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Mariachi Media Luna and Los Tigres del Norte

11/5/2017

The opportunity for our youth of Mariachi Media Luna to perform with Grammy Award winning Los Tigres del Norte was a dream come true.
For many in Mexico and the United States, Los Tigres del Norte are known as the voice of the people. Their music represents stories of struggle, strength, journeys of the border and their songs represent the hard work so many contribute living in the United States. Jorge Hernandez and his brothers of Los Tigres came to the United States when they were teenagers to help support their family. Forty years later, their music has inspired a movement of advocacy, orgullo and cultural pride. When I was writing my dissertation, I kept referring to the songs and lyrics written by Los Tigres. Their words represent stories and experiences of so many whose journeys are often never told.
When our youth of Mariachi Media Luna found out they would be opening for these cultural heroes, there was an excitement that pushed our youth forward. They committed to adding extra practices and were motivated to bring their best to the stage. Belinda Vargas, one of our students shared that she grew up watching Los Tigres in Mexico. "Yo recuerdo escuchando sus canciones desde que estaba chiquita" One of our parents beamed with pride remembering the black and white tv performances he watched as a young boy in growing up in Mexico. Years later he was having the opportunity to see his daughter open up for Los Tigres del Norte, heroes to many in the community. Our youth did an amazing job as they opened the show. They sang with a confidence and pride to represent all of Mariachi Media Luna, our families and community. Jorge Hernandez and his brothers gathered around the youth at the end of night- highlighting one of the most important moments to inspire our Mariachi youth. Thank you Los Tigres del Norte for this amazing opportunity. A special thanks to Dwayne Uloa of AKA productions and Raul Rodriguez of Univsion. A thank you to Connie and Jorge Jr. who we enjoyed sharing the evening with. We couldn't do this without our teachers, Omar Naranjo, Rigo Campos, Rodolfo Torres, Jesus Hernandez, Jorge Rodriguez and Veronica Rodriguez. Mariachi Media Luna is so proud of this special moment we will never forget!

Building Community Bridges of One Love

11/5/2017

This year ALAS has been working closely with community partners to build new bridges of relationships and Tocayo's with one another. In Spanish when you have the same name you use the word Tocayo, meaning you are my other. Dr. Cristobal Salinas uses Tocayo to represent a soulful connection with one another- that we are all connected when we reach out and witness the humanity in each of us, regardless of barriers that often get in the way. As the year began Half Moon Bay groups opened doors to begin building bridges within our own community to strengthen communication, advocacy and friendship. Immigration Action Group rallied to make themselves visible with a mission to let our Latino community know they are present and in solidarity with each of us. The Methodist Church One Love Campaign spent eight weeks building opportunities to gather together to share stories, to witness each other's journey and to grow in learning about one another. The Latino Advisory is preparing our second Community Posada where we will all come together to walk and ask for doors to be open for our DACA youth, for our immigrant families and for all of those who at time are invisible. ALAS leaders have been part of planting seeds of love in our community- growing new ways to increase communication and build stronger safety nets of care for our Latino community and all of us that live together under the same moon. We are grateful for all those that have stood up to say we are here for you. These are the moments and actions that heal fear and grow one love as we become Tocayos to one another.

By the Light of the Moon

1/26/2017

Living in beautiful Half Moon Bay reminds us of the power of nature. When we look up to see the light of the full moon cover our community, we recognize that we are all live under the same moon. Recently one of our students shared a special story with me during a time she was talking about her future and how hard she is working to make sure she gets good grades to reach her dream of going to college. In her story, she shared this special memory..."When my mom was little and lived in Mexico, she really wanted to learn and study. But of course it was hard, they lived a hard life and in the evenings they didn't have electricity in their home, so she would go outside to read her book by the light of the moon" She shared that this story keeps her going in school, even when its challenging.
She always remembers that her mom never reached her dream of finishing her education and this has pushed her to be determined, to be strong and to remember the beauty of her culture. "When I am in ALAS I feel that I am home, that I can be me, it's who I am and we are like family".
As I listened to her, I was reminded of the power of community and the collective power we have to grow and heal together. This Christmas in Half Moon Bay we celebrated our first community Posada, where together all cultures gathered together to journey with one another, walking side by side, recognizing the humanity in each of us. As we walked, a bright moon and its rays covered all of us. For that moment, we celebrated as one- under the same moon. Tonight in one part of the world, the light of the moon shines bright for someone to read and learn, for us at ALAS the moon is a reminder of our collective ability to change a child's life and be a light in our community.

Mariachi Season 2016-2017

9/30/2016

The sounds of mariachi are in the air at Cunah Middle School in Half Moon Bay. We are excited to kick off another season of mariachi education that ignites the spirit and tradition of the beautiful music that transcends generations. As we grow the next generation of mariachi artists, we recognize that the gift of music offers so much more than just a song. For us at ALAS we have been excited to see the fruits of our mariachi program extend into areas of academic success, leadership, relationships and community heroes.

How does mariachi make all this happen?
Always believing that each of our youth are leaders and are waiting for a stage to shine
Learning together and opening the pipeline of education for our youth to thrive
Acknowledging the natural talent that is waiting to come alive in our youth through music
Singing the songs of our ancestors and families, keeping alive traditions and culture

Our teachers of mariachi give back each week to drive long distances to make the trek over the windy road of 92 to give back to our kids. In a recent interview by Bay Area Life, Channel 7, the question was posed to Rigo Campos, our Director asking "why do you do this?" With emotion, Rigo's answer was simple "because I see myself in them" We all see our selves in our youth of ALAS. That child that has a dream, that youth that wants to make his family proud, that singer that wants to be the best he can, that mom or dad that takes their child every week to class no matter how tired, that teacher that sees himself in each child wanting to learn. This is what makes our mariachi program so special. This is how it all happens. ALAS is proud to see what awaits Mariachi Media Luna in 2016-2017..

