What all these performers have in common is that they offer programs that are tailored in some way to Latino audiences, or to any audience interested in Latino culture. The performers are from various cultural backgrounds, though mostly Latino. Some are Spanish bilingual, and some are not. Since rates can be variable, that information is not included here.
Please help us keep this performer list current! Do you have any updates? Are there performers you would like to add? Please email information to markh@sfpl.lib.ca.us.
Last updated: February 2000
Note: PL stands for Public Library
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Lorraine Luna
Herminia Albarran Romero
San Francisco Folk Art Museum
Carlos Todd
World Folk Art Workshops
Victor Mario Zaballa
DANCE
Araucaria
Grupo Folklorico de San Francisco
Grupo Folklorico Unidad Latina de
Pacifica
Raices de Mexico
Elena Robles
Tonatiuh
LITERATURE
Miriam Ruvinskis
MAGICIANS
Germar
MUSICIANS
Germinal
Grupo Colibri
Grupo Semillita
Karumanta
Juanita Newland-Ulloa
Jose Luis Orozco
Susan Peña
Zapana
ZunZun
PUPPET SHOWS
Caterpillar Puppets
Gato Colorado Puppet Theater
Mascaritas Puppet Theater
McGee Puppet Productions
SPEAKERS
Centro de Libertad
STORYTELLERS
Celia Correia
Grupo Semillita
Karen Rae Kraut
Olga Loya
Jaime Riascos
ARAUCARIA
Folk dances of Chile. Two or three couples in appropriate dress perform
dances from Chile to recorded music. The dancers will talk to the audience
and get them involved. They have performed for children and family audiences.
They prefer to perform on weekends and evenings, but weekdays can be arranged..
Contact: Raul or Maggie Munoz
Phone: (415) 469-0391
Email: raul.munoz@gte.net
References: San Francisco PL, Richmond & Potrero Branches
CATERPILLAR PUPPETS
"Piñata", based on Pinocchio, and set in Aztec times, can be
done bilingually. "Viva" is about a Mayan dragon and is not available bilingually.
Joe also does "The Itty Bitty Variety Show", featruing the Gunniwolf, for
younger and family audiences. Also does "The Three Billy Goats Gruff
and Friends". Joe Leon is very funny.
Contact: Joe Leon
Phone: (707) 746-5597
References: Chuck Ashton, Redwood City PL; Penny Peck, San Leandro
PL; Janice O'Driscoll, Santa Cruz PL, Alum Rock Library
CENTRO DE LIBERTAD, el
Lecture for parents of at-risk youth.
Contact: George Borg, Director, Centro de Libertad
Phone: (415) 599-9955
References: Chuck Ashton, Redwood City PL; Hillcrest Juvenile Hall;
Sequoia High School
CORREIA, CELIA
Storyteller tells ethnic folktales from around the world, especially
Latin America, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Contact: Celia Correia
Phone: (510) 848-1894 or (510) 524-7719
References: Chuck Ashton, Redwood City PL; San Mateo PL; Fairfield
PL
GATO COLORADO PUPPET THEATER
Puppets perform Mexican and Latin American dances, for preschool to
elementary school age kids and family audiences
Contact: Manuel or Alicia Jauregui
Phone: (916) 684-3462
References: Hayward PL; Donna Persechino, Mission Branch San Francisco
PL; Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento
GERMAR
Magician performs magic show for all ages.
Contact: Gerardo Martinez
Phone: (925) 798-5664
References: San Francisco PL, Potrero Branch, Milpitas Community Library
GERMINAL
Six-member musical group performs Nueva Canción and traditional
folk music of Latin America, using a wide variety of instruments. Mainly
for adult audiences.
Contact: Victor Hugo Santos
Phone: (408) 732-7829
References: see listing for Grupo Semillita.
GRUPO COLIBRI
Musical duo sings in English and Spanish and performs on a variety
of Latin American instruments.
Contact: Alisa Peres & Lichi Fuentes
Phone: (510) 215-8583
Voicemail: (415) 789-8467
Email: beth.rim@gateway.net
Website: colibrimusic.com
References: Mission Branch, San Francisco PL; Oakland PL; San Jose
PL ; Berkeley PL ; Palo Alto PL
GRUPO FOLKLORICO DE SAN FRANCISCO
A Mexican folk dance troupe, primarily children dancers. Has performed
several times at San Francisco Public Library.
