Quetzal: On Their Own Terms

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Quetzal: On Their Own Terms

After listening to the band Quetzal's album Imaginaries (Smithsonian Folkways, 2012), it comes as no surprise that they have been nominated for a GRAMMY; the combination of superb song writing, a diversity of influences, and flawless execution is impressive. However, what never ceases to amaze me is the breadth of projects in which lead singer, songwriter, and zapateado percussionist Martha González and her husband, bandleader, songwriter, and jarana player, Quetzal Flores, are involved. In the short time I have known them, Quetzal has become the new program manager for ACTA (Alliance for California Traditional Arts), while Martha has launched Entre Mujeres, a translocal musical collaboration between Chicanas/Latinas and jarochas/Mexican women. In particular, for me, as a woman and current Ph.D. student, Martha's ability to move with fluidity and grace between her roles as musician, academic, and loving mother is particularly inspiring as it encourages the rest of us to pursue our goals and not be limited by prescribed gender roles. Learn more at: http://www.festival.si.edu/2013/quetzal-on-their-own-terms/ [Catalog No. CFV10387; Copyright 2013 Smithsonian Institution]

3 min 18 sec

culture music performance tradition folk language festival smithsonian "washington dc"