Posted by Elena del Valle on March 7, 2007
Ana Remos host of “El Circulo“
Photo: Kike San Martin
Miami, Florida — WSBS-Mega TV Channel 22 launched a new season of “El Círculo,” hosted by Ana Remos. “El Círculo,” Spanish for the circle, focuses on the local social scene, featuring luxury resorts, exclusive parties and events, expensive cars and luxurious yachts.
Remos, a journalist and columnist for The Miami Herald, was born in Cuba and raised in Madrid, Spain. For over 18 years, she has covered Miami society.
A graduate of the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Remos started her broadcast career at TVE (Television Española). Most recently, she worked for Viajar and Hola magazines. She calls Miami home.
The show promises a peek into the upscale life of some of the area’s Latino celebrities, including Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval, and Carlos Alberto Montaner. Other features include a day in the life of a world class design shop such as Chanel; the Lecho Cup competition at the Biltmore Hotel, and the Best Buddies Gala at Watson Island.
During the episodes, Remos introduces Mega TV viewers to South Florida’s “power circle,” including Diego Suarez and Laura de Oña. Show promoters promise exclusive video and the inside scoop about where local celebrities live, shop, travel and party.
MegaTV reaches viewers in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded Hispanic-controlled media and entertainment companies in the United States. SBS owns and operates 20 radio stations located in Hispanic markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico. The Company also owns and operates Mega TV in Miami.
Reach Latinos consumers with electronic publicity tools with
“Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations” audio recording
David Henry presenter
Broadcast publicity expert David Henry shares insights drawn from years of experience to help you target Latinos effectively during this presentation and interview. Find out how: to reach Latinos with electronic publicity; how many TV stations offer news programming in Spanish in the U.S.; which markets have the number one newscasts in Spanish; which markets offer bilingual news TV programming; and much more.
Click hereto purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with a presentation on Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations by David Henry
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 5, 2007
RBD, winner of Premios Terra a Lo Mejor de la Música Latina 2006
Photo: Terra
Coral Gables, Florida – Music enthusiasts selected Latino pop group RBD winner of Terra.com’s Premios Terra a Lo Mejor de la Música Latina 2006, beating out performers such as Shakira, Thalia and Juanes. Terra.com launched Premios Terra a Lo Mejor de la Música Latina to provide its visitors an online conduit to choose their favorite performer or group from some of the year’s most popular Latino entertainers. RBD received 41,902 votes in the 2006 online competition which drew close to 100,000 votes.
According to Wikipedia, the Mexican group RBD was formed relatively recently as part of a teen high school band within the Spanish-language telenovela “Rebelde” which aired from October 2004 through June 2006. The group has soared in popularity, producing five top-selling, Spanish language CDs. This year’s favorite on Terra.com hopes to conquer English speaking audiences with Rebels, the group’s recent crossover debut album. Other artists who received high percentages of online votes include David Bisbal and Ricky Martin.
“Terra.com’s Music Channel has always been very popular due to in depth coverage and exclusive interviews with top entertainers. We are delighted to see such a high number of votes, and congratulate RBD. RBD is a relative newcomer in comparison to other candidates, yet our audience is fully aware of their talent and potential. This is a story in itself,” said Fernando Rodriguez, chief executive officer of Terra Networks.
Terra.com executives believe the selection of RBD as the 2006 winner is a reflection of the increase in audience feedback among Hispanic youth. And, that the six figure vote count from Terra’s three year old contest, is an indication of how subsequent generations of Internet users may embrace new media. The contest was established by Monica Godoy, Terra.com’s Music Channel editor.
Voting for the 2007 winner is under way. The portal is set to welcome music fans seeking information about the competition, the contestants and winner, 2006 highlights and how vote for music performers or bands for 2007.
Terra Networks is a global Internet group with a presence in the U.S. and Latin America. The group operates websites in the United States, Spain and Latin America. Terra.com is the U.S. Hispanic arm of the Terra Networks group, providing a portal and services to Spanish speaking users.
