Latino Flavors

10th Annual "Brazilian Carnaval 2010"

2010-02-01T07:17:00.000-08:00

Here comes the Largest Carnaval on the West Coast, the Brazilian Nites Carnaval. It is noted that for the past 9 years, they have consistently drawn more than 3,000 crowds to watch the magnificent showcase of Brazilian party that includes dancing, costume parade, blast of food and drink, and a lot more of Brazilian Music and Dance!

This annual LA tradition of Brazilian Carnaval will be happening this coming February 20, 2010 (Saturday) to February 21, 2010 (Sunday). Time of the party begins at 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM. The venue of the said Brazilian Carnaval will be in Club Nokia/LA live at 800 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015. And this is definitely the first time to be happening in Downtown! It is open to all people aging at least 21 years old to participate such event!

To make this Brazilian Carnaval 2010 event to be on track, here are the sponsors of this colorful night shindig:

Korean Air, KPFK 90.7 FM, REMO, Latino 96.3 FM, LatinoLA.com, Brasil Best, Bud Light, Flavorpill, Leblon Caipirinhas, Fusicology, Silvio's Brazilian BBQ, LABRFF, BPTOnline.com, Latino Sports, NocheLatina.com

Ticket Price: $38 for General Admission and $65 for preferred seating and lounge or you may visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/ to book your tickets to the show or to get some group discounts. Contact details: 818-566-1111. For more info, visit http://braziliannites.com/.

A Latin Valentine Date

2010-01-14T08:12:00.000-08:00

Love is a many splendid thing as the song interprets it. We do have our own ways of defining this feeling and emotion. We have our own ways of expressing and showing it to our love ones and to those dear to us. It is undeniably a term with lots of meanings or definitions. Now, how do Latin people celebrate Valentine’s Day? You should agree that each country has their own way of keeping it a day of love, flowers and chocolates as it’s commonly known for.

Where the origin of Valentine’s Day does come from? Can someone tell about it? Do you know the history of it? Some say it started in the ancient Roman days when they have this Fertility festival of Lupercalia. Others claim, it is just the perfect day to sell flowers, chocolates and love cards! Oh, dear, there must be something more to this day.

Saint Valentine (Latin, Valentinus) is the patron saint of love as considered by many but still remain in question is the identity of Valentine as resources about his vita is limited. But nothing can stop the people to a lot a day for him on February 14 as a day of love and passion. Certainly, Valentines in Latin America is not quite different from other countries though they do it by exchanging red flowers, balloons, and anything heart-shaped stuffs that are colored red. That’s in Mexico, folks!

So do you plan out something different on February 14? Are you thinking of a Latin Valentine? Here are some juicy stuff that might help you set for a romantic or say a different sexy way of spending the night with love and passion with you sweetheart. El Dia de los Novios/Dia de San Valentin (Spanish for Valentine’s Day) is near! Do you consider having a Latin Valentines? Simply, having a sweet, spicy typical dinner would do. Here are some suggestions you could take to have a Latin Valentine dinner date:

For the food, you may come up with something ethnic. Hot and spicy perhaps. Go over those Latin recipes and try to make your own version of it. At least, it has your personal touch. You may search online and note those sensual recipes. It could boost something after you ate dinner with your lover. Try some Puerto Rican food as an option.

Source: www.epicurechefs.com

As for your drinks, you can have wine/champagne of course! Try to serve tequila (famous Mexican drink) or pisco from Chile or any Latin drink of your choice. If you’re a fan of Margaritas, then make sure it’s a choice as well of your partner. It should be a great toast for two people who are romantically in love with each other.

You can play a slow, sexy and romantic genre of any Latin music. If you are familiar with RUMBA, try to mimic the moves. It’s kinda sexy for you and your partner to dance with it. Show your prowess in the dance floor, just the two of you. After dancing and making your night out after dinner, you may try to watch a movie, VALENTINE’S DAY starred by Pretty Woman star, Julia Roberts and other co-stars like Jamie Fox, Jessica Alba, Taylor Lautner (Jacob in Twilight) and many more. You may watch the trailer here.

Oopps! Don’t forget those scented candles! It adds a romantic feel to it. Or maybe writing a short Spanish poem will make your lover giggle and kiss will be your prize! It could be more than that! Now, you can have a Latin Valentine date!

NOTA at Sing Off

2010-01-05T20:46:00.000-08:00

NOTA, Sing Off Winner

I assume that many spent time watching their television on the Sing-Off finale in which NOTA was declared the champion. NOTA was the first ever winner of the sing-off competition. The other groups that competed in the said finale were Beelzebubs and the Voices of Lee. The Beelzebubs hailed from Tufts University near Boston, Mass. The group wore argyle-sweater-and-bow-tie concept attire that night. The Voices of Lee are from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn composed of both male and female a cappella singers. The Puerto Rican boys, NOTA took home $100,000 as the grand prize of the said singing competition and not only that, they will get their way to become Sony Music’s next recording artist.

