Taller Puertorriqueño needs your support

There comes a time when you see an organization grow from small to large. I used to work at Taller Puertorriqueño where there mission is to preserve, promote and develop Latino arts & culture. Not just an organization for Puerto Ricans, Taller has changed and connected so many lives in the local and national community. But now they need our help. With arts organizations losing funding, Taller has been struggling with their capital campaign for the last four years.

Just in time, the Innovation grant program rewards artists for using their talents to turn their cities around. And now their asking art lovers to help pick the viewer's choice to help a worthy project win $15,000. choice. Taller has been chosen as one of the top 64 organizations fighting for the grant that will help support their own programs. This grant would actually help Taller make their dream a reality- they have already over halfway there, having secured the site and $6.5 of the $10 million needed to build a new building.

Here's how to help Taller: 

1. Log in to Facebook (or register if you don’t have one) 
2. Click this link: https://www.facebook.com/OvationTV/app_255394737897823 
3. Click the “Like” button that the big red arrow on the page points to. 
4. Scroll down to find our project, “Building Community Through Art: Taller Puertorriqueño’s Capital Campaign” 
5. Click the “Vote” button under our project.

NALAC's inspiring preformances

Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra

Last night (Thursday, October 18) I had the pleasure of attending NALAC's evening performances at the Prince Music Theatre. I didn't know what to expect when I attended, but I left amazed. Performances included Awilda Rodriguez Lora, Quique Aviles, Circa '95 and Spoken Had Percussion Orchestra. All different types of performances, but they had something in common. They each brought a sense of identity and the self to the audience.

Lora performed a very personal story about her upbringing through spoken word, music and acting. She spoke about the role of women in today's society and the machista mentality our fathers usually have. While adding some humor, she ended on a note about discovering herself and looking after herself but still caring for others. Aviles had a great story to tell through poetry and spoken word. He spoke greatly about immigration and how our mothers and fathers leave their country to come live the dream in the United States of America.

So what is it about the arts? I believe it can change lives for the better. Whether visually, voice or through sound, we should be creating better worlds for our sons and daughters. Keep art programs in our schools, encourage a little creativity, because without these activities, we will not only lose culture, but our self-identity as well.

Disney announces their Latina princess

Now I'm not one to add people to "boxes" but sometimes I have to ask myself and others, "What exactly does a Latino(a) look like?" In fact, what defines us as people living in the United States. Remember, a Colombian in Colombia will never call them-self a Latino. An Argentine living in Argentina will never call them-self a Latino and so on. Some people may say our language, food, music is what makes us Latino. Just because some don't speak Spanish does not define who we are. But now, Disney has decided to announce their first Latina princess and some people aren't liking it.

“She is Latina,” Entertainment Weekly reported executive producer Jamie Mitchell as saying. “It’s sort of a matter-of-fact situation rather than an overt thing.” In a mashable.com story, "Disney had announced the movie and subsequent of 2013 TV series back in December 2011, and made no mention of the characters’ ethnic backgrounds." I hear both arguments.There's the, "The complexion of a person does not make you Latino(a)." However, Disney could have probably given her a little more spunk to give the viewers the illusion that she is indeed Latina. If children are watching this, they will have LOTS of questions about identity. And we don't need that.

I wonder if a little change in complexion would make things different. Or how about an accent? Maybe some lines in Spanish? What would you change? Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess airs Sunday, November 18 at 7 p.m. on the Disney Channel. 

NALAC conference begins with a welcoming reception

Just this evening, Wednesday, October 17th, 2012, the National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures (NALAC) held their welcome reception at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel (33rd Floor). NALAC and the Philadelphia host committee welcomed all attendees and community leaders to a warm reception. With an amazing view, NALAC explained their reasons why they chose our beloved city. Philadelphia was recently chosen as the #1 city for arts & culture by Travel & Leisure Magazine. The Philadelphia Cultural Alliance mentioned that people of color (mostly Hispanics) have the highest level of engagement when it comes to arts & culture in the city.

Reception attendees included the Mexican Consul Carlos Giralt-Cabrales, Maria del Pilar representing State Representative Angel Cruz and Mayor Michael Nutter. From today through Sunday, October 21st, NALAC conference attendees will enjoy a variety of workshops, exhibitions, tours and more. Who knows, maybe there will even be a few surprises. For information regarding the conference visit http://conference.nalac.org and follow them on Twitter @Nalac_Arts (use #NALACphilly).

Video: Rosie Perez speaks the truth against Romney

Celebrities have no issue discussing politics, especially if they're against the Republican side. Actress/comedian Rosie Perez spills the truth against Governor Mitt Romney. In the video Perez states:

“What if you were just a little bit gay, Mitt,” Perez cracks. “Think of all the advantages that would provide. No, wait for it ... what if you had a vagina. If you were a gay Latina, this election would be in the bag for you. Unfortunately for you Mitt, you were cursed with the hard-knock life of growing up as the son of a wealthy governor and auto executive."

