Who is Justo Lamas?
Justo Lamas is a gifted singer from Buenos Aires, Argentina who has earned the love, respect and admiration of thousands of Spanish teachers and their students.
For over six years, Justo Lamas has been performing concerts in Spanish in schools throughout the Unites States, promoting Hispanic culture and assisting teachers in motivating their students to learn this language through his music.
Justo Lamas’ music is helpful and used at every level of Spanish teaching. It has been shown to be an excellent incentive, as well as a positive influence on these young people.
Justo Lamas performs more that one hundred concerts per academic year in the United States.
 Click here to download a printable copy of Who is Justo Lamas
What makes the concert educational?
The Justo Lamas Performance is much more than a concert. It is an inspiring educational activity. While the students are having fun, they will also:
• Learn about the culture of Argentina (and Latin America in general).
• Become aware of modern Spanish-speaking young people
customs.
• Get excited about continuing their study of the Spanish language
• Acquire many useful vocabulary words and languages structures.
• Realize that English is also a foreign languages that is difficult to learn to speak.
• Observe their American culture through the eyes of a foreigner.
• Lose some stereotyped ideas about Spanish-speaking people.
• Hear Justo's plea to live a drug-free, violence-free, family-centered life style.
• Be encouraged to love all people regardless of their differences.
• Learn not to give up in the face of the adversity (a very strong message for this attitude is delivered in the rock song, No hay camino sin salida -There is No Road without an Exit).
Click here to download a printable copy of Educational Rationale
What kind of concert is this?
The Justo Lamas Concerts is an educational program with the primary objective of promoting the study of the Spanish language. With Justo’s music and songs students are motivated to learn the language. During the entire 90 minutes show, Justo puts out all of his energy and talent earning the attention, respect and admiration of the students. They sing their hearts out during the songs they have learned in class. Justo also uses this opportunity to deliver an affirmative life message that encourages students to live free of drugs an other addictions. He promotes unity and communication between students and their families. He encourages the audience not to give up when facing problems and to continue struggling to achieve their goals.
The Justo Lamas Concert is a unique program in which there is a lot of interaction between Justo and the students. Besides being great entertainment in which the students will enjoy the incredible talent and dynamic personality of Justo Lamas, the concert is also a true extension of the classroom.
Two month before the show, we will send you a video with scenes from concerts in different schools and colleges and an audio cassette that has some of the songs from the program with lessons to go along with the songs. This way you will be able to teach the songs to your students, and they will sing along with Justo during the concert.
Teachers who have already participated in a Justo concert with their students have observed how it has created in their students interest and enthusiasm for the Spanish language.
The program lasts two hours. An hour and a half is for the concert itself and the rest of the time is for the students to meet Justo personally.
They can talk to him, get his CDs, posters, photos, etc. which he will be happy to autograph.
The concert is made up of different styles of music: the kind listened to by modern young people of Latin America and also folk and traditional music.
Between each song, Justo talks to the young people in very simple Spanish, making them participate all throughout the event.
Click here to download a printable copy of Concert type
Student Participation Opportunities
Our objective for encouraging student participation is to make the students feel that the concert is “theirs,” not just something that is being presented to them as spectators. If they actually take part, their enthusiasm will build, and for the time that the concert lasts, they will have become totally involved in this Hispanic culture. Our hope is that by doing so, they will leave the concert with respect and even affection for this culture that we as Spanish teachers love so much.
The goal of this part of the show is to make the students feel like real participants and to give them the opportunity to show off their artistic abilities on stage. There are different opportunities for student participation:
• Preparation in the classroom leads to spontaneous student participation. They will enthusiastically sing the songs they have learned in class. For Spanish teachers, there is nothing like hearing hundreds of students singing with Justo. All participating teachers should receive the preparation cassette and lessons.
• There can be signs, t-shirts, decorations and other fun things.
On the video you will see several of the clever things that other school have done to add to the festivity of their concerts. Be creative, let your students be creative. Each concert has it own personality, its own flavor.
Small Group Participation
• A group may choreograph a dance to a song and dance with Justo the song Baila Conmigo during the concert. It is not necessary to spend any extra money on costumes for this dance. For example, just some jeans and similar shirts will do. They may practice with your preparation cassette or CD.
• If there is an outstanding singer who would like to perform with Justo we are offering the opportunity to prepare a bi-lingual duet. Please ask what song he or she needs to prepare.
• Five zany guys can do a short pre-show skit. It is something that can be organized 5 minutes before show time.
Consult with Justo Lamas Concerts concerning the choice of song!!
All of these suggestions are voluntary
Please do NOT feel that you have to provide this type of small group participation. We only do it for student to enjoy performing with Justo. The host teacher is to decide who does which activity.
How do I organize a Justo Lamas Concerts for my students?
If you are interested in having a Justo Lamas Concerts in your school or in attending one, don’t hesitate to contact us. The only thing you need is an auditorium in your school district. People from Justo Lamas Concert organization will help you and will be with you every step of the way toward hosting this program, which we guarantee your student will never forget!
Two month before the presentation we will send you a tape or CD with the most important songs from the concerts along with their corresponding lessons so that you may prepare your students.
Don’t forget that your students can actively participate in the show by choreographing a dance or singing a duet with Justo.
Only the first teacher who gets in touch with us expressing his or her interest in participating will have this opportunity.
How much does a ticket cost?
The ticket price will be set by United Cultures, Inc. according to the auditorium capacity and the socioeconomic possibilities. Email us.
FIRST STEPS CHECK LIST
• Administrative approval
Discuss the concert with your principal. Use the pages “Who is Justo Lamas” and “What makes the concert educational” to help explain your reasons for wanting to host the concert. Explain that you will invite other schools to help with the expenses. We work with you to promote the show. For example, we will send out post cards to all the teachers in the area and even telephone the schools to encourage participation. Then as teachers show interest, we will provide free videos and free audio cassettes with the basic songs that the students should know before the show. You may request as many as you need.
• Facility
Find out the capacity of your theater. If your school does not have a theater, another idea is to locate a theatre in the area with capacity of 400-2000.
• Dates
Check the school calendar for availability of the facility. Also remember to check for such conflicts as major sports events, fine arts productions, and standardized testing that will make certain dates impossible. Try to find 3-5 possible dates any time throughout the school year.
• Time
You need to allow approximately 2 hours for the show. It actually runs 90 minutes, but we like to allow time for students to meet Justo after the show and get autographs, photos, etc. We understand all about bus schedules, lunch schedules, so you set the time that is best for you. We prefer during the school day, but evening shows are also possible. We will need access to the facility and technicians at least three hours before the show for the sound check, etc.
• Contact us
Let us know of your continued interest. You may phone, fax, e-mail or mail us your telephone numbers, both school and home and/or your e-mail. A representative will contact you within just a few days to create your individualized plan. Or you may initiate the contact. Please have this information ready:
• Capacity of the theater
• Possible dates
• Time |
