Friday, July 27, 2007

Theatre

Pregones Theater Presents La Caravana/The Caravan
Sunday, August 5

Pregones Theater is thrilled to present its 9th annual free-admission summer tour of metropolitan New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, part of the exciting 2007 JPMorgan Chase Summer Arts Series. This year's featured musical theater production is a new staging of the ensemble's original bilingual play, La Caravana/The Caravan. Performed by actors in colorful Puerto Rican "vejigante" (carnival masquerader) costumes, the play is based on the poem "The Saltimbanco's Elegy" by Luis Palés Matos and on the folk legend of María Sabida as told by Judith Ortiz Cover.

Don't miss this exuberant explosion of color, song, dance, and laughter! Performances are in Spanish and English, free to the general public, and suitable for family audiences.

Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Rincón Criollo
Address: 749-753 Brook Avenue in the South Bronx
Admission: Free

Contact Info
Pregones Theater
www.pregones.org
(718)585-1202
571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx

source: www.ilovethebronx.com

Friday, July 20, 2007

1, 2, 3, 4...


1, 2, 3, 4...
Originally uploaded by Nanniqui.
Puente La Hamaca sobre el Lago Garzas. Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Photo by Nanniqui

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Featured story

Chicago Tribune, Mon, 16 Jul 2007
Fight flap riles Puerto Ricans
Under pressure to join U.S. states in banning cockfights, the island territory holds fast to traditional blood sport. With cockfighting about to lose its last bastion in the United States, animal-rights activists are training their sights on Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory where the blood sport is both beloved tradition and big business.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-cockfight_16jul16,1,4056692.story?track=rss

Cemi Underground Poetry

Photo by DeLares (Eliud Martinez)

Prisionera declaiming her poetry at Cemi Underground.

For more info., click on the photo and go to DeLares' page at flickr.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

In the Mailbox

Greetings!

Last Chance! Call to get your tickets for El Cantante!

Join PRLDEF for the exciting pre-screening of El Cantante, the major motion picture starring Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, based on the life of legendary salsa star Héctor Lavoe.

PRLDEF has partnered with Picturehouse Films to bring this movie to the screen at the AMC 25 in Times Square on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 – two weeks prior to its August 3rd release. The show will be preceded by a cocktail reception, hosted by Rums of Puerto Rico, in which we will be treated to the exhilarating sounds of the yet-to-be-released El Cantante soundtrack.

The tax-deductible contribution for the event is $150 per person, with proceeds going directly toward funding PRLDEF’s many legal education programs. Please contact me at 212.739.7511 or salome_galib@prldef.org if you want to reserve tickets.

source: John Garcia, PRLDEF

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Film

Press Release

World Premiere & PBS Broadcast of The Borinqueneers

CROMPOND, N.Y. -- The experience of Latinos in the U.S. Army has rarely been portrayed in film. Now comes The Borinqueneers (pronounced Boh-rin-keh-neers), the never-before-told story of the 65th Puerto Rican Regiment, the only all-Hispanic unit in the history of the U.S. Army. Narrated by Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope, Pretty Woman), this compelling 78-minute documentary relies on interviews with the regiment's veterans and rare archival footage to trace the unique experience of the 65th, culminating in the Korean War and the dramatic events that would threaten its very existence. The world premiere screening will take place on July 13th at the Newark Museum in Newark, NJ, with other screenings scheduled in various other cities. PBS stations nationwide will begin broadcasting a one-hour version of the program in August (check local listings).

Named after "Borinquen," the word given to Puerto Rico by its original inhabitants, the Taino Indians, the Borinqueneers formed a tight-knit unit bound by a common language and a strong cultural identity. First-time director and producer Noemí Figueroa Soulet spent eight years researching the story and locating veterans of the regiment, some of whom have since passed away. Through their voices, the documentary explores the unique history of the 65th Regiment and illustrates many of the issues surrounding the U.S. relationship with Puerto Rico and the broader Latino experience. "Puerto Ricans occupy a very special place in the history of the U.S. Army," says Figueroa Soulet. "As a former colony and now a commonwealth, we don't have the right to vote in U.S. elections, and yet we serve in the military and we can be drafted."

