Monday, June 29, 2009

Latino music featured at Folklife Festival

Smithsonian Opens Folklife Festival On Mall
GILLIAN GAYNAIR, Associated Press Writer

Under a hot sun, hundreds of artists and visitors on Wednesday weaved through venues featuring everything from barbershop stories to clog-making for the opening of the 43rd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall.

Others stood in line for a taste of cawl, a Welsh stew and a bite of Southern style peach cobbler, or were lured to a dance floor by the lush rhythms of a Colombian currulao band.

This year's festival celebrates African-American oral traditions, the industrial past and new technologies of Wales and the diversity of Latino music. The free event runs Wednesday through Sunday, takes a break and then opens for its second leg July 1 through July 5. Officials expect a million people to attend.

As Smithsonian Institution Secretary Wayne Clough walked through a Welsh exhibit Wednesday, he acknowledged that the festival's featured cultures may seem to have little in common. But he said when he looked around, he realized that all three represent "groups that have had some oppression in the past, and have used their culture to maintain their humanity, their dignity and the continuity of the generation."

"I would like for folks to think that each of these cultures are part of the thread that makes up the fabric of our country," Clough said.

Across the way, in the "Giving Voice: The Power of Words in African American Culture" area of the festival, storyteller Victoria Burnett of California told an audience about being one of the only black girls at her childhood school, and realizing how lucky she was to be spared from a breakout of head lice. That's because it's tough, she said, for lice to attach to kinky hair. And that's when she learned to love her locks.

"Doesn't matter what color or style or poof," Burnett sang, "there's power in the kinky hair!"

The festival's feature on African-American oral tradition includes storytelling, poetry and humor, and is sponsored by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, slated to open on the Mall in 2015.

The "Wales Smithsonian Cymru" (pronounced KUM-ree) is the largest festival feature, with demonstrations, narrative sessions and musical performances that aim to show the connections between Welsh culture and sustainable practices. One of the venues, for instance, is a small timber-framed house that shows how lime mortars, sheep's wool insulation and slate roofing are used in construction.

On Wednesday, families picnicked under trees among some of the many Wales-inspired venues, including a Welsh storytelling circle and exhibits on basketry, bookbinding and woodworking.

Greenbelt, Md., resident Mary Halford had recently arrived at the festival with her husband and mother-in-law Wednesday as she strolled by the woodwork area. She's has been attending for 30 years, she said.

"The plan was to look around and go find the music, because that's what we come for."

Lauren Boyd and Tony Lucas of Washington made a beeline for the tent where the Cantadoras del Pacifico were weaving a mix of marimba, drums and song. Called currulao, the traditional music from the Colombian Pacific coast reflects Africa's influence in Latin America.

"Every year we come, and it's usually for the music," said Boyd, after she and her husband scanned the musical lineup for the day.

The "Las Americas: Un mundo musical/The Americas: A Musical World" program at the festival explores Latino rhythms from countries that include Venezuela, Paraguay and Dominican Republic, as well as the United States. Officials said most of the artists are from a series of recordings published by Smithsonian Folkways, which started in 2002.

"The music in Latin America is more than just music," said Daniel Sheehy, acting director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. "It's symbols of culture and touchpoints of identity."

Latino baseball players at risk of being out

Can baseball avoid an error on Latino players?
By Zev Chafets, LA Times, June 24, 2009

This summer, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., is marking its 70th anniversary with, among other highlights, "Viva Baseball," its first permanent exhibit on Latin American baseball. At the exhibit's opening, former first baseman Orlando Cepeda spoke for the nine Latinos already inducted into the Hall. "To be here today," he said, "we went through some obstacles."

Cepeda was referring to the racial prejudice and cultural incomprehension that Latinos have encountered since 1871, when Cuban third-baseman Estaban Bellan of the Troy Haymakers became the first Latino major leaguer. For more than seven decades after that, only "white" Latinos were allowed in the majors (and even they often felt uncomfortable) -- until Jackie Robinson integrated the game in 1947. Many took Anglo names or otherwise downplayed their roots. Even Ted Williams, one of the best-known players in baseball history, got through his entire career without publicly mentioning the fact that his mother was a Mexican American.

After integration, dark-skinned Latino stars began playing in the U.S. The first Latino elected to the Hall of Fame, Roberto Clemente, was called "Bob" on his early baseball cards. He bitterly resented the way Anglo sportswriters quoted him in pidgin English and portrayed him as a "typically" temperamental Puerto Rican.

These days, writers no longer make fun of the accents and temperament of Latino players (at least not in print), but there are other, newer stereotypes to contend with. The most damaging is the notion that Latinos are responsible for introducing banned steroids into the pristine sanctuary of major league clubhouses.

This image owes a good deal to the fact that the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball was revealed to the public by the self-proclaimed "Godfather of Steroids," slugger Jose Canseco. It is also true that a disproportionate share of Latino players have been caught juicing. In 2005, according to Newsweek, almost two-thirds of the players who tested positive (and half the minor leaguers) were from Latin America.

"The data raise a troubling possibility that few in baseball would like to address head on," Newsweek concluded. "Are players from Latin America simply too driven to succeed?"

In many Latin American countries, the same steroids that are banned in major league baseball can be bought over the counter like aspirin or toothpaste. It is unlikely that players from those countries can be made to believe that using them is immoral. Is it cheating? Well, baseball cheating is as old as Babe Ruth's corked bat and as winked-at as Gaylord Perry's spitball. Ruth and Perry are in the Hall of Fame, part of a vast roster of immortals who used stimulants, downers and booze to help them perform, heal and get through the stress of major league competition.

A lot of the players on deck for the Hall of Fame fall into this category, and many are Latino. Just the other day, home-run slugger Sammy Sosa was revealed to have tested dirty in a 2003 drug test. Alex Rodriguez has admitted using. Manny Ramirez is under suspension for chemical enhancement. Rafael Palmeiro failed a test in 2005. Shortstop Miguel Tejada was named in the Mitchell Commission report.

In the past, the Hall of Fame has shown a lack of acuity in dealing with Latino baseball. It put the wrong name on Clemente's plaque, for example. And a few years ago, it invited Citgo -- a subsidiary of the Venezuelan national oil company controlled by dictator Hugo Chavez -- to sponsor the exhibit on Latin American baseball. That idea was dropped after Chavez appeared at the U.N., compared President George W. Bush to the devil and described the U.S. as an imperialist aggressor engaged in "domination, exploitation and pillage of the peoples of the world." Shortly thereafter, Chavez described major league baseball as being one of the leading yanqui exploiters. The invitation to Chavez, followed by the disinvitation, sent the message that the Hall of Fame couldn't tell one Spanish-speaker from another or simply didn't think it mattered. Eventually, the Hall of Fame's president, Dale Petrosky, lost his job over the fiasco, but board Chairwoman Jane Forbes Clark, the Hall's real decider, is still in place.

Hopefully Clark and her tame board of directors have learned something. The Baseball Hall of Fame is an iconic American institution, and what it does matters, especially on issues of race and ethnicity (and, coming soon, gender and sexual orientation).

The new Latino exhibit, which is not sponsored by a crazed anti-American dictator, is a good start. But the real test will come in the near future, when Latino greats of the 1980s and 1990s become eligible for induction. Latinos are probably the most passionate fans baseball has left, and Latino stars are their heroes. Cooperstown and its appointed electors, the baseball writers, need to think hard about what it would mean to put up new obstacles to their inclusion.

Zev Chafets is the author of "Cooperstown Confidential: Heroes, Rogues and the Inside Story of the Baseball Hall of Fame."

Hispanic prayer breakfast features Obama

President Obama Keynote Speaker at Annual Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
By Ed Laiscell – Washington Informer, 25 June 2009

In a 12-minute speech, President Barack Obama delivered a policy-laden message to more than 500 attendees at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast at the Marriott Hotel in Northwest on Fri., June 19. The breakfast was sponsored by Esperanza, the largest Hispanic faith-based evangelical network in the United States.

This was the seventh year of the event, which brings together more than 750 Hispanic spiritual and community leaders from across the nation. It also invites leaders from other faith-based organizations, major businesses, and community groups to interact and discuss issues that have a direct impact on their communities.
At the start of his message, Obama talked of the legacy of the founders of America that allow and protect the “freedom of all religion, and those who practice no religion at all.”

“So as we join in prayer, we remember that this is a nation of Christians and Muslims and Jews and Hindus and non-believers,” Obama said. “It is this freedom that allows faith to flourish within our borders. It is this freedom that makes our nation stronger.”

In his speech, Obama mentioned his Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotamayor’s rise from the public housing projects of New York to be nominated for the highest court in the land.

“I am confident that it’s a story that will someday be told by the first Hispanic President of the United States of America,” Obama said to applause.

The 44th President also touched on education, healthcare, the economy, and immigration.

“We’ve come together on behalf of the future that we want to build,” he said, “one where all of our children go to the best schools, all our people can go to work and make a living, all our families can afford healthcare; and prosperity is extended to everybody. Together, we must build a future where the promise of America is kept for a new generation.

“We also know that keeping this promise means upholding America’s tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. Those things aren’t contradictory; they’re complementary. That’s why I’m committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform as President of the United States,” he added.

Obama also encouraged the attendees to rise and give a standing ovation to the wounded Hispanic veterans in attendance.

“These troops have dedicated their lives to serving their fellow Americans,” Obama said, “Their example – like those of all our men and women in uniform – should challenge us to ask what we can do to better serve our communities and our country, because the greatest responsibility that we have as citizens is to one another.”

The President closed his remarks reminding the clergy and those in attendance “scripture tells us that the word is very near. It is in your mouth and heart so you may obey it. Today, let us pray for the strength to find the word in our hearts, and for the vision to see the America that we can build together as one nation, and as one people.”

Rev. Roland Forbes, an African American pastor from Lancaster, Pa. said he was glad he attended the three-day Esperanza event.

“I think it was fantastic. The information, inspiration, and fellowship were fantastic,” Forbes said. “Just to be able to bring all the people together – Hispanic, African American, and the majority community to speak of issues, to pray together, and seek a common ground, common purpose, and a common solution; I think we are off to a very good start.”

