D extrous,

This coming weekend is classic D Note. It is full of multi-cultural events that will take us to Spain, The Dominican Repubic, the Middle East and Cuba.

Friday night at 7pm flamenco maestro Rene Heredia is making a return to the D Note by popular demand. Several flamenco dancers will accompany Rene and bring duende to the D Note. $20.

At 9:30p we'll have a Bachata lesson and then dancing with DJ Juanito. Bachata is the soulful cousin of salsa dancing and comes from the The Dominican Republic. $5.

Saturday at 2pm we have a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society w/ more flamenco style music (of the contemporary Rodrigo y Gabriela style) w/ Guitarsaurus and Chordzilla. $5-$10 suggested donation.

Saturday at 7pm we have a special Hafla, with the theme of Evolution of Bellydance Styles- Tradition & Transformation. A show featuring folkloric to fusion bellydance styles with information and history on each performance. $7 adults/$5 kids under 10. Show followed by open dancing to Yallah! (eclectic bellydance band).

At 10:30p Saturday we have an up and coming indie rock band called The Amends. Here's a very interesting review of the band here. $5

Sunday we have Yoga at 10am, then Mello Cello Brunch at 11:30am, followed by Baby Boogie at 2pm, followed by our fantastic salsa night at 8pm. (And that's where we pick up the Cuban flavor.)

Next Tuesday at 7pm we have a FREE BIG BAND SHOW by the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, presenting the music of Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. We know we have a few big band fans out there, so gather up your friends and come enjoy and support the music.

Love,

D partment of D interior

Extra Credit. A few weeks ago we had a dark poem in this space by Pablo Neruda. Here is the "antidote" poem, also by Neruda.

Keeping Quiet

Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.

For once on the face of the earth,
let's not speak in any language;
let's stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fisherman in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.

Now I'll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.