NOTA, Sing Off Champion!

About Nota

Nota is an all-male sextet group that is from San Juan, Puerto Rico. They have been sharing their love for music and that passion brought them together to form a group when they met sometime in their college years. They see the Boyz II Men, an American boy band singing sensation group as an icon where they took in their inspiration on how to sing like one. The Nota boys had Spanish language as their mother tongue. They grew up together and have improved singing their own way inspired by those American singing groups in spite of their Spanish decent. When they sing music, they try to incorporate some passionate touch on Latin music while they add genre styles like pop, R&B, fusion jazz, mellow rock, etc to it.

Sing Off Finale

The famous NBC network managed to host the Sing off singing competition that rutted a cappella groups trying to win the said contest in which Nota was declared champion. The show was hosted by Nick Lachey, an American pop singer and a former member of the boy band, 98 Degrees.

They also have amazing judges who gave a good verdict to the said competition. First on the list is the only rose among the thorns, the sexy and pretty pop singer from The Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger. She is capable for the job and she gave in intelligent comments on her own and she never gets tongue-tied or perhaps not even at lost of words when delivering her piece of advice. Mr. Shawn Stockman from the boy band Boyz II Men made also a remarkable duty in giving valuable opinions on how to improve singing as a group. And last but not the least is the singer-pianist, Ben Folds who is such a smart guy. He got lots of inputs and it shows that he knows much on what he is doing and the show itself. The three judges are a perfect fit together. This time, unique from other singing competitions, the judges made their way to perform and sing A Cappella during the Sing Off finale along with the contestants.

Nicole Scherzinger, along with the Beelzebubs performed her sultry version of the song, “You Don’t Own Me” which is a Lesley Gore hit song in 1964. The Boyz II Men gave a couple of medley hit songs which included “End of the Road”.Ben Folds with his own rendition of “Why Can’t We Be Friends” with Nota and Beelzebubs. Other artist also graced the show like Smokey Robinson and Bobby McFerrin who also sang along with the contestants.

Nota Feature:

You may want to see the video uploaded by NOTA on “Billie Jean LoveStoned”. It is an amazing version that you should hear! This is their full version. So better watch for it!

Sway Like Rumba

2009-12-28T02:40:00.000-08:00

The RUMBA dance

There are a wide range of Latin dances that originated in Latin America and Cuba. Some of these famous dances are Tango, Samba, Cha-cha-cha, Salsa, Mambo, Rumba, danza, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Tumba, and Bolero. When you say Latin dance, it might mean two things, depending on how it is used as reference to social or ballroom dance.

For now, we will be focusing with the Latin dance, called RUMBA. It is thought that the Rumba dance has two meanings in it. It is cited as a Cuban event with an African style and it is said that the most widely used rumba version is known as guaguanco. But this is the old-style rumba.

The Rumba dance is also famous in ballroom dances and other international dance competitions. It is basically a social dance that derives its movements and music with what they call the son music, in which the structure and elements of Spanish canción and the Spanish guitar with African rhythms and percussion instruments are combined.

It is said that the Afro-Cuban Rumba is different from that of the ballroom rumba version. The modern style of dancing rumba is derived from studies of Cuba by international teachers. It is known to be the slowest dance among the established five Latin dances in the international competitions.

The bolero-son is the old Cuban musical rhythm that is used to accompany the Rumba dance. It is a very classy but sexy dance that includes swaying of the hips while standing over one leg though it is executed in a slow movement that gives emphasis to swaying of the body.

The Rumba dance became popular in the 1930s even up to now with its complex scoring game in international Latin dance competitions.

The video below will be featuring how the Rumba dance is executed. It takes a lot of practice to learn how t dance the Rumba way. It takes a lot of sexy hips swaying with the slow music accompaniment.

You may try to visit http://www.rumbaroom.com/ for the latest gigs and updates on the Rumba dance. I’m sure those fanatics will definitely have fun hanging out online and meeting people of the same interest. This exclusive group club is an online avenue for those who are interested to know anything about the rumba dance. You will have access to concerts, events, photo gallery and it is an interactive site for its members and readers.

Puerto Rican Dishes for the Holidays

2009-12-19T20:43:00.000-08:00

The Puerto Rican cuisine is one of the most delightful menus that one could taste. It is a blend of ingredients, recipes, cultures and food set up. It has its roots in Spanish and Caribbean cuisine but it has its own distinct style and taste. Will be featuring five palatable dishes to delight your taste buds this holiday season!

