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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ AUGUST 2001
August TABLE OF CONTENT
6 ROCK ZoĂŠ
8 TROPICAL
ISSUE # 5
Loisaidas
9 URBAN Pitbull
10 KESTADC.COM GALLERY
8
Photos of concerts and DC nightlife
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11 UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar of upcoming events
12 FEATURE
Bachata Congress
16
14
22
14 FOOD
El Paso
16 Mi PAIS
Venezuela
18 HEALTH
A more energized you!
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21
18
24
25
20 STYLE
Wedge mania
21 FASHION SCENE
NEEDLEZ by Shalimar & La Petite Marmoset fashion show
22 KESTA GIRL
Giuliana Franchesca Osuna
24 NIGHTLIFE
DC Parranda
25 VENUES
Bravo Bravo
27 LOCAL TALENT Yonell La Voz
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PUBLISHER: Media644 / DIRECTOR: Juan Luis Gonzalez / EDITOR: Amanda Landrian / DESIGN: Miriam Jave WRITERS: Jorge Ceballos, Rosario Garcia, Daniela Guillen, Amanda Landrian, Gedalia Vera, Manu Mayor, Jenny Osoria, Gloria Turin / WEB & TECHNOLOGY: Javier Gonzalez PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jose Acha, Juan Luis Gonzalez, Miriam Jave, Marcelo Veizaga CONTACT US: info@kestamag.com, www.kestadc.com, tel: 202 643 0555
28 KESTA LIKES
Our top likes of the moth
29 KE?
Win tickets to Molotov & Maroon 5
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telemundo washington dc La Voz de la Comunidad
6pm y 11pm holaciudad.com
Lunes a Viernes
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ AUGUST 2001
Photos courtesy of: EMI Music
ROCK
By Rosario Garcia
he biggest thing to hit Mexico City’s alternative rock scene in the last fifteen years is undoubtedly the arrival of Zoé. This five piece psychedelic rock band led by Leon Larregui (vocals, guitar), Sergio Acosta (guitar), Angel Mosqueda (bass), Jesus Baez (keyboards), and Rodrigo Guardiola (drums) exploded onto the scene back in 1997 with an infectious mix of grunge rock mixed in with the popular Britpop of the early 90’s. Influenced by such eclectic artists as The Beatles, The Cure, Radiohead, Nirvana, Placebo, and the Stone Roses, it wasn’t long before Zoé started to garner attention in their native Mexico. They went from struggling to organize enough shows to finance their first self-titled CD in 2001 to becoming a Grammy nominated chart topping artist today. Their latest album, “Musica de Fondo/MTV Unplugged,” has reached double platinum status selling over 120,000 copies and debuted at number one in Mexico, remaining there for 10 weeks straight. Although Zoé cultivated a dedicated fan base from the release of their first album, they saw exponential growth with their second album Rocanlover in 2003. In
2006 they released “Memo Rex Commander y el Corazon Atómico de la Via Lactea” or (Memo Rex Commander and the Atomic Heart of the Milky Way) which quickly went platinum and earned Zoé prominent billing at Latin music festivals including Vive Latino and Coachella. Memo Rex was also Zoé’s first album to be released in the United States. Zoé who has been touted the “Mexican Radiohead” (not a long shot since they are produced by Phil Vinall of Radiohead and Pulp fame) has a growing cult fan base in the U.S. and will undoubtedly see larger numbers than their first U.S. tour back in 2009. In addition to their critically acclaimed albums being more readily available here in the States, Zoé has experienced notoriety due to recent collaborations with legendary Spanish rocker Enrique Bunbury (of Heroes del Silencio). Zoé contributed a dark spacey version of “Heroe de Leyenda” to a Heroes tribute CD which featured other major artists such as Andres Calamaro and Aterciopelados. Shortly thereafter, Enrique Bunbury himself collaborated with Zoé on the unplugged version of their hit, “Nada,” for which the video alone has garnered over 1.7 million views on YouTube. “Musica de Fondo/MTV Unplugged”
