Sanz stays the course in La Musica No Se Toca

On again, off again, Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz, who released La Musica No Se Toca last fall, his first studio album since 2009 and one under a new record label home, explores the lasting significance of music and plays tribute to the industry in lead single “La Musica No Se Toca”, because well, it will forever occupy the headlines, “reign when we’re gone” and “exist when there’s nobody else to love.”

Coming off 2009’s ‘Paraiso Express’, which like most of his studio work in recent years leaned heavily on collaborations with Shakira and Calle 13 aside from veering into political anthems and dishing at other music genres. Sanz, who composed all 13 songs on the album, plays it straight in “La Musica No Se Toca”, a production that exposes his seasoned songwriting ability and refined vocal prowess.
                                                                                    
Even with the reality of declining record sales in the Latin music industry and the evolution of digital media, which he has already taken advantage of with a digitally streamed live concert in Miami last December, Sanz stays true to his craft while not taking too many risks by going the romantic ballad route (“Mi Marciana”, “Para Decirle Adios”) while adding the customary, flamenco guitar splashed numbers (“Camino de Rosas”) elevated by his raspy and melodic voice.

While rarely unwavering from his defiant and emotive singing style, again Sanz plays it close to form in much-lauded singles, “Se Vende” and “No Me Compares”, nominated for two Latin Grammy awards shortly after its release. Sanz is clearly at his best in guitar-laden and hard charging rock-fused, “La Musica No Se Toca” and “Llamado a La Mujer Accion” but he strays away from his strengths to perhaps please his secured, mainstream audience with syrupy, pop ballads.

As a whole, La Musica No Se Toca affirms Sanz’s undeniable skills as a songwriter and love letter maestro, but fails in originality and freshness, both crucial for an artist that had been gone for so long and with a new record label address to boot.

                                                                                                          Fernie Ruano Jr.

Alejandro Sanz will perform Thursday, May 9 at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Tickets range from $55-$140. For additional informaton, contact the AAA box office at (786) 777-1000

 

                                                                                   

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Latin music stars looking beyond Twitter and Facebook

By Fernie Ruano Jr.  

A mid-March image posting @alexoficial of an unshaven and shaggy-haired Alejandro Fernandez walking up a railroad in washed jeans and bomber jacket in Mexico City not only sets off a cyber-riot amongst his 2 million Twitter followers, but sparks a lively stream of discussion and instant interaction that unites his diverse fan base during a 24-hour, photo-ogling period stretching from Cali, Colombia to San Diego, California.

There’s the grooming suggestion (“Estas mas guapo sin barba y con el pelo corto,” gushes Mele Fernandez on Facebook) to the PG-rated dissection of his physique (“You look hot!” writes TOTIGIRL on Twitter) somewhere in the United States with loads of adoration in between, resulting in 512 comments and 3,500 ‘Likes’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram combined and definitely increasing the popularity of his Facebook page (3,207, 747 ‘Likes’ and counting at last check).

Fifteen years ago, that might have sufficed to send a brainy publicist, looking to plug a new tour or album, into hysteria, if not onto South Beach to splurge on margaritas, after securing several interviews for the hunky crooner.

But while the response and statistics are undeniably respectable, especially given his studio inactivity in recent years, they’re a drop in the bucket for a management team crunching numbers as they ratchet up a mix of marketing and tech savvy strategies aimed at the favorite devices and wallets of Hispanic consumers satisfying their music listening and viewing habits with everything from an internet lifestyle channel to a digitally-streamed live concert performance, and expected to drive the totality of their spending power in the U.S. economy over a trillion dollars in less than three years.

 “Wow, this generation practically lives on a computer and doesn’t lose sight of their IPhone, so if it’s not 100% about social and digital media it’s pretty close when we sit down to open a (marketing) campaign,” said Press & Publicity Director Nayira Castellanos, of Miami Beach-based Acoustyle Digital and Marketing Communication about strategy in selling Latin music artists to freewheeling bilingual, Latinos growing up on ITunes and ipads and mesmerized by You Tube and iTunes.

“Whether it’s Alejandro, (Puerto Rican reggaeton singer) J. Alvarezor (Puerto Rican salsa singer) Tito Nieves our jobs depend on driving numbers and creating a buzz. So, when we pull somebody through the door, yes it’s we know, Ok, how many Facebook friends and Twitter followers do you have?

“But in today’s world, that’s just a small step in making sure an artist is creating a buzz. It doesn’t matter if you’re established or just starting out, everybody needs to know you’re out there and in today’s world that means going where people get their music and that extends promoting a tour or new album.”

