Performing in the 2012 Green Show's Culturefest Saturday, October 6th.
Omar Offendum (matinee)
Syrian-American hip-hop artist/poet/peace activist performing in English and Arabic
Las Colibrí
A small, contemporary and feminine approach to mariachi music
OMAR OFFENDUM
Omar Offendum is a Syrian-American Hip-Hop artist - born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Washington DC, and living in Los Angeles. Known for taking audiences on a lyrical journey from the jasmine-tree-lined courtyards of Nizar Qabbani's Damascene homes, to the flooded riverbanks of Langston Hughes' Harlem Renaissance poems - Offendum has been featured on several major news outlets, toured the world to promote his ground-breaking music, helped raise thousands of dollars for various humanitarian relief organizations, lectured at a number of prestigious academic institutions, and most recently been involved in creating several critically-acclaimed songs about the popular democratic uprisings throughout the Middle East & North Africa. He is currently hard at work promoting his solo release - affectionately dubbed SyrianamericanA.
Omar Offendum on Community: My community are people of conscience with discerning taste & an open mind.
LAS COLIBRÍ
Las Colibrí, or "The Hummingbirds," have a passion for music deeply rooted in the tradition of mariachi. These women are flying into new territory as they take a smaller and contemporary approach to the performance of ranchera music. After years of achieving much individual success as instrumentalists and vocalists in various professional arenas, these women have come together to form a string ensemble that is like none other in the genre. Aside from their unique interpretation of traditional sones, huapangos, and rancheras, audiences will also recognize sounds of jazz, rock, oldies, and R&B through their innovative arrangements. With a lovely blend of vocal harmonies, beautiful smiles, and traditional mariachi instrumentation consisting of a Guitarrón (Bass), Guitar, Vihuela (Soprano Guitar), and Violins, Las Colibrí will be sure to get you laughing, crying, singing and even dancing to their contagious beats and melodies. Las Colibrí got their big break in 2009 working with the Latino comedy troupe "Culture Clash" in a production of Aristophanes' Peace at the Getty Villa directed by Bill Rauch, and in 2011 were a hit in OSF's production of Measure for Measure.
Las Colibrí on Community: Our community first and foremost are those that love music. There is no doubt that our music has a special way of touching the hearts of our Latin community, and especially those of Mexican heritage, but since we became part of the Oregon Shakespeare family in 2011, our community is right here in Oregon as well! We are interested in sharing our music to other Latino communities throughout the United States and making sure that the locals and new fans of Las Colibrí have a venue to see and hear us.
(photo: Las Colibrí)