From Danny Salazar:

Hope things are going well. This Saturday I'll be with the full band @ Coleman Park. It's the second annual Flatrock Festival from 11am to 7pm. We'll be going on at 2pm, so please come out and show your support! Fun for the whole family rain or shine! Attached is the poster. Hasta luego.

Sincerely,
Danny Salazar

Labels: arts, events, music

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The Tennessean reports here that Glendale Spanish Immersion Elementary School recently brought some of their students together to work with local Colombia-born artists Jorge Yances and Jairo Prado. The first grade class made a collage of South America with Yances, and the second grade class worked with wood sculptures with Prado.

Read the entire article and see the first grade/Yances collage here.


Jairo Prado
Prado, who immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia in 1984, has bios at the web sites of SouthernArtistry.org, the Nashville Airport, and the Metro Arts Commission. He was described by the Nashville City Paper as an "artistic heavyweight" in 2001.


Jorge Yances
Yances immigrated to Nashville with his family when he was 13 and has a bio at the web site of the Metro Arts Commission here. He was profiled by the Nashville City Paper here in 2006. According to that profile, "[t]he Brentwood resident has sold more than 100,000 of his original works, received a commission from Walt Disney World, swept award shows by capturing first place awards and headlined major art shows in Las Vegas and Washington D.C." Yances and his wife Pilar Arrieta are the former owners of the Palette Gallery and Café in Hillsboro Village.

Labels: arts, colombia, education, immigrants

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Spur-of-the-moment as well as scheduled events, including tonight

Cindy McCain of Examiner.com profiles the Nashville Salsa Meetup (also known as ¡Diablos Que Bailan!) and its founder Carey James Balboa in this story.

Here is an excerpt:

It all began as what Balboa calls a “salsa flash mob” patterned after the European craze of spontaneous social gatherings. “We started as a salsa dancing street gang. Without knives,” he adds with his signature wry humor and wide grin. Armed with his portable sound system, a cooler of ice water, folding chairs and extra pairs of dance shoes, he summons friends via text messaging to vacant parking lots and rooftops for nights of Latin dance. “It’s an awesome vibe. People walk up and ask what we’re doing. We invite everyone to join.”

View the full story here.

For the planners among us not prone to "flash mob" spontaneity, there are scheduled events listed on the group's Meetup page, including one tonight at Ibiza. To give you an idea of how seriously interested in salsa this group is, check out the number of events peppered throughout the rest of just this month: they are getting together on March 18, 20, 21 (two events that night), 26, and 28.

Author McCain has been publishing a steady stream of articles about Latin dancing in Nashville, including this story about local "Salsa Master" Gaston Vidarte, this story about Nashville's first "Salsa Blaze," this story about Salsa for Beginners instructor Alethea Kelly, and this story about Latin dance instructor lovebirds Martin Barrientos and Raven Hilton.

Labels: arts, dance, events, music

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From Danny Salazar:

Just want to let you know I'm playing with the whole band (accordion, 4 percussionists, horns, etc.) at the Mercy Lounge on Wednesday, March 11. We'll be playing music from the new CD and we'll also be trying out some brand new songs.

Damien Horne will be starting the night @ 9pm with an acoustic set. Also joining us, will be Rose Falcon and Jon Nicholson. It's going to be an amazing show! Attached is a copy of the poster. Please help me spread the word and forward the poster to friends. Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Danny Salazar

p.s.
Please call Lightning 100 @ 615.777.5100 and request 'Here I Go Again'. It's a song I co-wrote with Rose Falcon. They have a lunch hour request every day. You may email them, too @ studio@lightning100.com.

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The Nashville Scene points us to a Belcourt run of Silent Light (Stellet Licht), a movie set in Mexico about adultery in a Mennonite community. The language of the film is "the medieval German dialect Plautdietsch."

German and Mexico and Nashville last intersected in the Hispanic Nashville Notebook when we were discussing how German immigrants changed both country music in the U.S. and norteño music in Mexico:

Polka, which originated from Bohemia, has also had a significant influence on norteño. Compared side-by-side, some styles of American polka may bear striking resemblance to norteño music. The polka beat is characteristic of norteño. At the turn of the 20th century, Bohemian immigrants flowed into Sinaloa, Mexico to farm the land and mine coal. German immigrants had also settled in large numbers in the cities of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and Mazatlan, Sinaloa as early as the late 19th century. These German immigrants fueled the demand for a local brewing industry, and they also influenced the music scene by bringing the accordion and the polka rhythm, which were part of the popular music of their homeland.

According to this Wikipedia article, Silent Light won a number of film festival awards and also appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2008:

• 2nd - A. O. Scott, The New York Times
• 4th - Scott Foundas, LA Weekly
• 5th - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
• 6th - David Ansen, Newsweek
• 6th - J. Hoberman, The Village Voice

From the Belcourt's description of the film and its subjects:

During the sixteenth century, a Protestant group called the Anabaptists (or re-baptizers, because of their belief that their followers must chose baptism as consenting adults) was formed in Switzerland. Menno Simons (1496-1561), a Dutchman from Friseland, codified their doctrine by introducing radical pacifism. His followers were persecuted mercilessly for their anti-militarist stance. They fled from Holland to Prussia, and later to the Russian Empire, ruled by Catherine the Great. Europe’s relentless thirst for war drove most Mennonites to Canada, where they settled in 1873, and to the United States, where Amish and Mennonite communities had been living since 1683. After the First World War, a wave of anti-German feelings spread throughout Canada and it became increasingly difficult to teach Germanic languages. Many Mennonites emigrated to the north of Mexico in 1922. Today, almost 100,000 Mennonites live there in communities that have their own education system and unique regime of civil liberties. Those who are not content with progress and development emigrate to Bolivia, Belize, or other areas of Mexico, where they establish farming communities without electricity, modern medicine, telephone, internal combustion engines, mass media, etc., and live distant from the local population.

Some moderate groups do not reject progress, but those who are more conservative than our protagonists choose to live according to the standards of the sixteenth century. The Mennonite community depicted in the movie is an intermediate one, to the extent that they have slowly begun to modernise and have come to accept cars and the advances of scientific medicine, among other things, but still refusing modern communication channels such as telephone or the Internet Among them, Mennonites speak Plautdietsch, a German dialect that comes from Friesland and is strongly related to medieval Dutch and Flemish. With the population of Mexico they speak Spanish.

Labels: arts, events, german, immigrants, mexico

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"A mixture of Latin, flamenco, rock, pop, with powerful and melodic vocals"

Chile, Mexico roots

Local band Martina Dreems is throwing its CD release party this Saturday, December 6, at 6:30pm in downtown Nashville. The venue is First Baptist Church, Room 370, 108 7th Ave S, 37203.

The concert is free, and the CD is 'Life Wind and Faith' - which can be previewed and purchased on CD Baby and DigStation.

From the notes on CD Baby:

A strong honest and melodic journey combining pop, rock, latin, and flamenco influences, all summed into two acoustic guitars and a deep and inspiring voice.

Cristina and Marcel O'Shee came from Chile (South America) to the United States seeking to share their music through a cross-cultural approach. In Nashville, TN, they met guitarist Ricardo Sanchez, from Mexico, who added his exceptional talent to the project. Ricardo recorded almost every guitar solo and he co-wrote along with Marcel all the guitar arrangements. The Result: A mixture of Latin, flamenco, rock, pop, with powerful and melodic vocals. Even though Martina Dreems consider themselves a Metal/Latin band, their first Album (Life Wind & Faith) has an Acoustical approach, combined with reflexive lyrics that meditate about the struggles in life and God's Love. Looking to take our heavy rock path in a near future, we strongly encourage you to check out our debut CD. You will enjoy it.

Labels: arts, chile, events, mexico, music

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Cultural celebration follows convention

From the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC):

Join us for TIRRC's sixth Annual Convention, a day when Tennessee's immigrant, refugee, and ally community have the opportunity to attend skill-building workshops covering areas such as Leadership and Communications; decide the priority state and local issues for the year to come; and together develop strategies to advance the rights of immigrants in Tennessee. We hope that you'll stick around afterwards for great food and music at the Cultural Celebration!

Registration is free to all members and includes all Convention materials, attendance at general sessions and workshops, lunch and the Cultural Celebration.

When
Saturday, November 15, 2008
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Where
Bethel World Outreach Center
5670 Granny White Pike
Brentwood, TN 37027

Labels: arts, events, food, immigrants

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"It's about celebrating your loved ones"

Cheekwood will host its 9th annual Family Fall Day - celebrating El Dia de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") - this Saturday, November 1, from 11am to 5pm.

The Tennessean reports here that "Cheekwood decided to start hosting the event, which draws about 3,000 people, when the Hispanic population began growing in Nashville." The paper quotes Hillary Steinwinder, event coordinator, as saying, "It's about celebrating your loved ones."

"It's a beautiful time of the year to celebrate and make others aware of the Mexican culture," Steinwinder told the Tennessean.

From Cheekwood:

Come Celebrate with us at our ninth annual Fall Family Day, El Dia de los Muertos. Join us for traditional music and dance, vibrant art activities and authentic Mexican food as we recognize and celebrate this Latin American holiday. Shop in our bustling Mexican marketplace, enjoy fine cuisine from local establishments, and explore tradition through our beautiful altar displays and other traditional arts.

From the full schedule of events:

ENTERTAINMENT

Botanic Hall

Massey Auditorium
11:00 – 11:15 Alma de Mexico Mariachis
11:15 – 12:00 Grupo Folklorico Hispanoamericano – Traditional Dance
12:00 – 1:30 Sabor Latino
1:30 – 3:00 San Rafael Trio
3:00 – 5:00 Serenatta

Potter Classroom
Ongoing Stories & History with Abuelita Irene
Ongoing Movie Screenings
Flickering Lights: Days of the Dead

Lot B
Marketplace Stage
11:15 – 11:30 Alma de Mexico Mariachis
11:30 – 12:30 La Colmena Flamenco Troupe - Traditional Dance
12:30 – 1:30 Destellos Culturales de Mexico – Traditional Dance
2:00 – 3:00 Alma de Mexico Mariachis

*Parade
1:30 Sing and Dance your way to Botanic Hall & the Marketplace from the Learning Center with the Alma de Mexico Mariachis

Frist Learning Center
11:30 – 1:30 Alma de Mexico Mariachis
2:00 Nashville Public Library presents Tomas & the Library Lady – en Espanol
3:00 Nashville Public Library presents Tomas & the Library – in English

CRAFTS and ACTIVITIES

Paint A Gourd
Papel Picado
Paper Marigolds
Family Journals
Calaveras Masks
Tombstone Factory
Scavenger Hunt
Spanish Bingo
*Sugar Skulls
*Tapete!

*NEW Activities

VENDORS

Food
La Hacienda
El Rocodo #2
Las Paletas
US Border Cantina

Art & Merchandise
HispanoAmerica
Jacky Almaguer
Mexican Curious
Elena Vargas
Ruben Torres
Cheekwood Gift Shop

ALTAR PARTICIPANTS

Cheekwood
Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee
Conexion Americas
Nashville Public Library
Metro Parks & Recreation
Catholic Charities
Rape & Sexual Abuse Center

Photo by Lisa B. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: arts, events, food, mexico, spanish

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Guest artists Oscar Hernandez, Marc Quinones, Bobby Allende, Gordon Goodwin, Dalia Garcia, Lalo Davila, Glen Caruba, others

From the Nashville Jazz Orchestra:

The Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University will host "MAMBO CALIENTE", a night of explosive New York style Latino Jazz by the NASHVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA in the Martha Rivers Ingram Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2007, at 8:00 pm.

The concert will feature New York pianist and arranger OSCAR HERNANDEZ playing compositions made famous by his classic Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Mr. Hernandez and NJO will be joined by Pearl Percussion artists MARC QUINONES and BOBBY ALLENDE, who will also play Latin style arrangements by Gordon Goodwin, and others.

NJO Director Jim Williamson will also welcome special guests DALIA GARCIA, LALO DAVILA, and GLEN CARUBA on vocals and percussion. Pearl Drums USA and American Airlines are co-sponsors for this event. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, VU faculty & staff, seniors 65 & over, students with ID, and $5 for VU Students. Tickets will be available at the Ingram Center box office the night of the performance.

THE ARTISTS

OSCAR HERNANDEZ is a major figure in Salsa and Latin Jazz music as a pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and producer. His current band, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra has been nominated twice for Grammies, and won for their CD "Across 110th Street". Born in Manhattan in 1954, he got his musical start in a South Bronx boys club and was captivated by the piano style of Eddie Palmieri and the salsa revolution of the 60’s. His talent quickly matured and by the early 1980's, Oscar was responsible for charting the musical course of the Rubén Blades Band, now known as Seis Del Solar. He produced such artists as Willie Colón, Daniel Ponce, Rafael Dejesus, Eddie Torres, Phil Hernandez, and Steve Kroon, etc. His recording and performing credits include world renowned artists like Latin music king Tito Puente, Salsa Music Queen Celia Cruz, Latin Pop Star Julio Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Willie Colon, Ray Barreto, Johnny Pacheco, Ismael Miranda, Pete"Conde" Rodríquez, Oscar De'leon, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, jazz artists Earl Klugh and Dave Valentin, and the bands "Libre" and "Grupo Folklorico Experimental Nuevayorquino". More recently, Oscar has been Musical Director, Arranger, and Conductor for several Broadway musicals, including “The Capeman,” by pop-rock icon Paul Simon. He is currently working on a Broadway production of "The Mambo Kings". Oscar has scored several films, and as pianist/arranger/producer his commercial client list includes the hit show “Sex and the City”, Dunkin Donuts, Waldbaums, General Motors, and many others.

For the last five years his Spanish Harlem Orchestra has expressed his passion for the sound of the great Afro-Cuban jazz bands of the 1940's and 50's. Their classic sound has won awards and acclaim as one of best salsa orchestras in the world. www.oscarhernandezmusic.com

MARC QUINONES is currently the featured percussionist with the legendary Allman Brothers Band.

