tag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:/blogs/la-guagua-va-freedom-rides-with-marcos-la-guagua?p=3Good News from la Guagua2023-12-19T00:13:50-05:00copyright Marcos de JesúsMusic and musings from Marcos de Jesús and the surprising combinations of people and culture that come together en la Guagua.Marcos & la GuaguaMarcos de JesúsfalseMarcos de Jesúsmarcos@marcosandlaguagua.comtag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/73211822023-12-19T00:13:50-05:002023-12-19T00:17:03-05:00Making "Let's Make Christmas"<p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/61113/5ee31adc7183d9895a9c7466cd201be14ce2bbed/original/ee-8-final-8-2-cover.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Demo recordings can be a proof of concept.</span></p><p><span> </span><i><span>Let’s Make Christmas </span></i><span>picks up in the middle of a story. Maybe it’s part of a larger musical. Maybe it just captures a moment. </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://marcosdelaguagua.bandcamp.com/album/early-tudes-vol-8-christmas-musical-workshop" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><i><span>Early Études, vol 8: Christmas Musical Workshop</span></i></a><span> features two sketches of the song.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>The version with one voice, and Horace Beasley on the piano, gives an idea of the accompaniment.</span></p><p><span>The duet version, “Let’s Make Christmas” is an authentic demonstration of the values behind the song: cariño, rich cultural context, vocal lyricism of family singing together.</span></p><p><span>It was me and my cousin Cindy at a piano on the sidelines of a family Thanksgiving. It demonstrates what the song’s about: making it work. We only had a few minutes while Cindy’s three daughters were otherwise entertained, to study and capture the song.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/72557422023-08-11T13:23:32-04:002023-10-18T10:35:37-04:00Straight Outta the Rec’ Room: Hiphop 8/11, Affordable Housing, Cultural Space<p>Happy 8/11!</p><p>Hip-hop heads revere the founders S. Bronx founders of our movement for “making something out of nothing”. It’s a poetic affirmation of the great barriers that our founders overcame. But literally, nothing comes from nothing. Life comes from life. Culture springs from cultures. Ubuntu: a person becomes a person among people.</p><p> The site most celebrated as “Hiphop’s Birthplace” isn’t nothing; it’s affordable housing, with a rec room. Key resources for the midwifery of Hiphop included:<o:p></o:p></p><p>-Affordable housing, 1520 Sedgewick Ave built and maintained with public subsidies*, home to the Campbell family.</p><p>-Cultural space, a rec room, where Clive Campbell/DJ Kool Herc could DJ a party that his sister Cindy Campbell promoted.</p><p> Hiphop isn’t something out of nothing. It’s something out of a rec’ room.</p><p> Do you love Hip-Hop? A good birthday present for Hiphop this year and every year would be more affordable housing and accessible cultural spaces.</p><p>#BXology,#Hiphop</p><p>*1520 Sedgewick is a Mitchell-Lama building. It's called a “non-subsidy” program, but that's just incomplete accounting. Government policy supported resources for affordable housing are it's origin.<o:p></o:p></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/72196512023-06-02T14:59:46-04:002023-06-02T14:59:46-04:00When I Think of Home- Wildness, Grace and Our Freistadt Beyond<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;">As religious refugees from the King of Prussia, my maternal ancestors named the place they escaped to their “Freistadt” (Free-town). It wasn’t quite a town; it started with a church: Trinity Lutheran Church- Freistadt. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;">While living in Puerto Rico, my mom, Carolyn Wille Rivera, wrote an ebullient essay about growing up on a farm where she met God in nature, witnessed the everyday heroism of her parent’s farm-work and the steeple of that <i>Freistadt</i> beyond. When the Orfeo Duo gave me a chance to write something for their "What a Neighborhood!" concert series, I wanted to set passages of my mom's lyrical remembrance. That meant writing a voice part I couldn't sing, and instruments I couldn't play. That meant writing sheet music. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;">I didn't know how to do that. </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://marcosdelaguagua.bandcamp.com/album/when-i-think-of-home" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:black;"><i>When I Think of Home</i></span></a><span style="color:black;"><i> </i>is how I learned.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;">I imagined how the dramatic outpouring of emotion I feel for my mother’s words and ancestral memories might sound when played out by piano, violin and operatic soprano.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;">I recorded the whole thing first with my voice, singing both the parts for voice (an octave down) and the instrumental parts wordless as best I could. That recording sounds <i>rough</i>. No one will ever hear it, but my intention was clear. I realized I could do this. I could bring the drama of the page and into carefully planned polyphony. Now I just had to translate it into sheet music that could be played. This was the 2010's. No AI to help. I learned a sheet music software enough to be able to enter one note at a time and then play it back to make sure that's what I intended. I soon realized that I didn't need to listen back to my vocal record, the composition had taken root in my aural imagination. The process took, maybe, 150 hours or so of work.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;">At the end, I am still only beginning to have any technique in classical comp., but I do have a voice as a composer of music-drama. Thanks to Leanna Hieber, then my foremost interpreter, and the Orfeo Duo for tackling this thorny bouquet of love, emotion and passion. Your virtuoso performances deliver all the beauty and emotion the score intends, while barely hinting how demanding the work is on the performers. If I have the chance to re-write, I'd make it less difficult to perform. And I'd like to go over the score with my mentors Dr. Abe Cáceres and Horace Beasley, to understand how. And to figure out what the heck I was doing here in terms of music theory? I think it's uhm..."a motif driven polyphonic dialectic whose apparent harmonic stability belies a poly-tonality straining between C major, the Phrygian mode and reaching for a G Major 'Freistadt' beyond". However, even though, I think I know what all those words mean separately, no one has ever explained to me what they might mean together.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:black;">When I Think of Home has been about growth, time, cultivation, wildness and above all, Grace, reaching toward our <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/61113/c67ab2acd52b31bb28675ff03511c20c9dc51eb5/original/8b90c886-af99-4fdc-b17f-d8be37c65c8f.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://marcosdelaguagua.bandcamp.com/track/iv-freistadt" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:black;"><i>Freistadt</i></span></a><span style="color:black;"> beyond. Thanks to all who made it happen. Thanks for listening generously to this imperfect recording of a very good performance. Please consider subscribing to support further development.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/71822232023-03-31T00:00:00-04:002023-04-01T00:34:40-04:006 Albums in 3 Months, Now on Bandcamp<p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/61113/d65782851d5d91f549c5152dba5c0d4835cf459e/original/we-have-been-changed-album-2b-go.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Just under the wire, at about 10pm on March 31st, I reached my creative goal for Jan-March 2023: 6 albums in 3 months! I am grateful. Listen for free at MarcosdelaGuagua.Bandcamp.com with no log in, or build our collection and support the work. Bandcamp is easy for artists and fun for listeners.</span></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/69308592022-03-24T11:36:09-04:002022-03-24T11:51:13-04:00Womyn of Color Leaders: Something to Sing About!<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="LF6tXuq5gpM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/LF6tXuq5gpM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LF6tXuq5gpM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>"Me Gusta Pierina” is a song I made to remind my friend of her truth.</p>
<p>We need to do more than clap back attacks on exemplary leaders like on AOC and Ketanji Brown Jackson. We need to sing their their beautiful truths. </p>
<p>When my friend from church, Pierina Sánchez, announced she was running for NY City Council, I was overjoyed, but I wasn’t sure how I could help. Then came the attacks on her authenticity. That is something a trovadór can tackle. </p>
<p>I let my pen go to work to remind my friend of her truth, imagining her supportive afri-Dominican tias telling her: </p>
<p>“¡Negrita linda fuerte y capáz! </p>
<p>No es justo, </p>
<p>But you know </p>
<p>You’ve got to do más, </p>
<p>Pero nunca olvides de donde vendrás.” </p>
<p>“Negrita” here means not just “Black woman”, it means “My dear Black woman”. It my means “Beloved”. So it’s like: </p>
<p>“My beloved, beautiful, strong and capable Black girl! </p>
<p>It’s not fair, </p>
<p>But you know, </p>
<p>You have to got to do more (ie. than others, than you should have to). </p>
<p>But never forget where you come from.” </p>
<p>You come from love.</p>
<p>You serve in love.</p>
<p>To love you shall return.</p>
<p>Love centering women of color leaders exemplify these truths.</p>
<p>We need to do more than clap back against false and hateful attacks on AOC, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Pierina Anna Sánchez: We need to sing their their beautiful truths, in love and service.</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/67764042021-10-14T22:04:07-04:002021-10-14T22:04:07-04:00Songs for Sánchez Live- Organizing, Imagining and Pizza<p>This is a space my music is made for! Música en vivo de #MarcosdelaGuagua inspired by @PiSanchezNYC as we gather & organize for victory in the Nov general election, and imagine what comes next. Sat 10/16 2pm 2497 Jerome Av. Bx, NY & Zoom: <a contents="RSVP Pi21.NYC/GOTV" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://RSVP%20Pi21.NYC/GOTV" target="_blank">RSVP Pi21.NYC/GOTV</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/61113/b5975098767d65ed8a20ffbd48b5ee6dc2120966/original/volunteer-meeting.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/67400162021-09-08T14:05:37-04:002021-09-08T14:05:37-04:00Sunday 9/12/21, Praying with a Saint of 9/11/2001<p>Classes were cancelled as we got word of the attacks, on the morning of 9/11/2001. The head of the dance department assembled students in one studio. The first thing she said was, “You must realize, we are going to war.” </p>
<p>How might the last twenty years have been different if, instead, the first thing we said had been, </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Lord take me where you want me to go. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Let me meet who you want me to meet. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Tell me what you want me to say, </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And keep me out of your way. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Amen.” </p>
<p>-Prayer of Father Mychal Judge OFM, FDNY Chaplain, first recorded casualty at the WTC, 9/11 2001. </p>
<p>I learned his story from <a contents="Saint of 9/11" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nVaud11nAQ" target="_blank"><strong><em>Saint of 9/11</em></strong>.</a></p>
<p>This Sunday, we remember and we pray at TLC of NYC. Music Director Horace Beasley and I will perform my setting of <a contents="“Mychal’s Prayer”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/1lQmvjjRW30" target="_blank"><strong>“Mychal’s Prayer”</strong></a>:</p>
<p>Sunday 9/12/21, 11Am Eastern</p>
<p>Trinity Lutheran Church </p>
<p>164 W 100th Street in Manhattan </p>
<p>and </p>
<p><strong><a contents="https://www.facebook.com/TLCofNYC/live" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/TLCofNYC/live" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/TLCofNYC/live</a> </strong></p>
<p>From Love to Love to Love- </p>
<p>Yo soy de la Guagua, </p>
<p>Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/61149352020-01-16T16:01:36-05:002020-05-08T22:20:59-04:00Costly Grace, Music in Dialogue with MLK's Legacy<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/61113/19fe563d2ce6357d77adf756151cc3655934d277/original/martin-luther-king-jr.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>When Dr. King said “We, as a people, will get to the promised land!”, he was speaking to a mostly African American christian community engaged in a struggle for the dignity of striking sanitation workers. He was intimately communicating a message of hope to a beloved community. Yet ,Dr. King's sense of who “we” are, was expansive, disruptive and transformative. </p>
