Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Frida y Diego regresan

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo are officially "in the money." The 500-peso bill will now have the artist's faces on them, released by the Bank of Mexico.
Read full story in the Los Angeles Times.

"Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera to be reunited on Mexican bill"

Thursday, August 26, 2010

"La Yuma" trae pegue

Producer Miguel Necoechea speaks to the audience.
"Nunca he visto una mujer boxeadora..." This devastating line was uttered by Culebra, played by Rigoberto Mayorga in the Nicaraguan film "La Yuma," which premiered as part of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival at Grauman's Chinese Theater last Sunday.
"La Yuma" was an international collaboration, with French director Florence Jaugey at the forefront (she wrote the script as well,) Mexican producer Miguel Necoechea (whose film "Chamaco" is also out now,) and Nicaraguan cast and crew.
La Yuma is a story of finding hope in seemingly discouraging places. This is what lead actress Alma Blanco portrays so well on screen playing Yuma, a strong young woman who uses boxing as her escape from the extremely littered and dangerous streets of Managua, Nicaragua. As she gets better, it seems that her home and personal life get in her way, with an unsupportive mother who she must support financially along with her innocent brother and sister and mother's disgusting, good-for-nothing boyfriend.
Throughout parts of the film, there are gleams of heroism coming from others, like the job Yuma takes under her comical patrona, and an intelligent young man she shares a romance with after "salvandole la vida," Ernesto. Overall, Yuma's uninterrupted courage and strength allow her to rise up on her own, without handouts, and does not allow herself to be distraught over the contaminated atmosphere she is surrounded by, this including her friends form the barrio, Culebra, El Down, and Polvorita, who throw their own punches to her, bringing her down for pursuing boxing.
The film does not discriminate in the slightest, incorporating actors like twins Emir and Raul Cabezas, who have down syndrome and surprisingly add comic relief to the film, as well as Yuma's close friend who is transgender and also delivers timely and fun lines.
The film was the first ever to premier at LALIFF in the 14 years of its existence. which is encouraging to the Nicaraguan community present who claimed their orgullo to Necoechea, answering questions after the film.
"I want to see if more films can be made" in Nicaragua, Necoechea said. "This took a lot of effort. It took four years to be made and represents great effort form the film making community in Nicaragua," which, until now, Necoechea said was non existent. "La Yuma" strongly demonstrates the reality and talent coming out of Nicaragua and will certainly change that.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Tijuana will sound in Los Angeles

Bostich+Fussible, duet that flourished out of Tijuana's Nortec Collective, will be performing at the California Plaza as part of Grand Performamces's Summer Concert Series 2010 this Saturday at 7 pm. Mr.Vallenato and Ceci Bastida will be performing as well.
For more information,including directions, visit:
Grand Performances

Ceci Bastida's notable track:
"Cuando Vuelvas A Caer"
on myspace:
Ceci Bastida

For a taste of Bostich+Fussible:

Latinas rap loud and proud

Liliana Samuet from Bomba Estereo
Here in the States we are well aware of female rappers, as rare as they may be in the mainstream nowadays. They are alive,kickin' and spittin' in Latin America.
This great Los Angeles Times article from August 10 brings to light groups fronted by Latina rappers hailing from Colombia and Chile.
"Latina rappers make their voices heard"
...and here is a cumbia/reggae fueled track by one of the Colombian groups Bomba Estereo.Cuidado,que aqui hay...
Fuego!

You might also recognize rapper Ana Tijoux from Julieta Venegas's "Eres Para Mi" and her solo sound is very much worth listening to. Enjoy!
"Eres Para Mi"

Monday, August 16, 2010

Huerta got 'em to The Greek

The Greek Theater in Los Angele swas the place to be Friday for inspiration, dancing, and to pay tribute to greats. Famed activist Dolores Huerta celebrated her 80th birthday there at the fun, but also enlightening fiesta along with an almost packed house of supporters and fans. Acts that performed included guitar legend Carlos Santana, Lila Downs, Zack de la Rocha, and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra.
The night opened with the orchestra, and the smell of marijuana among the back of the theater, as the audience began taking their seats. They were amazingly rhythmic and were only a taste of what was to come for performances, as strong as the movements that Huerta is known for.
Speakers read admiring words for Huerta, such as Ina Coleman, managing director of the Feminist Majority Foundation: "At 80 years old, doing what she's doing...my respects for her," she said.
15 cities around the country were participating in celebrating Huerta's 80 years, and a few were broadcast on the giant screens.
Lila Downs was first up with her group of multi-cultured musicians, hailing from counties such as France and Chile. Downs's voice, with range to go loud and full force accompanied with Latin, and sometimes rhythm and blues, was enough to get the crowd out of their seats. Songs like her popular "Cumbia de Mole" was appropriate when a full row of young girls in regional Mexican dress to get up and groove along. Next in the set, Downs and company played "Los Pollos." Lyrics seemed with an activist undertone:

"Y a los pollos les aviso
Para que corran la voz,
porque van a ser un guiso de pollos en arroz,
Y a los pollos les aviso
Para que corran la voz."

This, if read between the lines, could be an indirect hit to those who feel anti-immigrant sentiment, warning of the stew that will be made with them,the "pollos" or chickens. I doubt that the stew would symbolize violence, but it seems that it does state resistance from those who support legalization of undocumented immigrants.
Downs payed her respects as well. "I am very greatful to Dolores Huerta," she said at the end of her set.
Zack de la Rocha, with his band Once As A Lion, also pumped up the crowd, with the Rage influence that was expected. Their song "The Last Letter" proved for a modern feel of activism, with his afro-like hair do to go along with it. The driving beats would prove a great background track for anyone wanting to fight for a just cause.
De la Rocha openly criticized Sheriff Joe Arpaio form Arizona and also spoke of Huerta's relentlessness, using an anecdote as an example. He once asked Huerta what her plans were and she spoke of traveling to various specific cities in the United States. Rocha then asked if she was going to get some rest after that and Huerta responded "I don't rest!" This comment drew a roar from the crowd, showing their support for Huerta.
The benefit concert having taken place in Los Angeles, a celebrity touch was not absent. Actors Benjamin Bratt and Martin Sheen spoke. Bratt talked of his Peruvian mother and Sheen yelled it loud and proud that he was of Irish and Spanish decent, emphasizing that his birth name is actually Ramon Estevez, both men showing solidarity with the mostly Latino crowd that was present and the immigrant population.
The headliner and the one whom Huerta noted as, in the few words she spoke, "The real voice of God," was Carlos Santana. He was joined on stage with the Pete Escovedo Orchestra. They opened up with "Corazon Espinado," a rock,"danzon" fueled song made famous by Santana and the veteran Mexican group Mana, which made the overwhelming majority sing the chorus in unison.
The Latin flavored night went on as Lila Downs accompanied Santana by singing vocals on "Black Magic Woman," which added a fierce, first person point of view. The ending of the song, which enters into"Gypsy Woman" was played slower than usual and provided a soothed and relaxed air than the recorded sped up version, which surely those "smoking out" enjoyed.
Santana and the orchestra then send the audience off with "Oye Como Va," and Escobedo attributed the great Tito Puente for the classic song.
Happy birthday Dolores Huerta.
Here is an old clip of another song performed by Santana at the benefit.
 Samba Pa Ti