also features prominent collaborations with Adrian Dargelos, Argentenian frontman of Babasonicos, and multi-instrumentalist Chetes. The album was recorded live on October 5, 2010 at Mexico City’s Estudios Churubusco and features revamped performances and rhythmic arrangements of Zoé hits including “Soñe,” “Dead,” “Luna,” “Vía Láctea,” “No me destruyas,” as well as a new song “Labios Rotos,” written and recorded specifically for the MTV unplugged session. Leon told news sources, “We were working on new songs for a new studio album, when suddenly we were offered a chance to do the MTV Unplugged. We immediately jumped on the opportunity, it was very important for us. When we were teenagers we all loved the MTV Unplugged albums that Nirvana and The Cure did. This was a dream come true, we obviously accepted the offer.” The usually serious front man joked about the
success of the acoustic album, going on to say that “a lot of people have been saying that they love the acoustic versions of our songs because they can finally understand the lyrics. I guess with our studio versions we have been more experimental and adding lots of effects to the songs, and people are finally saying, ‘I get it!’…it’s just much more intimate.” Zoé is bringing their intimate unplugged show to the State Theater in Falls Church, VA on August 17, 2011. Don’t miss out! █ For more info visit: http://www.zoetheband.com
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By Rosario Garcia
N
ew York City is home to the Empire State Building, Lady Liberty, Central Park, and a plethora of knock-off designer merchandise (ssshh…don’t say we sent you). Come summertime, the Big Apple becomes home to Latin alternative artists, music executives, record labels, magazines, bloggers and party animals from all sectors of the entertainment industry who flock to the 4-day Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) to get a dose of what the Latin alternative market has to offer. This summer is no different, and from July 6th through the 9th, the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC will become home to the 12th Annual LAMC, bringing thousands of industry leaders ready to party ‘til the cows come home while learning and sharing a few things about Latin alternative music along the way. The conference, which always features a barra libre (this year sponsored by Jack Daniels and Heineken), provides networking opportunities with leading artists, label executives, journalists and managers. This year will also include representatives from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Billboard, Pandora, NPR, Clear Channel, Live Nation, Pepsi and many more participating in various panels offered throughout the conference. In addition to daily panels covering relevant topics in music, the conference organizes live concerts with world renowned artists, showcases new talent and hosts various art exhibits and parties throughout the city. The LAMC 2011 schedule is already available on their website, www.latinalternative.
com, and has a dizzying array of events planned that will make you wish you had a magic carpet to ride around Manhattan. Some of the stand out events scheduled for this year’s LAMC are two free concerts in Central Park’s SummerStage featuring JarabedePalo, Ely Guerra, Novalima, ChocQuibTown, Rita Indiana, Ursula 1000, and Que Bajo?!. Another free event will be hosted at the Celebrate Brooklyn stage in Prospect Park with Los Lobos, Hello Seahorse!, and Zigmat. Past LAMC performers include such powerhouses as Ozomatli, Orishas, Julieta Venegas, Manu Chao, Gustavo Cerati, Calle 13, Los Amigos Invisibles, Café Tacuba, Zoe and many others. In addition to international bands, LAMC features an annual “discovery” contest in search of bright new talent. Winners receive a chance to perform at an LAMC concert and an opportunity to be included in the LAMC compilation CD provided to all conference attendees during registration. Past winners include Kinky, Los Abandoned, Cuarto Poder and Pacha Massive. LAMC was co-founded by Thomas Cookman, the mastermind behind the indie label, Nacional Records, so it is no surprise that the conference features many bands from the labels own roster. This is a plus considering the label boasts artists like Manu Chao, Aterciopelados, Fabulosos Cadillacs, Pinker Tones and many more. Currently the LAMC is the only conference focusing on Spanish-language artists and bringing together fresh sounds coming out of rock, hip-hop and