Contact: Maria Inez Perez
Phone: (415) 647-8225
References: Mission Branch, San Francisco PL
GRUPO FOLKLORICO UNIDAD LATINA
DE PACIFICA
This voluntary non-profit organization founded in 1986 performs folk
dances from several Latin American countries. Entertainment for all occasions
performing throughout the Bay Area.
Contact: Yolanda Pometta
Phone: 650-952-0946
References: Ana-Elba Pavon, Pacifica PL; Pacifica Community Center,
Pacifica; Linda Mar Rehabilitation Center, Pacifica; Women's Club of Millbrae,
Millbrae
GRUPO SEMILLITA
Music and storytelling in English and Spanish. Programs for las Posadas,
Día de los Muertos, Día de los Reyes, Cinco de Mayo, and
more.
Contact: Victor Hugo Santos, Leticia Elicea, or Joe Silva
Phone: (408) 732-7829
References: Sunnyvale PL; San Jose Multicultural Center; Redwood City
PL
KARUMANTA
Andean music from Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Can perform solo or with
a group.
Contact: Oscar Reynolds
Phone: (505) 474-7762
Email: karumanta@yahoo.com
Website: www.karumanta.com
References: Chuck Ashton, Redwood City PL; Milpitas Art & Wine
Festival
KRAUT, KAREN RAE
Bilingual folktales and Spanish songs. Performed at 1997 ACL Performer's
Showcase. Lives in Riverside.
Contact: Lettuce Leaf Productions
Phone: (909) 685-2027
Email: jomokchu@aol.com
References: Monterey Co. Free Library; Riverside PL; San Bernardino
County PL; El Dorado County PL
LOYA, OLGA
Olga does bilingual storytelling with Latin American and Chicano themes.
Contact: Olga Loya
Phone: (408) 297-3550
Reference: Mission Branch, San Francisco PL; Richmond PL; Oakland PL;
San Ramon PL, Milpitas Community Library
LUNA, LORRAINE
Conducts a variety of crafts programs, such as puppet-making, clay
projects, piñata-making, pre-columbian fabric designs, and more.
Contact: Lorraine Luna
Phone: (650) 738-1598
References: Ana Elba Pavon, Pacifica PL; Mission Branch, SF Public
Library
MASCARITAS PUPPET THEATER
Traditional and shadow puppets are used to perform bilingual puppet
shows.
Contact: Norita Gonzalez
Phone: (415) 661-4286
References: Mission Branch, San Francisco Public Library
MC GEE PUPPET PRODUCTIONS
Ventriloquism/puppetry with "Groark and McGee". Bilingual programs
available.
Contact: McGee Puppet Productions
Phone: (800) 477-5307
References: Chuck Ashton, Redwood City Public Library; Maria Kramer,
Redwood City Public Library
NEWLAND-ULLOA, JUANITA
Offers several different music programs. "Canta conmigo" teaches Spanish
through music. Can perform mariachi music solo. Also, with "Picante ensemble",
performs original mariachi and traditional favorites with romantic flavor.
Contact: Juanita Newland-Ulloa
Phone: (510) 632-6296
References: San Mateo Arts Council; Mission Branch, SF Public Library;
(Call for recent performances calendar)
OROZCO, JOSE LUIS
Musician, educator and author plays guitar and performs Latin American
folk music and rhymes. Offers both performances and workshops.
Contact: Jose Luis Orozco
Phone: (510) 527-5539
Email address: joseluis@dna.com
Website: http://www.joseluisorozco.com
References: Mission Branch, San Francisco PL; numerous public libraries
and schools
PEÑA, SUSAN
Performs bilingual songs. Emphasizes audience participation throughout
the performance. Plays guitar and fiddle. Can perform solo or with her
husband and daughter (who both play accordion).
Contact: Susan Peña
Phone: (415) 647-6878, or (415) 647-7079
References: Bernal Branch, San Francisco PL; Mission Branch, San Francisco
PL
RAICES DE MEXICO
Mexican dance troupe.