<p>I badly want to be a part of that “we”,a part of Dr. King’s beloved community. But if we, as Dr. King said, are ‘’caught in a network of mutuality”, what would this gracious belonging cost me? What would it cost us? </p>
<p><em>Costly Grace</em> wrestles with these questions from Dr. King. Costly Grace is my Gospel/Rap oratorio project, in conversation with the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.</p>
<p>Here's a one minute short video intro to Costly Grace:<br><a contents="https://youtu.be/wrb5X7NU7V0" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/wrb5X7NU7V0" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/wrb5X7NU7V0</a></p>
<p>Thanks to <a contents="TLCofNYC.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://TLCofNYC.org" target="_blank">TLCofNYC.org</a> for helping me create this work as an artist in residence. </p>
<p>Thanks to Luther Seminary for inviting me to workshop the project at Luther’s Beloved Community Institute. </p>
<p>More on Twitter @MarcosylaGuagua and MarcosdelaGuagua.com </p>
<p>Peace, Blessings and Thanks for Listening, </p>
<p>Marcos </p>
<p>¡Yo soy de la Guagua! </p>
<p>Vamos juntos.</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/58609872019-08-17T08:35:03-04:002019-08-17T08:35:03-04:00Solidarity and Syncretism: It seems like Beto takes it personally <p>I Don’t Agree with his Conservative Policies, <em>Pero</em>...<em>I Ain’t Mad at Beto</em> for “Code Switching”. </p>
<p>Mr. O’Rourke clearly seemed to take the recent racist massacre in <em>El Paso</em> personally. On a policy level, I hope he will adopt <em>Julian Castro</em>’s view on decriminalizing immigration in the aftermath. I hope his policy may evolve because Mr O’Rourke’s level of authentic emotion seems to contrast with that I’ve heard in responses from other anglo “white dudes”, such as President Trump and former VP Biden in response this terrorism. Maybe you think Beto’s just reacted more emotionally because of he’s from there, but, yeah. <em>Exactly.</em> What might it mean to Mr. O’Rourke to be <em>from</em> <em>El Paso</em>? </p>
<p>Maybe he feels the horror of this racist attack so personally because, on the inside, he really is <em>Beto.</em> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/61113/42c0847135bb5199d5d98d49c0aae266592b997f/original/1520638429-betoelpasoroots-0311tex.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Mr O’rourke has been criticized for using his nickname in his political career. Although he was clearly called <em>Beto</em> from a young age, he also admits to having chosen it as his public “brand” to appeal to Hispanix. Is that “cultural appropriation” or <em>mestizaje</em>? </p>
<p>I experience this criticism of cultural misappropriation as hinging on a gringo way to frame the question of identity: identities being seen as binary and genetically fixed from birth. <em>Mestizaje</em>, conversely, implies that human identities syncretic, nuanced and even conflicted, and born of relationships, experience and history. </p>
<p><em>Mestizaje</em> is a concept that emerged out of the horrifically violent social relations of <em>America latina</em>’s past and present. However, <em>mestizaje</em> may also imply insights gleaned by the survivors of this horror: Humans influence other humans when our cultures come into contact. I am not saying that cultural mis-appropriation for economic gain is not a real problem, but I think of it is an aspect of more broadly exploitative social relations. The syncretic<em> mestizo</em> observation I offer is: whether our relations lead to solidarity, empathy and cooperation, or segregation, hatred and exploitation, there is no scenario where one human intimately relates to another human without both humans’ beings being irrevocably changed. </p>
<p>Being offended by Beto being Beto, or speaking Spanish, may be related to an impulse to make “white” people act “white” and contain <em>mestizaje latino-americano</em> to the south of “the Border“. The offense could also be defensive from the point of view of some <em>gente latina</em>. But why do european Americans have to be so “whitened” and monolingual? Why does latin American cultural influence have to be so small, fragile and scarce? </p>
<p>When Mr O’Rourke, Senator Booker and Mayor Deblasio were mocked in US anglo media as if their attempts to use Spanish in the first debate were grotesque, I perceived the enforcement of the narrowness of permissible <em>gringo</em> identities through public shaming. I hope US “woke” folk will reconsider this shaming in the aftermath of the <em>el Paso</em> attacker's terrorist manifesto. I’d love it if all US candidates spoke Spanish and had a <em>criollo</em> nickname. <em>Beto’s criollo </em>code switching can seem desperately eager at times. Maybe that’s because he feels the stakes differently. Other candidates may have wanted to speak some Spanish because of who their constituents were, or who the audience on <em>Telemundo</em> was, but Mr. O’Rourke and Mr. <em>Castro</em> may have felt the need to represent who they themselves were. Whether by nickname or last name both men have lived experience in relation to <em>la frontera</em>. </p>
<p>Maybe all people, including european Americans along with <em>gente latina</em>, can have fluid, complex, resilient identities. Maybe the boundary between the U.S. and the rest of the Americas can never be impermeable, no matter how brutally that boundary may be policed. Maybe even rich kids, labeled “white”, growing up on the side of the border where power and privilege are concentrated, can be authentically and irrevocably influenced by closeness to la frontera. </p>
<p>If we can envision and actualize these kinds of “webs of mutuality”, we can offer a real alternative vision of the future to the “replacement” theory of “white nationalists”: A future where blending does not mean ending. If brother Beto wants to be a part of that future, I say: <em>Bienvenidos, manos a la obra</em> </p>
<p>y </p>
<p><em>¡Viva la Raza Cosmica y Mestiza!</em> </p>
<p>Peace, Blessings and Thanks for Listening. </p>
<p><em>Yo soy Marcos de Jesús, <br>y yo soy de la Guagua. </em></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/57724192019-05-29T14:20:33-04:002019-05-29T14:20:50-04:00Baile de Cortéz<p>Guaguer@s Estimad@s, </p>
<p>Here is my musical homage to Alexandria Ocasio Cortéz: “<a contents="Baile de Cortéz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/rV0dgx_PN5g"><span style="color:null;"><strong>Baile de Cortéz</strong></span></a>"<br><a contents="https://youtu.be/rV0dgx_PN5g" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/rV0dgx_PN5g" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/rV0dgx_PN5g</a><a contents=" Baile de Cortéz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/rV0dgx_PN5g" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p>Baile de Cortés means “dance of courtesy”, a description of AOC’s unique combination of warriorship, grit, graciousness, empathy and kindness. </p>
<p>The video features voices and the rhythms of Danza and Bomba puertoriqueña. My duet partner is one of the greatest interpreters of the Puerto Rican lyrical songbook alive, mi papá, Don Miguel de Jesús. </p>
<p>The complete Span-glish lyrics are below. </p>
<p>Peace, Blessings and Thanks for Listening, </p>
<p>Marcos</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Baile de Cortéz <br>by Marcos de Jesús,</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Homenaje a la Honorable Alexandria Ocasio Cortéz</em> </p>
<p>Marcos: Hermana, estoy cansado </p>
<p>De vivir siempre bregan-do, </p>
<p>Papi: Y casi nunca ganando, </p>
<p>Pero usted me tiene re- animado. </p>
<p>M: Se hace el camino al andar, </p>
<p>P: Pero asi- ay que caminar! </p>
<p> <br>M: Hacia una vision moral </p>
<p> Que al pueblo puede inspirar. </p>
<p>P Con la cortesia de mi clase </p>
<p> Orgullosamente humilde. </p>
<p> (en harmonia)↰ <br>Tutti Este ritmo rebelde. </p>
<p> Coro </p>
<p>M Es un baile de Cortes </p>
<p>Tutti Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, </p>
<p>Rapt </p>
<p>The image <br>the orange one <br>offers of us <br>New Yorkers is obscene, </p>
<p>Got my prima almost embarrassed to say she’s also from Queens. </p>
<p>But real life </p>
<p>for real folk </p>
<p>who really rep Queens </p>
<p>Ain’t about being greedy, </p>
<p>petty, ignorant and mean. </p>
<p> Coro </p>
<p>M Es un baile de Cortes, </p>
<p>P Brava defensora de Queens! </p>
<p>Rapt </p>
<p>Just when the Bx was wondering, </p>
<p>Where our groove went, </p>
<p>This chick makes a switch from bartending </p>
<p>To leading a movement! </p>
<p>Out of asthma alley we make city air breath free </p>
<p>The Bronx is still the birthplace of the revolutionary. </p>
<p> Coro </p>
<p>M Baile de Cortes, </p>
<p>Tutti Nuestra Senora del Bronx! </p>
<p> Versito 1, Tutti, (Cantada en hamonia) <br> <br> Esta Bomba que tan rica es, <br> <br> Representa un baile pa’ Representante Cortes, </p>
<p> Esa amable, humilde y brava </p>
<p> Inteligente </p>
<p> Puertoriquena! </p>
<p>Coro (bass instrumental, Seis corrido double time) </p>
<p>M Original de mi Bronx, </p>
<p>Tutti y Puertoriquena! </p>
<p>Versito (Cantada en hamoniaa,Oyó Mula) </p>
<p>Tutti Esa chamaca de las nuestras </p>
<p> Tan sabia y tan lista </p>
<p> Va ensenando a Ortega </p>
<p> Como ser socialista </p>
<p> No toleramos ningu- na reconquista <br> (beat drops out) <br> Pero si no quieres ser ra-cista: </p>
<p> (spoken) <br> ‘Stan invitados toditos- </p>
<p> Coro <br> M Al baile de Cortes </p>
<p> De Cortez </p>
<p> De Cortes </p>
<p> De Cortes </p>
<p> Tutti Alexandria Ocasio Cortez! <br> (rep secion) </p>
<p>(spoken over riff:) </p>
<p> Like Emma Goldman said: <br> “If there won’t be dancing at the revolution, <br> I’m not coming!” <br> <br> Pero a lo mejor puede ser: <br>(sung) <br> Un baile de Cortez! </p>
<p>(Bass finishes riff) </p>
<p> Ne Cede</p>
<p> Ne Cede</p>
<p> Ne Cede Malis. (Hats, Xs) <br> <em> fin <br> SDG</em></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/57064512019-04-04T02:25:16-04:002019-04-04T02:25:16-04:00¡Caballeros! Dance, Spoken Word and Bomba In Search of How to be a “Good Hombre”<p>Estimada Gente Guagüera, </p>
<p>Donald Trump talks a lot about “Bad Hombres”, defining latino masculinity to elicit fear and build his power. </p>
<p>How can Latino men and boys choose to publicly and positively define ourselves? How do women and girls want to see masculinities actualized in our social world? Are there elements of latin@ traditions of machismo and marianismo that we can cherish, celebrate and reform to serve an agenda of gender equality? </p>
<p> I think we need an ongoing public dialogue about these and other related questions. ¡Caballeros! is my part contribution to that conversation.</p>
<p>Come join the conversation this weekend when “¡Caballeros!”, my Bomba/dance/hiphop exploration of latino masculinities, featuring Wilson La Antigua of Bombayo, will presented by Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theater at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center as a part of a diverse program called “Sorpresas”:</p>
<p><br> 248 W 60th St, Friday April 5th 8pm, Saturday April 6th two shows: 3pm and 8pm <br>After the Saturday 3pm show, Wilson and I will participate in a talkback conversation about ¡Caballeros!, facilitated by Jinah Parker asking: What do we want from masculinity? </p>
<p>Here’s a trailer for ¡Caballeros!: <a contents="youtube.com/watch?v=NsfWszUoigw" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=NsfWszUoigw" target="_blank">youtube.com/watch?v=NsfWszUoigw</a> <br> </p>
<p>I’m also performing in 3 of Annabella’s whimsical, passionate and lovely dances. <br><br>Tickets: manhattanmovement.com/calendar or at the door $25 adult, $15 student/dancer. </p>
<p>Solidarity, <br> </p>
<p>Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/55671872018-12-23T23:52:45-05:002022-03-24T11:39:23-04:00Sick of Santa Claus? Check Out Ol’ Saint Nick <p>Esteemed Guaguer@s, </p>
<p>Saint Nicholas is the patron of the defense of young people from abuse or exploitation. </p>
<p>If you’ve felt abused or exploited by the holiday season of shopping and consumption, maybe the stories of the life and ministry Saint Nicholas could be a source of relief and inspiration. </p>
<p>My favorite composer, Benjamin Britten, made a lovely, queer, brilliant, yet accessible oratorio of Saint Nicholas. Britten had a heart for the common folk, just like Saint Nic’. The piece was written so it could be performed mostly by amateurs with the support of a few professionals . That’s my man Ben! I think he was as clever as any composer who ever lived, but he didn’t want to make music that showed a superiority to the common people. He wanted to make music that would uplift the common folk. Amen Ben!</p>
