February 06, 2009, Danzón celebrates six months in the Jardín, By Leonardo Rosen

Danzón celebrates six months in the Jardín
By Leonardo Rosen

Danzón and Other Dance Rhythms
Orquesta Marimba “Tono 13”

Sun, Feb 8, 1–3pm & 6–8pm
Sun, Feb 22, 1–3pm & 6–8pm
Sun, Mar 8, 1–3pm & 6–8pm
Sun, Mar 22, 1–3pm & 6–8pm

Jardín
Free

San Miguel’s municipal government has been presenting El Danzón y Otros Ritmos Bailables con la Orquesta Marimba “Tono 13” in the Jardín for six months. We started in July 2008, so that with a month off in September for the Fiestas Patrias, we completed six months with our January 2009 events.

Thus, what started as a cultural experiment is becoming a tradition known not only in this city, but nationally. For me, it is a great honor and privilege to be part of it.

How did it happen? It’s no secret that anything really worthwhile is the result of hard work and good luck. The Club de Danzón Mercerina started to give classes at El Sindicato in the spring of 2007. We also tried to have public events with recorded music in the Plaza Cívica. This proved very problematic and we had to retreat back to El Sindicato. However, we didn’t give up. We continued with the classes and continued thinking of how there could be the same tradition of outdoor danzón events that existed all over Mexico—for example, in our neighbor cities of Celaya and Querétaro.

I was, and am, in the habit of visiting the port of Veracruz whenever I can. That city and México, DF, are the “Mecca and Medina” of danzón. In Veracruz, I do a lot of dancing to very fine orquestas danzoneras (full danzón orchestras).

However, there didn’t appear to be one in San Miguel and to import one would be costly, as was done with an event last November featuring La Primer Danzonera de América “Acerina.” During my stays in Veracruz, I listened to a lot of marimba bands, even becoming friendly with the lady güiro (scraped gourd) player of one of them. What impressed me was their versatility. They could play not only danzón, but any other Latin dance rhythm, as well as other types of music. I thought, “This is what we need: versatility and affordability.” However, where would we find one? San Miguel is not in marimba country.

Then occurred a miracle (yes, they do happen): I was walking on Ancha de San Antonio when, what do I hear in the distance? A marimba! There, near the entrance of the Instituto Allende two musicians were playing a marimba, while the güirista solicited propinas (the güiro is also good for holding money). They sounded good, so I approached at a near gallop. I wasted no time. “Show me your reportoire book. Do you have a CD to sell me? Give me your business card. What would you charge per hour for a larger group with the following instruments?” I must have sounded like a crazy person having a euphoria attack. However, since they saw that I knew exactly what I was looking for, they took me seriously. I told them that I had a very strong feeling they would be needed shortly and that I’d be in touch with them. That’s how I found the Orquesta Marimba “Tono 13.”

A second miracle occurred: We prepared a proposal in detail for the Director of Education and Culture of this city, Verónica Agundis. We sent it by email and also hand-delivered a copy, requesting a meeting ASAP.

My colleague Horacio Zepeda and I went to the meeting with our hearts pounding. We two grown men almost fainted right there and then when this intelligent and charming lady smiled and said to us, “Yes, we can do this.” Meetings were arranged with the group’s representative and the rest is history.

In my entire history of volunteer activity in San Miguel, I’ve never felt more satisfaction than in promoting and presenting two great traditions: the danzón, Cuba’s gift and Mexico’s pride, and the marimba, Africa’s gift and Mexico’s pride. I am deeply grateful to Verónica Agundis for taking a risk with this experiment. She is a person of very ample vision who thinks outside the box. I am also deeply grateful to the musicians of the Orquesta Marimba “Tono 13.” We took a chance with a group we didn’t know, and these artists have never let us down. At every event, to the delight of the public, they play their butts off! Nobody could do more than Verónica and “Tono 13” to make these events a success.

Long before this all came together, the core members of the Club de Danzón “Mercerina” stayed absolutely faithful to this effort, through good times and hard times. I have never known better colleagues and comrades than these. They are Mercedes Albarrán, Alberto Galicia, Merle Howard, Margarita and Enrique Sarabia, Alberta Galicia and Horacio Zepeda.

There are many more people to thank, but that takes much more space. I ask their understanding for reserving it until another time. They are in our warmest thoughts.

Danzón with “Tono 13” is a people’s fiesta. It belongs to everyone. It is a love-in that gives us joy and togetherness in the very best sense. If you’ve been there, we look forward to seeing you again. If you haven’t, please give us the opportunity to share the positive energy with you. For information, call Leonardo Rosen at 154-5840 or Dirección de Educación y Cultura at 152-2200.