The young, unusual Latin jazz trio of Ilan Bar-Lavi plays a free concert in Chapel Hill this Saturday (11/19) at 5 pm in the FedEx UNC Global Education Center's Nelson Mandela Auditorium. The concert will close out this year's NC Latin American Film Festival.
This video by Martin Cohen at Congahead.com opens with a Bar-Lavi guitar solo:
The Israeli-Mexican guitarist is a 20-something graduate of Berklee School of Music; his own brand of avant-garde jazz blends his Latin and Middle Eastern roots.
LINKS:
Berklee Podcast: Ilan Bar-Lavi '09
UNC Global Event Calendar page
Presenter Event page
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Guadalupan Procession 3 PM TODAY (12/12)
On my way home from Orquesta GarDel last night, I stopped in at Durham's Immaculate Conception Church. It was just the right time to catch the last of the Mañanitas for the Virgin of Guadalupe, which went from midnight to 4 am. While I missed the mariachis (doh!), I was just in time to see a new addition to the celebration this year: banda, a thunderous brass, woodwind and percussion ensemble, derived from the tradition of military marching bands.
12.12. is a busy day for Mexican musicians, and Los Guanajuatenses told me they had already performed for a baptism earlier that day. After this 4 am set, they quickly departed the church by a side door, and headed home to Raleigh. Just enough time to rest up for the next gig--this afternoon, in Creedmoor.
Because the Virgin's day falls on a Sunday this year, the parade and procession today will be earlier than usual--3 pm--and will take a longer route through the Burch/Morehead Street neighborhoods. Anyone is welcome to come observe and/or walk with the procession, which is a mingling of parade floats, songs, dancers, and congregants from various folk traditions all over Mexico. It's a sight worth seeing. There's usually hot chocolate and sweet rolls or tamales at the church afterwards, and more indigenous dance groups. You'll find the church right at the Chapel Hill Road Exit 13, off Durham Freeway.
12.12. is a busy day for Mexican musicians, and Los Guanajuatenses told me they had already performed for a baptism earlier that day. After this 4 am set, they quickly departed the church by a side door, and headed home to Raleigh. Just enough time to rest up for the next gig--this afternoon, in Creedmoor.
Because the Virgin's day falls on a Sunday this year, the parade and procession today will be earlier than usual--3 pm--and will take a longer route through the Burch/Morehead Street neighborhoods. Anyone is welcome to come observe and/or walk with the procession, which is a mingling of parade floats, songs, dancers, and congregants from various folk traditions all over Mexico. It's a sight worth seeing. There's usually hot chocolate and sweet rolls or tamales at the church afterwards, and more indigenous dance groups. You'll find the church right at the Chapel Hill Road Exit 13, off Durham Freeway.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Arriba, Boricua
Everyone's Mexican on Cinco de Mayo. Dos Taquitos' patio party on Creedmoor Road was so gargantuan, the Coronas ran out and the mall parking lot was beyond capacity. Carnavalito played a 6-hour marathon of all your favorite Latin hits, from "La Bamba" to boogaloo to "Guantanamera." This party needs to clone itself.
Caught this nice video of the guys descargando, in their second to last hour, on the 1967 Pete Rodriguez hit "I Like It Like That." Everybody was feeling good; solos by Pako Santiago, timbales, and Billy Marrero, congas.
DON'T FORGET THESE DATES:
Carnavalito opens Mosaic Spring Music Fest this Thursday (5/13), [NOTE TIME CHANGE: 7-9 pm] with a concert on the patio at Mosaic Wine Lounge in Raleigh.
Carnavalito plays the Brightleaf Square outdoor concert series in Durham this Friday, (5/14), [NOTE TIME CHANGE: 8-10 pm].
Both concerts this week are FREE.
Caught this nice video of the guys descargando, in their second to last hour, on the 1967 Pete Rodriguez hit "I Like It Like That." Everybody was feeling good; solos by Pako Santiago, timbales, and Billy Marrero, congas.
DON'T FORGET THESE DATES:
Carnavalito opens Mosaic Spring Music Fest this Thursday (5/13), [NOTE TIME CHANGE: 7-9 pm] with a concert on the patio at Mosaic Wine Lounge in Raleigh.
Carnavalito plays the Brightleaf Square outdoor concert series in Durham this Friday, (5/14), [NOTE TIME CHANGE: 8-10 pm].
Both concerts this week are FREE.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Day of Devotions
Some pictures (link to my flickr set) from the procession through Durham's Burch Avenue neighborhood on 12/12, at 12 noon, for la Virgen de Guadalupe. Believe it or not, a rose bush outside the Church was in bloom. These store-bought roses were carried as a dais in the procession, then placed inside the sanctuary:
It was cold (40s), but we were lucky the rain held off until that evening. There was a mass after the procession, with dancing outside before and after. Some very sweet hot chocolate, coffee, a cocoa drink made with corn meal, some VERY DELICIOUS red tamales, and some sweet bread and rolls were served.
As every year, I ran into friends, old and new. I spoke with Irma Aguirre, whose photo in the black tilma with Guadalupe on it I run every year. She's an elder of the church whom I met the very first time I "met" Guadalupe, when I stumbled into a procession one summer to honor the new statue of the Virgin that had just been purchased (2004? 2005?). Curious, and not sure whether I was there to observe or to participate, I went along with Irma when she took me firmly by the arm, as we sang Guadalupan songs from her lyric sheet. She was there Saturday, as always, following the float with a microphone, leading the singing. Irma told me she's a mother of 13, but I suspect she's like a mother to many more than that.
