cultural activity

Friday, November 12, 2010, 4:00 p.m. Speakers, film clips, music & discussion on the major questions affecting Haiti, 10 months on. Despite the earthquake, cholera, and hurricanes, why is aid money still held up? What do Haitians see as a vision for their future? How can we support them?

Come meet with a diverse group of students, Haiti activists, and community members. Discussion will focus on the key issues facing the 1.5 million displaced living in camps, what they have to say, and what our government has to do with it. We will draw connections between historical policy and the current aid effort. We hope to emerge with action ideas on how, as a group, we can work to effect concrete change.

E-mail, haiti.insolidarity@gmail.com for more information.

Every 2nd Sunday (Postponed Until Further Notice)

Celebrate the great traditions of Latin American and local radical culture through song and music in our next Opeña Folklórica, combining traditional Peñas with an Open mic. Bring your voice, history, song and spirit!

Musicians: Rafael Medina, Sergio Reyes et al. + Open Mic.

Light snacks and refreshments offered for suggested donations by MESA sin fronteras, a burgeoning worker-run social club @ e5.

Peñas take historical root in Chilean social gatherings during the 60s and early 70s that expressed the spirit of creativity and resistance in melody, poems, and artwork under a brutally repressive regime. They began to sprout all over Latin America in a time when songs resounded with a collective heart beat for a more just society and they continue to weave a fabric of solidarity through generations. Each peña at MESA sin fronteras will be dedicated to a musician from this great tradition who fought with the spirit of song that defied borders.
 
Our first Opeña (Peña + Open Mic) on May 9th was dedicated to the song and struggle of Violete Parra, who was one of the first musicians in Chile to host and perform in such Peñas. Her radiant songs are a testament to a creative and rebellious spirit who loved much too much, inspiring listeners with her bold, defiant lyrics and gentle voice, her enduring rhythms and volcanic passion for social justice.

Join us in the heart of Boston to commemorate our new series of Opeñas!

A Story of Mexico City

Thursday, April 29, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Join renowned journalist John Ross for an evening connecting the people of Latin America and the United States... Nor ordinary scribe, Ross’ writing and presentations blend beat generation poetry with magical realist prose all while rooted in concrete social struggles and real politics... Ross leaves his audiences inspired to action and craving social change...

April 25th to April 30th, 2010 (At encuentro 5, Lucy Parson's Center, & Haley House) Leading up to the MayDay 2010 rallies and marches, join us across the city for six days of movies and discussion on the topics of workers' struggle, immigration, history, political analysis, and alternatives. Featuring an exhibit of Justice Artwork at encuentro 5 from local worker-run cooperative Red Sun Press!

Festival Schedule (read more):

Sunday, July 4th, 2010, 12-noon to 4 pm Join us as we build a regular theater group that meets every odd Sunday. Always welcoming new spect-actors!

Background:

Fear, isolation, alienation, privilege, racism, sexism, authoritarianism and other forms of oppression plague our world outside of as well as within our social movements. However, often times, they are as much delivered in the words we use when we attempt to dialogue about them, as in the dichotomy of presenter vs audience that tries to carry forth the discussion.

Theater of the Oppressed, developed by Augusto Boal in Brazil, attempts to dissolve the verbal barrier and the actor/spectator division by engaging every community participant as a protagonist in identifying and dismantling these power dynamics in society-at-large as well as interpersonally.

Sunday, April 4th, 2010, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm Fear, isolation, alienation, privilege, racism, sexism, authoritarianism and other forms of oppression plague our world outside of as well as within our social movements. However, often times, they are as much delivered in the words we use when we attempt to dialogue about them, as in the dichotomy of presenter vs audience that tries to carry forth the discussion.

Join us for an introductory workshop of Theater of the Oppressed, developed by Augusto Boal in Brazil, that attempts to dissolve the verbal barrier and the actor/spectator division by engaging every community participant as a protagonist in identifying and dismantling these power dynamics in society-at-large as well as interpersonally.

* New community club/coffeehouse at e5 invites you for a warm gathering! *

Sunday, December 27, 7:00 p.m. Good food, music, and dynamite documentaries from around the rebellious globe. We will explore some 20th century US propaganda through cartoons and magazine advertisements and counter-images of resistance art of the time. (It was also rumoured there will be a mini chess tournament...) Relax, enjoy the evening, make new connections for the new year, and support MESA's last stretch before the opening in January. This gathering will be a mini-fundraiser, with dinner plates at a sliding scale donation of $7 - $12 and drinks at $2-$3. Come join us!  Last time at MESA's... (read more).

The Music of Social Struggle from Latin America

Saturday, June 6, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Capping off events and actions on Bolivia, Chiapas, Colombia, El Salvador, and Venezuela, and organizing to mark May Day 2009, we will be enjoying the music of Latin America with Sergio Reyes, Simon Rios and many others.

Friday, May 1st, 2009, 8:00 p.m. till late Join our friends from the Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) in celebrating the elections recently held in El Salvador.

Friday, December 12, 2008, 8:00 p.m. Inviting women of all ages to come celebrate the last full moon of 2008 with Live Music, Art, Story-telling, Dance, Potluck and much more.