Reach Hispanics online today with
“Marketing to Hispanics Online” audio recording
Identifying and characterizing the booming Hispanic online market
Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel
Click here to purchase a recording with a presentation on marketing to Hispanics online by Joel Bary and interviews with Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel
To listen to “Nuestro Amor,” a single from RBD’s album “Nuestro Amor,” scroll down until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR RBD Nuestro Amor,” click on the play button below or download it to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the March 2007 section of the podcast archive.
Click the button to hear the podcast:
Click here to sponsor a HispanicMPR.com podcast
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 2, 2007
Jose Cuervo Especial tequila
Photos: Jose Cuervo
New York, New York — Jose Cuervo, one of the world’s largest Tequila companies, partnered with urban singer Pitbull, Hip Hop artist Chingo Bling and rising talent Malverde on the second annual talent search for “La Nueva Generación.” Cuervotón, the contest, described as recognizing the next generation of Latino artists in urban music, promises to provide exposure to unsigned artists through a partnership with, BMI, Gibson, Def Jam’s Roc La Familia and Atlantic Records. Jose Cuervo is also partnering with LIFEbeat, an AIDS charity organization.
Cuervotón began touring the country in January 2007 in search of the hottest up-and-coming talent. Finalists have a chance to share the stage with popular urban music stars and tour with Cuervotón in 2008. Semi-finals will be in New York, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix and Houston. The final concert event will take place in Chicago in May 2007.
“As someone who grew up with obstacles to overcome, I know what it’s like to get a break and work tirelessly to achieve your dreams,” said Pitbull. “This competition provides an opportunity for success to some very talented people who otherwise may never have had the chance. Cuervotón is all about shining a light on Latino musicians and giving them a shot.”
Singer Pitbull
Last year, Cuervotón was led by Chingo Bling and DJ Tony Touch with the support of record labels Machete Music and Wu-Tang Latino. According to promotional materials, the campaign reached over 30,000 consumers across five cities in 12 weeks, while partnering with LIFEbeat to promote the message “Drink Responsibly, Play Safe.” The final concert took place in Times Square’s Nokia Theater in New York City with performances by Pitbull, N.O.R.E., and Chingo Bling.
“As a Latin American company, Jose Cuervo recognizes the potential of Latino artists and the influences they have on today’s urban music,” said Bertha González, commercial director Jose Cuervo Portfolio in North America. “The Cuervotón movement will help solidify the future of Latino artists in the U.S. for generations to come.”
Mexican Tequila producer Jose Cuervo exports more than 50 million liters annually. The Jose Cuervo portfolio of tequilas includes Jose Cuervo Especial, Jose Cuervo Clásico, Jose Cuervo Flavored Tequilas, Jose Cuervo Black Medallion, and Jose Cuervo Tradicional. Jose Cuervo Tequila is imported and marketed in the United States by Diageo North America, a subsidiary of Diageo plc.
Reach Hispanics online today with
“Marketing to Hispanics Online” audio recording
Identifying and characterizing the booming Hispanic online market
Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel
Click here to purchase an audio recording with a presentation on marketing to Hispanics online by Joel Bary and interviews with Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 23, 2007
Singer Frankie Alvarado
Photo: SGM Records
Los Angeles, California.- SGM Records started the year signing a record deal with Puerto Rican Frankie Alvarado, singer, composer and former contestant of the first generation of La Academia USA, a reality show that airs on Azteca América.
“I want to thank SGM for the opportunity they have provided for me to materialize my dream. I am happy and honored because they have considered me to be part of this family,” said Alvarado.
La Academia México has generated stars like Yahir, who won fourth place in the first generation and remains a popular artists, and Yuridia, whose music sold a million copies worldwide.
According to promotional materials, Alvarado is the first artist from La Academia USA first generation to sign an exclusive record deal. As part of the agreement with SGM, he is preparing to change his look and planning new recording projects with the record label.
“I am very pleased to have Frankie in SGM. He is very talented and we have a lot of plans for him,” said Soledad Herrada, production director and chief operating officer of SGM Records. “Without a doubt his style and personality matches very good our label and Diana Mera, who we have been working with for five years. I expect some news very soon.”
The son of Francisco “Chalina” Alvarado, a musician and composer, and Luz Rivera, a music teacher Alvarado grew up surrounded by music. He has composed 75 songs.
