Moros y Cristianos (“Moors and Christians” in English) is a popular Cuban dish that uses black beans and white rice. Two decidedly different ingredients, true. Yet when combined the result can be utterly delicioso.
Similarly, in life, it is the mixture of different elements that often gives birth to the novel.
So too, Contra-Tiempo, the Urban Latin Dance Theater founded six years ago by siblings Ana Maria Alvarez and Cesar Alvarez is a conglomeration of sorts, an eclectic performing arts organization that delights in innovation. Having performed across the nation and around the world, the Southern California dance company's feverish growth continues.
For the organization, cultural advancement is paramount, yet its artistic evolution is firmly rooted in tradition, history and heritage.
With the world premiere of Contra-Tiempo’s “Full Still Hungry” at the Ford Amphitheatre this Friday, audience-goers are in for a satisfying show overflowing with exuberant music and dance. The original score by Cesar Alvarez comes to life with the musical expertise of renowned performers Bobby Matos (percussionist) and singer Martha Gonzalez (of Quetzal fame), amongst others. The Latin, Salsa, and African beats are further demonstrated by the dance numbers that feature both professional dancers, as well as members of the youth dance group Contra-Tiempo Futuro.
Conceived and directed by Ana Maria Alvarez, the show’s theme is food, but not merely the substances that we eat for nourishment. Rather, through dance and music, food is explored, exposing and discovering its many political, social, cultural and personal ramifications.
In her own life, Ana Maria has clearly seen how food has influenced her. Whether recalling her fond childhood memories when food was a congenial element at family gatherings, or her blatant decision to abandon her vegetarian diet after twenty-two years, she realizes the emotional and extensive effect that food can have on each of us.
Examining food and its powerful impact has brought with it a range of suitable questions: How do we nourish ourselves? What do we crave? How do we find fulfillment?
And with the health-related concerns that have arisen nationwide, concerning obesity and related diseases, Alvarez is a proponent for discussing such issues.
However, despite the underlying theme of the show, she is emphatic that the implicit joy and liveliness of the show are dominant.
“We are not at all didactic in our approach, really,” she said. “We just want people to think about the food they consume.”
When it comes to social issues, stirring up the pot is not something new for Ana Maria and Cesar. Their parents were very political and worked as union organizers among textile industry workers, so as youngsters, Ana Maria and her younger brother were familiar with social activism.
Then too, their parents were from very different backgrounds. Their father was of Cuban heritage and still had relatives residing in Cuba under Fidel Castro’s iron fist; their mother came from the genteel southern section of the state of Georgia.
Similar to their hybrid heritage, Ana Maria says, the artistic expression she and her brother now encourage promotes multiplicity. That’s why, their current show features stepping, as well as Salsa, with a touch of Afro-Cuban folkloric, too.
And if the show gets people up on their feet and they start dancing in the aisles, so be it, says Ana Maria. That’s simply the power of the people.
She’s all for a revolution, but not one filled with force and fighting. This time around, she’d much rather suggest a different route--one with critical thinking, communication, problem solving and conversation.
(“Full Still Hungry” will be performed on Friday, September 22 at 8:30 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard East, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Click here to purchase tickets. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Patrons are welcome to arrive early, bring a picnic dinner, and enjoy the surrounding grounds. Pre-show (included in the price of admission) begins at 7:00 p.m. and features a Salsa dance lesson and a performance by Vox Femina Los Angeles, the renowned women’s choral group.)
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