Javier Solis, who runs security at the Guadalupan events every year, was keeping kids under parental supervision at all times, and keeping an eye out for gang members. To my surprise, he said he'd seen a few that day. There was an off-duty officer they'd hired on site. All was calm and bright as far as I could see, so I guess Javier and his crew had things under control. Among the invited demons to watch out for was this guy: I didn't notice it at the time, but he has a Teletubby doll hanging around his neck.
New friends made: Bolivar and Maximino, experts in pre-Hispanic dances from Tolucca, who have a dance group out in Wendell. They said they're going to call me when they perform; hopefully I'll get some video of that eventually. Maximino gave me a live demo of the deer dance, Venado, which whet my appetite to learn more about the different dances. These guys were spending the whole day visiting various churches for Marian devotions; from here, they were on their way to Clayton for a reenactment of the apparition of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, and a mass.
It's a hodgepodge of Guadalupan traditions from all over Mexico that meet on the streets of Durham; N&O reporter John Murawski gleaned this interesting fact for his story from my friend Javier. The Viejitos are from a region of Michoacan; they wear masks that resemble distinctly pink old men with pointed chins and white beards. They wear wooden sandals which act like tap shoes or clogs, and dance hunched over with canes. Also from Michoacan, I think, are the Inditas (a Mexican name for them, called something else here, but I don't remember), ladies with shiny satin aprons, braided hair and shawls.
People came out of their homes to watch the procession, some in wonderment. A woman asked me what this was, and I told her. She had a tear in her eye. Her name was Gwen.
The sun came out briefly as I photographed this mother and her daughter in a matachine costume at the end of the procession. Despite the chill in the air, there was a blessed warmth on the streets of Durham.
It was cold (40s), but we were lucky the rain held off until that evening. There was a mass after the procession, with dancing outside before and after. Some very sweet hot chocolate, coffee, a cocoa drink made with corn meal, some VERY DELICIOUS red tamales, and some sweet bread and rolls were served.
As every year, I ran into friends, old and new. I spoke with Irma Aguirre, whose photo in the black tilma with Guadalupe on it I run every year. She's an elder of the church whom I met the very first time I "met" Guadalupe, when I stumbled into a procession one summer to honor the new statue of the Virgin that had just been purchased (2004? 2005?). Curious, and not sure whether I was there to observe or to participate, I went along with Irma when she took me firmly by the arm, as we sang Guadalupan songs from her lyric sheet. She was there Saturday, as always, following the float with a microphone, leading the singing. Irma told me she's a mother of 13, but I suspect she's like a mother to many more than that.
Javier Solis, who runs security at the Guadalupan events every year, was keeping kids under parental supervision at all times, and keeping an eye out for gang members. To my surprise, he said he'd seen a few that day. There was an off-duty officer they'd hired on site. All was calm and bright as far as I could see, so I guess Javier and his crew had things under control. Among the invited demons to watch out for was this guy: I didn't notice it at the time, but he has a Teletubby doll hanging around his neck.
New friends made: Bolivar and Maximino, experts in pre-Hispanic dances from Tolucca, who have a dance group out in Wendell. They said they're going to call me when they perform; hopefully I'll get some video of that eventually. Maximino gave me a live demo of the deer dance, Venado, which whet my appetite to learn more about the different dances. These guys were spending the whole day visiting various churches for Marian devotions; from here, they were on their way to Clayton for a reenactment of the apparition of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, and a mass.
It's a hodgepodge of Guadalupan traditions from all over Mexico that meet on the streets of Durham; N&O reporter John Murawski gleaned this interesting fact for his story from my friend Javier. The Viejitos are from a region of Michoacan; they wear masks that resemble distinctly pink old men with pointed chins and white beards. They wear wooden sandals which act like tap shoes or clogs, and dance hunched over with canes. Also from Michoacan, I think, are the Inditas (a Mexican name for them, called something else here, but I don't remember), ladies with shiny satin aprons, braided hair and shawls.
People came out of their homes to watch the procession, some in wonderment. A woman asked me what this was, and I told her. She had a tear in her eye. Her name was Gwen.
The sun came out briefly as I photographed this mother and her daughter in a matachine costume at the end of the procession. Despite the chill in the air, there was a blessed warmth on the streets of Durham.
Friday, December 11, 2009
12/12 Celebrations in Durham
La Virgen de Guadalupe celebrations at the Immaculate Conception Church in Durham start tonight, FRIDAY 12/11 with a short procession at 6:30 pm.
Matachine dancers will be dancing in La Maldita Vecindad (informal name for an apartment complex on Hwy 98/Alston Ave) from 9 pm on; last year there was a shrine, snacks and drinks, and this went on all night until morning mass at the church.
A welcome change from when I first started going to these things is that the church will be open much earlier, from 11 pm tonight on, for Las Mananitas--singing "happy birthday" to the Virgin at her shrine inside the sanctuary, starting at midnight, with mariachis, roses, roses, and more roses, until 12/12 early morning mass at 5 am.
Saturday, 12/12 celebrations continue at 12 Noon with a longer procession through the Burch Avenue neighborhood. This is something worthwhile if you've never seen or walked in one before. I've never done it by daylight, as this used to take place Saturday night.
It's my personal feeling and opinion that you don't have to believe in anything, or be a Catholic, to come participate in this as a neighborhood community event. It promotes cultural diversity and some values I think most of us share: peace, community, dignity, and for a lot of people, faith. Check it out.