Capt. Emillio Marrero, Jr., the Hispanic Navy Chaplain who closed the conference with prayer, said President Obama’s message was “very well done.”

“He highlighted the fact that we live in a very diverse community. It is not just Christian, but it’s Christian, Muslim, even non-believers. But what is important [is] that we learn to communicate with one another, learn to dialogue with one another, and learn to coexist with one another in a very proactive, positive way and I think he did a very good job of doing that.”

Other speakers at the event included former Congressman Billy Tauzin of Louisiana, now president of PhRMA, a pharmaceutical company; Congressman Eric Cantor (R-Va.); Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.), who received the Esperanza Leadership Award; and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Latino youth exposed to art and culture

Smithsonian Latino Center's Young Ambassadors See Art and Culture in Action
Art Daily.org

WASHINGTON, DC.- After a competitive application process, 19 graduating seniors have been selected to participate in the Young Ambassadors program, a national leadership-development program created by the Smithsonian Latino Center. From June 21 to June 27, students will participate in a cultural enrichment program that includes visits to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Organization of American States’ Art Museum of the Americas and various Smithsonian units and museums. They will also meet writer Marie Arana, artist Pepón Osorio and filmmaker Carlos Sandoval in various activities and programs scheduled throughout the week. On completion of the program, the Young Ambassadors will return to their hometowns to complete a four-week internship at a museum or cultural organization.

“One of the goals of this program is to present a range of career options and resources for youth interested in art and culture,” said Eduardo Diáz, director of the Smithsonian Latino Center. “The Latino community is incredibly creative, and we want to foster that talent to develop the next generation of curators in Latino art, museum directors and artists. The Smithsonian Institution, with all its resources and wide-ranging disciplines, is the perfect environment to develop that interest.”

The Young Ambassadors program encourages participants to examine their Latino identity and embrace their cultural heritage through firsthand observation of the Smithsonian’s Latino collections and behind-the-scenes tours with Smithsonian experts. The participants represent 11 states and Puerto Rico, and each will complete the program with an internship at one of the following organizations:

Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, Calif.
Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center, San Francisco
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami
National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago
National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, N.M.
Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale, Ariz.
National Museum of the American Indian – George Gustav Heye Center, New York
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico
San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio
Talento Bilingüe de Houston, Houston
National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian Latino Center, Washington, D.C.

The 2009 Young Ambassadors class includes aspiring photographers, filmmakers, muralists and performance artists that believe in the power of art to transform communities and positively impact society. In addition to their academic achievements, Young Ambassadors have demonstrated active civic responsibility and community service. The program has been made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.

“This is the second year Ford has participated in this program, and we are continually amazed at the talent and diversity this program attracts. Ford is proud to support this program because we believe in the ability of the arts to transform, educate and inspire,” said Jim Vella, president of the Ford Motor Company Fund, which is the program underwriter.

Latino music a hit in China

Young Beijingers dance to a Latino beat
By Francois Bougon, Associated Foreign Press

BEIJING (AFP) — It's a big night for Wang Ying, a Chinese student passionate about salsa who has thrown on her party clothes for one of the first "Latino" parties of the summer in Beijing.

"The first time I saw people dancing salsa, I thought how beautiful it was," says the 25-year-old, who now studies English in Beijing after having completed an accountancy course.

Wang, decked out in a tight-fitting red dress and high-heels, has been taking salsa lessons since 2005, and would not miss this outdoor party for the world.

Her steps are perfect and assured, and her partner twirls her around to the rhythm of a song in Spanish, the lyrics of which she does not understand -- "Oh if you don't love me, you don't love me... I won't die, hasta la vista baby..."

"As soon as I hear the music, I forget all my worries," Wang said.

"It's a passion, when you dance salsa you're just not tired, it's a really beautiful dance."

Salsa, which groups several different types of Afro-Cuban dances and music, was once the preserve of Latin American expatriates in China at the end of the 1990s.

But the number of schools has increased in recent years, with more than 10 opening in Beijing in the last four years.

"At first 75 percent of those dancing salsa in China were foreign, but now it's the opposite, 75 percent are Chinese, and the number of Chinese is increasing," said Jack Dunn, a New Yorker nicknamed "Mambo Jack," who arrived in China in 2004 and opened his own salsa school.

Yoandris Reyes Sanchez, a 25-year-old professional dancer, arrived from Cuba a year ago to teach salsa.

"Chinese people are not as I imagined them to be, I thought they were shy, that they were scared of dancing, but not at all," he said.

"I've been here a year and I can see that they really give their all for salsa, they really like salsa."

And whereas the older generation prefers to waltz in public places such as parks, younger people appear to favour lively rhythms that are a departure from traditional Chinese reserve.

"A lot of people think salsa is too sexy, but if your aim is only the love of dancing, I don't see where the problem is," said Wang.

The salsa trend also reflects the increasing openness onto the outside world of modern China, which has reinforced its economic presence in Latin America in recent years.

"Beijing is getting more international. Salsa comes from abroad and more and more people are open to the culture and ways of thinking that come from outside," Wang said.

In October, Dunn is to organise a Salsa Congress for the fourth time in Beijing -- a competition that gathers together hundreds of contestants.

"Last year at the China Salsa Congress, we had the first band with Chinese (people), it was headed by two Latinos, but the rest of the band were Chinese," he said.

"It was really unique, special, because it was the first time that Chinese were really on stage as a Latin performance, performing Latin music."

More help needed to train new Hispanic pastors

Help Needed to Support Training of Hispanic Pastors
Covchurch.org

BELL GARDENS, CA (June 23, 2009) – While the number of Hispanic congregations in the Evangelical Covenant Church has been steadily growing, the institution responsible for training pastors to lead these congregations faces increasing financial challenges in its effort to keep pace with the demand.

The president of CHET (Centro Hispano de Estudios Teologicos), the Evangelical Covenant Church training center for Hispanic ministers, says more donations are needed if the school is to continue giving a much-needed level of scholarships. He has issued an appeal for help from concerned Covenanters and others.

Without the scholarships, the average yearly tuition of $660 would be prohibitive for many of the students, notes Ed Delgado. “Many of the students already make wages that are well below average and they have been hit additionally hard during the recession,” he adds.

Nearly 550 students currently are enrolled in full- and part-time programs. The school offers several educational tracks. Click here to see additional photos.

StudentsSince the school was formed in 1989, graduates have served as pastors, church planters, missionaries, lay counselors and trained laity in Covenant and other evangelical churches throughout the United States and Latin America. CHET works in partnership with North Park University and operates several extension sites in the United States as well as Mexico and Spain.

CHET subsidizes $440 of the tuition through scholarships, with students owing the balance. Students have made tremendous sacrifices to pay tuition; however, over the last nine years, difficult economic circumstances have made it impossible for some students to pay their $220 share, resulting in an unpaid tuition deficit that now stands at $97,342. Delgado fears a widening global recession could push the total deficit past the $126,000 mark by the end of the current fiscal year.

As a result, the school, which already operates on a lean budget of $365,000 can no longer continue to fund the scholarships at close to the current levels, Delgado says.

Delgado is asking individuals and churches to assist at least 50 percent of the students – “the best and the most needy” – by sponsoring one or more students for the full $660-a-year tuition cost. A local church could decide to sponsor one student – or perhaps several, Delgado suggests. Individuals could also decide to sponsor a student – or go together with several others to support a student, he notes.

At the very least, he hopes that generous and caring donors will consider providing one or more $40 scholarships and donating funds to help retire the $97,342 in unpaid tuition.

The money would help students such as Lupita Mosqueda and Mario Benedetti.

GroupMosqueda has completed 91 units with a Grade Point Average of 3.76. Originally from Mexico, she is a member of Amigos de La Gracia Covenant Church in Rialto, California.

Delgado says Mosqueda believed she was fortunate because she had a steady job that required her to deliver 500 newspapers each day, all before 5 a.m. in her personal car, even though it had mechanical problems. Then the bad news came - she lost her job when the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin of Ontario, California, reduced the number of its distribution centers.

Benedetti, originally from Venezuela, is a Ministerial Program student with a 3.89 GPA and serves as president of the CHET Student Council. He is a member of El Encino Covenant Church in Downey, California. The global economic downturn has left him without steady employment, however, for the last six months.

Delgado says Mosqueda’s and Benedetti’s stories “are way too common and way too representative of the CHET student body.”

To make an online CHET donation using a credit card or PayPal account, click here and select the “Give Now” button.

Those desiring to donate by check may do so by making the check payable to CHET and mailing it to Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos, 6113 Clara St., Bell Gardens, CA, 90201.

Midland Hispanics to get new cultural center

Midland City Council Approves Lease for Hispanic Cultural Center
CBS 7 News Staff, June 23, 2009

MIDLAND - The Midland City Council approved to lease a building to the Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland.

According to its co-founder, Norma Chavez, The HCCM has never had a building of its own, so moving into the old midland women's club on Wadley will be significant for the non-profit organization.

She says the road to where they are today has not been an easy one.

Chavez says they will be able to move in to the new building as soon as it can be appraised for its property value.

Latina singer buys into football franchise

Gloria and Emilio Estefan buy stake in Miami Dolphins
BY MANNY GARCIA AND DAVID J. NEAL, Miami Herald

Miami entertainment figures Gloria and Emilio Estefan will be announced as Miami Dolphins minority owners Thursday by Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The source said Monday night that the National Football League and the Dolphins are looking to expand their reach to South Florida's growing Hispanic community and are turning to the Estefans as their ambassadors. Like many sports fans in South Florida his age, Emilio Estefan is a longtime Dolphins fan whose favorite player is Hall of Fame Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.

A Monday Dolphins news release said there would be a Thursday morning ''major announcement on behalf of the Dolphins'' hosted by the Estefans and Ross at LandShark Stadium. This is similar to the way the Dolphins announced their association with singer Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville business, which includes Land Shark Lager. Buffett is expected to become a minority owner eventually.

Ross likes show-business personalities and likes to make announcements with a show-business flair and timing. He began speaking with the Estefans three months ago about getting a small piece of the Dolphins.

Now, he has linked the Dolphins to two of South Florida's most famous entertainers -- Buffett, whose music symbolizes the relaxed Florida Keys lifestyle, and Gloria Estefan, whose music could symbolize South Florida's ethnic metamorphosis over the past 25 years.