So is she right? What if Romney was indeed Latino...or a little bit gay?

P.S. Don't forget to watch today's (second) presidential debate at 9 p.m. Click here for more details including where to watch.

Opinion: Looking back at my Latino leadership training

Leadership. We define leaders in our own way. Some people think it's a CEO from a local organization while others will say it's the intern that has taken an active role in the business. Or maybe it's your aunt who hasn't worked in 10 years but has volunteered her time to various community efforts. Regardless, we all have the potential to become great leaders.

I was recently interviewed for a documentary capturing the Philadelphia Prevention Partnership's Latino Leadership Institute. Gilberto Gonzalez, local Philadelphia artist and author, was commissioned to help produce this very important documentary. During the interview, I had to go back to 2008 and remember my class...Unidos Sin Fronteras. Although every class has their similarities, the students in the class is what makes it worth while. The relationships I have made and the advice I was given throughout the leadership program were important to me. It's what gets me motivated to help in any shape or form.

There are so many things going on in our community that we are unaware of. And unfortunately, it takes a video and an incident for "us" to get involved. It's unfortunate the incident after the Philadelphia Puerto Rican Day Parade occurred but if it wasn't for the video that was posted, no one would have known. We must choose our topics wisely...getting involved with everything will only hurt us.

Educate yourself and find out what motivates you, educate yourself to have a better perspective on life. Latinos in the United States have the tendency to take things personally. We have to educate ourselves and learn never, ever to mix business with pleasure...it holds us back way too much. Remember to never hold grudges either, it's important to keep a professional relationship with anyone we ever meet. Unless you go out for drinks every now and then :).

UofArts wins Philadelphia's PR Pardae

Photo courtesy Al Dia News

Congratulations to the Latino Student Union (University of the Arts) for taking first place overall during the 50th Annual Puerto Rican Parade held on Sunday, September 30th, in Philadelphia. Community groups, schools and non-profits all worked effortlessly to represent the Puerto Rican culture. For parade photos visit pontealdia.com.

Some of the other parade winners include:


Elementary Schools Division

1. Antonia Pantoja Charter Elementary School 7.7
2. Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter Elementary School 6.5
3. Congreso’s Pan American Charter School 4.8

Non-Profit Division

1. Instant Addiction Dancers 7.0
2. Aspira, Inc. of Pennsylvania 6.5
3. Caliente Dance Company 6.1

High Schools Division

1. Thomas A. Edison High School 6.5
2. Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls 6.4
3. Kensington CAPA High School 5.8

EVENT: NALAC hits Philly in one week!

In one week (10/17-10/21) more than 500 artists, community leaders and officials will convene in Philadelphia for the National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures (NALAC) conference. The 8th National NALAC Conference, Seizing the Moment NOW, is the only national convening of Latino arts. The five-day conference will serve as a platform for the development and promotion of Latino arts via educational sessions, panel discussions, exhibitions, and performances. Notably, the NALAC Conference provides opportunities for conference participants, established and aspiring artists, and speakers to interact, network, share their knowledge and resources, and create new ideas in intimate settings.

Special honorees have been selected to receive 2012 NALAC Lifetime Achievement Awards during the Conference. The honorees are Jesse Bermudez, Founder and Executive/Artistic director of Asociación de Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA); René Buch, Artistic Director of Repertorio Español; Al and Carmen Castellano, Castellano Family Foundation and Tina Ramirez, Founder of Ballet Hispánico.

In addition to conference workshops and learning experiences, attendees will be able to explore Latino Philadelphia with mural tours, exhibitions, etc. If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please e-mail nalacphilly@gmail.com with your name and contact information. Be sure to follow NALAC on Twitter, Facebook and other notable Latino Philly Twitter accounts like @PhillyTeAma and @TelemundoWWSI.

Special thanks to the Philadelphia host committee:

• Veronica Castillo-Perez, Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas, Inc. 
• Carmen Febo San Miguel, Taller Puertorriqueño 
• Magda Martinez, Fleisher Art Memorial
• Emilio Buitrago, Casa de Venezuela 
• James Claiborne, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance 
• Andrea Townrow, Mexican Cultural Center 
• Alice Santana, Artistas y Musicos Latinoamericanas (AMLA) 
• Matilde Duenas, Mexican Cultural Center 
• Jasmin Dottin, Raices Culturales Latinoamericanos, Inc. 
• Michelle A. Ortiz, Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation 
• Tony Rocco, Photography Without Borders 
• Edgardo Gonzalez, Taller Puertorriqueno 
• Cecilia Bonilla, Mexican Cultural Center
• Eric Cortes, WWSI Telemundo Philadelphia 
• Graziella DiNuzzo-D'Amelio, 2012 Philadelphia NALAC Conference Coordinator