In 1950, the men of the 65th finally had the opportunity to prove their mettle in the Korean War. In spite of the prejudice that was still the norm in the Army, they performed impressively during the first years of the war, even earning kudos from General MacArthur. "I was glad that the Puerto Ricans were on my side," says Colonel Willis Cronkhite, a 65th company commander.

But as the Korean War bogged down into a stalemate, the regiment felt the full weight of the new "hold at all costs" strategy, losing many of its men in impossible missions. In October of 1952, several companies were sent to defend a barren outpost against overwhelming enemy fire. Following a massive mortar barrage, several dozen men abandoned their positions. Wrapped in mystery and controversy to this day, the real story of what happened has never been told until now.

More than ninety Puerto Rican soldiers were tried in one of the largest courts-martial of the Korean War. The Borinqueneers uncovers the circumstances surrounding the dramatic events of 1952 and explores the rich history of the 65th Puerto Rican Regiment

Written and produced by Noemi Figueroa Soulet, and distributed by El Pozo Productions, this feature-length documentary film will have its worldwide DVD release on August 15th.

For More Information Contact:
Noemi Figueroa Soulet
Tel/Fax: (914) 739-3989
contact@borinqueneers.com


# #

Monday, July 09, 2007

Latinos and New Media

Univision's First Web Novela Is a Branded Effort
Unilever's Caress Is Integrated Into Plot of 'Mi Adorada Malena'

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Univision's first online novela carefully follows the Spanish-language soap-opera conventions: a secret crime, at least one character suffering from amnesia, and a beautiful heroine torn between a conniving boyfriend and his mysterious rival. What's unusual about the heavily promoted novela debuting July 10 is not that it's a digital drama, but that the star of "Mi Adorada Malena" ("My Beloved Malena") plays a spokesmodel for Caress, giving the Unilever brand a central role in the story. read the full story at
http://adage.com/hispanic/article?article_id=119077
-- Laurel Wentz

Sunday, July 08, 2007

In the Mailbox

From BronxTaino@aol.com:

Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/tlehman

This is a collection of photographs taken in Puerto Rico in the 1940's and 1950's.

There are many Taino people to be seen in the pictures.
Over a thousand photos.

Enjoy!

Friday, July 06, 2007

Capitolio de Puerto Rico


Capitolio de Puerto Rico
Originally uploaded by gambinno.
Photo by Gambinno

Casita Rincon Criollo


Casita Rincon Criollo
Originally uploaded by Palma Mir.
Check out Palma Mir's photos from an event at Rincon Criollo and Bronxnet on flickr. The event was a celebration of the premiere of the BomPlenazo docu-concert.

More photos on the event are on Michael's own website at

www.michaelpalma.com.
Radio

Press Release

Radio Capicu to Start Airing on BlogTalk Radio

The Founders of Capicu Poetry announced July 5 the launch of a new online radio show, Radio Capicu! which will air every other Wednesday evening at 6:30-7:30 p.m. starting on July 18th, on BlogTalkRadio.com.

"Radio Capicu" hosted by Capicu Co-Founder George "The Urban Jibaro" Torres promises to keep listeners captivated with the latest in news, information, cultural events and items of interest in the urban & Latino community nationwide. Segments will include open mic poetry, in depth interviews and discussions with prominent people in the urban Latino community about issues relevant to the evolution of our culture as well as the preservation of our heritage.

Listeners can also access "Radio Capicu" 24/7 on our newly launched host page at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/radiocapicu (please bookmark!). The site will be updated weekly to provide audiences 24 hour access to archived shows.