Born in The Bronx, New York, he began playing drums and congas at the age of three and was playing professionally at the age of nine. He played timbale with Latin stars like Tito Puente and was an original member of Los Rumberitos. After high school, he spent the next five years in salsa master Willie Colón's band, playing every percussion instrument and becoming musical director of the band for two years. He then spent two years playing with popular vocalist Rubén Blades as well as playing on and touring for David Byrne's Latin music Rei Momo project. In 1989 Quiñones joined the jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra for two years. In 1991, he was recruited to join The Allman Brothers Band where he plays alongside set drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson. In between tours, Quinones plays with various salsa bands, including the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and works as a session musician for albums, television soundtracks, and commercials. www.drummersworld.com/drummers/mark_quinones.html

BOBBY ALLENDE leads the Afro-Cuban jazz band called "Ocho Y Mas", which also features Quinones. Their latest CD is “Juega Billar”. Born and raised in New York City, Bobby's foundation in Afro-Cuban percussion began at the age of three. His performances with Buddy Rich at age 7, with Julio Iglesias at age 10, and with Tito Puente lead to the youth band Los Rumberitos that toured as Puente's opening act. Bobby moved on to work with other Latin musicians such as Hector Lavoe, Jose Alberto "El Canario", RMM All Stars and Ruben Blades among others. Later, he became the Musical Director for Willie Colon, Marc Anthony and La India. He also worked with many jazz and rock artists like David Byrne, Grover Washington, Jr., and Spyro Gyra, and was in the orchestra of Paul Simon's Broadway musical "The Capeman." He is currently the percussionist for Marc Anthony's Salsa band and Pop band, Musical Director for Tito Nieves, and a member of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. http://www.8ymas.com/index.php

From Nashville, Pearl Recording Artists LALO DAVILA and GLEN CARUBA will also be featured on percussion. Davila is co-leader and vocalist of Music City's popular Latin jazz band, "Orkesta Eme Pe", Director of Percussion Studies at MTSU, and leader of the MTSU Salsa Band and Percussion Ensemble. Caruba is a percussionist and teacher, author of several books and DVDs, and has worked with Jimmy Buffet, Barry Manilow, the Mavericks, and "Orkesta Eme Pe". www.lalodavila.com; www.pearldrum.com

DALIA GARCIA, from Madrid, Spain, is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress. After being crowned Miss South Carolina, she toured for 8 years with Julio Iglesias, performing in 8 of his videos, and appeared in the movie "Lycanthrope". Her singing and songwriting has dominated several charts on MP3.com, and she appears across the US with Al Delory & Salsa En Nashville, and others. www.daliamusic.com

THE MUSIC

This October 9 concert of Latin Jazz is a follow up to the NJO’s highly successful “Cuban Fire” concert of last season. By bringing world-renowned pianist and composer Oscar Hernandez to Nashville, NJO is giving Music City audiences the chance to experience two important facets of Latin music. One is a unique style of two-handed piano playing that is heard in all Afro-Cuban music. Traditional Latin bands don’t use drumsets, so the piano, using heavy syncopated chording, sets the rhythm of a tune and drives the band, large or small. The second is the classic style of Afro-Cuban jazz created by Latino musicians living in the US in the 1940’s. The music began as a marriage of African percussion, Cuban dance rhythms, and American big band jazz arranging. In 1930 Cuban trumpeter/arranger Mario Bauza moved to New York, joined the Chick Webb Orchestra in 1933, and the Cab Calloway Orchestra in 1938, also bringing in Dizzy Gillespie. In 1941, Bauza put together a new band for his brother-in-law Machito. The concept was to combine big band swing instrumentation with Afro-Cuban percussion for a powerful unique sound that would get them work in jazz clubs as well as Latino dance rooms. With hit records like “Tanga”, and the addition of young timbalero Tito Puente, the band and the sound was a hit, creating enormous popularity for Mambo (created by Cuban bass legend Cachao) and Latin Jazz. Manhattan’s Palladium Ballroom became the center of this new scene and top Latin artists like Machito and Puente played there for years. Helped by Bauza, Gillespie added the Afro-Cuban sound to his big band in 1945, popularizing Latin music among jazz fans as well. With the addition of rock elements in the 60’s and disco in the 70’s, the style became known as SALSA, which now includes many different Latin dance rhythms. On Oct. 9, Mr. Hernandez brings this tradition to the NJO, playing several of his Spanish Harlem Orchestra arrangements, and some for a smaller group, recorded by Seis Del Solar. Contemporary Latin jazz will be represented by recent charts from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and

The Oct. 9 "SALSA CALIENTE” concert is the first event in the NJO's 2008/2009 concert season as "Artist in Residence" at Blair School of Music. Founded in 1996, the NJO is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating big band jazz. With 17 of Nashville's top session and jazz players, they play clubs and jazz festivals, often with guest artists like Randy Brecker, Lou Marini, Donald Brown, Bob Kurnow, Wycliff Gordon, and David "Fathead" Newman. Later concerts in the series include Dec. 10 – "Winter Concert" with Annie Sellick, Matt Belsante, and Blair Big Band; Feb. 26 – “NJO presents Mandy Barnett”; and April 23 – NJO's “Fourth Annual Jazz Writer's Night”. Currently, the NJO is also featured one Sunday a month at Nashville's Limelight performance venue. Their current CDs are Live at B.B. King's featuring Annie Sellick, Legacy – First Annual Jazz Writers Night, and …and Points South – Second Annual Jazz Writers Night.

Photo of Nashville Jazz Orchestra courtesy of Nashville Jazz Orchestra

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From the San Diego Union-Tribune:

“I signed Lalo Schifrin to Verve Records,” boasted [Mike] Curb by phone from his home in Nashville, Tenn.

“I merged my company with MGM and Verve in 1969 and became president. We continued to operate those combined labels. I had been a fan of Lalo Schifrin's scores, and we wrote 'Burning Bridges,' the theme for 'Kelly's Heroes,' together. I recorded it with my group, the Mike Curb Congregation, and I had a hit. It created a long friendship.”

The article says that Schifrin's compositions have appeared in hundreds of movies and TV shows, including “The Cincinnati Kid,” “Dirty Harry,” “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Amityville Horror” and “Mission: Impossible.”

Labels: argentina, arts, business

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Culture and civic engagement, Symphony conductor, and Salsa night among other events

More information about upcoming Heritage Month events hosted by the Hispanic Cultural Center at Austin Peay State University, from the AllState student newspaper:

The Hispanic Cultural Center (HCC) hosted Café Hispanico on Wednesday, Sept. 10 in Morgan University Center room 308. Accounting clerk Pat Treviño facilitated the open conversation about ways to preserve Hispanic culture by sharing her own genealogy research with students who attended the event, entitled "Preserving Hispanic Culture in a Multi-Cultural Society."
...
The HCC will host two more Café Hispanico events this semester on Tuesday, Oct. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The Oct. 21 event is entitled "Hispanic Culture with Respect to Civic Engagement".
...
The HCC will officially kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a guest lecture by Nashville Symphony conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. Guerrero will speak at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Music/Mass Communication Concert Hall. Salsa Night will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 in the Foy Fitness Center. The HCC will close out Hispanic Heritage Month with guest speaker Alina Fernandez, daughter of former Cuban president Fidel Castro. Fernandez will speak at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 in the MMC Concert Hall.

A complete list of events can be found on the HCC homepage.

Labels: arts, cuba, education, events, justice

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"We grew up listening to rock, the blues and country, and doing songs in both Spanish and English"

From the Nashville City Paper:

“It was just sort of natural for the three of us to have our own band,” Garza said. “We saw our father and his brothers playing all those years and really were thrilled at the Conjunto music that they played during the ‘70s and ‘80s. But at the same time we grew up listening to rock, the blues and country, and doing songs in both Spanish and English. So it was natural that all those things wound up in our songs, especially since we decided to mainly write our own music.”
...
Now Los Lonely Boys, who’ll appear tonight at the Wildhorse Saloon along with Dave Barnes, has emerged among the top bands in the rock/pop world. Their third studio release Forgiven was released in July and produced by Steve Jordan.
...
Los Lonely Boys spent a lot of time in Nashville during the ‘90s, and while they never quite hit it big here, they have some fond memories of their stint in Music City.

“There were some tough times, but it was also the place where we really learned the craft of playing and writing music,” Garza said. “It’s such a music place and has so many great musicians around that you either get better or you don’t survive. It can be a tough town as well, and there were experiences that were difficult, but overall we’re very thankful for the time we spent in Nashville and we always look forward to coming back and playing there.”

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From Austin Peay:

The Austin Peay State University Hispanic Cultural Center will host the newly appointed Nashville Symphony Conductor, Giancarlo Guerrero.

This event, free and open to the public, begins at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Music/Mass Communication Building Concert Hall.

Guerrero will speak on classical music in Latin America as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

During the 2007-08 season, Guerrero's guest conducting engagements included his return appearances with the Cleveland Orchestra both in Cleveland and on tour, including the orchestra's residency in Miami. He also leads the Australian premiere of Osvaldo Golijov's chamber opera, “Ainadamar” at the Adelaide Festival. Additional engagements include appearances with the symphony orchestras of Dallas, Kansas City, Milwaukee, San Antonio and San Diego, as well as his return to Nashville in May 2008 for performances of Verdi's “Requiem.”

Also in demand in both Central and South America, Guerrero conducts regularly in Venezuela, both with the Orquesta Sinfonica Simon Bolivar and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Venezuela.

In June 2004, Guerrero was awarded the Helen M. Thompson Award by the American Symphony Orchestra League, which recognizes outstanding achievement among young conductors nationwide.

Guerrero holds degrees from Baylor and Northwestern universities. Prior to his tenure with the Minnesota Orchestra, he served as music director of the Tachira Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela.

Labels: arts, events, venezuela

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From the Nashville Spanish Language Meetup Group:

Friday, September 19 at 7:30 pm Great Performances at Vanderbilt brings Grupo Fantasma to Vanderbilt University’s newly renovatedLangford Auditorium!

The finest, funkiest, and hardest working Latin-American orchestra brings their groove to Music City with cumbia, salsa, and pyschedelia. Grupo Fantasma’s trademark sound of 10 musicians has translated comprehensively on their new album Sonidos Gold – in an incredible and animated performance interwoven with mature and intelligent songwriting that is equally at home with the classic 1960’s Fania All-Stars sound. This band is forging a fresh new standard of excellence in Latin music.

The band’s guitarist Adrian Quesada claims the newest album, Sonidos Gold, as “the definitive Grupo Fantasma album.” The organic, live sound of the band will have the audience instantly fall in love with this timeless classic.

“This freight train of a Latin band could easily hold its own in a sweaty bandbox in the Bronx… they’ll knock you down with the grooves.” - The Village Voice

“The ten members of Grupo Fanatsma represent a new generation in Latin music." -Washington Post

Tickets for the performance on Friday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale at the Sarratt Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster telecharge at 615.255.9600, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Single ticket prices are $36, $32, and $28 for individuals, $16 for VU Faculty/Staff, area students always $10 for Great Performances for students/children with a valid ID, and $5 for VU students.

If available, tickets will be sold the night of the performance at the box office, cash, check and credit card. For more information, please call (615) 322-2471 or email bridgette.kohnhorst@vanderbilt.edu or visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/greatperformances/0809/grupo.html

Labels: arts, events, spanish

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The Nashville City Paper has the story here.

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Vol State sent out this press release for its Hispanic fiesta, just one of many local events that will take place during Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15:

Live music, free food, dance groups and a soccer tournament are just a few of the activities planned for the second annual Hispanic Fall Fiesta at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin. Fiesta de otoño, as it is known in Spanish, will be held on Saturday, October 11. Organizers say 450 people turned out last year, and they expect an even bigger crowd this year.

"The word of mouth about this event has been incredible," said Eric Melcher, Communications Coordinator for Vol State. "People are really excited and I think we'll have a big turnout."

The Fiesta celebrates Hispanic culture. The Nashville band Son Latino will be performing outside on the campus plaza, along with dance groups Salsa Maniacs and the Hispano Americo Dance Troupe. There will be a soccer tournament running all day long. It will be a half-field, half-team elimination competition with prizes for the top teams. Players and teams can sign up starting at 10 a.m. People will show off their favorite family recipes during a Latin American food cook-off contest, which will feature dishes from many different countries. That contest is sponsored by the Sumner Hispanic Alliance which is also helping to organize the Fiesta itself.

"We've had so many people tell us how much they enjoyed the Fiesta last year," said Cristina Frasier, Chairperson for the Hispanic Alliance. "We want to make sure it's even bigger and better this year. Aside from the fun of the cook-off contest we have an entire health fair planned. We'll have screenings for blood pressure and information about all sorts of health issues and resources. We'll have lots of Spanish translators available so people can feel comfortable in both languages."

There will be Hispanic themed story telling in Spanish and English. Kids can also enjoy inflatable games, and face painting.

"The Fiesta is an event for the whole family" said Melcher. "We're encouraging people to bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and spend the day. And it's not just for Hispanics, we hope everyone will come out and have fun."

The Hispanic Fall Fiesta at Vol State is free. It will be held rain or shine, with the college Gym being used in case of bad weather. The Fiesta de otoño will be held on Saturday, October 11 from 10am to 4pm on the Vol State campus at 1480 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. There will be free food and drinks at noon and events scheduled throughout the day. For more information visit www.hispanictennessee.blogspot.com or in English call 615-230-3570 and in Spanish 615-230-4846.

Labels: arts, english, events, food, health, spanish, sports

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Nashville author Edward Ronny Arnold has self-published George's Flag, a fictional novel about a Hispanic political uprising that is decades in the making, culminating in the year 2040 with the election of the first Hispanic president of the United States.

George’s Flag and its author Mr. Arnold were listed at the 2007 Southern Festival of Books, and Ron Wynn of the Nashville City Paper described the work here as “very intriguing” and an “entertaining, exciting tale.”

What I found in George's Flag, however, was a first draft instead of a finished product. As may be a hazard inherent to self-publishing, this work of fiction needs improvement in plot and character development, subject matter research, spelling and grammar. Despite the accolades of the Southern Festival of Books and the City Paper, I don't think the 548 pages of this book are ready for prime time.

The problem isn't so much that the plot is wildly nonsensical, which it is - from the central idea that six children would launch and sustain a 40-year presidential campaign, to the surprise transformation of a central character from a mild-mannered young woman into an Israeli-trained killing machine - with many similar twists and turns in between. There are just too many rough edges in the book to sustain any suspension of disbelief.

For starters, the characters do and say unnatural things - a drinking game could be based solely on the frequency of the various characters' fits of laughing for no apparent reason. The Catholic characters repeatedly confuse the Bible with Ben Franklin in the same grammatically awkward way ("God helps those that help themselves.”) Many of the diverse members of the book's cast make bold pronouncements about the future ("They will fail!") Some people may talk like that in real life (an apparent example is here), but I don't think it's as much of the population that George's Flag would have us believe.

The spelling errors are also too numerous for a final published work. References are made to “Chicago, Illinois Mayor Richard Daily” (his name is “Daley”), an immigration proposal to “wave” instead of waive fees, measurements made with a “gage” and not a gauge, students from “Berkley” as opposed to Berkeley, a “mute” and not a moot point, “loosing” as opposed to losing, and the government being not liable but “libel” for its abuses.

Even putting aside the plot, characters, spelling, and grammar, the greatest challenge for any future revision of this book is the author's recognition that he does not have an intimate understanding of his subject, Hispanic people. Arnold openly admitted to me by e-mail, “My experience with the Hispanic community is limited.”

This lack of experience explains Arnold's rookie mistake of translating portions of the dialogue into Spanish using only computer translation software. The easier and better alternative, if native speakers were not available to assist with translation, would be to eliminate the Spanish text altogether, and indicate through italics or some other device that Spanish was being spoken. Letting a computer mangle the language, and leaving the subject matter of the book largely unresearched, has the effect of making George's Flag unreadable from the point of view of a Hispanic or Spanish-speaking audience.

Given Arnold's admitted unfamiliarity with the subject matter of the novel, the question arises, what compelled this author to write George's Flag? Arnold answers by describing his personal affection for Hispanic Americans:

I have observed for many years the kindness, gentleness and strength of the Hispanic men and women as they shop at Kroger. There is an old saying; you can tell a "real" man easily, he is the one holding the baby. He is so strong he can be gentle. I see many Hispanic men holding babies. I have observed the interaction of the families and it is one of respect. My wife is from the Philippines and there are similarities.

I have often watched Hispanic men work, they work their butts off. Also, I have been to Mexico and been to the poor areas on three occasions. My friend, [name deleted], also has been to Mexico many times. He tells so many wonderful stories of the people. The inspiration for the book came from observing a large group of Hispanic men, women and children at my daughter's closing ceremonies for Pre-K at Fall-Hamilton Elementary school in 2006. They proudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance and clapped loudly for "every" child that received a certificate. It occurred to me that there is a new generation of Americans. These Hispanics have not abandoned their language and culture but embraced America and its ideals.

In light of Arnold's apparently positive opinions, his inclusion of starkly negative dialogue throughout the book can be shocking:

• “taco heads” and “illegal taco heads”
  
• “perra” (multiple times)
  
• “stupid Mexicans” (multiple times)
  
• “stupids”
  
• “bastards”
  
• “Mexican slut whore”
  
• “blood thirsty, drug crazed killers”
  
• “They are like sheep”
  
• “You slept in a bed that a Mexican slept in .. Did you get sick?”
  
• “Father Sinclair laughed. 'You really think you can get a wealthy American man or woman to vote for a Hispanic?'”
  
• “He stated that he was afraid he would get taco stains on her suit from her loud mouth.”

The reader gets no indication that this kind of vocabulary or dialogue is uncommon in the fictional America of George’s Flag. For instance, the "taco stains" quote is attributed to a presidential candidate, who suffers no apparent political fallout as a result. We don’t know whether the author thinks the U.S. is already at that level of negativity or, if we are not, how he thinks we will get there.

What the book does offer in the way of insight into Hispanic identity comes across as alien to me. For example, there is little mention of the way I understand most Hispanics and Latinos identify themselves, which is by national origin - my friends describe themselves or their families as being from Mexico or Honduras, for example. The characters in George’s Flag, on the other hand, see themselves through Mayan, Aztec, and other such lenses. That may be how some people identify themselves (and it may be useful for a plot point late in the book), but not any of the many Hispanic Nashvillians I know identify themselves that way, from community leaders to former clients to my fellow believers at a local Spanish-speaking church.

