Posted by Elena del Valle on October 25, 2005
Carlos Ponce as Luis and Tara Leniston as Julia in "Meet Me in Miami"
Los Angeles – Palm Tree Productions in association with Servant Productions announced the premiere of "Meet Me in Miami" starring Carlos Ponce, Eduardo Verastegui and Tara Leniston at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on Saturday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Tickets can be purchased at www.latinofilm.org or at the Egyptian Box Office during the festival.
"Meet Me in Miami" is a romantic comedy about true love and its ability to last, even through years of separation. It stars Carlos Ponce as Luis, a young and handsome heir to a hotel fortune who is about to inherit the family business but decides to risk everything to pursue his first love, Julia (Tara Leniston). Ten years earlier, at a wishing well in Miami, young Julia promised a young Luis that someday she would come back, but she never did.
Eduardo (Eduardo Verástegui), Luis’ best friend and self- proclaimed expert on matters of the heart, thinks Luis is crazy, but he still agrees to join Luis on a trip halfway around to world to help his best friend try to find true love. Luis and Eduardo find themselves on a wild and often comedic journey of the heart and an adventure that takes them across the world looking for Julia.
"Meet Me in Miami" stars Carlos Ponce as Luis; Eduardo Verástegui as Eduardo; Tara Leniston as Julia; Stevie Roberts as Young Luis; Brooke Abbott as Young Julia; Luiji Campa as Young Eduardo; Castulo Guerra as Miguel, Luis’ grandfather and Richard Yniguez as Julio, Luis’ father. Jenny Gago stars as Luis’ mother, Josephina.
"Meet Me in Miami" was produced by Lisa Abbott, and directed by Eric Hannah and Iren Koster. The original music for "Meet Me in Miami" was written by award-winning composer Misha Segal, who wrote the film’s title song, as well as an additional featured song performed by Carlos Ponce. "Meet Me in Miami" will have a limited theatrical engagement in Los Angeles and Miami in February 2006. For more information, log on to www.palmtreefilms.com and www.meetmeinmiamithemovie.com.
Posted by Elena del Valle on October 24, 2005
"Ahora Yo a Ti” album cover
Solo album features remixes of Nortec tracks, Indie favorites like Calexico, Her Space Holiday, and David J (Love & Rockets, Bauhaus)
Having already sold hundreds of thousands of albums worldwide as a founding member of Nortec Collective, Roberto Mendoza a.k.a. Panoptica steps forward with a new solo effort after various releases on European indie labels. “Ahora Yo a Ti” (Nacional Records – Nov. 15th) is a collection of remixes Panoptica has done for several members of Nortec Collective, as well as Calexico, Her Space Holiday, David J (Love & Rockets, Bauhaus), and Latinsizer. Panoptica creates and performs a style of music called Nortec, a fusion of Norteno and Techno, describing the collision between the style and the culture of Electronic music and traditional Mexican music. Panoptica also delves into minimalist techno and dub influences on the new album.
The movie “Traffic” was shot in Roberto Mendoza’s hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. Even so, the violence of the international drug smuggling trade isn’t immediately apparent in the soothing melodic electronica he puts out under the guise of Panoptica. Instead, the antithesis of its dictionary definition, as Panoptica, Roberto takes things from outside and incorporates them back into his music. The result is a hybrid of European-influenced electronica and techno fused with Mexican "urban blues," the sounds he’s heard since childhood. The two cities of Tijuana and San Diego merge into one. Each day, hordes of American marines and underage kids cross into Mexico to party on tequila. Even the radio antennas for San Diego transmit from here. In his childhood, Mendoza was raised as much on a diet of New Wave as the local sound of Nortena and Banda.
In 1989 when he formed Artefakto with a couple of school friends, they were one of the first techno industrial bands in Mexico. Artefakto caused a big buzz in Mexico. In 1991, their first album reached number three in the charts, they came in first in many radio station polls, and in 1994 the German label Zoth Ommog put out their album ‘Des-construccion’. Ten years later, Artefakto had changed their musical direction and name to Fussible. Mendoza decided it was time to go it alone: "The other guys didn’t like German minimal techno as much as me," he said. So he left to become more experimental and bring a local Mexican flavor to his music.
