Keep Your Eye on Lopez

On the sports corner

In front of the home crowd in Puerto Rico, World Boxing Organization Super-Bantamweight Champion Juan Manuel Lopez defended his title against Gerry Penalosa last weekend. Lopez entered the ring with an impressive record of 24 victories, 22 by knockout.
Lopez did not lose a single round.
Penalosa’s heart is most likely what kept him going throughout his fight with Lopez. But by the ninth round, Penalosa’s trainer Freddie Roach had seen enough and threw in the towel to stop the fight.
Harold Lederman, judge for HBO Boxing, said: “It’s hard to believe that they didn’t stop the fight a whole lot sooner; it’s Lopez’s fight from the opening bell.”
Freddie Roach said, “He was way to strong, my fighter’s face was banged up, he was too good.”
And Max Kellerman, boxing commentator, described Lopez as tough.
While Lopez’s win is definitely good news for Puerto Rico, the question now is whether he will move up in weight class. Since he’s beaten up everyone in his division, it makes sense. Can he do like the other Puerto Rican champions Wilfredo Gomez and Felix Trinidad who moved up in weight class and won more titles? Can and will Lopez move up? We’ll see, so keep your eye on Lopez. He’s definitely a fighter to watch. – Ismael Nunez


Ismael Nunez is a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun.

PRSUN Radio chats with Tato Torres of YERBABUENA

Tato Torres chats with PRSUN Radio at 9 p.m. Wednesday at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.

He is spending his birthday with us. Happy birthday Tato!

Torres who now lives in Puerto Rico will be chatting with PRSUN Radio on boricua roots music, YERBABUENA, his newest project ChivoLoco and more.

To read Tato's bio, check out my blog at www.blogtalkradio.com.

Jacobo and Denise

Photo op



Puerto Rican filmmaker (el maestro) Jacobo Morales and actress and former Miss Universe Denise Quinones pose for a photo after an event at Hunter College April 21. Morales was among the panelists on a talk focusing on Puerto Rican cinema and the challenges of rising cinema as part of the Havana Film Festival in New York City. Morales' movie "Dios Los Crio II" (2004) had its NY premiere at this year's festival. (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

For more of my photos, go to www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel. Click on my Puerto Rican in NYC events photo set.

Feliz Cumpleaños a La Casa Azul Bookstore

On the reading corner

La Casa Azul celebrates one year anniversary as online store today

So much has happened since the website launched in 2008; we've had book readings, signings, and book clubs in local venues. Incredible collaborations have been created with organizations and writers who believe in La Casa Azul Bookstore, in its mission and purpose. I want to thank the bookstore supporters who read the newsletter, attend events and buy books online.

Here are 10 ways to continue supporting La Casa Azul Bookstore:

1. Buy your books online, www.lacasaazulbookstore.com.
2. Join the Barrio Book Club.
3. Attend our local events.
4. Volunteer at an event.
5. Be a part of the Founding Familia, be a bookstore investor!
6. Be our friend on Facebook.
7. Follow La Casa Azul Bookstore on Twitter.
8. Forward this entry to 10 friends!
9. Host a book reading at your school/class/club/organization.
10. Buy your books online, www.lacasaazulbookstore.com

Once La Casa Azul Bookstore opens its doors, East Harlem will have a place to celebrate and feature Latino literature for years to come. Celebrate La Casa Azul Bookstore's birthday at the "Dia del Niño/ Dia del Libro" event on Saturday April 25th. --Aurora Anaya-Cerda



Aurora Anaya-Cerda is the owner of La Casa Azul Bookstore and a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun.

Miss Puerto Rico will be represented in 2010 Miss America

There she is...Miss Puerto Rico.

Que bueno that Miss Puerto Rico will be part of the lineup in the 2010 Miss America pageant. After all, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. With Puerto Rico's great track record in the Miss Universe pageant, who knows we may have a Miss America soon.

Here's a press release:

LINWOOD, N.J., April 22 /PRNewswire/-- For the first time since 1961, Miss Puerto Rico will be competing in the Miss America Pageant in January 2010. The 2010 Miss America Pageant will now showcase 53 incredibly talented, intelligent and beautiful young women live on TLC from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. (Pageant date TBA.)

"We are truly excited to welcome Puerto Rico back to the Miss America Organization and are thrilled to have Miss Puerto Rico competing this year," said Art McMaster, President and CEO of the Miss America Organization. "The Miss Puerto Rico Organization has a tremendous amount of pageant expertise and business savvy, and will surely thrive as part of the Miss America program."