What this book could use the most are the themes, ideas, movements, strategies, and the kind of people and perspectives that would come with greater familiarity with Hispanic people and Hispanic politics. What about a nod to the differing opinions on immigration within the various Hispanic communities and how they might change as we move toward 2040? There are substantive issues other than immigration that will draw Hispanic voters to the polls between now and then; explore how the political landscape will or will not change as those issues mature. Various existing and interesting statistics about long-time American Hispanic families and new Hispanic immigrants could be extrapolated into the future, as well. The Hispanic Americans whose families have been in the country since long before the 21st century could certainly get more attention in a book supposedly about the future of Hispanic politics in America. A growing number of Hispanic Nashvillians are readily available for an author to interview on these various topics, and input from them would be invaluable to any future rewrite of this novel (and also to local, state, and national politics, for that matter).

In its current form, George’s Flag is in some ways memorable, from the computer-giddy nuns on page 97, to the souped-up Ferrari with the Lincoln Town car body (funded by and blessed at the Vatican) on pages 141-151, to the Hispanic politician described on page 426 as a “great lawyer” because “he is very blunt and screams a lot,” to the convenient summary of the plot on page 451, in which a character says, “Sounds like a good book.”

Despite my interest in Hispanic themes and politics, and my appreciation for the fact that a local author wrote over 500 pages combining those subjects, George's Flag is not polished, researched, or readable enough to stay on my bookshelf. Like the book's heroine who was born in 2000 and groomed to be president in 2040, the 2008 version just isn't ready yet.

Labels: arts, justice, negativity

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Vanderbilt University's International Lens film series will begin Sept. 3 at Sarratt Cinema. The series, which is free and open to the public, will screen 27 films from 21 nations from September through December. Each film screening will include an introduction by a Vanderbilt faculty member or program director, who will also lead a post-screening discussion. Most films will be shown in 35 mm prints.

The series includes three contemporary South American films – one from Chile and two from Argentina – and another film from Spain. The Caribbean documentary On The Map will also be shown, with Filmmaker Annalee Davis in attendance.

“We want to help the Nashville film community grow,” said Joel Logiudice, director of the Office of Arts and Creative Engagement. “The International Lens film series is an opportunity for us to bring some of the best in foreign film to Nashville, but films that might not otherwise be shown because of their special topics or niche appeal. We want to complement what’s already happening in Nashville art cinema circles while also engaging the research interests of our faculty and center directors. We feel that access to these films and the chance to discuss the themes and ideas they raise will translate into real benefits for our students and the Nashville community.”

The series is made possible through the sponsorship of the Office of the Dean of Students, the Max Kade Center for European and German Studies, the Vanderbilt departments and centers represented, and through the generous support of Nashville cinephiles Mimi and Scott Manzler and The Tournées Festival of the French American Cultural Exchange. All films will be screened at 7 p.m. in Sarratt Cinema unless otherwise noted. A full schedule is here.

These are the Chile, Argentina, Caribbean, and Spain films:

Oct. 1, Machuca (2004, Chile) directed by Andrés Wood. Presented by Jason Borge, Assistant Professor of Spanish.

Oct. 16, On the Map (2007, Barbados) directed by Annalee Davis. Presented at 7:30 p.m. in Room 235 of The Commons. Presented by Ifeoma Nwankwo, Associate Professor of English.

Oct. 22, Los Muertos (2004, Argentina) directed by Lisandro Alonso. Presented by Jason Borge, Assistant Professor of Spanish.

Oct. 29, Cautiva (2004, Argentina) directed by Gastón Biraben. Presented by Marshall Eakin, Professor of History.

Dec. 3, Bodas de Sangre (1981, Spain) directed by Carlos Saura. Presented by William M. Akers, Senior Lecturer in the Film Studies Program at Vanderbilt.

Parking for International Lens screenings is available free in Zone 2 Lot 2 on West End Avenue. Sarratt Cinema is on the first floor of the Sarratt Student Center at Vanderbilt University.

For more information, call 615-322-6400 or go to www.vanderbilt.edu/internationallens.

Labels: argentina, arts, barbados, chile, education, events, spain, spanish

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Homage to Emilio and Rick Trevino, Freddy Fender and Johnny Rodriguez

Melissa Lawson takes top slot

Gabe Garcia finished as runner-up in this season's Nashville Star, becoming the second Hispanic contestant to do so in the history of the show, after John Arthur Martinez was runner-up in Season 2. Melissa Lawson took the top slot this year, edging out Garcia.

Garcia talked with RealityTVWorld.com about what it means for him to be a Hispanic artist in the country music business:

"It's great. It's just an honor to be a representative and be among the few Hispanic artists of the world," Garcia told reporters. "Emilio and Rick Trevino, Freddy Fender and Johnny Rodriguez -- I have some big shoes to fill there with these guys. But it's just great. I'm just here to represent all our country fans, too."

Despite being proud of his roots, Garcia said he doesn't expect to be a crossover artist.

"I don't think I would do a crossover thing but I would definitely throw maybe like a bilingual song in an album or something," he said. "I'm really going to keep it country and as best as possible."

Labels: arts, awards, business, country music

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Del Castillo is coming to Mercy Lounge August 27, according to this press release:

LATIN ROCK BAND DEL CASTILLO TO PERFORM AT MERCY LOUNGE ON AUGUST 27

WHAT: An Evening with DEL CASTILLO, with special guests, Mona
WHEN: Wednesday, August 27 – 8 p.m.
WHERE: Mercy Lounge, One Cannery Row, Nashville
TICKETS: $10
INFORMATION: 615-251-3020 or visit www.mercylounge.com.

About DEL CASTILLO:

Austin-based DEL CASTILLO—brothers Rick and Mark del Castillo on dual lead classical guitars, Alex Ruiz on lead vocals, Albert Besteiro on bass, Mike Zeoli on drums, and Carmelo Torres on percussion— has become a symbol of the cross-cultural power of music with their eclectic blend of Flamenco, Rock, Latin, Blues, and World music.

It all began in late 2000 when Rick and Mark del Castillo decided to put together an album of Latin/Flamenco-style songs for their parents and friends in their hometown of Brownsville, Texas. The brothers, who had always played electric guitar in separate rock bands, had never played together and for the first time ever they began collaborating on songs on acoustic guitars.

Their good friend, vocalist/guitarist Alex Ruiz, began adding lyrics to the brothers' instrumentals, and soon after, the other band members joined them. After receiving positive and encouraging responses from everyone who heard the songs they created together, the project began to evolve into a real band. Del Castillo was born!

The band has won 13 Austin Music Awards, including Best Latin Traditional Band and Album of their Year for Brotherhood, their third album, released in 2006. Their first CD to include an all-English song and several bilingual tracks, Brotherhood also boasts a duet with legendary admirer Willie Nelson on "I Never Cared For You."

Thanks to their close working relationship with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, Del Castillo's music has been heard in such feature films as Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and Spy Kids 3D: Game Over. They've performed everywhere from the clubs of Austin, to the Kennedy Center, to a private Cartier event in Switzerland and Willie Nelson's 4th of July picnic. They have shared the stage with the likes of Styx, Don Henley, Los Lonely Boys, the Neville Brothers and Buddy Guy.

"Brilliance on nylon-string classical guitars." – Rolling Stone

"They pull together Latin music's romance and rock's grit." – Billboard

"An intoxicatingly rhythmic combination of flamenco, Latin rock, blues and some R&B." - Dallas Morning News

Labels: arts, events

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In anticipation of Hispanic Heritage Month, which will run from September 15 to October 15, I have invited area photographers to take portraits of Hispanic Nashvillians for publication here on HispanicNashville.com.

This first photo is of Humberto, a conga player from Cuba. Hear Humberto play his instrument and tell some of his story here.

Photo by Susan Adcock for the Hispanic Nashville Notebook. Copyright 2008

Labels: arts, cuba, portrait

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"One of the biggest goals of this orchestra is to open it to everybody"

La Hacienda ad: "Gracias, Maestro"

Nicaragua-born and Costa Rica-raised Giancarlo Guerrero, the new director of the Nashville Symphony, is the star of a popular series of playful ads that take the Maestro beyond the typical symphony surroundings and into Middle Tennessee landmarks like La Hacienda, Tootsies, historic downtown Franklin, and the Bicentennial Mall.

The Tennessean reported here on the ads and quoted Guerrero as saying, "One of the biggest goals of this orchestra is to open it to everybody." Single-concert ticket sales are up 50% over last year, according to figures published in the Tennessean.

The ads have been placed on YouTube and elsewhere and are featured below. In the ad filmed at La Hacienda, both a restaurant customer and Guerrero speak a little Spanish.

Labels: arts, costa rica, nicaragua, spanish

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Gabe Garcia made it into the top 3 of Nashville Star in last night's elimination episode. Next week's season finale will determine the winner.

A video featured Gabe returning to his hometown of Lytle, Texas, where a crowd including a mariachi band met him at the airport, an extravagant-for-Lytle parade culminated in the mayor awarding Gabe the key to the city, and a crowd of 10,000 came out for an evening concert.

All the judges had good things to say about Garcia. Judge John Rich pointed out how Garcia could be - or already is - something special for country music: a bridge to Hispanic fans.

No matter what the results are next week, Garcia will be on the Nashville Star tour this fall.

(Anyone wanting to send me tickets to next week's taping at Opryland can contact me here.)

Image: NBC

Labels: arts, country music, entertainment

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Texans dominate remaining field

Country music's new Hispanic voice?

Gabe Garcia grabbed a Top 4 spot Monday night on Nashville Star, according to BuddyTV.com:

The last automatic finalist of the night was Gabe Garcia, who is singing a song called “Lost Weekend.” The song is extremely nostalgic, sentimental, about a couple trying to relive their past, reignite the spark they used to have. It's either poignant or horribly shlock-y – I can't decide. It's got a funky little vibe, and the chorus is somewhat catchy. Sounds exactly like something you'd hear on country radio. The judges enjoy it, but Rich tells Gabe to really improve his connection with the audience.

The other three remaining finalists are Coffey Anderson (Bangs, TX), Melissa Lawson (Arlington, TX), and Shawn Mayer (May City, IA). Garcia is from Lytle, Texas.

For more stories about the buzz in the country music industry about the potential of Hispanic artists and fans, read the new country music page on HispanicNashville.com.

Image source: Nashville Star

Labels: arts, country music

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Last night's episode of Nashville Star Season 6 saw contestant Gabe Garcia survive another week, putting him among the top 6 of 12 finalists. By making it this far, Garcia has passed Melanie Torres' seventh-place finish in Season Four.

Jeff Sampson of BuddyTV.com said that Garcia's performance for the night lacked "stage charisma," but that the judges and audience loved him:

Gabe Garcia is safe and will be singing Keith Urban's “Somebody Like You.” He apparently took dance lessons so that he could loosen up more on stage. He sings well but still lacks stage charisma, in my opinion. The audience and judges loved him though.

Also, Gabe has created this new Facebook page for his fans.

Photo source: NashvilleStar.com

Labels: arts, country music

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"Bringing in some performing ability to go along with his great country singing" -BuddyTv.com

Gabe Garcia made it past the elimination round of tonight's Nashville Star on NBC. This puts Gabe into the top eight contestants; he needs to make it to the top six to pass Melanie Torres' seventh-place finish in Season Four. Beating John Arthur Martinez's second-place Season Two finish would give Garcia the top spot this year.

Read the full recap of tonight's episode at buddytv.com:

Gabe is naturally glad to see his family and comes on to perform “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “The Fireman.” The judges thought he was great, finally bringing in some performing ability to go along with his great country singing.

Labels: arts, country music

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The current incarnation of VisitMusicCity.com, the home page of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, prominently features a hair-wild Jaci Velasquez in mid-dance. The Christian/ Latin/ Pop crooner has been the face of the city's online efforts to welcome visitors for a few weeks now.

Jaci's 13th studio album, entitled Love Out Loud, was released in March. A recent interview with Jaci and her husband Nic is here.

Labels: arts, business

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John Rich: "Your voice is pure, pure, pure, great country music."

The sixth season of Nashville Star (Mondays at 8pm on NBC) features Gabe Garcia of Lytle, Texas as one of the contestants. Nashville Star is a country music single-elimination competition similar to American Idol and ran on the USA Network from 2003-2007 before moving to NBC this year. Gabe has already survived two weeks of elimination, with the judges raving about his voice. Judge John Rich said, "your voice is pure, pure, pure, great country music right there."

Hispanic country music singers and Hispanic country music audiences have been the El Dorado of the country music business in recent years, with the great reward never quite materializing. Nashville Star has previously featured two Hispanic contestants (John Arthur Martinez finished second in Season 1 and Melanie Torres finished seventh in Season 4), and CMT's Gone Country show awarded Julio Iglesias Jr. its top spot earlier this year. In 2007, the corporate side of the business commissioned a report on the potential of the Hispanic market (see here for more details on all of the above).

From Gabe's Nashville Star profile:

Gabe is proud of his roots and wants to inspire other Hispanics to pursue a career in country music, just as Rick Trevino inspired him. The ultimate Tex-Mex cowboy, Gabe left San Antonio and his job of 10 years after his father passed away last October. He's now following his dream and he's not turning back. With his family's support, Gabe wants to be the next "Nashville Star" with his mother cheering him on from the audience.

From the comments on a YouTube video featuring Gabe's Nashville Star appearances:

this guy is gonna be great Cant wait to see his performance tonight on NBC !!!!! NASHVILLE STAR 6 ROCKS
...
Gabe is great!! I never knew this boy could sing! Ohhh wow!! They were all dancing to his music! cool
...
Truth be told. He's the best. He's down to earth and he just loves everybody. He's a good friend of mine and my favorite artist from South Texas as well. Rock on buddy.

From Gabe's web site:

Gabe Garcia sings with a maturity and sound far beyond his 28 years. As a '98 graduate of Lytle High School, it was evident Gabe and his aspiring voice would touch the hearts of country music fans throughout south and central Texas.

Raised in Lytle by Mr. and Mrs. Juan Garcia Sr. and brother Juan Jr., Gabriel was influenced early on by artists such as Merle Haggard, Rick Trevino, and George Strait. He has opened for various well known country artists such as Blackhawk, Sherrie Austin, Ray Price, Kitty Wells, Richochet, and even performed for George W. Bush.

Among the many of his local and state honors, Gabe and his band recently won the South Texas State Championship in the Colgate Country Showdown. In 1997 Gabe won the 1997 Y100 Battle of the Bands and was the featured performer two consecutive years at the National FFA Convention. According to Wiley Alexander, Gabe is a personable and super-talented icon who pays great tribute to country music.

Labels: arts, country music

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The Tennessean reported here that the Nashville Symphony and incoming director Giancarlo Guerrero will kick of the 2008 First Tennessee Summer Festival with a concert of Spanish Guitar, with an emphasis on "the traditions of Spain and Latin America," according to the Symphony.

From the Tennessean:

Incoming music director Giancarlo Guerrero returns to town to lead a program of works by Latin composers, including Spaniards Manuel De Falla and Joaquín Rodrigo, Brazil's Heitor Villa-Lobos, Mexico's Silvestre Revueltas and Argentina's Alberto Ginastera.

The featured soloist is the Cuban-born guitarist Manuel Barrueco, who has lent his prodigious talents to all kinds of music, from the classic works of Bach and Mozart, to the jazz compositions of Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea, to the contemporary music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The emphasis here, however, will be on the alternately percussive and lulling sounds of his Latin heritage.

From the Symphony:

Friday
June 13, 2008, 7:30 p.m.- Laura Turner Concert Hall

Saturday
June 14, 2008, 7:30 p.m.- Laura Turner Concert Hall

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Manuel Barrueco, guitar

De Falla - El sombrero de Tres Picos (Three-Cornered Hat) No. 2
Rodrigo - Concierto de Aranjuez
Villa-Lobos - Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4
Revueltas - Sensemaya
Ginastera - Estancia: Four Dances

Manuel Barrueco is internationally recognized as a superior instrumentalist with a seductive sound and uncommon lyrical gifts. To kick off our next Summer Festival, Barrueco weaves together the traditions of Spain and Latin America for a night of música fantástica!

Summer Festival Feast
Come early and enjoy a Summer Festival supper prepared by our award-winning chefs and accompanied by strolling musicians. The buffet, which is available for purchase at each event, has a sumptuous menu

Photo of Manuel Barrueco from Barrueco.com

Labels: argentina, arts, cuba, mexico, spain

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The Nashville Opera Raise Your Glasses fundraising campaign prominently features Manuel, Nashville's Mexican-American tailor to the stars, in a variety of web ads and billboards.

