News (Noticias) Tagged ‘Chana’

Chana may not be a household name yet, but she has been preparing for success her whole life.

“When I was 4 years old, I would pretend I was being interviewed,” says the 31-year-old New York-born, Los Angeles-based Dominican singer whose music has been building buzz since the independent release of a five-song EP in March.”*

In honor of Memorial Day, Latina Lista shares a special article that appeared last week in an issue of the magazine Diversity, Inc.

As the highest-ranking active-duty Latino officer prior to his retirement in 2004, Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela has spent 33 years serving his country. He has been decorated countless times for heroism and valor, including receiving the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Bronze Star for Valor. He served across the globe, working his way up through the ranks, eventually serving as deputy commander in chief of the U.S. Southern Command, based in Miami, and commander of the U.S. Army South at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.”*

San Francisco, CA MAY 6, 2008 - CONVERGENCE will showcase the most progressive Latin alternative bands and artists whose music challenges and provokes the listener. This mini festival within a festival will present three consecutive concerts with genres of Latin alternative ranging from Noise to Punk to Indie, Reggae and New Wave. .

The Latin Alternative Rock scene in Northern California has been developing and growing steadily for years, yet there has been no festival exclusively showcasing this genre until now. CONVERGENCE will be the first Latin Alternative rock concert series to do this. The goals of CONVERGENCE will be to:

• Support emerging local talent
• Firmly establish continuous Latin Alternative Rock programming in Northern California
• Encourage collaborations and foster community amongst all alternative and independent rock artists locally, nationally and internationally.
• Introduce new Latin Alternative Rock “Buzz” bands

ABOUT MISSION CREEK MUSIC and ARTS FESTIVAL
Mission Creek was founded in 1996, as an effort to promote local Bay Area music and eventually other forms of art that now include film, dance, visual arts, literature, and multimedia performance. Local Bay Area musician/artist Jeff Ray founded the festival in order to fill a cultural void that existed in San Francisco. Until Mission Creek was created, there was no known festival that promoted Bay Area musicians and artists. Now in its 12th year, the festival has grown tremendously in size and attendance, from a one-day event with eight bands and an audience of approximately 100 to a multi-day event with up to 180 acts, serving an audience of approximately 3,000. Twelve years and over 600 events later, MCMAF has reliably featured a wide range of Bay Area talent, and has introduced many local musicians who have since achieved international acclaim. After more than a decade of unrivaled programming, MCMAF has become a destination for both national and international talent.

THE ARTISTS – CONVERGENCE I – “THE BRIGHT SPOT”

Volumen Cero has been at the forefront of Latinos that perform nontraditional music. In 2004, Volumen Cero became one of the first Latin Alternative groups ever to be profiled on MTV’s Advance Warning, which aired on MTV and MTV2. In 2005, Volumen Cero received Latin Grammy Nominations for best rock album by a duo or group for their critically acclaimed album Estelar and guitarist Marthin Chan was also nominated for best rock song, as writer for JD Natasha’s “Lagrimas.” With the release of their third album Estelar, the band’s first single “Autos” spent over 10 weeks in the #1 spot and 20 weeks in the top 3 of R&R’s Latin Rock Chart. The band is currently putting the finishing touches on, I CAN SEE THE BRIGHT SPOT, their fourth studio album set to released mid-2008.

The May Fire: San Francisco has done it again. Once more the great city by the Bay has fashioned a musical product worth buzzing over. Right And Wrong has captured and liberated local listeners with sassy songs and adrenaline filled choruses, which echo that of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To Tell. Their liveliness has been compared to that of Metric and it’s quite apparent that there’s no end in sight for the young band. – Zero Magazine

Monte Negro: You are what you eat.† Monte Negro, a bilingual Los Angeles based rock band, has devoured enough music genres over the years to do justice to the bilingual and bicultural musicians that constitute the group.† Digesting healthy portions of Jane’s Addiction, The Cure, The Clash, and the Sex Pistols, Monte Negro has also piled onto its proverbial plate Latin-alternative rockers such as Caifanes, Los Fabuloso Cadillacs, Maldita Vecindad, Mano Negra, Soda Stereo, and Spinetta.† As with any good meal, Monte Negro combines sophisticated taste influences with unique combinations of flavor, and stews it all together with time and a pinch of luck.