Links:
Full 2009 Schedule of Events PDF at Immaculate Conception Church website
2005 Indy Story and photo essay on the Virgin's Feast Day at Immaculate Conception Church, Durham
Matachine dancers will be dancing in La Maldita Vecindad (informal name for an apartment complex on Hwy 98/Alston Ave) from 9 pm on; last year there was a shrine, snacks and drinks, and this went on all night until morning mass at the church.
A welcome change from when I first started going to these things is that the church will be open much earlier, from 11 pm tonight on, for Las Mananitas--singing "happy birthday" to the Virgin at her shrine inside the sanctuary, starting at midnight, with mariachis, roses, roses, and more roses, until 12/12 early morning mass at 5 am.
Saturday, 12/12 celebrations continue at 12 Noon with a longer procession through the Burch Avenue neighborhood. This is something worthwhile if you've never seen or walked in one before. I've never done it by daylight, as this used to take place Saturday night.
It's my personal feeling and opinion that you don't have to believe in anything, or be a Catholic, to come participate in this as a neighborhood community event. It promotes cultural diversity and some values I think most of us share: peace, community, dignity, and for a lot of people, faith. Check it out.
Links:
Full 2009 Schedule of Events PDF at Immaculate Conception Church website
2005 Indy Story and photo essay on the Virgin's Feast Day at Immaculate Conception Church, Durham
Friday, November 27, 2009
Antorcha Guadalupana in Durham SATURDAY
The Antorcha Guadalupana, an annual torch run for human dignity from Mexico City's Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe to New York City, is passing through Durham this SATURDAY (11/28) around 6:30 - 7:00 pm.
Apparently Mayor Bill Bell will be among those speaking at the event at the Immaculate Conception Church on Chapel Hill St.
Festivities for the Virgin of Guadalupe begin in earnest the evening before 12/12, her feast day. Guadalupe is Mexico's "mother" and the patron saint of the Americas, and the celebrations include indigenous masked dancers, mariachis, food, flowers, processions and religious services (Catholic mass).
Here's some of my footage from past celebrations of the Virgin around Durham.
Apparently Mayor Bill Bell will be among those speaking at the event at the Immaculate Conception Church on Chapel Hill St.
Festivities for the Virgin of Guadalupe begin in earnest the evening before 12/12, her feast day. Guadalupe is Mexico's "mother" and the patron saint of the Americas, and the celebrations include indigenous masked dancers, mariachis, food, flowers, processions and religious services (Catholic mass).
Here's some of my footage from past celebrations of the Virgin around Durham.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Dia de Los Muertos Celebration Monday (11/2)
El Pueblo, Inc. will set up some traditional Day of the Dead altars this Monday (11/2), from 5-8 pm at International Foods Market, 421 Chapanoke Rd. in Raleigh. The public is invited to participate in an educational program on Dia de Los Muertos history and traditions, and to make contributions to the community altar if desired. There will also be folkloric dancing, activities for families with children, and information on El Pueblo's programs. Refreshments, including the traditional pan de muertos (bread of the dead) and hot beverages will be offered to participants.This info from Sharon Mujica:
"The Day of the Dead is a tradition that goes back to the time of the Aztecs. Through the years, this celebration has become a fusion of the Aztec and Catholic traditions. Currently, the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st, which is dedicated to the souls of children, and November 2nd which is dedicated to the souls of adults. During these two days, family members visit the graves of those who have died and build offerings which are created using specific elements. It is
believed that the spirits of those that have passed come back to this world to share with their loved ones and to enjoy their favorite dishes which are placed in the offerings.
In honoring the dead, El Pueblo also hopes to focus attention on "preventing premature or unjust deaths."
Links:
There are a lot of guides and images online for Day of the Dead altars; I suggest you do your own search. Here's one with directions on how to make your own.
Here's another page on Day of the Dead traditions by the UNC Institute for the Study of the Americas.
More info on the holiday from the Consortium in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at Duke and UNC.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
fuerte como un aguila
Mexican-American singer Lila Downs had an emergency appendectomy on August 23rd, and had to cancel a week of concerts. A note on her webpage says she is "strong as an eagle" and expecting a full recovery. Get well wishes may be sent to:
Lila Downs
P.O. Box 332
New York, NY 10002
Friday, August 28, 2009
FIESTA Preview & Updates...
It's here, La Fiesta del Pueblo, the largest 2-day Latino festival in the Carolinas. It will take place this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30, at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh in the same indoor/outdoor exhibition spaces used last year, in and around the Jim Graham Building. Admission is $5, and admission to the soccer tournament in the Dorton Arena will be an additional $2.
Full Stage Schedule for La Fiesta del Pueblo HERE
Headliners include "hurricane" salseros Orquesta GarDel, Peruvian rocker Santino and punta/soca band Kazzabe. I'm working on my preview of the musical highlights, so check back later today!
UPDATE added Friday night:
Buzz: I just got word from an alert tipster that Santino will be backed by Raleigh rockers Wrecking Season. (Thanks, Melinda!) I just checked out their myspace, and that's some sweet rockin' goodness! I can totally hear Santino with this, returning to his hard rocking roots with Peruvian hair band Fragil.
SANTINO performs Saturday 7pm and Sunday 4:30 pm
UPDATE added Sunday am:
Saturday headliners Orquesta GarDel really upped the ante, adding twists to their old arrangements and throwing a bolero into their set for vocalist Nelson Delgado. Pianist/keyboardist Eric Hirsh played around with new synth tones, adding celeste for example to "Boranda" (evoking memories of Charlie Palmieri's Alegre sessions). Some new, killer horn lines with bari sax jumped out at me on charts I've heard repeatedly. That was a real delight. Always giving us something new to listen to. The funk of "Eric's Timba" (still untitled) resounded with the old school dancers; it was great to see el pueblo dancing, mingling and having a good time.