According to a Selig Center for Economic Growth study conducted by Bovitz Research published by Adage.comin February, the spending power of Latinos will account for upwards of $1.5 trillion of the economy by 2015. Hispanics presently make up 16.3% of the total U.S. population, or just over 52 million people. By 2050 that number is projected to reach 133 million, according to the report.

Combine that with an in-depth Nielsen study of consumer interaction with music in the United States conducted last fall concluding that even though 48% of people still discover music through radio, it pales in comparison to the 64% of teenagers using You Tube, followed by radio (56%) and ITunes (53%), as their main gateway to music – numbers not lost on industry executives trying to keep up with digitally savvy and mobilized, multi-lingual Latinos in search of fresh faces and innovative platforms.

Castellanos, who with Sujeylee Sola operates the marketing and promotion of a Top Stop Music roster featuring upstart Dominican American singer Leslie Grace, is locked in with what’s happening on You Tube even more so than making sure to blast away that snappy release with bold colors and catchy slogans.

But that’s just part of the process for music executives trying in connecting the past with the present in hopes of getting younger bilingual Latinos to invest in music while also busy attempting to jumpstart the career of the next star in part by hooking new audiences and the marketing of Grace is no exception.

An ex-choir girl born in New York, the 18-year-old Grace made her debut last summer with a Spanglish, R&B/Bachata-fused rendition of The Shirelles 1960’s classic “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” that starts off as a hearty ballad before taking a turn into full-fledge bachata.  The song’s You Tube video (4,392,608 views), a throwback shoot entirely in black and white traveling everywhere from a Drive-In to the beach, depicts Grace at times in a classic convertible and singing into a standstill vintage microphone.

“It’s definitely a smart marketing ploy in trying to gain new followers and a create some noise among young Hispanics, especially when you’re trying to get a relatively new artist of the ground, but it’s a bit difficult when you’re also competing with established artists and their advanced presence in new media,” said a Miami-based DJ, who expressed concern for the longevity of mainstream radio with the emergence of internet radio and the likes surfacing as prime destinations for young Latinos.

While outlining the permeating presence of such internet radio services such as Pandora, available across a multitude of media platforms including home and office, The Selig Center for Economic Growth study found 88% of Hispanics listeners prefer mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and that marketers and brands should consider enhanced options to to take advantage of location, with immediate calls to action, social sharing and interaction with the ever-growing demographic segment.

Just last December, Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz, in the midst of pushing material off his new album, “La Musica No Se Toca”, gave online viewers an opportunity to connect with each other internationally and interact while watching a digital stream of his live concert from a lounge in Miami Beach broadcast on Terra.com in conjunction with Terra Live Music and Pepsi’s ‘Viva Hoy’ platform, the bottling company’s renewed Hispanic marketing effort.

The HD concert, marking the first time Pepsi’s U.S. Hispanic and Latin American marketing teams had worked together on a cross-bordering initiative, was broadcast in 19 countries reached by the Terra digital media company’s entertainment, lifestyle, sports and news content, including Spain and other European countries, according to Terra U.S. CEO Fernando Rodriguez.

The 60-minute performance, offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and accessible on PCs, tablets, smartphones and smart TVs, not only allowed Sanz the chance to promote new music across a wide spectrum, it generated over 11,ooo Facebook ‘Likes’ within minutes of the show starting, according to Terra.com, which reaches an audience of 100 million per month.

 Additionally, Pepsi ran a sweepstakes in 12 Latin American countries offering a grand prize, including tickets for two to attend a show next month in Miami.

“It’s going to continue to explode and sooner than later, it’s going to be crazy in an innovative sense,” said Metamorfosis Publicity & Marketing Director Ananay Castillo, who hinted at the possibility of Guatemalan singer/songwriter Ricardo Arjona (@Ricardo_Arjona) concluding his  agenda late this year with a live-streamed concert

Not to be outdone, Juanes(@Juanes), one of this generation’s most influential Latin music artists in the world, premiered 123: POV Juanes last summer, a docu-series chronicling the creative and humanitarian exploits of the Colombian rocker on a You Tube’s Latin lifestyle channel targeted at young, bilingual Latinos in the U.S. 

Yo Soy Juanes, a monthly-radio broadcast on SiriusXM featuring everything from his favorite music to career tidbits, hit the airwaves in September.

“The personal experience of buying a ticket and attending a show is something that will never get old with perhaps you and I, but the young generation is pretty much is about here and now. We’re definitely heading into the age of more digital concerts, more opportunities where people, no matter where you’re sitting or where you live, can take part,” said Castillo.