<p>New York’s own, Downtown Voices, gave an exquisite performance of the piece you can experience <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wXSm0OpYR4" target="_blank"><span data-darkreader-inline-color="" style="color: rgb(46, 204, 113); --darkreader-inline-color: #46c77d;">here</span></a><a contents=" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wXSm0OpYR4 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wXSm0OpYR4" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wXSm0OpYR4 </a></p>
<p>If you only have time to watch one movement, I recommend the one that starts <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/4wXSm0OpYR4?t=509&nbsp;" target="_blank"><span data-darkreader-inline-color="" style="color: rgb(142, 68, 173); --darkreader-inline-color: #9b5eb5;">here</span></a> <a contents="https://youtu.be/4wXSm0OpYR4?t=509 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/4wXSm0OpYR4?t=509&nbsp;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/4wXSm0OpYR4?t=509&nbsp;</a><br>It’s Nicholas emotional personal testimony of his spiritual journey. </p>
<p>I think Britten’s raw and soaring setting of this text offers us an experience of the heart of Saint Nicholas’ witness. In some traditions, Saint Nicholas brings gifts to children every year on his Saint Day. But the heart of the stories about him, is that he cherished the gift of every human life, especially those whose lives weren’t valued by his society, like widows and “the fatherless”. His ministry was not about presents, but being present in the ultimate reality that everything is a gift, amazing grace. Britten’s music transports me into that ultimate reality. Amazing extravagant and sometimes strangely beautiful grace: How sweet the sound!</p>
<p>Paz, Bendiciones and Thanks for Listening,</p>
<p>Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/55569262018-12-16T22:27:01-05:002018-12-19T19:57:51-05:00Code Switching: Made with Love, Now Made Easier to Access <p>Esteemed Guaguer@s, </p>
<p>I usually have an idea who I’m making a song for, but, for me, the intention behind a song is completed by the grace of God, in the heart of the hearer. "Love isn't love into you've given it away..." I have lots of songs that have not yet reached their intended audiences. Sometimes, I feel like each of those songs is a love letter I have never sent. </p>
<p>I also already have an album that I put a lot of love into. </p>
<p>Maybe <a contents="Code Switching" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlsqKxJPGOvMdof9wcVM93ASowVW_1Y53" target="_blank"><em>Code Switching</em></a> was intended for you. If you haven't heard it yet, please think of it as a new part of your relationship with Marcos and la Guagua. If you haven’t heard it in a while, I hope it’ll do something new for you now on the next listen, like taking out an old note of sentimental value, and reading it from a new perspective. It was released four years ago, this past month, but now it’s easier to hear than ever before.</p>
<p>I'm happy to share the love.</p>
<p>Hear it on youtube with no login required.</p>
<p><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlsqKxJPGOvMdof9wcVM93ASowVW_1Y53" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlsqKxJPGOvMdof9wcVM93ASowVW_1Y53" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlsqKxJPGOvMdof9wcVM93ASowVW_1Y53</a></p>
<p>Or on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes or Youtube Music with a login.</p>
<p><a contents="https://open.spotify.com/album/2GdIPhSnMEQpCTQOS1feoU?nd=1 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2GdIPhSnMEQpCTQOS1feoU?nd=1" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/album/2GdIPhSnMEQpCTQOS1feoU?nd=1 </a></p>
<p><a contents="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/code-switching/950046209" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/code-switching/950046209" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/code-switching/950046209</a></p>
<p><a contents="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kifkS5mU4lToEdfA9xJq09uvK3yVOdn20 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kifkS5mU4lToEdfA9xJq09uvK3yVOdn20" target="_blank">https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kifkS5mU4lToEdfA9xJq09uvK3yVOdn20 </a></p>
<p>Please let me know what you experience with this music. </p>
<p>I am Marcos de Jesús, and I approved these messages. </p>
<p>Advent Blessings and Thanks for Listening,</p>
<p>Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/55471372018-12-09T23:20:42-05:002018-12-16T21:30:10-05:00Sunday Evening Post: There I Go Again<p>Esteemed Guaguer@s,</p>
<p>I wanna always keep falling in love.</p>
<p>It's a risky way to live.</p>
<p>But <a contents="here I go again..." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/kmx3ioAOGxI" target="_blank">here I go again...</a><em><a contents="this video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmx3ioAOGxI&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank"><span style="color:#2ecc71;">this video</span></a></em>...documents the first public performance of a song that has been one of my innermost anthems for nearly two years now. I've been re-writing it in my head, testing out scenarios of what new life and new love could be like. But as my mentor, Horace Beasley, says, "Love isn't love until you give it away." Thanks to the generous audience of thoughtful/creative/heartful writer folk up in the BX for making this debut meaningful. It was performed at the Bronx Community College Writing Center Poet's Cafe (open mic), made possible by the initiative of Prof. Janet Robertson, Director.</p>
<p>If you like the work, please subscribe and hit the bell for notifications on my Youtube Channel. <a contents="Youtube.com/GuaguaElectrica" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://Youtube.com/GuaguaElectrica">Youtube.com/GuaguaElectrica</a></p>
<p>Lyrics below.</p>
<p>Peace, Blessings and Thanks for listening,</p>
<p>Marcos</p>
<p>PS- That performance video link again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmx3ioAOGxI&feature=youtu.be</p>
<p>Lyrics:</p>
<p> There I go Again <br> copyright Marcos de Jesús 2017 <br> <br>One look from you and I’m shot through, your eyes pe- ne-trate me. </p>
<p>I’m down for the count in the mind-game, knocked out, ru-mi-nating: </p>
<p>Did she mean to look at me? Was it meaningful? Was she just lost in thought? </p>
<p>Did she just look at my socks? What can she see in these jeans? I just want her to see </p>
<p>What I could see between me and her, I wish I could tell her. <br> ‘I just love spending time with you. <br> And finding ways to be kind to you. </p>
<p> I may not have what you need in a man <br> <br> I’m not asking can I be… <br> I’m not asking to be… <br> I’m not asking can I be your man. <br>But, there I go ag-ain- <br>Thinking about for-ever! <br>‘Cause I seem to catch sight of your soul <br>In private passions passing over your face. <br>There I go ag-ain! Encan-tado, volando <br>Charmed, dis-armed and En-chanted by your smile. <br>But, I’m afraid to fly from now to for-ever in your eyes ‘cause then I may never. <br> Learn to be al-right with where I stand right now. And then <br> a-gain, me encuentro o-ran-do. <br>Lord <br>How can I take her where she sends me <br> In Mo-ments of <br> Every day grace. <br>I’m living for these mo- ments … <br>Everyday mo-ments of quiet grace. <br>Moments… <br> Moments of every day grace. <br>For now that’s all I can take. <br>‘Cause I’m too heart broken to really have the heart for dating. <br>If I were smart, I’d stick to my smart phone, <br>Swipe right and left like an art form, <br>En Espa- ñol <br>the verb that means “hoping” <br>Can also describe the act of <br>“waiting”. <br>But… <br> There I go a-gain <br> 2da voz Sonando en ti <br> Sonando <br> Orando que tu <br> Volando <br> Te pudieras sentir <br> Encantado <br> lo que siento yo. <br>But, I’m afraid to fl-y. <br> Tan pobre que soy <br> Soñando <br> no te puedo ofrecer <br> Orando <br> mas nada <br> Amando <br> que es-te sue-no de amor </p>
<p> I don't wanna “make believe” <br> But, I be-lieve, in love <br>There I go again. <br>2da voz Some dreams are better than the real thing. <br>There I go again. <br> Some things are not meant to be. <br>There I go again! <br> Fine SDG</p>
<p> </p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/55266422018-11-25T06:48:57-05:002018-12-19T19:57:09-05:00Journey Back to Grace: 4 Songs of Love and Loss<p>Dear Guaguer@s,</p>
<p>In <a contents="Journey Back to Grace: Songs of Love and Loss" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZW0-w9TQ34&list=PLlsqKxJPGOvOBh-7MjrFdot99nlFLzp_v" target="_blank">Journey Back to Grace: Songs of Love and Loss</a>, I invite you on a raw, vulnerable, personal journey. It’s a journey through stages of grief at the loss of my life commitment. It’s a journey back to hope. Journey Back to Grace gives you an idea of what Marcos and la Guagua songs are at their heart: active dialectics of the voice and the drum, of feeling and thought, the personal and the universal. La Guagua invites you to dance. La Guagua seeks to uplift us. La Guagua means to move you. The journey was performed and recorded with help from Ardashir Ethan Lea, in the gracious, acoustically gorgeous sanctuary of TLC of NYC.</p>
<p>Paz,</p>
<p>Marcos</p>
<p>Copy ready link:</p>
<p><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZW0-w9TQ34&amp;list=PLlsqKxJPGOvOBh-7MjrFdot99nlFLzp_v" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZW0-w9TQ34&list=PLlsqKxJPGOvOBh-7MjrFdot99nlFLzp_v" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZW0-w9TQ34&list=PLlsqKxJPGOvOBh-7MjrFdot99nlFLzp_v</a></p>
<p>The Lyrics:</p>
<p><strong>I- I Can’t Believe It </strong><br> by Marcos de Jesús Wille, copyright 2015 </p>
<p>There are many things that I have doubted.<br>You were one thing that I was sure of. <br>I took a long time before I asked you, <br>And you said yes…but now I’ve lost you. <em>(beat drops)</em> </p>
<p>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. </p>
<p>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe from the </p>
<p>Crazy girl who cried when I said I wanted space. <br>The ambitious woman who said it was time we got a place. <br>My beautiful bride. <br>My joy and my pride. <br>The strong help I trusted to always be by my side. </p>
<p>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. </p>
<p>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>I can’t believe it. <br>But, I guess I’ve got to </p>
<p>Believe it the dream is over now. It’s time to wake up <br>And forget a strangely beautiful dream like I do most every morning. </p>
<p>I can’t believe it. <br>8X </p>
<p>I thought we had everything. <br>Why’d she leave…Why’d she leave…Why’d she leave…<br>It? <em> fine SDD SDG</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>II-</strong> <strong> Involucrado con los Muertos </strong><br> by Marcos de Jesús Wille, copyright 2015 <br>Es que ella es <br>Tan involucrada con los muertos <br> <br> She´s so, She’s so involved with the dead. </p>
<p>Tan involucrada con los muertos <br> <em> etc</em> <br> Torn between joy, love, and dread <br> She see´s a world on fire. <br> Maybe all great storytellers are prophets and liars! <br> Y me deja pensando. <br> <br> Que lo que le pasa a mi </p>
<p>No se le pasa a nadie </p>
<p> Un matrimonio tan feliz <br> <em> etc </em><br> Que termina asi <br> Ay, ay, ay de mi <br> Lo que tengo que sentir <br> Y sobrevivir </p>
<p> Pero la pérdida pasa a todos <br> Aunque no tengo idea ni modo <br> Aguantar lo <br> y lo cierto </p>
<p>Es que ella es <br>Tan involucrada con los muertos <br> There’s nothing to be done <br>Tan involucrada con los muertos <br> Somos Calaveras de veras, so let’s try to have some fun. <br> <em> etc </em><br> Asi Abuela lo vio <br> Por esa nena me muero, but what a lovely way to go. </p>
<p> Y me dejado a mi <br> Involucrado con los muertos, muerto <br> Involucrado con lo muerto, eh! <br> 2x o mas con soloista ad lib </p>
<p> Pero la pérdida toca a todos <br> Aunque no tengo idea ni modo <br> Aguantar lo <br> Y lo cierto <br> Es que lo nuestro <br> Ya ha muerto. <br> </p>
<p> Y viviremos <br> Juntos y involucrados con lo muertos. <br> <em> fine <br> SDG SDD</em></p>
<p><strong>III- Now and Forever</strong> <br> by Marcos de Jesús, copyright 2015 </p>
<p> Hmmn… <br> OO… <br>Hashtag keep the Faith <br>Fail. <br>Mis padres, abuelos and now my <br>Divorce. <br>No fault keep it out the courts. <br>But, why do we join, construct, define, <br>Is it just the build up for inevitable decline? </p>
<p>So a man shall leave his mother, <br>A woman leave her home, <br>So what?! <br>So they go to the county, the church, throw a party, then die alone? <br>She was beautiful, haunted, divine. <br>But I couldn’t save her, beautiful savior. <br>Was she ever really mine. </p>
<p> Hmmn… <br> OO… <br> Now and Forever <br>Now? <br>Now what?! <br>Forever? <br>Forever’s what I thought, </p>
<p>I started already. <br>¿Y como era pa’ mi abuelita? <br>Matrimonio terminado <br>Porque le vio como negrita, <br>La suegra, <br>Mi bisabuela. </p>
<p>Y que de mi Abuelo <br>la trato de defender <br>Sus promesas mantener <br>Pero que feliz mi bisabuela <br>Cuando salió su nieto, <br>Tan lindo y tan rubio, <br>Lo queria comer crudo. <br>Te revelo el asunto: <br>Tres generaciones <br>de fracaso aqui estamos frente de Dios <br>Desnudos! </p>