Manuel recently turned 76 with a birthday bash covered by the Tennessean in this story and this set of photos.

From the birthday story:

Legendary couturier Manuel celebrated his 76th birthday with one of his famous all-day fiestas atop the mountain at his Triune-area home.

The event welcomed hundreds of friends, family and well-wishers, with impromptu performances from some of his singer-songwriter pals. Rosie Florez dedicated the tune "Hot Dog" to Manuel's daughter, Morelia,who also served as hostess and emcee for the event. Joshua Black Wilkins also performed, as did Danny Salazar, Rachel Rodriquez and Pino Squillace, who together roused the audience of margarita lovers with a bit of Latin flair.

From the Nashville Opera press release:

Nashville Opera ushered in a new era of drama, spectacle and artistic distinction today as the company unveiled plans for the Noah Liff Opera Center and the Fund for Artistic Excellence. The Opera's $12 million Raise Your Glasses capital campaign will fund the visionary $6 million opera center, the first-ever permanent home for the community-supported nonprofit organization, which has established a reputation for eminence in the 400-year-old art form here in the nation's Music City.

The Raise Your Glasses campaign, which has already garnered three-fourths of its $12 million goal, will also provide for the Fund for Artistic Excellence. The Fund will augment the organization's ability to expand its education and outreach programs and enhance the artistic quality of its productions.

Labels: arts, business, fashion, immigrants, mexico

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Nashville-based Musico a Musico, which conducts musician training for Spanish-speaking Christians around the world, will be starting a Spanish-language Worshiping Arts Academy in Nashville in conjunction with the Allegro Institute.

From the Musico a Musico blog:

The registration started for the Allegro Institute in Nashville, TN, the classes are Schedule to start Saturday July 12. There are many already signed up, and many interested and planning on registering. In Nashville, Allegro Institute will start this with a very important partnership with Músico a Músico in the city of Nashville. MaM is a ministry dedicated to have Congresos of praise, worship, and arts in different cities in the Latin world. The Allegro Institute is joining efforts with MaM to start this program in Nashville. We believe that this union and the classes from Allegro Institute/Músico a Músico in the city of Nashville, TN will be the beginning of a long project for both institutions.

The Director of Instituto Allegro/Músico a Músico in Nashville is Rachel Vasquez who has been working hard to have every detail ready for the start of the classes.

Labels: arts, faith, spanish

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Click here for the original story.

Labels: arts, events, immigrants, mexico

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TPAC Education announced its 2008-2009 Season for Young People, featuring "a culturally diverse mix of music, theatre, comedy and dance for young people."

According to the press release, "Highlights of the upcoming annual season of TPAC Education’s “Humanities Outreach in Tennessee” (HOT) include the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Nashville Opera’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, two native North American works, Latino modern dance, and theatre from the United States, Canada, England, Italy and Scotland. During its 27th year, TPAC Education’s curriculum-based programs will serve up to 40,000 students from pre-school through high school, providing teachers with comprehensive resources."

“This year’s season is more diverse than any we’ve ever presented—a full spectrum of literature, history, art, and culture from around the world,” said Sherri Leathers, TPAC Education’s Director of Programming.

Luna Negra Dance Theater will perform October 29-31 and is described as a Chicago-based company dedicated to Latino choreography, featuring Hispanic artists and music.

TPAC Education supplies guidebooks for each production with lesson plan suggestions and study materials for use before and after the performance, identifying “learning links” to curriculum requirements, including history, literature, language arts, science and social studies. Post-performance discussions and in-school visits also may be scheduled.

Financial assistance is available to subsidize ticket and travel costs for eligible students and school systems.

For reservations or more information, visit www.tpac.org/education or call 615-687-4288.

Labels: arts, education, events

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Música de le Gente / Music of the People Festival

American Roots Music Education and Metro Parks and Recreation celebrate the music of Mexican-Americans

A festive and FREE celebration of Mexican-American music will be presented by American Roots Music Education and Metro Parks and Recreation on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the newly renovated Coleman Park Community Center.

Throughout the afternoon there will be lots of live music from local bands, including Ocho Treinta, Son Latino and Danny Salazar y Trova Urbana. At 5:00 pm the internationally renowned group from San Antonio, Texas, Los Texmaniacs, will perform.

Children can participate in crafts such as making paper flowers, cowboy hats, embossed tin boxes, lizard keychains and rhythm instruments. A children's folklorico group will perform at 3:30 and there will be lots of piñatas, an exhibit of visual art by Latino artists, and plenty of dancing. Food and drink will be available for sale from local vendors.

FREE and open to the public

Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008
Time: 12:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: Coleman Park Community Center
(corner of Nolensville Road and Thompson Lane), Nashville, TN
Good weather -- outside! Not-so-good weather -- in the gym!

Labels: arts, events, immigrants, mexico

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"I no longer find my identity in my music anymore."

Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) artists Jaci Velasquez and Nic Gonzalez recently gave this joint interview to Christian Music Today. Velasquez is a popular CCM solo artist, and Gonzalez is the lead singer of the band Salvador.

The two married on December 17, 2006, and this interview focuses on how their relationship so far, dubbing them as "young Latin lovers." The couple lives in Nashville and gave birth to a son, Zealand David Gonzales, on November 3, 2007.

From the interview:

Jaci, you've been at the top of the charts for a long time and a favorite in Christian pop. Have the aspirations changed for you now that you're a mother?

Velasquez: My career, my ministry is all important, though I no longer find my identity in my music anymore. My identity is now in my relationship with God and my two boys. That's what I love the most, though I still love making music. And Zealand loves me making music—[I could tell when] he was in my tummy making the [latest] record. He would wake up in my stomach, and to soothe him, I would have to sing. He would also get really upset if someone was singing off key on the TV or something. So I'd sing to him and it would soothe him and he'd listen to me. Now he's still the same way—when his mommy or his daddy sing, it soothes him. It's really sweet.

It made for a different experience making a record, putting things into perspective. It used to be that I would remember what was going on in my life by the record that I was doing at the time. The reality of it was [my life] was only based around that. Making music is a big part of my life, but it's just not my life.

Nic, you're a lifelong Austin boy. What was it like making the move to Nashville?

Gonzalez: I don't want to speak ill of Nashville because it's a good city, but it's not Austin. My wife lives here, and I love my wife, so that made it easy. It was easier for us because we both have careers here and she just happens to have a couple of things going on a little bit more than I do. I was able to live in Austin to hide away from all of it, but Jaci's face is a little more identified with this area. She works more out of here, so it only made sense [to make the move].

Labels: arts, business, faith

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In the City of Sylvia sells out quickly

The Nashville Scene's recap of the first few days of the Nashville Film Festival ("NaFF") mentioned the popularity of a (barely) Spanish-language film:

It was a good sign when a near-wordless art film, Jose Luis Guerin’s gorgeous Spanish-language reverie In the City of Sylvia, sold out its one screening so fast it had to be moved to a larger auditorium.

Labels: arts, spanish

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"Que Viva La Lucha," "The Mother Hen," "Cornered," "Two Embraces"

The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NAHCC)* announced its sponsorship of the 2008 Cine Latino at the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), which runs April 17 to 24 at the Green Hills Regal 16 Cinemas:

Ticket holders will be invited to attend a VIP party hosted by the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with special guest "Que Viva La Lucha: Wrestling in Tijuana" director Gustavo Vazquez prior to the screening of the movie on Wednesday, April 23, 5-6:30pm. Admission to VIP reception is FREE to "Que Viva la Lucha" ticket holders and NAHCC members. Delicious coffee provided by Pallette Gallery 2119 Belcourt, Nashville, TN 37212

ANNOUNCING: "The Mother Hen" the new picture from local Hispanic filmmaker Carlos Griffin will be screened on April 22nd at 7:00PM, April 23rd. at 7:15 PM and on Thursday the 24th. at 2:30 and at 9:00PM.

Members and friends of the NAHCC can get a discount when ordering online at www.nashvillefilmfestival.org make sure to use the promo code available at the end of the NaFF video spot or on our website at: www.nashvillehispanicchamber.com

A search in the "Hispanic" category at the NaFF web site pulls up two additional films: "Cornered" (Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 5:30 PM) and "Two Embraces" (Thursday, Apr 17, 2008 8:00 PM).

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Fiesta Belmont, Nashville's Latin Music Street Fair, is scheduled for Saturday May 3, 2008 from 11AM-7PM at Belmont University's Center Campus at 17th Ave South & Wedgewood Blvd. For information about how to become a sponsor or how to have a booth at this event, call David Herrera at 615-460-6908 or visit www.latinstreetfair.com.

Labels: arts, events, food, music

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Angry listeners don't see through prank and bemoan supposed change

A Nashville radio personality tested the limits of the April Fools' art form with a fake format change supposedly designed to attract Spanish-speaking listeners. CMT's Country Music Blog describes the April Fools' joke crafted by WSIX's Gerry House this year, which was that the country music station would try to broaden its listener base by playing some Spanish-language songs in the rotation.

After issuing the phony announcement and playing some songs en español, here is what happened:

House opened his phone lines and listeners started calling in. Did they ever. And most of them were angry. Angry that another culture was being "forced" on them. Vowed to leave the station and never return. Forget the fact that Spanish-language singers and writers are a big part of country music history. I guess House waited too long to remind his listeners that it was April Fool's Day. Oh - and then he played the new single by Gone Country winner Julio Iglesias Jr. and invited listeners to vote on that song.

This particular joke comes during an increasing push to fight negativity against Hispanics, African-Americans, immigrants, and/or Spanish-speakers (see this round-up or today's Tennessean story). According to this article about April Fools Day in the Altoona (PA) Mirror, an artful prank does two things: it builds comraderie, and it doesn't hurt anyone. Reader comments on the CMT Country Music blog post criticize both House and his listeners for the negativity generated by the stunt.

As the CMT blog points out, however, the fake news at the heart of the prank was not entirely unimaginable, since Spanish-language songs are a part of country music's past and present. See previous Hispanic Nashville Notebook stories on Freddy Fender and Julio Iglesia's Gone Country win.

Labels: arts, country music, negativity, spanish

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Judge John Rich: "About half my friends were Spanish kids - Mexican kids - and their first language was Spanish"

The Canadian Press is one of many international sources to report the newly minted Latin/country crossover star that is Julio Iglesias, Jr., who earned that title with his win of the Nashville-based reality show "Gone Country." Airing on CMT, the show featured an American-Idol-style showdown of various non-country artists taking a stab at country music, including Iglesias, Jr. On his way to victory, the Madrid-born, Miami-raised crooner stopped by Manuel's Nashville shop to pick up some bona fide country duds (episode info here).

Judge John Rich of Big & Rich said in his blog that he picked Iglesias because of his "X Factor" with both male and female fans, but also because of the missing Hispanic element in modern country music:

I think, that Julio Iglesias Jr. brings an element to country music that does not exist -- and that being the Spanish-English element. I remember growing up in Texas and hearing Johnny Rodriguez on my radio station, and about half my friends were Spanish kids -- Mexican kids -- and their first language was Spanish. They were all my buddies. I remember Johnny Rodriguez turning them on to country music. They liked it, but it wasn't something they completely related to until they saw Johnny Rodriguez.

Well, I think, it's been 30 years since that, and I think it's time we pay attention to that audience again. I see Spanish-speaking people coming to Big & Rich shows by the hundreds and thousands, depending on the part of the country that we're in, and right now, there's nobody in our format speaking to that audience.

Big & Rich have included bilingual Spanish/English raps on at least one album before, and Hispanic artists have done fairly well on at least other country music reality show - see John Arthur Martinez' second place finish and Melanie Torres' top-ten spot on Nashville Star. The country music industry has commissioned reports and engaging in soul-searching and head-scratching about what Hispanic interest in country music could mean for the business.

Julio Iglesias, Jr.'s winning Gone Country video performance, which includes bilingual English/Spanish lyrics, is here.

Labels: arts, business, country music, english, immigrants, mexico, spain, spanish

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Labels: argentina, arts, events, immigrants

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Giancarlo Guerrero, Jose Feliciano, international "lucha libre" champion, Metro Schools among 2008 interviews

Airs on Telemundo Nashville

Episodes also available online

Nashville-based Spanish-language television show "Spanish-TV" announced its second season in this press release:

Second season of Spanish-TV

2008 brings exciting changes to Spanish-TV

Expanded segments on governments issues regarding the hispanic community, new sports segments including Spanish wrestling along with more entertainment and news segment. Airing weekly on Telemundo Nashville, Spanish-TV has become a hit in the Hispanic community.

Advertisers have been enthusiastic about the show's unique reach into our community and have committed to support our show in 2008.

The show’s Eye on Nashville segment continue its man-on-the-street interviews that feature a detailed look at our Hispanic heritage.

Episodes of Spanish-TV are thirty minutes long and are broadcast Saturday mornings at 10am via Comcast Cable Channels 246 and 611, on Charter Channel 24, or on the program's web site spanish-tvtucanal.com, under the link for "See the Show."

The Hispanic Nashville Notebook had previously reported here on a different locally-based Spanish-language TV show, Noticias Locales, aired on Telefutura and in conjunction with WTVF-Channel 5. At the time, Telemundo was looking for local content, which it appears to have found with Spanish-TV.

Labels: arts, business, costa rica, immigrants, nicaragua, spanish

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Benefit concert follows jazz master class

Steve Smail, Web Site Manager and Geology and Film/Digital Video teacher at University School of Nashville, announced the upcoming performance of and jazz master class performance by the Gabriel Alegria Sextet:

Afro-Peruvian Jazz
with the Gabriel Alegria Sextet
at the University School of Nashville Auditorium

Tuesday, February 19th

Jazz Master Class: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Learn about Afro-Peruvian styles, instruments, and history with the band
Tickets $20/person (purchase in advance online, space is limited)

Benefit Concert: 7:30pm; Doors open at 6:30, food and drink available for purchase
Final performance of the US/Canadian Nuevo Mundo Tour
Tickets $5/person (purchase in advance online or at the door)

Both events are appropriate for all ages and open to the public. Proceeds fully benefit relief efforts for those affected by the August, 2007 Peruvian earthquake.

Online and Phone-in advance ticketing for both events:
USN Evening Classes - www.eveningclasses.org or 321.8019

"Smoldering jazz is kicked up with the intoxicating polyrhythms of coastal Peru as trumpeter and composer Gabriel Alegria continues to chart a fresh new idiom. Combining his own distinctive approach to the jazz trumpet with the rich heritage of Afro-Peruvian music, Alegria is joined by saxophonist Laurandrea Leguia, guitarist Yuri Juárez, bassist Joscha Oetz, drummer Hugo Alcazar and master percussionist Freddy “Huevito” Lobaton - who plays traditional instruments such as the cajón (box drum) and quijada (jaw bone) and adds spectacular passages of zapateo dancing."
www.gabrielalegria.com

University School of Nashville 2000 Edgehill Avenue 37212
Free parking available in the USN 19th Avenue parking lot
The sextet also performs at the Nashville Jazz Workshop on February 8th

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Survivor of Guatemalan civil war

Coincides with art exhibit featuring late Ecuadorian activist Oswaldo Guayasamín

The Tennessean reports here that Rigoberta Menchu, winner of the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize, will be speaking Thursday night at 7pm at Benton Chapel at Vanderbilt University on the subject of "Healing Communities Torn by Racism and Violence." Menchu is a pioneer in bringing the plight of indigenous people to the international stage, having suffered through atrocities in her native country of Guatemala during that country's civil war.

From the Tennessean:

Now living in Guatemala City, Menchú was invited to speak at Vanderbilt in conjunction with an exhibit opening devoted to the late Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamín. Like Menchú, Guayasamín was an outspoken champion of social justice, and the two became friends before he died in 1999. She remains committed to keeping his legacy alive.
...
For Nashville's Latino community, Menchú's appearance is of special significance, said Renata Soto, executive director of the local nonprofit agency Conexión Américas.

"It's very timely that she comes to Nashville as someone who has been speaking on behalf of the voiceless."
...
"Menchú's message is clear about the consequences of racism and injustice, and it brings attention to the fact that right here in our own community, we have a ways to go to achieve some of those ideals."

Over the past few days, at least two Nashville blogs have covered the 1999 controversy over Menchu's autobiography (here and here).