Kicking Off Our 2016-2017 Tonantzin Season

9/5/2016

The excitement is in the air as we kick off our 2016 season. Images of colorful trajes, friends laughing, mariachis singing with gritos that fill the air mark the beginning of ALAS' season of performing arts. This past week, Tonantzin began our first week of ballet folklorico classes. It was the first time we took the summer off to take a break, organize and rest after a long year of hard work and dedication by our youth and families.
As the summer started to wind down, youth started to ask when classes were resuming. As we all gathered for the first day back, I witnessed hugs shared, smiles beaming, parents laughing and summer stories being exchanged. I saw new skirts, polished dancing shoes and dance bags ready to take on the new season. Maestro Zenon Barron welcomed each student, back and motivated them for the year ahead with a new repertoire of music and choreography.
Inspiration filled the Ted Acock center as forty students came with the commitment ready to give their all to preserve culture, traditions and the dances of beautiful Mexico.
Our youth of Tonantzin practice twice a week, learning rigorous dances, memorizing hard rhythmic zapateados and choreography that solidifies their ability to memorize, learn and lead in both academics and cultural arts.
As I watched all the energy swarm the room, I witnessed one of the most special gifts of ALAS, that of community. I witnessed a room filled with community created by friendship, perseverance, trust, struggle and hard work. The commitment that our families and students give behind the scenes to bring the beautiful dances to life on the stage is exemplary. They give all year long of their time, energy and dedication to dance and inspire the community.. It's pure corazon (heart( that our students and families bring to Tonantzin..
Just as much as we needed the break, we all realized that we need each other.
AlAS is community, Tonantzin, is family. When we dance for the community, we all are connected as one for that moment, for that dance. Welcome back Tonantzin!

Hearts and Hands Open To Serve

7/16/2016

When we think of leaders, we often wonder what were the teaching moments that shaped opportunities to grow into leadership. In our own life journeys we can look back and consider those teachers, mentors and family that walked with us along the road to motivate us to make a difference. What I am reminded of daily in our program of ALAS is the wealth of leadership that exists in our youth when given an opportunity to use their natural skills, gifts and character to be that leader. Consistently in our youth of ALAS and beyond, I have found that the most quiet kid is a leader waiting to take his turn to teach. But if he or she has never been given an opportunity, their talent stays hidden, never allowed the opportunity to share all that he or she holds.

Recently, our youth of ALAS were called on to come out to volunteer at a bimonthly food pantry to support helping our extended family of Pescadero. We were excited to begin bringing a few youth to "help" out at the food distribution. Responsibilities at the food pantry include greeting the families, assisting in making food bags for the eighty families that arrive, help with vegetables, carry out bags for mothers and the elderly and support those that come to the pantry. Originally, we thought that our youth could help work the vegetable line or take on smaller roles of support. What we found was that our youth came with an enthusiasm to give back in a profound way. They didn't just help, they jumped in with hands and hearts wide open to serve in a way that honored the families with a smile, care and a willingness to serve.

At first we had about five youth coming and it has grown to eighteen, all calling on their own to check in about being part of the program. Each of them come with an attitude of service and have taken a leadership role to organize the twice a month food pantry. With adult leaders present, the youth have really claimed the pantry as a space for them to give back and serve with a smile. Each family is greeted in Spanish by our youth, inviting them with a smile as they get their groceries for the week. What I see in the eyes of our youth as I observe their enthusiasm is that they recognize the hard work the families from Pescadero do to support all of us in their jobs. Our youth understand that those coming to the food pantry work hard and provide for us on the Coast in many ways, through the agricultural jobs that they do day in and day out. One of the younger youth said it best "when I see their hands and how hard they work, it makes me want to give more".

Our youth are leaders if given opportunities to fly and soar above. We are so proud of our ALAS youth in all ways. They lead in community events, performances, in their neighborhoods, in church, school and beyond. Today they are leading in Pescadero and we couldn't be prouder to see the smile and heart they have to give back and be teachers for us all. In their care, they show respect, in their determination they show dedication, in their leadership they exhibit the heart of social justice.

We All Live Under The Same Moon

4/23/2016

Living in the beautiful coastal community of Half Moon Bay we are certainly lucky to pass by the ocean every day. The beauty of nature and the waves of the ocean remind us how connected we are to nature and to one another. When we pause we can hear the drum of those that walked this land before us. The power in the wind echoes the strength and resilience of the indigenous teachers that carried the determination to make community a family.

For us at ALAS, living in Half Moon Bay reminds us of the powerful reality that we all live under the same moon. This reality has inspired our vision to constantly work at serving one another with the vision for equality, advocacy and creating the next generation of leaders through cultural arts, education and our social services project. At Ayudando Latinos A Soñar we believe that every child should be supported by the community with wings to soar to success. We also recognize the natural leadership and cultural wealth that our families’ have. Together with our community of parents, youth, volunteers and ALAS staff we are excited to bring the rich cultural traditions of Mexico and our love of familia to our rural coastal town. Every day we are inspired by our youth, families and community!

As we all live under the same moon, ALAS is committed to being there to make a difference for our youth and families of our coastal community. We are proud to be the first Latino cultural arts non profit. We are also excited to be advancing the education of our youth, offering free tutoring every week to fifty children determined to move ahead in school. Our support for immigration advocacy and social justice has opened doors for families to move forward. Finally when we see our children dance, sing and perform we are inspired by their natural talents, skills and leadership that keeps our indigenous roots alive in Half Moon Bay.