The Miss Puerto Rico Scholarship Program will be headed by Executive Director, Joselo Sostre. Sostre is a logistics officer by trade and has extensive business experience in the areas of strategy, creative development, design, production and staging of event programs. Joselo is joined by Vice President, Arlette Velez; Secretary, Darwin Cabrera; Fashion Designer, Steven Rosengard, and veteran Choreographer, Brett DeBeaulieu.

Similar to the states, District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Miss Puerto Rico Scholarship Program will provide scholarship awards to program participants and will hold an annual competition, the winner of which will proceed to the national competition as Miss Puerto Rico. The Miss Puerto Rico Competition will be held in Caguas, Puerto Rico
with the winner being crowned on Saturday night, July 18 by Miss America 2009 Katie Stam.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Puerto Rico back into the Miss America Pageant after almost 50 years of absence, said Joselo Sostre. " With our current economic crisis, this is a great scholarship opportunity that will provide hope and empowerment to young women who are pursuing their dreams."

About Miss America

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local affiliates made available more than $45 million in scholarship assistance. For more information, visit http://www.missamerica.org.

Source: The Miss America Organization

Cemi Underground to close shop

I am sad to learn about the closing of Cemi Underground, a cultural haven in El Barrio in its short yet rich history. Luis Cordero led a store with nonstop events aimed at highlighting Puerto Rican writers, artists and cultural workers. The good news is that Cordero says the store is closing down, but that the mission of Cemi Underground to support boricua talent will continue.

This is the latest treasure catering to the Latino arts scene that closes in East Harlem. This is yet another setback and something has to be done to preserve EL BARRIO, SPANISH HARLEM!

Here is a letter from Luis Cordero on Cemi's closing:

To our many friends and supporters:

Unfortunately, after two years we are forced to close our doors at the end of April. Cemí Underground has hosted more that 150 cultural events and we have prided ourselves in being able to have added our voice and efforts to those entities engaged in maintaining the Boricua cultural identity and heritage alive and well in New York City. We hope others will continue the effort and they can surely count on our wholehearted support.

We are closing our doors at Lexington Avenue, but we will continue to promote our art and artists...You can help us by supporting our CEMI CULTURAL EXPO* a fundraising event scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m. at The Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center, featuring some of the talent that has graced our humble stage including Mariposa, La Bruja, Bobby Gonzalez, Arnold Acevedos El Boogie Down Comedy Show and many more surprise guests. The featured performers that evening will be none other than the foremost ambassadors of our culture worldwide: Los Pleneros de la 21!

You are welcome to our two last events at Cemí Underground on Saturday, April 25 and Thursday, April 30.

Continue to visit our websites: www.cemiunderground.com and www.galeriacemi.com as we will continue and double our online efforts...

Reciban un abrazo.

Luis Cordero

*Cemi Cultural Expo is a cultural event and collaboration between Cemí Underground, Boricuation, LatinosNYC, Ku Karey Spiritual Circle, Art By Mia, Taller Boricua, Los Pleneros de la 21 and many individuals who have supported Cemí Underground these past 2 years.

Editor's Note: Support the Cemi Cultural Expo. For more information, www.cemiunderground.com.

Listen to an interview I did with Cordero earlier this year at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio about Cemi Underground.

Gente, feel free to leave comments right here on this news on Cemi Underground and what are your hopes. Do you see this as a blow to the Latino arts scene in NYC? What are your memories of Cemi? What are your thoughts on Spanish Harlem/El Barrio?

For a Better Bronx to honor Vicente 'Panama' Alba

Tribute to honor this boricua activist for his tireless work of four decades



For a Better Bronx, a community-based organization in the South Bronx dedicated to achieving environmental, social and food justice, will honor its board president this Friday. Among other things, Panama has been a voice in the struggle for independence for Puerto Rico, freedom of political prisoners, justice for workers and immigrants as well as the quality of life of the Bronx.

(Click on the image for larger text.)

Manny's Mosaics @ the East Harlem Cafe

Community calendar



Meet mosaic artist Manny Vega.

To check out some of his mosaic work online, go to www.artbymannyvega.com.

Buscando nuestras raices trip to la isla

Our raices

Comité Noviembre
Mes de la Herencia Puertorriqueña

Third Annual Trip to Puerto Rico

"Buscando Nuestras Raíces"
August 6-13

8 days/7 nights
Exclusive Package Includes:

* Roundtrip Airfare with American Airlines
* Airport pick-up & drop-off in Puerto Rico
* Hotel accommodations at the beautiful Embassy Suites Hotel & Casino, Isla Verde
* Cook to order & buffet breakfast each day
* Luxury Coach Bus Transportation for planned excursions and events
* Guided tours of historical & cultural landmarks
* Receptions and live entertainment
* Workshops by renowned Puerto Rican artists, musicians, historians and anthropologists

Space is limited.