Emilio Estefan didn't want to comment Monday night, and Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said the Dolphins ``won't have a comment on anything until the announcement Thursday.''

The NFL has boosted recent efforts to tap into the national Hispanic market as Hispanics have become the nation's fastest-growing minority. Players with Hispanic backgrounds such as Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez and Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz have been featured in NFL marketing campaigns aimed at Hispanics, particularly youths.

In fact, on Monday, Gloria Estefan was in Nashville recording with this year's Monday Night Football introduction song with Hank Williams Jr. Williams' Are You Ready for Some Football? has become Monday Night Football's signature song since 1989.

The Estefans wouldn't be the NFL's first Hispanic owners. E. Javier Loya, CEO of CHOICE! Energy, is a Houston Texans limited partner.

Linking the Dolphins to the Estefans, who made a significant mark on popular music during the 1980s and '90s, continues Ross' trend of trying to light the Dolphins with a show-business tint.

Since taking over majority ownership of the Dolphins and the former Dolphin Stadium from H. Wayne Huizenga, Ross has reached out to Buffett and changed the name of the stadium, which was also formerly known as Joe Robbie Stadium and Pro Player Stadium.

Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine had several hits in the mid-1980s as South Florida, Miami in particular, tried to rebuild its image after the early 1980s riots and cocaine cowboy shootouts. As a solo act she continued to crank out hit music into this decade while Emilio gained stature as a producer.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Hispanic music festival planned for Sacajawea Park

Sacajawea State Park plays host to Festival Mexicana
PRESS RELEASE

Olympia –June 23, 2009 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to Festival Mexicana at Sacajawea State Park, near Pasco, Washington. All are welcome at this free event.

The celebration runs from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 19, at Sacajawea State Park, 2503 Sacajawea Park Road, east of Pasco, off U.S. Highway 12, between Pasco and the Snake River Bridge.

Headlining the program will be Tri-Cities’ own Tormenta de Durango and El Arranque Norteño, and the folklórico dancers and costumes of the Yakima Valley’s Los Bailadores del Sol. The schedule of events includes:

1 p.m. - Welcome

1:30 p.m. - Fortaleza de Tierra Caliente

2:30 p.m. - El Arranque Norteño

3:30 p.m. - Los Bailadores del Sol

5 p.m. - Tejano Knights

6 p.m. - Tormenta de Durango

Eva Castellanoz, nationally recognized Smithsonian folk artist, will demonstrate the art of wax and paper flower making. Traditional food will be available for purchase.

Co-sponsors of Festival Mexicana include the Latino Business Association of TriCities, La Voz Hispanic Newspaper and Bustos Media (Radio Ke Buena 97.9 FM & Radio La Gran D 96.7 FM).

The celebration is part of the fifth season of a broader series of free events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures, presented by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program in cooperation with Northwest Heritage Resources. The Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program is a partnership between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Arts Commission. Additional funding support for the series is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Arts Commission, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Festival Mexicana is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are required in order to attend, please call (509) 545-2361 or (360) 902-8526. Those who are hearing- and/or speech-impaired may call the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission thanks the public for supporting state parks. Donations made to State Parks through the vehicle license tab renewal program starting with September 2009 renewals will keep state parks open in the two-year budget cycle beginning July 1, 2009, provided adequate revenues are collected. The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 96-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Band brings Latino music to Canada

Rumba Bomba! Latino band anything but typical
By Roger Levesque, Canwest News Service, June 20, 2009

They may be known as one of Canada's top Latin-jazz bands, but Alberta's Bomba! is really building on their international musical connections.

As the group gets ready to mark a decade together, their new fourth album, Cuatro Caminos (Four Paths), reflects the multiple elements that make up Bomba's rich sound, and an impressive new level of musical maturity.

"We've done a lot of different things over 10 years," notes co-founder and percussionist Mario Allende, "and it's taken a little longer this time to bring all these paths together. It happened in a very natural organic way."

It's been four years since the last Bomba! album, but "four paths" is a reference to the ethnic traditions that come together in the band: Allende's family is from Chile; bassist Rubim de Toledo is of Brazilian heritage. All three founding members, including pianist Chris Andrew, grew up in Canada, which exerts its own subtle influence (Andrew is still based in Edmonton where the group began; the others live in Calgary now).

Finally there's the balance of three Cuban-Canadians in the group - percussionist Raul Gomez Tabera, lead singer and guitarist Luis Emilio Rios and violinist Aldo Aguirre. Afro-Cuban rhythms remain a key musical ingredient, though the new CD also features sambas and the pre-samba choro tradition from Brazil, along with Peruvian or Andes elements.

"The band is always a surprise to me," adds Allende. "We're always asking ourselves if we can reach new goals and when we reach them, it's with a 'yes', but a surprising 'yes' that we sound that good. And there's always a deeper place we try to get to, beyond countries or styles, that unifies it all."

Cuatro Caminos sports some special guests on a few tracks too: five members of Cuba's Los Munequitos de Matanzas and three other Cuban players they know, plus two members of the famous Chilean band Inti-Illimani.

Those guest spots came about when the other bands were visiting Alberta over the past few years. The album was recorded in both Edmonton and Calgary.

The new album also comes with a beautiful, poetic introduction from Jorge Coulon, the founder of Inti-Illimani, in which he ponders "what makes a sultry Caribbean rhythm flourish on the Canadian steppe?"

In a sense, Bomba! has been answering that query since the beginning, often literally to people who are surprised to find out that such a happening Latin band comes from Alberta.

Perhaps the answer matters less and less, especially with the new ring of sophistication you hear on Cuatro Caminos. While some tracks show they can still be a sizzling, in-your-face dance band, others lean toward sheer beauty and something gentler in the polyrhythmic chemistry.

"We've never wanted to be the typical Latin sound of the day,'' says Allende. ``When you have the option to play some of Chris's songs for example, it's a gift. It's our chance to present music in our way but with the beauty and subtlety of his melodies."

Along with the member's occasional visits to various parts of Latin America, Bomba! has also managed to tour Europe, to play Korea and to kick off the Havana Jazz Festival. With the release of Cuatro Caminos, they are preparing to embark on their next cross-country tour, nine dates including appearances at the jazz festivals in Victoria, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

They already have a devoted fan base in Alberta and a respectable profile in musical communities across Canada, but Cuatro Caminos should really help underline the remarkable fusion of artistry and invention that makes Bomba! so much more than a mere party band.

Hispanic Cubana brings mariachi gold

Mariachi maven via Cuba
Kevin Roderick, LA Observer • June 19 2009

Patricia Marroquin at Hispanic Business profiles Rodri Rodriguez, the Cuban-born creator of the annual Mariachi USA festival that returns Saturday to the Hollywood Bowl for the 20th time.

While it may seem odd that a woman of Cuban descent would create a Mexican festival, it was really a natural occurrence for Rodriguez. "Since early in my career I worked with mariachi music giants Lucha Villa, Lola Beltran, Miguel Aceves Mejia, Juan Gabriel and so many others," she said. "In this process, mariachi romanced my ear."

Rodriguez recently became a principal partner with Manuel Meza in the Los Angeles restaurant La Fonda, the first mariachi dinner show venue in the United States. The restaurant originally opened in 1969 by Natividad "Nati" Cano as a home for his group, Los Camperos. The restaurant closed in October 2007, but Meza and his partners reopened a freshly redesigned space in early 2008.

Unlike in previous years, tickets remain for the Bowl show. Rodriguez blames the economy.

United Way reaches out to Texas Latinos

United Way reaches out to Central Texas Latinos
Vivir Unidos event gave Hispanic residents and local nonprofits a chance to get to know each other.
By Juan Castillo, AMERICAN-STATESMAN, June 19, 2009

When the United Way Capital Area officials noticed that the Hispanic population in Central Texas was ballooning but volunteerism among Latinos seemed to lag behind, they wondered why.

Among the answers they got: Hispanics said they simply hadn't been asked.

On Thursday evening, the agency made a splashy point of asking, reaching out to Latino residents with a first-ever volunteer fair called Vivir Unidos at the Mexican American Cultural Center.

"This is kind of like our public appearance, our public invitation," said Armando Rayo, the director of Hands On Central Texas, a project of United Way's volunteer center.

The United Way envisioned Vivir Unidos — Spanish for "Live United" — as something of a mixer, a chance for Hispanic residents and local nonprofit organizations to get to know each other. More than 30 nonprofits were invited to the free event, which also marked the public rollout of a soon-to-be-released report by the agency on Hispanics, volunteerism and issues important to the Latino community.

The report and the fair grew out of United Way's Culture Connections and Community Engagement Initiative, an attempt launched in 2007 to draw more African Americans and Latinos into volunteerism. With Central Texas' population rapidly becoming more diverse, the agency thought it was important for nonprofit groups and their boards to reflect that mix.

"We need to have all voices represented in our nonprofit world," said Debbie Bresette, United Way interim president.

The initiative was quickly illuminating. The agency learned that African Americans were already heavily involved in their churches and in the schools and that the agency is "just not necessarily linked with it," Bresette said.

"We're not embedded or deeply rooted in the Hispanic community," Rayo said.

Vivir Unidos was a bilingual event. To connect with Latinos who are interested in volunteering, Rayo said, Vivir Unidos aimed to celebrate the diversity of Latino culture with Latin American foods, music, ballet folklórico and Vivir Unidos Lotería, a variation on the game sometimes called "Mexican Bingo."

Rayo said he hoped to bring native Tejanos, immigrants, young people and longtime residents under one tent.

"It's about being authentic in your approaches," Rayo said about the cultural touches. "It's about creating a sense of community, even if you may not have those existing relationships."

Idalia Garza of Round Rock is one of many volunteers who helped put on Vivir Unidos; she enlisted three local restaurants to donate food for the event.

"The main goal is for every single person to say, 'I didn't know I could be involved this way in our community,' " Garza said, adding that she didn't know either until she lost her job in October.

Through Hands On Central Texas, she connected with local hospices and another group that helps people with diabetes and dove into volunteering. Now she is the volunteer coordinator with Heart to Heart Hospice.

The work is close to her own heart; she said her brother David Castro died in 2003 of AIDS and lived in a hospice before his death.