Lualta: “In 2002, local sextet Lualta received a San Diego Music Award nomination for “Best New Artist.” After one listen to the band’s latest, five-song EP “Catapult” (Red Camera Recordings), it is immediately evident why. Lualta creates a kaleidoscope of layered styles and textures that is simultaneously engaging and sedating. Songs tend to start out light and easy before exploding into an electrifying fusion of psychedelic, R&B and garage rock. Hazy, druggy guitars mutate into down-and-dirty, pedal-heavy hooks and melt with tender, melodic keyboards. Lualta’s solid instrumentation, combined with lead singer Michael Hernandez’s pleasantly screechy, cigarette-scorched vocals, induces hypnotic reverie then jerks you awake.”-Claire Caraska, SignOn San Diego

THE ARTSTS – CONVERGENCE II - HEAT

Bat Makumba: The brainchild of Brazilian natives Alex Koberle and Emiliano Benevides and Americano bassist Carl Remde, Bat Makumba is the crossroads between the equatorial beats of Brazil and the punk, rock and funk influences of the U.S. and Europe. Locals to San Francisco, Bat Makumba’s show is a hip renegade carnaval party full of tropicalia tinged ska, punk influenced forro, and rock infused samba. Bat Makumba’s live show brings together an international palette of musicians and instrumentation (including accordion, zabumba, megaphone, clarinet and alfaia). Named after the 70s classic Tropicalia song by Caetano Veloso + Gilberto Gil (popularized by Os Mutantes), “Bat Makumba” loosely translates to mean the mixing of Brazilian traditionalism with international pop culture. Don’t miss this kinetic, percussive music… join the renegade carnaval party that is Bat Makumba!

Chana: Influenced as much by Stereolab and Gorillaz as by Aterciopelados and Julieta Venegas, Chana is an LA-based singer whose tropical sound could be described as global hip-pop. Born in New York City and reared by a party-loving Dominican family, her father’s salsa and R&B records were a sonic constant while growing up. After coming to LA, Chana began collaborating with producer Marthin Chan, whose previous work with Volumen Cero had earned him a Latin Grammy nomination. Working out of Chan’s garage in Echo Park, the duo began collaborating in 2005, and were aided by friend Jorge Elbrecht of the New York art collective Lansing-Dreiden. Their first batch of demos includes “No Me Mandes Flores,” which sounds like Andrea Echeverri fronting a funk band; “A Veces,” whose swampy sonics and bouncy bass give off a dub feel; and “Icaro,” a jagged, thrilling rush of pop.

The Cuban Cowboys: Mixing traditional Cuban Son and Montuno with indie rock ain’t easy. But it is a blast. The Cuban Cowboys bring post-punk sensibilities straight to the heart of the Buena Vista Social club. Armed with mambo riffs, swooning surf guitar, and intelligent lyrics, the band is steadily building a following along both U.S. coasts.”Without a doubt, the Cuban Cowboys put on one of the best shows in the local pop scene” says the NY Daily News.

Velorio: The energy of the live shows, the variety of the songs, and the diversity of the audience all reflect the many praxes of Velorio the band.† Velorio manifests the linguistic power of music to unite people, tongues and ideas.

THE ARTISTS – COVERGENCE III - CRASH

Firme: Firme (pronounced “Fear-May”) has been energizing crowds across California for 10 years, honing their distinct sound. Firme’s trademark sound often slides seductively from rock, to reggae, to Latin, and bring you back full circle.

No Way Jose: No Way Jose is a Southern California punk band that has been building a buzz in the LA music scene. NWJ mixes their Southern California punk, Tex-Mex, and Mexican-American influences to create their own sound they call “Spanglish Punk.”

The Graves Brothers Deluxe: Bela Lugosi and Elvis Presley both died on Stoo Odom’s birthday. (This is true.) The GRAVES BROTHERS DELUXE, disembodied musical spirits from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, thus chose Odom eagerly when looking for host bodies to express themselves. New Orleans native/ bassist/ vocalist/ recovering archaeologist Odom shares the current possessÈe duties with San Franciscans Willy the Mailman and Marco Villalobos.

Sergio Iglesias and the Latin Love MACHINE: “Armed with a toilet plunger and a rotating band of musicians, Sergio Iglesias is here to ruin the party. Maybe you’ve seen Sergio Iglesias and Los Magnificos fill the Hemlock Tavern with a joyful, festive cacophony. Or caught Sergio Iglesias and Los Bulliciosos nearly destroy the City College of San Francisco campus. If you were lucky, you might’ve seen Iglesias with his signature plunger and a tape player perform solo in and outside the Civic Center, Powell, and Montgomery BART stations, wailing atop trash cans, plunging the ground, and bewildering tourists and locals alike. But even if you did see all these shows, you still never know what to expect except to be surprised.” –-Sarah Han - SF Bay Guardian

CALENDAR EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

EVENT FAST FACTS
• Event: The Brown Note Latin Rock Project in partnership with The Mission Creek Music and Arts Festival Presents: CONVERGENCE
• Venue: Balazo 18 Gallery – 2183 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
• Dates: Friday July 18, 2008 through Sunday July 20, 2008
• Times: Friday through Saturday: Doors 8pm Show 8:30pm
Sunday Matinee: Doors 4:00pm Show 4:30
• Convergence Festival Schedule:

• Tickets: $8-15
• Websites:
o Brown Note Latin Rock Project – www.myspace.com/brownnoterocks
o Mission Creek Music & Arts Festival – www.mcmf.org