<p>Hmmn… <br> OO… <br> Now and Forever <br>Now? <br>Now what?! <br>Forever? <br>Forever’s what I thought, </p>
<p>My parents were waiting before they got divorced. <br>Long suffering, <br>There were no unforced errors, <br>The game was over <br>Then the war came <br>Then the news dropped <br>And we’d never be the same, <br>Family failed <br>No money, matrimony unsuccessful <br>Was there anything to life besides more or less stressful <br>Now and forever will I ever find mine <br>Jesus lover of my soul <br>I think I’m running out of time! </p>
<p>I did say I do <br>‘Cause I thought I wanted to- <br> <br> Now and Forever <br> More <br> Be thine! <br> <em> SDG SDD <br> Fine</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>IV- Canto de Lo Que Muera </strong><br> por Marcos de Jesús, copyright 2014 </p>
<p>Fueron a la playa <br>A nadar con la familia <br>Y perder lo que se asuma <br>En la arena y la espuma. </p>
<p>Y nos fuimos al desierto <br>A desear lo que no es cierto, <br>Naufragar entre nopales, <br>“California uber alles”. </p>
<p>Y yo soy un vagabundo <br>Y eres tu, el mar profundo <br>Y yo vivo en tu playa <br>y me caricia todos tus aires. </p>
<p>Estos aires agradables, <br>Y turbulentes huracanes, <br>Que viven de tu calor <br>Y mueren en tu ausencia, <br>Como <br>Yo… </p>
<p>Canto de lo que muera 3x <br>Como Yo… </p>
<p> Canto de lo que muera <br> Como yo. <br> Canto. Canto <br> 2x </p>
<p>Fueron a la playa <br>A nadar con la familia <br>Y perder lo que se asuma <br>En la arena y la espuma. </p>
<p> Canto de lo que muera <br> Como yo. <br> Canto. Canto <br> 2x </p>
<p>Soy un vagabundo <br>Y eres tu, el mar profundo <br>Y yo vivo en tu playa <br>y me caricia todos tus aires. </p>
<p> Canto de lo que muera <br> Como yo. <br> Canto. Canto <br> 2x </p>
<p> Como yo, como yo <br> Canto de lo que muera <br> Que muera como yo <br> Como yo <br> Canto de lo que muera <br> Canto, Canto </p>
<p>¡De lo que muera como yo! <br> <br> ¡Canto! </p>
<p>Canto, canto de lo que muera! </p>
<p> ¡Canto! <br> <br> ad lib etc <br> ultima vez <br> ¡Canto! </p>
<p>De lo que muera como yo… </p>
<p>Fueron a la playa <br>A nadar con la familia <br>Y perder…<em> <br> Fine <br> SDD SDG</em></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/54410142018-09-24T00:18:13-04:002018-09-24T00:29:47-04:00This is Mychal’s Prayer <p>Guaguer@s Estimad@s,</p>
<p>At a screening of the film, <a contents="Saint of 9/11" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/DYffWcZnghA" target="_blank">Saint of 9/11</a>, Brendan Fay, one of the film's producers, gave me a prayer card with a picture of Father Mychal Judge on the front, and this text on the back: </p>
<p>Lord, <br>Take me where you want me to go, <br>Let me meet who you want me to meet, <br>Tell me what you want me to say, <br>And keep me out of your way. </p>
<p>That was Mychal’s Prayer, his personal mantra. </p>
<p>I taped it to the outside of my apartment door. </p>
<p>For years, I would utilize the card as a reminder as I rushed out the door. The card taught me the discipline to pray in the midst of busyness and tumult. I would pause, touch the card, look at Father Mychal, say his prayer and then head out onto the streets of New York City with that intention in my heart. I would head out with Mychal’s intention to be available for God to work through me. </p>
<p>One day, as I paused at the door, I heard the prayer with this <a contents="melody" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/1lQmvjjRW30" target="_blank">melody</a>:</p>
<p><a contents="https://youtu.be/1lQmvjjRW30" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/1lQmvjjRW30" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/1lQmvjjRW30</a></p>
<p>The first version, in my head, was an old school R&B treatment, inspired by Mychal’s charisma. Horace Beasley, my mentor, voice coach and accompanist, brought it more clearly to a Gospel treatment. I think that was the right approach, ‘cause if Mychal’s life wasn’t Gospel, I don’t know what the Gospel is.</p>
<p>For a lot of New Yorker's, September is a time to remember. Pastor Heidi Nuemark invited me to perform the song at TLCofNYC.org on a recent sunday as an expression of Marcos and la Guagua's residency at Trinity. Gracias pastora. I'm remembering Mychal. Ruega por nosotros antes el Señor San Miguel. We need it...right now.</p>
<p>¡Yo soy Guaguer@!</p>
<p>Peace, Blessings and Thanks for Listening, </p>
<p>Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/49817402017-12-17T18:42:17-05:002018-03-18T01:06:22-04:00Hiphop Magnificat<!-- more --><p>Beloved Community,</p>
<p>I rapped at church this morning. I was talking pretty fast. Here are the lyrics. Thanks to all the folk who shared their thoughts and feelings about the work and were interested to see all the lyrics. I'll have the video posted soon. Subscribe to <a contents="Marcos &amp; la Guagua" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://youtube.com/user/GuaguaElectrica" style="" target="_blank">Marcos & la Guagua</a> on Youtube to see it first or sign up for my email list <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://marcosandlaguagua.com/marcos-la-guagua">here</a> and get connected with Marcos & la Guagua's musical mission of reconciliation, lifting up songs of freedom by any music necessary.</p>
<p>This music was made to lift up what might be the most revolutionary text in the Bible, <br>My man Johann Sebastian Bach’s setting of Mary’s song, <br>Jesus’ Mom, from when God asked her to be his Baby’s Mother, <br>And said she would conceive before tying the knot, <br>It was asking a lot but she rejoiced, <br>Singing sayings transfigured from Aramaic, to Greek, to Latin, <br>So now this is “Latin Music”. <br>Entonces, Nuestra Señora Cantó eso hace tiempo, <br>But, take a moment to listen to Maria today, <br>Can you feel what Maria has to say? Cuando dice: </p>
<p> Qui a respexit… <br> Anceílle su- </p>
<p>Now this is just a snippet but the grandeur of the whole is within it. <br>Mother Mary sings as if the Kingdom of God had arrived, as if Heaven were already here. <br>Isn’t it heavenly? <br>This little, brown, teen mom, fearless Palestinian girl dares to declare, <br>That which don’t objectively seem to be there. <br>That God has lifted up the lowly, <br>sent the rich away empty, <br>Cast down the proud, <br>filled the lowly with plenty, <br>And that this is and will be true for <br>Omnes, Omnes, Many generations <br>Now and forever, world without end <br>for endless descendants. <br>I believe this-every living word! But, it don’t seem to make sense given the </p>
<p>Persistence of certain patterns of relations, <br>Savage inequalities of social stations, <br>Permanent members of United Nations <br>Security council, charge you, a hefty fee <br>We suggest you <br>Retain counsel. If you can’t afford it than this court will appoint it for you, <br>In order to <br>Simply ignore you. </p>
<p>80% of US criminal defendants defense depends on public defenders. <br>The 99% and the one percenter’s <br>Experience_is institutionally distinct. <br>Didn’t take an asteroid to make our unions extinct. <br>It took a Re-gun and an Iron Lady, <br>Sí se puede? Yes we can? </p>
<p>Definitely maybe. <br> <br>Definitely maybe probably perhaps. <br>Do you hear the people’s scattered amens and golf claps? <br>Do you hear the people sing along with Hiphop, <br>While preserving prejudice? When will hypocrisy stop? </p>
<p>And what do we mean by what we’re rapping? <br>Do we care about “aboutness”? <br>Is it straight up like Ellen in all her “outness”? <br>Or closeted <br>enduring like Turings <br>Imitation game? <br>Can Bach be back beats? Can hiphop be cheerful and gay? <br>Or does it have to be hard ‘cause it started on a block that Macklemore said he hadn’t been to? <br>But, I hope by now he’s come through. <br>It ain’t that hard to get to <br>1520 Sedgwick Avenue- I’ll take you! <br>And Macklemore-Y’all can meet me in the Bronx <br>Then we’ll stop by Harlem-birthplace of beatbox! Does </p>
<p>Sightseeing have meaning? <br>What are relationships made of? <br>Mack mighta meant it in a narrative voice- <br>I mean like, “made up”. <br>I think that’s his right, a valid artistic choice. <br>But, I’m not so impressed with how art adorns you. <br>I’m interested to know if art has transformed you. <br>If you don’t thirst for change than my art ain’t for you.I was- </p>
<p> Transformed by seeing the Kid and Kayla- <br>Boundary breaking beat box. <br>But, it’s like when De la <br>Soul first hit the college campus. <br>Do the fans like the music, <br>Or just the canibus? <br>She loves it, I perceive, <br>With what Kayla mighta been through <br>Helped train herself, <br>Face misogynist haters and maintained herself on her hiphop course. <br>What does it mean when her family supports? a la Run <br>Is the church a family? Will we ever be close, <br>Or do we only come here to preach and pose? </p>
<p>Definitely maybe probably perhaps. <br>Can you hear the scattered amens and golf claps? <br>Can you hear the people sing along with Hiphop, <br>While preserving prejudice? Will exploitation ever stop? <br>spoken Omnes ends <br>God knows. <br>I don’t. <br>But, maybe we can be like Mary <br>and keep all these things <br>And ponder them in our hearts. </p>
<p>Amen? </p>
<p>Let the church say: Amen.</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/46819302017-04-23T09:39:07-04:002018-03-19T01:50:03-04:00Marcos & la Guagua on the Jim Nog Pod<p>Thanks to my dear friend Prof James Nogera for his generous, in depth interview. It was a blessing to tell the story of my music in context.<br><br><a contents="https://player.fm/series/jim-nog-pod/001-interview-marcos-la-guagua" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://player.fm/series/jim-nog-pod/001-interview-marcos-la-guagua" style="" target="_blank">https://player.fm/series/jim-nog-pod/001-interview-marcos-la-guagua</a><br><br>Peace, Blessings and Thanks for Listening,<br><br>Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/41346642016-04-13T16:12:13-04:002018-10-13T08:58:23-04:00¡Soy Bernista!<p>I am so inspired by the integrity, life work, and candidacy of Bernie Sanders for president, I felt the need to sing about it.</p>
<p>"¡Soy Bernista!" is an original Plena-Cha, based on rhythms of the African heritage of Puerto Rico and Cuba. "¡Soy Bernista!" is a Spanish language anthem for everyone who's ready for a political revolution...and you can dance to it. </p>
<p>It is made out of love for the beautiful diversity of these United States of America and <em>mi gente latina</em>. I offer this song to the Bernie 2016 movement for not for profit usage. I do reserve a protective copyright against other usage. </p>
<p>But, if you support Bernie and you like the song please share it, post it, sing it, play it, make videos, add parts, remix it, and dance to it to your hearts content. Lyrics and English translation below</p>
<p>Please include an artist/composer credit and a link to my website when you share. </p>
<p>In Hopes of Building a Future We Can All Believe in, </p>
<p>Marcos de Jesús</p>
<p><strong>¡Soy Bernista!</strong><br> por Marcos de Jesús <br>Letra </p>
<p>Soy Bernista </p>
<p>Soy Bernista porque quiero a mi pueblo <br>Y quiero que mi pueblo no sufra mas. <br>Soy Bernista y si unes conmigo <br>Nuestro mundo podemos cambiar. <br>Soy Bernista y si unes conmigo <br>Un mundo mas lindo podemos crear. </p>
<p>Un futuro con sufficient para todos <br>Un futuro con paz y Libertad <br>Con milliones participando <br>en una revolución demócrata. </p>
<p>Soy Bernista </p>
<p>Los poderos tiene todo el dinero, <br>Pero nosotros toda la solidaridad. </p>
<p>Soy Bernista </p>
<p> <br><em>soneo </em> <br>Lego la hora de decir: <br> Soy Bernista <br>(para etc) Los taxistas y los Artistas, <br> Soy Bernista etc <br>Mi gente anti-racista, <br>Y la vanguardia feminista <br>En el este y el oeste <br>El candidato de la gente <br>Un chamaco de Brooklyn <br>Que ha hecho muy bien <br>Sin olividar de nostoros <br>Digo, gracias a Dios </p>
<p>Soy Bernista </p>
<p>Bernie Está </p>
<p>Bernie Sanders está con nosotros familia <br>¡Pa’ planate! </p>
<p><strong>¡Soy Bernista!</strong><br> by Marcos de Jesús<br>lyrics</p>
<p>I’m for Bernie </p>
<p>I’m for Bernie because I love my people <br>And I don’t want my people to suffer anymore. <br>I’m for Bernie and if we unite <br>We can change the world. <br>I’m for Bernie and if we unite <br>We can create a more beautiful world. </p>
<p>A future with enough for all <br> future with peace and liberty <br>With millions participating In a democratic revolution. </p>
<p>I’m for Bernie </p>
<p>The powerful have all the money, <br>But we have all the solidarity. <br>I’m for Bernie </p>
<p> <br><em>call and response section</em> <br>The time has come to say: <br>I’m for Bernie- <br>(For etc) taxi drivers and artists <br>I’m for Bernie etc <br>My anti-racism folk. <br>and the Feminist vanguard. <br>In the East and the West <br>he people’s candidate <br>A kid from Brooklyn <br>Who has done good <br>without forgetting about us <br>I say thank God </p>
<p>I’m for Bernie </p>
<p>Bernie is here. </p>