For price and other information
http://www.centropr.org/documents/news/2009_CN_TRIP.pdf

source: Centro

NCPRR to meet in New Jersey

Community calendar

Board meeting, The National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR)
Noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 25
FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development, Inc.
441-43 Broad Street
Newark, NJ


· Hear updates on the upcoming National Puerto Rican Convention to be held on October 9-11, 2009.

· Get involved with the NCPRR North Jersey Chapter

Hosted by the NCPRR North Jersey Chapter

For more information, contact José Velázquez at
Jevche (at) aol.com or call (973) 748-5007.

For more information on the NCPRR, go to www.ncprr.us.

Bronx PR Parade is May 17

Community calendar

Bronx Puerto Rican Parade Inc.

1-4 p.m., Sunday, May 17
Grand Concourse from 176th street to 167th street

Theme: "The Islands of the Caribbean"
Dedicated to the Bronx American Legion Post
And the Press

Applications are being accepted for every country
and every island that wants to be a part of the parade.
For more information, bxprparade@yahoo.com

(Photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

MARCY PLACE 'TODO LO QUE SOY' OFFICIAL VIDEO

See related story below.

source: OrfanatoMusic on YouTube

Marcy Place is in the running for a Billboard’s Latin Music award

The Bronx’s own Marcy Place, an urban bachata group discovered by reggaeton star Don Omar, is competing for tropical airplay song of the year for a duo or group for the Billboard’s Latin Music Awards next week.
Marcy Place, the latest in a new crop of urban bachata artists, is made up of Juan Carlos Cabrera who is known as JC and brothers Billy Pabón and Joey Pabón. Marcy Place is nominated for its hit “Todo Lo Que Soy” featuring Don Omar, and the bacheteros are definitely planning to attend the ceremony in Coral Gables, Florida.
“I’m excited; I can't believe we are actually nominated,” says JC of the Bronx.
Marcy Place faces tough competition. They are running against “El Aquel Lugar” (Adolescent’s Orchestra), “El Perdedor” (Aventura) and “Ahora Es” (Wisin y Yandel).
JC says he is amazed to see his group running in the same category as the likes of bachata kings Aventura and reggaeton stars Wisin y Yandel.
JC says it's “weird to be fans of these people” and to be running in the same category as them.
JC, who was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York when he was a boy, says he's looking forward to the big night. So far, he says, the nomination is one of the group’s biggest accomplishments.
Billboard’s Latin Music award ceremony will be on Thursday, April 23, and the show will be aired on Telemundo. The Billboard’s honor the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music as determined by actual sales and radio airplay data that inform Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period from the issue dated Feb. 9, 2008 to Jan. 31, 2009.
JC describes Marcy Place as an urban bachata group with influences from other genres such as R&B, pop, merengue and hip hop.
“Bachata is like R&B but in Spanish,” he says. “We sing about heartbreak and many of the same subjects.”
Before joining Marcy Place, JC worked as a sound engineer in Lenny Santos' (the guitarist and musical producer/arranger of Grupo Aventura) studio at a street named Marcy Place in the Bronx. Billy and Joey are of Puerto Rican heritage and they live in Brooklyn. Before joining Marcy Place, they worked as supervisors in a factory and restaurant respectively.
Don Omar discovered the talented guys when he went to record songs at the studio where JC worked. JC collaborated in the arrangement and chorus in Don Omar’s hit “Canción de Amor,” a bachata.
Don Omar was impressed and signed them to his label Orfanato Music Group.
JC recalled that the three were actually not a group. JC and the Pabon brothers were pursuing their own bachata projects, but it was Don Omar’s idea that they should unite as one group and gave them the name Marcy Place.
JC who is a Don Omar fan says he is grateful for his hands on approach.
Don Omar, he says, has been supportive of the group since the beginning. JC who writes songs for Marcy Place says he has also learned about the way Don Omar writes. Don Omar gives them feedback on choosing songs.
Late last year, Marcy Place released its first album, B From Marcy Place, a 12-track featuring 10 original songs as well as collaborations by Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel, Jayko and Divino.
From the streets of the Bronx to the world, Marcy Place’s goal is to share the contagious rhythm of urban bachata.
JC describes Marcy Place as “new, refreshing, innovative and ready.”
He says the group is currently promoting its CD and touring the United States and Puerto Rico.
The group’s short-term goals are to continuing to promote their music in the United States and abroad.
“Our long-term goal is to continue to have success in this business,” he says.
JC gives this advice to a young person interested in music, “Follow your dreams and give more than 100 percent.”
To find out more about Marcy Place, go to their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/marcyplacemusic. – Clarisel Gonzalez