Garza said she told Rayo she wants to continue helping.

"He has a powerful engine there" in Hands On Central Texas, Garza said. "I think we have the perfect market because we have a great diversity of people here and so many people willing to help. We have yet to reach the Hispanic community."

jcastillo@statesman.com; 445-3635

Monday, June 22, 2009

Latino authors featured in virtual book tours

Virtual book tours especially for Latino/a authors
by Mayra Calvani, Examiner.com

There's a new blogger in town offering virtual book tours especially for Latino/a authors and her name is Jo Ann Hernandez, the lady behind BronzeWord Latino Authors. An author herself, Jo Ann knows how hard it is to promote books in the very competitive world of publishing. She has many contacts in the Latino blogosphere and will plan and coordinate your virtual book tour according to you and your book. Jo Ann is the award-winning author of the young adult novels, White Bread Competition and The Throwaway Piece.

The first Latino virtual book tour is happening right now and Jo Ann's first client is 20-year old novelist Estevan Vega, author of suspense thrillers. In this tour, he's promoting his 2nd book,The Sacred Sin.

I recently did an article on Estevan. If you'd like to read it, please click HERE.

Below is the full tour schedule. If you're a book lover, consider visiting the blogs and leaving comments. Vega will be giving away an autographed copy of his novel to one lucky winner EACH day of the tour! I'll be hosting the author here on the Examiner on June 27th, the last day of the tour.

Full schedule:

June 14
BronzeWord Latino Authors, http://authorslatino.com/wordpress
Eljumpingbean, http://eljumpingbean.blogspot.com

June 15
Latinitas Magazine, http://www.mylatinitas.com

June 16
The Art of Random Willynillyness.com, http://theartofrandomwillynillyness.blogspot.com
Carol In Carolina, http://caroincarolina.blogspot.com

June 17
Caridad Pineiro, http://www.caridad.com/

June 18
Writing to Insanity, http://www.locacrazywriter.blogspot.com


June 19
Lara Rios http://juliaamante.blogspot.com/

June 20
Musings http://Nilkibenitez.blogspot.com

June 21
RafaelMarquez.me http://www.rafaelmarquez.me

June 22
Latina Reader http://blogs.qoobole.com/latina-reader

June 23
Café of Deams http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/

June 24
Latino Pundit http://www.latinopundit.com

June 25
Queer Latino Musings on Literature http://charlievazquez.wordpress.com/

June 26
Mama Latina Tips http://www.mamalatinatips.com

June 27
Latino Book Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6309-Latino-Books-Examiner

More info: http://authorslatino.com/wordpress

Hispanic Evangelicals go to Congress for prayer, advocacy

Hispanic Evangelicals Flock to Capitol Hill for Prayer, Advocacy
By Eric Young, Christian Post, Jun. 18 2009

One of the largest Hispanic Evangelical networks in the United States is gathering hundreds of Hispanic spiritual and community leaders from across the country for its 8th annual conference this week in the nation’s capital.

In addition to discussing important issues confronted by the Hispanic community, participants of this year’s National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference will be meeting with U.S. officials and policymakers on Capitol Hill to address the diverse needs of the Hispanic community.

"I'm pleased we are reintroducing the Capitol Hill visits to the Conference this year,” commented the Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr., president of Esperanza, a national network of 12,000 faith and community-based agencies.

“It is the founding principle upon which the event was built, and is meant to empower leaders to reach out to government and politicians to express the needs of our communities," he added. "We have come together in a special way to pray, celebrate, and advocate for Hispanics everywhere."

Since 2002, when Cortes organized the first National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast, the annual meeting has served as a time of prayer, advocacy, and celebration, attracting more than 750 each year.

“Our vision is to unite our voices, identify the issues that are important to Hispanic people nationwide, capture the attention of national policy makers, and persuade them to fulfill our unmet needs,” states Esperanza.

“It is an exciting event on Capitol Hill where our voices ring loud and true both in prayer and in discussions with those who can effect change.”

This year, one of the predominant concerns of the Hispanic community is the issue of immigration and the problems that ensue from a broken and imbalanced system, according to Esperanza.

This week’s three-day gathering, which concludes Friday, comes on the heels of the release of a new hate crimes report, which found that the number of hate crimes reported against Hispanics increased nearly 40 percent in the five years from 2003 to 2007.

The report by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) on “Hate Crimes in America” claimed that the increase in violence against Hispanics “correlates closely” with the increasingly heated debate over Comprehensive Immigration Reform and an escalation in the level of anti-immigrant vitriol on radio, television, and the Internet.

“The increase in hate crimes directed against Hispanics for the fourth consecutive year is particularly noteworthy and worrisome because the number of hate crimes committed against other racial, ethnic, and religious groups has over the same period shown either no increase or a decrease,” the LCCR reported.

According to Esperanza, this week’s Capitol Hill visits will serve as a platform on which the Hispanic church and community leaders will present their principles and position regarding the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Immigration has been the main issue that the network’s annual meeting has advocated for in four of its past six conferences.

Esperanza’s civic mandate is to advocate on behalf of the marginalized and underserved in the Hispanic community.

Same Hispanics on network TV

NBC Just Can't Quit Same Old Hispanics
Can We Have One Segment Without Gloria or Dora or Shakira?
Laura Martinez, AD AGE, 06.18.09

This week the Hispanic blogosphere was abuzz with one topic in particular: NBC's "We the People," a week-long series on Hispanics in America which kicked off Monday and looks to address several topics facing the Hispanic community in the U.S.

Unsurprisingly, the series featured a five-minute-plus segment with NBC's Kerry Sanders, who greeted viewers by sipping a delicious cafe con leche and making sure to tell us his favorite ice-cream flavor is dulce de leche (all this in a heavily accented Spanglish, which made for some entertaining morning TV). That's nice. But will mainstream media ever get past the likes of Gloria Estefan, Dora the Explorer, Shakira and "West Side Story" to illustrate how Hispanics are "changing the face of America," like, for the millionth time?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Or, as one writer of the up-and-coming blog Guanabee put it this week: "Latinos have impacted pop culture, specifically in the realms of media and entertainment -- because Latinos in the realm of science, literature, and politics won't likely be discovered 'til next year." Or, as yet another Hispanic blogger wrote upon watching the segment: "Hispanics are from Mars, everybody else is from Earth."

The segment also included a brief discussion after one of the presenters expressed her shock upon discovering that Gustavo Santaolalla's Oscar-winning music for "Brokeback Mountain" was actually not salsa -- and other "insights" of the like. ("You really never know who is Hispanic, and who isn't, these days.")

To be sure, the series has also touched on some interesting issues, including bilingual education, immigration and the divide ripping through mixed-status families, striking a healthy balance among the salsa lessons and fish-and-avocado taco recipes.

What I found most refreshing about the whole thing, though, was that U.S. Hispanics (and not necessarily those featured on Kerry Sanders' segment) are making themselves heard with their own sardonic voices, on their own blogs and websites and in their own terms, disturbing a little the once unbreakable and unidirectional media landscape.

Now, that is what I find revolutionary.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Latino musical festival draws famous Mexican conductor

Classical music review: Mexican conductor succeeds in Dallas Symphony Orchestra's Latino Festival Concert
By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News, June 14, 2009

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra's Latino Festival Concert on Saturday evening defined "Latino" pretty loosely. There were pieces by the Brazilians Camargo Guarnieri and Egberto Gismonti and the Argentine Astor Piazzolla, but also by the Spaniard Manuel de Falla and the Italian Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Beethoven got in by way of one of the four overtures he composed for his Seville-set opera Fidelio.

Given the origins of most of North Texas' huge and growing Latino population, the absence of a Mexican composer was an unfortunate oversight. At least we had a Mexican conductor, and quite a promising one.

Still in her 20s, trained at the Manhattan School of Music, Alondra de la Parra made quite a positive impression two years ago at the Meyerson Symphony Center, conducting an orchestra she had assembled mainly with New York conservatory students. Once again she supplied clear and meaningful stick technique, and, apart from overegging the brass, a very musical feeling for energy, shape and proportion.

The most interesting piece on the program was Piazzolla's Tangazo , mixing contrapuntal mystery, dreamy passages (David Heyde and Haley Hoops contributing beautiful horn solos) and toe-tapping dances. The Suite No. 2 from Falla's Three-Cornered Hat got a performance alternately seductive and dazzling.

Guarnieri's Dansa brasileira was a cheerfully chugging overture, and Gismonti's two-guitars-and-orchestra Sete Aneis, performed with the Brasil Guitar Duo (João Luiz and Douglas Lora), suggested some influence from minimalism. Neither of these impressed as deathless art, but each was pleasant enough.

Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Concerto for Two Guitars was pretty inane, with dippy themes elaborated with all the imagination of an undergraduate composition student. Luiz and Lora played well, but the amplification lent an unpleasant metallic resonance to their sound. Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3 got stirring offstage fanfares and a razzle-dazzle close, but earlier stretches dragged.

These festival programs attract lots of people who don't ordinarily attend symphony concerts. But the absence of at least brief program notes, even movement markings on the program page, suggests the DSO considers these second-class concerts. That's tacky.

Hispanic girls share stories of empowerment

Hispanic girls share stories of empowerment
BY TERRY FLORES, Kenosha News

Some grew up in peaceful villages where the air was clean and crowing roosters were their alarm clocks. Others picked fruit fresh every day and rode on horses. Still others left gang-infested towns, away from violence.

They love their mothers’ cooking, but enjoy burgers, marvel at snow in the winter and cars everywhere.

While each are from different backgrounds, the members of HERMANAS, Kenosha Unified’s empowerment group for Hispanic girls, said they view their successes and challenges both through the lens of their Hispanic roots and in American culture.

On Friday, they shared poems celebrating both at the first Bilingual Poetry Expression presentation and potluck dinner. HERMANAS stands for Hispanic Educational Resource Mentoring and Navigating Academic Success.

Amanda Arroyo, a sophomore at Harborside Academy, said she loves her loud Puerto Rican family, who have taught her to learn from mistakes, and she enjoys being at her school.

“I go to a school where everyone is positive,” she said before about 20 parents and others who attended the event. “No matter what happens, I’m from a family who says, ‘Don’t complain because you have it so good.’”

