A unique project is taking shape this weekend at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. The woman at the heart of it is Lourdes Perez, and where she’s from is key to what this event is about.
“Rural, western Puerto Rico.”
It all centers on her mother’s life.
“I took her stories and turned them into songs. Her niece, who is a visual artist, turned those into pen and ink illustrations. They’re also the collective memories of that region of Puerto Rico.”
What they’ve created is a kind of real life music, print and illustrative folklore of their mountain people.
“I’m not a folklorist, but I draw from those roots.”
Those remembrances and the visual art have been bound into a book.
“And the book has the CD inside. The stories are told as the songs are sung.”
She’s performing on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at the Esperanza. The primarily sung-in-Spanish night will also see explanations and translations in English.
“It’s really a beautiful journey through that time and place.”
We have more here.
