Saturday, June 30, 2007

Activism

UN Observer, Fri, 29 Jun 2007
VIEQUES AT THE UNITED STATES SOCIAL FORUM
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean archipelago: the smallest of the Greater Antilles. Invaded by the United States in 1898 during the Spanish American War, Puerto Rico was put under US rule as war booty. Today, Puerto Rico is still a militarily occupied colony.
For more, go to
http://www.unobserver.com/layout5.php?id=3684&blz=1
don't want to be
By Samaris Ayala

don't want to be a piri thomas
dont want to be a julia de burgos
don't want to be a raul julia
don't want to be a freddie prince
don't want to be short eyes
just want to be me
we had a curse,
and i believe it's being lifted
Roberto Clemente may he rest in peace


Samaris Ayala contributes her writings to Puerto Rico Sun. She may be reached at sallypatches@yahoo.com.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Film

Loisaida Cortos Seeks Entries

Loisaida Cortos Latino Film Festival 2007 (LCLFF 2007) will take place on Sunday, September 16, 2007 at La Plaza Cultural, an outdoor community garden in New York’s historic Lower East Side, and organizers are seeking short-film and still-photography submissions for this festival.

Films must be 30 minutes or less, made by, featuring and/or about Latino themes and/or Latino Filmmakers, and be in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or an indigenous language. For submission guidelines and an application, go to www.loisaidacortos.com.

Located at 9th Street and Avenue C (Loisaida Avenue) in the heart of “Alphabet City,” La Plaza Cultural has been the home of the festival since its 2002 inception. A reception and exhibit of inspired and fun-filled art and photography by Latino artists will also feature a live performance by a special musical guest, and of course—salsa dancing! There will also be an after-party at neighborhood bars and restaurants sponsoring the event.

LCLFF is racking up its share of awards and honors: Éramos Pocos (One Too Many) by Borja Cobeaga (LCLFF 2006) was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 79th Annual Academy Awards. Hasta La Muerte (Till Death) by Juan Pérez-Fajardo (LCLFF 2005) was nominated for Best Short Film–Animation at Spain’s Goya Awards in 2007.

A comprehensive DVD press kit, designed by 2004 Student Academy Award–winner Robert Castillo, featuring a selection of films and artists from LCLFF 2002–2006, along with information about upcoming events and LCLFF 2007 will be available soon. E-mail info@loisaidacortos.com to request a copy.

March and October 2006’s screening-fundraisers at Agora Loft on W. 34th Street drew hundreds of supporters, helping spread the word to artists, performers, and filmmakers.

Festival co-founders Ellie Diez and Sílvia Mesalles have developed plans to expand LCLFF worldwide. Recent events organized by Mesalles and MonxetaStudio (www.monxeta.com), a cutting-edge visual communications and new-technologies design studio, include the third annual international Loisaida Cortos Barcelona at the Maumau Underground this past May 18. Mesalles will also host the first annual LCLFF Antwerp (Belgium). Plans are underway to expand to university film departments in Latin-American countries and to Latino communities in Europe and Asia.

Gearing up for New York’s sixth annual LCLFF 2007, co-founder Ellie Diez is hosting the first LCLFF Mexico, screening a selection of LCLFF-2006 shorts this summer in Mexico City. Diez is also planning an LCLFF 2007 blast-off party in September featuring performances by spoken-word artist Vanessa Hidary, and special guests, along with selected shorts from LCLFF 2002–2006.

LCLFF is a free community event that takes place annually in a diverse, multicultural neighborhood in New York’s historic Lower East Side. LCLFF gives Latino and Latino-American filmmakers a unique opportunity to have their quality short films professionally screened at an outdoor festival venue, providing the valuable exposure needed to broaden their spectrum of industry opportunities while helping artists and audiences to cross cultural and national borders and find common ground. While LCLFF cultivates its Latino-American audience, its broader mission is to introduce the creativity and artistic contribution of the Latino spirit to non-Latinos, fostering appreciation of the diverse, dynamic Latino culture.

For more information about LCLFF and upcoming events:

www.loisaidacortos.com.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Community Calendar

Upcoming event

His passionate delivery made every word count." John Hoglund- Backstage

GREG PURNHAGEN
in BABALU-CY!
The Art of Desi Arnaz featuring Georga Osborne
Musical Director~ David Cook
Bass~Yoshi Waki Drums~Chad Hochberg
Johnny Durkin~ Percussion
Ravi Best~ Trumpet Kurt Stockdale- Sax
Ryan Kebberle~ Trombone
Directed by Leonard Peters
Wednesdays, July 11, 18 & 25, 7:00p.m.
The Metropolitan Room
34 West 22nd Street, NYC reservations 212.206.0440$25 cover/2 drink minimum
$5 MAC/Cabaret Hotline discount
www.metropolitanroom.com
www.cabarethotlineonline.com

IMG_1278


IMG_1278
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
@ Rincon Criollo

Photo -- on the set of Open, Bronxnet's morning interactive program, for a segment of the docu-concert premiere of Bomplenazo