1. Mofongo

If is a famous dish in Puerto Rico. It is a concoction of mashed plantain, food seasonings, and fillings such as shrimps, steaks, pork, vegetables, etc. You can find it at any Puerto Rican restaurant, sidewalk food stalls, or the locals themselves might have their own recipe version of it.

2. Lechon/Roasted Pig

This is a very irresistible delicacy that you have to experience eating it. It’s a popular festive pork dish known as roasted suckling pig. You can have it sweet or spicy or a combo of both flavor options. You may visit Guavate where they have a place called, Ruta del Lechón, a popular lechon territory where the best tasting lechons are. Give it a try!

3. Arroz con gandules

This is actually the national dish of Puerto Rico. It is called pigeon peas with rice and is made with pork, ham, bacon, chorizo, red peppers, olives and other spices to taste. Puerto Ricans have their own way of serving it to make it distinct from other cuisines. They have their secret sauce that adds flavor to the dish the Puerto Rican way. Another variation of the dish is called arroz con habichuelas. You may want to explore that dish as well.

4. Asopao

It’s a homemade chicken soup with rice. It’s a dish loved by many islanders as they usually remember their moms cooking the savory soup for them. It’s obviously a popular menu in any local restaurant in Puerto Rico and each chef has their own recipe variations with pork, shrimp, seafoods, beef or vegetables on it.

5. Fritters, Alcapurrias, Cuchifritos

These are just a few of the fried foods in Puerto Rico. It’s available in any restaurant that you may happen to sit in. Alcapurricas is like a fried turnover version. It’s perfect for an after meal or a dessert substitute. They have yam fritters called buñuelos and cheese-flavored rice fritters called almojábanas. You have lots of these selections.

So, it’s just a few days to go before Christmas! Have you thought of dishes to serve on your tables for you to feast on? C’mon, ask your grandma’s recipes for those foods. That might be a good cookbook reference. Or as we all know, moms know best! Happy Holidays!

Taking A Peek On Puerto Rican Christmas

2009-12-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Puerto Rican Christmas

The Christmas holiday is near and people in different parts of the world will have its own way of celebrating. The Puerto Rican Christmas version is known as Navidad. This is the day of Christmas-December 25 where Christians celebrate the birthday of Jesus. It is thought that Santa Claus will be bringing gifts to kids in which the custom originated in the USA way back 1940’s and now has become Puerto Rico’s Holiday tradition. Navidad is the time of tradition, aguinaldos, décimas, y de ser jíbaro Puertorriqueño which is the best of Puerto Rican culture.

Puerto Rican Food

Puerto Ricans begin their Christmas celebrations early in December and perhaps would end on the first week of January. Of course, this is the best time to talk about Puerto Rican food. The Puerto Rican cuisine is similar to that of Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban with a delightful blend of African, Taíno, and American influences.

Nochebuena is a special dinner party done on Christmas Eve. Puerto Ricans like chicken so you would always see as part of the main dish, like baked chicken or turkey, and roasted pork or ham which is accompanied by Spanish rice with pigeon peas, local vegetables like cooked green bananas, fried plantains or cooked yam.

Some of the Puerto Rican food appetizers during dinner generally includes with sizzling-hot appetizers such as bacalaitos, crunchy cod fritters; surullitos, sweet plump cornmeal fingers; and empanadillas, crescent-shaped turnovers filled with lobster, crab, conch, or beef. It is also thought that soups are a popular beginning for meals on Puerto Rico just like in other countries. There is a debate about whether one of the best-known soups, frijoles negros (black-bean soup), is Cuban or Puerto Rican in origin. Nevertheless, it is still a savory, if filling, opening to a meal. For their Holiday desserts, they have "arroz con dulce" (rice cooked with spices, sugar, milk, and coconut milk) and "tembleque" (a custard made with cornstarch, sugar, and coconut milk). They taste better cool down or cold, when its consistency becomes more solid. One for the festive Puerto Rican food is the lechón asado, or barbecued pig, which is usually cooked for a party of 12 or 15. It is traditional for picnics and al fresco parties. These are just one of the Puerto Rican food serve during holidays.

Despedida de Año is celebrated on December 31 in time to end the year and face and new one. The biggest and most important for all children is what they call, el Día de Reyes on January 6^th. This is the day when Puerto Rican children open their gifts the night before the Three Wise Men (Kings) left.

The Puerto Rican Christmas Party

The Puerto Rican Christmas is different as they have a special “pava” (traditional straw-hat) to be worn just for Christmas. They have their own version of Christmas caroling which they call Parranda. It is when a small group of folks gathers to surprise another folk and they will be bringing their musical instruments like either guitarras, tamboriles, güiro maracas, or palitos in which they will play the traditional Aguinaldos (Puerto Rican Christmas songs).