It doesn’t matter where you are it’s impossible to connect with an artist like Ricardo every day, so there’s no better way to get that access than being a click away. I definitely see more live streaming of concerts, web shows and chats with fans in the future. It’s the easiest way to bring everybody together at once”

So what better way for New York-born bachata baby-face Prince Royce (@PrinceRoyce), another of Latin music’s marketing jewels thanks to his fresh look and bilingual songs, than to take Twitter to announce to his 1,096,924 million followers and the world in a millisecond that “Te Me Vas” is the “No.1 song in the country.”

Or for the aforementioned Juanes to let 7, 443, 145 Twitter followers that he is indeed performing on Kelly & Michael and likely taking the chance to promote his new biography, “Chasing The Sun.”

And while Miami-bred Pitbull(@Pitbull) may not have the time to personally acknowledge his most loyal Facebookfollowers and Glaria McNamara of Seattle might never come within arms-length of Mr. 305 they will forever be connected on cyberspace for everybody to see.

“Something tells me Pitbull is well-hung,” wrote McNamara seconds after a photo posting went up of Pit bull on stage with Marc Anthony drawing 34,500 likes and 948 comments “Oops, why would my sub-consciousness make me comment this?”   

 

 

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La Santa Cecilia releases ‘Trenta Dias’

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

Latin Alternative band La Santa Cecilia has collectively made a push to be heard in recent months, most notably in their plight to back and break the ice on immigration reform.

Now, anybody can listen to their cause with the release of “Trenta Dias”, the Los Angeles-based group anticipated, major-label debut album earlier this week.  

 ‘Trenta’, a bilingual, 8-track production fusing Rock and Bossa Nova, among its diverse mixture of genres and rhythms, plays heavily through the chords of the immigration experience, namely of lead vocalist Marisol Hernandez and accordionplayer Jose Carlos.

Hernandez’s parents arrived in Los Angeles from Mexico without papers and Carlos is undocumented.

“El Hielo” (The Ice), the lead track of the album, details the everyday reality of being an immigrant and the human drama that comes with it through the stories of Rodriguez, Carlos and a family friend, who have gone through life clinging to a ‘hopeless’ dream to driving the streets without a license, as is the case with Carlos.

Carlos, in part the inspiration for “El Hielo”, arrived in the United States at 6 and part symbol for undocumented students, workers and housewives all over the country. The eclectic album also includes “Losing Game”, collaboration with Elvis Costello.

 

 

 

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Juanes receives ‘Humanitarian Leadership’ award

 Latin music star Juanes is making room in his trophy case.

The Colombian singer/songwriter received the 2013 Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award earlier this week, along with additional recipients Hillary Clinton, singer Tony Bennett and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

“For me and others of my generation, art became more than just a haven, it was a powerful way to conquer fear and to transform our feelings of impotence into creative impulse,” said Juanes during the award ceremony.

The Atlantic Council outlined the initiatives Juanes carries out through Mi Sangre, his foundation which in part empowers Colombian youth with the necessary skills to become leaders in their respective communities.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        -Fernie Ruano Jr.

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Romeo Santos to perform at Hard Rock Live

Bachata singer and your abuelita’s favorite heartthrob Romeo Santos has made quite a nice living for himself over two decades with his falsetto, romantic whispers and soothing lyrics that have brought teeny boppers, soccer moms and even a few gentlemen to their respective knees – if not to tears - in mid-concert whenever the Dominicanboy toy is belting out tunes and not collecting awards at a rapid pace.

His stage presence and uncanny charm alone have paved the way for the adoration of millions of fans throughout his career, for as the lead vocalist for bachata boy band Aventura and most recently as a much-acclaimed soloist, and eased any worries of putting any food on the table, evidenced by the $12.1 million in tour revenue he earned in 2010 coming off the release of Formula: Vol. 1, which includes hit “Mi Santa” (My Saint).

It’s hard to imagine not sweating profusely or wanting to undress – mot necessarily in that order – at the sight on stage of Santos slowly bending to his knees and holding a girl’s hand while singing as only he can, “Soy capaz de lo incapaz por ti.”

Well, girls – and guys – get your Kleenex and best dress ready and head on over to the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Casino in Hollywood, FL, Friday, May 3 where Santos will no doubt be prepared to make you cry, scream and perhaps strip you naked without laying a finger on you, if not leave you pleading “Llevame contigo!”

                                                                                            Fernie Ruano Jr

 

Doors open: 6 p.m., Show start time: 7 p.m., Ticket prices: $79, $99, $129, $154 For additional information: 1-954-797-5531

 

 

 

Show Start Time: 7:00PM
Doors Open Time: 6:00PM
Ticket Price: $79 / $99 / $129 / $154

Back by poHard Rock Live on May 3rd at 7PM.

