Shakira's YouTube Mini-Series with Fisher-Price

Remember when we told you about Shakira's partnership with Fisher-Price? Well it also included a YouTube mini series.

Some of the video subjects include:

• Talking to Baby. 
• How Motherhood has Changed Her. 
• Working with Fisher-Price. 
• Milestones. 

Watch them all after the jump.

Shakira to team up with Fisher-Price

As if Shakira can't become even more inspiring, she's now officially teamed up with Fisher-Price.

According to the Associated Press, Shakira and Fisher-Price will release six products that were co-developed by Shakira in November. The singer reached out to the company about the team up and proceeds from sales will go to her Barefoot Foundation. Some of the toys include a bouncer that plays music, alphabet blocks and a musical soccer ball, an ode to her soccer-playing boyfriend Gerard Pique.

Shakira spotlighting smiles with Crest

So it's not news that Shakira has been endorsing Crest 3D White Strips for a little over a year now, but what I do find interesting is facts/figures on Latinos and oral health.

According to a re-fielded national survey led by the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation (HDAF) and sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G) brand Crest, Latino's knowledge about oral health has improved since 2011. Take a look at some key findings below.

Brands and their Hispanic Heritage Month promotions

Well it seems as though Hispanic Heritage Month is in full bloom and I'm seeing more and more promotions from major corporations and brands.

Just recently I received and email from iTunes which is owned by Apple. The email stated:

For a limited time, chart-topping albums from great Latin artists like Romeo Santos, Selena, Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, and Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga are available for just $5.99.

And I must say I was really tempted to purchase the Enrique Iglesias album; especially after attending his concert with Pitbull at Boardwalk Hall. Alas, I did not purchase. I recently started listening to iTunes' variety of playlists. I even put on a Charlie Zaa playlist for my mom (during a road trip) and she asked, "How the hell do you have this music?!"

I did some quick Hispanic Heritage Month Twitter research and found a good number of brands/corporations capitalizing on Twitter. Are there any brands you'd like to recognize for their HHM outreach?

See the tweets after the jump.

Video: Shakira's Dare (La La La)

Can I just tell you all that I absolutely love this song?! It's very similar to her Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) song for the 2010 World Cup. "When we shot this video I was actually a month and a half pregnant with my son Milan so it was a really happy moment in my life," Shakira said. "It sort of matches the mood of the song and it was a very celebratory time."



Check out the official Dare (La La La) remixes, only on Beatport - Link: http://smarturl.it/DareRemixesBP.

Shakira. Rihanna. January 13.

Looks like artists are finding new ways to drop hints at songs and albums. Of course nothing will ever compare to Beyonce's self-titled album launched via iTunes with no promotional effort behind it. But according to an article on the Hollywood Reporter, "Rihanna posted a promotional photo on Instagram with the caption 'One. Week. Countdown.' Shakira took to Twitter with the graphic and announced the song's release date in two languages."

"Can't Remember to Forget You" will be available on January 13 as the first single off of Shakira's inaugural album with Sony label RCA, which is also her first since 2010’s Sale el Sol. This is probably the biggest collaboration to date since Shakira sang "Beautiful Liar" with Beyonce. Oh and Shakira is set to return to The Voice on February 24. Winning!

Thalia earns her estrella in Hollywood

In Hollywood news, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that performer Thalia was honored today with the 2,514th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Thalia is hailed by her fans as the queen of Latin Pop.  She is a singer and actress, as well as an author, radio personality and entrepreneur” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies.

So how many Latinos have the estrella? According to a 2012 article in Latina.com, "Over 50 Latinos have made their eternal mark on the infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can thank our natural talent, charisma, and work ethic for that one! Thalia and Javier Bardem are the latest to earn the honorable estrella." Fun fact:Thalia is the first Mexican-born singer to get a star on Hollywood Blvd!

Are you ready? I am! pic.twitter.com/jzeS0j55kI
— Ana Martinez (@wofstargirl) December 5, 2013

.@Thalia posa en su #ThaliaStar en el #PaseoDeLaFama http://t.co/6sQ2ORq8In pic.twitter.com/BGtjYQLOYk
— TVyNovelas México (@TvyNovelasMex) December 5, 2013

#Thalia and husband tommy Mottola on the hollywood walk of fame about to get her Star #ThaliaStarHollyWood pic.twitter.com/XcL3EGfwz7
— CLAUDIA GONZALEZ (@CLAUDIA__TV) December 5, 2013

The Latin Quarter arrives at Revel Casino Hotel

Today Revel Casino Hotel launched opening of their newest stage production The Latin Quarter Show. The Latin-themed variety show includes Flamenco dancers, dramatic Gauchos, a heart-stopping crossbow act, award winning ballroom dancers, mind blowing quick change artists, gorgeous production show dancers, and a hilarious host comedian, all framed with stunning multimedia.