La Tropa de Tierra Caliente--of Durham--have steadily improved their game as well since I saw them at last year's La Ley fest. This techno banda from the "hot regions" of Guerrero and Michoacan runs on valve trombones, synth tuba and aftershave. A male vocal trio harmonizes and bounces in a massive front line with the live brass, sandwiched by sythmeisters and backed by a lonely drumset on the back bandstand. Witness the energy:
With a quieter kind of attention, rapt crowds at the Cafe Teatro devoured the Colombian harp mastery of Pávelid Castañeda Sr., a real find at La Fiesta this year. (Brava to Fiesta programmer Margarita Correa-McAvoy who always manages to add new talent to the roster.)
A transplant to this area from Long Island with his own folk group Los Llaneros, Pávelid currently plays three days a week for afternoon tea at the Umstead in Cary. Pávelid is a long-time music educator and, if I'm not mistaken, the father of another amazing harpist who is making waves in the Latin jazz world: Edmar Castañeda. I heard Edmar play an unforgettable rendition of "Obsesion" with Cándido Camero and a Cuban ensemble led by Sonny Bravo at the NYC Blue Note in 2007. The manzana doesn't fall far from the tree! Pávelid did a one-man arrangement of Tito Puente's "Oye Como Va" (yes, the one made famous by Santana) that filled the senses. Colombian harp is a rare specialty in these parts, here's hoping we will hear him playing out in the Triangle more often.
Until I can get the full name of this 16-year-old musician in the Andean folk group Amerikantu, I'm going to dub him The Charango Kid. [His name is Jacob Cortez.] Big talent. His father Cesar Cortez plays guitar (far left) and the group is led by artist and musician David Sovero (center):
Sunday picks: 12:45 Mariachi Los Galleros, 1:30 Grupo Sarengue, 3:15 Bravo Norteño, 4:15 Kazzabe, 4:30 Santino.
Full Stage Schedule for La Fiesta del Pueblo HERE
Triangle, we got sabor!
Full Stage Schedule for La Fiesta del Pueblo HERE
Headliners include "hurricane" salseros Orquesta GarDel, Peruvian rocker Santino and punta/soca band Kazzabe. I'm working on my preview of the musical highlights, so check back later today!
UPDATE added Friday night:
Buzz: I just got word from an alert tipster that Santino will be backed by Raleigh rockers Wrecking Season. (Thanks, Melinda!) I just checked out their myspace, and that's some sweet rockin' goodness! I can totally hear Santino with this, returning to his hard rocking roots with Peruvian hair band Fragil.
SANTINO performs Saturday 7pm and Sunday 4:30 pm
UPDATE added Sunday am:
Saturday headliners Orquesta GarDel really upped the ante, adding twists to their old arrangements and throwing a bolero into their set for vocalist Nelson Delgado. Pianist/keyboardist Eric Hirsh played around with new synth tones, adding celeste for example to "Boranda" (evoking memories of Charlie Palmieri's Alegre sessions). Some new, killer horn lines with bari sax jumped out at me on charts I've heard repeatedly. That was a real delight. Always giving us something new to listen to. The funk of "Eric's Timba" (still untitled) resounded with the old school dancers; it was great to see el pueblo dancing, mingling and having a good time.
La Tropa de Tierra Caliente--of Durham--have steadily improved their game as well since I saw them at last year's La Ley fest. This techno banda from the "hot regions" of Guerrero and Michoacan runs on valve trombones, synth tuba and aftershave. A male vocal trio harmonizes and bounces in a massive front line with the live brass, sandwiched by sythmeisters and backed by a lonely drumset on the back bandstand. Witness the energy:
With a quieter kind of attention, rapt crowds at the Cafe Teatro devoured the Colombian harp mastery of Pávelid Castañeda Sr., a real find at La Fiesta this year. (Brava to Fiesta programmer Margarita Correa-McAvoy who always manages to add new talent to the roster.)
A transplant to this area from Long Island with his own folk group Los Llaneros, Pávelid currently plays three days a week for afternoon tea at the Umstead in Cary. Pávelid is a long-time music educator and, if I'm not mistaken, the father of another amazing harpist who is making waves in the Latin jazz world: Edmar Castañeda. I heard Edmar play an unforgettable rendition of "Obsesion" with Cándido Camero and a Cuban ensemble led by Sonny Bravo at the NYC Blue Note in 2007. The manzana doesn't fall far from the tree! Pávelid did a one-man arrangement of Tito Puente's "Oye Como Va" (yes, the one made famous by Santana) that filled the senses. Colombian harp is a rare specialty in these parts, here's hoping we will hear him playing out in the Triangle more often.
Until I can get the full name of this 16-year-old musician in the Andean folk group Amerikantu, I'm going to dub him The Charango Kid. [His name is Jacob Cortez.] Big talent. His father Cesar Cortez plays guitar (far left) and the group is led by artist and musician David Sovero (center):
Sunday picks: 12:45 Mariachi Los Galleros, 1:30 Grupo Sarengue, 3:15 Bravo Norteño, 4:15 Kazzabe, 4:30 Santino.
Full Stage Schedule for La Fiesta del Pueblo HERE
Triangle, we got sabor!
Friday, August 7, 2009
RITMO LATINO Festival in Cary SUNDAY
Free at Cary's Bond Metro Park this Sunday (8/9) from 12 noon-6 pm.