May 3

Show Start Time: 7:00PM
Doors Open Time: 6:00PM
Ticket Price: $79 /

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Don Omar cleans up at Billboard Latin Music Awards

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

Imagine this: Don Omar left speechless.

By the time, Omar, the big winner during the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Thursday night at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables, arrived on stage to accept his award for ‘Latin Rhythm Song of the Year” the reggaeton star had exhausted his acceptance speeches, and turned the microphone over to prodigy Natty Natasha.

                                         Take 10: Reggaeton star Don Omar was the top winner at the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Thursday night in Coral Gables, FL.

“When women speak, men shut up,” said Omar, before walking off with one of his 10 ‘Billboard Latin’ awards during the annual nationally-televised show on Spanish-language network Telemundo in recognition of the leading acts in Billboard’s sales, digital and radio charts.

Omar also took home ‘Digital Song of the Year’ before closing the three-hour fashion-laced and performance-filled Latin musiccelebration with a  bouncy and energetic performance of his hit, “Zumba”, which featured a dozen Brazilian dancerschronicling Omar’s every step as he worked both sides of the stage.

Mexican-American regional music star Jenni Rivera, killed in a plane crash in Mexico in December, won six ‘Billboard Latin’ awards and was honored during an emotional, teary-eye tribute that included footage of some of her most memorable performances and reality show – all witnessed by her parents and daughters in attendance.

Her brother, Juan Rivera performed her song, “No Llega el olvido”, backed by a mariachi band. “You are my diva,” said her father, Pedro Rivera while accepting his daughter’s awards.

The tribute left many in tears, with little time to recover as legendary Mexican singer Jose Josereceived the lifetime achievement award before Italian opera band II Volo performed a moving rendition of “El Triste”, one of Jose Jose’s timeless classics.

“Let’s thank God because he’s converted me into a friend and accomplice of so many couples, hearts and souls that fall in love and suffer because of love,” said Jose Jose.

Salsa-Latin pop music star Marc Anthony, working on his first all-salsa and original material album in almost a decade, debuted “Vivir Mi Vida”, his highly-anticipated new single off his yet-to-be-released album, with a poignant and festive performance that got many in the crowd out of their seats to dance.

Anthony was later joined on stage by Tito “El Bambino” to sing “Por Que Les Mientes”. 

Colombian pop artist Carlos Vives, who recently released his first album in eight years, joined Brazilian singer Michel Telo to perform  ‘Como Le Gusta a Tu Cuerpo”, a rheumatic and vallenato/samba-fused homage to ‘beautiful bodies’ and life on the beaches  of Brazilduring the three-hour show.

 

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La Santa Celicia drives the road of immigrants

By Fernie Ruano Jr.  

Los Angeles-based Latinalternative band La Santa Cecilia isn’t hard to find whenever the immigrationis on the menu.

The band, which will appear on Jorge Ramos-hosted ‘Al Punto’ on Sunday (Univision, 10 a.m.), took part in an immigrationrally earlier this month in Washingtonand ‘El Hielo’ (‘Ice’), a personally-inspired song of living the immigrantexperience off “Trenta Dias” (Thirty Days), their upcoming album, has served as a rallying cry since its release.

 

    Breaking "El Hielo": La Santa Cecilia lead singer Marisol Hernandez is sounding off on immigration

Lead singer Marisol Hernandez watched her parents arrive in Los Angeles from Mexicowithout any legal documentation and accordion player Jose Carlos is undocumented. ‘

‘La Santa’ decided to tell their stories through song several months ago while preparing material for “Trenta Dias”. The lead track of the album details the everyday reality of being an immigrant through the stories of Carlos, Rodriguez’s mother and a family friend. They cover everything from living with a ‘hopeless’ dream to driving the streets without a license.

Hernandez is making her voice heard in an effort to push immigration form through in Washington, and having anybody else having to “hide in the back of a cargo truck with her kid” to avoid getting caught, something she personally witnessed after being asked by a family friend to pick up his wife, Hernandez recently told the Miami Herald.

Carlos, who arrived in the United States from Oaxacaat 6 years old, was in part the inspiration behind ‘El Hielo’ and the band is prepared to continue to push the door open for undocumented students, workers and housewives all over the country. And they won’t stop, until La Santa Cecilia is heard.

Editor’s Note: The interview was originally scheduled to air last Sunday, but didn’t make the telecast due to the continued coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings, according to band representative.