Estrella Vincencio, who graduated last week from Indian Trail Academy, came from a place “where there were gangs everywhere,” before moving to a safer city with her family in her new-found home of Kenosha.

Moving to the United States, she saw falling snow for the first time and “so many cars.”

She said she found she belongs in both worlds in a “mixture of everything I have left.”

“This is where I am from,” she said.

Jesus Santos said she is from a family who “likes to do a lot of things together.”

“I am from where they use horses instead of cars,” she said. “From where there is no gangs or shootings.”

MarKisha Henderson Diaz, who considers herself a “small-town girl,” has traveled to many places, from celebrating luaus to life in the Bronx.

“I am from a family where every day is an adventure,” she said.

Her sister Meralisse Maceira, a seventh-grader at McKinley Middle School, was proud of her family’s service in the military and being able to hang tough in male-dominated sports.

“I’m from boys who pick me (for their teams) so they don’t get their butt kicked,” she said. “That’s where I’m from.”

Consuelo Bridgeman, the group’s adviser, said she was proud of the girls, some of whom could barely whisper their names to her before joining the group.

Beatrice Arroyo, a parent volunteer, said the confidence they have built will enable them to succeed in becoming anything they want, from doctors and lawyers to judges.

Next month some of the girls will be attending the League of United Latin American Citizens’ youth leadership camp in Puerto Rico, for which they raised funds by selling hundreds of tamales. The girls are also members of the league’s youth council.

“These ladies will make it, and we won’t stop until they do,” she said.

Hispanic Baptist Convention draws leadership

Fourth nominee announced for Hispanic Convention presidency
By Ken Camp, Baptist Standard, June 17, 2009

A fourth nominee—Victor Rodriguez of San Antonio—has emerged in an increasingly crowded field of candidates for president of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas.

The Convention’s annual meeting will be June 28-29 at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

Julio Guarneri, pastor of Getsemani Baptist Church in Fort Worth, has announced his plans to nominate Rodriguez, pastor of South San Filadelfia Baptist Church in San Antonio because “he represents the best of leadership in our midst” and “the best of what the Convencion has been about for 100 years.”

“He ministers in the barrio, and his vision includes reaching all Hispanics with the whole gospel, including salvation, education, family care and economic improvement,” Guarneri said.

Rodriguez is “a product of our Hispanic Baptist work in Texas,” he continued. His father, Manuel Rodriguez, served as Convencion president, and the younger Rodriguez served as president of the jóvenes in San Antonio, president of youth camp and president of the Hispanic Baptist state singles camp. He was educated at Hardin Simmons University and Wayland Baptist University.

Rodriguez, who is bilingual, “relates to first–generation Hispanics, as well as to second- and third-generation Hispanics” and Anglos, Guarneri noted, predicting he will be “an inclusive and understanding leader for our Convención, leading us into the next century of Hispanic Baptist work of collaboration with all those who are committed to the advancement of the gospel in Texas and beyond.”

If elected, Rodriguez expressed his desire to lead the Convencion in three emphases—equipping ministers for church growth, evangelism and education, particularly involving churches in reserving the drop-out rate among Hispanic youth.

“I see the past 99 years of our Convencion as years of great vision and determination. Now, I believe we are entering a new era—a new stage in the life of the Convencion. I was to see us involve all Hispanics, including the third- and fourth-generation Hispanics,” he said.

Rodriguez has served as a Texas Baptist pastor 24 years. Under his leadership, South San Filadefia Baptist Church has grown from 25 members to more than 900, and in the last five years has baptized an average of 100 people annually. The church sponsors community ministries that touch 1,300 lives on a weekly basis.

Rodriguez and his wife, Olga, have three sons—Victor, Fernando and Manuel.

Previously announced candicates for Convencion president are Angel Vela, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Westway in El Paso; Teo Cisneros, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in La Grange; and Eli Rodriguez of Dallas, state coordinator for the Hispanic Convocation of the Laity.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Hispanic outreach features bible school for children

Church reaches out to Hispanic community
By RACHEL PARKER DICKERSON, LOG CABIN STAFF WRITER

A small Hispanic fellowship, Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva, reached out to the Spanish-speaking community this week by offering a vacation Bible school for children.

Yessica Arredondo, coordinator for the Bible school, said Monday brought about 40 children to the church, and the following days brought 25 to 30. Everything from singing to Bible study to craft time, was presented in Spanish.

"What we're trying to do," Arredondo began, "When Hispanic people come here to the U.S., they think about making some good money for their family. When most of the people get here they think everything's going to be pretty good. A lot of people when they get here, they find themselves alone. Many people don't know there's a good Hispanic community. When they find themselves alone, they start doing things they're not supposed to be doing. When they find out we're here and we're a family, they change their minds and they come to Jesus."

Providing a vacation Bible school is one way to let the parents of the children know the church is a safe place for them, she said.

"We want to grow so all the Hispanic people know we are here," Arredondo said.

"I want all the English-speaking people to know we are working for the Lord, too," she added, saying sometimes she feels Hispanic people are cast in a bad light because of immigration controversies.

"This church is my family. We are not a lot of people 10, 15 families but we are a family," Arredondo said.

Leonel Alvarado, pastor of the church, said of the vacation Bible school, "For a first time, we're doing great. Yessica and the teachers are going great. They deserve all the credit."

He continued, "Our main goal is to reach the kids of the Hispanic community. Our main goal is to reach the whole family. They need some kind of help because of the language barrier, and I think the church is a great place."

He said he and the teachers have been surprised to find out that young children, 8 to 10 years old, know about drugs.

"They asked (Arredondo) and me if taking drugs is OK," he said. "They shocked me. I don't know where they learn it."

Arredondo said she believes church is the best place to teach children not to do drugs and not to make other bad choices.

Alvarado said, "We're trying to do the best we can for the community so they can have a better future."

Rachel Parker Dickerson, rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net

NBA star not recognized as Latino

NBA star Carmelo Anthony treasures his heritage
Lee Hernández and Collin OrcuttJune 11th 2009

The Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony says many fans don't know of his Puerto Rican heritage.

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony frequently uses his signature jab step to catch the defense off guard.

But when Hispanic Business magazine named him to their 100 most influential Hispanics list last year, it was Anthony who was surprised.

“I didn’t really expect to be on that list,” said the 24-year-old NBA superstar over the phone from Denver.

The reason, he says, is that many of his fans don’t recognize him as Latino.

“A lot of people are surprised when they hear about it or when they see my tattoo,” says Anthony, referring to the Puerto Rican flag he has on his right hand. “I don’t think a lot of people know that side of me.”

A two-time NBA All-Star, Anthony is best known for his prolific scoring. In December, he scored 33 points in a single quarter, tying George Gervin’s NBA record for the same feat.

And last summer, he helped lead team USA to a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, which may not have happened if team Puerto Rico had gotten their way.

“In ’04, there was talk of me playing with the Puerto Rican team,” says Anthony. “But that’s all it was, just some talk.”

Anthony said he chose to stay with the U.S. team because he was born and raised in the U.S., and felt more comfortable with the American team.

“But it’s good to know that people are recognizing that side of me — that side of my heritage,” he adds.

That heritage comes from his Puerto Rican father, Carmelo Sr., who died when Anthony was just 2.

“I’m pretty sure I still have some family members over there. I’m going to try and find out. I plan on doing some things in Puerto Rico this summer,” he says.

Anthony’s fiancée, former MTV veejay Alani (La La) Vázquez, now a blogger for Latina magazine and judge of the VH1 show “Charm School,” is also Boricua.

“I didn’t really know she was Puerto Rican until I got a chance to know her later on down the line,” says Anthony. “We always eat together. I like rice and beans and chicken. I’m a basic guy.”

Anthony, whose nickname is Melo, lived in Brooklyn’s Red Hook projects until the age of 8.

“It was mostly black, but as the years went on, Brooklyn — well, New York period — is filled with Puerto Ricans and Spanish. I grew up around all that,” he says.

The family later moved to Baltimore’s the Pharmacy section, the dangerous setting of the HBO series “The Wire.”

Anthony says his upbringing in these difficult environments made him want to give back to the Baltimore community.

Latino Evangelicals pray every day study says

Most Latino Evangelicals Pray Every Day
Pew Forum, June 11, 2009

On June 17-19, hundreds of Hispanic evangelical church leaders will participate in the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life, finds that Hispanic evangelicals, like other evangelicals, are more likely to pray every day than the population overall. Hispanic evangelicals are also more likely to pray daily than Hispanics who belong to other major religious groups.

"All" results are based on 35,556 respondents, including 9,472 evangelical Protestants, 7,470 mainline Protestants, 8,054 Catholics and 5,048 unaffiliated respondents.

"Hispanic" results are based on 3,151 Hispanic respondents, including 509 evangelical Protestants, 185 mainline Protestants, 1,748 Catholics and 446 unaffiliated respondents.

NBC launches Latino week

'Today' to air Hispanic America series
Upi.com, June 11, 2009

NEW YORK, June 11 (UPI) -- NBC News' "Today" program has announced plans to air "We The People," a special week-long series about Hispanic America.

Set to begin Monday, the series will cover a wide range of issues facing the Hispanic community and examine the successes and challenges of Hispanics across the United States, NBC said in a release.

The segments will include reports from "Today" correspondents such as Natalie Morales, Carl Quintanilla, Maria Celeste Arraras, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Miguel Almaguer, Kerry Sanders and Michelle Caruso-Cabrera.

The series will be featured online at WeThePeople.todayshow.com, where "Today's" correspondents will share their personal reflections on the stories they covered, the network noted.

NBC News began the "We the People" series in February on "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams."

Hispanic filmmaker tackles immigration

Illegal immigration
By JENALIA MORENO, Houston Chronicle, June 8, 2009

Lugging little more than their clothing, four Hispanic children rushed toward a green 1978 Bonneville to continue their race across Texas. They were evading immigration and law enforcement authorities for fear of being separated from one another and their only caretaker, an adult brother who is also an illegal immigrant.

And then the director shouted, “Cut!”

