Monday, December 08, 2008

Community calendar

The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre in New York City celebrates its 40 years of artistic excellence with a fundraising party this Wednesday. Proceeds will help finance the costs for the theater's Training Unit for young people and its free of charge summer tour.

To view details, click on image.


Sunday, December 07, 2008

Clemente's Memories of El Barrio


IMG_1943
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
Watercolor artist Clemente Flores at his opening reception at the East Harlem Cafe. His paintings capture the Barrio of his Memories. This Nuyorican says he envisions images from his youth and paints them. He doesn't use photographs. He says he remembers the pictures from his mind and memories. Check out his work currently on exhibit at the cafe.

Also, tune in to my most recent PRSUN Radio show in which I speak about Clemente Flores' exhibit at
www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio

Segun baja el sol en la calle Noragazy

Today's featured image from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by haymaco.

Feliz Navidad.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Thursday, December 04, 2008

The Legacy of Ramon Velez and the Social Amnesia of a Community

Viewpoint

The news of the death of South Bronx power broker Ramon S. Velez this past week left me a bit divided in my feelings. He was such a huge figure in stateside Puerto Rican politics, leaving behind a major institution he built in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, that he is hard to ignore. However, the amnesia about how controversial he was by the likes of what were his mortal enemies at the time, such as Herman Badillo, Ed Koch, Juan Gonzalez, Wayne Barrett and others (are they all getting too sentimental in their old age?), took me aback.
Velez was genuinely proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and his homeland, Puerto Rico, but his legacy, represented in the sorry state of Puerto Rican politics in the South Bronx today, needs to be examined much more critically.
Whether you liked him or not, he had a major influence on the shape of Puerto Rican politics today, and his death, after battling Alzheimer's for so long, should be a time of reflection of the man and his impact on our community. While it is much easier to just say nice things about him now that he has passed away (and, hey, I got along with him fine), we owe our younger generations a more honest accounting of his legacy. Alzheimer's is a terrible disease for an individual and his or her family, but a self-inflicted social amnesia is worse for a whole community. I think Don Ramon would agree with me.

Un abrazo,
Angelo Falcón, president and founder
National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)

This article was originally published in the Latino Policy newsletter.

Pasteles and Rice

Pensamientos

Pasteles
are our pastry
We even have 
rice on holidays -- Samaris Ayala


Wednesday, December 03, 2008

One-on-One with Broadway’s Natalie Toro


Broadway actress and singer Natalie Toro reflects on growing up in the Bronx and her professional journey. During Puerto Rican Heritage Month in November, I had the pleasure of listening to Toro sing and to hear a little of her story at an event in the Bronx. Toro recently spoke with Puerto Rico Sun about her mom, her Broadway career and her new CD.
Q: Please tell me a little about you. Where do you live?
A: I live in Manhattan on the Upper West Side.
Q: You recently were honored during the Bronx Puerto Rican Heritage Month celebration. What does having that honor mean to you?
A: Being in this business, being a woman and being a Latina, makes it difficult to achieve certain things because you are always judged by the color of your skin and ethnicity. But in the theater, you can go beyond the color of your skin. You have to think outside the box, but I never forget where I come from and what my family (especially my mom) had to go through to help me realize my dream. And being honored because I realized my dream is a double honor. I am a very proud Puerto Rican, and I let everyone know it.
Q: Please share a little about your Bronx experience. What was the best and worst part about growing up in the Bronx for you?
A: Because I am a "dreamer," I don't think I live in most people's realities. Since I always find the "positive" in almost everything, I found the Bronx to be a very positive environment. I started to take the subway, the number 2, at a very young age. I became very independent and since I love people, I would be the one smiling at everyone even though I would always hear that sometimes smiling at the wrong person can get your killed! I never adhered to that warning, so I had a wonderful time growing up. Also I think since I grew up in apartments, it would be very hard to move into a house. LOL
Q: You mentioned that your mom named you after Natalie Wood. What does that mean to you? Are you a fan of Natalie Wood?
A: Well, my mom looked like Natalie Wood and just as beautiful. I remember just staring at her all the time. And since my absolute favorite musical is "West Side Story," I became an instant fan of Natalie Wood. And since my mom didn't give me a middle name, I feel just as special as Natalie Wood changing her name.
Q: Your mom seems to have played an instrumental role in your career and keeping you focused early on. You have said that after your big performance at the age of 5 at the Apollo, she enrolled you at the†Manhattan School of Music, which started it all for you. Could you please elaborate on this?
A: Manhattan School of Music is a private college that has a preparatory division for children on Saturdays. I went for 10 years since I was eight years old. I studied piano, voice and music theory. I got my first taste of big production values when I was in the cast in the operas there. I was around children that excelled in music. I participated in Concerto competitions, which to this day, kind of flips me out that I was able to do that.
Q: In your professional career, what are you proudest of so far and why?
A: My opening of "Les Miserables" on Broadway. That was my way of feeling "I've made it." I held on to the role of Eponine for three years. I remember fans writing me and telling me how much I've changed their lives. From then on, I realized how much I do affects people when I sing and perform, and I never take that for granted. My motto is that if I can change one person's life, then I did my job! The other thing I am most proud of is my new CD. I produced it myself with the help of a friend.
Q: What has been the hardest, most challenging part of your career and why?
A: The most challenging is being seen to audition for something you feel in your gut your are right for and can't get an appointment because of politics or just that your timing is off or the people in power don't feel like you are right. But I have an amazing agent now and they will work their tail off to get me in an appointment.
Q: You recently had a CD release party. Tell me a little about your CD and what it is about. Where could people purchase it?
A: My new CD is awesome! It's pure Broadway music and a little more but with a twist. I wanted something different not just the ordinary Broadway CD. I hired seven different arrangers and had meetings with them about how I heard whatever song they were going to do. They took my ideas and went off to write some of the most beautiful arrangements I have ever heard. I had a small budget and with that, I hired some very talented musicians. I recorded the CD right here in the heart of Manhattan. It just was released on November 23rd to a crowd of 150. I sang about eight of the tracks and people seem to love it.
I was able to show off a part of my voice that many people don't get to hear often because I am considered a "belter." So there are many beautiful acoustic songs that make me happy. There is a NY number with a NY flair and beat. It's really cool. Anyone that wants to purchase one can go on my website at www.natalietoro.com and click on CDs or go direct to www.cdbaby.com.
Q: What's next for you?
A: I am focusing on promoting the new CD. Since the release party was so successful, I have to start to book myself into venues to sing some tracks to get the word out. Since I am my own company, this will be a challenge. But I am confident that with my Broadway status and the quality of the CD, that I will be able to let people know about it. Fans are amazing and they are very dedicated. When I meet a new fan, I give them the personal attention as if I were meeting a new friend. They are making me feel special and I want them to feel special as well. I am also now available for concerts, which I do in between Broadway gigs. I sing for private parties and corporate events as well as solo concerts in various halls around the country.
Q: Please tell me anything else I didn't ask that you'd like to share.
A: I think it's important for me to tell young kids or anyone that wants to get into this business, from the Bronx or anywhere else to first get your education. Go to school and involve yourself in any type of the arts that interest you. You may not get paid, but the experience is worth gold. And you never know who you might meet in the process that will give you your first professional job. I did four years at a Conservatory and it paid off.
To listen to Natalie Toro’s music or for more information about this empowering Latina, go to www.natalietoro.com. – Clarisel Gonzalez

(Photo by Clarisel Gonzalez of Natalie Toro performing at the Bronx Puerto Rican Heritage Month celebration last month; photo of the cover of Natalie Toro's new CD)

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Community calendar

December events at Cemi Underground in NYC's El Barrio:

7 p.m., Thursday, December 4
Book Presentation -
The Accidental Santera by Irete Lazo
Free

7 p.m., Friday, December 12
Taino Open Mic Poetry Hosted by La Bruja
$7

7 p.m., Saturday, December 13
Book Presentation -
Friends 'Til The End by Julie Ojeda Nin
Free

noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, December 14
Olga Ayala's Polymer Clay Workshop for Beginners-
Workshop Fee: $60 includes materials

7 p.m. Friday, December 19
Open Mic Poetry Hosted by Raul 'Kahayarix' Rios
$7

For more information or to purchase books, www.cemiunderground.com.

Editor's Note: The following titles are also available online at the Puerto Rico Sun aStore. Just click on these links:





Remember that shopping at the PRSUN aStore is a way of supporting the Puerto Rico Sun project. Shop PRSUN.
Navidad Criolla

Capicu Poetry Hosts Second Annual Holiday Toy Drive To Benefit Headstart School In Brooklyn

PA'L PUEBLO II

Capicu Poetry in association with Notice Lounge have partnered to host our second annual "Pa'L Pueblo" holiday celebration and community toy drive in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Toy donations and 100% of the proceeds from the door will benefit children of the Brooklyn's Bushwick United "Toys For Head Start" program, located at 153 Johnson Avenue. This special event will be hosted by co-founder PaPo Swiggity and will feature live "Parranda" style music, Nuyorican / Urban poetry, comedy and community.

Sponsorship development is currently underway, so contact CapicuPoetry@Gmail.com if you are interested in being a part of this event.

Event Details

7-11 p.m., Friday, December 12
Notice Lounge & Cafe, 198 Union Ave (between Broadway & Montrose) Brooklyn, NY
Admission: $10
The organizers will also collect unwrapped toy donations in the 1-3 year old range.

(What's Included: Free "Cuchifritos" with donation and after party admission.)


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About Bushwick United Headstart

BUSHWICK UNITED HEAD START is a non-profit organization that provides low income families and their children aged 3-5 years old the opportunity and services that they need and may not be able to receive because of limited income. The agency has five centers located within the Williamsburg/Brooklyn communities.

source: Sofrito PR Wire

Garita


Garita
Originally uploaded by carlos aviles.
Today's featured Old San Juan shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Carlos Aviles.

Monday, December 01, 2008

RIP Ramon Velez, a South Bronx legacy

Featured story

A South Bronx Story Ends
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/12/a-south-bronx-story-ends.html

@ Framing AIDS


@ Framing AIDS
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
Spoken word poets Emanuel Xavier and La Bruja strike a pose before a piece of artwork at the opening reception of the Framing AIDS exhibit program at the Queens Museum of Art. Framing AIDS is a multimedia exhibit program in honor of World AIDS Day.

Framing AIDS continues this month.

For more information, go to www.framingaids.us or www.qmad.org
.

Today is Cyber Monday

Consider shopping at the PRSUN online stores. Support independent community media pa' ti.

Go to the PRSUN Stores listed in this blog and click on the links.

Remember that shopping at these stores is a way of supporting this social entrepreneurship project aimed at empowering, informing and building community.

Shop PRSUN.