Taller PR presents "Cafe under the Stars"

There comes a moment in time when an organization really moves forward. Right now it's Taller Puertorriqueño's time. Taller PR's mission is to promote, preserve and develop Latino arts & culture and for over 35 years it's been happening. I'm not saying this because I worked there; I'm saying because I've seen the good and the bad. But right now with the Cafe Under the Stars program launching and talks about the new building opening, it's bound to go uphill.

On Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m., the first of seven free concerts will begin with Pleneros de la 21. Presenting selections from the group's five album discography and riveting new singles, the intergenerational ensemble continues to push the musical envelope - incorporating traditional elements of Bomba and Plena music with contemporary sounds and instruments. I attended the Intercultural Journey's event last year in conjunction with the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) festival.

Café under the Stars: Spotlighting Arts in the Barrio, is an exciting series of 7 monthly outdoor, live, innovative, performances (April to October, 2012) in the Heart of Latino Philadelphia, which, except for Feria del Barrio, will be staged at the site of Taller PR's future $10 million state of the art facility. The series, primarily sponsored by a Knight Foundation Art Challenge Grant provides a unique, charming, and alluring community setting to experience the richness of Latino art.

Café under the Stars
Friday, April 20, 2012, 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
2600 - 24 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133
(215) 426 - 331

Fun facts of the American Latino

Earlier today I received an e-mail from the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino. Just a simple e-mail blast asking for donations, it also included some fun facts that some people may not know. 

• In 1565, the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida was established by the Spanish. This was 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. 
• In 1899, the “Borinqueneers”, the all-Puerto Rican Infantry Regiment unit in the Army was formed. Among their many commendations, that unit went on to win 4 Distinguished Service Crosses and 125 Silver Stars for their heroic courage, loyalty, and skill defending our freedom. 
• In 1931, Rita Moreno, an energetic dancer, singer, and actress, was born. She is the first and only Hispanic woman to have won an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. Moreno appeared in such American classics as The King and I and West Side Story.

There is no known date the museum may open. Since the museum is proposed to be a part of the Smithsonian Institution, entrance would essential be free. And according to a FoxNewLatino article, "Projections for the project require the government to pay half of the $402 million needed for construction, in addition to committing to cover 40 percent of its $47 million per year operating costs." Glad to know it will be located in Washington, DC, however, I wonder how long we must wait for a grand opening? 

Event: Día del Niño at the Please Touch Musem

Every year Telemundo Philadelphia teams up with the Please Touch Museum to present Día del Niño. The event will take place on Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Día del Niño is a fun, family-oriented event that celebrates children. Last year more than 5,000 kids attended to play, laugh, dance and participate in a day full of activities and giveaways with their families. The museum, which has been at its current location at Memorial Hall since 2008, is a great place for both young and old attendees.

This year's activities include musical performances by local favorite Louie Miranda, the Mexican Culture Center will provide an arts & culture workshop, the Art of Stepping will provide a workshop teaching healthy living through stepping and the Philadelphia Eagles' cheerleaders and their mascot Swoop will be in attendance. And one of my personal favorites, the Telemundo Mini TV studio will allow attendees to record the weather and traffic. The museum also offers a variety of exhibitions where children (of all ages) are able to play and learn at the same time. See you there! For discounts to the museum visit holaciudad.com or see the ad in El Sol Latino Newspaper.

Our education is important to us

Immigration is clearly a big issue in Philadelphia. It wasn't too long ago when two undocumented University of Pennsylvania students marched in hopes to take a stronger stance on this issue. But these issues don't speak to just undocumented people, there's a lot more than meets the eyes. A few days ago, students testified at a City Council education-committee hearing on Philadelphia School District budget issues. Why? Because of the lack of bi-lingual counselors.

A Philly.com article stated, "LAST OCTOBER, Eva Serrano was called and asked to head straight to her fourth-grade son's school. She was frantic, but when she arrived, no one could communicate with her because she speaks little English." And this happens everywhere. In our hospitals, schools, law firms, restaurants, etc. Sure there's a budget crisis in the school district, but how are you going to cut 18 ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) jobs? These jobs are so essential not just to place people in those positions, but to support a child's education. Someone earlier today said, "I'm learning more Spanish. It should definitely be mandatory to learn Spanish." Enough said.

