Conjunto Zacamandu

Xavier "Big X" Montes

----- On Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, El Centrito Family Learning Centers will celebrate the rich culture of Mexico, and host its third annual Flor y Canto, Celebration of the Arts event. This event highlights young, local artists from Ventura County, and will feature a performance by Conjunto Zacamandu, led by Tomás Herrera, Master of Requinto Jarocho. The event will take place at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura. Tickets cost $75, and includes dinner, musical performance, and pre-dinner entertainment by renown harpist, Xavier "Big X" Montes. For ticket information, please call 483-8685. Tomás Herrera, commented that, "With pride and pleasure, we would like to present the gift of Son Jarocho, and through music, pass on culture and tradition to the next generation". Tomás began playing the requinto jarocho when he was nine years old, and has studied under the tutelage of master musician Lino Chavez, and others. Performing with Tomás are his children Nenetzin and Esteban Temilotzin Herrera, 13 and 10 years old. They will play the jarana jarocha, and both children are former preschool students of El Centrito's School Readiness Program. Joining Tómas are accomplished musicians Luis Albino Herrera and Xocoyotzin Moraza. Luis will also play the jarana jarocha, and began performing at four years of age. Xocoyotzin will perform the arpa jarocha, he began playing the harp at age six. Pre-dinner entertainment will be performed by Xavier "Big X" Montes, a well known harpist, who has performed for over 30 years. He has appeared with a variety of local musicians throughout California and has recorded four CDs. His most recent CD, released in October 2008 is titled Amor Amor, features several boleros (Mexican ballads) and original songs composed by Xavier.The funds raised from this event are earmarked for El Centrito's educational programs. El Centrito founded in 1992, is a non-profit community organization that promotes the educational success of motivated, English language learning families, by providing early education, after school, and parent leadership services. For more information, please call 483-8685, or visit, www.elcentrito.org.