“Latino Family Dynamics” audio recording
Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with extended information on Latino Family Dynamics by Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 19, 2007
Peruvian singer Mariadela
Photo: Mariadela
Miami, Florida – Peruvian singer Mariadela is planning to release her first single, “En Silencio” (In Silence) March 2007 in Miami, Florida. Born in Lima, Peru Mariadela spent the majority of her childhood in the land of the Incas. She now resides in the U.S. At a young age Mariadela took music lessons and later learned to play the instrument that is her eternal partner, the guitar.
“My dream is that everyone will listen and enjoy my music as much as I do,” said Mariadela.
Mariadela composed the song “En Silencio” and two tracks on the single by the same title. Her songs are described as offering a journey along a range of emotions. She begins with “Busca Tu Voz” (search for your voice) in which she encourages listeners to look inside themselves for positive emotions. Mariadela strives to inspire listeners with upbeat songs.
In the ballad “En Silencio” she sings about a secret romance. “Tengo” (I have), the third track of the upcoming single EP, is described as a sweet and modern bolero representing true love.
Producer Carlo Magno, who has worked with musicians like Tamara, Ruben Blades, Chayanne, Aterciopelados, and AliCastro, supervised the production of her songs. SGM Records will represent the singer during the launching of her single in March 2007. More information about Mariadela is available at Myspace.com/mariadelamusica.
“Latino Family Dynamics” audio recording
Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with extended information on Latino Family Dynamics by Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
To listen to the single “En Silencio” from the new En Silencio album click on the play button below.
Click the button to hear the podcast:
Click here to sponsor a HispanicMPR.com podcast
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 16, 2007
Deborah Franco, writer and producer
Photo: Deborah Franco
Hollywood, California — Writer and producer Deborah Franco secured the option rights to make two films; one about artist and Vietnam Veteran Jesse Trevino; another about dancer Nathalie Calderon. She plans to write and produce both biopic feature film projects.
The first project will be based on the true-life story of Trevino. In 1969, the young Trevino was attending the prestigious New York Art Institute on scholarship when he was called into active duty in Vietnam.
Struck by a grenade, Trevino tragically lost his right arm and spent two years recuperating in a hospital and then began the agonizing journey of learning how to paint with his left hand. According to promotional materials, Trevino went on to become one of the most respected artists of his generation and the only U.S. Latino artist to have his critically acclaimed work permanently hanging at the Smithsonian as well as in galleries across the country. In 1999, as part of an international art summit in Chile, every first lady in the world was asked to select one artist to represent their country and Trevino was selected by First Lady Hilary Clinton. The working title for this project is “The Color of Courage.”
She also has plans to make a film based on the true-life story of 15-year-old Latina dancer, Nathalie Calderon, who lost her leg at the age of one to a rare condition. Against all odds, Calderon went on to win three dance scholarships in Florida and was recently featured on MSNBC. The working title for this project is “Unstoppable.”
“I’m thrilled that both Jesse and Nathalie have entrusted their inspiring stories to me. These are individuals who haven’t allowed overwhelming obstacles to prevent them from realizing their dreams. I believe people want to see that kind of hope depicted on the screen. As a filmmaker, I’m committed to creating the most compelling projects possible” said Franco.
“As a Latina, I’m proud as well as motivated to authentically portray these two Latinos who have extraordinary stories to share. Jesse is a national treasure and his experience could not be timelier. He constantly visits soldiers who are coming home without their limbs and telling them if he could do it, they can too. That’s truly amazing. The fact that both these individuals are Latino is secondary. The common denominator is that they are American stories with universal messages about what the human spirit can achieve. I’m confident these projects will captivate both the U.S. Latino and non-Latino entertainment consumer and am hopeful the movie studios will agree.”
A former recording artist, Franco segued into producing in 2002 and began writing shortly after a serendipitous meeting with actor Tom Selleck, who encouraged her to write. Franco has several film and television projects in development, including a feature with Martin-Chase Productions. She made her directorial debut last year in a short starring Ricardo Antonio Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”) and Yeniffer Behrens (“A Day Without a Mexican”). Prior to her recording career, Franco was a senior vice-president at Hill and Knowlton, where she established the company’s national Hispanic Marketing Practice.
