Abraham Gomez-Delgado, (seated center) Founder and Leader of Zemog El Gallo Bueno  (performed at the 2009 Montreal Jazz Festival-congratulations to Abraham and Zemog!)

Abraham Gomez-Delgado is one of the most imaginative artists on the contemporary Latin/Nu Jazz/New Wave music scenes today.  Combining elements of the traditional Puerto Rican rhythms of Bomba y Plena with jazz, rock, and other forms,
Mr. Gomez-Delgado  creates passionate, thought-provoking, innovative compositions that make him one of the most exciting young composers of the 21st century.   Teatro V!da was honored to have Mr. Gomez-Delgado as part of our most recent production, "...and literacy for all."  Watch the video below and also view his website: www.zemogelgallobueno.com

Teatro V!da Book Fair Features Fred Ho!  On November 13th, 2009, Fred Ho was named the 16th recipient of the Harvard Arts Medal!  Congratulations Fred!  He joins former winners such as Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Redman, and John Ashberry.)

Recent Teatro V!da events:

Fred Ho, Composer, Musician, Producer, Author, Scholar

Fred Ho is a world renowned artist who has influenced multiple generations of musicians, composers and artists in every imaginable field.  Mr. Ho's explosive and revolutionary compositions inspire and ignite the listener to enter deeper realms of thought, feelings and creative expression. Everyone who comes in contact with Mr. Ho either personally, professionally or through the genius of his art, is indelibly transformed and moved to be the best of who they are - he will make you shake, rattle and roll - most importantly, he will make you see the world and your life in ways you never have before.
Mr. Ho will discuss and sign his latest book,

Wicked Theory, Naked Practice

an autobiography, at the Holyoke, Massachusetts Barnes and Noble, on May 8th, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. as part of a fund raising Book Fair for Teatro V!da taking place on May 8th and 9th.  This event is historical and not to be missed!  Mr. Ho is one of Teatro V!da's greatest supporters and inspirations. Come and be uplifted, inspired and learn more about his life and work;  also visit his website:  www.bigredmediainc.com   Members of Teatro V!da's youth ensemble and our Music Director, Heshima Moja will also be performing.

In addition, on May 9th, 2009 the Book Fair  fair featured Teatro V!da's Artist in Residence, Maria Luisa Arroyo, performing excerpts from her new bilingual poetry book:  Gathering Words/Recogiendo Palabras.

"...Gathering Words/Recogiendo Palabras gives a voice to the oppressed, the abused and the forgotten...laying bare the stark realities of life with verses that are alternately elegant, blunt, and rich with vivid imagery, Arroyo writes with spine-tingling candor that does not allow us to deny the truth."

Teatro V!da ensemble members will be reading from our first S.N.A.P! press anthology:  ...and literacy for all: poems, monologues, memoirs and scenes by teens for teens  at both events!

Come celebrate Life, Mothers, and the Arts!


Fred Ho at Barnes and Noble for Teatro V!da...a great honor and joy for us.

Teatro V!da Arts Activators!

Below Fred and Teatro V!da's Music Director, Heshima Moja, jamming on Fred's African Boogaloo.

L to R:  Teatro V!da Advisor, Daniel Jaquez, Theater Director and Artistic Director of Calpulli Dance NYC, with Fred Ho and Teatro V!da's Stage Manager, Diego Angarita-Horowitz

Members of our youth ensemble read from their new anthology, "...and literacy for all: monologues, poems, memoirs and scenes by teatro v!da teens for teens", accompanied by Heshima:

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Sandra Maria Esteves
The Godmother of the Nuyorican Poetry Movement

Sandra Maria Esteves is an internationally acclaimed and respected artist, as a poet and visual artist.  Ms. Esteves joined us for a special televised performance of original work by Teatro V!da elders, with youth ensemble members as hosts of the show:  "Awake in Times of War" which aired in Western Massachusetts and was filmed at ACTV, Amherst.

Ms. Esteves has been with us from the beginning, offering her love, encouragement and many gifts.  We treasure her presence in our lives. She is a dedicated teaching artist with many publications to her credit, not only her own work, but the work of her students. She is a champion of many artists and has opened many doors of opportunity, in particular for artists who are under-recognized.  As a mentor of our Artistic Director since her youth, her presence resonates throughout all we accomplish.
Her credits are too numerous to include here, but you can learn more about her and support her work by visiting:  http://www.sandraesteves.com

Owen "Fiidla" Brown, violinist and personal trainer to world class stars.  Mr. Brown traveled all the way from Philadelphia to join our ensemble in performance.  Mr. Brown lived and performed with Sun Ra during the last seven years of Sun Ra's life. He is the vocal coach of Grammy winners, a musician and a healer; Ne-Yo is among his vocal students.  He doesn't have to say a word about it -one just knows he's healer by his presence and actions.  A ferociously trained and spontaneous artist!   
"I am a professional violinist...who performs,composes and teaches. My studies have not only included Western Classical music,but has also included extensive studies in Jazz and South Indian carnatic music."


Our Music Director Heshima Moja is organizing musicians for jams in Jefferson Park, in Springfield's North End.  Heshima says:  "I want to do this every Sunday afternoon.  Musicians can play, children can join us and learn to play, artists can come and paint, poets write, recite...families can bring picnics...my vision is that this becomes a regular event...like what happens on any given Sunday in Central park."  Heshima started the first event on May 17th, 2009 under cloudy skies-just a quick word of mouth from two days before, and so it began...we look forward to seeing where it goes.  Thank you, Heshima for having vision and taking action. We also thank the generous musicians of our community who came out to play for the love of the music, our young folks, our community, The People. Below are some photos and a video clip just as the session was beginning:

Ensemble performances at Hampshire College with Video Vanguard;


A mainstage production of ...and literacy for all, written and performed by youth ensemble members with five professional musicians, at the Davis Theater, in the Springfield Museums;
Ensemble Member selected to read at Amherst College with poet, editor, Honor Moore, honoring poets of the Feminist Movement;

Ensemble performance and workshop facilitation at the Green Street Arts Center, Middletown, CT.;

Ensemble invited to be part of City Thinks programs for the visit of Geoffrey Canada from the Harlem School Zone; youth designed and facilitated an acting workshop for youth and adult members of the Springfield Community at the Brightwood Library;

Teatro V!da represented at Mass Mutual Latino Fairs in Springfield, MA.; Enfield, CT.;

Teatro V!da presented a music and poetry performance for Mass Mutual's top level management, in celebration of Latino Heritage;

We presented Ms. Iris Morales and her Historic Film, Pa'lante, Siempre Pa'lante, along with a multigenerational staged performance with music and dance of Maria Luisa Arroyo's signature choreopoem:  I Grew Up in the North End, An Island.

Sponsored two community gathering events at One Financial Plaza in their beautiful Community Room, courtesy of Samuel D. Plotkin Associates.

First Springfield Screening of Vieques:  Worth Every Bit of Struggle, by filmmakers, Natalia Muñoz and Mary Patierno, with live music and poetry performances by Teatro V!da adult artists.

And so much more!