Panoptica doesn’t stand alone. He’s one of the main movers and shakers of the Nortec Collective, which comprises five musicians (including his longtime collaborators Fussible and Bostich), several graphic artists, and one fashion designer. Together they’ve created a scene which is popular in the Tijuana underground clubs. With support from the likes of the late John Peel (who had Panoptica on his influential BBC program back in 2001), Panoptica is reaching out to the rest of the world.
"People will say, ok, I’ve heard this sort of music before, but if they listen deep into it, there’s something unique going on which isn’t in European music,” said Mendoza. “It’s what makes the Mexican music scene different."
“Ahora yo a ti…” is a collection of remixes by Panoptica including: 1. Autobanda (carrogrupo mix) Bostich; 2. Guero Canelo (nortec mix)Calexico; 3. Almada (desalmada mix) Clorofilal; 4. Ojos Bonitos (version panoptica) Mendoza; 5. Lydia (panoptica remix) Her Space Holiday; 6. El ya sabia (como madrearia el mix) Tre/molo; 7. Mexican drugstore (unreleased mix) David J; 8. Cuete dub (varias drogas mix) Panoptica; 9. Noches de verano (panoptica mix)Linga;10. Reloj (marca la hora ya mix) Trio Ternura; and 11. Low batt (panoptica charged mix) Plug;12. SEM (panoptica mix)Latinsizer.
Posted by Elena del Valle on October 14, 2005
Juanita Ulloa’s new album cover
If music is the universal language, then mariachi is its Latin accent. Some think Juanita Ulloa speaks the language brilliantly. Juanita is a proponent of Operachi, a new Latin-American sound which combines classical opera with a meringue of traditional mariachi rhythms. Juanita sees her self as the creator of a new genre of music and the catalyst for the creative irreverence attracting music fans. Her music claims to be "an in-your-face fusion of classical stylings and contemporary harmonies."
Juanita believes that because she is is master of the mariachi medium, she doesn’t have to sweat the test of tradition. She feels free to play with new rhythms, sounds and ideas. She profeses an excellent knowledge of music history, and her musical inspirations ricochet from Debussy to Leonard Bernstein to Augustine Lara to Maria Grever. Some consider Juanita Ulloa one of the most gifted mariachi singers.
In "Paz y Alegria” (Peace & Joy), her new album, she sings of a peace and joy that embraces all religion. Juanita endeavors to make her lyrics seem like part of her emotional biography, drawing out a note until it seems exhausted, then punctuating it with a lyrical catch in her throat that sounds like the small sobs of a strong woman, or sometimes it is closer to the full-throttle glottal attack of a Linda Ronstadt. Sometimes Juanita slows down the tempo, teases out the vowel sounds, adds a huapango twist of a rhythm from Mexico or a fandango beat from Spain, or the big band sound from the forties, or a fiery Lando rhythm from the Afro-Peruvian culture.
Born in North America into a bi-cultural American Panamanian family, Juanita was raised in several Hispanic countries including Mexico, Spain and Panama. She earned her music degrees at Yale and UC Berkeley and trained at the Nice Conservatory in France. She has toured the world with solo performances in Spain, Peru and Mexico. She is especially drawn to Mexico and embraced Mexico’s rich musical history. She has performed ranchera songs, ballads and boleros in her own vocal style.
After her first taste of circus-cannon celebrity, Juanita decided to leave something more substantial than breadcrumbs behind her to mark her way back home, the result was Juanita’s last and most lauded album “Mujeres & Mariachi” a homage to Mexico’s pioneering female composers. Juanita’s ambition is to be a bridge between the United States and Latin America.
"When I want to go deep into my Mexican roots I listen to Juanita Ulloa’s voice. It’s a privilege to allow ourselves to be seduced by her voice, it allows us to relax and celebrate amongst each other. It keeps me from being lonely. Whether I am in Mexico or the USA I’m at home listening to Juanita!" – Juan Barragan, News Anchor, Univision KDTV-TV Azteca-El Universal.