<p>Bernie Sanders is with us, family. <br>Forward! </p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/40829822016-03-10T23:59:42-05:002021-02-04T10:28:07-05:00Changed is here, The Mindgame Aspect is coming<p>"Changed" is the outro from my new EP The Mindgame Aspect, coming soon. Join my email list to download this track today. Then later this year, I'll offer you a free download of the new album before it's available anywhere else.<br><br>I'm always eager to hear your thoughts and feelings about my work.<br><br>Thanks for Listening,<br><br>Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/39672242015-12-23T09:41:10-05:002018-05-04T03:25:50-04:00Let's Make Christmas!A couple of lines from my new Christmas song sum it up:<br><br>"Maybe Gabriel was right<br>And there's nothing to fear.<br>All I want for Christmas<br>Is Christmas this year."<br><br>and later<br><br>"But, I can't do it alone.<br>Jesus was homeless<br>Let's make him a home."<br><br>See a video of a performance at <a contents="MarcosandlaGuagua.com/video" data-link-label="Video" data-link-type="page" href="/video" target="_blank">MarcosandlaGuagua.com/video</a><br><br>Thanks to Natatia who sings, Horace who plays, and Chris who made the video.<br><br>Full lyrics below.<br><br>Thanks for Listening,<br><br>Marcos<br>----------<p>Let’s Make Christmas <br> by Marcos de Jesús, copyright 2014 <br> <br>M-A lot of us gotta work <br> <br>N- And there’s’a lotta work to get done. <br> <br>M-Schleping all over town <br> <br> TUTTI- Sometimes, it’s not even fun. <br> <br>N-But, it’s Christmas- <br> <br>M- And it’s Kwanzaa- <br> <br>N-And it’s Solstice- <br> <br>M- And it’s Chanukah! <br> <br>TUTTI! And if we can believe enough <br> These holidays might not be so tough. <br> <br> <br>N-You’re mad at me about something <br> <br>M- I’m mad at you ‘bout…I don’t know what! <br> <br>N-We don’t all get together enough to get stuck in this same old rut. <br> <br>M- I’m probably wrong, alright? I’ll admit it. <br> <br>TUTTI- I can confess if you can forgive it. <br> <br>N-Maybe Gabriel was right, <br> <br>TUTTI- and there’s nothing to fear… <br> All I want for Christmas is Christmas this year. <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br><em>working section </em>TUTTI- Let’s make Christmas! <br> <br>1a) N- Everything is perfect at Church each ChrIstmas. <br> <br> Let’s make Christmas! etc </p>
<p>1b) M- Yeah, no matter HOW many things go wrong. </p>
<p>2a) N- By the grace of God it's up to you and me. </p>
<p>2b) M- Might not be a silent night, in the Bronx, but if that's alright. </p>
<p>3a) M- Imanuel is coming for dinner </p>
<p>3b) N- Alright dear, as long as YOU cook. </p>
<p>4a)M- I don't care if we just tell all the same stories again. </p>
<p>4b)N- Your Abuelita's stories get better every time. </p>
<p>5a)M- I'm gon' Feliz Navidad all the way to Reyes, if you’re down for that say yes. </p>
<p>5b)N-Yes, my love! And we shall light candles for eight sacred nights! </p>
<p> <br>6a)M-And gather to study 7 profound African insights </p>
<p>6b)M-But, I can't do it alone. <br>tutti Jesus was homeless, let's make him a home. <br> <br> <em> coda</em> All I want for Christmas is Christmas rep ad lib <br> <br> All I want for Christmas is Christmas this year <br> <br> Let’s make Christmas. <br> <br> <em>fine</em><br> <em>SDG</em><br><br> </p><br><br> Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/37781582015-07-15T00:56:21-04:002018-05-05T02:01:53-04:00The Harvest is Great (In Detroit) with Love for My ELCA Family and DetroitMy new song, The Harvest is Great (In Detroit), is streaming sitewide at MarcosandlaGuagua.com in celebration of the 2015 Youth Gathering, Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), and Definitely-abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE) of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (<a contents="ELCA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.elca.org" target="_blank">ELCA</a>). I came to a faith of conviction in God's surprising, gracious love in Christ at a MYLE gathering years ago. I believe God is doing something new in the hearts of thousands of youth and adults as our church gathers in Detroit this week as well.<br><br>My mom taught in Detroit in the 1970's and I feel a strong affinity for the Motor City, as someone who grew up in the Mid-west and was born into the Bronx. God is already at work in places the dominant powers of this world have cast aside, even before churches can schedule time to discuss it.<br><br>I pray that this and every week in Detroit may be a foretaste of the feast to come for visitors and locals alike.<br><br>The current Harvest is Great demo was recorded in the acoustically gracious sanctuary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan using the talents of four mid-westerners gathered together in NYC. Thanks to Horace Beasley, piano and backing vocals. Leanna Hieber, vocals. Dash Lea, sound engineering. I wrote the song and sing lead vocals. Thanks to Abe Cáceres for his mentorship, and my mom, Carolyn Wille-Rivera for sharing her Detroit memories with me.<br><br>We believe that Detroit is:<br><br>"Like a Garden<br>Planted by a Great Lake..."<br><br>and that there is<br><br>"So much soul food at God's table,<br>Everyone can fill their plate!"<br><br>This is what love does, God's work our hands.<br><br>For me, I say, this is most certainly true. Amen.<br><br>Thanks for listening,<br><br>Marcos<br><br>The Harvest is Great (In Detroit) copyright Marcos de Jesús 2015<br>SDGMarcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/37489312015-06-20T09:14:31-04:002018-05-09T01:34:24-04:00Actuality and Live Organ for Summer Day Camp at TLC of NYCThis Sunday at 4pm I'll be contributing to a couple of songs, including a live version of Actuality. The concert featuring the organ playing of Vicar Barbara "the Funky Organist" Otto as a fundraiser for Trinity's Summer Day Camp which provides meaningful fun for kids and summer jobs for youth, in a constructive Christian setting. Familia, let's fight darkness with light.<br><br>Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan<br>164 W 100th Street<br>Sunday June 21st 4pm<br><br>Donations to benefit Trinity's Summer Day CampMarcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/34422702014-12-27T21:25:32-05:002022-03-03T03:33:23-05:00Old Holidays and the Latest NewsDearest Freedom Riders,<br><br>Kujichagulia my peoples! I had to blog today, because it's my favorite day of Kwanzaa. The day dedicated to the principle of Kujichagulia, Swahili for <a contents="self determination" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.shtml" target="_blank">self determination</a>.<br><br>For me, it is also the third day of Christmas (yes, the twelve days <em>start</em> on December 25th). This coming Sunday many churches remember the darkest part of the Christmas stories in the Bible, the <a contents="Massacre of the Holy Innocents" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearABC/HolyDays/HolyInno.html#GOSPEL" target="_blank">Massacre of the Holy Innocents</a> .<br><br>Expressing our love for all the holy innocents and affirming the universal right of self determination might help us resolve some of our major conflicts in NYC today. May I suggest that: Black lives matter. Cop's lives matter. All lives matter, and all people should have the right to self determination, as individuals and communities.<br>Amen?<br><br>Mayor Di Blasio suggested that non-violent anti-police brutality protests stop after the horrible, senseless assassination of two NYPD officers last Saturday. Calling for a brief pause from protest seemed reasonable to me at first. Then after a lot of prayerful listening I decided that I disagreed with the Mayor on that issue. My thought is that disciplined non-violent protest is an <em>alternativ</em>e to violence, rather than a cause of violence. And people should have the right to determine for themselves when they want to protest. Telling the people when not to protest is not one of the jobs we elected Bill de Blasio to do. Kujichagulia.<br><br>But, I've also felt very disturbed by uniformed and/or armed police officers turning their backs on Mayor de Blasio as a protest this past week. I am in favor of the right to protest, but when cops <em>in uniform and/or with guns</em> protest their civilian boss, it begs the question: Who is in charge, the leader who was elected by the people, or the guys with the guns? <br><br>I'd like to share this series of tweets by Andrew Exum, former Army officer and scholar on the middle east, to better express my concerns:<br>"1.Thought exercise: Imagine thousands of US Army officers turning their backs on President Bush at the funeral of soldiers killed in Iraq. 2. I know the service and social contract differ, but as a former Army officer, I'm made really uneasy by the behavior of the NYPD today. 3. (Chief of Police) Bratton's remarks at the funeral, by contrast, struck the precise opposite tone: humble, mournful, the words of a public servant. 4. Shame on those--politicians retired PD--who would encourage the insubordination of armed peace officers. 5. On a day we should've mourned selfless sacrifice of police, we also witnessed disrespect of public servants toward elected leaders. 6. How can you call yourself a public servant when you turn your back on the democratically elected representation of the public weal?"<br><br>Wondering about the term "Public Weal"? I had to look it up. Wikipedia says: "Public weal may refer to: Commonwealth, a form of government without a monarch in which people have governmental influence."<br><br>Hmmn…that's a new word for me, but I like it…almost as much as I like Kujichagulia.<br><br>God bless the NYPD.<br>God bless the Public Weal.<br>And like Tiny Tim says: "God bless us, every one!"<br><br>Amen?<br><br>Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Thanks for Listening,<br><br>MarcosMarcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/33780132014-12-09T13:21:41-05:002014-12-09T19:13:31-05:00212 679 6018 Memorize this Song Before Your Next ProtestEsteemed Freedom Riders de la Guagua,<br><br>212 679 6018 is a phone number to call if you are arrested while protesting in NYC to ask for free legal advice and support from the National Lawyer's Guild NYC. The song is a few years old, originally made for Occupy.<br><br>I don't have an artistic response to today's police violence, at least not yet. But, I hope this song may be useful to folks who are standing up for our rights.<br><br>Black Lives Matter.<br><br>Keep the Faith,<br><br>Marcos<br> 1:05Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/33421572014-11-29T19:24:59-05:002017-01-15T15:52:13-05:00Code Switching is Here, Dec 4th Marcos & la Guagua Will be at BXCCThanks to everyone who helped make the Code Switching album release concert a beautiful celebration of diverse community and powerful music.<br><br>Now you can get Code Switching at <a contents="cdbaby.com/cd/marcoslaguagua" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marcoslaguagua" target="_blank">cdbaby.com/cd/marcoslaguagua</a><br><br>$11 on compact disc, $9.50 digital download<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/61113/f43c5f8cfa9089e2d214230900acdbd3ca55b3d0/original/code-switching-logo-for-printing.jpg?1417305146" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>And you can see songs from the album performed live this Thursday December 4th, at Bronx Community College (BXCC) 12-2pm. I am honored to be the featured artist at the BXCC Writing Center Poet's Cafe, Sage Hall Room 100. The event is free and YOU are invited! Bring poetry or music to share or just come to listen. Take the 4 train to Burnside Avenue walk west up Burnside to University Ave, turn right to the campus gate. From the University Ave entrance walk up the main path at BXCC till you pass Meister Hall, Turn left, continue to Sage Hall. Plan on bringing ID to show the guard at the campus gate.<br><br>Marcos & la Guagua comes to life when my songs reach the hearts and body/minds that they were meant for.<em> La Guagua</em> means to move you. If you like what we're doing, please share it with someone else you think might be blessed by it. I'm always happy to hear from you too.<br><br>Thanks for your support. <br><br>Thanks for listening,<br><br>MarcosMarcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/32346352014-10-15T19:58:13-04:002014-10-15T19:58:13-04:00Marcos & la Guagua Album Release Concert Nov 21st<p>Beloved Community,<br><br>Friday November 21st, 7pm<br>Marcos & la Guagua presents: <br><em>Code Switching</em><br>Album release concert<br>Trinity Lutheran Church 164 W 100th Street, Manhattan<br><br>I will be performing songs from my debut album <i>Code Switching</i>, in a beautiful space that has helped me find my voice. Everything sounds better with the gracious acoustics of the sanctuary of <a contents="TLCofNYC" data-link-label="Video" data-link-type="page" href="trinitylutherannyc.org" target="_blank">TLCofNYC</a>. I invite you to be a part of our journey. <i>La Guagua means to move you</i>.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">Check out a video of a recent show to have an idea of what we'll have to share with you.</p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><a contents="MarcosandlaGuagua.com/video" data-link-label="Video" data-link-type="page" href="/video" target="_blank">MarcosandlaGuagua.com/video</a></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">More details soon.</p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Thanks for Listening,</p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/31415742014-08-17T19:01:56-04:002014-08-19T12:16:36-04:00Ten Thoughts on Immigration and Freedom<span class="font_regular">I am not an expert on immigration. But, my friendships with immigrants are important to me. I think most folks in our country want the USA to be a friend to immigrants. I think many people in the Judeo-Christian faith tradition (which I am a part of) want our congregations to be friends to immigrants. If that is our goal, it seems that the usual debates in the mainstream media are not helping us. I suggest we need to start from different perspectives. What if we started with:</span>