Councilwoman Maria Q. Sanchez said at the hearing, "Quiero darle las gracias a las madres presentes por su activismo y su lucha. Además a JUNTOS por el trabajo que realizan en la comunidad. Estoy muy contenta de que alguien más alce la voz para defender los derechos de los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés y sus familias ya que yo siempre lo hago y ya sueno como disco rayado. Los invito a seguir viniendo a las audiencias ya que en los proximos meses se tomaran desciones drasticas y vamos a necesitar luchar mucho". Erika Almiron, Executive Director at Juntos, is doing a tremendous job and plans on doing more for our community.  Are you ready to do your part?

A competitive Latino media world

It seems as though the Latino media world is getting more and more competitive. Just recently (and quietly) two community newspapers revamped their websites. El Sol Latino Newspaper and Impacto Latin Newspaper have both changed their website look dramatically. Originally the content wasn't as much and they each weren't always up-to-date. However, now they both have similar styles with prominent photos and tabs. Impacto, however, allows visitors to read the digital edition of their magazine. I always question whether or not that's a good idea but it all depends on where you find that version and the difference in content.

This is just another example of how web and social media are quickly taking over the media world. With the addition of NBCLatino, FoxNewsLatino, Latino Voices and other English-language Latino media, our culture is seeking more and more content. In Philadelphia, currently all Latino media has websites including Al Dia, Univision65 and Telemundo Philadelphia. The two radio stations, El Zol 1340AM and La Mega 1310AM, both have websites but aren't used as much as they should be. So...where do you see this market? Are advertisers paying more attention, are you seeking more local content? What's this market look like in 10 years?

Latinas United for the Cure a huge success

This past Saturday, March 24 I volunteered at the annual Latinas United for the Cure event. It was very empowering seeing roughly one-thousand women (and men) interested in learning more about this deadly disease. “Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in Latinas here in the United States and around the world, and requires a large-scale effort to address and overcome,” said Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Komen for the Cure. The event featured English and Spanish sessions with a panel of experts. They discusses various ways to treat breast cancer as well as what to do and how to check yourself. The best part of the event is that it's completely free! Hope to see you all next year.

NALAC connects Philadelphia's community

As you all may or may not know the National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures will be holding their national conference in Philadelphia. This biannual event is the only national conference in the United States that specifically convenes Latino artists and arts professionals. More than 500 participants are expected to attend from across the nation. Conference participants who travel to Philadelphia for the conference will be encouraged to visit local museums, arts organizations, and explore the city’s artistic heritage.

This Thursday, March 29 the host committee will be hosting a "connect" reception in hopes to continue momentum until the conference. Major conference updates will be announced including this year's keynote speaker. And because I'm on the committee, word has it there will be a surprise performance during the reception. The reception is your chance to get involved in the NALAC conference. Whether you'd like to volunteer, sponsor, perform or just support, this is the perfect opportunity.  Moira Baylson, Deputy Cultural Officer, Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy at City of Philadelphia and Maria Lopez de Leon, executive director, NALAC, are scheduled to speak. For more information please e-mail nalacphilly@gmail.com.

The NALAC host committee consists of: Carmen Febo San Miguel, Taller Puertorriqueño; Edgardo Gonzalez, Taller Puertorriqueño; Cynthia Hernandez, Taller Puertorriqueño;  Veronica Castillo-Perez, Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas, Inc.;  Jasmine Dottin, Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas, Inc.;   Matilde Dueñas, Mexican Cultural Center; Marcela Garza, Mexican Cultural Center; Andrea Townrow, Mexican Cultural Center; Lucas Rivera, Artistas y Musicos Latinoamericanos (AMLA); Magda Martinez, Fleisher Art Memorial; Michelle Ortiz, Artist, Bartol Foundation; Tony Rocco, Artist, Photography Without Borders; Eric Cortes, WWSI Telemundo Philadelphia; Emilio Buitrago, Casa de Venezuela ; Israel Colon, City of Philadelphia; James Claiborne, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

Kimmel Center presents: WEST SIDE STORY

This just in! The Kimmel Center’s 2012/13 Broadway Season continues with the smash hit Broadway revival West Side Story, on stage at the Academy of Music, March 28-April 8. Probably one of the best musicals and movies ever (for Latinos), I definitely plan on watching this one. I actually am surprised when I come across people that have never watched the movie. What is it about? Well in a nutshell it's your typical Romeo and Juliet story-line with a racial twist. I won't ruin any of the movie but all I can say is, "Jets vs. Sharks!" Anyone want to come with me to the musical?

West Side Story at the Academy of Music
When: March 27-April 8
Where: 1420 Locust Street
Tickets range from $20-$100
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org