I must say my favorites including the crossbow act, something I've never seen, and the comedian. Although the crowd was not getting his jokes and they were a bit vulgar, it was hilarious to me. In between the show there are a variety of dancing acts as well. Everything from flamenco to the inevitable Elvis Crespo's Suavemente.

Performances will take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2, 5 and 8 p.m.Tickets are only $25 and are on sale now! They can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com and by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Prince Royce returns to Philadelphia

It's time to plan your Memorial Day weekend! Prince Royce, three-time Latin Grammy Nominee and 2013 BMI Songwriter of the Year, is performing at the first annual El Zol Fest on Sunday May 25th, 2013 7pm at Festival Pier on the Philadelphia waterfront, Spring Garden and Delaware Avenue. Tickets are available online at www.elzolphilly.com, ticketmaster.com, Centro Musical, Walmart, Luis Records in NJ or call 1-800-745-3000.

I actually have seen Prince Royce perform at last year's Made in America concert and he's pretty good. Some people don't perform well enough but he's one of the few that sound the same. On another note, I wonder who else is going to perform during El Zol Fest?

American Idol's Lazaro Arbos moving on

America (especially the Latinos living here) fell in love with Lazaro Arbos when he auditioned for American Idol a few weeks ago and made everyone cry. Seriously. And now he's in the Top 20 and I'm sure he'll make it to the Top 10. And yes while there are two other Latinos on the show, Arbos' adversity seems to make him favorable.

Reality shows are always adding more Latinos to shows but you have to wonder if producers sit behind a desk and say, "We need to keep him/her because he/she is Latino." Or has our culture become mainstream enough where that doesn't matter anymore? Either way, I'm rooting for Arbos.

Video: The Voice adds Shakira and Usher

NBC's The Voice has just added some big players to their coaches cast. Shakira and Usher replace Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green. Notice that they replaced both minorities with other minorities? Just a fact. Regardless, I think the addition of Usher and Shakira will make a huge impact on the show. Both are huge in the music industry and currently are either in "peak" mode.

Will you keep watching?

Event: El Gran Combo at the Tropicana (AC)

Sure I just moved to Atlantic City and I'm posting all this stuff about AC, but hey you post what you see. Anyways, this Saturday, December 1 El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico will perform at the Tropicana. Tickets are reasonably priced between $50 and $80 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.  Maybe an after party at Cuba Libre in the same hotel?

Xfinity TV partners up with MultiLatino

Comcast, one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services, today announced that it has teamed up with Music Choice, the multi-platform video and music network, to bring Xfinity TV MultiLatino customers access to the most extensive collection of Hispanic music videos and original artist content ever On Demand. The collection, available immediately on Xfinity On Demand, with select videos also available on Xfinity.com/LatinoTV, will soon include a total of 500 music videos and feature a wide variety of Spanish music genres and artists, including pop and rock Latino, romance, tropical, regional Mexican and a children's category.

This is one of the many instances of the ever growing Latino population. Adding music on demand is one of a few steps taken to increase sales within Xfinity TV. The addition of these video categories increased Spanish-language videos from four to 12. Comcast is also home to Internet Essentials which provides internet at an extremely low cost to low-income families.

Global Fusion wants you to lip-sync

For the 6th year, Philly brings the world together again with an electrifying week of non-stop entertainment and the Summer's hottest festival, Global Fusion Festival (GFF)! And in the spirit of re-inventing the wheel, this year's GFF includes the 2012 Lip-Sync Video Contest.  I mean who doesn't want to sing their favorite song: The Boy Is Mine? Don't Let Go? La Quiero A Morir? What is your favorite GFF moment? I sure do have one ;).

Event: Hispanic Fiesta returns to Penn's Landing

Since the weather is changing and we get 90+ degrees you know what that means right? No it's not the end of the world but it is the beginning of festival season! This is the time when you call your friends the day before or morning of and ask if they are going to the awesome free concert at Penn's Landing. Sometimes they don't answer and you awkwardly see them there. Anyways, Concilio has always put on a great line-up during the Hispanic Fiesta and this year is no different. The festival features musical performances, arts & crafts, LOTS of food and just a great time to spend with the family. Rain you ask? I think rain on a 90 degree day would actually help.