It was another scene in Pasadena resident Baldemar Rodriguez’s first feature film, El Nacional. He is the director, a lead actor, co-producer and writer of this movie that follows siblings running from the law after their undocumented parents are arrested.

Rodriguez hopes the movie provides a glimpse at how immigration laws affect families trying to shield relatives from authorities, and that’s a secret many of his neighbors keep.

The passionate subject of immigration is not just fodder for blogs, columnists and activists any more. In the long tradition of art imitating life, immigration is now increasingly a story line playing out on the big screen.

From big studio flicks to smaller award-winning movies, the films are projecting sympathetic portrayals of illegal immigrants. Crossing Over recently starred Harrison Ford as an immigration officer in Los Angeles who sympathizes with immigrants he helps capture and award-winning La Misma Luna, or Under the Same Moon, which featured a Mexican mother and her son trying to reunite across international borders. Smaller budget films, like El Nacional, are also honing in on the topic.

That’s in part because there’s a demand.

“The audience for films in the U.S. is becoming increasingly diverse,” said Charles Dove, director of Rice Cinema at Rice University. “Hispanics are the ones that are overwhelmingly attending films,” Dove said.
U.S.-born children

Hispanics bought 11 tickets to movies per person in 2007, up from 9 tickets in 2006, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. By comparison, whites and blacks each bought nearly eight tickets per person.

Most of these new movies will be pro-immigrant because of their audience, Dove said. It could also reflect Hollywood’s more liberal tilt.

Immigration reform is already a hotly debated issue but what to do about the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants is even more controversial.

Between 1998 and 2007, more than 100,000 undocumented immigrants whose children are U.S. citizens were deported, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

That dilemma has attracted some local figures, such as former KTRK (Channel 13) news reporter Elma Barrera, Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and Sheriff Adrian Garcia to act in the film. Adrian Garcia plays a police chief but did not return phone calls.

“No matter what reforms are done at the national level, we need to make sure that families are not torn apart,” said Sylvia Garcia, who plays a police officer in the film.
Persuasive instructors

For his part, Rodriguez wasn’t planning on making an immigration movie until he attended the National Association of Latino Independent Producers academy. Instructors convinced him the subject could make a good story and make it to the big screen.

“You’re going to see a lot of these projects coming to light, and I’m glad I’m one of them,” said Rodriguez, who hopes the film premiers next year. “There’s a great chance that it will get to theatrical distribution because of the subject matter.”

It wasn’t the subject matter that attracted Connie Hill, who also worked on August Evening, another immigration movie shot in Texas. It was released to theaters last year and follows an elderly undocumented farm worker and his widowed daughter-in-law.

“It’s not necessarily immigration that I’m seeking out but good stories,” said Hill, who works as El Nacional’s script supervisor and a producer.

Those financially supporting the film do care about the issue.

“This is an important topic,” said Michelle Fraga, customer service manager of Tejas Office Products, the film’s first investor.

She said it was important to contribute to the film’s production because her ancestors hail from Mexico.

jenalia.moreno@chron.com

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Latino version of "SNL" strikes funny bone

NY Latino Community Examiner
Clarisel Gonzalez, Examiner.com

“Ay, Que Funny” is not just another comedy show; it’s a Spanglish "Saturday Night Live"(SNL) style show made up of live and filmed skits that are written and performed by Latinas.

"The show’s entertainment portion features talented Latinos in music, dance, film, theater and stand-up,” says Jesenia Bailey who wrote, directed and produced the show with Crystal Roman.

They developed the show to promote comedy portrayed by a Latino cast. What started as a random idea, “Ay, Que Funny” has become a passion to promote comedic Latino actors. The “Ay, Que Funny” show debuts at the Nuyorican Poets Café in NYC’s Lower East Side at 7 p.m. June 26.

Bailey says she and Roman came up with their show’s name because of their background, described as “Nuyorican from Nuyo-Rico (aka: The Bronx).”

Their show’s name is also in recognition of their mixing of Spanish and English. “Spanglish seems to be our second language,” Bailey says. “So, when thinking about the show's title, “Ay, Que Funny” just popped right out at us. Also, it’s something that my grandma used to yell out, when I would sing at family gatherings.”

Their show is similar to SNL in that it incorporates both live and filmed skits as well as musical guests and hosts, but it's also different because it has a Latino flavor.

"All of our skits incorporate Latin-styled humor that's inspired by our upbringing and our point of view,” Bailey says, adding that they spoof reality/TV shows, Latino celebrities, Latino remedies and more.

“It's just so gosh darn funny to make fun of something your abuelita thought could cure cancer and put hairs on your chest, all at the same time.”

The “Ay, Que Funny” show features a predominantly female cast and the lead writers are Latinas. The show only has two male cast members who are joined by “six WEPA-FUNNY ladies.”

Among the show’s highlights, according to Bailey, is its “FLAN music video” and its skits. The show also counts with guest hosts including actress April Lee Hernandez (of the movie “Freedom Writers”) and Victor Cruz (TV/Film Actor), as well as entertainment such as “The Soul Steppin Divas,” “Danza Fiesta” and “Tha Heights.”

The short-term goal for the young and ambitious “Ay, Que Funny” producers is to sell out each of the four shows at the Nuyorican Poets Café (June 26, July 3, July 17 and July 24). Their long-term goal is to continue with the show and “possibly get some TV air-time on a major network.”

“Performing at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe is definitely A DREAM COME TRUE to everyone in the cast,” Bailey says. “It's so full of history and passion for Latino Arts, so it is our dream location to perform – except we’d like to be on air.”

So, watch out SNL!

Bailey’s favorite comedian is SNL alum: “late-great Chris Farley.”

“To me, Chris Farley is the epitome of my kind of comedy: PHYSICAL,” she says. “I believe in no shame is the name of the game.”

Other favorites are: Lucille Ball, Jim Carey, Ben Stiller and out of all people, “Michael Jackson (LBL!!! - Laughing Bien Loud),” she says.

“Ay, Que Funny” also serves as a platform to showcase Latina comedic talent.

“As a female comedian, it's hard to be taken seriously, especially with the type of humor that I like; people usually think I'm INSANE,” she says. “I don't like cursing with my mouth, but I'd curse with my body anytime (whatever that means.)

“People tend to doubt whether female comedians can BRING IT! But with a great support system from Crystal Roman, the cast, my family and God, I feel I can do ALL things, like una super mujer (a super woman).”

Bailey says the show challenged writers not to make the obvious choices in humor. “We aimed for intelligent and unexpected humor,” she says. “In the end, we feel that we have a show that we’re proud of as Latinos in comedy.”

For more information about “Ay, Que Funny,” go to www.ayquefunny.com.

Latino contribution to Hip-hop

Setting the tón
Sunshine, NY Daily News June 10th 2009

In "It's Just Begun," Luis Cedeño, aka DJ Disco Wiz, writes of his troubled youth and long history in hip hop.

Besides the customary pageant of salsa orchestras marching up Fifth Ave. on Sunday, nobody will be surprised to hear lots of hip hop en español as well.

But when did raperos start to mingle with salseros? Was it 10 years ago? Twenty?

“The Latino presence, contribution and signature stamp is undeniable in the 35-year span of hip-hop culture,” says Luis (DJ Disco Wiz) Cedeño, 48, who became the first Latino hip-hop deejay in the 1970s.

“We have been involved in the culture’s evolution since day one, as graffiti writers, B-boys, deejays and emcees,” he adds. “The true problem is that our history’s never been properly documented.”

To fill the gap, Cedeño has penned an autobiography, “It’s Just Begun,” co-written with Iván Sánchez, author of the memoir “Next Stop: Growing Up Wild Style in the Bronx.”

Born of Cuban and Puerto Rican parents, Cedeño has lived to tell the tale of growing up in the troubled Bronx of the mid-’70s, enduring abuse at home and getting involved in all kinds of gang violence. In 1979, he went to prison for four years for shooting a man four times (the man survived).

But by then, he was also known for being at the forefront of hip hop’s birth, alongside such pioneers as Grand-master Caz — his first deejay partner — who would later find international success with icons like the Cold Crush Brothers, Afrika Bambaataa and Grand Wizard Theodore, the inventor of the scratch.

“Back in the day, it was definitely a new thing that was, well, we really didn’t know what we were doing,” says Cedeño. “We were just a bunch of poor Spanish and black teenagers in the Bronx, living in one of the most tumultuous times in New York’s history.”

The book is a fascinating, compulsively readable story of rise, fall and redemption in which hip hop sometimes takes a back seat to Cedeño’s countless life experiences as convict, restaurant chef, father, drug user and cancer survivor.

“I guess if I had not spent 20 years out of hip hop, the book might have had more stories about it,” he says. “But who’s to say had I stayed in hip hop I would have ever accomplished as much as I have.”

The release of “It’s Just Begun” (Miss Rosen Editions) coincides with that of “Reggaeton,” the first academic volume devoted to rap en español’s main genre, published by Duke University.

The idea for the book came in 2005, when scholars Raquel Z. Rivera and Deborah Pacini Hernández were co-teaching a course at Tufts University called Music, Blackness and Caribbean Latinos.

“Students were most interested in the reggaetón section of the class,” says Rivera, a sociologist and researcher at Hunter College’s Center for Puerto Rican Studies. “But there were hardly any academic articles to assign to them.”

Ethnomusicologist and deejay Wayne Marshall joined them to come up with the groundbreaking work, billed as a “basic resource on the music genre.”

“Reggaeton” contains a little bit of something for all tastes: from scholarly dissertations on musicology, gender, ethnic and sexual identities — peppered with quotations from philosophers like Foucault and Derrida — to in-depth interviews with genre artists like El General and an essay on race by Tego Calderón.

Even the proper spelling of the genre is discussed (reggaetón, reguetón, regeton), before settling for the Spanglish-tinged reggaeton, without an accent.

A study on duo Calle 13’s politically incendiary song “Filiberto,” an homage to a Puerto Rican nationalist killed by the FBI in 2005, co-exists with a racy one from Puerto Rican singer Glory about her exhausting sex life.

“It’s a book meant to appeal to both academic and general audiences,” says Rivera.

The wide range of subjects tackled in the 400-page volume attests to the influence the young genre has in today’s culture.

