Category Archives: music

YERBABUENA at the Nuyorican Poets Café

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Last Saturday my sister and brother-in-law invited me to see Tato Torres and YERBABUENA at the Nuyorican Poets Café. I hadn’t been to the Nuyorican Poets Café in years and felt it was the right time to revisit the legendary stronghold of the Nuyorican art movement in New York City. The Nuyorican Poets Café, a non-profit organization in Alphabet City, has become a forum for poetry, music, hip-hop, video, visual arts, comedy, and theatre.

I learned of YERBABUENA (which means “good herb”) a few months ago from reading blog posts but did not know much about the group. YERBABUENA plays Boricua (Puerto Rican) roots music and is composed of musicians, singers, and dancers from the New York City area who share an intense passion for the musical traditions of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

A new Boricua generation is embracing the group’s music that promotes the Puerto Rican musical traditions of bomba, plena and música jíbara. Seeing and feeling YERBABUENA for the first time at the Nuyorican Poets Café stirred a strong sense of cultural pride. It was like being around family you hadn’t seen in a long time. People danced in the aisle and I could not help but move to the music. I’m now a fan. If you get a chance, check out Tato Torres and YERBABUENA.

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My Top-Three Prediction for American Idol

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After tonight there will be only seven finalists on American Idol. I have been watching the show all season and finally think it’s getting pretty good. In my opinion there is an obvious leader: Adam Lambert. He is already a star. Every time he performs I feel like I’m seeing him in concert. He is clearly in another realm and the one to beat. Adam, Allison Iraheta, and Matt Giraud should make the final top-three. We still have about seven weeks to go, so we’ll have to see how my prediction works out.

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Billboard Latin Music Award Mall Red Carpet Event Can Take You To The Show

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The 11th Annual Billboard Latin Music Awards will air on Telemundo on April 23rd at 7pm ET from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. The Billboard Latin Music Awards honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music.

The title sponsor for the Billboard Latin Music Awards, State Farm, is giving away two (2) VIP passes to attend the awards show and the official after-party, round trip airfare to Miami, ground transportation to and from the show, a weekend stay at a South Beach hotel, a makeover, and $500 in cash.

If you want to participate in a red carpet mall experience and sign up to win a VIP trip for two to the Billboard Latin Music Awards star-studded show, you can do so on the following dates and locations:

• Miami: Miami International Mall (March 6-8), Dadeland Mall (March 13-15 and 20-22) and Aventura Mall (March 27-29)

• New York: Newport Centre, N.J. (March 6-8 and 13-15), Galleria at White Plains (March 20-22 and 27-29)

• Chicago: Gurnee Mills (March 6-8 and 13-15), Navy Pier Health and Lifestyle Expo (March 20-22), Chicago Latino Book and Latino Festival (March 28-29)

• Los Angeles: Ontario Mills (March 6-8), Del Amo Fashion Center (March 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29)

• Dallas: Irving Mall (March 6-8)

• Houston: The Galleria (March 13-15 and 20-22)

• San Antonio: Ingram Park (March 27-29)

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Coldplay and Adele Should Be Big Grammy Winners Tonight

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I think Coldplay and Adele will be winners at tonight’s 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Coldplay is up for album and record of the year, as well as best rock band and pop group performance. I listened to this British band’s album all last fall and enjoyed it greatly. It did have to grow on me, however when it did I appreciated the band’s overall talent. I’ve heard of the group before this album, but now I’m a fan.

One of my favorite soulful singing divas these days is British singer Adele. Her voice is rhythmically rich and strong and her album has some wonderfully written songs. Adele performed last fall on The View and Saturday Night Live and should hopefully win either song of the year and/or best new artist. My favorite song is Cold Shoulder. It has a really cool beat and stands apart from the rest of the ballads on her album.

The Brits may make their powerful presence felt widely if Leona Lewis wins best record with her gigantic hit Bleeding Love. I won’t predict a winner in every category, however there is one that is tough to forecast. Best pop collaboration might be a nail biter. I’m leaning toward either Alicia Keys and John Mayer for Lesson Learned or Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown for No Air, however this category is really a toss-up.

Lastly, I have to root for Jennifer Hudson to win best R&B Album. This lady can sing and is the epitome of a soulful singer. I have not heard the full album but I think she is the one to beat. And after the horrific personal year she has had, my heart and soul hopes for win for Ms. Hudson.

So I’m done. Let’s see how well or bad I do with my predictions. Some choices seem like no-brainers but you never know with award shows. In any event, even if I get them all wrong, these artists are winners with me.

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