Contact: Maria Elena Pacheco Varela
Phone: (415) 322-1501
References: Chuck Ashton, Redwood City Public Library; Rebecca Hill-Long,
East Palo Alto Public Library
RIASCOS, JAIME
Dynamic Colombian storyteller tells stories in Spanish, with programs
geared for different age groups: "Cuentos de tres continentes" for
5-10 year olds; "Cuentos para reir en paz" for 11-18 year olds; and "Cuentos
de amor y de otras pasiones" for adults.
Contact: Jaime Riascos
Phone: (415) 668-1247
Email: xg@sfsu.edu
References: Bibliotecas Para La Gente; UC Berkeley; Stanford
University
ROBLES, ELENA
A dance anthropologist and Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural
Institute, performs and teaches baile folklorico, and gives extensive cultural
presentations on various Latino themes. As part of the Heritage Network,
she is a resource for cultural events.
Contact: Elena Robles
Phone: (408) 377-5125
References: Maria Kramer, Redwood City Public Library; Rita Torres,
San Jose Public Library; Bobbi Meserve, Grand Avenue Branch, So. San Francisco
Public Library; Linda Mendez, San Jose Public Library; Beth Nord, Sunnyvale
Public Library
ROMERO, HERMINIA ALBARRAN
Altar maker; makes Day of the Dead breads and papel picado.
Contact: Herminia Albarrán Romero
Phone: (415) 824-6236
References: Mexican Museum, San Francisco; Oakland Museum; Mission
Cultural Center, San Francisco; Galeria de la Raza, San Francisco
RUVINSKIS, MIRIAM
Articulate, engaging speaker and graduate in Latin American Literature
can give lectures and lead discussion groups
on Latin American authors, literature, and other topics. A native
speaker of Spanish, Ms. Ruvinskis has run very successful and popular bilingual
book discussion groups in San Francisco and Berkeley.
Contact: Miriam Ruvinskis
Phone: (510) 601-0454
Email: miruvi@hotmail.com
References: San Francisco Main Library, International Languages Department;
Cody's Books, Berkeley
SAN FRANCISCO FOLK ART MUSEUM
Offers a hands-on workshop on Bolivian weaving for kids.
Contact: San Francisco Folk Art Museum
Phone: (415) 775-0991
References: Mission Branch, San Francisco PL; Berkeley PL; Menlo Park
PL
TODD, CARLOS
Shows several examples of beautiful papel picado (Mexican cut paper),
then guides kids through making their own papel picado.
Contact: Carlos Todd
Phone: (415) 621-7195
References: Mission Branch, San Francisco PL
TONATIUH
Aztec dance group.
Contact: Fidel Tiscareno
Phone: (408) 972-4758
References: Biblioteca Latino Americana, San Jose PL; Redwood City
PL; Sunnyvale PL
WORLD FOLK ART WORKSHOPS
Multimedia presentations (using slides, music, puppetry, and folk art
activities) include Latino themes such as Day of the Dead; Aztec, Incan
and Maya cultures; winter holidays; and toys from the Americas.
Contact: Zoe Harris
Phone: (650) 453-4918
References: Chuck Ashton, Redwood City Public Library; Rosalie Hoover,
San Carlos Public Library
ZABALLA, VICTOR MARIO
Various Mexican festival programs including crafts, music, and dance.
Puppets, Aztec legends, papel picado, mascaras, altars, and Day of the
Dead crafts and altar workshops. Adaptable for children at all levels.
Also performs on an array of other programs.
Contact: Victor Mario Zaballa
Phone: (415) 922-2188
References: Ana Elba Pavon, Pacifica Public Library; Galeria de la
Raza, San Francisco; Children's Discovery Museum, Sausalito; Los Altos
Recreation Center
ZAPANA
Musical duo from Berkeley performs Latin American music for all ages.
Formerly "los Palomitos". Bilingual.
Contact: Lydia and Hector Zapana
Phone: (510) 841-6846
References: San Francisco PL, Marina, Mission, and North Beach Branches
ZUNZUN
Bilingual musical group offers seven shows about the environment and
cultures of the Americas. A high degree of audience participation is involved.
Contact: Stephen or Gwynne
Phone: (408) 426-0684
References: Berkeley PL; Oakland PL; San Jose PL; San Francisco PL;
Milpitas Community Library