On a warm Sunday afternoon inside La Peña’s Cultural Center in Berkeley, the music of Easter Island met with the rhythmic dance elements of Argentina, Chile and Spain for “Divas Latinas: A cultural tribute to women, tradition and sound.”
Divas Latinas are Mahani Teave from Easter Island, Viviana Guzmán from Chile, and Kristelle Monterrosa from Spain—a mishmash of traditional music and influences.
“Divas Latinas has been my dream,” said Guzmán, the organizer of Divas, about finally having a dynamic group of women share a stage. “A dream that has taken a while to lift off.”
Toki, a non-profit organization lead by Teave and Enrique Icka, joined Divas Latinas to bring the music of Easter Island to the Bay Area. With only 5,800 people, the Polynesian island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean is one of the most remote inhabited places in the world.
“Very few people leave Easter Island,” said Guzmán, and added in reference to Teave and Icka: “this is a very unique opportunity.”
Rapa Nui is the name of the island in its native tongue as well as the name of the language, which is slowly disappearing.
“I sing most of my music in our language, because it is also a message to all of the young people on the island,” Icka said, who also plays the guitar.
Icka’s traditional guitar playing made way for Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player Astor Piazzolla’s’ music to come to life, accompanied by Guzmán’s vibrant flute and Teave’s melancholic piano notes.
Their interpretation of Piazzolla’s “Libertango” took the audience to the streets of Argentina and from there to Spain, to experience a powerful Flamenco.
“Niño déjame que baile, no pises mi blancor almidonado,” were the words recited by Flamenco dancer Monterrosa, as her quick footwork and rhythmic movements gave life to a poem by Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, “Romance de la Luna, Luna.”
La Peña felt vibrant and completely engaged in every tune and movement that radiated throughout the room. Teave then took some time to reflect on the past and promising future for the young people of Rapa Nui.
“I left really young to study music and I always wanted to help the island,” she said about the toll that globalization has had on the island in the past 20 to 30 years.
Teave, along with Icka, want to realize their dream of building a music school for the children of the Rapa Nui, who they say fall into bad habits because they aren’t given an opportunity.
“It’s a way to take kids away from the typical problems, which are in all native cultures—away from alcoholism and drugs,” Teave said.
The school—which was launched last year and already has 73 kids involved—will provide free piano, violin, cello, ukulele and theory lessons.
“They are making a change within their communities and creating a base for young people to have access to expression and traditional arts and culture,” percussionist and guest artist Jayson Fann said.
Keeping traditions alive and lending a helping hand without asking for anything in return was the rule of the night.
“This is the kind of work that really opens up people’s eyes into the things that are much more profound than the materialistic,” Paula Tejeda said, audience member and Chile Lindo restaurant owner.
If you would like to support and get more information about la Escuela de Música de Rapa Nui, please contact Toki at pianorapanui@gmail.com