<p><span class="font_regular">1- For Christians: Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus identifies himself with the most vulnerable. If we love and serve Jesus we must focus on loving and serving vulnerable people. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="font_regular">2- Immigration is not usually anyone's first choice. People normally prefer to stay in their homelands.The most effective way to reduce immigration is to work to improve conditions in all countries. If conditions are OK at home, most people will not leave.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">3- The most effective way to reduce illegal immigration, is to make legal immigration easier. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">4- People have innate rights, not countries or borders. Countries have no innate right to keep out non-violent workers, children, or refugees. Non-violently crossing a border is not immoral.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">5- Countries have the responsibility to protect their people from hostile military forces, and criminals, border security is one tool to accomplish this. Protection from hostile military forces and criminals should be the primary and limited purpose of border security.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">6- Militarization of borders is dangerous for everyone. Border militarization is often a characteristic of violent, oppressive states such as North Korea.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">7- Militarized borders benefit criminals by creating a new product for smugglers. As Al Capone gained power from the prohibition of alcohol, so do cross border smugglers gain power from the prohibition of non-violent immigrant workers, children, and refugees.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">8- If capital and corporations move across borders, workers will move across borders as well.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">9- Our country, our planet, and our universe are filled with an abundance of good things. There is more than enough for everyone. If this doesn't seem to be the case, it is an illusion created by injustice or poor distribution of resources.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">10- Countries have the responsibility to remediate harm which their policies or economies have caused.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">Does any of that seem helpful? Sometimes, when I have strong feelings about an issue, I make a song about it. But, right now I am trying to focus on releasing an album. So I thought I'd try typing out some thoughts using sentences instead. I hope that the audience that is coming together around this Guagua project, is a community of folks that welcome thoughtful and loving discussion. Pues, avisame que piensan ustedes.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">Peace, Blessings, and Thanks for Listening,</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="font_regular">Marcos</span></p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/30559782014-07-03T15:35:38-04:002014-07-08T00:38:35-04:00Música Boricua By RequestMy voice as a songwriter first poured out of me as I studied under Afri-Puerto Rican roots music masters such as Modesto Cepeda, en la Isla del Encanto. As promised, <em>Patria de Dios </em>and <em>Cantaré mi Bomba </em> will be streaming for free here for a limited time. Soon they will be included in my new album. The project has now grown from an EP into a full length album, probably to be called "Code Switching", and probably to be released in the fall.<br><br>Thanks for Listening,<br><br>MarcosMarcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/25228182014-02-04T20:46:02-05:002014-02-04T20:46:02-05:00Mister WonderfulMister Wonderful is (in his opinion) the most awesome romance novel hero of all time. Thanks to<a contents="&nbsp;Leanna Renee Hieber" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.leannareneehieber.com" target="_blank"> Leanna Renee Hieber</a> and <a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_21" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=256974531006107&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.hopetarr.com" id="js_22" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; " target="_blank">Hope Tarr</a> for inviting me to produce the song for Lady Jane's Salon romance reading series, which benefits <a contents="WIN" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://winnyc.org" target="_blank">WIN</a>/Women In Need. <br><br>Video coming soon.<br><br>Thanks for Listening,<br><br>MarcosMarcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/24509672014-01-22T22:09:01-05:002014-01-23T04:02:57-05:00Time for the EPI have some stuff I think you should hear. I think you'll find that it's worth listening to. A spoken word intro, 6 songs, and an adorable audio snippet from my Abuelita. 27 musical minutes. Some of it, I hope, you might wanna listen to again and again.<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I made this music in the past years of wandering in the desert of the soul, hearing voices, and trying to find my voice. In those years, I probably recorded a thousand minutes. Now I think I've begun to find my artistic voice. I've chosen 27 minutes out of the thousand, to represent what I am becoming as an artist. </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br>I envision this as a small scale, self release, of mainly DIY tracks.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Do you have any advice on how to do this well? Should I ask for listener/fan support, or keep it very simple and put it on my credit card?</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">CD release party? Where, when?</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Any thoughts on Album art, CD cases, iTunes, Soundcloud, or Amazon?</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I'd love to hear your thoughts as professionals or as listeners.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Thanks for being a part of the community that has nurtured this music.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Paz,</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Marcos</p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/20621752013-11-17T00:49:11-05:002013-11-17T00:49:11-05:00Featured in the Inspired Word All Stars!<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; ">Please come out and support our musical mission of reconciliation in:<br>The Inspired Word All Stars</div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; ">Thursday November <span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 204); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">21st</span>, 7pm</div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; ">at Bareburger, 2nd Ave and 5th Street, 2nd floor, Manhattan</div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; ">$10 cover</div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; "> </div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; "> Marcos & la Guagua, my musical vehicle, will rock out a 20 minute set. I am excited about the music we have to share with you! Plus, we will share the bill with other "All Star" artists presented by Mike Geffner's inspired Word series. Please mention Marcos & la Guagua at the door, and it will benefit us directly.</div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; "> </div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; "> Horace Beasley will join me on piano and backing vocals. Horace is a master vocalist, versatile keyboard stylist, and director of </div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; ">music at <a contents="TLCofNYC" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.trinitylutherannyc.org" target="_blank">TLC of NYC</a>. Rehearsals have been going great!</div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; "> </div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; ">Please come out and participate in what Marcos & la Guagua is becoming.</div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; "> </div>
<div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; ">
<div>Thanks for Listening,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Marcos</div>
<div> </div>
</div>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/10953022013-07-09T12:49:58-04:002013-07-09T12:49:58-04:00A Lot To Listen ToBy the time I'm done uploading there will be about 20 tracks available to listen to and download for free on GuaguaElectrica.com<br><br>
Including a bit of almost every journey Marcos & Guagua Electrica has taken so far:<br><br>
Guagua <i>Boricua</i>-Puerto Rican roots music<br>
Guagua <i>Gospel</i>-Christian devotional<br>
Guagua <i>Clásica</i>- My alter ego: Marcos de Jesús Wille makes alt classical music<br>
Guagua <i>Urbana</i>-Urban sounds, like Hiphop and spoken word<br>
Guagua <i>Política</i>- Songs that Take a stand<br>
Guagua <i>Comercíal</i>- Jingles and underscoring<br>
Guagua <i>Dramática</i>- Music for the theatre or that tells a story<br><br>
What works? What isn't working? <br>
Please tell me what you think and feel about this music.<br><br>
The recording quality on some tracks are rough or downright primitive, but I have only shared tracks that I think have something beautiful to them, something worth sharing. I hope these tracks will allow you to hear the promise of the musical journeys Marcos & Guagua Electrica could take in the future.<br><br>
I've also left off most of the tracks I may release with a little more fanfare (as an EP/short album) later in the year. Those tracks will have a little better production values, Patria de Dios is a preview of what the album will sound like.<br><br>
Thanks for Listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br><br>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/2789462013-01-11T12:55:00-05:002013-01-11T12:55:00-05:00La Patria de Dios: My note to WNYCDear Travelers,<br><br>
I'm entering "La Patria de Dios" into WNYC radio's Battle of the Boroughs 2013. Stay tuned for news on the contest. Here's a little of what I told WNYC about the song:<br><br>
"¡El Sur del Bronx es la Patria de Dios! (The South Bronx is God's Country!)<br><br>
For years, this was a dicho my grandmother would often repeat to me. A dicho is an expression which may be repeated at "teachable moments" to pass on and internalize cultural wisdom. But, unlike most dichos de mi abuelita, this is not a common expression. "¡El Sur del Bronx es la Patria de Dios!" is a kernel of uncommon wisdom which, as far I know, my grandmother coined all by herself. In coining this new expression she syncretized influences as diverse as Liberation Theology and Country/Western music, into a simple phrase. <br><br>
I think I'm doing something similar in my song "La Patria de Dios". It's a 21st century latino folk song. It's not complicated. It's meant to be a dicho you can dance to. But, it does bring together diverse influences. In "La Patria de Dios" the rhythm of Puerto Rican Plena, is subtly seasoned with influences of acapela styles such as vocal jazz, gospel, and barbershop. <br><br>
What did Abuelita mean by saying:" The South Bronx is God's Country."?<br><br>
I could say more about it, but I'd rather sing about it. So please give "La Patria de Dios" a listen. Feel free to dance along. Below you may follow the lyrics and an English translation. <br><br>
Peace, Blessings, and Thanks for Listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br><br>
La Patria de Dios<br>
Por Marcos Emanuel de Jesús<br>
para mi Abuelita, Rev Marie Aviles de Jesús<br>
Coro<br>
Yo me fui a pasear por la Patria de Dios (I went walking through God's country<br>
Por la Patria de Dios(2x)<br><br>
Yo me fui a pasear por la Patria de Dios (I went walking through God's country<br>
el Sur del Bronx-¡La Patria de Dios! the South Bronx: God's Country)<br><br>
Verso 1<br><br>
Si queires hermano, yo te puedo llevar (If you'd like, brother, I could take you<br>
a ver los signos de Cristo Vivo to see the signs of Christ Alive<br>