Photo: The Nobel Foundation

Labels: arts, ecuador, events, guatemala, justice

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Whisky: 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

Hijos de la Guerra: window into MS-13

“We want to reach out to members of the community who take an interest in foreign films, including immigrants to Middle Tennessee.”

Whisky and Hijos de la Guerra are two Latin American works among 14 foreign films to be screened for free during a foreign film series at Vanderbilt University every Wednesday evening until April 16 except for spring break. Two bonus screenings will occur on Mondays.

The International Lens series begins Wednesday, Jan. 23, with Milano Calibro 9, an Italian crime caper from 1972.

All films begin at 7 p.m. in Sarratt Cinema in the Sarratt Student Center on the Vanderbilt campus and are free and open to the public. Most will feature introductions by experts from Vanderbilt and other universities, and some will have discussion periods after the screenings.

“One of Vanderbilt’s missions is to make our students true global citizens,” said Sherif Barsoum, director of international student and scholar services. “One way to do that is through the lens of film.

“We also want to reach out to members of the community who take an interest in foreign films, including immigrants to Middle Tennessee.”

The series is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students and various departments at Vanderbilt collaborated to select the films and line up guest commentators. In some cases, the films are coordinated with the syllabuses of Vanderbilt courses and incorporated into classroom work.

“We hope these screenings complement the strong offerings at the Belcourt Theatre near Vanderbilt, with whom we continue to have a partnership,” said JoEl Logiudice, director of the office of arts and creative engagement.

The Latin American lineup for the International Lens series:

Wednesday, March 12, Hijos de la Guerra (2007) from the United Kingdom, directed by Alexandre Fuchs. Presented by the Center for Latin American and Iberian Studies. A documentary about the violent gang Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13.

Wednesday, April 16, Whiskey (2004) from Uruguay, directed by Juan Pablo Rebella and Pablo Stoll. Presented by the Spanish and Portuguese Department. One reviewer called it "one of the ten best South American movies in recent years" and "a film about Uruguay, represented here in Jacobo's character. This once prosperous country, nicknamed "the Switzerland of South America", is now a country in dire need of technological updating, of restoration of its architectural treasures, and of serious political planning and execution of its economic and social future, and is paying high stakes for decades of unrealistic labor legislation." -IMDB. As of January 23, Whisky's Rotten Tomatoes rating is a perfect 100%.

The full lineup is here.

Labels: arts, events, immigrants, uruguay

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January 10 advance screening passes available to Hispanic Nashville Notebook readers

Opens at Belcourt January 11

The Orphanage, a Spanish film by Juan Antonio Bayona and presented by Guillermo del Toro, opens at the Belcourt Theatre on January 11, 2008. Free tickets are available for an advance screening on January 10.

For your tickets, e-mail the editor of the Hispanic Nashville Notebook.

The official synopsis of the film:

A woman discovers dark secrets hidden within her cherished childhood home in the supernatural drama THE ORPHANAGE, the feature film debut of acclaimed young Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona. A superbly atmospheric and emotionally powerful tale of love, loss and guilt, The Orphanage is the first film ever to be presented by Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who also produced. Bayona and the gifted first-time screenwriter Sergio Sánchez deliver an elegant, shivery ghost story in the tradition of such classics as The Innocents, The Haunting and The Others as they explore the shadowy places where human longing meets the unknown and unknowable. Anchoring the film is the fearless performance by its star, award-winning Spanish actress Belén Rueda (The Sea Inside), portraying a mother desperate to rescue her family from the nightmare into which she has unwittingly led them. The Orphanage is a film about the fragility of life, the agony of loss and the depth of a mother's love.

Labels: arts, events, spain, spanish

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Nashville-based Músico a Músico announced a three-day Conference of Praise and Worshiping Arts, scheduled for April 24-26, 2008 at the Iglesia Una Esperanza Viva on Nolensville Road:

For the first time in over three years, Músico a Músico is again presenting a conference for worship musicians and artists in Nashville.

We will be presenting over sixty classes in two days. Classes on all worship instruments, voice, music theory, theology of worship, and worshiping arts including: mime, dance, drama and visual arts.

In the last several years Músico a Músico has presented over 18 international Congresos in six countries. Our conferences are always open to musicians from all churches. This event is endorsed by pastor’s organizations like The Operation Andrew Group and Uno en Cristo (Hispanic Pastor's Association) and Compañerismo Bautista Hispano de TN. (Hispanic Baptist Group)

Please see that your worship leaders, musicians and artists are encouraged to attend this conference, you’ll be glad you did!!

Dates: 24th to the 26 of April, 2008
Place: Iglesia Una Esperanza Viva
2417 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 map

COST:
$25-before (payment must be received by 4 / 21.
$35-after the 21st and at the door.

G E N E R A L P R O G R A M :

Thursday 24, Opening Celebration, 7pm

Friday 25, Classes from 9am to 5pm
Celebration Concert 7pm (open to the public)

Saturday 26, Classes from 9am to 5pm & Breakfast for pastors at 8:00am & Closing Concert and impartation time 7pm

Músico’s Statement of Purpose:
“Our purpose is to train and inspire Latino worship musicians and artists to excel at their craft and to aid them to achieve a lifestyle of worship.”

For More Information:
Phone: 615.207.8800
Email: info@musicoamusico.org
or "Músico a Músico"
P.O. Box 158026
Nashville, TN 37215

www.MuSiCoAmUsIcO.org

Labels: arts, faith, spanish

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Tango Nashville announced its recognition by The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) Fund for the Arts:

The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) selected Tango Nashville to receive $2,500 from the NALAC Fund for the Arts (NFA) for its 2007-2008 cycle for support general operating support and to build internal capacity for the organization. This is Tango Nashville’s first time applying to the NALAC Fund for the Arts.

Tango Nashville, the only Latino Performing Arts nonprofit organization in Tennessee, is dedicated to the education and entertainment of residents of Middle Tennessee in the art and culture of the Argentine Tango. A 4-year old organization, that became a nonprofit in May 2005, Tango Nashville offers classes, workshops, cultural programming and training, as well as live dance and music presentations. For more information on Tango Nashville, please visit www.tangonashville.com

“We are happy to support Tango Nashville through an NFA award and look forward to strengthening our support of the Latino arts community in Nashville. The NALAC Fund for the Arts successfully completed its third year funding cycle and will launch its fourth year effort in 2008. We are excited about the diverse group of supporters that have invested in the NFA to support the Latino arts sector. We will continue to grow the circle of stakeholders who are supporting Latino creative expression,” states Maria De Leon, Executive Director of NALAC

Funding for this grant award is supported in part by the Ford Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and Southwest Airlines through a grant from the NALAC Fund for the Arts. For more information on the NALAC Fund for the Arts, please visit www.nalac.org

Through the NALAC Fund for the Arts, NALAC has provided 128 grants totaling more than $379,000 to Latino artists, ensembles and small and mid-size Latino arts and culture organizations throughout the U.S.

Abel López, Chair of the NALAC Board said, “NALAC’s support of Latino artists and organizations ensures that the nation’s cultural life is enriched and made vital through the diverse artistic and cultural expressions of our artists. We are pleased to support the creative process of Latino artists and organizations across the country that engage communities, stimulate ideas and local economies, and build audiences for all of the nation’s arts.”

This year, Tango Nashville also received funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and The Danner Foundation.

Tango started in Argentina in the late 1880’s as a result of the connection between locals and immigrants. Tango dance and music evolved to become an international phenomenon and language that connects cultures and individuals around the globe.

Just like the Tango dance and music, Tango Nashville continuous to evolve and to draw support and attention from local, regional and national organizations, businesses and individuals.

Labels: argentina, arts, awards, immigrants

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Thanks to Susan Adcock at Pitcherlady for capturing the sombrero-wearing Santa Claus above, from a window at the Las Americas Restaurant and Pupuseria on Nolensville Road. The accompanying post (here) tells a fine Nashville tale of cultures coming together.

Photo copyright Susan Adcock. Used by permission.

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From Cheekwood:

FESTIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS CELEBRATES FOUR MULTI-CULTURAL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AT CHEEKWOOD DECEMBER 10

From the Akiva School Choral Ensemble to Vanderbilt’s Victory A Capella Choir, Sunday, December 10 will be a day of sharing the unique traditions of four year-end holidays as Cheekwood hosts Festival of the Holidays with interactive multi-cultural activities on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Navidad.

“This is a special part of our Season of Celebration events,” Jack Becker, Ph.D., president of Cheekwood “It is a wonderful time for families to learn about the year-end holiday traditions of others and do so with a grand variety of fun family activities, all in one afternoon.”

Activities, from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm, include everything from hands-on art projects to sampling foods and music associated with each tradition. All activities will be held in Cheekwood’s Botanic Hall. Cheekwood thanks CLARCOR, Inc. for their support of this event as the Patron of the Day.
Following are performance times:

1:15 pm – HANUKKAH Sababa
Akiva School Choral Ensemble

2:15 pm – NAVIDAD Aurelio Martinez & Jose Alegria
La Posada

3:15 pm – KWANZAA A Surprise Kwanzaa Performance

4:15 pm – CHRISTMAS The Victory A Capella Choir
Vanderbilt University

Interactive activities associated with each of the traditions include:

Kwanzaa: participants learn how to make Kwanzaa candles; sample foods such as Janita bread, sweet potatoes, and turnip greens, all associated with Kwanzaa. Sponsored by Pam Thompson & Friends and The Jack and Jill Club of Williamson county.

Hanukkah: participants learn how to make paper dreidels; and enjoy a treat of Sufganiyot and Chanukah gelt. Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee

Navidad: participants sample Atole (hot chocolate), Buñuelos (Traditional Colombian Christmas food); Tamales; and learn how to make Paper Nativities. Sponsored by Woodbine Community Group & Catholic Charities – Latino Services.

Christmas: activities include making Clothespin Reindeer; and participants will be able to sample Christmas cookies and holiday punch.

Cheekwood’s Season of Celebration 2006 runs through December 31 and is a children’s wonderland of decorations, storytelling, cookie decorating, and musical performances as Cheekwood celebrates Christmas around the world.

Cheekwood inspires and educates by making art, horticulture and nature accessible to a diverse community. Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville, 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Open Tuesday – Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For further information call 615-356-8000 or visit www.cheekwood.org.

Labels: arts, colombia, events, food

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From the Nashville Symphony:

For our special Christmas concert, why not bring in the very man who gave us "Feliz Navidad," a holiday classic known around the world? Singer and guitarist José Feliciano also known for mega-hits "Light My Fire" and "Que Sera" - is widely recognized as the first major Latin artist to cross over into the English-speaking music market, paving the way for so many big-name talents who came later. His signature sound, familiar from nearly 70 albums he's recorded throughout his career, will make this holiday celebration truly unique.

Discounts available through the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

Click HERE to purchase tickets or call 615.687.6400. Please mention this announcement for a special 20% discount thanks to our NAHCC member Nashville Symphony www.nashvillesymphony.org

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The Vanderbilt Center of Latin American & Iberian Studies (CLAIS) will show the movie Balseros ("Rafters"), "a 2002 Spanish documentary about Cubans leaving during the Período Especial after the financial support of the former USSR stopped. In 1994, some 50,000 Cubans left the island, unimpeded by the Cuban government, using anything they could find or build to get to the nearest land in Florida. The seven Cuban protagonists in this feature length film represent, with their personal experiences, the thousands of people from all corners of the planet who leave their homes in search of a supposedly better future."

The film will be shown at 7pm Thursday, November 8, in Buttrick 102. More information here.

Labels: arts, cuba, events, immigrants

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Free event to raise awareness of Hispanic women's heart disease

Joint effort of Nashville Public Television, Tango Nashville, American Heart Association

Dance performances and lessons, food, heart screenings

On November 10, Nashville Public Television teams up with the American Heart Association and Tango Nashville to raise awareness of women's heart disease in the Latino community.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for Hispanics. Heart disease and stroke are responsible for 32.2 percent of deaths in Hispanic females.

NPT INVITES COMMUNITY TO “TANGO WITH YOUR HEART”

WHO: Nashville Public Television, together with the American Heart Association and Tango Nashville

WHAT: "Tango with Your Heart" event. An evening of dance, food and fun for your heart; free tango lessons, heart healthy food and information, free heart screenings and fun giveaways!

WHERE: Ibiza Night Club 15128 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville. (615) 331-0382

WHEN: Saturday, November 10, 2007. 5:00-8:00 p.m.

WHY: To raise awareness of women's heart disease in the Latino community. See attached “Heart Disease and Stroke Facts for Hispanic Women.”

HOW: Free admission

“Tango With Your Heart” is made possible by a generous grant from WNET-NY and coincides with THE MYSTERIOUS HUMAN HEART, a four-part series by producer David Grubin that aired on NPT and PBS stations nationwide this Fall. “Tango with Your Heart” is sponsored by Nashville Public Television, American Heart Association, Tango Nashville, Ibiza Night Club Club, Monsal, WHEW La Ley 1380am, WKDA Latina 900am and OSHi International Flowers.

* * *

Nashville Public Television is available free and over the air to nearly 2.2 million people throughout the Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky viewing area, and is watched by more than 600,000 households every week. The mission of NPT is to provide, through the power of traditional television and interactive telecommunications, high quality educational, cultural and civic experiences that address issues and concerns of the people of the Nashville region, and which thereby help improve the lives of those we serve.

Photo by Henrik Schröder. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: arts, health

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Free event features art, food, music, tours

The Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art will host its Eighth Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration next Saturday, October 27:

EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS AT CHEEKWOOD ON OCTOBER 27, 2007
NASHVILLE, TN – The popular Latin American family celebration, El Dia de los Muertos, will be held at Cheekwood on Saturday, October 27 with activities including live performances, a Mexican marketplace, and interactive art activities for everyone.

Now in its eighth year at Cheekwood, the day-long celebration is a premiere community event for Nashville’s Hispanic population as well as for families throughout the area. Translated as “Day of the Dead,” El Dia de los Muertos is a uniquely Latin celebration of families as they honor their ancestors.

The festivities, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, include activities for families of all cultures to learn about this noted Latin-American tradition and participate in a wide range of activities conducted in both Spanish and English. Cheekwood members are free and regular gate fees apply to non-members.

The schedule includes live performances by Mariachis Alma de Mexico, Serenatta, Danny Salazar y los Cuatro, Grupo Folklorico Hispanoamericano, and Sixto Reyes & Miguel. Art projects include making painting gourds, decorating “the family tree,” making paper marigolds, crafting family journals, making calaveras masks, a “tombstone factory,” creating paper cut-outs, and Spanish Bingo. A unique feature this year, the Alma de Mexico Mariachis will lead 2 parades throughout the grounds during the festival. Cheekwood will also have a resource room which will feature various books, materials, and movies documenting the history and culture of the El Dia de los Muertos holiday.

Available in the Mexican Marketplace will be traditional food, sweets, and arts and crafts. Community altars will be displayed in Botanic Hall and there will be bilingual tours of Cheekwood’s Museum of Art given by Belmont University Spanish students.

Labels: arts, education, events, food, mexico

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Dalia Garcia, Richie Flores, Jesus Diaz, Lalo Davila, Glen Caruba, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez

MTSU tonight

"Cuban Fire" tomorrow: joint performance with Nashville Jazz Orchestra at Vanderbilt

Eric Moreno, president of the Hispanic Student Association at MTSU, wrote in to mention "several events going on involving a Salsa Band headed up by MTSU's own Lalo Davila, [in] which he is featuring very famous percussionists who have played with several amazing acts throughout the Latin music industry. He will be hosting a tribute to Celia Cruz and Tito Puente in a concert in Murfreesboro." The music comes to Murfreesboro tonight and to Nashville tomorrow night.

The MTSU tribute is tonight, Thursday October 18, at 9pm at Sweetwater. There is a $7 cover charge and no one under 21 will be admitted.