electronica. Besides providing a great excuse to party in New York City for a week, the conference features pertinent panels that will focus on topics that affect Latin artists and is meant to help both indie groups and established bands get more bang for their buck. One of the panel topics included this year, “@DIGITAL: Engaging Your Audience & Monetizing Music,” is being presented by Terra Music and includes panelists from Twitter and YouTube. And one that would be really beneficial to indie bands is interestingly titled, “99 PROBLEMS: And Putting Together A Tour Shouldn’t Be One,” with panelists from LiveNation, SXSW and Steve Berlin from Los Lobos fame. Last but not least, a topic titled “SOY TU BRAND: Latin Music and the Art of Sponsorship, Branding & Licensing,” featuring panelists from PepsiCo, Heineken and Nacional Records. The conference fee is $199 per registrant if you register by June 29th, $299 if you register at the door. The fee includes free entrance to all LAMC events (some with open bar) and a goodie bag, which in the past has included an LAMC Compilation CD, free tunes courtesy of Nacional Records, an official LAMC t-shirt, and tons and tons (and we mean tons) of sponsor merchandise. LAMC is a great opportunity for artists, industry execs and fans alike that will really pay for itself in the amount of fun you will be having while everyone else is stuck at their 9-5. So start asking for those days off and be sure to head out to this years LAMC from July 6th-9th for some fun in the sun with the best artists that Latin alternative has to offer! █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ AUGUST 2001
TROPICAL
Photo courtesy of: The Salsa Room
exposing him to a path to become the great producer that he is today. He might not be Latino by birth but considers himself Latino by heart, and yes, he speaks fluent Spanish. Aquiles and Isaiah became brothers 15 years ago when they met in Junior High. They played basketball and hanged out at Isaiah’s house; this is where Jazz and music brought them together. They had so much in common—that drive for a better future and the passion for music. “I spent a lot of time at Isaiah’s house playing music; it was my second home. His parents pretty much adopted me!,” adds Aquiles. William Parker, Isaiah’s dad, became their music instructor and inspired them to pursue their passion for music. Their early performances began at the age of 14 when they became part of the group Los Reyes de la Bachata in New York. They got a taste of the music business at a young age while never losing the support of their parents, who still today, are the greatest inspiration for the both of them. It was always in Loisaidas’ blood to become performers, whose allure is causing tremendous feeling on this renewed interest in the genre of Bachata. Aquiles said that all their lyrics talk about their personal experiences in life and love, adding that “…the best way to know [them] is by listening to [their] lyrics.” They believe their lyrics and the passion they put in to every song is what makes them unique and different from other bachateros. By Gloria Turin
here are only a handful of young duo artists who dare to tackle the challenge of performing Bachata music at the international level. There are fewer still who embody the charisma and talent to make the genre their own in a way that nobody has done before. In a relatively short time, Loisaidas has done just that (and then some!) by introducing the genre of Urban Bachata to a worldwide mainstream audience. Their artistic name “Loisaidas” comes from the district of New York called the Lower East Side, the birthplace of the duo. Its music comes with new colors, which make it different and refreshing to the public. “We are part of the evolution of Bachata,” says vocalist and songwriter Aquiles Núñez. The group also includes the producer and bassist Isaiah Parker, son of famed jazz bassist William Parker. Before the phone interview with Loisaidas, I read their biography and future plans but I wanted to know more about their personal lives and stories. I was told