Here's a rundown of events from the festival organizers at Diamante Inc.:
UPDATE added 8/10:
It was hot as Hades, but still a great place to run into old friends:
Video coming soon...
Here's a rundown of events from the festival organizers at Diamante Inc.:
FREE EVENT – UN EVENTO GRATIS
Event Schedule
(Subject to change at any time)
Main Stage – Sertoma Amphitheater
12:45 PM - Welcome
1:00 PM - Brazilian Soul
1:45 PM - Bomba y Plena Cruz dance
2:15 PM - Tambor Vivo
3:00 PM - Venezuelan Dance
3:30 PM - Triangle Salsa All Stars
4:20 PM - Tapatio
5:00 PM - Bravo Norteño
Ritmo Lounge – Kiwanis Shelter
1:00PM - Dancing with music by DJ Mauricio
1:30 PM - Salsa Classes
2:15 PM - Zumba Classes (pending)
3:00 PM - Merengue Classes
3:45 PM - Percussion Workshop W/ Beverly Botsford
4:30 PM - Dancing with music by DJ Mauricio
UPDATE added 8/10:
It was hot as Hades, but still a great place to run into old friends:
Video coming soon...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Local Band Spotlight: Pachucos Coahuila
Meet Pachucos Coahuila--aka, bouncy rhythm slingers from Coahuila (via Raleigh):
I met accordionist Ramiro at the Farmer's Market last weekend, where he sold me some nice red yarrow and lantana.
Though originated in Colombia, this style of cumbia is favored in Mexico's northern Coahuila state and the associated Texas border region, Ramiro says.
I met accordionist Ramiro at the Farmer's Market last weekend, where he sold me some nice red yarrow and lantana.
Though originated in Colombia, this style of cumbia is favored in Mexico's northern Coahuila state and the associated Texas border region, Ramiro says.
Monday, June 15, 2009
taco heard round the world
Durham taco culture is booming:
New York Times, "36 Hours in Research Triangle Park"
(See Item 6)
La Vaquita was also featured in Gourmet magazine a year or so ago. The mole is to die for; I've heard raves about the pollo de crema and the flan. I hope all that publicity means they will never close. Little known fact: you can call your order in.
Photo credit: Lisa Brockmeier
I still mourn the de facto end of El Paraiso, on Alston Ave., which used to be run by that lady and her daughters who appear to have moved on. In the kitchen, she always had a giant bowl of masa dough from which she crafted all her various delicacies by hand. I've never had an empañada that was so light and crisp, so absent of dull, residual grease despite being fried. Heaven.
Last I was there, an interloper was selling only tacos, and those made with store-bought tortillas. Pirata! Someone has told me since that the wonderful, random murals on the bunker-like concrete structure have been painted over; no more floating Corona bottles on an electric lime-green background. I guess it's really over.
So, what's missing from your "36 Hours" list?
New York Times, "36 Hours in Research Triangle Park"
(See Item 6)
La Vaquita was also featured in Gourmet magazine a year or so ago. The mole is to die for; I've heard raves about the pollo de crema and the flan. I hope all that publicity means they will never close. Little known fact: you can call your order in.
Photo credit: Lisa Brockmeier
I still mourn the de facto end of El Paraiso, on Alston Ave., which used to be run by that lady and her daughters who appear to have moved on. In the kitchen, she always had a giant bowl of masa dough from which she crafted all her various delicacies by hand. I've never had an empañada that was so light and crisp, so absent of dull, residual grease despite being fried. Heaven.
Last I was there, an interloper was selling only tacos, and those made with store-bought tortillas. Pirata! Someone has told me since that the wonderful, random murals on the bunker-like concrete structure have been painted over; no more floating Corona bottles on an electric lime-green background. I guess it's really over.
So, what's missing from your "36 Hours" list?
Friday, May 22, 2009
street signs: what's happening in mex regional
Still trying to confirm who's playing tonight at Disco Rodeo in Raleigh; Los Sementales de Nuevo Leon? I think that's what I heard on La Ley 96.9 FM. Two local horn players have been contracted to play that gig.
Meanwhile, in Durham, found these posters on a phone booth along Roxboro Road:
Note: Ladies free all night at Salamandra. This place is the old "Big Pig," before that a Chinese restaurant (in the long long ago), on Hillsboro Rd.
Click on below photo to see larger. La Luna is in the middle of a cumbia sonidera dance contest. Could be interesting? I've often admired the DF street style of the teenage coup de baile.
Meanwhile, in Durham, found these posters on a phone booth along Roxboro Road:
Note: Ladies free all night at Salamandra. This place is the old "Big Pig," before that a Chinese restaurant (in the long long ago), on Hillsboro Rd.
Click on below photo to see larger. La Luna is in the middle of a cumbia sonidera dance contest. Could be interesting? I've often admired the DF street style of the teenage coup de baile.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Cinco de Mayo 411
I'm looking for live music this weekend for Cinco de Mayo. Gardel will be on the road at a Cinco de Mayo festival in Charleston.
However, local bands will play at both Dos Taquitos restaurants in Raleigh on TUESDAY (5/5):
Also, TONIGHT (FRIDAY 5/1) Dos Taquitos Centro will have mariachis from 7-9 pm.
UPDATE added Monday (5/4):
Saludos Compay plays a Cinco de Mayo party this Tuesday (5/5) at 9 pm Bailey's Bar And Grill, Rams Plaza, 1722 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, (919) 918-1005. Performers advertised are Erich Lieth (piano), Victor Murillo (guitar), Arturo Velasquez and Robert Cantrell (congas/percussion).
