on this group, feel free to visit their website.  www.muiralumnidrumcorp.org

• Quetzal - is native to the area.  Los Angeles Times writer, Agustin Gurza calls their music fusion the future sound of East Los Angeles and beyond.  Band members Quetzal Flores and Martha Gonzalez not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk too.  Traveling around the world teaching musical traditions in the Latin-Mexican-African lexicon, they show their love and respect for music and the world their mentors left behind.  The band does not only hit the concert arena trail like most groups, but also bring music specifically to the children whenever possible.  Their music is their way of life and contribution to the world
  
  In the early nineties, in a tiny cafe on the outskirts of Little Tokyo Los Angeles, Quetzal Flores, a son of two community organizers, formed Quetzal - A new experience in Chicano Music. His goal was to push the boundaries of Chicano Music as we knew it. Twelve years later Quetzal has become of one Los Angeles’ most important and successful groups. Proclaimed by no less an authority than Los Lobos as "ready to carry the torch for Los Angeles's Chicano community," Quetzal embodies the soul and the struggle at the heart of the Mexican-American legacy. Their mix of Mexican and Afro-Cuban rhythms, Jazz, R&B, and Rock is supercharged by the dynamic vocals of Martha Gonzalez. Their commitment to using art as a tool for social change is informed and inspired by global grassroots movements. Aside from touring, the band frequently engages in organizing and participating in opening spaces for transnational dialogue. For the past five years they have been instrumental in developing Fandango Sin Fronteras, a dialogue between Chicanos from California and Jarochos (musicians from Veracruz, Mexico).   Quetzal will perform on the Disney Stage at 4:00pm.  Be sure to end your day, with this extraordinary group!  For more information visit www.quetzaleastla.com
  
  
  

WAMU Stage

• Franklin Haynes Marionettes – This puppet show is different than all other shows.  Franklin Haynes has gained a valuable five year teaching experience as a first grade public elementary school teacher. He knows what a good show requires. Shows must not only be of the highest quality, but must function as a springboard for learning opportunities.  His shows are entertaining for children and adult alike.  Be sure to stop by the WAMU Stage at 12noon to check out this great show!!  For more information Franklin Haynes marionettes visit www.puppetshows.com .

• Dreamshapers was established as a non-profit arts organization in 2000 and has provided over 3000 public performances featuring over 50 storytellers and other folk artists from every genre. With a goal of creating a greater awareness for performing folk arts like storytelling, DreamShapers has been working ceaselessly to develop, preserve and provide outlets for performers and artists representing storytelling, folk arts and cultures from around the world.
  
  Storytellers & Troubadours was established in 1994 and since then has provided over 3500 children’s and family shows to schools, preschools, libraries and community events throughout Southern California. This artist run arts organization has built a wonderful reputation for affordable, top quality, reliable and professional performers and programs. They have worked side by side with school and library districts to develop programming that meet their needs for entertaining, interactive and educational programming.
   
  Now together as an organization DreamShapers / Storytellers & Troubadours is committed to providing Southern California with an arts organization to not only help support and promote a variety of performing folk artists but also one that provides artist and programming that fit the needs and requirements of the schools, libraries and community.
  
  At the 2007 Feria del Libro event we are proud to present Jim Lewis, Ken Frawley and Michael D. McCarty.  Telling Campfire Stories on the WAMU stage at 12:45pm to 1pm, Jim Lewis is sure to engage youth and adults in the art of storytelling.  If you miss him on stage, don’t worry.  You can join him in the Department of Recreation & Parks’ Kids Zone’s Reading Corner for more stories @ 1:05pm-1:25pm.  If cowboys are more you thing, please join Ken Frawley at 1:20pm on the WAMU Stage for stories and songs, followed by his more intimate performance in the Kids Zone.  Last but not least, back by popular demand Michael D. McCarty will be performing international folktales on the WAMU stage at 2:50pm, followed by an encore performance in the Kids Zone.  Don’t miss out on these great storytellers! It is sure to be full of imagination, fun, and entertainment!  To find out more about this great organization please visit www.dreamshapers.org .

• Ginga Arts & Capoeira Besouro is a non-profit organization that aims to empower at-risk youth  by offering programs in the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira, in addition to other arts, dance, sports, and cultural programs.  By teaching skills that are at once athletic and artful in a safe and positive environment, Ginga Arts strives to help youth become physically fit, self-reliant, trusting, cooperative individuals with a strong  self-esteem, respect for oneself and others, and with an outlet for creative expression. Ginga Arts hopes to preserve the rich and vibrant cultural aspects of capoeira and other Brazilian arts.
  
  Ginga Arts will join us on the WAMU Stage at 4pm.  For more information regarding this organization please visit www.gingaarts.org .

• International Peace Choir - Founded in Long Beach, California in 1987, the International Peace Choir began its mission to promote world peace.  Each six through seventeen year old child represents the country of his or her own ethnic, cultural, or national background. The clothes they wear are carefully researched and designed. These costumes introduce our audiences to the dress and costumes of distant lands. Beyond the commitment of scheduled rehearsals and performances, every child has a depth of conviction that contributes to the vision and success of this choir.
  
  Performing for presidents, kings and queens; at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm; recording with noted personalities; as well as participating in the Easter Sunrise Service at the Hollywood Bowl, these kids have worked hard to promote peace and tolerance in our world.  They have also had the privilege of traveling to Australia to sing at the World Expo, performing before Pope John Paul II on his historic visit to America and at Anaheim Stadium for the "Desert Storm Salute."
  
  Dedicated to sharing their message with the world, the International Peace Choir has participated in the Opening Ceremonies at Dodger Stadium for the 1991Olympic Festival, a benefit concert for the Crippled Children's Society, telethons and promotional work for the "Rhetinitis Pegmentosa Foundation," and continues to help "Operation Christmas Child" each year.   This active group participates in so many events reaching all people both youth and adult with the hopes of encouraging peace and an even better world.
  
  The history of the International Peace Choir is rich and beautiful.   For more information on this group please visit www.internationalpeacechoir.org .  Don’t miss out on the exceptional performance on the WAMU stage @ 4:30pm.   With their beautiful songs of love and peace, they will continue to move one step closer to their goal of reaching people throughout the world.

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