Introducing Elena

Greetings, DZ friends of the online world!

I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself through the blog, since I’m relatively new to the band. I’m Elena, and I play the fiddle (as well as a bit of trumpet) in the group. It’s such a pleasure to be playing music with this group of folks for such energetic and loving audiences!

Two years ago, upon moving to Brooklyn, I never would have believed that I’d be traveling the country playing tunes for you all. Although music-making has always been an important part of my life, I spent my last years of college and post-college immersed in issues of urban policy, community development, and the nonprofit social justice world. I worked with community development organizations in wonderful South and West Chicago before moving to NYC to receive a grad degree in urban policy. Somewhere along the way, I began playing a lot of music again (how could I not, in this city of music and arts!) and eventually wound up with DZAF.

However, my two worlds are not mutually exclusive.

In addition to having incredible music-making fiestas, my involvement with DZAF has allowed me to explore cities and towns across the country, as well as discover amazing community arts and multicultural organizations. I’ve had a fantastic experience interacting with arts and cultural centers such as Inner City Arts in LA, El Taller in NYC, or Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center in San Pablo, CA, and witnessing unique and fascinating town activities (see Providence parade pics!).

Charlie Faye and DZ playing for the kids at Inner City Arts

Puppets in the Providence, RI parade

DZ cuts loose in the Providence, RI parade
photo by Andrea Moon Park

Tap dancer Derick Grant and DZ at Disneyworld

It’s inspiring to see so many examples of music and arts working to bring together young people and communities, and I look forward to many more fascinating township and community visits. I’ll hopefully be keeping photo records (and blog accounts) of our travels and of the wonderful, crazy and inspiring things we see along the way! I’ll also take snapshots of DZAF on the road… feel free to check them out!

Love,
Elena

A New Song! Una Nueva Canción!

It's still in the rough stages, but I'd still like to hear from you and know what you think...

Colas is a traditional son jarocho from Veracruz, Mexico introduced to me by the Villa-Lobos Brothers, a trio from Veracruz now living in Nueva York (they're in the above photo). The group also appear on the CD singing and playing the Mexican celebration song El Pijul.



This version of Colas isn’t exactly son jarocho and it’s not exactly rock and roll but everyone at the recording session agreed that the end result sounds like New York in the new century and invites wild dancing.

I know I have some pictures here somewhere...

love,
Dan

P.S. Here's who's making some joyful noises on Colas: Colin Brooks plays the drums. Sonia De Los Santos sings. John Foti is on accordion. Rob Friedman plays the lap steel. Elena Moon Park plays her violin. George Rush stops by to play tuba. Beto Villa-Lobos plays the Jarana guitar. Ernesto Villa-Lobos sings. Luis Villa-Lobos plays the violin. DZ sings and plays the electric guitar.