Contact Info:

Ann Blankenship
Cell: 415-244-8250
Fax: 815-425-8910
E-mail: brownnoterock@earthlink.net

Free Central Park SummerStage Concert (Saturday, July 12th) Features Mexican Rock Songstress Julieta Venegas and Monterrey’s Electro-Rockers Plastilina Mosh Along With Chilean Buzz DJ Bitman

Free Celebrate Brooklyn @ Prospect Park Concert (Friday, July 11th) Features Brazilian Girls, Miranda! And Ticklah

Additional LAMC Artists Include Pacha Massive, Mexican Institute of Sound, CuCu Diamantes (Yerba Buena), Ticklah, Emmanuel Horvilleur, Sussie 4, Ximena Sariana, Zigmat And Forro In The Dark

(SEE FURTHER BELOW FOR FULL ARTIST LINEUP AND SCHEDULE)

With a warm welcome from the Big Apple, the biggest event in the world for cutting-edge Latin music will return to the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from July 8th - 12th. Discounted registration for LAMC is available for only $249 at www.latinalternative.com (discounted rate expires on June 1st ). Featuring leading artists as well as many of the music industry’s most prominent decision-makers, the ninth annual LAMC is a “must play” event for developing and established acts alike.

“Major music events like the 9th Annual Latin Alternative Music Conference draw music fans from around the world to New York City,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Through the work of the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission, New York has been able to attract and retain major Latin events generating millions in economic activity for our City. As we continue to showcase the talent and rich cultural diversity of Nueva York, hosting events like the LAMC helps us as we stake our claim as the Latin media and entertainment capital of the world.”

With past conferences averaging more than 1,250 music industry attendees and 25,000 concert fans each year, LAMC 2008 promises to be an exciting year yet again. This multi-day conference provides networking opportunities with the genre’s leading artists, label executives, journalists, marketers, managers, retailers and programmers. It is the most extensive Latin music conference to date.

LAMC will be returning for its second year in Mexico City and Buenos Aires on September 5th and September 22th-24th, respectively.

Tuesday, July 8th:

- 8:00pm  -  11:00pm: LAMC Underground Film Night at 282 North Henry Gallery  (Brooklyn)
Featuring ¿Habrán Esperanzas?, a film by Felipe Monsalve With DJ set to be provided by special Guest DJ
Presented by Zune

Wednesday, July 9th:

- 3:00pm - 5:00pm: LAMC Registration @ The Roosevelt Hotel

- 5:00pm - 8:00pm: LAMC Music & Film Night at Central Park Summerstage featuring Bragging Rights: Stickball Stories, a film by Sonia N. Gonzalez, with musical performance by CuCu Diamantes (of Yerba Buena) and prelude by Andres Levin.

- 8:00pm - 1:00am: LAMC Indie Showcase at The Mercury Lounge
Co-Presented by GoTV, Gibson, Discmakers, and Myspace Latino
Performances by Zigmat (New York), Che Sudaka (Barcelona), Allá (Chicago), Forro in the Dark (New York), Guajiro (Puerto Rico/Miami) plus special guests!

Thursday, July 10th:

- 9:00am - 5:00pm: LAMC Registration, Panels & Exhibits @ The Roosevelt Hotel

- 11:00am - 5:00pm: Panel Day One at The Roosevelt Hotel featuring topics:

WIDENING LATIN MUSIC’S GLOBAL REACH: How new tour markets and new technologies are creating opportunities at home and abroad Presented by Cyloop

CAN I OUTSOURCE MY RECORD LABEL (OR NOT)?: New business models in a changing marketplace

HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE: How the U.S. Latin listener hears new music
Presented by Batanga

- 6:00pm - 8:30pm: LAMC Acoustic Showcase at SOB’s Co-Presented by Cyloop and Gibson
Performances by: Che Sudaka, Udi E Geral, Chana, Emmanuel  Horvilleur, Zigmat, Very Be Careful, plus special guests!

- 9:00pm - 1:00am: LAMC Bowery Ballroom Showcase Presented by Terra
Performances by: Pacha Massive, Emmanuel Horvilleur, Sussie 4, Mexican Institute of Sound, Ximena Sariñana, plus special  guests!

Friday, July 11th:

- 9:00am - 5:00pm: LAMC Registration, Panels & Exhibits @ The Roosevelt Hotel, Mezzanine Level

- 11:30am - 5:00pm: Panel Day Two at The Roosevelt Hotel featuring topics:

BLOGUEANDO: How Latino-oriented and indie music blogs and bloggers are helping artists connect with new audiences and brands

FROM UGLY BETTY TO TIGER WOODS: Licensing opportunities for new Latin sounds

- 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Moses Avalon Q&A session

- 7:30pm - 11:00pm: LAMC/Celebrate Brooklyn Show at Prospect Park Bandshell Presented by ZUNE
Performances by: Brazilian Girls, Ticklah and Miranda!

