Arts Series Celebrates Diversity of Takoma Park and Beyond

The fall season not only marks the beginning of dwindling daylight hours, it's also that time of year when the entertainment world unleashes the best it has to offer, with Oscar-worthy performances, a slate of new television shows and big names in bookstores.

The "We Are Takoma" arts series, which kicks off its inaugural season next weekend, hopes to compete in this artistically-rich landscape with a schedule of free concerts, dances, poetry readings and lectures.

"We Are Takoma" starts with a bang, literally, at 6 p.m. Sunday, September 19 at the newly renovated Takoma Park Community Center auditorium, where all events will be held. On tap that evening is Oreka TX, two friends from the Basque region of Spain who play the txalaparta. The instrument, roughly pronounced tal-uh-parta, resembles a xylophone and requires two people to play it with large sticks and other found objects, the result being a rousing, percussion-heavy sound.

Oreka TX is largely credited with bringing back a dying musical tradition, which originated in the Basque countryside and is considered a symbol of Basque identity. The two began playing in the late 1990s and have since toured the world.

They also produced a documentary, Nomadak TX, which followed their globe-hopping journey playing music with nomadic tribes. Video footage will accompany the concert.

"We Are Takoma" is the result of a two-week run of events held over the summer.

"Initially, we were looking for way to do a big celebration that the auditorium was completed and was available for community to use," said Sara Anne Daines, Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Takoma Park, and the temporary "We Are Takoma" planner. "We put together a two-week event…everything from steel drum orchestras to play readings to reminiscences by a Nobel-prize-winning author. It was a real mixed bag and very well received. People were pleased by the diversity of offerings and tickled by the fact that majority of people were from the community."

It was so well received, the Takoma Park City Council decided to go ahead and keep going with the concept and "We Are Takoma" was born. Applications were taken over the summer for the first events and there are several planned for September and October.

A poetry reading of local authors is scheduled for September 23 and October 21 and a dance event by Eureka Dance Studio is on the books for October 17. Audience members will watch choreographers develop, then perform, an original dance.

Daines said the fall and winter programming is in a transitional period right now, as they are seeking a volunteer program coordinator to fill out the season's schedule. She said people should check the city's website, Facebook or Twitter pages for updates in "We Are Takoma's" listings. Daines also said they are still accepting applications for performances on a rolling basis. While "We are Takoma" hopes to attract local artists to perform, anyone is welcome to apply.

"I continue to be amazed and in awe of the creative people that live in Takoma Park," Daines said. "From poets to musicians to authors, you name it, we've got it."