Listen Here! 'What's Up! Que Pasa?'
Al Lopez Continues Building Bridges With Music
Last updated Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:28 PM CST in Listen Here
By Antoinette Grajeda
THE MORNING NEWS
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When two strangers are struggling to find conversation, one way they search for common ground is by discussing music. Local artist Al Lopez has taken it one step further and found a way to use music to build a bridge of communication within the community.
The musician may be better known to some as Papa Rap and, in addition to public appearances, Lopez's face has become familiar across the nation thanks to his television show "What's Up! Que Pasa," a multicultural program for kids that is both educational and entertaining.
The bilingual show, which uses Lopez's music to help communicate themes such as cross-cultural understanding, the dangers of drugs and reading appreciation to the audience, is "a labor of love." More than 60 stations are airing the program -- now in its second season -- making it available to more than half of the people in the United States.
When writing the bilingual songs, Lopez composes them in Spanish and then translates them to English. Coming up with material hasn't been difficult. He says he has about 200 tunes written, and the real issue will be creating enough shows to use them all.
Lopez began working with music when he was young, but like many people, the road to his current life did not take a direct path.
"I wrote my first song when I was 12 years old, and then I never wrote again until I was 30," he says.
The hiatus was caused by his father discouraging him from a musician's life which, at times, left the artist puzzled.
"He kept me away from it, but never explaining it," he says.
Later on, Lopez learned that his father had been a musician, and because he knew firsthand the difficulties of that lifestyle, he tried to shield his son from it.
In 1994, the Puerto Rican came to Northwest Arkansas to remix a project with the idea of returning home, but instead he stayed and became an interpreter for the Rogers School District. During this time, Lopez realized a need to bridge the gap between different cultures in the community, and the result was the creation of Papa Rap.
Music seemed like the perfect communication tool because, he says, it's a nonthreatening way to reach out to people. Lopez is now a school/community liaison for the Springdale School District, and although this may not have been part of the plan, he looks at the course his life has taken in a positive way.
"I don't think I would have written any of these songs if I hadn't moved here," he says.
Some of his tunes have been released on an album named after the television program. Although Lopez has a television show, works as a community liaison and hosts a radio show, he considers himself a musician first.
His work has won him accolades over the years including a Heroes de Corazon award for his effort as a cultural ambassador to the community and first place in the children's category of the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for his song "What's Up! Que Pasa."
The artist seems to accept compliments humbly and says when people try to praise his work he simply turns it around by saying, "What a great job you've done with us and embracing us."
Lopez is looking forward to the future, which includes another album, another season of "What's Up! Que Pasa" and a search for sponsors to help the show spread its message to new areas. The musician knows first hand that things don't always go as you planned, and no matter what's next, he's proud that he could have started the message of working together in our community.
"When it's all done and said, I think that's going to be the story, that it all started in Springdale, Arkansas," he says.
"What's Up! Que Pasa?" is broadcast on KFTA at 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 7 a.m. Thursdays. Songs from Season One are available at Hastings, iTunes or www.Amazon.com. Information: www.paparap.net.
Puppy Power
Spay Arkansas will help our furry friends in Northwest Arkansas by hosting a benefit from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Arsaga's on Crossover in Fayetteville. Live music will be provided by Still on the Hill, Emily Kaitz, Off the Wall, Susan Shore and Candy Lee. There will also be a silent auction.
Information: 442-7472 or www.spayarkansas.org.
Making Your Mark
Little Rock's own SoundChild Crew has plenty of reason to celebrate in addition to the holidays. The group has landed a distribution deal with BCD Music Group, which works with musicians like the Ying Yang Twins and Lil Wayne. SoundChild Crew was named 2008 Indy Rap Artist of the Year at the Southern Entertainment Awards and already has nine nominations for the 2009 installment of the awards. For more information on the band, visit www.myspace.com/soundchildcrew.
Funny Friends
Tickets are on sale now for Jeff Dunham's Feb. 19 performance at Alltel Arena in Little Rock. The upcoming show is part of his "Spark of Insanity" tour. The comedian is known for using ventriloquism in his set and will likely be accompanied by his dummy pals Walter, Achmed, Bubba J, Peanut and Jose Jalepeno. Admission is $44.25. Information: (501) 975-7575 or www.alltelarena.com.
