Get ready for a charming and festive evening of holiday cheer based on Hispanic traditions with the pairing of Josefina Niggli’s amusing one-act play The Defeat of Grandfather Devil and a special Christmas concert featuring Ariel Ramirez’ Navidad Nuestra.
Showtimes are Saturday and Sunday, December 7th and 8th at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Austin located at 901 Trinity in downtown Austin.
Directed by FBC Minister of Music and Worship Louise Avant, The Sanctuary Choir and Chaski will present Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez’ Navidad Nuestra, a Christmas Cantata sung in Spanish centering on the story of the Nativity and performed in the rhythms and traditions of Hispanic America.
A folk drama, Navidad Nuestra, which translates “Our Christmas,” was created for mixed chorus and soloists with percussion, guitar and harp. Although the music will be sung in Spanish, there will be an English translation available for the listener.
The instrumentation will bring Ramirez’ work alive for the listener. Chaski is made up of Adrienne Inglis, flute specialist and Shana Norton, harp, plus percussion and guitars. Based in Austin, Chaski has performed together since 1985 and has toured the United States, Costa Rica, Venezuela, England and Scotland. They have five independently produced recordings including Chaski (1989), Pacha Mama (1991), El sariri (1995), Unay (2000) and Viracocha (2005). Chaski brings to its audiences classical, Celtic, and Latin American folk music featuring all kinds of flutes and harps.
The Defeat of Grandfather Devil is being produced by Trinity Street Players and is a traditional Pastorela translated and adapted by Josefina Niggli in the humorous tradition of the Twelfth-Century Spanish Shepherds' Play.
Theatre artist and director Jesus Pantel and producer Debra Watkins will help you celebrate the holiday season with a short play based on Los Pastores, which has been performed at Christmastime for centuries in Mexico and the southwestern United States.
With a laughable tone, the Spanish-themed play follows the travels of a group of herders as they journey to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Christ. Along the way, they face the harassment of the scheming “Grandfather Devil.”
Chaski will provide the delightful and festive music for The Defeat of Grandfather Devil.
All are invited to join the First Austin Sanctuary Choir, Chaski and Trinity Street Players for an evening of immersion into the Hispanic culture at Christmas. Admission is free and donations will be gratefully accepted. Feliz Navidad!