 

 

 

 

 

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LatinBeatsVibe: Juan Luis Guerra’s “Asondeguerra Tour” live album ...

LatinBeatsVibe: Juan Luis Guerra’s “Asondeguerra Tour” live album ...: By Fernie Ruano Jr. Juan Luis Guerra's " ASONDEGUERRA Tour" album, a live recording at Santo Domingo's Olympic Stadiu...

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Juan Luis Guerra’s “Asondeguerra Tour” live album to be released May 14

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

Juan Luis Guerra's "ASONDEGUERRA Tour" album, a live recording at Santo Domingo's Olympic Stadium featuring duets with Romeo Santos and Juanes, is set to be released May 14.

After visiting more than 20 countries as part of the tour, Guerra returned to his native country to close out "ASONDEGUERRA" in front of 50,000 spectators that enjoyed the singer/songwriter's biggest hits, including "Ojala Que Llueva Cafe" and "Las Avipas".

"Frio, Frio", Guerra's duet with Santos and the album's first promotional single,
 has recently garnered radio airplay throughout the United States and Latin America.

Guerra will perform on the Latin Billboard Awards during a live, broadcast on Telemundo, Thursday night from Coral Gables, FL (8 p.m. ET/PT).

"ASONDEGUERRA", which includes a DVD, can be pre-orderd on iTunes starting today.

 

 

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2008-07-10/music/standing-tall/full/

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2008/07/last_night_juan_luis_guerra_at.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Marc Anthony to debut “Vivir Mi Vida” at 2013 Latin Billboard Music Awards

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

 Salsa starMarc Anthony has an appetite for making a splash at big parties – this week will be no different.

 Anthony will debut “Vivir Mi Vida” (Live My Life), the first track of his new salsa album to be released later this summer, during a live, nationally-televised performance on Telemundo at the 2013 Latin Billboard Music Awards, Thursday night at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables, FL.

“Vivir Mi Vida”, an adaptation of the song “C’est La Vie” by Ched Khaled, marks the New York- bred singer/songwriter’s first foray into the tropical salsa genre in almost 10 years and reunites him with longtime confidant and music producer Sergio George.

 

George, who according to several sources has been working with Anthony on the album for months at Hit Factory in Miami and Top Stop Music studios in Delray Beach, produced “Valio la Pena” (It Was Worth It), Anthony’s 2004 hit-churning, all-salsa album, which included “Volando Entre Tus Brazos” (In Between Your Arms) and “Tu Amor Me Hace Bien” (Your Love Does Me Good).

In 2010, Anthony released “Iconos” (Icons), a tribute to 1970/80s Latin pop idols Roberto Carlos and Jose Jose in which he covered signature songs. It followed 2007’s “El Cantante” (The Singer), a cover album and movie soundtrack of his portrayal of legendary Puerto Rican singer Hector Lavoe.

“Vivir Mi Vida” will be available on iTunes immediately after his performance at the awards show.

 Related Content:

http://www.voxxi.com/marc-anthony-indebted-to-roots-music/

http://www.voxxi.com/marc-anthony-pitbull-bilingual-artists-bi-cultural-success/

 

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Arjona showered with love at AAA

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

Cross-legged with head bowed and arms stretched out, Guatemalan singer/songwriter Ricardo Arjona giddily accepted the role of conductor while listening to a vociferous crowd sing-along to “Señora de las Cuatro Decadas” (“Lady of Four Decades”), the gracefully-aging woman still finding a way to make her man’s heart bounce despite putting on a little extra “belly fat aerobics can’t remove” over the years.

Overflowing with a multicultural blend of giddy and scantily-clad women well on their way to a very happy ending, Arjona, a profound lyricist with the full-tenor voice, touched them in every way possible during a two-and-a-half hour set at AmericanAirlines Arena on Saturday night.

With the audience on its feet and swaying for most of the evening, if not tugging at their respective too-tight dresses and very-short skirts, Arjona emptied out his repertoire with songs ranging from flirtatious to revengeful to respectful, with a political anthem and little motherly love in between,  as the masses continuously followed him in song, including singing from start to finish on “Te Conozco” (‘I know You”), a longing tale about a lost love he wishes he had never seen walk out.

 

Feeling right at home, Arjona flirted, teased and got cozy – fortunately for a beaming, sign-waving fan he invited up on stage for a song and long embrace – amid a beautifully-produced and elaborate production, featuring a  two-floor set up serving as sometimes bar, circus tent and loft. And Arjona was as colorful and complicated as ever, poignantly steering the all-but-flattering, yet realistic (“Te Conozco”) as he crooned “you snore” and “smoke” about a woman he knows all too well.