Host Rhina Valentin interviews Tato Torres of Yerbabuena as audience members listen.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Community Calendar

Upcoming Event
Friday, June 29
ENCUENTRO/ENCOUNTER
A musical and spoken word performance
Featuring poet Bobby González and musician Joe Falcón
@ the new Cemi Underground store in East Harlem

For more information, go to

www.cemiunderground.com

Friday, June 22, 2007

A note from Luis Pagan

An Invite to the Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Parade & Artisan's Fair @ The Yonkers Riverfront Library

Location: The Yonkers Riverfront Library
1 Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY
When: Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m.
Phone: 718-684-3919

Hola Familia,

This Saturday I'll be one of the vendors participating in the 1st Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair in Yonkers. If you have spare time, come check us out, eat food, listen to music (YERBABUENA & other bands are scheduled to perform) & buy some art. I'll be there all day. I hope to see you there.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Featured story

Angus Reid, Mon, 18 Jun 2007
U.S Would Keep Puerto Rico's Status Quo
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in the United States believe
Puerto Rico should continue to have the same ties it currently has with
their country, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox
News.
For more, go to
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewItem&itemID=16171

Monday, June 18, 2007

The fallen of the war# 3


The fallen of the war# 3
Originally uploaded by ramon82.
The fallen of the war# 3
Boots of a fallen soldier from Puerto Rico.
Photo by ramon82

Saturday, June 16, 2007

IMG_1121


IMG_1121
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
Boxer Miguel Cotto speaks to TV reporter during the Puerto Rican Parade.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Commentary

Cotto Wins But Why Fight on Eve of the Puerto Rican Parade?
By Ismael Nunez
Last weekend New York City was dedicated to Puerto Rican pride. June 8 to 10 was filled with many activities geared to the PR community. There was the annual 116th Street festival in El Barrio and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which is one of the country's largest cultural parades. And on the eve of the parade, Miguel Cotto defended his welterweight crown in Madison Square Garden.
Last Saturday night, Cotto entered the ring with 29-0 record with 24 by knockout, and in title matches he was 9-0 with 8 KO’s. That night he added one more win/KO by knocking his opponent Zab Judah from Brooklyn in 11 rounds.
From the beginning of the fight, Cotto scored many punches to the body. By the 10th round, the hits started to show on Judah. By the 11th round, Cotto came in, landing punch after punch. Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. had no choice but to stop the fight to save Judah from further punishment.
So, the boricua won.
The Puerto Rican community was happy and Cotto participated in this year's Puerto Rican Day Parade. Last year, he did the same thing: he attended the 116th Street festival, fought and then participated in the parade. And many are saying this is becoming an annual tradition for Puerto Rican pride, but what does it mean?
My question is why fight on this specific weekend for Puerto Rican pride?
If it is about Puerto Rican pride, why doesn't Cotto fight in September during “Grito De Lares”? Why not fight in April to remember the birthday month for the father of Puerto Rican Independence Ramon Emeterio Betances. Those are also days to celebrate Puerto Rican pride.
If Cotto wants to make it an annual tradition to fight on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade, then why not use his platform to send a stronger political statement for Puerto Rico?
For instance, when Cotto fights in June, why not let it be known that in the United Nations every year around this time there are hearings on Puerto Rico? Cotto's victory is shown to make the people forget the problems on the island, but it is just as important to remind them at all times of those problems.
Puerto Rican pride is more than a boxing match, a parade and a so-called tradition.

Ismael Nunez is an East Harlem-based freelance writer who contributes to Puerto Rico Sun.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Featured story

Sun-Sentinel, Thu, 14 June
Citizens want political status defined
More than 650,000 Puerto Ricans live in Florida, more than in any other state except New York. As the state and its communities continue to experience the growth of the Puerto Rican community, it is important to recognize that this growth is partly due to the island's undefined political status. Just last year, in the aftermath of Puerto Rico's government shut-down, many Puerto Ricans left the ...
For more, go to
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-forum14ricanjun14,0,601743.story?track=rss

Spotlight: Marcia Parilla


Marcia Parilla
Originally uploaded by prsuncom

Danza Organica


Danza Organica
Originally uploaded by prsuncom

Dance

New Company ‘Dances Organically’ onto the Urban Stage
By Robert Waddell

In the last year dancer Marcia Parilla has performed in garden and in open air fountains finding a connection between natural movement and nature. She allowed a friend to videotape her and she came up with the idea for her own dance company, “Danza Organica.” Today, Parilla, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, brings modern to the most basic, the pastoral setting. In nature, she said, is where movement was perfected, Native Americans and Africans all danced outside.

“While dancing outside,” said Parrilla, “I found it to be a very centering experience and all of my senses were activated and I found a lot of beautiful true movement.”

With a recent performance in June and another one in August in New York City, Parilla’s ten-member dance company brings Martha Graham-type of interpretations to an organic natural setting.

“The work that we do is from the inside out,” she said. “We let go of preconceived notions of how we’re supposed to be and I like to say that we ‘deconstruct in order to reconstruct’ and then the true movement comes out of that.”

