Grandma, my beloved maternal grandmother, died on this day, December 23, in 2009. She was 98 years old. She was my second mother and is my muse and a main character in Dancing in the Santa Ana Winds.
Here, I share a story about Grandma and one of the poems in my book about her:
liz gonzález at Unheard LA-live in Baldwin Park
The two poems I read in this video feature my maternal grandmother. I’m wearing pink and the title on the book is pink, one of her favorite colors, to honor her. Check out the other wonderful videos on Latinopia, too. Mil Gracias, Jesus Trevino of Latinopia for the gift of this video filmed at Barbara and Michael Sedano’s home:
Latinopia Word: Dancing in the Santa Ana Winds
Following is a link to a YouTube Playlist of songs that are mentioned in or relevant to my book Dancing in the Santa Ana Winds. Whenever possible, I play a selection of these songs before and after my events and show photos that go with certain pieces. Photos will be in a separate post. I hope you enjoy the music.
DANCING IN THE SANTA ANA WINDS YOUTUBE PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybd4dBf4LljfJ8bDoL9zjGNS3ITdT2x
LIST BROKEN DOWN WITH DETAIL:
SPECIFIC SONGS MENTIONED in Dancing in the Santa Ana Winds
“Down to the Night Club,” Tower of Power
“You’re Still a Young Man,” Tower of Power
“Nasty Girl,” Vanity 6
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tribute to George Harrison
“Little Wing,” Jimi Hendrix
“Spanish Castle Magic,” Jimi Hendrix
“Sabor a Mi,” El Chicano
“Be Thankful for What You Got,” William DeVaughn
“We Just Disagree,” Dave Mason
“Monk’s Mood,” Thelonius Monk
“Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” The Police
“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” Nina Simone
“Don’t Stop Me Now,” Queen
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” Elton John
BANDS AND TYPES OF MUSIC MENTIONED in Dancing in the Santa Ana Winds
Allman Brothers (Blue Sky with Duane Allman)
Lynyrd Skynyrd (Freebird Live ’77)
Van Halen (Ain’t Talkin’ About Love)
“Beer Barrel Polka,” Mexican style
Cumbias:
Songs about San Bernardino and songs by music groups with San Bernardino connections:
“San Ber’dino,” Frank Zappa
“Five Little Miles from San Berdoo,” Jane Russell with Lalo Guerrero playing guitar
“San Bernardino,” The Mountain Goats
“San Bernardino,” Christie
“Sweet Bernardine,” Rick Shea
“Tombstone Shadow“, Creedence Clearwater
“Moth Love,” Brainstory
“La Educacion,” Quitapenas
The photos in the header* and below, including those on the front and back covers of my book, were taken at my dog Chacho’s and my favorite local nature escape: White Point Nature Preserve and Education Center / Royal Palms Beach in San Pedro, California. I wrote about White Point in my poem “Postcards from Where I Live,” which appears in my book.
*Header photo credit: T. Reichle