Thursday, October 24, 6pm
Casa de la Noche, Órganos #19
$500

Violinist David Mendoza to Play a Benefit Concert for Caminamos Juntos
By Fredric Dannen

David Mendoza, the multi-instrumentalist who plays violin like a man demonically possessed, but also keyboards and percussion, made a fateful decision earlier this year. After performing frequently in restaurants, and attracting overflow crowds, David decided to withdraw from such appearances, and play only in concert settings.

And he made an additional decision. After a pair of concerts last month at Bellas Artes, in which he also showcased his skills as a pianist, David decided that versatility of instrument was not sufficient. He is now setting out to demonstrate his ability to perform a much wider variety of repertoire. Case in point: as a guest at a third concert at Bellas Artes, featuring the music of George Gershwin, Mendoza gave a stirring and dramatic rendition of “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” from Porgy and Bess, as arranged for violin by Jasha Heifetz. He tossed off the fiendishly difficult arrangement, with Mark Hartman at the piano, and the sold-out auditorium went wild.
David’s next concert appearance will take place at the guesthouse Casa de la Noche, Órganos #19, on Thursday, October 24, at 6pm. He will be joined by two pianists, Lorelei Capell and Carlos Vargas; the artist Ellie Harold, who will create a painting during the performance, as David improvises corresponding and descriptive music; and the vocalist Patricia Diaz.

The music will include works from movie soundtracks, such as the main title themes from Schindler’s List (John Williams) and Awakenings (Randy Newman), along with compositions by Ludovico Einaudi, Max Richter, and some of David’s own works. As he demonstrated at the Gershwin concert, David is capable of a creating a broad palette of emotions and melodies, and in this concert he will put to bed the notion that he is strictly a minimalist.

The concert is a benefit for Caminamos Juntos, a program to assist Mexican nationals deported from the United States. (For more information on the organization, please visit cjsma.org.)
Tickets are 500 pesos for music and a glass of Sangría, and are on sale at Paprika Restaurante (Ancha de San Antonio 7), and online at www.birdsflyin.com, and at the door.

CONCERT
Benefit for Caminamos Juntos
David Mendoza, violin; Lorelei Capell and Carlos Vargas, piano; Patricia Diaz, vocals
Also featuring Ellie Harold, painter
Thurs., Oct. 24, 6pm
Casa de la Noche, Órganos #19
Tickets: 500 pesos (includes a glass of Sangría)
Available at Paprika Restaurante (Ancha de San Antonio 7), online at www.birdsflyin.com, and at the door