“Latino Family Dynamics” audio recording
Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with extended information on Latino Family Dynamics by Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 29, 2007
Mezklah is Angel Garcia and Greg Herhandez
Photos: Mezklah
Los Angeles’ alternative-Latin band Mezklah will make its first official appearance at the South By Southwest SXSW Festival and Conference in March in Austin, Texas. The band’s name, Mezklah, is pronounced similarly to the word for mix in Spanish.
“Being asked to play at SXSW is a stroke of luck,” said vocalist, Angel Garcia. “Our first year at the festival is going to be a crazy trip for us.”
Mezklah consists of Garcia’s vocals and Greg Hernandez’ sonic guitar. The two combine their rhythm with drum-n’-bass, cumbia, trip-hop and afro-Cuban beats to create a distinctive style of music.
“Latino Family Dynamics” audio recording
Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
These two experts will help you make your Latino family campaign a success. Find out about reaching Latino families, adapting general market messages when targeting Latinos, adapting products and services when targeting Latinos and much more.
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with extended information on Latino Family Dynamics by Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Band members hand-paint tribal illustrations over their bodies before every show
Their debut, SpiderMonkey, is described in promotional materials as breaking the rules of language and song structure. A video for their single, “Chango Araña” is in the final stages. But don’t call Mezklah a typical Chicano rock band. It’s that kind of pigeonholing that Garcia and Hernandez hope to avoid.
“It’s not that I’m not proud of my heritage because I am. It’s just that once that happens, it creates a void,” said Garcia. “Our music is not just a Hispanic thing -it’s about people, about human beings.”
In the past few years, Mezklah has toured Europe and America, collecting fans along the way. Among them was musician Ry Cooder who asked the group to record a track for a future compilation covering diverse Los Angeles musical genres. Another well known fan is KCRW’s Nic Harcourt, who picked the band from hundreds of CDs to feature on his show, “Morning Becomes Eclectic.”
“Whether you’re playing for five or 500 people, being a performer is like going to church,” said Hernandez. “You have to give it 100 percent of your heart and soul.”
Mezklah’s live performance exhibits the band’s innovative musical flair and the member’s visually artistic side. Garcia draws upon global cultures and rituals to hand-paint tribal illustrations all over the duo’s bodies before every show. To listen to the single “Chango Araña” from the new Mezklah album “SpiderMonkey” click on the play button below.
Click the button to hear the podcast:
Click here to sponsor a HispanicMPR.com podcast
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 19, 2007
“Dios hace ruedas y desbarata ruedas” a 2003 artwork by Jacqueline Brito
Photo: Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa – The Drake University Anderson Gallery will host “Cuba: Women Artists in the Revolution,” a rare exhibition featuring 50 works by Cuban artists. The exhibit will include works by Jacqueline Brito, Yamilys Brito, Rocio Garcia, Elsa Mora, Sandra Ramos and Julia Valdes on loan from the Center for Cuban Studies in New York.
The exhibition will open Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 with a reception hosted by Betty and Jon Torgerson from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Anderson Gallery in the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Jon Torgerson, Drake professor of philosophy, will give a public gallery talk at 6 p.m.
According to promotional materials, this will be the first time this public exhibit of Cuban art has appeared in the Midwest. The artwork ranges from small prints and drawings to large oils and mixed-media, addressing themes of politics, sexuality and relationships in the context of Cuba’s historical and social traditions.
“Most Americans know virtually nothing about Cuba,” said Torgerson. “Exposure to the arts in Cuba might be a way to show the richness of its culture.”
Torgerson, who has traveled to Cuba 12 times since 1986 and took the first class of American undergraduate students to Cuba in 1996, is organizing the exhibition to highlight women’s art in Cuba since the Fidel Castro-led revolution in 1959.
“Un Soldado de America” a 1997 artwork by Alicia Leal
“Any exhibit of Cuban art at this point is still quite unique,” said Sandra Levinson, director of the Center for Cuban Studies. “Certainly, there have been very few shows of Cuban women artists, and it’s even rarer to have a show devoted exclusively to women artists.”
