Dear Friend,

I need not tell you that these are difficult times for many art organizations, including Zorongo Flamenco. But with your help, Zorongo can and will flourish! As we adjust to economic constraints, we look to you for the support necessary to achieve our goal of bringing joy, color, spontaneity and imagination to communities of all ages. Specifically, we are seeking sponsers for our Gypsy Caravan, which will again tour in Minneapolis and St. Paul in August and September of this year.

Photo by Erik Saulitis

For those unfamiliar with Gypsy Caravan, five of us--dancers, puppeteers, singers, guitarists - will travel in our Gypsy Caravan van (red with yellow polka dots, a gift from the Beim Foundation) to give children a free performance of our beloved flamenco-puppet show, Tra Ti Ti Tran Tran Toro! In recent summers these children have been especially joyful and enthusiastic audiences, singing and chanting along with us. They are captivated by Torito (Little Bull), Carmencita, and Olie Olson in a lively story-dance.

I wrote the epic poem of Toro! in 2002 and it has been a highlight in our repertory, as well as a joyful way in which to share flamenco art with our Twin Cities children. I invite you to visit www.startribune.com/video for a review of Gypsy Caravan’s little tours.

It costs Zorongo approximately $500.00 (for artists, transportation, set and equipment) to put on each performance. We ask you to invest in this project by sponsoring one of these performances, in whole or in part. YOU may choose the site you wish to sponsor from the list below and you will be named as a sponsor at that performance.

We will perform Toro! August 7-14 at these sites:

Elliot Recreation Center, 1000 14th St. E., Minneapolis
North Commons Park, 1801 James Ave. N., Minneapolis
Lake Hiawatha Park, Minneapolis
Folwell Park, 1615 Dowling Ave. N., Minneapolis
YMCA, North Broadway Preschool Program, Minneapolis
Linden Hills Recreation Center, south Minneapolis.

On September 11, Toro! will be at La Placita, in the heart of West St. Paul’s Hispanic community.

Your sponsorship may be in any amount and as a donor you will be notified of the specific date and time of any performance you choose to sponsor.

Thank you so very much for your support. Today, as in the past, we are grateful for your role in helping to bring live theater to our children, for whom it is a unique experience. Most importantly, you help us keep flamenco alive in our communities and for that we appreciate you enormously.

Please consider sending us a donation this month, using the linked PDF form. Your contribution is fully tax-deductible.

Thank you for being a part of our flamenco community and for making our work possible and fulfilling.

Best Regards,

Susana di Palma
Artistic Director

P.S. We hope to see you at our performances of Retratos at the Ritz Theater this September 17-20 and Zorro in the Fall of 2010.