that I had only 15 minutes with them, which I knew wouldn’t be enough. The conversation with Loisaidas just flowed. These are two romantic and handsome guys who had so much to tell about their lives and experiences; there’s no way 15 minutes would have cut it. This duo bachatero comes from two different cultural backgrounds, but over the years, they have learned to put these two cultures together and become what is today, Loisaidas. Aquiles’ initial exposure to Bachata came from his parents, who are both from the land of Bachata, the Dominican Republic. “They always instilled a strong sense of cultural identity and pride so I grew up listening to what all the other young people were into—hip hop, R&B, and pop—but also really loving Bachata,” he explains. “I just never expected that I would ultimately launch my career within that genre.” On the other hand, Isaiah Parker is the son of Afro-American William Parker and a Russian dancer. Early in his childhood he was inspired by jazz, music and dance, ultimately
This duo wants to take Bachata to the next level with their upcoming self-titled album being released on August 9th of this year. It includes 12 new songs such as “Porque Te Amo,” “Aire,” “Contigo,” “Ayer” (Aquiles’ personal favorite) and many others, which have already begun to receive radio play. Currently, signature debut track “No Me Dejes,” enjoyed a 20+ week run on Billboard Latin Tropical Airplay reaching #8, and #2 on New York’s number one Top Tropical Latin radio station, LaMega 97.9, right behind Bachata sensation, Aventura. Loisaidas, “the new generation of Bachata,” will be performing for their fans in the metro area this August 27th at the Salsa Room in Arlington, Virginia. With a fun-loving, energetic personality topped with ambition and a fervent determination to achieve their objectives, Loisaidas firmly believes in their music and says that they will not let their fans down by offering up more of the same old thing. █
For more info go to: www.loisaidas.net
PIT BULL By Amanda Ladrian
PITBULL ENTERED THE SCENE BACK IN 2002 WANTING TO TAKE THE HIP-HOP AND SIGNATURE MIAMI BASS SCENE BY STORM AND IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR MOGULS IN THE INDUSTRY TO RECOGNIZE HIS IMMENSE TALENTS AS A RAPPER, SINGER AND SONGWRITER. ASSISTED BY LIL JON OF YING YANG TWINS FAME, HE RELEASED “CULO” IN 2004, THE FIRST SINGLE OFF OF HIS DEBUT ALBUM M.I.A.M.I (MONEY IS A MAJOR ISSUE), A TITLE THAT PAID HOMAGE TO HIS BELOVED HOMETOWN. IN HIS CAREER, HE HAS MADE MAJOR STRIDES IN THE TRANSITION FROM HIS EARLY SUCCESS AS A BASS MUSICIAN TO RAPPER AND MC WITH SERIOUS APPEAL, COLLABORATING WITH SOME OF HIP-HOP’S GREATEST INCLUDING EMINEM, TWISTA, RICK ROSS, LIL WAYNE, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, WYCLEF JEAN AND DJ KHALED.
is childhood story and rise to fame is a classic tale filled with plenty of obstacles and an unyielding determination and will to succeed. Born Armando Christian Pérez to Cuban immigrants, it is said that he grew up reciting the famous lines of poet José Martí and list Cuban legends Celia Cruz and Willy Chirino as the inspiration behind his music. Like so many others, Pérez saw the marriage of his parents crumble as they decided to get a divorce and have him live with his now single mother. At the age of sixteen he made some bad choices, got involved in the wrong crowd, started dealing drugs and was later kicked out of his house. Wanting to turn things around
for himself, he graduated high school and started focusing more heavily on his rapping and music career. After the release of his debut album M.I.A.M.I in 2004, he released his highly anticipated sophomore album El Mariel, a title referencing the town in which Cuban refugees travelled from en route to Florida in the movie Scarface. The album, lovingly dedicated to his father who had died earlier that same year, saw a departure from his usual party anthems, as it also featured politically driven tracks. His third album, The Boatlift, was released just over a year after El Mariel and featured, what he referred to as, a more ‘gangsta rap edge’ with hits like “Go Girl” and “The Anthem.” The artist also added TV Host to his repertoire of growing talents that year, with the debut of his variety show, Pitbull’s La Esquina, on the mun2 cable network.