Saturday, July 12th:

- 3:00pm -7:00pm: LAMC/Central Park Summerstage Show at Rumsey Playfield Presented by MTV Tr3s
Performances by: Julieta Venegas, Plastilina Mosh and DJ Bitman

- 8:00pm - 10:00pm: Pepsi Blue Carpet Bash//LAMC Closing Night Party Sponsored by ZUNE, Pepsi and others
Come out and celebrate with the spirits and sounds of some of Latin Alternative’s hottest artists!

For more information on the Latin Alternative Music Conference please visit: www.latinalternative.com

Sponsorship - Jennifer Sarkissian - Jennifer.sarkissian@cookman.com - 818.763.1397

Media Relations - Paul Dryden - paul.dryden@cookman.com - 818.763.1397

When Rosanna Tavarez was a little girl in New York’s Washington Heights, she’d have dance parties with her Dominican father on Friday nights, picking out the records and singing and dancing along with Earth, Wind and Fire and the Fania All-Stars.

Chana, as her family called her, would drive her mother crazy by incessantly playing and singing to the soundtrack of Annie, the Broadway musical about the indomitably optimistic orphan. She would fantasize and dress up in outfits that featured things like argyle socks and Puerto Rican themed sweatshirts over ballet tutus and tights.

Now, 20-some years later, Chana is still singing and dreaming.”*

*From: http://www.miamiherald.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The nation’s bloggers and some other easily offended people with access to computers recently picked up on an advertisement for Absolut brand vodka that ran outside the United States; for the Pat Buchanans of the world, it seemed to heighten the menace posed by America’s greatest military threat: Mexico.

The advertisement depicted a map of the Mexican border extending to the Pacific Northwest and through the Southwest, with the words “In An Absolut World” running across it. Maybe if the company had put the words in Spanish, no one would have caught on.”*

*From: http://media.www.dailytrojan.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

PREMIERES

Calle 13 and RBD premiere on the mun2 Shuffle at 5PM on March 27th.

• Calle 13 return with “Un Beso de Desayuno.” More information below.  

• RBD premiere “Empezar Desde Cero.”

If you missed it last week, we offered the exclusive WORLD premiere of Kat De Luna’s newest vid with Don Omar:

http://holamun2.com/miembros-only/kat-deluna-run-the-show/

mun2 PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

• Fat Joe on One Nation Under Hip Hop - http://www.muzel.com/080313_mun2/source/080313_3972.htm

Airdate: 03/26/08 

Repeats: 03/29/08 - 3/30/08

The Elephant is in the Room!  Frankie Needles welcomes the Terror Squad Don…Fat Joe to One Nation.  Watch as Fat Joe takes over One Nation Under Hip Hop and lets us know more about his new album, the exclusive CD release party and the on-going 50cent feud. http://www.holamun2.com/onenation

• Brazeros Musical on Reventon - http://www.muzel.com/080313_mun2/source/080313_3886.htm

Airdate: 03/28/08

Hang out with Yarel as she gives you the best of the best Mexican Music Videos de Akwid, Montez de Durango and Yuridia and the latest news in the Mexican music world! http://www.holamun2.com/reventon

• Chana on the Late Night Shift - http://www.muzel.com/080313_mun2/source/080313_4051.htm

Airdate: 3/28/08

Crash is kickin it with Indie gal  Chana. The Crash cam takes you on the road with Fitter.Your favorite videos ..that you cant see during the day are here, 30 sec to mars, Orishas, and Queens of the Stone Age. http://www.holamun2.com/theshift

• Holamun2.com: EL SHOW - http://www.muzel.com/080320_mun2/source/080320_4724.htm

Airdate: 3/27/08

Renato gets some training from Chino XL. Watch him try to bulk up while emceeing the latest Yo Yoga, Dances of the Americas, Chica vs Papi, Looks, Eat the Meat, and DIY segments. Special guests include Pitbull and Xtreme! http://www.holamun2.com/elshow

• Pepsi Musica from Calle Ocho!

Airdate: 3/28/08

Straight from the biggest block party in the world on the streets of Miami, mun2 offers interviews with Notch, Elijah, Mr. Vegas, Angel y Khriz, Voltio, Nina Sky, Shaggy, DJ Laz, MIMS, and Flo Rida. We also have an exclusive performance from Hector El Father from our LA stage!

mun2 DIGITAL ORIGINALS

Kumbia All Starz: Superstars - AB Quintanilla in his own words…

 

http://holamun2.com/candy/original/the-kumbia-allstarz-superstars/

She is a New York-born Dominican who found her way to L.A. via Miami. He’s the Chinese/Peruvian son of a U.N. diplomat who bounced around the globe before settling here too. She’s an aspiring singer raised on salsa and merengue. He’s a budding producer who creates hip beats but still gets goose bumps when he hears Peru’s traditional música criolla.It’s only a coincidence that their names are so alike. He’s Marthin Chan, an alt/Latino rocker with a scruffy beard, red pants and a hint of shyness. She goes just by Chana” (myspace page) “(short for Rosanna), a svelte and glamorous extrovert who studied modern dance and wears chic knee-high leather boots, a wool scarf and earrings made of feathers dangling down to her shoulders.

