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The Phoenix Guitar Society

Presents

Grupo Riken

Sunday, September 8, 2024, 2:00

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The Phoenix Guitar Society announces our new venue,

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First United Methodist Church of Phoenix,

5510 N. Central ave, Phx. 85012,

Wesley Lounge

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The church is located on the north west corner of Central and Missouri. There is ample parking and the Wesley Lounge has easy access for everyone. 

Join us Sunday, September 8th for Yifan Zahng. 

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Biography - Grupo Riken,

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Grupo Riken has been performing in Arizona since 2009. They specialize in folkloric music from the Caribbean and Latin America. Genres like the Cuban bolero, Puerto Rican jibaro music, llanero, Latin jazz, salsa, and bossa nova.

The group’s unique sounds come from folk instruments like the Puerto Rican cuatro, guitar, Peruvian Cajon, Afro-Caribbean percussion bongos, and congas, accompanied by the guitar.

The name Riken derives from the name given by the indigenous Tainos in Puerto Rico, which is called the island Boriken. 

Grupo Riken has participated in local music festivals such as the Tucson Meet Yourself and has participated in  Tohono Chul’s Sunday in the Garden concert series since 2015, as well as many collaborations with the University of Arizona and the Tucson Guitar Society.

 

They released their first CD titled De Aqui pa’ allá in 2016. In Spring 2019 they won second place at the SAACA Folk Music Festival in Oro Valley.

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José Luis Puerta (guitar), a native of Puerto Rico, has been an active Board Member of the Tucson Guitar Society since 2009. He is the Director of Education and the conductor for the Tucson Guitar Society Orchestra since 2013.

As a soloist and ensemble artist, he has performed in Canada, Spain, the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. He currently holds the position of Associate Professor of Music at the School of Music at the University of Arizona. 

Alexis Rivera (cuatro) native of Puerto Rico, has been performing with different instruments, such as the bass, drums, guitar, and cuatro, with different groups throughout the Tucson area. Most recently with the LFP Project, Tradiciones, and Grupo Riken. He also records, composes, and edits some of the music for the group.

David Pérez (percussion) originally from Mexico City, studied congas with a Cuban teacher which gave him a deep understanding of Caribbean music such as the salsa, boleros, and guaguancó. He has performed with multiple groups and is an active member of Vox Urbana. Vox Urbana is a seven-piece band that combines Latin-based sounds with stories and experiences that occur in the Arizona/Sonora border region. The bi-national band is based in Tucson, Arizona, and has been creatively narrating stories of the border community since 2010.

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PGS desires to grow and continue to support the classical guitar community.

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We cannot do that without your support. Please consider making a donation to PGS during our annual fundraising event. Please come and enjoy the concert this Sunday.

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Making a charitable donation is as easy as clicking on the link I have provided below. You can donate directly to the PGS using PayPal. You can also make a donation at one of our concerts.  

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 Connect & Support | PhoenixGuitarSociety 

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Through music we learn about different cultures. Through other musicians we learn about our cultural differences. It is the music that brings us together and gives us opportunities to learn from each other. 

 

Music is what color sounds like. 

 

Please donate to the Phoenix Guitar Society, without you we cannot exist.

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PGS is a non-profit charitable organization, we need your support to continue to provide such great music through our Guest Artist Series. We ask that you please consider making a donation of $10 at the door.

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Upcoming PGS Guest Artist Series

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The Phoenix Guitar Society is pleased to host live performances at

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First United Methodist Church of Phoenix, 

5510 N. Central, Phx. 85012

 

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PGS COVID and Mask Policy:

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The Phoenix Guitar Society has developed a statement regarding COVID-19 and Mask requirements. 

 

    The CDC is not recommending wearing a mask at an indoor event in Maricopa County, PGS will not require wearing a mask or proof of vaccination, to our events at this time. 

 

    You are always welcome to wear a mask if you desire to do so. PGS will have a box of mask at the door for our indoor events. 

 

    This policy is subject to change based on community health and safety conditions.  The Phoenix Guitar Society continues to follow guidance from the CDC, Maricopa County Health Department and other recognized health advisors.