Fame knocked on his door yet again in 2009 with the hit single “I Know You Want Me,” off of his third album, Rebelution, which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 here in the States but gave him international recognition as it hit No. 1 in France and on the European Hot 100 list. It also ranked within the top ten of the charts in the UK, Canada, Italy and the Netherlands. He also started his own record label in 2009, which he called Mr. 305 Inc., where he continues to search and produce for up-and-coming talent. Wanting to take expand his music and grow his audience base, Pitbull released his first full-length Spanish-language album, Armando, in November
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URBAN
of 2010 and was the most nominated artist for the Billboard Latin Music Awards, with seven nominations in categories including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. Now, seven years after his first Billboard Hot 100 hit “Culo” made it onto mainstream radio, we gain a new respect and appreciation for Pitbull, as his first ever No. 1 hit “Give Me Everything,” off of his latest album Planet Pit, released this past June, continues to dominate airways. It’s a huge accomplishment for the artist, as it ended a record 19-week reign of leading female artists taking the top spot like Adele, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. There’s no doubt that Pitbull has done a lot of growing since he first made it onto everyone’s radar back in 2004. As he told MTV News in Orlando while performing at a Zumba fitness convention, “I think M.I.A.M.I to Planet Pit, how it transitions, what it shows is maturity, growth, evolution, someone that’s been learning, applying, observing.” And it seems to have paid off, as he continues to gain respect from the genres best and solidify his spot amongst them as one of the greatest rappers, singers, and songwriters of our time. “I think I’ve definitely held my own and everybody respects me for the simple fact that I’ve created my own way.” Want to see for yourself what makes Pitbull one of the greatest? Check him out as he makes his way to the D.C. area performing at George Mason University’s Patriot Center on September 27th. For more information visit www.pitbullmusic.com. █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ AUGUST 2001
KESTADC.COM GALLERY Tommy Portugal y Bareto @ RIO Cantina 07.22.11
III Festival Peruano 2011 07.17.11
Mana en Concierto @ Patriot Center 07.14.11
No te va gustar @ The State Theatre 7.9.11
Jarabe de palo @ State Theater 7.7.11
July Nightlife
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KESTA HAPPENING DC FEATURED EVENTS Thurs 08.11-08.13 Sat 08.13 Wed 08.17 Sat 08.20 Wed 08.24 Wed 08.24 Sat 08.27 Thurs 09.08 Sat 09.10 Sun 09.11 Sun 09.18 Thurs 09.22 Fri 09.23 Sun 09.25 Sun 10.09 Mon 10.17 Thurs 10.20 Sun 10.30 Mon 12.12
DC Bachata Congress @ Washington Hilton Hotel Andy Andy @ Washington Hilton Hotel Zoe @ State Theater Thievery Corporation @ Kastles Stadium at the Wharf ZumBailo w/ Kat deLuna @ Ballys Silver Spring Train & Maroon 5 @ Merrieweather Post Pavillion Loisaidas @ The Salsa Room Sargent Garcia @ Black Cat Virgin Movil Free Fest @ Merrieweather Post Pavillion Incubus @ Merrieweather Post Pavillion Molotov @ 930 club Vilma Palma @ Jaxx Arcangel @ Galaxy Gilberto Santa Rosa @ The Salsa Room Saratoga @ Jaxx Aterciopelados @ State Theater Gianmarco @ State Theater Vicente Fernandez @ Patriot Center Pink Martini @ Music Center of Strathmore
For more information and many more events go to KESTADC.COM
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ AUGUST 2001
photos cortesy of Bachata Congress
FEATURE
L A U
3rd
N N A
1 1 0
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By Gloria Turin
he word ‘bachata’ originally referred to an informal social gathering organized spontaneously in the backyards of homes in rural areas of the Dominican Republic and was accompanied by a feast with music and excessive drinking. Bachata was synonymous with merriment and revelry. Today, the union of music, song, and dance of bachata has penetrated all socio-economic classes, not just in the Dominican Republic, but around the world. >>>
