Join me this month as we get “up close and personal” with the creative visionary, Francis Parra.
Born in the Dominican Republic in a small town named Pimentel, Francis grew up in a house in which she was surrounded by books and creativity. She came to the United States as an adult, initially arriving in San Francisco. In our interview, she delves into her enchanted childhood as well as her reasons for emigrating.
After several years in San Francisco, Francis moved to Rhode Island where she met and married my friend, the famous Gonzalo Cuervo, who is currently the Chief of Staff for our first Latina secretary of state, Nellie Gorbea. They are a wonderful couple whose love just shines through whenever you are with them!
Francis always had a creative bent to her, and she was involved early on with an arts and culture group called the Educational Center for the Arts and Science (ECAS). Although that initial group disbanded, Francis kept the organization going, kept the name, and remained on as Theater Director for what is now (ECAS), a well known central hub of the Latino arts and culture scene. She and her ECAS Theater group have traveled and performed in New York City, Cuba and back home in her native Dominican Republic.
I so enjoyed our conversation, and the show is entertaining and heart warming; there is just something wonderful and spiritual about Francis Parra. She has one of those magnetic personalities that just attracts people. Thanks to her work, countless creative minds and performers have a place to hone their skills and share their talents with our community.
Introducing, Francis Parra…
“¿Que Onda? con Donna” can be seen on YurView – Cox Channels 4 and 1004 – Tuesdays at 7:30pm, Wednesdays at 8:30pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 8pm.
The author, Donna M. Nesselbush, is a founding partner at Marasco & Nesselbush Law, a Rhode Island State Senator and Municipal Court Judge for the City of Pawtucket. She hosts a Spanish language Saturday morning radio show on Latina 100.3 FM and the “¿Que Onda? con Donna” TV show.
