La Peña presents a week of world female artists!

All events at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.
in Berkeley. 510-849-2568 http://www.lapena.org

From August 12 to August 18, 2007, La Peña presents an extraordinary week of powerful renowned female artists, from Buenos Aires to Andalusia. La Peña stage will host an Argentinean Latin Grammy nominee, a Berkeley multi-octave range and multilingual venerated singer, a Bay Area Latina singer with her own powerful style who has produced her own album and music video and a mother and daughter from a family who has contributed generations of Flamenco artists in Spain.

Sunday, August 12
Direct from Buenos Aires! María Volonté. Argentine vocalist and Latin Grammy nominee, María Volonté, is celebrated for her ability to move audiences with her innovative and intensely personal performances of the music of Buenos Aires. In this one-woman show, María reveals herself at her most intimate. 7:30pm $13 adv. $15 dr. More artist info at http://www.mariavolonte.com

Thursday, August 16
Original and Traditional Latin Sounds. Milagro, not your typical salsa or Latin rock band. Milagro has created a sultry show that is sophisticated and warm, yet at times, edgy and sensual. "You're a diamond in the rough, girl...well on your way to national recognition!" -Pete Escovedo. Carmen Milagro's performances are extremely pleasing to the musical palate with songs in both Spanish and English, sexy originals and traditional covers that focus on romance, melody and harmony that stir emotions and inspire you to dance or sing. 8pm $10 gen. $8 students w/ID. More artist info at http://www.carmzworld.com

Friday, August 17
Come and listen to the sultry songs, sizzling samba and swirling salsa of Alexa Weber Morales. Alexa will be performing songs from her recently released second CD, Vagabundeo, plus plenty of danceable Latin favorites. The band will feature Murray Low on piano, Jeff Chambers on bass, and Edgardo Cambón on percussion and vocals, among others. Don't miss it! 8pm $12 gen. $10 students w/ID. More artist info at http://www.alexawebermorales.com

Saturday, August 18
The Bay Area Flamenco Partnership presents Flamenco Direct from Andalusia, Spain: Gypsy dancer from Sevilla/Lebrija, Concha Vargas with her daughter, singer Carmen de Quintín, dancer Clara Mora and legendary flamenco guitarist David Serva. Concha Vargas is directly related to both of the two great Gypsy singing families of Lebrija, the Pininis and the Peñas. Her heritage is the pure Gypsy Flamenco that is the root of her dynamic, fiery style. She has performed all over Europe, Japan and the US for over 25 years and has worked with such flamenco greats as dancers El Guito and Mario Maya, guitarist Pedro Bacán and singers La Macanita and Curro Fernandez. Still in her late teens Carmen de Quintín is an expressive singer and dancer, steeped in the traditions of her family and attuned to the latest trends in modern flamenco. She performs regularly throughout Andalusia, Spain. David Serva has accompanied such historical figures of flamenco as Juan Talega, Manolito de María, La Perla de Cádiz, Anzonini del Puerto and Fernanda de Utrera. He has also recorded extensively with three generations of the Agujetas family of singers from Jerez de la Frontera, with Antonio Vizárraga, and with Rafael Jiménez "El Falo". 8:30 pm $30 adv. $35 dr. (Limited $45 Premium seating available). For information on workshops and private classes visit http://www.laninaflamenco.com