“Reggaetón is in many ways a perpetrator of our society’s sexist and homophobic norms,” says Rivera. “But then there are artists like Ivy Queen and La Sista, who have songs challenging that male fantasy of women as always-compliant sex objects.”

Or, as Hunter College Prof. Juan Flores puts it in the preface, reggaetón may well go down in history as “the first transnational music.”

Not only because of its worldwide popularity, but for the genre’s pan-Latin beginnings.
“Reggaetón has no specifiable place of origin,” adds Rivera. “Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico and New York are all extremely important to its genesis.”

carles27@gmail.com

Latino club expands the generations

The Latino club scene runs a generational gamut
By Colleen Watson, Metroactive.com

SAN JOSE can boast many things, and a strong, multilayered Latino scene is one of them. It's not just salsa and Mexican music, although you can find that, too. From what I've seen from my travels is a Latino scene with three different subgroups that share a couple of traits but are also very different. The clubs also span the South Bay with hopping outposts in Mountain View, Palo Alto and Santa Clara.

The first one is for the purists. These are usually first-generation Latinos; Spanish is their first language; and they put in long days and want to kick back and simply have some fun. They can be found at bars like Club Caribe on First Street in San Jose, which is decorated with neon palm trees, and country bars like El Rodeo Club on Coleman Avenue.

Banda music, which is usually a Spanish band with about eight to 15 people singing and playing instruments at top volume, is the popular music here, with dancing all night long. The crowd ranges from the barely legal to about the mid-40s; tight jeans, boots and cowboy hats are the uniform here for both men and women, although women also dress up a little nicer as well. Coronas are the drink of choice, which at some clubs can be ordered by the bucket, which is always helpful.

The next group is what one insider called the Cosmo Latinos. These are usually second- or third-generation, in their 20s and more, and they are seriously into a club atmosphere. A lot of the patrons grew up listening to Mexican music but have moved on to more mainstream hip-hop music.

This group hangs in downtown San Jose at the Miami Beach Club or at Club Barcelona in Sunnyvale. The guys sport buttoned-up shirts and gelled hair; the women strut in wearing tight jeans or tiny skirts and stilettos. DJs spin a mix of popular Spanish music and hip-hop sprinkled with a salsa beat. The dance floor is filled with couples twirling and shaking with updated salsa, meringue and cha-cha moves. This is not the place to come and dance with your girlfriends; this is the place to come and find a sexy Latino guy to dance the night away with.

The third and last group is the pure salsa cohort. These you can find at downtown hot spots like Azucars. This group ranges in age and ethnicity from the just 21 to old gentlemen who can still burn up the dance floor. Though there is a strong Latino presence in the scene, salsa has become very popular over the years and brings in other groups as well. With a strong partner, a rhythmically challenged girl can probably get by, but guys need to know what they are doing. A mojito or two also helps newcomers get into the swing of things.

All three subsets have their ups and downs. In general, each group is just out to have a few drinks and some fun. Yes, there are occasional fights, although a lot of clubs have this problem, but overall I found a friendly atmosphere and happy people. A lot of the Latino venues take cash only, so come prepared. But once you get in, I found that most of the patrons are very friendly, and even for those who don't speak Spanish, it's possible to dance for hours without uttering a single word.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Latino judge has own theme music

Latin Beat for Latino Judge
by Claudine Zap, BUZZ

She is the first Latino to be nominated to the Supreme Court. But Sonia Sotomayor may also be the first justice to have her own theme song.

When the federal appeals court judge loses her cast—she fractured her ankle on the way to meet with senators—she can shake a leg to "Sotomayor Mambo."

The tune, actually from 1998, has gone viral on the Web in the Supreme Court nominee's honor. Latina USA reports that the catchy Latin beat was composed by the Norwegian-Cuban group, Mambo Compañeros. The old song was originally written for a Cuban Olympic athlete (of the same last name).

But what's old is new again. The tune has since been rediscovered online and is being downloaded by fans of the judge. Click here to listen.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Hispanic prayre breakfast/conference planned

The 2009 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference, June 17-19, 2009 - Washington, D.C.
PRESS RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA, June 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Esperanza, the largest Hispanic faith-based Evangelical network in the United States, committed to strengthening the Latino community, is hosting the 8th annual National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference, June 17-19, 2009 in Washington, D.C. These unique events bring together over 750 national Hispanic spiritual and community leaders to the nation's capital where they join in celebration and prayer for our country, our political leaders, and our communities, and advocate for the needs of Hispanics in the United States.

Latinos hold concert for the troops

Marching to a Latin beat in 'Concert for the Troops'
Latinos in the Military
By Reed Johnson, LA Times, June 5, 2009

During several of America's 20th century wars, the sight of Bob Hope rallying U.S. troops became practically as familiar a symbol of the military as Old Glory flapping in the breeze. Today, U.S. men and women of a new generation serving under arms, many of them Latinos, are being regaled by performers named Frankie J, Baby Bash and Paula DeAnda, some of whom are as likely to be singing and joking in Spanish as in English.

For the last few years, the growing presence of Latinos in the U.S. military has become a focus of Universal City-based mun2 (pronounced moon-dose), a lifestyle cable network targeted at bilingual Latinos ages 18 to 34. A mun2 news special, "For My Country: Latinos in the Military," which investigated the patriotic, as well as some of the harsh socio-economic, reasons why many young Latinos choose military service, won a Peabody Award in 2007.

This week, mun2 is continuing its examination of how Latinos are affecting U.S. military culture and vice versa by airing "Concert for the Troops," which airs at 6 p.m. today. The concert was staged live before an invited audience of U.S. Army troops, both Latinos and non-Latinos, a number of whom have done tours of combat duty, as well as some of their spouses and significant others.

Taped in April at the Conga Room in downtown Los Angeles, the concert's highlights are performances by the three aforementioned artists, who pumped up the flag-waving, high-spirited crowd with musical numbers and praise for the soldiers.

"Being the fact that I am Latino, I wanted to reach out to the Latino military personnel and be a supporter at the same time," said Frankie J, a.k.a. Francisco Javier Bautista, who was born in Tijuana and raised in San Diego, during an interview at the taping. "Coming from my Mexican roots, I feel that it's very important to show that love and appreciation toward our military people . . . who are of Latin descent."

Flavio Morales, vice president of programming for mun2, said the main idea behind the concert was simply to honor Latino soldiers and acknowledge their decades-long service. Mun2, part of the Telemundo Group, a division of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, reaches 29 million households.

"This is something that's handed down for generations," he said. "There's a long history of military service. Then you also have a lot of Latinos that are seeking a better life, and whether it's the GI Bill or whether it's immigration issues, gaining citizenship through military service -- that is also something that they seek."

Morales said his wife's cousin, Marine Lance Cpl. Victor A. González, 19, of Watsonville, was killed in Iraq's Anbar province in October 2004. His parents, illegal immigrants from Zacatecas, Mexico, received U.S. citizenship after their son's death.

Assessing the relative participation of Latinos in the military depends partly on the index being used. A 2006 report on "Population Representation in the Military Services," issued by the Defense Department, determined that "with 11 percent of active duty enlisted members counted as Hispanic, this group remained underrepresented relative to the growing comparable civilian population (17 percent)."

However, a 2003 study by the Pew Hispanic Center noted that one reason Latinos may be proportionally underrepresented is because many young Latinos lack the necessary immigration status to enlist. Statistics compiled by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Heritage Foundation indicate that Latino military enrollment has grown considerably since September 2001.

The way that popular culture depicts the role of Latinos in the military sometimes provokes controversy. In 2007, documentary maker Ken Burns was criticized by Latino advocates for initially not including narratives of Latino soldiers in his seven-part documentary about World War II, "The War." Burns subsequently agreed to incorporate narratives of Latinos and Native Americans.

"Who's doing the stories, who's writing the textbooks?" Morales said. "We've all seen the war movies. If there is no person of color, it's as if they don't exist."

In a written statement, Col. David Glover, diversity officer with the U.S. Army Accessions Command, said that, "by partnering with media outlets, such as mun2, that are a natural fit with our Latino youth, the Army is able to communicate" the opportunities it offers to young men and women.

"We take pride in our inclusive environment where the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences of our soldiers add to our strength and our ability to defend our nation," he wrote.

Among those attending the concert taping were actor Jon Voight and Bob Archuleta, L.A. County commissioner of military and veterans affairs. A veteran himself, with two sons serving in the military, Archuleta said he believes that "pride of country" is mainly what drives Latinos to serve the U.S. armed forces.

"If you turned a clock back," he said, "there are grandfathers and fathers who served, from World War II, Korea, Vietnam era, and now of course the younger children that are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, serving all over the world, doing the job that needs to get done."

reed.johnson@latimes.com

Latino albums top charts

Wisin Y Yandel Start A Revolucion
Grammy-winning duo have highest Latin chart debut in two years with new album.
By Lisa Gonzalez, MTV.com, Jun 3 2009

Wisin y Yandel set the lofty goal of revolutionizing Latin music with their groundbreaking new album — and they did just that when their aptly titled La Revolución sold over 35,000 copies in its first week, garnering the #1 spot on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and #7 on the Top 200, the highest debut of a Latin album in two years.

Sales for the much-hyped CD were no doubt buoyed by the duo's music video for the single "Mujeres en el Club," featuring 50 Cent.

The reggaetón giants also supported the release with in-store record signings held in Los Angeles, New York and Puerto Rico. Thousands of screaming fans waited in line for hours for a chance to meet their idols and get a signed copy of their new CD. For many female fans, professing their undying love and proposing marriage seemed the top priority.

"We're super happy to see the fan reaction," Yandel told MTV News at the L.A. signing. "Thousands have come out just to buy our CD and to meet us. It's really incredible what's happening here."

"We're dedicated," one female fan said. "We'll be here rain, shine, whatever — ditch work, school. Anywhere in the U.S., we'll be there."

"I'm a big Wisin y Yandel fan because they represent Latinos all over the world," a male fan added. "And they've been putting it down for a long time, putting out nothing but hot CDs."

"I'm a Wisin y Yandel fan 'cause I love their music," another fan said. "They came out with one club banger and just kept it going. If you're not, a fan go out and get the CD. Trust me, they will keep you entertained."