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<<< “It only took a trip to the Dominican Republic to realize that Bachata had a lot to offer; their style was different from what I have seen before. I wanted to share this passionate dance with all my DC fellows and take it to the next level; this is when I decided to organize DC BACHATA CONGRESS in 2008 ” says Lee “El Gringuito” Smith, Jr., Chairman of DC Bachata Congress, LLC. “I’ve been part of the DC Bachata Meetup and I was impressed with the bachateros kindness and passion for dancing. This is why I partnered up with Lee “El Gringuito” to organize this congress, for not only Bachata, but also salsa, tango, Brazilian samba and many others that dancers would benefit from,” says Katherine (Kat) Aguilar, “La Gata,” Chief Operating Executive of DC Bachata Congress, LLC. “Dancing is a therapy for the mind, body and heart. It creates passion and love, which is only released by dancing. For this reason, we have invited dance artists such as Troy & Jorjet from New Orleans, Bachata Souls and Zoukalma from Lithuania, Zeke “El Fabulosa” from Chicago, Camille Yannantuono from Switzerland and additional 20 top artists in the world including soulful bachata singers Andy Andy and JC Live! This is exciting and DC bachateros will never be the same again,” boasts Loida Esbri, Chief Administrator Officer and Registration Coordinator of DC Bachata Congress, LLC. ee “El Gringuito,” founder of the DC Bachata Congress, has been working really hard with Kat, “La Gata,” and Loida Esbri to make this Congress truly unforgettable and number one around the world. They have also been communicating with instructors
and dancers from other states and countries to help connect the Latin dance lover community. They are really proud to say that for the third year in a row, Washington, DC will be the location of the largest “Bachata Congress.” t comes with great pleasure for Lee “El Gringuito” and his staff to announce the 3rd DC Bachata Congress, which will take place August 11th through August 14th, 2011 at the iconic Washington Hilton Hotel. This year, the event has grown bigger and better! They are excited to bring some of the worlds finest dancers, performers and instructors into the DC area to party until 4AM every night of the Congress. The purpose of the event is to promote bachata, which in recent years has taken on much greater importance and meaning in the world of dance, and make the event a unique experience. Last year, the DC Bachata Congress was a huge success and every year it is improving. They got extremely great feedback and admiration from all over the world for their amazing and warm parties and their commitment to the real Congress. This year, the DC Bachata Congress is expecting between five to six thousand people throughout the course of the event. “All participants will have the best of all different worlds, from workshops, pool parties, performances, competitions, party buses and themed parties every night,” says “El Gringuito.” The Congress will begin with a dance party hosted by Yernandy from El Zol 99.1FM. Once the party ends, it’s officially time to go to work! There will be over 80 different workshops to choose from over the duration of the event to learn from and
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enjoy. From beginner to advanced, classes will be taught that meet the needs for every level of talent by the very best in the industry from all over the world. Some of the countries being represented are the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Russia, Kenya, Switzerland, Lithuania and Spain, which will provide the universal appeal of bachata, salsa, tango, zouk, kizomba, Brazilian samba and west coast swing. In addition to classes in various styles of Bachata, you will see some stunning performances from World Dance Champions such as Alien Ramirez and Cristian Oviedo. Every night there will be a themed party accompanied by good music from a live band or an artist. This year’s main attraction will be Andy Andy performing his hits such as “A Quien le Importa,” “Te Necesito Aqui conmigo,” “Mi Alma Loca” and much more! His teasing melodies, down-to-earth sexy pop hooks and soothing velvety voice exemplifies the kind of impact bachata music can have in pop music. JC Live will also be melting all of our hearts with his urban bachata hits. As if this was not enough, there will be three pool parties, as well as three sunset dance parties, with outdoor workshops and dance competitions. Best of all, the first ever Bachata Party Bus Tour of DC will be taking place in a multimillion dollar tour bus featuring an open bar and $10,000 sound system. What more could anyone possibly want!? The DC Bachata Congress 2011 guarantees a weekend full of fun activities. This event is inviting all dance lovers who want to escape the routine of everyday life to take part in what is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Now is your time to shine and enjoy doing what you love most in life… dancing! █