This year's Hispanic Fiesta will feature two exciting days packed with music, dance, entertainment and authentic Latin American cuisine. Salsa favorite Michael Stuart will be perform on Saturday July 14th. On Sunday, July 15th two headliners are featured, bachata sensation Andy Andy and merengue Grupo Oro Solido. Can you say, "El Baile del Beeper?" Other local and regional artists performing at this year’s Hispanic Fiesta include: Alex Alex; Batucada de Puerto Rico; Amla’s Jazz Band; Tony Tony; the Jimmy George Band; D’lyone; Salsa Klabe; various Latin dance groups and many more.

The Hispanic Fiesta is sponsored by Title Sponsor State Farm, Goya, Health Partners, McDonalds, El Zol, Philadelphia Phillies, Telemundo Philadelphia, Wired 96.5, Univision, and MEGA.Yes I had to get these in there.

Could Shakira perform at Jay-Z's Made in America?

A few days ago, Jay-Z announced the Made In America music festival in Philadelphia Labor Day weekend. Interestingly enough, I am excited something this major is coming to the city I live in.According to a GlobalGrind article, "Expected to headline the event, Jay will round up 28 acts of all different music genres for a two-day concert series September 1-2 held at Philadelphia's Fairmount Park." While Jay also mentions a diverse act, I can't help but think the genre will be a little biased.

Back in 2002 I went to a Shakira concert at the Wachovia Center (Philadelphia) and since then all Latino concerts have moved to Atlantic City, NJ. Marc Anthony, Chayanne, Jennifer Lopez, Tito El Bambino among others have all performed in our area, but in NJ. Would it be crazy to assume Shakira will make the Made in America concert? Actually, no! I recently read a Latina.com article which stated Shakira was indeed part of Jay-Z's Roc Nation. Imagine that.

Concert Alert: JLO, Enrique, Wisin y Yandel

As if the Delaware Valley wasn't already getting a major concert in August, now we have one earlier! Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and Wisin y Yandel have teamed up to perform in Atlantic City on Sunday, July 29th.  A Washington Post article stated, “We are going to give you everything we got,” Lopez said. “I think it’s going to be one of the most historic tours ever. Because I don’t know that there has ever been something ... where these Latinos have come together like this as family.”

Atlantic City is going to be busy with all these Latinos this summer. To be honest, I think it's the only market with both the GIGANT3S tour and this new addition. Cost? Tickets and VIP packages for the July 29 Atlantic City concert at Boardwalk Hall go on sale Friday at noon via www.ticketmaster.com. Or you can wait a few days and attempt to win tickets on holaciudad.com.

Concert alert: Marc Anthony, Chayanne, and Marco Antonio

What happens when you put Marc Anthony, Chayanne, and Marco Antonio in one concert venue? You get an awesome tour called Gigant3s. According to Latina.com, "The GIGANT3S tour will begin in Miami on August 3 and will end in Vegas on September 14. Tickets go on sale April 26 and will be available on ticketmaster.com." Although I'm unaware of how many cities they'll be touring, I know one of their stops will be in Atlantic City, NJ. So you know what that means right? I will be in attendance. Stay tuned because I may have an opportunity for you to win tickets. Would you pay good money to watch this trio?

Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia 2012 Winners

The Knight Arts Challenge officially announced the 35 ideas which will receive $2.76 million to support their organizational ideas. Now in its second year, the community-wide challenge funds the best ideas for engaging and enriching Philadelphia through the arts. Emerging from more than 1,260 submissions, the 2012 winners represent a wide range of Philadelphia’s creative thinkers. Always a great cause to fund arts organizations in Philadelphia, the awards will either engage new audiences and keep art alive in our city.

This year's winners include:

• Late-Night Museum Happenings Encourage New Audiences
  Project: Midnight Madness
  Recipient: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
  Award: $350,000 - To engage younger audiences in the visual arts through a series of simultaneous late-night happenings at three of Philadelphia’s premier art museums
  
• “Pop-Up” Performances Bring Latin Jazz to Philly Neighborhoods Project: AMLA Flash Jazz Mobile
  Recipient: Artists and Musicians of Latin America
  Award: $35,000 - To cultivate new audiences for Latin jazz by presenting “pop-up” performances by local artists using a portable stage

For a full list of winners visit knightarts.org.

La musica: Reggaeton joins forces with J. Lo

Just a little something to get your weekend started. J. Lo and Wisin & Yandel? Sure why not. Not a fan of the song but I'm sure clubs will overplay it so we can get rid of it.