**Don't miss "Radio Capicu!"**

source: SOFRITO PR WIRE

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Community Calendar

Cemí Underground Presenta PURO RITMO Y PATRIOTISMO

La poesía de la
poeta puertorriqueña
Prisionera

Cemí Underground
1799 Lexington Ave., at 112th St., El Barrio
viernes 13 de julio a las 7 PM
Entrada: $7

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Activism

OJO: The issue of proposed new filming permit regulations in NYC and how this, if approved, will make it more difficult for independent filmmakers and photographers to shoot in the city.

Check out
(the NYTimes article at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/nyregion/29camera.html )

New York Civil Liberties Union
http://www.nyclu.org/nyc_photo_permits_pr_062807.html).

The Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), along with other public access stations will be looking at voicing their concern over these proposed rules, which could make it much more difficult for independent video producers to film in the city. For more info, www.mnn.org.
Activism

Save the Internet

Here's an e-mail from MoveOn.org on the important issue of protecting Net Neutrality. It says in part:

Recently, the New York legislature closed their 2007 session without passing a bill that has been called "the gold standard" in Internet freedom legislation. This ground-breaking bill would have protected Net Neutrality, connected more upstate communities to high-speed Internet, and lowered prices for consumers through competition. Big phone and cable companies opposed the bill.

Now, all eyes are on Governor Eliot Spitzer. He will determine which bills are top priority during a special legislative session in July.1


Can you call Governor Spitzer today? Tell him that strong Internet freedom legislation must be a top priority in the special legislative session, and ask him to publicly endorse the "Omnibus Telecom Reform Act" right away.

Governor Eliot Spitzer, 518-474-8390
Please help us track our progress by reporting your call here:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2732&id=10709-6969961-ygP_Z6&t=2

We need to let Spitzer know we have his back if he shows leadership on this issue. Over 75,000 New Yorkers have signed a petition supporting Net Neutrality—the rule that stops Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast from deciding which websites work properly on your computer based on which websites pay them the most.2

The bill is also supported by leading consumers groups, technology groups, rural advocates, and the New York Communications Workers of America.3 And the bill's sponsor points out that by taking on special interests, this bill is "actually good for real people."4


Can you call Governor Spitzer today? Tell him that strong Internet freedom legislation must be a top priority in the next legislative session, and ask him to publicly endorse the "Omnibus Telecom Reform Act" right away.

Governor Eliot Spitzer, 518-474-8390
Please help us track our progress by reporting your call here:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2732&id=10709-6969961-ygP_Z6&t=3

Thanks for all you do.
–Adam Green, MoveOn.org Civic Action
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007

Bronx Borough President Carrion @ The 2007 Puerto Rican Day Parade

Photo by DeLares (Eliud Martinez)

Featured Book

PARADES AND POWER:
THE BORICUAN ODYSSEY

This new book traces the sources of Puerto Rican striving and setbacks in New York and elsewhere. > By Bienvenido Ruiz

City Limits WEEKLY #594
July 2, 2007

Boricua Power: A Political History of Puerto Ricans in the United States; By José Ramón Sánchez; NYU Press; $24.

On a sunny Sunday last month, thousands embraced the 50th National Puerto Rican Day Parade as a celebration of their heritage and a moment of pride and visibility. It was the prime occasion for politicians, celebrities, corporations and assorted public figures to display – and claim the rewards of – their “solidarity” with this community. Besides its high profile and sheer numbers, this event is a yearly New York City milestone for bringing attention to the myriad conflicts between Puerto Ricans and the city’s powerful.

Again this year, the media recorded an aftermath of controversy: how many Fifth Avenue buildings were barricaded from the crowd; how many people were arrested, and for what; whether the police wrongfully targeted young people for wearing this or that (supposedly gang-related) t-shirt; how people watching a parade could be accused of “unlawful assembly"; and whether there were “wilding” incidents to report, as in past years.

The unfortunate conflicts following this exceptional moment of visibility reflect, in a way, the history of Puerto Ricans in the U.S.

For more, go to www.citylimits.org.