Details of the Nashville event are below:

A NIGHT OF EXPLOSIVE SALSA AND JAZZ
NASHVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA PLAYS "CUBAN FIRE" OCT. 19
WITH GUEST ARTISTS RICHIE FLORES, JESUS DIAZ, DALIA GARCIA AND SPECIAL GUEST HORACIO “EL NEGRO” HERNANDEZ

The Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University will host "CUBAN FIRE", a night of explosive salsa and jazz by the NASHVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA in the Martha Rivers Ingram Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Both concerts will feature the classic Latin jazz music of Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Arturo Sandoval, and others climaxed by selections from Stan Kenton's famous 1956 Latin jazz opus "Cuban Fire Suite". A special 27-piece edition of the NJO, led by Director JIM WILLIAMSON will take the stage, including vocals by DALIA GARCIA, and guest percussionists Pearl Recording Artists RICHIE FLORES, JESUS DIAZ, LALO DAVILA, GLEN CARUBA, and HORACIO “EL NEGRO” HERNANDEZ, acknowledged as the top Latin drumset player in the world today. With NJO drummer Bob Mater also being a Pearl Recording Artist, the NJO will have an all-Pearl percussion section, and Pearl Drums USA will be a co-sponsor for this event. Guest conductor for the "Cuban Fire Suite" will be ROBIN P. FOUNTAIN, Professor of Conducting at Blair School of Music where the NJO is "Artist in Residence". Admission to either concert is $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, VU faculty and staff, and $10 for students. Tickets are available from Blair or band members; or at the Ingram Center box office the night of the performance.

THE ARTISTS

HORACIO HERNANDEZ, given the name “El Negro” at birth, was already a master studio and touring percussionist in his native Havana when he escaped Cuba to live in Italy in 1995. Two years later he came to the US, where top Latin jazz musicians like Paquito D’Rivera and Michel Camilo began using him. Word quickly spread of his explosive virtuosity in both Latin and jazz idioms, and he has worked non-stop since. From the Latin sounds of Santana, Los Hombres Caliente, and Tito Puente, to the pop of Paul Simon, to the progressive jazz of Dizzy Gillespie and Joanne Brackeen, Horacio’s universal percussive abilities have already made him a drum legend with dozens of videos, books, and articles published about him. www.elnegro.com

RICHIE FLORES was born in Brooklyn but raised in Puerto Rico, and began playing congas at the age of 5. In a few years he was playing with top groups like El Gran Combo and Batacumbele. Moving back to New York, he joined Eddie Palmieri at the age of 17. He also works with David Sanchez, Dave Samuels, and a host of Latin Jazz greats.

JESUS DIAZ arrived in the San Francisco bay area from Cuba in 1980. His talent as percussionist, arranger, and vocalist have kept him working with top artists like Carlos Santana, Dizzy Gillespie, Pete Escovedo & Sheila E, and the Caribbean Jazz Project ever since. As an educator, he does numerous clinics and workshops, and has several instructional videos and books as a member of "Talking Drums". www.bombomusic.com

From Nashville, Pearl Recording Artists LALO DAVILA and GLEN CARUBA will complete the expanded percussion section. Davila is co-leader and vocalist of Music City's popular Latin jazz band, "Orkesta Eme Pe", Director of Percussion Studies at MTSU, and leader of the MTSU Salsa Band and Percussion Ensemble. Caruba is a percussionist and teacher, author of several books and DVDs, and has worked with Jimmy Buffet, Barry Manilow, the Mavericks, and "Orkesta Eme Pe". www.lalodavila.com www.pearldrums.com

DALIA GARCIA, from Madrid, Spain, is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress. After being crowned Miss South Carolina, she toured for 8 years with Julio Iglesias, performing in 8 of his videos, and appeared in the movie "Lycanthrope". Her singing and songwriting has dominated several charts on MP3.com, and she appears across the US with Al Delory & Salsa En Nashville, and others. www.daliamusic.com

THE MUSIC

STAN KENTON led one of the most famous jazz big bands from 1941 to 1979. One of its seminal works was the 1956 "Cuban Fire Suite" by composer Johnny Richards. At the time, the marriage of American swing music and traditional Afro-Cuban music into a form called Latin jazz was little more than a decade old. Richards was of Latin heritage (born John Cascales), his work encouraged more use of Latin idioms in big bands, and musicians in the Latin jazz movement continue to site the Cuban Fire album as an influence and inspiration.

TITO PUENTE, master percussionist and arranger, was the most popular and influential of the "Mambo Kings", the great bandleaders who created Latin jazz in the 40's. "El Rey" (The King) worked from 1937 to 2000, recording well over 100 albums. His fame skyrocketed in the 50's dance craze for mambo and cha-cha, and his "Oye Como Va" was a huge hit. He won 5 Grammys, is in the Hispanic Hall of Fame and the Jazz Hall of Fame, has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and received a Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement Award.

CELIA CRUZ is the best-known and most influential female figure in Cuban music, with 23 gold albums and the title "La guarachera de Cuba". Joining Cuba's renowned Sonora Matancera orchestra, she became a star all over Latin America in the early 50's. In 1960 she moved to the US to pursue a solo career. Two decades of work with Tito Puente and the Fania All-Stars made her even more famous, and she continued touring the world in the 80's and 90's, winning a Grammy in 1990.

ARTURO SANDOVAL, composer and bandleader, was a virtuoso trumpeter in his native Cuba in the 70's and 80's. A master of Afro-Cuban music and influenced by bop trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, he became a leading exponent of modern Latin jazz upon his defection from Cuba in 1990. His band and bravura trumpet style were featured with the Nashville Symphony in 2001.

The Oct. 19 “Cuban Fire” concert is the first event in the NJO's 2007/2008 concert season as "Artist in Residence" at Blair School of Music. Founded in 1996 by Director Jim Williamson, the NJO is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating big band jazz. With 17 of Nashville's top session and jazz players, they play clubs and jazz festivals, often with guest artists like Randy Brecker, Lou Marini, Donald Brown, Bob Kurnow, Annie Sellick, and Connye Florance. Later concerts in the series include Dec. 1 - NJO presents David "Fathead" Newman in association with the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ray Charles Exhibit, Feb. 29 - NJO presents Wycliff Gordon, and April 17 – NJO's Third Annual Jazz Writer's Night. Their current CDs are Live at B.B. King's featuring Annie Sellick, and Legacy – First Annual Jazz Writer's Night.

The Martha Rivers Ingram Center for the Performing Arts is on the Blair campus at 2400 Blakemore Ave. For tickets, call 615-322-7651.

Labels: arts, country music, cuba, events, puerto rico

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Lopez is assistant professor at Vanderbilt, author of Soy la Avon Lady and Other Stories

Ortiz Cofer teaches at Georgia, most recently authored A Love Story Beginning in Spanish: Poems

This weekend's Southern Festival of Books will feature Vanderbilt assistant professor Lorraine Lopez on Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. in the Senate Chambers of the Tennessee State Capitol; and also Judith Ortiz Cofer, professor at the University of Georgia, from 4:30-5:30pm on Saturday in the Old Supreme Court Room.

According to her bio, "Latina poet and fiction writer Lorraine López is the winner of the first Miguel Mármol Prize (2002). Her stories have appeared in numerous publications, including New Letters, The Crab Orchard Review, The U.S. Latino Review, and The Watershed Anthology. She is Co-Founder and Education Programs Director for the Institute for Violence Prevention in Athens, Georgia, and she is Professor of English at Vanderbilt University. She is author of the critically received Soy la Avon Lady And Other Stories, a stunning debut collection of 11 short stories that articulates the spectrum of the Latino community. She completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, Northridge, and earned her M.A. and PhD at the University of Georgia."

As for Ortiz Cofer, the Scene has an extensive interview with her in this week's cover story (here).

This bio appears on Ortiz Cofer's web site:

Judith Ortiz Cofer is the author of A Love Story Beginning in Spanish: Poems; Call Me Maria, a young adult novel; The Meaning of Consuelo, a novel; Woman in Front of the Sun: On Becoming a Writer, a collection of essays; The Line of the Sun, a novel; Silent Dancing, a collection of essays and poetry; two books of poetry, Terms of Survival and Reaching for the Mainland; and The Latin Deli: Prose and Poetry. Her work has appeared in The Georgia Review, Kenyon Review, Southern Review, Glamour and other journals. Her work has been included in numerous textbooks and anthologies including: Best American Essays 1991, The Norton Book of Women's Lives, The Norton Introduction to Literature, The Norton Introduction to Poetry, The Heath Anthology of American Literature, The Pushcart Prize, and the O. Henry Prize Stories.

Professor Cofer has received numerous awards and honors for her writing. Most recently, The Latin Deli was selected for the 2005 Georgia Top 25 Reading List, a project of the Georgia Center for the Book made up of books set in Georgia or written by a resident or former resident of the state. Also in 2005, Call Me Maria was selected as one of two texts to receive Honorable Mention for the Americas Award, sponsored by the National Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs, for U.S. published titles that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. The Meaning of Consuelo was selected as one of two winners of the 2003 Americas Award. The novel was also included on the New York Public Library's "Books for the Teen Age 2004 List." In addition, Professor Cofer has received over 30 fellowships and grants, including awards from the University of Georgia Research Foundation, the University of Georgia Center for the Humanities and Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Labels: arts, spanish

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The Celebration of Cultures will be held this Saturday and Sunday at Centennial Park in Nashville. In association with the Celebration, a Walk As One will take place at 9am Saturday (check-in at 8am near the park's plane and train), and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center will have an open house with free musical performances (Saturday only), including Serenatta and the MTSU Salsa Band. Free shuttles will run between Centennial Park and the Schermerhorn.

Latin influence will abound, including the following demonstrations highlighted by this article in the Tennessean, "Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art will have a project pertaining to the upcoming Latin American holiday El Dia de los Muertos ... American Roots Music Education will perform American traditional music such as ... Tejano, [and] ... Grow Nashville will demonstrate for children how to make salsa from organic vegetables."

Centennial Park returns to its original roots with this event. The original Centennial Exposition on the site included "villages" from around the world, including a Cuban Village with Spanish Sen Sen Dancing Girls (see photo here and description here).

The press release below highlights other Latin highlights of this year's Celebration of Cultures, like the San Rafael Band and "Villages" of Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru:

You don’t have to travel the world for exotic food, music, and art. It’s all right here in Nashville at the 11th annual Celebration of Cultures Festival on October 6th and 7th in Centennial Park.

Presented by Metro Parks and Scarritt-Bennett Center, this FREE event will showcase the diversity and highlight the multi-cultural fabric of Nashville. “This festival has proven to be a wonderful opportunity for Nashvillians to learn about the rich mix of cultures we have here,” says Jose Ochoa, Superintendent of Cultural Arts and celebration co-chair for Metro Parks. “It’s also simply a wonderful two days of incredible entertainment, art, and food for everyone to enjoy.”

The festival began over a decade ago by a group that works continually to bring cultures together in Nashville: Scarritt-Bennett. “It’s very important to understand and celebrate the diversity of Nashville‚ to learn about other cultures and to get to know other people’s traditions‚” says Cindy Politte‚ director of marketing for Scarritt-Bennett Center‚ which started the Celebration of Cultures in 1995. “It’s a true potpourri of everything that is Nashville.”

Times are Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. The event will feature over forty ethnic dance and musical performances on multiple stages. Entertainers like the San Rafael Band (Latin Jazz), African Drummers (Ghana), Chinese Culture Club (China), Cripple Creek Cloggers (USA), Gary Cady (Native American), Ketsana (Laos), Pega Kadivar (Azerbaijan), and much, much more.

Enter “The Villages” and be transported around the world! New this year, The Villages offers an authentic look at the customs and traditions of Burundi, Ethiopia, Laos, the Philippines, and the Latin American countries of Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru. As you walk through, you will hear traditional music in the background as the native language of each area is spoken, and you will see colorful clothing and decorations that are customary for each country.

Original art and imported hand-crafted items will be available for purchase in “The World Market”. A special exhibit called “Nashville’s Internationals” will also be on display at the Centennial Art Center October 5-26, and will be featuring fifteen artists from around the world that now call Nashville home. Plus, a children’s area will include free interactive music and dance programs, storytelling, nature activities, and arts projects.

Celebration of Cultures provides an opportunity for the community to gather, honor, and explore the diversities and ethnicities that make Nashville so unique and culturally enriched.

Parking is free in Centennial Park and in the HCA parking lots off Park Plaza behind the park. Shuttles will run throughout the event to transport people to and from parking in Centennial and at HCA. Plus, Saturday, there will be free shuttles between Centennial Park and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Photo by Beth Kindig, courtesy of Celebration of Cultures.

Labels: arts, bolivia, cuba, el salvador, events, mexico, peru

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Co-sponsored by the Office of Student Unions and Programming and the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

Laura Fuentes y Calicanto will bring their Latin urban and roots stylings to MTSU with a performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. The concert is free and open to the public.

Earlier in the day, Fuentes will be at a brown bag lunch at 12 noon in the SunTrust Room of the Business and Aerospace Building. MTSU students, staff, faculty and administrators are welcome to attend. Reservations can be made by calling the June Anderson Women’s Center at 615-898-2193 or sending an e-mail to jawc@mtsu.edu.

Fuentes, who was born to North American parents in Santiago, Chile, is a classically trained guitarist and vocalist. She lived in Chile until 1973, the year Army Commander-in-Chief Augusto Pinochet overthrew President Salvador Allende in a coup d’etat. The coup and its aftereffects had a great impact on Fuentes’ social consciousness

According to the Web site http://www.realpeoplesmusic.com, “Calicanto is a bridge of warmth and song between musicians from Latin America and audiences from all over the world. Founded by Laura Fuentes in 1996, the Calicanto project gets its name from the historic landmark that once united the shores of the Mapocho River in Santiago, Chile. The core duo of Laura Fuentes and Pedro Villagra join together to light a new fire, celebrating the rich diversity of Latin American music from Chile, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.”

Calicanto is: Fuentes on lead vocals, guitar, cuatro and percussion; Villegra on quena, quenacho, sikus, flute, charango, saxophones and vocals; Patricio Acevedo on guitar, vocals and percussion; Orlando Cabrera, percussion; Raquel Gonzalez Paraiso, violin, mandolin, sikus and vocals; and Robert Schoville, percussion and drum set.

The concert is co-sponsored by the Office of Student Unions and Programming and the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. For more information, contact Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at 615-898-2987.

Labels: arts, chile, mexico, peru, puerto rico, venezuela

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Venezuelan among exhibitors

The Tennessean reports here that an art exhibit featuring the creations of sixteen Nashville immigrants will be hosted by the Centennial Arts Center from October 5 through October 26:

"Titled Nashville's Internationals, the show features contributions from artists representing Haiti, Venezuela, Belgium, Germany, Croatia, Russia, China, The Philippines, Nigeria and Sudan. In some cases, their work couldn't be more different, but all represent a common urge to give voice to their experiences through painting, sculpture, drawing and other visual media."

"Nashville's Internationals is timed to coincide with Metro Parks' and Scarritt-Bennett Center's Celebration of Cultures, a free festival in Centennial Park on Oct. 6-7. This art exhibit lends an added dimension to what should be a fun, family-friendly occasion."

Labels: arts, events, immigrants, venezuela

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Contribution by Cesar A. Muedas
As reported a few days ago in this website, the Nashville Symphony recently named Costa Rica native Giancarlo Guerrero as its next Music Director. The 38-year-old conductor was unanimously selected to be the Symphony's 8th Music Director by a 12-member search committee, half of whom were musicians from the orchestra.
Last night marked the first returning engagement of Maestro Guerrero this season in a program that included the world-renowned violinist Midori. Furthermore, the Symphony extended a gracious invitation to close to 30 Hispanic residents of middle Tennessee as special guests who also joined the conductor in a “meet-and-greet” gathering immediately following the performance. The adjacent photographs show part of the group (members of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce*) and a candid moment between the maestro and Ms. Renata Soto, who is a fellow Costa Rican and executive director of Conexion Americas.

*Hispanic Chamber clarification - There are two Hispanic chambers of commerce currently active and with offices located within Davidson County: the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Labels: arts, chambers

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Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15. Local celebrations include Conexion Americas' invitation-only event at Cheekwood this Friday night, an invitation-only SunTrust Affinity Group Cocktail Reception on September 25, and the open-to-the-public Fiesta at Vol State on September 29 (details below).

Two other events are tonight's Beats Beyond Borders concert and "Eternal Beauties," an art exhibition at the Williamson County Public Library featuring nature photographs of Javier Arrieta. A reception will be held tonight from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, and the exhibition runs through October 13.

More activities are planned around town and will be announced here when possible.

Fiesta details:

“Fiesta de Otoño en Vol State” is the Spanish name for a new fall festival coming up on September 29 in Gallatin. It means Autumn Festival at Volunteer State Community College, and it’s designed to be a celebration of Hispanic culture for the entire community.