Parilla has a dancer’s robust posture. She rejects currents stands of beauty, opting for a fresh, open luster. For a dancer, how one stands silent is as important as how one moves. Parilla is grace personified with natural hair, little make-up and no dieting.

“The way that I move is not salsa or samba dancing so there is getting rid of what your supposed to be in order for the true movement come out,” she said.

It may seem unstructured, she said, but it comes from the dancer’s interpretation of nature and their environment. Parrilla’s efforts can be compared to Bronx choreographer Arthur Aviles’ invention of swift flow. Things may seem improvised but in fact the dances are well-organized works of art.

“I still train, but I’m in the process,” she said. “I’m very careful about implementing the things that I know that I’m trained in. It’s kind of a way for dancers to discover within themselves with a deep connection to their environment.”

Parrilla stills works to put her company together with 10 dancers from Puerto Rico, Iran, Thailand and the United States. She’s looking for more male dancers.

“I wanted to have a cast of dancers that are from different cultures from around the world. I want us to reach out to as many people as possible,” she said.

Parrilla said that the term “natural environment” was tricky especially as applied to her dance. She’s looking for dance movements that arise in connection with nature but she said that the environment changes. The environment could be buildings. One's environment can serve as a pallet or a backdrop for dancers to draw movement and ideas for performance.

The company’s first performance was in early June in New York City. Parrilla said that dancing outside was liberating. In a studio, there are bars, mirrors, wooden floors.

She held auditions and chose performers. The first performances will be inside but inspired by the organic world.

Parrilla stimulates her dancer’s curiosity to learn, explore, challenge themselves and create from the world around them. For example, if some dancer were to create a dance around the ideas of the Plaza de Mayo, then those ideas would show respect to the historical value to the mothers of Argentina, she said.

“We work with elements like humanity, the environment, political and social issues as well as sharing our dancing ability,” she said.

Parrilla provokes her dancers to create sequences out of movement, classic dance, body weight, space, negative space and their imaginations. The world around them becomes their canvas and the ink in which to actualize formed structured dances. The dances have direction but during the creation of those dances, improvisation is used and molded into formalized dance structures.

“This comes from all of the dancer’s energy so that they can all feel a part of this new creation,” said Parrilla. “Dance to me is a reflection of society. If I were doing a dance about Argentina, I would incorporate the tango and if in Puerto Rico, the plena. Those things need to be there because we have to keep our ancestry present.”

Marsha Parrilla and her company “Danza Organica” will be performing in lower Manhattan at Far Space in August.

Robert Waddell is a Bronx-based freelance writer and a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Featured story

New York Daily News
Flight? What flight?
Back in 1958 when the first Puerto Rican Day Parade set off up Fifth
Ave., Boricuas were without question the dominant Latino group in New
York City. And they would remain so for decades to come.
For more, go to
http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2007/06/07/2007-06-07_flight_what_flight-1.html?ref=rss

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

IMG_1078


IMG_1078
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

Community Calendar

Bronx Week kicks off June 16 and runs until June 24.

Among the activities is:

Arts & Culture Day on June 21
BronxNet TV's Music & Film Screening Gala
Live Latin music, festivities, and the screening of a powerful documentary on the history and culture of Puerto Ricans in the Bronx.

LOCATION: Centro Cultural Rincon Criollo, 157th Street & Brook Avenue
TIME: 12pm - 7pm
ADMISSION: FREE
INFO: 718-960-1181, www.bronxnet.org

For more events, go to www.bronxweekevents.com.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Que Viva Puerto Rico

Here's an e-zine article written (with photos) by Eliud Martinez (also known as DeLares) about the "Puerto Rican Day Parade, Remixed" exhibit reception in Manhattan:
http://www.nowpublic.com/american_ethnic_parades_as_forms_of_cultural_performance
For photos depicting the parade, go to:
"Puerto Rican Day Parade, Remixed" FLICKR group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/393849@N23/

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Film

¡Pálante, Siempre Pálante!
The Young Lords
Friday, June 8, 6:30 pm
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse at 165th Street
Free with Museum Admission

By Iris Morales (1996). Followed by a panel discussion with the director. The story of the Young Lords, the Puerto Rican civil-rights organization formed in the early 1970s, which occupies a unique place in New York's history.

RSVP AT (718) 681-6000,Ext. 102 or education@bronxmuseum.org

a veces nadie viene a verme


Saturday, June 02, 2007

Featured story

23 from Puerto Rico graduate as city police
By Nicole Fuller
(Baltimore) Sun reporter
Originally published June 2, 2007
They left behind their homes near the beach. Their young children. The ease of speaking in the language of their homeland. Twenty-three men and women left behind their lives in Puerto Rico for the chance to work as police officers in a city many had never heard of - Baltimore.

Yesterday, a class of graduates of the city's police academy - the first with a large group of Puerto Ricans since the department led a recruitment effort on the island last year - received their diplomas in a ceremony that not only acknowledged their service, but celebrated their diversity.

For more, www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.ci.graduation02jun02,0,1637634.story?track=rss