Renacimiento, Resureción Rebirth, Resurrection<br>
El camino de la Cruz y la Patria de Dios The Way of the Cross, and God's Country.)<br><br>
Coro<br>
Yo me fui a pasear por la Patria de Dios (I went walking through God's country<br>
Por la Patria de Dios(2x)<br><br>
Yo me fui a pasear por la Patria de Dios (I went walking through God's country<br>
el Sur del Bronx-¡La Patria de Dios! the South Bronx: God's Country!)<br><br>
etc.<br>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/2682462012-12-18T08:50:00-05:002012-12-18T08:50:00-05:00Happy Holidays and Tax the Rich!<br>
It may seem like a song called "Tax the Rich" is not good holiday music. But, I think it fits very well with the true meanings of this sacred season. Please listen to the song, and let me know if you get what I mean.<br><br>
You see:"Tax the Rich!"is a phrase which is treated as if it were <i>profane</i> in this culture.<br><br>
But, I think taxing the rich can be such an important part of building a better society, that the phrase:" Tax the Rich!" should be regarded as sacred. And saying :"Tax the Rich!" should be regarded as uttering a blessing.<br><br>
This holiday season, when we say:"Happy Holidays!" maybe we should also say: "Tax the Rich!"<br><br>
Because saying:"Tax the rich!" is like saying: " I love you!" to a whole society.<br><br>
Saying:"Tax the rich!" is celebrating Ujamaa, cooperative economics, which is the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, and recognizing the logic of Ubuntu:" I am because we are." <br><br>
Saying: "Tax the rich!" is taking a moment of Chanukah (which literally means:"Dedication"), and committing ourselves to not let the light of peace with justice go out all year long.<br><br>
And saying:"Tax the rich!" ain't nearly as radical as what Mary sang when the angel appeared to her with God's vision for redemption of the world through her womb( <a target="_new" href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=222857967">Luke 1.46-55</a>), but it is a good start...<br><br>
This holiday season, the mainstream media and the major party politicians tell us that because "the 99% have been naughty" we should lower our expectations for the new year. But, we can dispel their lies with the powerful incantation of the simple truth: "We don't need to accept austerity, recessions, and oppression-WE CAN TAX THE RICH!"<br><br>
So, happy (belated) Chanukah! Happy solstice! I wish you an enlightening and joyful Kwanzaa! Una feliz Navidad, and a new year filled with abundant life! <br><br>
And if you agree about the gospel of progressive taxation, turn to someone you love, give them a fist bump or a hug, and teach them this chant*:<br><br>
Call:"Tax the Rich!<br><br>
Response:"All the time!"<br><br>
Call:"All the time!"<br><br>
Response:"Tax the Rich!<br><br>
Thanks for listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br><br>
*The chant, of course, comes from the spiritual genius of the African American Church. The traditional version which many folk may know is: <br><br>
Call:"God is good!<br><br>
Response:"All the time!"<br><br>
Call:"All the time!"<br><br>
Response:"God is good!"<br><br>
Amen<br>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/2567302012-11-25T18:30:00-05:002012-11-25T18:30:00-05:00I'm Looking for A Few Good Listeners After benefiting from helpfull feedback and advice from some of you, my debut album is almost ready for release in early 2013.<br><br>
But, if you haven't heard it yet, and If you'd like to join the comunity of First Listeners who are helping me bring this album into the world.<br><br>
1-Use the contact link here at GuaguaElectrica.com <br><br>
2-Let me know you'd like to be First Listener to Guagua Electrica's debut album<br><br>
3-And I'll respond with a secret link and about eight questions I'd like you to respond to after you've had a chance to listen<br><br>
Thanks to all the First Listeners whose feedback has already helped make this a much better album then it was 6 months ago.<br><br>
Contact me soon if you'd like to help bring this project across the finish line.<br><br>
And check out my latest versions of a couple of tracks which will be on the album at GuaguaElectrica.com<br><br>
Thanks for Listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br type="_moz">Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/2567192012-11-25T17:58:51-05:002012-11-25T17:58:51-05:00Art versus Life My last blog post seems a bit odd after hearing the allegations toward Kevin Clash recently.<br><br>
Agape has a great song addressing these issues<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.myspace.com/agapedave/music/songs/art-imitate-life-73788673">Art Imitate Life</a><br><br>
I don't have anything deeper to add.<br><br>
And, I still love Elmo.<br type="_moz">Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/2030222012-08-21T18:35:00-04:002012-08-21T18:35:00-04:00¡Elmo te Ama!/Yes, Elmo loves you! I auditioned for Sesame Street yesterday. I'm not sure if I'm gonna get a call back. But, I did make the NYC local news singing: "Elmo Me Ama". I hope Elmo sees the video! The line of folks waiting to be seen was long, but everyone I was in line with was really nice, simpático, like Muppets. And after a while we started to play drums and sing the "Elmo me Ama" song to lift our spirits. "Elmo me Ama" BTW is "Cristo me Ama" or "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" with new lyrics. And I think it's just as true about Elmo as it is about Jesus...No matter who you are, they love you.<br><a target="_new" href="http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8780164&pid=null">http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8780164&pid=null<br><br><br type="_moz"><br></a>
<object id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268"><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=fw1000&station=wabc&section=&mediaId=8780164&parentId=null&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site=">
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<embed id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=fw1000&station=wabc&section=&mediaId=8780164&parentId=null&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site="></embed></object>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1821782012-06-22T05:35:00-04:002012-06-22T05:35:00-04:00My Wisconsin (My Country Years) Listen to a complete performance now! Mi Gente,<br><br>
I'm happy to share (for free download) a new recording of My Wisconsin aka My Country Years. It's a one woman Opera setting my mom's essay, about growing up on a dairy farm in Mequon Wisconsin. <br><br>
This is not a studio quality recording, but it does include generous and strong performances by the virtuosic <a target="_new" href="http://www.orfeoduo.com/home.html">Orfeo Duo</a> (Violin and Piano), and the lovely, expressive, and incomparable<a target="_new" href="http://www.leannareneehieber.com"> Leanna Hieber</a> (soprano). I hope this performance also gives you a sense of my intentions and interests as a composer. <br><br>
Would you like a Studio Quality recording? Hollaback-If enough people ask for it, I'll set up a Kickstarter to make it a reality.<br><br>
Would you like to perform or study the work? Send me a message via the contact link on guaguaelectrica.com and I'll be happy to share the score. I reserve the rights to the work, but I promise to make it easy to share and perform. The complete lyrics are below.<br><br>
Let me know what you think, and feel about MY WISCONSIN (MY COUNTRY YEARS).<br><br>
Thanks for Listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br><br><br>
My Wisconsin<br>
Text by Carolyn Wille-Rivera, edited and arranged by Marcos E de Jesús Wille<br>
I-Home<br><br>
I can’t sleep. <br>
I’m sitting at a desk, <br>
Staring at a computer in San Juan, Porto Rico.<br>
-I mean- <br>
Puerto Rico<br><br>
It’s cool (by Puerto Rican standards) outside,<br>
But hot, hot, HOT inside.<br>
Coquís, tiny tree frogs forming a chorus after rain.<br>
It’s lovely and I know I’ll miss it if I ever leave.<br>
But it’s not home.<br><br>
I am not home<br><br>
Puerto Rico has natural beauty and nice people, <br>
But, tonight I’m homesick.<br>
I’m remembering my country years, <br>
Growing up on a small dairy farm in Mequon Wisconsin.<br><br>
I liked roaming the fields, <br>
Making up stories<br>
About little people <br>
Living in forests of alfafa.<br><br>
I liked bringing the cows to the barn for their mid-day drink of water, <br>
And observing their “pecking order”,<br>
As the more docile cows waited their turn for water.<br><br>
After supper, I looked forward to taking my dog, Prince, along<br>
To round up the cows.<br>
(My father never believed me, <br>
But Princie did accomplish this feat,<br>
One time!)<br><br>
I also enjoyed standing at the gate, calling, <br>
“Come, bass”.<br>
Some of them came, sometimes.<br>
Mostly, not.<br><br>
My heart swelled as I contemplated the sun setting<br>
Over the area of the parcel that we called “Cuba”.<br>
(All we knew was that a man had lived there <br>
And had put up a sign over his door that said: “Cuba”)<br><br><br>
I remember the summer that I tamed wild tigers<br>
Born high in the Haymow.<br>
All tigers became loveable and docile kittens,<br>
And eventually vicious mousers.<br><br>
I may be-I am- far from Wisconsin, but my heart is still in Wisconsin. <br>
It’s my Wisconsin and I’m home…<br>
And I’m home…<br><br>
II-Edgar Wille <br><br>
I remember my father, Edgar Wille, Edgar Wille.<br><br>
Who, despite an eigth-grade education,<br>
Was not only literate<br>
But who knew when to plant and harvest crops<br>
At just the right times.<br>
Edgar Wille, Edgar Wille<br><br>
And who, though not an agronomist,<br>
Understood the benefits of crop rotation<br>
And the appropriate use of manure.<br>
Edgar Wille, Edgar Wille<br><br>
And who, though not meteorologist,<br>
Knew each cloud,<br>
And what it could, and could not do. <br>
He knew tomorrow’s weather <br>
Better than the men on TV.<br>
Edgar Wille, Edgar Wille.<br><br>
He was, in his own way, a naturalist<br>
Who would pause from his work <br>
To observe the migration of geese. <br><br>
He also would report<br>
On the sighting of a fox,<br>
Deer (not so common then),<br>
Or a garter snake, sunning itself on a rock.<br><br>
Edgar Wille…My Edgar Wille…Our Edgar Wille…Oh Edgar Wille!<br>
My Pa.<br><br>
He was not an agronomist,<br>
He was not a meteorologist.<br>
He was a naturalist.<br>
Quite literate<br>
In the reading of Word,<br>
Crop,<br>
Soil,<br>
And cloud.<br><br>
He read earth…and clouds.<br><br>
III-Esther Wille<br><br>
And I remember my mother, Esther Wille<br><br>
I remember my mother, Esther Wille,<br>
And I remember the excitement of the first day of Ozaukee County Fair.<br>
Waiting until early morning, to pick fresh flowers for the competition,<br>
She would fill the basement with zinnias, marigolds, petunias and more.<br>
I can still recall the scents…<br><br>
Then on to Cedarburg to participate in the first highlight of summer.<br>
My mother also entered the bread competition. <br>
One year, she won $50 from Midas Flour <br>
She won $50 from Midas Flour<br>
She won $50 from Midas Flour and treated my sister and me:<br>
To ice cream.<br><br>
She also entered canning.<br>
Sadly, one year her blue-ribbon peaches were stolen.<br>
(Yes, there was crime, even back then)<br><br>
The other high point of summer was the Wisconsin State Fair.<br>
-The Wisconsin State Fair-<br><br>
My mother was the star-the unofficial pickle queen-<br>
The unofficial pickle queen!<br><br>
Her dill pickles, cherry dills, bread and butter pickles, <br>
And others, won so many prizes that a reporter from the Milwaukee Journal<br>
Came to our farm to interview her.<br><br>
Mom was practically famous.<br><br>
I remember my mother Esther Wille.<br><br><br><br><br>
IV-Freistadt<br><br>
There are other memories, <br>
But, mostly I remember the land,<br>
The gentle inclines,<br>
The low spots, and the higher spots<br>
With a view of the woods,<br>
And the steeple of Trinity Lutheran Church<br>
Freistadt<br>
Beyond.<br>
Our Freistadt,<br>
Beyond.<br><br>
When I think of “home”, <br>
I think of the land,<br>
Fifty-eight and a half acres, on Wauwatosa Road.<br><br>
I feel the land beneath my feet.<br>
I become aware of the alfalfa and the oats<br>
As they brush against my legs. <br><br>
I smell the aroma of freshly cut hay.<br>
I again experience the pungent dampness of the cow’s breath<br>
And I remember the dust in the lane<br>
As the cows trudge towards the barn.<br><br>
I may be-I am- far from Wisconsin, but my heart is still in Wisconsin. <br>
It’s my Wisconsin and I’m home…<br>
I’m home.<br><br>21:38Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1761822012-06-08T07:20:00-04:002012-06-08T07:20:00-04:00On Wisconsin/On Wisconsin!I came home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week, in order to help get out the vote ahead of the election to recall Gov Scott Walker. According to the official vote tally, we lost. I’ve heard media voices from around the state, country, and even on the BBC declaring the “meaning” of this election. And I’d like to offer my perspective, as a person with roots here and in NYC, and a multi-cultural perspective.<br><br>
