La Pastorela San Jose

The best part of this beginning phase of DXM in Yakima has been being a tourist. It so happens that this is one of my hidden skills. For instance, a desire to stop and look at stuff to take pictures as I come into the Yakima valley with Mt. Adams in the distance. "Yakima. Not a bad place to live!"

But alas, this first few weeks of intensive tourism is coming to a close. I now have a fist full of business cards, some great contacts, a lot of at least superficial information and we are now ready to go forward into a PROJECT. This means we have found a community or a collection of sub communities to work with. And they are---

1. The Roman Catholics families of St. Joseph's /San Jose in downtown Yakima. A huge parish of 1300 Hispanic and Anglo families.

2. Marquette School. A private school of 300 kids pre K-8 of mostly Anglo kids.


And the Piece of Art--- A pastorela (Mexican Christmas Play). This is a traditional form of ritual theater very common in Mexico. I was able to see five different versions when in Mexico City last Christmas. The plot if very simple- the angels appear to some shepherds and tell them to find the Christ child. They set out. They are intercepted by a pack of devils. After much drama and singing they arrive cribside. All throw candy as they exit.

We are going to be able to do it inside the huge new church of San Jose and are delighted.

We have the opportunity to reach hundreds of folks by presenting this the week before Christmas complete with loads of folks on stage, music, pinatas and the whole nine yards.

Now for the raising of the money and the artists. In late August we will begin the interviews, listening sessions, and story circles which will lay the ground work for the script. We hope this is a widely held process and one that will put down deep roots in the community.

Tomorrow I go away for a month. To Denver, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Central Oregon, and the San Juan Islands so will not be posting until mid August. I hope this coincides with your own vacations.