September 4-10, 2003

music

Staying Power

Salsa for dipping: The Spanish Harlem Orchestra makes it hot for the dancers and sweet for the lovers.

Feria del Barrio celebrates 20 years of pushing the boundaries of the block party.

by Mary Armstrong

"Feria has been around forever," declares Edgardo González. "Before Latin music became a commodity we were bringing in the best bands, some all the way from Puerto Rico." Heís the VP of the board of directors at Taller Puertorriqueño, original sponsor of the annual neighborhood fair. When the commercial edge fades, "weíll still be here with the best," he assures.

While the Constitutional Convention didn't break for a quick merengue and a plate of arroz con pollo, the Feria del Barrio has been around a long time. Twenty years -- not bad for what was supposed to be a one-time block party.

Carmen Febo-San Miguel, TP's executive director, recalls the first one, back in '79, which was mostly an excuse to unveil and celebrate a new mural at Fifth and Somerset. "The spirit was so good, we decided we had to do it again the next year." The next after that wasn't until 1984, but the Feria has been growing ever since, adding other neighborhood groups like the education-oriented ASPIRA to its planning and sponsorship.

The mural that inspired the Feria is now sadly painted over, but the Feria's newest of four community partners, HACE (Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises), has some unveiling of its own to do this year. Juan J. Gutiérrez, HACE business manager, reveals that his CDC has won several million dollars plus grants for the community. Mockups of the next developments will be on display at this year's Feria.

Gutiérrez notes that arts and business go hand in hand in the barrio: HACE and TP plan on attracting new interest in the community with equal parts business smarts and culture. AMLA, the Latin American musicians association, was an early partner in the Feria, consistently helping to make sure there would be high-quality music and dance exhibitions all day long.

Fifth Street is guaranteed to be extra-packed with smiling faces this year. How often do Grammy nominees play for free at street parties? The Spanish Harlem Orchestra creates intensely focused salsa, hot for the dancers, with some sweet numbers for the lovers. They also specialize in pointed lyrics. On "Somos Iguales" ("We Are the Same"), from that Grammy near-miss, Un Gran Dia en el Barrio, they sing of how we were all created the same and end up in the same place, too.

Pura Candela, an all-female latin jazz and salsa group, combines members of Philly's own Ellas with players from New York. They are reputed to be a very hot ensemble. This will be Alô Brasil's Feria debut. Percussionist Elizabeth Sayre is delighted: "Feria draws a great crowd that dances in the street all afternoon," and that's what a samba-playing group like AB lives for. With some of its members fresh off studying sessions in Brazil this summer, Alô Brasil has returned full of the convert's enthusiasm for introducing their adopted culture to a new crowd.

Also on the bill, Palo Mayor is a Reading-based Afro-Dominican folklore group. The members of this ensemble have all been trained by a famed Dominican folklorist, so expect much explication along with the costumed revelry, drumming, singing and dancing.

González is not just the VP of TP's board, he is also the bass player for Los Pleneros del Batey, which has the longest-standing gig with Feria. González grew up in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, where he was surrounded by music 24-7. Here in Philly he helps keep tradition alive with this folkloric group.

"We want it to be a Philadelphia experience," states González. "We might even find somebody to jump in and improvise a few lines at the Feria." Such is the spontaneity and vibrancy of the barrio.

Feria del Barrio takes place Sun., Sept. 7, 1-6 p.m., Fifth St. from Lehigh to Somerset aves., 215-426-4990.