All the artists showcased in the exhibition live and work in Cuba, with the exception of Elsa Mora, who married an American film producer and lives in Los Angeles. Highlights include works by Mabel Poblet, described as a rising star at just 20 years old, who attends San Alejandro Academy of Art an art school known for training many Cuban artists. This will be the first exhibit outside of New York to showcase her works. In addition, the works of Julia Valdes, one of Cuba’s few abstract painters, blend cubism and surrealism with an unconventional flair.
The exhibition also brings self-taught art to light, showing the works of artists Sandra Dooley, Cenia Gutierrez, Ileana Sanchez-Hing and the late Isabel de las Mercedes, little-known outside of Cuba. Dooley lives and works in a small studio in Santa Fe, Cuba, a village of wooden houses in the outskirts of Havana. Her lively paintings reflect daily life in Cuba and are filled with scenes of family, friends and fantasy.
“What you see most often in Cuban women’s art is their search for their own identity,” Levinson said. “The art is intensely personal.”
“Cuba: Women Artists in the Revolution” continues through Friday, February 16, 2007. Admission is free. Additional information is available at Drake.Edu/AndersonGallery. The exhibit is being co-sponsored by Betty and Jon Torgerson in addition to Drake’s Center for Global Citizenship, Center for the Humanities, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Office of the President and the Women’s Studies Program.
“Hispanic Projections” audio recording
Presenter Roger Selbert, Ph.D.
Click here to learn more and to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with a presentation by Roger Selbert, Ph.D. on “Hispanic Projections”
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 12, 2007
A young DJ delivers a home-grown tradition to New York Mexicans, one of the city’s hardest-pressed immigrant groups
By Miguel Angel Angeles
Sonido Kumbala is a revered figure on New York’s sonidero scene
Photo: Elizabeth Campos
You can barely hear the lyrics of Julieta Venegas’ recent hit “Me Voy,” since a deep voice shouting over her number booms from the speakers. Some people stand and watch, as colored lights fall on disco balls spinning over the crowd on the dance floor. But others make their way to the man behind the voice: Alejandro Aviles, aka Sonido Kumbala, a Mexican DJ in New York who has developed a following and a measure of fame.
“He plays our music,” said Ramíro Salazar, 18, of the Bronx. “This is a place where we can hang out and dance and forget about everything out there for a while.”
Now celebrating his 10th anniversary of performing for crowds of Mexican and Mexican-American youth, Sonido Kumbala, 28, is an important figure in New York City’s sonidero scene, an essential part of Mexican youth culture. The practice, which migrated from Mexico City, centers around the sonidero, a type of DJ who, rather than mixing songs on a turntable, sends shoutouts over Colombian cumbia.
Click here to read the complete article
“The Next Step: Secondary Latino Markets” audio recording
Presenter Dora O. Tovar, MPA
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with a presentation by Dora O. Tovar on secondary Latino markets
Posted by Elena del Valle on December 22, 2006
Penélope Cruz as Raimunda and Lola Dueñas as Sole in Pedro Almodovar’s “Volver“
Photo: Emilio Pereda and Paola Ardizzoni/El Deseo. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Sarasota, Florida – Gulf Coast area film buffs will be among the first in Florida to see “Volver,” Pedro Almodovar’s latest film beginning Friday, December 29. According to representatives of the Sarasota Film Society, the film will premier in Sarasota at the Burns Court Cinemas, weeks before it is slated to open in other Florida cities. Tickets cost $7.75 and $5 for Sarasota Film Society members.
The 121 minute long film from Spain is in Spanish with English subtitles. Penélope Cruz stars as Raimunda, a blue-collar mother who already has a lot on her plate; a disaffected teenage daughter, a troublesome sister, and a dear friend dying of cancer, among other things, when it appears that her dead mother (played by Carmen Maura) has come back as a ghost seeking some sort of justice.
Such a mad storyline is pure Almodóvar, and according to promotional materials the famous Spanish filmmaker tells it with “effortless humor, generosity and style.” The female cast was honored at Cannes for its portrait of three generations of women.
Established in 1983, the Sarasota Film Society endeavors to bring the “best in independent, classic and international cinema” to the community. Its mission is to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of film as an international form of artistic expression.