“It’s really all about music, food and fun,” said Dr. Monique Robinson-Wright, one of the Vol State organizers of the event. “We’ll have a soccer contest, games for the kids, a variety of music, and community information booths. We’re hoping Hispanic families across the area come for the day, but the Fiesta is open to everyone in the community. Best of all it’s free.”

The Fiesta is a collaborative effort with local businesses and community groups.

“We’re excited about the idea of having a Hispanic festival here in Sumner County,” said Moisés Caballero, Assistant Vice President at Regions Bank in Gallatin. “The Hispanic community is growing so quickly here, it only makes sense to have a fun day for folks to get together.”

Highlights of the Fiesta include Tango and Bossa Nova music from the critically acclaimed Nashville Latin band: Serenatta Romantic Latin Ensemble. The soccer shootout contest will give local players a chance to show off ball handling skills and take shots on goal. It features prizes for the winners. Food will include Fajitas, chips, rice and beans. There will be a DJ spinning modern Latino tunes and games for the kids. There will also be an emphasis on community resources available to the Hispanic community.

“The response has been tremendous,” said Dr. Robinson-Wright. “We have groups coming in from Nashville, like Conexion Americas, Books from Birth, and the YMCA Hispanic Achievers and a number of organizations from Sumner County. We’ll also have health screenings from the Vol State Allied Health Division, and a live radio broadcast by La Sabrosita radio 810 AM.”

“Fiesta de Otoño en Vol State” will be held on Saturday, September 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Volunteer State Community College Campus, 1480 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. It is free and open to the public. For more information in English call 615-230-3570 and in Spanish call 615-230-3398.

Labels: arts, events

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The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition invites the public to a benefit concert tonight:

don't miss
beats beyond borders
a benefit concert for the
Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition

COME CELEBRATE NASHVILLE'S DIVERSITY WITH

Trio ginga BRAZILIAN ROOTS

Seed & Soil RAGGAE/DANCEHALL

Danny Salazar y trova urbana LATINO ROOTS

WHEN: Thursday, September 13
Doors open at 7pm Concert begins at 8pm

WHERE: Live @ the Rutledge
410 4th Ave South Downtown Nashville

$10
18 and over

call 615.833.0384 for additional details

Labels: arts

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Teen category goes to Audrey Taveras

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, Mariela Flores was crowned Miss Tennessee Latina USA 2007-2008, and Audrey Taveras was crowned Miss Teen Tennessee Latina 2007 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

The event was emceed by presenters Jonathan Camcam (Director of Festival de las Naciones) and Mrs. Jill Rivera (Mrs. Tennessee 2007). Entertainment was provided by Danny Salazar as well as Rachel Lampa.

The participants competed in personal presentation, modeling, evening wear, and the Miss Tennessee Latina category competed in swimwear as well. One of the primary roles of the future queens is to be a positive role model for the Hispanic community by way of community service.

The two winners will participate as representatives of the Latin beauty of Tennessee in the national Miss America Latina pageant, which will take place next year in Mexico.

In the MISS TENNESSEE LATINA category, the winners are as follows:

* Mariela Flores: Miss Tennessee Latina 2007-2008, of Mexican descent
* First Runner-Up: Karla Neal (Mexico)
* Second Runner-Up: Maryin Chaves (Nicaragua)
* Miss Community Service: Lucia Muñoz (Ecuador)

In the MISS TEEN TENNESSEE LATINA the winners are:

* Audrey Taveras: Miss Teen Tennessee Latina 2007-2008 (of Dominican descent)
* First Runner-Up: Deborah Posada (Nicaragua)
* Second Runner-Up: Cheyenne Garcia (Mexico)
* Miss Teen Community Service: Daisy Garcia (Mexico)

Bios follow:

MISS TEEN TENNESSEE LATINA 2007-2008
Audrey Taveras
16 years old
Morristown, TN
Both parents are Dominicans
She is a Junior at Morristown Hamblen East High School, with a GPA of 3.6.
Her favorite class is Newspaper, where she serves as Arts & Entertainment Editor. She is part of the Downtown Dance Company in
Morristown She is involved in two community service groups.

MISS TENNESSEE LATINA 2007-2008
Mariela Flores
21 years old
Mariela currently works as a personal assistant to one of the most productive real estate agents in the city. She plans to attend college at the beginning of next year. One of her biggest dreams is acting.
Mariela was born October 2, 1986 in the city of Queretaro, Mexico. She is the daughter of Pedro and Irma Flores. In her free time she likes to read, travel, enjoy time with her family and do community work for the Hispanic community.

Photo (Left-Right): Miss Teen Tennessee Latina Audrey Taveras, Miss Tennessee Latina Mariela Flores

Labels: arts, dominican republic, ecuador, immigrants, mexico, nicaragua

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Famed conductor has Central and South American roots

Nicaraguan-born and Costa Rican-raised Giancarlo Guerrero will become the Music Director of the Nashville Symphony starting in 2009, according to this press release:

Nashville Symphony President and CEO Alan D. Valentine announced today that Giancarlo Guerrero will become Music Director of the Nashville Symphony beginning with the 2009/100 season. A native of Costa Rica and current Music Director of the Eugene Symphony, the 38-year-old conductor was unanimously selected to be the Symphony's 8th Music Director by a 12-member search committee, half of whom were musicians from the orchestra. Leonard Slatkin, who has served as Music Advisor of the Nashville Symphony since 2006, will conclude his tenure at the end of 2008/09.

Mr. Guerrero has developed a relationship with the Nashville Symphony through four subscription engagements over the past two years and was the first guest conductor to lead the Symphony following the death of its last Music Director, Kenneth Schermerhorn, in 2005. He is currently in his sixth season as Music Director of Oregon's Eugene Symphony and will continue in that post through the 2008/09 season. Under the terms of an initial 5 year contract extending through 2012/13, Mr. Guerrero will conduct 10 weeks of concerts with the Nashville Symphony in 2008/09 as Music Director Designate and 14 weeks as Music Director beginning in 2009/10.

"We are all truly excited about Giancarlo's appointment," commented Alan D. Valentine. "From his first concert with the Nashville Symphony in the week following Kenneth Schermerhorn's death, the chemistry between Giancarlo, the musicians and the audience was apparent. Each return engagement since then has strengthened our relationship and reconfirmed what we already knew – that Giancarlo is the right conductor to take our orchestra to the next level. I speak on behalf of the musicians, staff and board in welcoming Giancarlo and his family to Nashville and to the Nashville Symphony."

"It is a great honor to become the next Music Director of the Nashville Symphony," remarked Giancarlo Guerrero. "I look forward to wonderful music-making with the musicians of the orchestra in their terrific new hall and to continuing the orchestra's rich and long recording tradition. This is an exciting time in the orchestra's history and it is my privilege to accept the responsibility of leading this orchestra to new artistic heights. I am thrilled about working with President Alan Valentine, the orchestra's staff, board members, and the musicians of the Nashville Symphony, and my family and I are looking forward to becoming a part of the Nashville community."

"The appointment of Giancarlo Guerrero ensures the continued growth of the Nashville Symphony," said Nashville Symphony Music Advisor Leonard Slatkin. "His dynamic leadership with the Symphony over the past several seasons made him the clear choice for this position. I know that he will add vitality and excitement to the community, as well as be a perfect fit for the orchestra."

Giancarlo Guerrero will lead the Nashville Symphony as its first Music Director since the opening of its new home, the $123.5 million, 1,844-seat Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which opened on September 9, 2006 to critical acclaim. Both Mr. Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony are champions of American music, which the Symphony has highlighted through its American Encores initiative – featuring "encore" performances of works by living American composers and American masters that have been performed rarely or only once previously (at its premiere) - and through its award-winning recordings on Naxos' American Classics series. Mr. Guerrero initiated a guest-composer series in Eugene, where under his leadership the ensemble has hosted several of America's most respected composers, including John Adams, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Aaron Jay Kernis and Michael Daugherty.

Hailed for his precise yet sensitive performances, Mr. Guerrero has guest-conducted many major American orchestras including the Baltimore Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Seattle Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. He served as Associate Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1999-2004 and made his Minnesota Orchestra subscription debut in March 2000 leading the world premiere of John Corigliano's Phantasmagoria on the Ghosts of Versailles. Mr. Guerrero recently made his European debut with the Gulbenkian Orchestra and his UK Debut with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

During the 2007/08 season Mr. Guerrero will conduct the Nashville Symphony's first classical series concerts on September 13-15, as well as Verdi's Requiem on May 8-10, 2008. In addition to his performances in Nashville and Eugene, Mr. Guerrero's conducting engagements this season include his return appearances with The Cleveland Orchestra both in Cleveland and on tour including the orchestra's residency in Miami. He also leads the Australian premiere of Osvaldo Golijov's chamber opera Ainadamar at the Adelaide Festival. Additional engagements include appearances with the symphony orchestras of Dallas, Kansas City, Milwaukee, San Diego, among others, and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela.

In June 2004, Mr. Guerrero was awarded the Helen M. Thompson Award by the American Symphony Orchestra League, which recognizes outstanding achievement among young conductors nationwide. Born in Nicaragua and raised in Costa Rica, Mr. Guerrero began his musical training in Costa Rica as a member of the Costa Rica Youth Symphony. He received his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in Texas and his master's degree in conducting from Northwestern University in Illinois. Mr. Guerrero's principal conducting teachers were Michael Haithcock, Stephen Heyde, Victor Yampolsky and Guillermo Scarabino. Prior to his tenure with the Minnesota Orchestra, he served as Music Director of the Tachira Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela. Mr. Guerrero plans to reside in Nashville with his wife Shirley and daughters Virginia and Claudia.

Recognized as one of the nation's fastest growing orchestras, the 84-member Nashville Symphony gives more than 200 performances annually and is rapidly developing an international reputation for unique programming and high musical standards. The Symphony's award-winning recordings and focus on new American music, coupled with the high-profile opening of Schermerhorn Symphony Center, have thrust the Symphony into the national spotlight. The Nashville Symphony has 11 recordings on Naxos and one on Decca, making it currently one of the most active recording symphony orchestras in the country. The recordings have received four Grammy nominations, including one for "Best Classical Album" in 2004 for the works of Elliott Carter. In the 2007/08 season, the Symphony's American Encores series will include performances of seldom-heard works by Richard Danielpour, John Corigliano, Michael Torke, Robert Sierra, Paul Creston, Claude Baker, Paul Hindemith, Erich Korngold, Kurt Weill and Aaron Copland, among others.

Labels: arts, costa rica, immigrants, nicaragua, venezuela

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Sep 7 2007 7:00P
Latino Art Opening @ Franklin City Hall; Franklin, Tennessee

Sep 8 2007 9:00P
BB King’s (downstairs stage); Nashville, Tennessee

Sep 13 2007 7:00P
Beats Beyond Borders benefit concert @ the Rutledge; Nashville, Tennessee

Sep 14 2007 8:00P
Latin Roots Expression @ Cafe Coco featuring Trio Ginga; Nashville, Tennessee

Sep 15 2007 9:00P
Noche Mexicana @ la Hacienda in franklin; Franklin, Tennessee

Sep 22 2007 7:00P
Voces Unidas (showcasing local hispanic talent); Brentwood, Tennessee

Oct 6 2007 8:00A
Walk As One - a walk for unity & diversity @ Centennial Park; Nashville, Tennessee

Source: www.myspace.com/dannysalazaryloskuatro

Salazar's bio on americanrootsmusic.org:

Danny Salazar was born in San Antonio, Texas, but grew up in the border town of Eagle Pass. As a child he could walk to the Rio Grande and look across the river to the Mexican town of Piedras Negras. At the age of 14 he began teaching himself to play the guitar and sing, drawing musical influences and styles from the wide range of music that his father listened to on the radio -- including cumbia, Tejano, country and pop. He also began writing his own songs. His parents spoke Spanish at home and so he grew up with the ability to speak and write in both English and Spanish.

Danny first came to Nashville in 2000, but left after six months to spend time traveling in Mexico – visiting his extended family in the state of Coahuila and seeking out the local variations of Latin music there, in the Yucatan, in Michoacán and in other parts of Mexico. He returned to Nashville in 2003, began performing with many of the Latino musicians here, and formed the band Danny Salazar y los Kuatro.

Salazar and his band have performed at many area festivals and events, such as Fiesta Belmont (Belmont University), Café con Leche (Vanderbilt University), P.A.P.A.Fest (Knoxville), Música de la Gente Festival (Coleman Park - Nashville), Live Along the Lake (Centennial Park - Nashville). Nashville Film Festival's Hispanic Films reception, Bethel World Outreach Cultural Festival (Nashville), and numerous Cinco de Mayo celebrations. He also regularly performs at Nashville clubs and restaurants, including 3rd and Lindsley, Douglas Corner, The Basement, Las Cazuelas, B.B. Kings and La Hacienda (in Franklin). The group has developed a large following among young Nashville Latinos.

The music that Danny writes and performs combines many elements of Latin music, including a variety of rhythms from South America and the Caribbean nations. Danny says that his goal is to "make a difference" through his music and he is very active in local community service projects. He is the lead musician-educator for Mexican-American educational programs in middle Tennessee schools and performed at the 2007 Música de la Gente Festival as well as the 2007 Miss Tennessee Latina pageant.

Labels: arts

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The School of Nashville Ballet will be welcoming a new faculty member, Mr. Gonzalo Espinoza. Mr. Espinoza will be instructing Upper Division classes, Adult Division Classes and assisting with the Youth Ensemble (an audition-only performing group). Born in Venezuela, Gonzalo danced with National Ballet of Venezuela and with the Ballet Nuevo Mundo. He has danced with Cleveland Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley, and has done extensive work with Dancing Wheels, a dance group encompassing both wheel chair and non wheel-chaired dancers. Former Assistant School Director of Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley, Mr. Espinoza brings a wealth of experience to the School of Nashville Ballet. Donna Delseni, School Director, states, "Gonzalo has the innate ability to bring out the best in all of his students and challenges them to aspire to greater levels of dance. We are so pleased to bring in an instructor of his caliber to our team of professionals here at Nashville Ballet."

Photo by Louise Docker

Labels: arts, venezuela

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33rd season of "Nashville’s longest running and only international performing series"

Discount tickets available through September 7

The United States premiere of Australia’s BalletLab and a performance by the Kronos Quartet highlight the 33rd season of Great Performances at Vanderbilt, Nashville’s longest running and only international performing series. The season will also bring a residency at Vanderbilt by the José Limón Dance Company.

Subscription packages for the eight-event series are available at Sarratt Student Center on the Vanderbilt University campus or online at www.vanderbilt.edu/greatperformances. Call 615-322-2471 for information. Subscriptions with deep savings off the single ticket price and premium seating are available through Sept. 7. Tickets for single events will be available through Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Box Office and Ticketmaster starting on Sept. 8.

Audience talk-back sessions, master classes and free previews at community venues are open to the public. The community previews with selected artists are hosted at various Nashville venues, usually the day before the full performance, through the Performance on the Move (POM) series.

The performances:

BalletLab, Australia’s lead contemporary company led by Phillip Adams, formerly choreographer for Australian Ballet, Chunky Move, and the Rotterdam Danse Groep, perform the work Origami. Nashville is the United States premiere site for the company’s 2007-08 tour.

The performance begins at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 in Ingram Hall. A POM event is scheduled for the preceding evening and a master class for Sept 30.

Tiempo Libre, Miami’s twice Grammy-nominated Cuban timba band, kicks off Vanderbilt’s Homecoming festivities with a free Alumni Lawn POM event at noon on Oct. 10. The seven-member group produces an irresistible dance-inducing mix of Latin jazz and rhythms. The evening main-stage performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in Ingram Hall. A preceding reception and panel discussion with the band will be facilitated by Vanderbilt’s Center for Latin American and Iberian Studies. A reception is scheduled for 6 p.m. followed by a panel discussion at 6:30 p.m.

José Limón Dance Company will perform several historical works, including Missa Brevis, which will feature nine Vanderbilt students as part of the university’s first dance residency. The José Limón Dance Company was founded in 1946 by José Limon and Doris Humphrey. Shows on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ingram Hall. A dance Master Class is planned for Oct. 27 and a screening for the award-winning picture, Limón: A Life Beyond Words, on Oct. 29. For a complete list of Limón residency activities, visit the Great Performances Web site.

