News (Noticias) Tagged ‘Puerto Rican’

Puerto Rico takes center stage at the Smithsonian Latin Center in Washington, D.C. beginning this week. “Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian” has partnered with the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico (MAPR) to create a series of programs highlighting Latin American culture through exhibitions and educational activities.

The activities begin on September 17 with the opening of the exhibit “Posters of the Division of Community Education (DIVEDCO) of Puerto Rico, 1949 - 1989″ in the lobby of S. Dillon Ripley Center in Washington, D.C.

“This collaborative effort pays tribute to Puerto Ricans for their outstanding achievements in the arts, sciences and humanities at the international level,” said Dr. Lourdes Ramos, CEO and Executive Director of the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico. “Together with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) we support Puerto Rican culture and diversity and our progress as a country.”

The tradition of honoring Latin American Culture was created by the Smithsonian Latin American Center in 2006, with Colombia and Mexico already recognized.

The celebrations honoring Puerto Rico continued on September 18 with a black-tie gala “Smithsonian con Sabor” held at the Smithsonian’s Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. “Legacy Awards” were presented to six noted Puerto Ricans for their contributions to culture and heritage in the international arena.

The distinguished Puerto Ricans selected were Pepón Osorio in the arts; doctors Orlando Figueroa, Ariel Lugo and Antonia Novello in the sciences; Marta Casals Istomin and Dr. Juan Flores in the humanities.

Chef Jose Santaella was the special guest at the gala, creating a gourmet menu inspired by the best Creole cuisine. Puerto Rican designers Emilio Olabarrieta and Julio Cintron created decorations inspired by the flora and fauna of the island. Artist Jaime Suarez, creator of “L’s of Labyrinth,” will also be on hand.

Rums of Puerto Rico showcased specialty tastes of the island. Karen Garnik, Director of Rums of Puerto Rico, said “the tribute paid by the Smithsonian Latin Center to Puerto Rico is a true celebration for all Puerto Ricans.”

“This is a unique opportunity for Puerto Rico to showcase the island as one of the most important tourist destinations in the Caribbean,” said Terestella Gonzalez Denton, Executive Director of the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian” activities will continue during the coming months with programs for children and adults. Additional details about “Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian” are available at (202) 298-7704 or www.latino.si.edu.

For highlights of the event, including soundbites with Legacy Award honorees, click on the video link.

If you are a TV station and have access to Pathfire DMG, video of the event is available: click on the binoculars, select advanced search tab, keywords: Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian. “

Colby O’Donis has got what it takes and there’s no turning back. With the album’s “What You Got” already a Top 15 Pop hit, the fresh, exciting 19-year-old singer-songwriter-producer who blends R&B, Pop, Hip-Hop and Latin flavors into sexy grooves that win young girls’ hearts, releases his debut album, Colby O (KonLive/Geffen), on September 16, 2008. “Don’t Turn Back” is the album’s second single and video. Signed to Akon’s KonLive label, O’Donis is “my secret weapon” says the multi-platinum star. For Colby O, Akon executive produced, co-wrote 10 of the tracks with O’Donis (Colby wrote or co-wrote 14 of the 15), and produced eight of the songs. O’Donis produced another four and together they produced one. Akon is also featured on “What You Got.” Other guest appearances include T-Pain, Lil Romeo, and Paul Wall. In addition, the multi-talented O’Donis plays guitar on the album (he’s studied under Johan Oiested, Carlos Santana’s rhythm guitarist), as well as bass, drums, percussion, synthesizer and keyboards (he’s been playing piano for six years). The past year has been a busy one for O’Donis as he has captivated audiences touring extensively throughout the US. “Performing and entertaining is what I live for,” says O’Donis. “I want to be able to show the fans that I’m a ‘real’ musician as well as a singer and dancer.” Born in Queens, New York to Puerto Rican parents, Colby spent a great deal of time during his childhood in Orlando, Florida — arguably the country’s haven for breaking young artists. By the age of 9, he was working with producers Full Force (Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC) who shopped his demos and produced his “Mouse In The House” for the 1999 Stuart Little soundtrack. The precocious Colby began producing himself when he was just 12 years old and was opening major concerts in Florida at 14 before moving with his family to Los Angeles. A subsequent meeting with Akon led to his signing to KonLive and a three-year journey to his breakthrough, Colby O. O’Donis will be joining New Kids on the Block for a portion of their fall tour beginning September 23 through October 4. September 23: East Rutherford, NJ - Izod September 24: Uniondale, NY - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum September 26: Boston, MA - TD Banknorth September 27: Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata September 28: Boston, MA - TD Banknorth September 30: Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun October 2: Washington DC - Verizon Center October 3: Cleveland, OH - Quicken Arena October 4: Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena “

WTTW11, Chicago’s leading public television station, is proud to present the world premiere of the locally-produced documentary Chicago’s Puerto Rican Story on Tuesday, September 9th at 7:30 p.m. The program, several years in the making, paints an inspiring portrait of the Puerto Rican experience in Chicago, looking at the early years of migration, settlement, struggles and contributions of this vital community as it recollects the events and influences that shaped its political awareness and activism.

Through the use of personal and archival photos and footage, and interviews with early migrants, community leaders and historians, Chicago’s Puerto Rican Story touches on the themes of family, work, housing, education, and organizing successes: the creation of community organizations, health centers and clinics; the implementation of educational reforms; the hiring of Puerto Rican police officers; elected officials at every level of government; and the creation of a cultural and commercial business district known as “Paseo Boricua.” Interview subjects include U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Chicago City Clerk Miguel Del Valle, Illinois State Senator Iris Martinez, Chicago Aldermen Billy Ocasio and Rey Colon, and many other prominent members of the community. The film is narrated by independent filmmaker and educator Gloricelly Franceschi, who also wrote the script.

The film comes to WTTW11 from New Film Productions, and was produced, directed and written by Antonio and Gloricelly Franceschi. “We are excited and honored that WTTW11 has given us the opportunity to share this compelling story with their viewers,” said Antonio Franceschi. “It’s important that people understand how the Puerto Ricans’ history has shaped who they are as a community today,” he added. Daniel Soles, WTTW’s Senior Vice President and Chief Television Content Officer, agrees. “We feel this program will shine a well-deserved spotlight on this rich and diverse group,” he said. “It is very much in line with WTTW’s long-standing commitment to informing and enlightening our audience about all aspects of our city’s cultural heritage,” he added.

WTTW11 and Chicago’s Puerto Rican Story will have a presence at the 15th annual Fiesta Boricua on August 31, and for information on a special Humboldt Park preview screening, please contact Alejandro Molina or Raul Echevarria at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center at (773) 342-8023.

Chicago’s Puerto Rican Story was produced and directed by Antonio Franceschi, and written, produced and hosted by Gloricelly Franceschi. Photography is by Felix Mendez, with original music by Tino “Archie” Ojeda, Jr.

About New Film Productions
An award-winning Latino-owned motion picture and television production company, New Film Productions was founded by Antonio Franceschi in the summer of 1989. New Film Productions’ mission is to be a leader in the creation and promotion of quality educational and entertaining programs for the television, cable and theatrical markets.

About WTTW11
For more than 50 years, audiences have turned to WTTW11 for distinctive programming that informs, inspires, educates and entertains. It reaches two million weekly viewers over a four-state area, making it the most-watched public television station in America. Recognized for its award-winning local and national productions, WTTW11 is committed to presenting the very best in cultural, nature, science, public affairs and children’s programming across its four distinct television channels: WTTW11, WTTWD, its Spanish-language channel V-me, and WTTW Create.

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