Chan and Chana are part of L.A.’s burgeoning cultural collage, bringing pan-Latino sensibilities to the local music scene. Their sound comes straight outta Echo Park — an infectious fusion of Caribbean rhythms, cool electronic vibes and sharp, satirical lyrics. She calls it trop-electro-hip-pop.”*

*From: http://www.latimes.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company, announced today the 2008 launch of the Estamos Unidos con un Proposito(TM) (We Are United with a Purpose(TM)) campaign, and its partnership with the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). Diageo’s leading premium brands, including Buchanan’s(R) De Luxe Scotch whisky, Crown Royal(R) Canadian whisky, Johnnie Walker(R) Scotch whisky, Jose Cuervo(R) Tradicional tequila, and Tequila Don Julio(R) will donate $0.35 for each 750ml purchased, up to $250,000, to improve financial literacy among Latinos in the United States. The partnership enables NCLR’s network of local organizations to provide free-of-charge financial education seminars as well as an informational hotline where consumers are able to access additional financial resources. Consumers who call the toll-free hotline can learn about the date, time, and location of the seminars and will receive a bilingual financial education audio CD.”*

*From: http://www.prnewswire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Studies have shown that youthful playtime—running in the park or playing ball in the schoolyard—fades by the time children enter middle school years, sometimes with dangerous effects to their health. This is especially true if those children are low-income and Hispanic, studies show. Researchers with the University of Houston Department of Health and Human Performance want to know why, and what can be done about it.

An 18-month study will focus on 200 Hispanic fifth graders, monitor their daily physical activity and record their views on places to be active, such as parks or schoolyards. And because moms have so much influence in the home, the study will also examine how moms view those locations and how their views influence the child’s likelihood of being active. The UH researchers will collaborate with Texas A&M University.

“We’re looking at what influences a child’s desire to be active, or, in the case of moms, what makes them encourage their children to be active – is it how safe they believe a nearby park is, the amount of lighting, the presence of gang activity, picnic tables—all these”” said Norma Olvera, associate professor and principal investigator of the Urban Hispanic Perceptions of Environment and Activity among Kids (UH-PEAK) study. The study is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through Active Living Research, an RWJF national program.

“We believe that by understanding the relationship between perception of our environment and intention to be physically active, we can design more informed interventions for children who most need them,” said Olvera.

The participants will come from six area schools. While traditional research methods, such as recording each child’s height, weight and percentage of body fat, will be employed, the study also will get a boost from technology as special devices are given to participants to help monitor their physical activity. For example, all children will be equipped with an accelerometer to monitor the number of times they move, an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) device—which resembles a remote-control unit that randomly asks questions about physical activity, and a Global Positioning System to capture the students’ locations and the speeds at which they are being active. Mothers will also be fitted with EMA devices.

“This is an important aspect to the study because it means our data will come from objective measures,” Olvera said. “To our knowledge, this is the first study that will provide such objective information about the physical activity of this population.”

Work on UH-PEAK is expected to be completed in June 2009. Olvera anticipates presenting the data at the conference for Active Living Research in early 2009, along with her colleagues Dennis Smith and Jill A. Bush with the University of Houston and Chanam Lee with Texas A&M University.

Olvera’s research is specific to the Hispanic community and has often included the role mothers play in the nutritional and physical activity choices for their children. Her expertise includes the influence of parents in a child’s body image and nutritional and physical activity habits, and the environmental factors that prevent or promote physical activity. Based on her research, Olvera developed the after-school healthy lifestyle program BOUNCE, Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition and Counseling Education, which focuses on exercise and nutrition for middle-school girls and their mothers. For the last three years, she has offered a healthy summer program for Hispanic and African American girls, which was recognized by the Texas Public Health Association as a 2006 Nutrition and Physical Activity Best Practices program.”*

*From: http://www.eurekalert.org
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Decrying the surge in hate speech and violence that has surrounded the immigration debate, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., launched a campaign today to end hate speech in the immigration debate and called on presidential candidates and news media networks to divorce themselves from known hate and vigilante groups and to end rhetoric that demonizes immigrants and Hispanic Americans.

“The immigration issue deserves serious debate and serious solutions,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “We cannot have that debate as long as hate has the floor.”

Murguía chastised cable news television for “handing hate a microphone” over the past three years by hosting spokespeople from hate and vigilante groups such as Dan Stein of Federation for American Immigration Reform and Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox of the Minuteman Project more than 110 times, usually identifying them only as “anti-immigration advocates.” She singled out television pundits such as CNN’s Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck and MSNBC political commentator Pat Buchanan for parroting hate speech and driving the immigration debate in a manner that demonizes the Hispanic community.

Presidential candidates who seize on the immigration issue to avoid talking about other issues such as Iraq and the economy also came under fire from Murguía. She faulted them for “amigo shopping,” a derogatory term used by suburban youth who attack and rob day laborers knowing that their victims have little recourse. Murguía specifically called on Mike Huckabee, 2008 presidential candidate and former governor of Arkansas, to renounce the endorsement of, and sever all ties to, Jim Gilchrist, a cofounder of the Minuteman Project and a self-avowed “vigilante.”

“There’s a bully in the room,” said Murguía, “and each of these candidates has a choice. They can stand up to the bully or they can cater to him. It is a question of courage or cowardice. To date, we have seen far too little courage.”

Relying heavily on documentation provided by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League, Murguía catalogued the rise in the use of code words that label immigrants and Latinos as a threat to the American way of life. She articulated four categories of code words, rhetoric that:

* Refers to immigrants as “an army of invaders” or an “invading force”
* Associates immigrants with animals and refers to them as “a massive horde” or “swarm”
* Accuses immigrants of “bringing crime and disease” to America, including “leprosy, tuberculosis, and malaria” and “gang warfare”
* Purveys the conspiracy theory of “reconquista” or “Atzlán” – the taking back of lands in the southwestern United States for Mexico

(Click here to view a short video reel illustrating some examples www.wecanstopthehate.org.)

NCLR is conducting a campaign to educate Americans about the use of hate speech and the growing rise in violence against Latinos. Called the “Wave of Hope Campaign,” it features:

* An anti-hate website entitled “We can stop the hate ”
* Engaging media networks and candidates to separate themselves from hate groups and hate speech
o This week, NCLR wrote to Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee asking him to renounce the support of, and sever all ties to, Jim Gilchrist.
o NCLR also wrote to three cable news networks – Fox, CNN, and MSNBC – asking to meet with top management about extremists appearing regularly on their programming and ending the hate speech parroted by network news commentators.
* Working with other minority groups to confront hate speech
* Asking candidates to elevate the debate and “pledge” to reject hate speech

Stating that “words have consequences,” Murguía pointed to an FBI report which shows a 23% rise in violence against Latinos. “To the Latino community,” said Murguía, “the surge in hate speech and violence is appalling. But, it should be appalling to everyone.”

Murguía said she recognized that ultimately the power to change the debate lies with the Hispanic community itself. “Latinos buy products from the advertisers supporting these programs,” she said. “Latinos vote in primaries and in the general election. We have a significant role to play picking winners and losers in both arenas. We need to make it clear to those who embrace hate that they do so at their own economic and political peril.””*

*From: http://www.nclr.org
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The country’s leading Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization is set to begin a campaign targeting several newscasters and presidential candidates for what it deems “rhetoric that demonizes immigrants and Hispanic Americans.”

The National Council of La Raza, which includes nearly 300 affiliated organizations, will launch a new initiative on Thursday titled “We Can Stop The Hate,” aimed at curtailing the influence of CNN’s Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck as well as MSNBC political commentator Pat Buchanan. In addition, the organization is petitioning for Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee to renounce the endorsement of Jim Gilchrist, a cofounder of the Minuteman Project, an anti-immigration group.”*

*From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

On the January 15 edition of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, during a discussion of what Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) would need to do to win that evening’s Las Vegas Democratic presidential debate, MSNBC political analyst Pat Buchanan asserted that Obama would use “that refrain he used in New Hampshire: ‘Yes, we can.’ ” Buchanan continued: ” ‘Yes, we can. Sí, se puede.’ That’s Hispanic. That’s the cause of the illegal immigration movement and the amnesty movement.” Obama has recently used the refrain “yes, we can” in speeches.”*

*From: http://mediamatters.org
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Rosca de Reyes, Conchas and Campechana may be new baked goods to some, but they are very familiar to local baker Lupe Rivera. With 63 years experience, Rivera has made bread and other baked goods in both Mexico and the United States.

“Good bread takes time and patience” Rivera said while working at the Muscatine Hy-vee bakery on Monday afternoon.

For the past two months Rivera has been providing Hy-Vee customers with fresh, authentic Mexican bread that he and his customers agree has a flavor all its own.”*

*From: http://www.muscatinejournal.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Hannity & Colmes gave Pat Buchanan a large sympathetic platform from which to spout his outrageously anti-Hispanic bigotry last night (11/26/07). Sean Hannity ate it up and Alan Colmes only mildly objected. With video.

Buchanan made it clear that it’s not just illegal immigration he believes is a threat to this country, it’s the Hispanic element. “You’ve got a wholesale invasion, the greatest invasion in human history, coming across your southern border, changing the composition and character of your country,” Buchanan told a fully sympathetic Hannity.”*

“A former Cedartown police officer, apparently seeing Hispanic drivers as an easy target for getting extra cash, was sentenced Friday in federal court to more than two years in prison. He must repay each of his victims $2,300.

Douglas Damiano, 37, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty in March to three counts of depriving the drivers of their property, a federal charge that came out of an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the FBI and the Cedartown Police Department, using a Gordon County deputy as a decoy.

Damiano also will spend three years on probation after he completes his two years and three months in prison.”

“A top Hispanic member of Congress Sunday defended a proposed U.S. immigration reform bill against charges that it gives amnesty to illegal immigrants.

Pat Buchanan, a leading conservative and former candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, told NBCs “Meet the Press” the bill before the U.S. Senate is “amnesty, pure and simple.”"

“A former Cedartown, Ga., police officer has pleaded guilty to stealing money from Hispanic drivers during traffic stops.

Douglas Damiano, 37, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to three counts of depriving people of their civil rights by taking money from them without due process, the U.S. attorneys office said.”

“As part of the Estamos Unidos con un PropósitoTM We Are United with a Purpose campaign, Diageo will donate $250,000 to the National Council of La Raza NCLR, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, to make the American dream of homeownership a reality for Latinos. Cristina Saralegui, celebrated Latin journalist and TV personality, joins Diageo and NCLR in order to raise awareness of available homeownership resources that can assist Hispanics to become homeowners.

Seven of Diageo’s leading premium brands, including Crown Royal(R) Canadian whisky, Johnnie Walker(R) Scotch whisky, Smirnoff(R) vodka, Captain Morgan(R) Parrot Bay(TM) Coconut rum, Jose Cuervo(R) Tradicional tequila, Buchanan’s(R) De Luxe Scotch whisky and Tequila Don Julio(R) continue to reinforce their commitment to the Hispanic community through the Estamos Unidos con un Propósito(TM) campaign, now in its second year.

“This year’s initiative was developed with a very specific objective in mind,” said Maribel Viteri, Multicultural Marketing Manager for Diageo. “We want to help make one aspect of the American dream, that of owning your own home, an achievable goal for U.S. Hispanics.”

The Campaign’s Path to Homeownership
Research shows that millions of Hispanics desire and are seeking to become homeowners. For this reason, the Estamos Unidos con un Propósito(TM) campaign will help fund NCLR’s mission to facilitate homeownership opportunities for Hispanic Americans. The money will support the NCLR Homeownership Network (NHN), a group of 40 local community organizations that provide homeownership advice, including homebuyer counseling and educational seminars, as well as individual counseling sessions to thousands of Latino families every year. Additionally, in each of the campaign’s eight participating markets, NCLR and its local affiliates will donate $2,500 to a family undergoing the buying process to be used towards home improvements.

The participating local partner organizations are:

– Phoenix, AZ: Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC)
– Los Angeles, CA: East LA Community Corporation (ELACC)
– Chicago, IL: National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
– Dalton, GA: Dalton Whitfield Community Development Corporation (DWCDC)
– Miami, FL: Cuban American National Council, Inc. (CNC)
– Long Island, NY: La Fuerza Unida, Inc.
– Union City, NJ: Cuban American National Council, Inc. (CNC)
– Houston, TX: Tejano Center for Community Concerns (TCCC)

The services being provided by the local NCLR partner local organizations include homebuyer educational seminars offered during normal business hours, or on evenings and Saturdays in order to accommodate families’ schedules. Individual counseling sessions, by appointment only, are also available and will be held during normal business hours, or after hours, depending on the needs of individuals.

“Thanks to Diageo’s support, we will grow our existing NCLR Homeownership Network and make valuable home buying advice readily available, free of charge, in local communities,” said Lautaro “Lot” Diaz, NCLR Vice President for Housing & Community Development. “These homeownership services are critical to those who may be unfamiliar with the home buying process and need special assistance as they get ready to buy their first property.”

“The Estamos Unidos con un Propósito(TM) campaign demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility by addressing a tangible need in the U.S. Hispanic community,” said Cristina Saralegui. “I’m proud to join Diageo in this unique effort as we open doors for Latinos, doors that will lead to economic stability and a better future in this country.”

Estamos Unidos con un Propósito(TM) is an integrated campaign incorporating various promotional elements, including a bilingual website; television and print advertising; English and Spanish Public Service Announcements by Cristina Saralegui, and point of sale materials available at participating retail stores in New York, California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Arizona, Georgia and Illinois where Diageo brands are sold.