DC Bachata Congress 11 - 13 August The legendary Washington Hilton 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW DC WWW.DCBACHATA.COM
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FOOD
DC’s own Margaritaville By Jorge Zeballos
hat makes a great restaurant? It’s always a combination of delicious food, good atmosphere, friendly staff and affordable prices. To become a devoted fan of a restaurant, it has to meet all of these criteria and beyond, making you feel as though you’re eating at a very extension of your own home. El Paso Cafe has been able to achieve just that, a fan base of loyal customers, making it one of the areas top Tex-Mex Restaurants. El Paso Cafe opened its doors 20 years ago. Just as it continues to be today, El Paso Cafe was created from the ground up with the ideas and determination of a family wanting to create a restaurant that had the unique atmosphere that only comes from a family owned and operated business. Their staff has also become part of the family since many of them have been with El Paso for over 10 years now. And of course, the family love doesn’t end with just the owners and staff. Due to the great atmosphere, delicious food and top of the line service, customers get very attached to El Paso. The decorations that adorn the walls are even mostly donated by its customers. If you’ve ever visited El Paso (which if you haven’t yet we’re sure you will now!), you may have wondered where the 40+ license plates that hang on the walls came from. Well, it turns out that customers would come in a have a such a great time that they would donate them to the restaurant as a gift and declaration that they dined in the restaurant. Every so often, El Paso will also bring local bands and musicians in to the restaurant to fill the air with great tunes to enhance your dining experience even
more. When the band Left on Lincoln performs here every other month, the whole Lincoln Street attends, captivated by the combination of food, drink and music to make up the perfect dining experience.
enchiladas and washed it down with the nonalcoholic beer O’dolus. From Wizards players to Condoleezza Rice (and most of the Congress and White House staff ) to Alvaro Torres, big names have made it to this, now famous, restaurant.
The food at El Paso is sure to satisfy even the most hard to please critic. From the popular fajitas to the savory steak nachos, to the “Plato Gigante” platters, this place definitely hits the spot times five. The team has built the perfect menu that showcases why Tex Do we really need to give any more reasons Mex is such a popular choice in this country. A few to convince you to check this restaurant out? You other highly recommended choices are the Persian already have mouth watering food, 48 types of tequila, platter, carnitas tacos and enough margarita choices to their savory enchiladas. make Jimmy Buffet jealous and EL PASO IS ONE OF THE ONLY And that’s not all. El want to visit the place, and a PLACES IN THE AREA WITH Paso is one of the only staff that will make you feel A FULL TEQUILA BAR! WITH places in the area with like you’ve just arrived at your OVER 48 TYPES OF TEQUILA a full tequila bar! With long lost Texan-Mexican ON THEIR MENU, YOU HAVE over 48 types of tequila family’s home. And YET ANOTHER REASON TO on their menu, you have lets not forget to COME BACK EVERY WEEK. yet another reason to add some music come back every week. into the mix to The love that El Paso has for tequila has also given even up the love—Every Sunday it’s Mariachi birth to a long list of delicious margarita concoctions. Sunday and every other Tuesday night, local Actually, believe or not, they create a new margarita favorite Ron Recinos plays acoustic hits while drink every two weeks. Some customer favorites patrons sip on their wonderfully tasty margaritas, include the Silk Pants Margarita, the 1943, and the John which is exactly what we’ll be doing. See you at El Angel Chill Mix Margarita. Paso Cafe soon! █ Have we mentioned that President Bush has even eaten here? Yes, that’s right, and he loved it so much that he took time for a photo op, which you can find it at the entrance of the place. In case you’re wondering what our past President had, he enjoyed the delicious
El Paso Cafe 4235 North Pershing Drive Arlington, VA 22203 (703) 243-9811 www.elpasocafeva.com
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MI PAIS
/ AUGUST 2001
A Guide on
Angel Falls: Tallest waterfall in the world.