Listen Here
LIVE! In NWA
Fayetteville
Today
George's -- 6 p.m. Contagious, Leah & the Mojo Doctors, 90lb Wrench, Kind, Machina
Arsaga's Crossover -- 9 p.m. Crawford County Heartache
Arsaga's Gregg -- 9 p.m. Br'er
Speakeasy -- DJ Greg
Saturday
Arsaga's Crossover -- 9 p.m. Smokin' w/ Rachel Billingsley & Nevada Jones
George's -- 9 p.m. Amure, Open Addiction, The Battle Within
Gypsy -- 9 p.m. Simple Shelter, Cover of Darkness
The OPO -- 9 p.m. The Imperfects, Fnomenon CD release
Speakeasy -- DJ Greg
Boom Boom Room -- 10 p.m. Revolving Doors
Sunday
Common Grounds -- 11 a.m. DJ SoulFree; 8:30 p.m. DJ Chicken George
Pesto Cafe -- 8 p.m. Shannon Wurst
George's --9:30 p.m. Kory Montgomery, Lord T and Eloise
Monday
The Perk-- 7 p.m. Acoustic Jam
Pesto Cafe-- 7 p.m. Darren Ray
Tuesday
Goodfolk -- Jazz Night
George's -- 9:30 p.m. Drowning Pool w/ Jet Black Stare
Wednesday
Ella's -- 6 p.m. Nathan McLeod Trio
Drifters -- 8 p.m. Open Mic
George's -- 8 p.m. Eoff Brothers
Smiling Jack's -- 6 p.m. What Army
Thursday
Pesto Cafe -- 7 p.m. Kevin Bennoch
Bordino's -- 9 p.m. Jazz
George's -- 10 p.m. Velcro Pygmies
Smiling Jack's -- 7 p.m. Wallies Follies
Speakeasy -- DJ Greg
Venues
Arsaga's on Crossover (527-0690); Arsaga's on Gregg (444-6557); Boom Boom Room (444-7324); Common Grounds (442-3515); Drifters (444-1997); Ella's Restaurant (582-0400); George's Majestic Lounge (442-4226); Goodfolk (521-1812); The Gypsy on College (444-1945); The OPO (935-4646); The Perk (251-7375); Pesto Cafe (582-3330); Smiling Jack's (935-4899); Speakeasy (935-6161)
Springdale
Sunday
Metroplex -- 6:30 p.m. Straight Line Stitch
Venues
Springdale Metroplex (www.myspace.com/themusichall)
Rogers
Today
Cowboy Jim's -- 9 p.m. Barbwire
Tom Kats -- 9 p.m. Furious George
Bayou -- 9:30 p.m. A Good Fight
Tony C's Italian Gardens -- 9:30 p.m. Shift Point
Saturday
Cowboy Jim's -- 9 p.m. Barbwire
Tom Kats -- 9 p.m. Furious George
Bayou -- 9:30 p.m. 90lb Wrench
Tony C's Italian Gardens -- 9:30 p.m. Shift Point
Sunday
Copeland's -- 11 a.m. Claudia Burson Trio
Tuesday
Bayou -- 8 p.m. Blues Jam
Wednesday
Iron Horse -- 6 p.m. Open Jazz
Thursday
Bayou -- 10 p.m. Pope County Bootleggers
Venues
The Bayou (246-9337); Copeland's (246-9455); Cowboy Jim's N Crowd (633-9577); Iron Horse Coffee Co. (631-9977); Tony C's Italian Gardens (925-3401)
Bentonville
Today
Deja Vu -- 10 p.m. DJ Cody B
Saturday
Deja Vu -- 10 p.m. DJ Cody B
Thursday
Deja Vu -- 10 p.m. DJ Derrick
Venues
Deja Vu (464-9677)
Eureka Springs
Today
Chelsea's -- 8 p.m. Earl Cate and Them
Saturday
Chelsea's -- 8 p.m. Kory Montgomery
Venues
Chelsea's (253-6723)
West Fork
Saturday
Little O'Oprey -- 7 p.m. Live Jam
Venues
Little O'Oprey (839-2992)
West Siloam Springs
Today
Cherokee Casino -- 9 p.m. Big Bad Bubba, Eddie Money
Saturday
Cherokee Casino -- 9 p.m. Big Bad Bubba
Sunday
Cherokee Casino -- 7 p.m. Sofa Kingdom
Venues
Cherokee Casino (800-754-4111)
Tulsa
Sunday
Cain's Ballroom -- 8 p.m. Little Joy
Venues
Cain's Ballroom (918-584-2306)
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tootsie wrote on Nov 28, 2008 7:34 PM: