CHICANO! 500 Years of Struggle
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"Agustin's songs come from the heart of the farmworkers' struggle...they sing of justice, human rights, and dignity." Cesar Chavez |
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CESAR CHAVEZ: HIS LIFE AND TIMES
Charismatic labor leader and emminent voice of the Chicano movement, Cesar Chavez earned his place in history when he defeated the powerful and ruthless grower corporations of California. His strikes, marches, fasts, boycotts, demonstrations and confrontations captured the attention of the American public who responded with their support of Chavez and his union. The backing of the pubic added greatly to the downfall of the growers who in 1970 gathered at the farmworker's headquarters to join Chavez in an unprecedented event: the signing of the first farmworker labor contracts in history.
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| Rev. James Drake,
UFW co-founders Julio Hernandez, Dolores Huerta and her three children - Vincent , Peanuts
& Emilio. Photo - George Ballis |
Many labor activists, organizers and even union officials attempted to organize farmworkers in the past, and though minor victories and concessions were obtained, the drive to unionize workers was viciously crushed by the growers and their friends in government.
What unique qualities did Cesar possess that enabled him to succeed where others before him had failed? Through songs and narration musical group Alma tells his story focusing on the people who most deeply and profoundly touched him, and who bestowed upon him their wisdom and knowledge.
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| Cesar
Chavez breaks his twenty-five day fast, Delano, March 10, 1968. Helen Chavez, Sen.
Robert F. Kennedy, and Cesar Chavez. Photo by Cris Sanchez |
The program also examines the events that impacted Cesar's life: from his humble beginnings in Yuma, Arizona in 1927, to his migrant wanderings throughout California; from the Okie invasion of the 1930s, to his rebellious Pachuco days; from his first civil disobedience in segregated Delano, to his initiation as a community organizer with CSO and Fred Ross; from the founding of the National Farm Workers' union, to the historic Delano Grape Strike of 1965; from the dramatic pilgrimage to the state capitol to the triumphant farmworker labor contracts in 1970.
The growers signed
with the
United Farm Workers, Delano,
1970.
Bottom: Cesar Chavez, John
Guimarra and son, John Jr., at
right. Photo by Cris Sanchez
SONGS & NARRATION The original strike songs of Agustin Lira
written during the Delano Grape Strike, are featured. Labor and Civil Rights songs, as
well as romantic ballads are also performed in this entertaining and informative program.
The songs are mostly in Spanish and there are some songs in English as well.
MUSICAL GROUP ALMA Three core
musicians, Agustin Lira, Patricia Wells Solorzano and Ravi Knypstra present this program.
One or two guest musicians may also be included. The performance lasts approximately one
hour and ten minutes.
César Chavez portrait at top used by special permission of the artist:
Bavi Garcia, 1545 West Dana Street, Mountain View, California 94041, (650) 961-7305
EL TEATRO DE LA TIERRA
414 North Park
Fresno California 93701
(559) 237-3016
Email: almas2@earthlink.net