Worthy of his own dictionary, Arjona, one of Latin pop’s genial wordsmiths, was funny, observant and pleasing while straddling the lines of romanticism and home-cooking, especially in playing into the hands of thousands of “Cubanas” with an up-tempo and percussion-laced version of (“Puente”), a vivid recounting of what Cubans back home face each day and the state of immigration in the United States. “Esta historia es de tanta gente y de nadie (“This story is that of so many people, but it belongs to nobody.”),” said Arjona in Spanish before delighting with an emotive interpretation.

He playfully poked love as the beautiful story that commences with a “dream” before ending in “insomnia”. “El amor a veces viene a jodernos la vida (“Love at times screws up our lives”),” he cracked in anticipation of “El Amor” (“Love”), the hit track from 2011 album “Independiente” (Independent). He turned politico   in “Si el Norte fuera el Sur” (“If the North Were the South” – as a montage of images – from The Simpsons to Fidel Castro flashing cash on Wall Street – took over the video screen.

His raw voice and jovial energy evident, Arjona filled the night with power ballad after power ballad, if not rising crescendos. But he displayed his soft side – he does have one – with delicate acoustic takes of “Reconcilacion” (“Reconciliation”) and (“Tarde”) – “Late (”Without Damage to Third Parties), cutting through the soul of seeing his woman walking the streets with a new man; Arjona making the journey vividly-detailed, no matter the hurt.

Arjona was especially descriptive in “Fuiste Tu”, (“It Was You”, his gut-wrenching duet with Gaby Moreno that strikes at the heart of anybody forced to see a love interest walk away – only Arjona finds a way every time to make the pain curable with grand detail.   

A classic throwback from her polka dot dress to the curls framing her short, cropped hair, Moreno, who opened the show with a 30-minute set, appears as if she just got out of the backseat of a 1950’s Cadillac and didn’t really bother looking up at the screen or finishing her milkshake. But make no mistake: the soulful charm and elegant harmony in her voice would make anybody want to pay her way into the Drive-In. Firm and sweet with a resounding timbre, Moreno devoured material from “Postales”,(“Post cards”) – under Arjona’s Metamorfosis label – with ease while displaying a vibrant stage presence and uncanny charm.  

 

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Let's talk Español, chances of immigration reform passing highlight AJC summit

 

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

          Optimistic: Former US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez talks about 'being headed in the right directon" during the Global Jewish Advocacy ‘Bridging America Project’ Symposium for Stakeholders Immigration Summit in Miami

 

Her mother was so adamant little Raquelita had no use for the English language, she went to great lengths - with the aid of a cigarette box – to ensure her daughter knew one word, and one word only, just in case she encountered an  emergency while roaming the school hallways.

“She would tell me all you need is, ‘se llama bathroom’ ”, said Regalado, during the Global Jewish Advocacy ‘Bridging America Project’ Symposium for Stakeholders Immigration Summit, Thursday morning at Miami Dade College. “In my mind it was like, “What do you mean?”

Regalado, the daughter of Cuban exiles and a lifelong resident of Miami, didn’t have a Liberal Studies degree from Florida International University or being a School Board member on her radar when as a 5-year-old elementary student she was spent off many mornings with a kiss and ‘bathroom’ scribbled on a square of carton her mom would rip off a cigarette box.

 

”We only spoke Spanish at home; they had no clue back then how confusing that was for a 5-year-old kid,” said Regalado. “We never learned English at home.”

Regalado, along with a panel including former Citi Group vice chairman Carlos M. Gutierrez and Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau CMO Rolando Aedo, turned up the volume on everything from the importance of bilingualism to the chances of an immigration reform bill finally being passed during a lively three-hour discussion.

Regalado shoot down the notion that most immigrants don’t care or want to put in the effort to learn a second and third language. “I think that’s a myth,” added Regalado. “And I can tell you from personal experience. I wanted to learn English as fast as I could even though it wasn’t a priority at home (with her parents).”

Cynthia Ruiz, a 19-year-old MDC student who came to the United States with her parents from Colombia in 2007, said she wouldn’t feel the same comfort level in the classroom if she didn’t work at trying to perfect her English.

“I see it with some of my classmates and I feel bad for them,” said Ruiz. “It can be a little intimidating.”

The cost of reaching the “American Dream”, making schools a safe place and making sure immigrants get a fair shake in the classroom – no matter their status – were hot topics throughout the summit, but none hotter than the prospect of immigration reform actually passing through this year, or any year for that matter.