Juanita will be performing from 10 a.m. to noon on Coast to Coast West Coast Live National Show for the CD Premiere of "Paz y Alegria" featuring Juanita Ulloa & Picante Ensemble and also featuring Jose Roberto Hernandez Freight & Salvage.The performance will take place at 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley(near University & San Pablo). For ticket information, call (415) 664-9500 or visit www.ticketweb.com. To listen to Juanita’s music, visit http://www.juanitamusic.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on October 10, 2005
24-7PressRelease/ – Miami, FL, September 23, 2005 – Barrio 305, a Miami based organization standing at the vanguard of two emerging trends: broadband video and the exploding musical genre of reggaeton, is launching a broadband video channel. Barrio 305 producers have obtained exclusive interviews with major hitters in the reggaeton and Urban Latino music scene. Hip hop mogul Fat Joe, MTV sensation Pitbull, reggaeton superstar Nicky Jam and urban legend Tony Touch are some of the big names that have participated, making Barrio 305 an authority on the coverage of reggaeton and Urban Latino music.
Barrio 305 believes its editorial standards have made it a favorite among artists, fans and music industry executives. Upon consideration, Barrio 305 offers its services for syndication and editorial contributions to other media outlets interested in covering the reggaeton/ Latino hip-hop music scene. The programming streams compact video segments are designed for broadband that reflect the lifestyles and musical tastes of the 14-34 U.S. bi-cultural Latino demographic. Barrio coverage will include the latest music videos, backstage concert footage, music reviews, street culture, exotic models and dancers and aftermarket import auto shows.
A Miami based outfit, Barrio 305 has the advantage of developing content for the Latino market in a trend setting hub for Latinos living in the U.S. Miami, often been referred to as the capital of Latin America, is a the hotspot for Latino styles.
Unlike traditional TV, which must cater to a general community, a broadband channel creates the opportunity to enjoy reggaeton and Urban Latino programming where it otherwise would not be available. The name Barrio 305 is a Spanglish term that describes the emerging Latino youth culture in the U.S. Barrio is Spanish for neighborhood and 305 is the area code for the city of Miami; the name refers to the bi-cultural nature of English dominant U.S. Latinos living in urban areas. Barrio 305 hopes to expand reggaeton’s audience outside the major U.S. cities. Visit the Barrio 305 website for information.
Posted by Elena del Valle on September 12, 2005
Actor John Leguizamo
Miami, FL – September 9, 2005 – A special pre-screening reception and post screening Q&A session featuring the movie director and stars of “Sueño," a Sony Pictures Latin musical comedy written and directed by Renée Chabria will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at the Tower Theater, located at 1508 Southwest 8th Street in Little Havana. Leading actors in the film include John Leguizamo, José José, Elizabeth Peña, Nestor Serrano and Ana Claudia Talancón.
The premiere is a presentation of Piedad Palacios in association with Miami Dade College, Miami-Dade Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment and NALIP (National Association of Latin Independent Producers). A percentage of sales will be donated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Destination Films’ “Sueño” opens on September 30 in selected cities. The film is rated PG-13. Tickets are available at the box office on the night of the event. Ticket donation is $20.00. Advance reservations may be secured by emailing the organizers at miasueno05@bellsouth.net .
John Leguizamo, JoséJosé, Elizabeth Peña and Ana Claudia Talancón star in this inspirational film about Antonio, a young man who gets the once in a lifetime chance to make his dream of becoming a musician a reality. Antonio moves from Mexico to Los Angeles in the hope of sharing his music with the world. Just as he is about to give up after toiling at his uncle’s fast food joint, the "Chance of a Lifetime Mystery Musician Contest" comes to town bringing his chance to live his dream. On the way, he becomes romantically involved with two very different women.