To begin with, I’m still proud of Wisconsin. I still love and respect my friends and family members who see these issues differently. I think progressives in Wisconsin can be proud of what they’ve accomplished considering the odds stacked against them. But…<br><br>
What does Walker's victory mean?<br><br>
1) Money matter's. <br><br>
Let's be real. If Barret had raised 3, 8, or 10 times more than Walker. The result easily could have been a big victory for Barret. I’m not being inconsistent. I think raising more money helped Obama beat Mc Cain. And I’m not saying only certain other people are influenced by how money becomes speech and power. We’re all influenced by this. I might have been more enthusiastic, if it hadn’t been for the power of negative media spin to make me feel discouraged.<br><br>
2) You can't fight the Right from the Center<br><br>
Basic progressive ideas are what sparked this movement: Wokers rights are human rights. 99% of us are working class (whether or not we can find work at the moment). We deserved a candidate who would stand on these issues. Tom Barret did not.<br><br>
3) Progressive leaders need to follow the grass roots, not the other way around.<br><br>
4) Right wing forces can still win in Wisconsin by divide and conquer politics. But this victory is one of the last for a dying regime based on a 20th century paradigm, continuing to follow this paradigm will only lead to further decline in the 21st century. <br><br>
Scott Walker's backward 20th century paradigm: Blame workers with decent pay and benefits, blame Unions that represent them, blame the Cities, blame the public schools, colleges, and universities, blame the youth, and implicitly blame the parts of Wisconsin that are racially and culturally diverse. Then while folks are distracted by the blame game, enact policies that make his 1% masters richer and more powerful. <br><br>
However, If Wisconsin's future is to be a bright one for the 99%, all workers deserve decent pay and benefits and many will need Unions to win better pay and benefits. If Wisconsin's economy is going to turn around, the Cities must be the primary economic engine (the ex-urban model of lend and sprawl is broken, and it's not coming back). Accessible and excellent public schools, colleges, and Universities shall be the most important institutions for building Wisconsin's future. If Wisconsin wants to be relevant as these United States becomes a majority of color nation in the 21st century, Wisconsin must embrace diversity. And of course, the youth are our future, and they are worthy of praise. <br><br>
On Wisconsin!<br><br>
Let me know what you think about these issues.<br><br>
Thanks for listening,<br><br>
Marcos de Jesus Wille<br><br><br>0:48Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1426962012-02-24T08:05:00-05:002012-02-24T08:05:00-05:00Debut Album Coming SoonI'm putting the finishing touches on Guagua Electrica's first album of Urban Latino Futuristic Folklor Music. I hope to release it within the next few months.<br><br>
I want to include my best home cooked tracks, as well as songs featuring Jorge Castro and Horace Beasley. I am a musical omnivore, and we are what we eat. So my challenge has been to clarify how many genres I could include, and still build a cohesive audience. I love to compose in tons of different genres. But, God first gave me a voice as a songwriter, through the streets, mi familia, the church, and folklor boricua. You could think of my upcoming first record as a saturday walk around the Barrio, a jam session with Abuelita, and a visit to church the next morning. <br><br>
If you're willing to respond to a brief survey, you could be a beta listener, and get the chance to hear it first, for free. Send me a message via the contact link at the top of the page and I'll get back to you with more info.<br type="_moz"><br>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1283192011-12-13T08:35:00-05:002011-12-13T08:35:00-05:00Express Yourself! Choose your favorite Guagua Electrica song for Battle of the Boroughs Familia,<br><br>
My musical battle bus is about to enter the fray, and I need your help...<br><br>
Please help me pick the best one of my songs to enter into WNYC's 2012 Battle of the Boroughs Talent Contest.<br><br>
WNYC's site says:<br>
"Artists will be selected based on the following criteria:<br>
-Technical Excellence (a high-level of proficiency and skill in the selected art form)<br>
-Innovation (a uniquely individual approach and style to the work)<br>
-Artistry (honoring and expanding the genre or discipline)<br>
-Performance Quality (providing a polished product that achieves all of the aforementioned elements)"<br><br>
Here are the tunes I'm considering:<br><br>
1) Escuchando a su iPod<br>
2) Mychal's Prayer<br>
3) La Patria de Dios<br>
4) Cantaré mi Bomba<br><br>
They will all be availiable for free download at guaguaelectrica.com for the next week.<br><br>
Please shoot me a message via email, facebook, or commenting on my blog to let me know which song you think would be best, and why.<br><br>
Thanks for listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br><br>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1225102011-11-09T07:29:04-05:002017-02-01T16:28:40-05:00Guagua Classica: MY WISCONSIN on Youtube Muchisimas gracias to everyone who came out to the premiere of MY WISCONSIN.<br><br>
I was very moved by your appreciation of this heartfelt piece of music theater. I am grateful to Leanna Hieber and the Orfeo Duo for their vibrant and nuanced performances. <br><br>
Right now the first movement is up on <a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt2PrPbU9U4">youtube</a> for your enjoyment. Leanna, the <a target="_new" href="http://www.orfeoduo.com/home.html">Orfeo Duo</a> and I are going to get together again soon to make a "studio" recording of MY WISCONSIN. Stay tuned and you'll get to hear it here first! <br><br>
Thanks for Listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br><br type="_moz">Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1194902011-10-20T20:10:00-04:002011-10-20T20:10:00-04:00Guagua Classica: MY WISCONSIN Please come out for the world premiere of my song cycle: MY WISCONSIN. This is a big new adventure for me. It's a 22 minute piece of classical music for Mezzo Soprano, violin, and piano, to be sung by my foremost interpreter Leanna Hieber. The text is by my mom, Carolyn Wille-Rivera. In it she reflects on her farm-girl childhood. I hope you'll find MY WISCONSIN to be poignant, dramatic, and sweet. MY WISCONSIN be featured on the program: A Harvest of Neighborhood Music, presented by the <a href="http://www.orfeoduo.com/neighborhood.html">Orfeo Duo</a> Sunday November 6th 1:30 pm at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church 521 West 126th Street, 1/2 block West of Amsterdam, $10 suggested donation at the door.Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1167622011-10-01T06:25:00-04:002017-02-01T16:18:57-05:00Guagua Politica: 212-679-6018 A Legal Help Number for Civil DisobedienceLast week when I marched with the protest movement <a target="_new" href="http://occupywallst.org">Occupy Wall St</a>, we were told to memorize this Legal Aid number in case we were arrested: 212-679-6018. I made this song to help people memorize it. The song is inspired by traditional African American work songs and spirituals. In particular the song from the prayer meeting scene in <a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lQZF4c1G1I">Glory</a>.<br>
<br>
I hope the song is catchy and does it's job of getting 212-679-6018 stuck in your head. <br><br>
I just heard, that some other musicians have had the same idea. That's cool, I'm not trying to be clever. I'm only trying to be useful. I haven't heard the other song and I'm sorry if our songs are similar and any other musician is offended.<br><br>
Keep the faith, and...<br><br>
Thanks for Listening,<br><br>
Marcos<br type="_moz">1:05Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1135882011-09-08T16:15:00-04:002018-09-23T23:56:18-04:00Guagua Gospel: Remembering 9/11/2001 and Remembering Mychal Judge, OFM<p>Mychal's Prayer:<br><br>"Lord, take me where You want me to go,<br>Let me meet who You want me to meet,<br>Tell me what You want me to say,<br>And keep me out of Your way.<br>Amen."<br><br>Father Mychal Judge, who was a Franciscan Father, is the subject of the film SAINT OF 9/11. He gave a lifetime of service as an image of Christ on earth. For example, requested to be transfered to Manhattan in the 80's, so that he could minister to AIDS patients, at a time when doctors and nurses were refusing to touch patients with "Gay Cancer". Later Mychal gave years of service as a Chaplain to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).<br><br>He performed numerous religious services (baptisms, masses, funerals) for FDNY personel. In additon, it was his custom to monitor the radio and go to the sites of major emergencies. He wanted to be with the people he served at the site of emergencies, to offer practical help, and prayer. And so on the morning of September 11, 2001, Father Mychal was at the emergency command center at the base of the North Tower of the WTC. He was offering prayers and aid to the injured, the dead, and rescuers, when he was killed by debris from the collapse of the South Tower.<br><br>The New Testement calls us to "Pray without ceasing ". Even ten years after his death in the attacks of 9/11, Mychal's prayer has not ceased. His prayer was not silenced by hatred, violence, or homophobia. I hope that this song may lift his prayer into our hearts, and from our hearts to God's. In Father Mychal's last homily he said: ".You have no idea what God is calling you to. But he needs you. He needs me. He needs all of us." Amen.<br><br>For more of Mychal's story watch <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/177303/saint-of-911" target="_new">SAINT OF 9/11</a> or it's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYffWcZnghA" target="_new">trailer</a>. If you like this song just send me a message and I'll send you a live recording of it.<br><br>This song is also dedicated to Alan Olivieri, MD. Estoy muy orgulloso de ti. Que descansas en paz, tio. Te quiero.<br><br>Music by Marcos de Jesús, arrangement by Marcos and Horace Beasley. Main track recorded at <a href="http://www.trinitylutherannyc.org" target="_new">Trinity Lutheran Church</a> at 100th and Amsterdam; where Horace is our intrepidly talented music director and I often play the drums. Text based on the personal prayer of Fr. Mychal F. Judge, OFM. Marcos: vocals. Horace: piano. Thanks to Horace for his wonderful playing and wide ranging lessons. Thanks to Horace and Marilyn for helping me learn how to pray in song in the Gospel tradition.<br><br>Thanks for Listening,<br><br>Marcos<br> </p>Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/1093052011-08-16T20:00:00-04:002011-08-16T20:00:00-04:00Guagua Classica: Darker Still Leanna Renee Hieber wrote the book. I wrote the music. Check out the book trailer <a target="_new" href="http://leannareneebooks.blogspot.com/2011/08/official-book-trailer-for-darker-still.html">here</a> <br><br>
Get the book in November. Published by Sourcebooks Fire.<br type="_moz">Marcos de Jesústag:marcosemanuel.com,2005:Post/997552011-05-16T20:10:00-04:002011-05-16T20:10:00-04:00Guagua Boricua: Cantaré mi Bomba Comenzó con la Bomba Puertoriqueña.<br><br>
My vocation as a songwriter began with la Bomba puertoriqueña.<br><br>
I grew up in a musical environment, including:<br><br>
-My father Miguel’s hauntingly beautiful voice echoing through the house (He’s an especially formidable interpreter of classic Boleros).<br><br>
-Bach chorales and Gospel music in church.<br><br>
-Hip-hop on the streets and in school.<br><br>
I also had some formal musical experiences from an early age. I was blessed to learn my first latino drum beats from mi padrino, <a target="_new" href="http://worldhousemusic.org">Dr Abe Cáceres</a> when I was seven (Plena, Bolero, Tumbao, y Merengue). There also were voice and piano lessons, and experiences with classical music…<br><br>
But, I only began to feel that God had given me songs “that the angels cannot sing” after Bomba became the rhythm of my heart. After my semester long sojourn to study the African Roots of our Puerto Rican culture in 2001, me salio una voz… the drum beats and the dances called out songs to me. I started to use every spare moment I could to listen inside my head and scrawl in my notebooks.<br><br>
Muchismas gracias to my first Maestros de la Bomba puertoriqueña: <a target="_new" href="http://www.prtc.net/~escueladebombayplena/EBYP.htm">Modesto y Gladys Cepeda</a>, José Emanueli, y <a target="_new" href="http://www.paracumbe.org">Dr. Emanuel Dufrasne Gonzalez</a>.<br><br>
The lyrics of Cantaré mi Bomba tell more of this unfolding story. I'll share them along with a Spanish translation in my next post. And for those of ya'll who came looking for the songs from Sunday's Trinity Cabaret I'll have those up by Saturday.<br><br><br>Marcos de Jesús