However, local bands will play at both Dos Taquitos restaurants in Raleigh on TUESDAY (5/5):
Carnavalito 5-11 pm, Dos Taquitos - Creedmoor Road location (outside party in dance tent/patio/bar)
UPDATED 5/5: Carnavalito members say the gig really is from 5-11 pm, with music in short sets all night starting punctually at 5. For your dining and dancing pleasure!
Sajaso 7-9 pm, Dos Taquitos Centro - Downtown location (appetizer and drink specials)
Also, TONIGHT (FRIDAY 5/1) Dos Taquitos Centro will have mariachis from 7-9 pm.
UPDATE added Monday (5/4):
Saludos Compay plays a Cinco de Mayo party this Tuesday (5/5) at 9 pm Bailey's Bar And Grill, Rams Plaza, 1722 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, (919) 918-1005. Performers advertised are Erich Lieth (piano), Victor Murillo (guitar), Arturo Velasquez and Robert Cantrell (congas/percussion).
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Linda y Los Camperos
Natividad (Nati) Cano with his vihuela, an instrument he learned to play at age 6. From age 8 to 14 he studied violin at the Academy of Music in Guadalajara.
In 1987, his mariachis backed Linda Ronstadt on Canciones de Mi Padre and the follow-up Mas Canciones. More recently, he has recorded three albums on Smithsonian Folkways, winning a Grammy this year for Amor, Dolor y Lagrimas. He lives in SoCal, near Santa Barbara. He and his band will be back on the East Coast in June, performing at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in D.C. One of the three festival themes this year is "Las Amerícas: Un Mundo Musical/Music in Latino Culture."
These mariachis are a national treasure, and Linda takes obvious delight in being ensconced in the traditional Mexican music she grew up with. She can still belt out memorable high notes, lovely long sustains reminiscent of her pop hits, and emotional breaking notes native to the ranchera idiom. Not that bravura vocal performance seemed to come completely effortlessly to her anymore (if it ever did--Ronstadt has always been a careful, even cautious performer; I noticed she had a velvet-draped computer monitor discreetly placed center stage as a lyric prompter, and some kind of remote device in her hand). While I found some of her renditions of classic rancheras flawless, others were darn good or just ok (her "Gritenme Piedras del Campo" was one of the latter, for me, but I'm partial to Cuco Sanchez' interpretation). What makes her an authentic performer nonetheless, and one people really enjoyed hearing at Merlefest, is not really the fact that she came out of this Mexican tradition, but that she returned to it with the American-made craftsmanship of her own particular sound, based in pop, folk rock and retro '50s balladry.
Linda's sets were broken up by songs highlighting the other singers in Los Camperos (pictured above). When you factor in that all these guys play violin at concert level, as well as being outstanding singers, their talent is truly tremendous. I chatted with Jesus "Chuy" Guzman (right, obscured by violin) backstage, he has been with Nati Cano the longest and also serves as his musical director. These mariachis seem very proud of what they do; with good reason.
Eight fantastic dancers from the Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte, based in El Paso, Texas, added dollops of color to the program.
"You should never separate dance music from the dancers. When you do it gets fast and stiff and weird," said Linda. "It's when we all started dancing to recorded music that it got weird."Interesting opinion from someone who made her name during the era of recorded dance music as the highest paid woman in rock. Linda's friend Emmy Lou Harris, who performed at Merlefest the night before, was in the house (and walked right by me, so I'm told--I must have had my back turned!) as was her long-time producer John Boylan, whom a fan spotted backstage.
Only three photographers were allowed on this platform at a time, and only during her first three songs; we had five minutes each on the platform, we were also supposed to keep our camera lens below stage level (pretty much an impossibility, but we obediently sank to our knees). I'm not sure why Linda has so many rules for photographers, honestly it just made it comically difficult to get good photos of her. A real crap shoot!
Camperos vocalist Ismael Hernandez. He gave a special smile for the cameras, below, which is one of my favorite shots from the show.
(click on photo to see larger).
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Bulgarian La Bamba
I mentioned Ferhat's sideman, Nuray, who comes from Bulgaria and is ethnically Turkish. While we didn't have a language in common, we were able to "converse" in snippets of a few Spanish cover songs he knows.
Sure enough, here is Nuray (in purple shirt, far right) singing "La Bamba" on KanalTurk TV:
Sure enough, here is Nuray (in purple shirt, far right) singing "La Bamba" on KanalTurk TV:
Monday, March 16, 2009
UNC acquires major artwork by Cornelio Campos
I am a big fan of painter Cornelio Campos and was DELIGHTED to hear from him, at the end of last year, that UNC was buying one of his large canvases. It's about time, not only that he achieve that kind of institutional recognition, but that a local entity with the resources to do so snap up some of his major work and keep it on display here, locally, on a permanent basis.
Now, this press release came from Sharon Mujica:
CHICLE, or the Chapel Hill Institute of Cultural and Language Education, is located above the Weaver Street Market in Carrboro.
Now, this press release came from Sharon Mujica:
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 5:00-6:30 at CHICLE,
Talk and display - HIS ART by local artist Cornelio Campos
About the Artist:
Cornelio Campos has worked and lived in his native Mexico, in California, and now lives in Durham, NC. He is an electrician by trade and the founder of Los Viejitos, a dance group from his native Mexico. His paintings include expressive narratives of his beloved home town of Cheran, in the state of Michoacan in Central Mexico, and of his immigrant experiences in the US. He has drawn since he was a young child, and began to paint at the age of 10. He attended art classes in Cheran, taught by Panfilo Macias, and CREA Summer School in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has recently purchased one of his paintings and it may be seen at the Campus YMCA.