On-screen musical performances incorporate the eclectic vibes of Rock En Español, Latin electronica, punk and rap with the sounds of old school bolero. The film features original works of more than 20 bands and musicians including Joselo Rangel from Cafe Tacuba, Kinky, El Gran Silencio, Ozomatli, Zoé, Jumbo, Papa Roach, Ely Guerra, Pepe Aguilar, Steve Berlin from Los Lobos, Quetzal, Volovan, El Cartel de Santa, Los Tetas, José José and Las Ultrasonicas. “Sueno” was written and directed by Renée Chabria and produced by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball), Eric Kopeloff (Monster’s Ball) and Robert Ortiz. Bob Yari was the executive producer.
Event organizer Piedad Palacios
Posted by Elena del Valle on September 9, 2005
Digital Jukebox
License Deals With Latin Record Labels Increase Digital Jukebox Music Offerings
San Francisco, CA — (Market Wire) — 09/07/2005 — Ecast, Inc., a leading provider of digital-downloading, broadband-enabled jukeboxez secured license deals with music label Univision. This deal, which includes the Fonovisa catalog, will build Ecast’s collective catalog to more than 70 percent of all Latin music available for sale in the U.S. Musical artists such as Shakira, Luis Fonsi, Tony Touch, and classic hits from Vincente Fernandez and others from EMI Latin, Warner Latina, BMG Latin, and Universal Latino are now accessible through the Ecast network. These new offerings are also expected to be a welcome development for operators who want to meet the increasing demand for Latin music in their locations and solicit new accounts in Spanish-speaking markets.
"Ecast jukeboxes provide an excellent way for us to reach new listeners," said Oliver Buckwell, a digital marketing executive with EMI Latin. Buckwell also says jukeboxes with Latin music could also potentially go beyond just reaching new audiences. "Since we’ll have the ability to track the number of plays our artists receive, it will be easy for us to determine if jukebox sales stimulate record sales," he said. "We are also interested in the unmatched ability to promote tours and various marketing initiatives for our Latin artists through a jukebox, things that could never be done in that genre before now."
Jukebox operator Rick Caviglia of California Amusement Group stated, "My top Latin locations have been asking for downloading jukes and now that Ecast has the catalog, we have the right product to put on the street. This will definitely help me expand my business."
In conjunction with the catalog expansion, Ecast added a Spanish language user-interface to make the software more accessible to the Spanish-speaking market. Ecast also modified the interface to display weekly new additions in Spanish so patrons can easily find and order the tracks with one touch. These new features and the expanded catalog will be showcased by Ecast at the upcoming Amusement and Music Operator Association’s (AMOA) International Expo at Las Vegas in September.
Ecast delivers music to consumers in bars and restaurants through a network of over 4,200 broadband-enabled digital jukeboxes. All Ecast-powered jukeboxes allow patrons to choose among a substantial catalog of song selections from the major record labels and many popular independent labels. Ecast (http://www.ecastinc.com ) is privately owned with offices in San Francisco.
Posted by Elena del Valle on September 7, 2005
Hip Hop Hoodios Agua Pa’ La Gente Album Cover
Hip Hop Hoodios, a Latino-Jewish rock-hop collective will tour New York this fall. In support of the new album “Agua Pa’ La Gente,” the Hip Hop Hoodios will have two performances in New York state. The first one will be at 9 p.m. Saturday, October 8 at Makor, located at 35 W. 67th Street, in New York City. The next one will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 9 in Albany at 600 New Scotland Avenue, at a benefit concert for Temple Israel.
At the October 8 headlining date, Pacha, recent winners of the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) “Battle of the Bands” contest, will open the show. The Albany date on Oct. 9 marks a rare appearance in Josue’s beloved hometown.
Tickets and information at http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?category=Makor+%2F+Steinhardt+Center888Makor888Makor+%2D+Music888Makor+Music+October888&productid=T%2DMM5PT03
The Hip Hop Hoodios teamed up with Shoytz Clothing & Bodega NYC for a new line of bodega-themed t-shirts to celebrate the band’s album “Agua Pa’ La Gente”. The "schweet" tees are available in multiple sizes. Shirts can be viewed at http://www.shoytz.com/#hoodios and http://www.Hoodios.com
