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We invite our members to read Mario's Jarana, a bilingual children's electronic
book by Alec Dempster
This colourful book depicts life in rural Mexico and its vibrant folk music through the eyes and ears of a child named Mario. It is informed by the author’s own experience living in Southern Veracruz researching and performing the traditional music called son jarocho. Inspiration for the story and imagery came from a close friend of the author who grew up playing and dancing this music. He still works as a farmer in his small community and is sought after to play at celebrations called fandangos, throughout the region. The story is full of information regarding songs, traditions and a way of life which still exists along with an oral musical tradition which has been passed on for generations.
About the author
Alec Dempster was born in Mexico City in 1971. He grew up in Toronto, where he lived until obtaining a visual arts degree from York University. In 1995 he moved back to Mexico where he remained until recently moving back to Toronto in July of 2009. His training is in printmaking and drawing but he also experiments mixing mediums such as egg tempera, encaustic and collage, depending on the project. As an illustrator he has done magazine illustrations, CD and book covers, festival posters, educational materials, and logos. He has also collaborated with poets from the folk tradition in Mexico. He has had solo exhibitions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France and Spain. He has been an artist in residence at Coronado Studio in Austin Texas and Saint Micheal’s Print Shop in St. John’s Newfoundland. He has received government grants in Mexico to carry out printmaking projects. He is also an accomplished musician specializing in Son Jarocho music with his own ensemble Café Con Pan.
Illustrations in Mario's Jarana
book by Alec Dempster
This colourful book depicts life in rural Mexico and its vibrant folk music through the eyes and ears of a child named Mario. It is informed by the author’s own experience living in Southern Veracruz researching and performing the traditional music called son jarocho. Inspiration for the story and imagery came from a close friend of the author who grew up playing and dancing this music. He still works as a farmer in his small community and is sought after to play at celebrations called fandangos, throughout the region. The story is full of information regarding songs, traditions and a way of life which still exists along with an oral musical tradition which has been passed on for generations.
About the author
Alec Dempster was born in Mexico City in 1971. He grew up in Toronto, where he lived until obtaining a visual arts degree from York University. In 1995 he moved back to Mexico where he remained until recently moving back to Toronto in July of 2009. His training is in printmaking and drawing but he also experiments mixing mediums such as egg tempera, encaustic and collage, depending on the project. As an illustrator he has done magazine illustrations, CD and book covers, festival posters, educational materials, and logos. He has also collaborated with poets from the folk tradition in Mexico. He has had solo exhibitions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France and Spain. He has been an artist in residence at Coronado Studio in Austin Texas and Saint Micheal’s Print Shop in St. John’s Newfoundland. He has received government grants in Mexico to carry out printmaking projects. He is also an accomplished musician specializing in Son Jarocho music with his own ensemble Café Con Pan.
Illustrations in Mario's Jarana