The TEAM theatre troupe will perform Particularly in the Heartland. The TEAM has garnered Critics Choice awards from New York, Toronto, and London in addition to winning the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Firs award. The play portrays a fantastical journey to Kansas and is about losing sight of America and trying to fall back in love with it. The TEAM performs at 8 p.m. Feb.1 in Ingram Hall. A POM event is scheduled for the preceding evening.

Wu Man & Chinese Shawm Band, who exposed the Western world to the pipa, a lute-like instrument with a history of more than 2000 years, perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in Ingram Hall. Wu Man was schooled in the most classical style of Imperial China at the prestigious Pudong School. Her interpretations are sought out by Terry Riley, Philip Glass and others.

Kronos Quartet, the renowned contemporary string group, performs Sun Rings, a multimedia production created in 10 movements and commissioned for Kronos by NASA. The performance will feature a choir from Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music and celestial sounds and images from space recorded by Donald Gurnett, the James A. Van Allen/Roy J. Carver Professor of Physics at the University of Iowa. Kronos performs at 8:00 p.m. March 14 in Ingram Hall. A POM event is scheduled for the preceding evening with the quartet and founder David Harrington at the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory from 6 to 8 p.m.

Aquila Theatre Company will perform Joseph Heller’s stage adaptation of his classic novel, Catch 22. This is the first international professional tour of Heller’s own script. To date the play has only been produced once due to the popularity of Mike Nichols’ film version. The performance begins at 8 p.m. March 29 in Ingram Hall.

Black Grace Dance Company, an all male dance troupe from the mountains of New Zealand, marries the Pacific Island and Maori dancing heritage to modern forms. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. April 9 in Ingram Hall. A Master Class is scheduled for April 8.

Single ticket prices for individual performances are $34, $30 and $26 and will go on sale Sept. 8. Great Performances subscription campaign runs July 20 through Sept. 7 with premium seating choices and a savings of more than 20 percent off single ticket prices. Vanderbilt student ticket prices are available for $5. Non-Vanderbilt students including all high school and college youth can attend with valid identification for $10. Vanderbilt University faculty and staff may purchase the entire series for $104 before Sept. 7. All Tennessee state higher education faculty and staff may purchase the full series before Sept. 7 for $104 with a valid identification and photocopy of drivers license and completed order form in Room 207 of Sarratt Student Center or via mail to 207 Sarratt Student Center, Nashville, TN, 37240. A limit of two series tickets may be purchased per faculty or staff member.

For more information about Great Performances and season details call 615.322.2471 or, visit the homepage at www.vanderbilt.edu/greatperformances.

Media Contact: Bridgette Kohnhorst,(615) 322-2471
bridgette.kohnhorst@vanderbilt.edu

Labels: arts

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Tango & Togas' - Our First Annual Fundraiser
Sunday, August 19, 2007
6:30 to 9:00 PM
The Parthenon @ Centennial Park
West End Ave. & 25th. Ave. N
Nashville, TN 37204

Tango Nashville is taking over The Parthenon this year for our first Annual Fundraiser: 'Tango & Togas'.

Dance at the feet of Athena in this beautiful venue and historic Nashville landmark. Tango Nashville's Troupe will entertain with live performances, and heavy hors d'oevres, wine, and champagne will be provided. A silent auction with luscious items will run from 7 to 8:30 pm.

Tickets must be purchased in advance (No tickets will be sold at the door)
$40 per person ($25 are tax deductible)
$70 per couple ($50 are tax deductible)
Contributions are welcome for those unable to attend.
**Cash, check or money order only**
For reservations, purchasing tickets and/or contributions, please contact:
Diana Holland, 615.889.3390, connect@tangonashville.com

We would like to thank our gracious and kind sponsors:
La Hacienda Restaurant & Catering
Lipman Brothers
The Parthenon at Metro Parks

***Don't miss it! It will be a magical night!***

Photo by Chris Wage

Labels: argentina, arts

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The Tennessean reported here that Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. is presenting the results of a landmark study about attracting Hispanic listeners to the country music genre. The event is today at 4pm; details below.

More about the study can be found in this March 2007 story on the Hispanic Nashville Notebook.

WHAT: Presentation: "The Hispanic American Relationship to Country Radio and Music"

WHEN: Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 - 4:00 PM

WHERE: Massey Performing Arts Center Belmont University 1900 Belmont Blvd Nashville, TN 37212

COST: $20 at the door or online at www.crb.org

EVENT: The study of 600 Hispanics nationwide, age 12-49, and their relationship with Country music was commissioned by Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. and conducted by Edison to examine the growth potential of the format among America's most rapidly expanding demographic group, Hispanics. It shows the tremendous potential for growth in attracting "the newest Americans" to the Country format. There will be a panel discussion following the presentation. Panelists include Mike Dungan, President Capitol/Nashville (Record Industry); Kevin King, Program Director, 95.5 The Wolf WSM-FM (Radio); Gary Overton, Executive VP/GM EMI Music Publishing Nashville (Music Publishing); Bobby Roberts, CEO The Bobby Roberts Company (Talent Agency); Rick Trevino, Warner Brothers Records (Recording Artist). The moderator is Ed Salamon, Country Radio Broadcasters' Executive Director.

Labels: arts, business, country music

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Relaunch of Tennessee Hispanic Chamber

The Hispanic Nashville Notebook has free tickets to a preview screening of El Cantante, the story of salsa singer Hector Lavoe, starring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony (official movie site here, review here). The preview screening is at 7pm Wednesday, August 1, at Green Hills Regal Cinemas and is also being used as a kickoff event of the "new" Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce*, according to chamber President Ramon Cisneros.

For tickets, e-mail the editor of the Hispanic Nashville Notebook. The only information required is your name, your occupation, and your contact information, but extra consideration will go to submissions attaching original photos of anything related to Hispanic life in Nashville (for inclusion in the Hispanic Nashville Scrapbook).

*Hispanic Chamber 101: There are at least two active Hispanic chambers of commerce in Middle Tennessee: the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which is redefining itself after the ouster of its former President (story here).

Labels: arts, business, chambers

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Painter, sculptor, and architect, Freddie Cabral, aka “The king of metal” has relocated from Boston, MA to Nashville, TN where he will continue to give us with the product of his tasteful industry. Cabral, who during the seventies started his career in plastic arts and architecture at the prestigious universities “Autonoma de Santo Domingo” and “APEC” in his native Dominican Republic also lived in Paris from 1980 to 1985, completing his studies on monumental arts in the Ecole Nationale Superioure des Beaux-Arts.

Cabral's meticulous works, made from various metals, mud and wood as well as scraps, address the essential components or common fabric of all human beings, as well as the correlation between humans and their environment. It also links sources such as the ova and the sperm (two key elements of the biological creation during its initial phase), putting in perspective the similarities and differences of the cellular and the cosmic worlds. Opposing ways, yet concurrent.

In his creative universe Cabral uses items from everyday life such as nails, cans, and bottle tops, which would most likely be discarded. He transforms them into stars, astrals or other parts of the micro world, raising their category and degree of importance. The tenuous lights that emanate and flow from the interior of his work piece produce an optical illusion of closeness and distance, and cast a special effect of displacements of all participating elements which is most effective in dim or darkened rooms.

Freddie Cabral has presented 13 personal exhibits, the most recent one being “Prenumbras” (shadow cast) based on the year he spent at the University of Massachusetts in Boston as well as numerous collective expositions in different countries throughout Europe and America. Among these are France, Italy, Holland, Mexico, Cuba, Ecuador, Canada, and the sculptor’s homeland, the Dominican Republic.

In 1992, Freddy Cabral received the “Escultura de la Bienal” prize in his native Santo Domingo and in 1978, he was awarded the “Escultura Casa de España“. His creative work has been widely depicted in books and magazines that specialize on art of the different countries of the world.

“Cabral and Associates” has a workshop in Nashville, where they elaborate custom made pieces based on their clientele's ideas. Among these are murals, interior designs, metallic structures, jewelry, paintings, drawings, and sculptures in a wide array of materials. For more information, please call (615)513-8991.

Labels: arts, dominican republic, immigrants

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Exhibitions runs July 7 - September 16

The Tennessean reported here about Music City Picks, an art exhibition at Cheekwood revolving around prominent Nashville personalities and their favorite pieces from Cheekwood's collection.

Yuri Cunza, Jose Gonzalez, and Priscilla Partridge de Garcia were named among the curators. Cunza is President of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Gonzalez is a former Executive Director and co-founder of Conexión Américas and recently joined the faculty of Belmont University's College of Business Administration. Dr. Partridge de Garcia is a clinical psychologist with a degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in counseling psychology, with expertise in posttraumatic stress disorder with children and adults.

From Cheekwood's announcement:

In a unique exhibition, Cheekwood invites fifty Nashville residents known in the world of sports, politics, music, and more to browse through the collection and choose their favorite work of art. Music City Picks: Choices from Cheekwood’s Collection will provide visitors with a fresh perspective of Cheekwood. Guest curators can choose from familiar images such as works by Andy Warhol or Red Grooms, or they can bring a lesser known work back to light, such as an early American portrait or modern photograph. Some of the guest curators that have already committed include Andrea Conte, Red Grooms, Gordon Gee, Marty Stuart, John Hiatt, Butch Spyridon, Demetria Kalodimos, Daron Hall, and Nancy Peterson.

Labels: arts

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Davis-Kidd Booksellers announced that Gustavo Arellano will discuss and sign his book Ask a Mexican on Thursday, July 12th at 6:00 p.m.

The Nashville Scene runs the weekly "Ask a Mexican" column, as previously reported here in the Hispanic Nashville Notebook. The latest column can be found here.

From Davis-Kidd's announcement:

An irreverent, hilarious, and informative look at Mexican-American culture is taken by a rising star in the alternative media, as well as a new kid on the block in such mainstream venues as NPR, the LA Times, Today, and The Colbert Report.

Description:
DEAR MEXICAN:

WHAT IS "¡ ASK A MEXICAN " ?

Questions and answers about our spiciest Americans. I explore the cliché s of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power.

WHY SHOULD I READ "¡ ASK A MEXICAN " ?

At 37 million strong (or 13 percent of the U.S. population), Latinos have become America's largest minority -- and beaners make up some two-thirds of that number. I confront the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to me by readers of my "¡ Ask a Mexican " column in California's "OC Weekly," I challenge you to find a more entertaining way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo.

OKAY, WHY DO MEXICANS PARK THEIR CARS ON THE FRONT LAWN?

Where do you want us to park them? The garage we rent out to a family of five? The backyard where we put up our recently immigrated cousins in tool-shack-cum-homes? The street with the red curbs recently approved by city planners? The driveway covered with construction materials for the latest expansion of "la casa"? The nearby school parking lot frequented by cholos on the prowl for a new radio? The lawn is the only spot Mexicans can park their cars without fear of break-ins, drunken crashes, or an unfortunate keying. Besides, what do you think protects us from drive-bys? The cops?

Labels: arts, immigrants, mexico

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Labels: argentina, arts

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Latin music, musicians coming to town this weekend, through Tuesday

"Similar to ... Los Lobos"

"Intelligence, melody, atmosphere"

"A seamless expanse of hip-hop, jazz, rock, funk and salsa"

The Nashville Scene's Critics Picks column this week features three bands with latin sounds and/or Hispanic band members who will be performing in Nashville over the next few days: Los Duran, Deftones, and Ozomatli. Los Duran perform Saturday and Sunday; Deftones perform Saturday, and Ozomatli perform next Tuesday:

"LOS DURAN Gerard Duran and his band blend R&B, funk, jazz and guitar-centric rock for a sound at times similar to their fellow East Los Angelenos Los Lobos, though with less of a Latino bent..."

"DEFTONES ...the Deftones have from day one suggested intelligence, melody, atmosphere and an underlying yearning to reveal the delicate aspects of their voice. But, while frontman Chino Moreno and DJ/keyboardist Frank Delgado—easily one of the most understated, non-clichéd DJs working in a rock band today—have consistently brought a vision of ambience to the band..."

"OZOMATLI Reflecting the urban polyglot of their Los Angeles home, Ozomatli purvey a Latin dance party fueled by horns and covering a seamless expanse of hip-hop, jazz, rock, funk and salsa. The vibrant sound is impressive live, and the band won a Grammy for its third album, 2004’s Street Signs. ... Ozomatli’s new album, Don’t Mess With the Dragon, continues the 10-member collective’s multicultural explorations with a particular emphasis on its Latin pop roots...."

Labels: arts

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Purcell: Nashville is friendly and welcoming

Gentry: "Nashville looks like it's never looked before... it is great to see you here in peace, love, and unity."

Ethnically, linguistically diverse crowd

Nashville's Mayor Bill Purcell and Vice Mayor Howard Gentry both touted Nashville as a city of peace, love, diversity, and hospitality from the Broadway stage at the Luis Palau Nashville CityFest yesterday. The comments were made Saturday afternoon as the city officials shared the platform with, and offered the city's welcome to, headliner evangelist Luis Palau.

Mayor Purcell boasted of Nashville being a "friendly" and "welcoming" city. Vice Mayor Gentry said, "Nashville looks like it's never looked before," in an apparent nod to the diversity of the crowd, which was well represented by various ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians, caucasians, and indigenous/mestizo Hispanics. "It is great to see you here in peace, love, and unity," continued Gentry to applause. "I want to thank Luis Palau for bringing hope to Nashville," he said.

Prior to the officials' remarks, the seemingly inaccurately named quintet El Trio de Hoy performed in English and Spanish. At one point, the band asked in Spanish, "How many Spanish-speakers do we have here," and received audible applause in response (especially compared to the silence that met the question, "How many of you are from Puerto Rico?"). El Trio de Hoy performs again tonight in Clarksville (details here).

English and Spanish t-shirts in the crowd included references to Bible verses, such as Isaiah 40:31 ("Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint,") and Phillipians 4:13 ("Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece" - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.")

Labels: arts, faith

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Connect to Argentina this weekend: events in Nashville include Luis Palau, Tango Milonga, Fabian Bedne fundraiser

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Friday, May 11, 2007

Norteño accordion sales in Nashville highlight intercultural musical history and familiar fear

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Tango by Moonlight May 5

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Five Latin-American Artists at The Palette

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Monday, April 30, 2007

Fiesta Belmont: music, dance, food May 5

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Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Javier Arrieta nature photography at Palette Gallery; reception April 27

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Monday, April 23, 2007

Los Straitjackets at the Basement, Tuesday April 24

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Music is the star in Latino Film Series at Nashville Film Festival April 23-26

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Clarksville's Rivers & Spires Festival begins today; International Streetfest tomorrow and Saturday

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Tango and a Movie at the Nashville Film Festival Wednesday, April 25

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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Dollywood Festival of the Nations: Now through May 7

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

Artists from around the world to perform at second annual "Seeking Music" event this Saturday night in Brentwood

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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Charlemos Spanish April and May speakers

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Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Trafficking, health, and cinema: today's agenda of the Nashville Task Force on Refugees & Immigrants

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Monday, March 19, 2007

Thirteen percent: U.S. citizens from Latin America, Garth fans

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Friday, March 16, 2007

Nashville Ballet 2 performs children's ballet with narration in Spanish March 24 and 31

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Country music's Hispanic fans, Margarita, Caliente at B.B. King's, Latin Nights/Talent, March 24 festival, Symphony hosts world music, Del Castillo

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I think that there is a market out there for chicano american country singers, The one that has my attention at the moment is Gabe Garcia he is on Nashville Star 6 hopefully he takes the top spot but you should tune in and support the latin american star.

# posted by  Anonymous : 6:28 PM

 

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Friday, March 09, 2007

Free immersion in Mexican dance, music and art this Sunday at the Frist

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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout for string quartet - tonight at Blair School of Music

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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Beginner Tango classes start March 7; Tango and a Movie April 25

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Remedial Mexican-American student grows up to contemplate "dummy" Einstein on stage

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Peruvian folk art on display for first anniversary of Hispanic Community Group, February 24

Comments:

I am Peruvian, I'm so happy to see one part of my culture in your space, is really important what your country colaboration in the international difussion of the humanity history...

Thankss

# posted by  jair : 2:23 PM

 

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Thursday, February 15, 2007

From art to trade, politics to religion, Vanderbilt events eye Latin America

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Friday, February 09, 2007

Strings of Fire: Ramon Romero and Cuerdas de Fuego at TPAC Saturday

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