Special Presentation by Batz’i Rock Band, Sak Tzevul

Please join us for a program that will showcase the unique musical message from Batz’i Rock Band, Sak Tzevul, and a conversation about spirituality and indigenous traditions in contemporary life. Opening conversation facilitated by Dowoti Desir, cultural critic, activist and educator.

“A Time for Healing” is a series of grass-roots forums and dialogues celebrating the NYC debut of Sak Tzevul.

Thursday 17 May 2012
7–9pm
Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
Cornerstone Center
178 Bennett Avenue at 189th St. – 1st Floor
Admission: $10 (suggestion donation)

About Sak Tzevul: With lyrics in Spanish and various Indigenous languages, Sak Tzevul advocates for unity and harmony while highlighting social justice themes such as public safety, cultural equity, environmental justice and human rights. Sak Tzevul transforms centuries-old Indigenous rhythms with Rock music along with Classical and Native American inflections to create their distinctive, signature sound. Audiences will enjoy selections from their latest body of work, Selva Soñadora.

About the Co-Presenting Organizations:

HABANA/HARLEM® is an independent cultural production concern that nurtures the arts and humanities by advancing contemporary artistic innovation, and supports evolving trends in music through strategic exposition, artist development, performance, distribution and promotion. HABANA/HARLEM® celebrates the legacy of this historical nexus by exploring and supporting the development of vanguard yet distinctive culturally specific new work. We aim to promote the work of artists seeking to raise awareness of contemporary social issues while fostering dialogue, deepening cultural appreciation, and advancing greater understanding among diverse communities. Drawing from the inspiring friendships and rich exchange of concepts and ideas between artists such as Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie, and many others, whom together changed the course of music history; Neyda Martinez, founded the project in 2004, after having created and developed El Museo del Barrio’s popular Música en el Museo series.

The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) is a non-profit arts service organization launched in 2007 with the support of the Hispanic Federation and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. NoMAA’s mission is to cultivate, support and promote the works of artists and arts organizations in Northern Manhattan. NoMAA advocates for support to artists and art groups who live and work in northern Manhattan and contribute to the vitality and progress of the whole community. Since its inception, NoMAA has implemented programs designed to strengthen the professional capacity of individual artists and community arts organizations in Washington Heights and Inwood. Among NoMAA programs and services are the NoMAA Creative and Capacity Building Grant Program, the Technical Assistance Program, the Uptown Arts Stroll, the NoMAA Gallery and the Artists Salon. NoMAA has successfully partnered with local businesses and institutions to promote collaboration with artists and arts organizations in an effort to revitalize the cultural life and effect change in our communities uptown. www.nomaanyc.org

For more information about the May 2012 “A Time for Healing” community programs featuring Sak Tzevul, visit: www.habanaharlem.com or email habanaharlem[at]gmail.com.

Special thanks to AeroMexico for their in-kind support of Sak Tzevul’s NYC debut presentations, produced by HABANA/HARLEM®