Published in: Latina Seattle July 19, 2022
very summer, there are many organizations that create programs and workshops for all ages, promoting the artistic and cultural quality of the Latino and Hispanic community in the Pacific region of the United States. And one of those organizations that for more than 5 years has been offering a quiet, diverse, and inclusive space for its participants is the Seattle Afro-Latin Movement (MAS), who for this Summer 2022 created the Tambourine workshop: Afro-Panamanian Rhythms and Dances.
Blanca Castaño, Panamanian artist and founder of the Panama Folklore Seattle organization, is the facilitator of the dance workshop, which is given free of charge every Saturday from July 16 to August 13 at 5:00 pm at the Union Cultural Center facilities. . . By the way, do not stay with the desire to attend and dance for a good time.
We sat down with Ms. Castaño to find out a little more about her emotions regarding this event and what she would like the participants to take away from these experiences.
You are a facilitator in this summer program: Tamborito, what do you confess to us about this participation?
Being able to share every detail of everything that represents my culture through, especially, music that transcends has no borders.
It is spectacular how artists [mostrar] the unfolding in rhythms that talk about the history and traditions of a people, their meanings, and heritage; For me, it is a legacy that fills me with great satisfaction as an ambassador who, even outside my homeland, gives me the opportunity to share with the community in general.
What excites or intrigues you about your role as an artist today in Seattle?
My feelings with my culture will always run through my veins, it is my exposition of the identity with which we [Panamanians] are qualified [a los panameños], and in my work, I give first of all the recognition to respect each individual, not because of the color of their skin or social status, but for the coexistence of learning from each town, community and its great cultural values, and teaching why we are so similar and varied, not different. A concept that I determine is very important to instill and demonstrate to our generations for a better coexistence while we promote good habits, protecting, accepting, and cultivating our roots.
What do you want the participants to be able to take away, or experience, through you in this workshop?
I hope that in the interaction of the activities we explore our best abilities, we can not only learn new geographical rhythms of a country[en grupo] but that in the sharing [in a group] the warmth, the brotherhood is felt and that it is transmitted and multiplied.
This congregation in celebration of us, the Panamanians, is a great opportunity to get to know each other and preserve unforgettable experiences in the harvest of this opportunity.
This is the beauty of sharing in the community with the community, celebrating folklore, in this case from my native country, which we know as “the bridge of the world, the heart of the universe.”
Things that we liked to learn from Blanca Castaño and that perhaps you do not know
Through her organization Panama Folklore Seattle, Blanca Castaño has been able to delight a national audience with dances and cultural programming for 7 consecutive years. And this is an achievement that she openly declares possible thanks to great teamwork and continued support from her own Panamanian community in Washington.
Two of the ideal places that Castaño recommends visiting in the state of Washington are Ellensburg and Mount Vernon for their tranquility and great Latin influence. “These places are very relaxing. And something to appreciate there is the work and life of the farmer, the people in the field. Some of them, because they do not have legal status, fear exposing their roots. And when there are these types of cultural events for Latinos, it is for them to be able to speak in their language, about their origins. It is to make known its origins without fear. And I feel that it is important to show these pieces, this cultural art, as a source of inspiration”, he expressed with feelings.
In 2021, the young Pedro Martínez-Pinto –participant in the program connecting us MORE and passionate about photography– conducted a valuable interview and a photo session that we recommend you take a look at . There, Castaño exposes his artistic education instilled in the streets of his homeland from an early age. Imagine when she describes coffee with her friends and playing dominoes on the corners of her neighborhood, she couldn’t be more Latino. What a rich common culture we have!
Find and connect Blanca Castaño through her social networks
Instagram: @panamafolkloreseattle
Facebook: @PanamaFolkloreSeattle