Wisin y Yandel credit the fans for their massive success — especially their large Latino fanbase for their unwavering support throughout their 10-year career.

"The most important thing to us is our fans," Wisin said. "All the Latino fans who have followed us and supported us throughout our career. Definitely in places like L.A., Mexico and also people in the Bronx, Puerto Rico and Dominicans. There are so many Latinos who support our music. We want to say thanks for all the love and support you've shown us over the years."

And the Grammy-winning duo will be thanking all their fans personally when they hit the road in September for a 15-city U.S. tour. While they've previously sold out New York's Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles' Staples Center, this marks the first time they'll embark on a coast-to-coast North American tour.

"This is just the beginning of La Revolución," said Wisin. "We'll be visiting cities everywhere to meet all our fans. You'll be hearing a lot more from us this year. So to all the fans out there and to our MTV family, thanks. We love you guys."

Tickets for the La Revolución tour go on sale June 5.

Hispanics target of college football program

Bulldog football to court Hispanic fans
Fiesta Night will help kick off the '09 season.
By Daniel Lyght / The Fresno Bee, Jun. 02, 2009

Pat Hill is painting the Valley rojo this summer.

The Fresno State football coach announced Tuesday that he wants to celebrate contributions the Hispanic community has made to the Valley and his football program and also get that segment of the fan base more involved.

So in partnership with Hispanic businesses and media organizations, the Bulldogs will hold the inaugural Bulldog Football Fiesta Night for the Sept. 5 home opener against UC Davis.

Coach Pat Hill introduces Micah Alba, cornerbacks coach at Fresno State, who spoke in Spanish at a news conference Tuesday to reveal the Bulldogs' newest promotion, Fiesta Night.

"Today for the first time I can truly say I think we have a chance to truly paint the Valley red," Hill said excitedly.

He said he wants Fresno State to be to the national Hispanic community what Notre Dame is to Catholics.

"The Valley and its growth owe a lot to the Hispanic people who have made it their home," Hill said. "We are proud to bring attention to the many accomplishments of the great leaders of the Hispanic community. We are grateful to our many Hispanic fans."

The event will include a Hispanic band playing at Bulldog Boulevard before the game and booths to promote Hispanic heritage, associate athletic director Paul Ladwig said. The marching band will play a tribute to Hispanic heritage at halftime, and during the game video messages and public-address announcements will be in English and Spanish.

Hill said he has wanted to reach out to the Hispanic community for years.

With the economy down and football ticket sales as important as ever for the athletic department, there is no better time than the present to tap the largest demographic segment of Fresno County.

Ladwig said the department had met projections for ticket sales up to early June, but did not have specific numbers as of Tuesday afternoon. He said he expected 2,500 tickets to be bought specifically for Fiesta Night, but hopes fans will get a glimpse of what the university has to offer and return throughout this season and subsequent years.

"This is the beginning of what we want to build this into," Ladwig said of the event.

The reporter can be reached at dlyght@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6400.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Latino music conductor treats Swedish audiences

Letter from Sweden: Gustavo in Gothenburg
LA Times, June 1, 2009, Gothenburg, Sweden

On Thursday night, for the first time in his career, Gustavo Dudamel conducted Verdi’s grandly operatic 90-minute Requiem here with the Gothenburg Symphony. Afterward I visited the 28-year-old conductor in his modest dressing room in the Concert Hall, a Swedish functionalist auditorium that was built in 1935 and stands proudly as part of a sternly imposing arts complex at the end of the city's main avenue. He greeted me with a sheepish smile and blurted out, “Sorry."

There had been unmistakable thrills and the occasional moment of sudden, stunning beauty, but Dudamel was thinking about the many mistakes. He had misgauged some tempos. He hadn’t managed to fully hold together a long, segmented, operatic score. He hadn’t realized how differently the soloists, with whom he had never worked, would sing under the pressure of a live concert from rehearsal. And he needed more time with the chorus, which was a well-prepared amateur body that sang from memory. But the members have day jobs and are only available to rehearse in the evening. Dudamel had arrived in town only two days earlier, having just made his debut with the storied Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and may have still been changing gears.

Dudamel But he was, nonetheless, infectiously happy. He was ending his second season as the orchestra's music director and knew things would get better with what he called “this crazy opera” over its three-day run. They did.

Saturday afternoon I was again in Dudamel’s dressing room, this time after a spectacular final matinee performance. Players filed in to thank their ebullient young maestro. The seasoned concertmaster Christer Thorvaldsson, a member of the 104-year-old ensemble for 36 years and something of a legend in Swedish orchestral circles, announced that Dudamel was the finest conductor he had ever worked with. Dudamel brought out a bottle of old Scotch.

As the classical music community well knows and as a rapidly growing general audience has been finding out, Dudamel is a sensation and pretty much still always a surprise. When he begins as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the fall, he is expected to generate a huge amount of attention, no matter how celebrity-saturated the city. But even a conducting sensation has to learn the music director business somewhere, to say nothing of a broad repertory of pieces. That’s where Gothenburg comes in.

Being music director of the Simón Bolívar National Youth Orchestra in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, for a decade is far different from heading an orchestra in Europe or America. At home Dudamel can rehearse nonprofessional young players as much as likes, unconcerned with union regulations — or any regulations. He knows these youngsters intimately; he grew up with many of them. They are family.

Dudameltux Sweden’s second city, though, is a great distance geographically and culturally from Caracas. The Gothenburg Symphony is a relatively traditional institution, and its concert hall was built to be a temple to music. You enter through a very long, mundane cloak room and ascend a marble staircase, to the higher realm of art.

But Gothenburg is also a relaxed, pleasure-loving place that seems to suit Dudamel remarkably well. Café society is a central part of its charm. The student community is large. Sea and mountains are nearby. It is a culinary capital. This town of a half-million residents on Sweden’s west coast, halfway between Copenhagen and Oslo, boasts an astonishing five Michelin-starred restaurants.

Obviously, on some level, Dudamel’s presence here was a business decision. His high-powered London management is pleased to have him in this relatively obscure post where he can learn and experiment outside the international limelight.

For the orchestra – which Neeme Järvi headed for 22 years followed by a short three-year term with Mario Venzago – Dudamel offered a huge dose of much needed glamour and vitality, and it is willing to forgive a lot knowing what the final results can be. Had he given Thursday’s performance in London, he would have been slaughtered by the critics. In Gothenburg, all three performances were sold out and audiences stood and cheered with the same degree of enthusiasm for each of the radically different performances.

But what Gothenburg really offers Dudamel is respite from constant attention. His guest-conducting stints in European capitals and in America draw a media circus. In Venezuela, he and his wife, Eloísa Maturén, need armed security with them at all times because of kidnapping threats.

And while Dudamel says he is not crazy about Sweden’s dark, cold winters, it was sunny and warm during my stay, turning dark around 11 p.m. Here he can walk the streets, interrupted only by the occasional friendly greetings of well-wishers. He is also left in relative peace to study and work.

GustavoDudamel In a curious way, Dudamel may have been destined for this orchestra, which is the most convivial large professional ensemble I have ever encountered. After Saturday’s matinee, Dudamel, flashing a conspiratorial grin, told me I had to see the bar. I thought I had seen the bars in the lobby, where one could have a drink while mulling over a somber bust of an obscure Swede. He meant a private bar for the players, where outsiders are rarely welcome and only orchestra members are permitted to buy drinks. Dudamel bought me a beer and hung for half an hour with his fellow musicians.

Nearly all the players come by after each performance, and Dudamel always shows. On this afternoon he was practically as chummy with his Swedish players (most of whom are quite a bit older than he is) as he can be around the Bolívars. Later that night, Dudamel’s wife would cook a Mexican dinner for the family of a Danish member of the orchestra with whom the couple has become friendly.

I’m assuming that the trust the Gothenburgers feel for Dudamel explains what happened over these three performances of the Verdi Requiem, since I have no other explanation. Although this was his first time with any Verdi score, Dudamel conducted from memory. The impression over three days was like that of being in an optometrist’s chair. Each click of the apparatus brought greater focus.

Dudamel always began and ended in theatrical silence, which felt gimmicky the first two times but worked brilliantly at the last performance. After he walked onto the podium, he waited until the hall was entirely still and then coaxed the cellos to come so quietly that you couldn't tell when they first began playing. When the Requiem reached its final peace, he ever so slowly lowered his baton, holding an audience ready to burst at bay. Thursday and Friday, the crowd couldn’t take the final silence for more than a minute, but on Saturday he got away with an extra 30 seconds. At the bar, a number of player commented on this. Like me, they too had begun timing the baton-lowering act.

Saturday, he had also been able to bring instrumental details into superb relief while still maintaining the grand sweep (earlier it had usually been one or the other). Dudamel, of course, raised the roof in the Dies Irae section, where God's wrath is unleashed in magnificently thunderous brass and timpani outbursts. Instead, Dudamel represented this as just one more, if particularly exciting, expression of an irrepressible life force.

GD The earthy Ekaterina Semenchuk was terrific all the time, her expressive Russian mezzo sounding ravishing. But the other soloists – soprano Erika Sunnegardh, tenor Dominic Natoli and bass Julian Konstantinov — were nervous and unreliable the first performance and still in trouble the second. By Saturday Dudamel found exactly what they needed in order to let loose but not lose control.

The result reminded me of something one might hear in a pirated recording from Italy in the 1930s, where the singing may not be pitch perfect, but the expression carries you away. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if a pirate of this performance begins making the rounds some day.

When Saturday's performance was over I began to wonder just who was teaching whom. Dudamel came to Gothenburg to learn. And to the extent that all experience is learning, he undoubtedly has learned a lot. The next time he conducts Verdi’s Requiem will be with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in November. He says he can’t wait, and he is surely more ready for this than he was a week ago.

Still, I left Sweden with the distinct feeling that you can take the boy out of Venezuela – well you know the rest. Gothenburg may actually be reinforcing Dudamel’s habits of comradeship and his tendency to conduct for the moment, letting that experience be the teacher.

“I have to set something like this up in Disney Hall,” he said, flashing another conspiratorial look as we left the players' bar. As far as Dudamel is concerned, the orchestra is family and that is all there is to it, be it Caracas or Gothenburg.

And L.A.?

— Mark Swed