Consumers are invited to take the first step in owning their own home by obtaining the signature campaign key pendant at participating stores, by calling 1-866-311-0797, or by visiting http://www.estoyunido.com, the micro site created specifically for this program. “

“Forty years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s murder, America’s media still deems African-Americans, Latinos and other people of color unqualified to express views on the nation’s most riveting issue—the Iraq War. CNN’s wall-to-wall coverage of the lead-up to Bush’s Wednesday night speech had anchorperson Wolf Blitzer surrounded by several other pundits/reporters, all of whom were white. And those selected to give their insights were not generals or ex-military leaders, but political hacks like Paul Begala and Bay Buchanan, neither of whom have any basis for providing special insights on Iraq. The media refuses to acknowledge the war’s racial component, and representatives of the African-American and Latino communities whose members are dying for George Bush’s fantasies are deemed unfit to comment upon it.
“

“Cuba Oriente: Contemporary Painting from Eastern Cuba” This

NEW! FILM DOCUMENTARY

“Luminous Shadows: The Artists of Eastern Cuba”

This New Documentary has been entered into more that twenty film festivals Nationally and Internationally and features many of the artists whose works now tour with the Meridian International Exhibition, “Cuba Oriente: Contemporary Painting from Eastern Cuba”. It is filmed entirely in Eastern Cuba and offers a unique glimpse into the lives and studios of Cuba’s most influential contemporary artists of the area .In Spanish With English sub-titles this splendid footage of the region compliments the deeply inspiring sentiments of these talented professional artists. A distinctive and exciting soundtrack is provided by the well known musical group, La Familia Valera Miranda, of Santiago de Cuba .This documentary film has already been screened to sold out audiences and is a must see for art enthusiasts.

The DVD is available for sale.
Price: $19.95 includes free shipping and handling.

For purchase information please visit: www.cubanart.org
Or you may e-mail Clyde Hensley at: cubanart@bellsouth.net (305)509-0973

Documentary: “Luminous Shadows , The Artists of Eastern Cuba “

43minutes

Breaking new ground in the world of Cuban Art, this is the first documentary to focus exclusively on the art, and artists, from Cuba’s easternmost region: Oriente. Sixty five paintings by these featured artists are currently on a three year U. S. National Exhibition Tour being managed by Meridian International Center of Washington, D.C.. For more information go to: ( www.cubanart.org ) or to ( www.meridian .org) Exhibitions section.

This documentary takes the viewer on an insightful journey through Oriente, you will become acquainted with the most highly acclaimed artists of this culturally rich region who are both trained and untrained artists. This will be accomplished through studio visits and interviews in city and countryside locations.

Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa, (each a former the capitol city), as well as Holguín, Manzanillo, and Bayamo provide the exotic backdrop featuring the Sierra Maestra mountain range, 17th Century architecture, and splendid harbor vistas. The well known musical group “La Familia Valera Miranda” supplies an original and exciting soundtrack indigenous to the region.

The documentary is in Spanish with English subtitles so the viewer may truly feel the emotion and spirit of each individual interviewed. Especially compelling is the presence of Antonio Ferrer Cabello, a third generation artist. The 93 year old Maestro, and former director of the Bacardí Museum, speaks about the city he loves and its’ “luminous shadows”. The total truth that flows from these dialogs and encounters with the artists is compelling.

The true colors we captured jump out at you, the viewer, and then bathe you in the rainbow brilliance that the artist speak about in their work and how they deal with this intense palette as well as the difficulties that often plague them in this provincial region.

As the story unfolds, the viewer will be transported to the various locations mentioned earlier and presented with a unique opportunity to visit with these professional artists in their towns, homes, and studios. They discuss, on a very personal level, not only individual paintings but also their passion for their work, the struggle to find materials, as well as their inspiration and philosophical artistic outlook. A unique and delightful brand of Cuban humor often permeates the conversations and adds to the emotional and intellectual impact of the story.

Supplementing the storyline Prof. Lidia Margarite Bofill, Historical Consultant and current head of the University of Oriente Art History Dept., Specialist in Cuban and Caribbean Art.

The main interviewer, Reinaldo Cedeño, Santiago de Cuba, is a writer for television and radio and has won several national awards in Cuba for his interviews on subjects relating to the Arts.

• The translations were done by Ellen Rosenzweig, MA of Oakland, CA. A professional translator, her particular area of expertise is Cuban Spanish.
• Clyde Hensley, Director of the Eastern Cuba Cultural Exchange, is Producer, Director, and 2nd Camera
• Meridian International, Washington D.C. & Global Tapestry, Associate Producers
• Andrew Buchanan, 1st Camera, Sound and Lighting with assistance of Andres Borges
• Michael Lucas, is Editor
• Tom Jackson, Special Edit
• Isadore Bleckman, of past CBS Sunday morning with Charles Kuralt, is Assistant Edit.
• La Familia Valera Miranda, of Santiago de Cuba, Music Sound Track
• Ramon Ulrich, Barcelona, Spain is our Still Photographer and Artist Interviewer.

Come with me now to Oriente, Cuba.

Kind regards,Clyde Westall Hensley Jr.

Arte de Cuba Studio: 772-225-2520 Cell: 305-509-0973

www.Cubanart.org

e-mail: November 13, 2006

October 16, 2006

September 27, 2006