Artist's Statement:
"My paintings are inspired by the nostalgia I have for my home town of Cheran, Mexico, my family, and the customs I grew up with. I also see my paintings as a tool for sharing my indigenous background, and for offering a teaching lesson to people here in the United States. I currently do two types of art; one which is folkloric, and the other would be considered political. In these pieces I address the issues faced by people from Central and South America — the lingering cultural significance of Spanish colonization, and the experience of creating a life in a new country. I would describe this work as narrative – a free expression of what I think about – a way to respond to what is happening in society in general, and the status of immigrants in the US." — Cornelio Campos
======
Please call us at (919) 933-0398 if you want more information.
CHICLE, or the Chapel Hill Institute of Cultural and Language Education, is located above the Weaver Street Market in Carrboro.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
One that got away: El Tri
Why doesn't Disco Rodeo have a website? Because they can pack the place without bothering to let the gringos know that El Tri is in town. I hear...I hear, they played there last night.
I really should listen to the radio more often. Mexican acts promote through three main means: Hispanic media (Que Pasa newspaper, La Ley 96.9 FM), physical postering at tiendas, and word of mouth. Zero web presence. Perhaps I need to increase my word of mouth presence; get a stringer on the street who, for a nominal subscription fee, would keep Onda Carolina up to date. This is one information gap Lisa and I intended to bridge, or at least make inroads, when we started the blog. But it takes time to chase down information at tiendas every week.
It would be nice to somehow make more connections between the two entertainment economies, the Hispanic word-of-mouth market, and the "mainstream" one where the threshold of expectation is that there will at least be an internet presence, maybe even a Facebook page. Mainstream promoters are often interested in breaking into this market, but it's a communications gap as well as, often, a cultural one.
Easier said than done. Still, this is a good reminder to keep trying harder.
I really should listen to the radio more often. Mexican acts promote through three main means: Hispanic media (Que Pasa newspaper, La Ley 96.9 FM), physical postering at tiendas, and word of mouth. Zero web presence. Perhaps I need to increase my word of mouth presence; get a stringer on the street who, for a nominal subscription fee, would keep Onda Carolina up to date. This is one information gap Lisa and I intended to bridge, or at least make inroads, when we started the blog. But it takes time to chase down information at tiendas every week.
It would be nice to somehow make more connections between the two entertainment economies, the Hispanic word-of-mouth market, and the "mainstream" one where the threshold of expectation is that there will at least be an internet presence, maybe even a Facebook page. Mainstream promoters are often interested in breaking into this market, but it's a communications gap as well as, often, a cultural one.
Easier said than done. Still, this is a good reminder to keep trying harder.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Mexico City at the Nasher through June 7
Link: My story about the exhibition in This Month at Duke
WHAT: Escultura Social: A New Generation of Art from Mexico City
WHERE: Nasher Museum of Art, 2001 Campus Dr. (corner Anderson), Duke University
WHEN: Jan. 15 - June 7, 2009 (Closed Mondays)
MUSEUM ADMISSION: Adults $5; Senior adults and Duke Alumni with card $4; non-Duke students with ID $3; Duke students, faculty and staff with ID, Durham city residents with ID, and Children 16 and younger FREE.
General Admission is FREE on Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tiger Beat
More love for Los Tigres del Norte.
Some excellent photos from Friday's show by my colleague Juan Manuel Cortez, posted here with his permission. Juan is a photographer and digital artist from Colombia who freelances for Que Pasa and other local media. He's also a friend of the local music scene. Check out his professional website here.
Now, a word or two must be said about my obsession with Los Tigres' sartorial splendor.
At this show, I was observing with considerable interest and admiration the fashion sense of this very youthful mexican-regional/norteño scene. I saw girls in the zip-up stiletto boots you see everywhere, but with western detailing. One young man who sticks out in my mind wore a light pinstripe suit, accessorized with a cowboy hat and belt in matching white (paging: Saturday Night Fever). Naturally cowboy hats were unisex, with girls often favoring the straw ones they wear to the beach. Men's shirts, hats and jewelry proudly proclaimed the Mexican state that they were from. These looks had spiffiness and self-confidence, dressed up to impress, with some of these items conveying caché as they are quite expensive (hats, belts and boots), yet still casual, mixed with items you can buy at the mall or la pulga.
As I was taking in the style sense of these Mexican teenagers and twenty-somethings, I was thinking, why doesn't someone rip this look for the catwalk?
Well, someone has.
Look closely at Los Tigres del Norte's bolero suits, seen in the 2008 publicity photo that leads the English portal to their website, which to my joy they wore for the show. Peacock blue, embroidered and "bedazzled" with hand-set rhinestones and floating jigsaw puzzle pieces of all the Mexican states. The back of the suits bear a Mexican flag, flowers, and "Mexico D.F." lettered across the shoulder blades.
When I received a brief audience with Don Jorge (applying his honorific prefix, as Los Tigres' elder statesman), I asked him: WHO made your suits, and how much did they cost?
The answer: Manuel of Nashville, the Mexican-born designer, now in his 70s, responsible for nearly every bedazzling piece of flamboyant Western wear to circulate in American culture since the '60s. Check out this website which has a fantastic video showing exactly how the clothes are made, and by whom. On Manuel's myspace, one modern celebrity says Manuel's clothes "feel like sex and money."
