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Wisconsin Public Radio

LIVING LA VIDA SPANISH

Program 05-01-30-B

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He was the Charlie Chaplin of Mexico, a little man dressed in baggy black pants, a red hat folded like a taco, and a wisp of a moustache. He stole the show as the valet in "Around the World in 80 Days" and earned his own word in the Spanish dictionary. Next time on To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll meet the comedian known as Cantinflas and the actor who brings him to life. Also the art of Latin Jazz.

SEGMENT 1:

Victor Villasenor has written several acclaimed books about his family's history. His latest is a personal memoir called "Burro Genius." Villasenor tells Jim Fleming he grew up on a ranch where he learned about his Mexican and Indian heritage, and contrasts this with the harsh treatment he received in the English-only American school system of his childhood.

SEGMENT 2:

John Santos is an exponent of Afro-Latin music and leader of the jazz group John Santos and Machete. He tells Steve Paulson that American jazz can be traced back to Latin roots, via the Carribean. And we hear lots of musical examples. Also, TTBOOK producer Veronica Rueckert provides a commentary about making peace with her Mexican half.

SEGMENT 3:

Herbert Siguenza wrote and performs a one-man play called "Cantinflas." It's based on the life and works of Mario Morena who performed as "Cantinflas" and was the Latin Charlie Chaplin. Siguenza talks with Anne Strainchamps about Morena's career and his own performance as "Cantinflas." And we hear some performance excerpts. Also, Susana Chavez-Silverman is the author of "Killer Chronicas." It's a memoir written in Spanglish. The author tells Steve Paulson why she fell in love with this new language, which she calls code-switching.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 05-01-30-B.

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Books:

• Susana Chavez-Silverman, Killer Chronicas (Wisconsin)
• Victor Villasenor, Burro Genius: a memoir (Harper Collins)

Links:

• -- from the box set, "Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens:
  The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans"/Various Artists
  (Shout! Factory/Sony)
  http://www.shoutfactory.com/

Music:

• --Chango Pachanga/ John Santos' Machete Ensemble/ "Ten Years on the Edge"/ Bembe Records
  
• --El Capariche/ Los Folkloristas/ "30 Anos"/ Discos Puebla
• Latin Jazz Piece with John Santos:
• --Digga-Digga-Do/ The New Orleans Jazz Vipers/ Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans DISC 4/ Shout Factory
  
• --Sweet Man/ Jelly Roll Morton/ "The Piano Roll"/ Nonesuch
  
• --Caravan/ Duke Ellington/ "The Duke Ellington Carnegie Hall Concerts - January 1946"/ Prestige
  
• --Caravan/ John Santos' Machete Ensemble/ Machetazo!/ Bembe Records
  
• --Manteca/ Dizzy Gillespie/ Dizzy Gillespie - The Complete RCA Victor Recordings/ RCA
  
• --El Afrokan/ John Santos and the Machete Ensemble/ "S.F. Bay"/ Machete Records
• --New Moon/ Luis Villegas/ "Cafe Ole"/ Domo Records
  
• --Inside/ Luis Villegas/ "Cafe Ole"/ Domo Records
  
• --Baby Elephants/ Luis Villegas/ "Cafe Ole"/ Domo Records
  
• --Valseana/ Sergio & Odair Assad/ "Sergio & Odair Assad"/ Elektra-Nonesuch

Distribution dates:

week of 02/05/2006 - hour 2 week of 01/30/2005 - hour 2

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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