Gutierrez, who was President George W. Bush’s secretary of commerce in 2007 when the immigration bill died in the Senate, emphasized ‘trust’ among Republicans and Democrats alike when pressed on the single most important factor for getting a comprehensive immigration bill passed this year before opining there’s a “50/50 chance” it will make its way to congress this summer – something he expanded on when pressed by Univision radio host and moderator Helen Aguirre Ferre on why all the optimism all of a sudden despite the “first time around.”

“I’m a bit more optimistic and feel there’s a better chance (of passage) because in previous years the anti-immigration reform seem to have a system (in place) to push Congress,” said Gutierrez, who immigrated from Cuba with his family when he was 6 years old before going on to become CEO of the Kellogg company.

“We’d be getting it from all over last time around: talk radio, anti-immigration groups, you name it. It won’t be easy again, but I believe those that want it (immigration reform) will step up to the plate.”

Gutierrez, one of many Republicans and conservatives who have retched up of their push for immigration reform in the wake of the 2012 election aside from Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue and Indiana Attorney General Gregory Zoeller (R), apparently hasn’t backed down from his urge for comprehensive reform.

“We’re all for immigration reform, supporting something that can get passed,” said Gutierrez, who recently took part in a conference hosted by the National Immigration Forum to reiterate the group’s stance that undocumented immigrants should be allowed to eventually become citizens. “We’re not in a position to judge or second guess (people) if they’re making progress.”

As to “getting it done”, Gutierrez stressed they’re open to suggestions, similar to the one by way of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) that would allow undocumented immigrants to become citizens eventually without being submitted to a special pathway including those already in the United States.

Among another sticking point between the parties is over whether a pathway should be in place at all, something most Republicans see as necessary.

But Gutierrez, who points to the 750-page bill Republicans had in 2007 as a comprehensive approach dismissed by amnesty, said the time is right even if there might be a lot more issues that need to be addressed.

“The biggest issue is losing the momentum if there is no immigration reform,” said Gutierrez. “We’re excited that on both sides it seems everybody agrees (on being headed in the right direction) no matter what side (party) you belong too.”

 

 

 

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Single dad meet Latina mom (Seriously, try it)

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

(Editor’s note: I am not a single father, or a father at all as of March 5, 2013.)

When your priorities start with making sure Vanessa has enough money in her backpack and end with ransacking Henry’s baseball equipment bag, while searching for your car keys as you head out the door, the thought of dating for a single dad could be as alarming as a jolt of cafecito.

We’re all about the home team and would rather brag about his triple with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh or her exquisite performance in Cinderella, rather than fathom the idea of adding an independent, hot and funny – among other things - mamasita into the mix

But it’s not impossible and you could be in for a happy ending, especially if she’s a Latina mom.

1.)    They’re so damn sexy: They wear that wrap-around skirt and toss up their long hair with utter confidence, but they bring so much more to the table that will make you woody. They know what they’re looking for and won’t stutter in telling you so. They’re in it for the long run, if you show her you are too.

2.)    They’re appreciative: Latina moms love small gestures and really take well to kindness and sincerity, at least most of them.  So, open the door and kiss her – even in public – as you not only make her yours, but make others want her. Now, that’s hot. With time you will start seeing a return on your investment. Who knows? You might even get a warm shot of cafecito, if you prove to be the one.

3.)    They’re funny: By now you’re an expert at laughing away when one of your kiddies does something really silly in the backseat or makes an off-the-wall comment. But Latina moms will be right there with you and outwit you, while cracking at your own jokes.

                                    

4.)    They’re organized and independent: Just like you papi our favorite moms are occupied with making sure all the homework is done and the uniforms are ironed while also working, tending o family issues, cleaning the house and planning a kids trip to the movies. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that?

5.)    They’re honest:  You’ve cracked the door halfway open by having a mom accepting your invitation to go out. It’s quite the start because it’s an indication she’s into you and what you stand for, while setting things up for a long relationship.

                                       

6.)    They don’t like when you fu%$ up: If you do something really stupid you will never hear from her again. And she’ll call you to let you know as well.

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Miami International Film Festival Embraces Family-Friendly Films

By Fernie Ruano Jr.
Entering its 30^th year, the Miami International Film Festival, the annual piñata of Spanish and Latin American productions — long-established for satisfying the taste of all cinema enthusiasts – is rolling out the red carpet for the entire family and promises something for everyone, whether your child is still fumbling with Lego bricks, buried in The Diaries of Wimpy Kid or immersed in American Idol.