Don Jorge said he didn't know the actual cost of the suits, but with all the handiwork involved, he figured, "they must be pretty expensive, eh?" Charming man. He greeted me with an English "how are you?" and could not have been more gracious to me, not to mention to the innumerable fans who got photos and autographs that night.
Looking around for more about Manuel, the Mexican mastermind behind this bit of quintessential americana, I came across this 2005 exhibit at Nashville's Frist Center for the Visual Arts of 50 jackets designed to represent the American states. Clearly, this seems to be a prototype for the Los Tigres design, which was made to represent Mexico for their 2008 album of Mexican standards, Raices.
Do I dare go on about my obsession with Tigres bassist Hernán Hernández' distinctive, time-defying hairstyle? In the spirit of homage to Princess Sparkle Pony's photoblog of political hairdo gossip, I'm going to brave it.
Photo credit: Juan Manuel Cortez
I have toyed with ways to name this 'do, and after meeting Hernán, I'm going with the Susan Sontag Mullet. It was only a handshake, but enough to confirm my suspicions that Hernán wears a nice cologne, and enjoys some special attention from female fans. Ladies Love Cool Hernán.
Although the much-scorned mullet has fallen onto ridicule and parody in (much of) U.S. culture, clearly there remains an enduring precedent and healthy respect for proud manes within the Mexican stylebook. As a calling card, it hearkens back to Mexico's indigenous subtext, as well as the anarchic genius for self-invention and self-rule demonstrated by her migratory children, epitomized in the lyrics of the Jose Alfredo Jimenez song "El Rey." Be he rich or poor, the man who wears the Susan Sontag Mullet this boldly is his own sort of king.
Links: a full frontal daylight pic of the 'do at Getty Images.
Reuters caught this intriguing glimpse of it.
Some excellent photos from Friday's show by my colleague Juan Manuel Cortez, posted here with his permission. Juan is a photographer and digital artist from Colombia who freelances for Que Pasa and other local media. He's also a friend of the local music scene. Check out his professional website here.
Now, a word or two must be said about my obsession with Los Tigres' sartorial splendor.
At this show, I was observing with considerable interest and admiration the fashion sense of this very youthful mexican-regional/norteño scene. I saw girls in the zip-up stiletto boots you see everywhere, but with western detailing. One young man who sticks out in my mind wore a light pinstripe suit, accessorized with a cowboy hat and belt in matching white (paging: Saturday Night Fever). Naturally cowboy hats were unisex, with girls often favoring the straw ones they wear to the beach. Men's shirts, hats and jewelry proudly proclaimed the Mexican state that they were from. These looks had spiffiness and self-confidence, dressed up to impress, with some of these items conveying caché as they are quite expensive (hats, belts and boots), yet still casual, mixed with items you can buy at the mall or la pulga.
As I was taking in the style sense of these Mexican teenagers and twenty-somethings, I was thinking, why doesn't someone rip this look for the catwalk?
Well, someone has.
Look closely at Los Tigres del Norte's bolero suits, seen in the 2008 publicity photo that leads the English portal to their website, which to my joy they wore for the show. Peacock blue, embroidered and "bedazzled" with hand-set rhinestones and floating jigsaw puzzle pieces of all the Mexican states. The back of the suits bear a Mexican flag, flowers, and "Mexico D.F." lettered across the shoulder blades.
When I received a brief audience with Don Jorge (applying his honorific prefix, as Los Tigres' elder statesman), I asked him: WHO made your suits, and how much did they cost?
The answer: Manuel of Nashville, the Mexican-born designer, now in his 70s, responsible for nearly every bedazzling piece of flamboyant Western wear to circulate in American culture since the '60s. Check out this website which has a fantastic video showing exactly how the clothes are made, and by whom. On Manuel's myspace, one modern celebrity says Manuel's clothes "feel like sex and money."
Don Jorge said he didn't know the actual cost of the suits, but with all the handiwork involved, he figured, "they must be pretty expensive, eh?" Charming man. He greeted me with an English "how are you?" and could not have been more gracious to me, not to mention to the innumerable fans who got photos and autographs that night.
Looking around for more about Manuel, the Mexican mastermind behind this bit of quintessential americana, I came across this 2005 exhibit at Nashville's Frist Center for the Visual Arts of 50 jackets designed to represent the American states. Clearly, this seems to be a prototype for the Los Tigres design, which was made to represent Mexico for their 2008 album of Mexican standards, Raices.
Do I dare go on about my obsession with Tigres bassist Hernán Hernández' distinctive, time-defying hairstyle? In the spirit of homage to Princess Sparkle Pony's photoblog of political hairdo gossip, I'm going to brave it.
Photo credit: Juan Manuel Cortez
I have toyed with ways to name this 'do, and after meeting Hernán, I'm going with the Susan Sontag Mullet. It was only a handshake, but enough to confirm my suspicions that Hernán wears a nice cologne, and enjoys some special attention from female fans. Ladies Love Cool Hernán.
Although the much-scorned mullet has fallen onto ridicule and parody in (much of) U.S. culture, clearly there remains an enduring precedent and healthy respect for proud manes within the Mexican stylebook. As a calling card, it hearkens back to Mexico's indigenous subtext, as well as the anarchic genius for self-invention and self-rule demonstrated by her migratory children, epitomized in the lyrics of the Jose Alfredo Jimenez song "El Rey." Be he rich or poor, the man who wears the Susan Sontag Mullet this boldly is his own sort of king.
Links: a full frontal daylight pic of the 'do at Getty Images.
Reuters caught this intriguing glimpse of it.
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