3D-animated adventure comedy The Croods

Intent on delivering an interactive, family-friendly festival for kids of all ages, festival organizers have revved up efforts on opening weekend so you don’t leave anybody behind when pulling out of the driveway.
“I want to open the door to all kids and give them an opportunity to come away with a deeper appreciation for everything that goes into the film industry and making a film,” said Jaie Laplante, executive director of the Miami International Film Festival.
And judging by this year’s kids series, which kicks off with The Croods, a 3D-animated trip back into the Stone Age, and The Boy Who Smells Like Fish, about a young boy’s search for a normal life while battling a medical condition, Laplante isn’t kidding.
Judd Ehrlich’s Magic Camp, a documentary shadowing the footsteps of trick-obsessed kids competing for a prestigious award, will also screen around scheduled Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
Star-studded The Croods explores family dynamics
At the forefront is Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders’ (Disneytoon, Lilo & Stitch) star-studded, adventure-comedy ‘The Croods’ (1:30 p.m., March 2, Regal South Beach Cinemas), a 90-minute prehistoric tale that follows a caveman family’s epic journey of modernization and a new home (after their roof caves in, literally).

Belt, Guy and Eep in The Croods

Their discovery of the future and the concept of tomorrow (think The Flintstones meet The Simpsons) accelerates after a happening involving brainy and creative Guy, a wandering hunter-gatherer (Ryan Reynolds) who opens their eyes and aids their transition into modern age, not to mention keeps their pants up the help of his pet sloth, Belt. Along the way, the family is blindsided by generational clashes and unforeseen transitions, altering their outlook on life for forever.
While teasing an emotionally-charged complexity between parent and child in its trailer, much like Brave and Finding Nemo in recent years, The Croods appears to key in on the entire family dynamic, namely the all-conservative father (an-odd sounding Nicholas Cage) and rebellious daughter (a curvy and loud Emma Stone). Meanwhile, De Micco and Sanders attempt at all cost to retain the caveman’s way of thinking for the sake of comic relief, if not to keep the audience engaged even if the character designs of the animated-cave people look a bit out of focus.
But a colorful backdrop and scenery to go with Stone’s voice should make for a fun and adventurous transition from rocks to modernization.
Self-Esteem Themes in The Boy Who Smells Like Fish
Although centered on Mica (Douglas Smith), abandoned and stricken with a metabolic disease, the drama-laden The Boy Who Smells Like Fish ( 6:15 p.m., March 2, Olympia Theatre) leans on the power of perseverance and relationships while gingerly crossing paths between gender and age, all the while tugging at the heart.

Zoë Isabella Kravitz in The Boy Who Smells Like Fish

Directors Analeine Cal and Mayor play with the notion that dealing with his own self-esteem is the key to putting a young boy’s condition in the rear-view mirror and moving on with his life, but nothing comes easy.
With his father a non-presence since birth and his mother (Ariadna Gil) hardly around, the funky-smelling teenager (his doctors can’t seem to detect why the disease makes him reek of fish) spends most of his time guiding tours at a museum dedicated to Mexican crooner Guillermo Garibai and struggles to make friends despite the delicate care provided by his therapist (Carrie- Anne Moss).
Hardly anybody talks to him as he marches on with what would seemingly continue to be a bland and meaningless life – until he comes to face-to-face with the kind-hearted Laura, played by Zoe Kravitz, the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet.
Magic Camp holds perseverance message for everyone
There’s a trick for everybody to appreciate in Ehrlich’s Magic Camp (1:30 p.m., March 3, Regal South Beach Cinema) as magic-consumed kids gather at Tannon’s, the most prestigious camp in the world, to deal with the pressures of having to grow up, all the while trying to etch their names on the same stage that once hosted renowned magicians Dave Copperfield and Dave Blaine.
But more than just mastering what’s behind making a card disappear, Ehrlich beautifully illustrates the picture of perseverance as the campers grow with age. “I have kids of my own and we live in such a fast environment that we forget to educate them on the most important of core values,” said Laplante. “There’s a message in these films for everyone.”

Scene from the documentary Magic Camp

“We are 100% committed to making sure Miami families are aware that the Miami International Film Festival welcomes them with open arms,” he said.
A $6 discount ticket code (FamilyMIFF) for Hispanicize, Latina Mom bloggers and Being Latino readers is available through phone and online advance orders.
Regular price is $12 for adults and $7 for kids under 16/students with ID. Seniors price is $11 and all Miami Dade College students (with ID) are admitted free of admission. Tickets can be purchased at (305)-405- MIFF (6433) or www.miamifilmfestival.com.
General inquiries can be made at (305)-237-FILM (3456) or info@miamifilmfestival.com.

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