by Daniela Guillen
enezuela sits proudly at the very northern tip of South America. Surrounded by the Caribbean Ocean and the North Atlantic, this country offers more than 1,800 miles of crystallized blue water. Whether you’re interested in relaxing or exploring, Venezuela has plenty to offer. The country is made up of different regions; Gran Sabana also known as “The Lost World” (featured in a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1912) is a world of
its own with table-top mountains, forestry, rivers and the tallest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls; The Andes, an incredible region with snowcapped mountains and the longest cable-car in the world; The Llanos, a flat area of grass and wide skies that stretch across the horizon, where during rainy season you can see the wildlife at its best ranging from crocodiles, anacondas and cattle; And of course, there’s the Amazon Rainforest and world class beaches like Los Roques, Playa Medina and la Isla de Margarita.
WWW.KESTADC.COM Longest cable-car in the world
Isla Margarita
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Gaudi’s architecture
The Llanos
El Hatillo
Gran Sabana
PLaya Medina
enezuela literally means “Little Venice,” a name given by early explorers. At the time of exploration, Spaniards reached Lake Maracaibo in the Orinoco region and found Indians living in homes above the water with stilts, just as was seen in Venice, Italy. I think it’s safe to say that Venezuela is not that little Bienvenidos a Caracas! Most likely your journey will begin in Venezuela’s capital. Caracas, the biggest city in the country, is inhabited by approximately 3.2 million people (a majority of the country’s population lives in central Venezuela). It’s a city similar to many except the location is rather unique; Caracas sits between a valley and is surrounded by mountains. Easily seen from the city, El Avila National Park is a mountain range that is home to more than 100 different kinds of butterflies, 500 different birds and offers campgrounds and hiking paths. It is also home to many mammals including the red howler monkey, anteaters and sloths. If you don’t feel like hiking, tourists can ride up on cable car and enjoy the restaurants at the top of the mountain. In the southeastern part of Caracas there is a small quaint village called El Hatillo. This 16th century colonial town embraces traditional Venezuelan art, music and food. The buildings in El Hatillo are colorful and vibrant. This is an ideal location to buy art and crafts made by the locals, including ceramics, jewelry, hammocks, baskets and musical instruments. One of the top attractions in Venezuela is the 3,212 foot waterfall, Angel Falls. This is the tallest of
all waterfalls, about 20 times the size of Niagara Falls. Getting there is not easy but definitely worth the trip. Angel Falls is named after Jimmie Angel, a pilot born in Missouri who crashed his plane in the 1930’s in search for gold. The waterfall is located in Canaima National Park, a region Los Roques described as “islands of mountains, surrounded by forests and rivers.” This region is so remote that it is only accessible by small jet planes. Before landing, pilots generally swoop in for a dramatic view of Angel falls, getting as close as possible for passengers to see. If you are more of the adventurous type you can hike to the bottom of Angel Falls. The excursions are led by the Pemón Indians. Canoes are used to navigate the area and visit some of the other waterfalls like Frog Falls, a 20-minute ride up the river and a one-an-a-halfhour hike through the rain forest. This is nothing compared to the four-hour hike for Angel Falls. About 80 miles north of Caracas, you will find Los Roques. A collection of about 42 islands that is ideal for wind surfing, diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing and relaxing. The beaches are unreal, offering crystal blue warm waters, white sand and 61 different types
of coral. This gem in the Caribbean can be pricey but the remoteness of the island makes it feel like your own private getaway. A mere 60,000 tourist visit Los Roques a year and the main town, Gran Roque, only has about 1,200 residents. Los Roques is known for having the best biodiversity in the Caribbean. In 1972, Los Roques became a national park because of the vast amount of marine life in the area. Diving is affordable on the islands and highly recommended; parrotfish, rays, barracudas and nurse sharks are just a few things you may see underwater. Another breathtaking beach is Playa Medina. A remote beach that sits on what used to be a coconut plantation. Perfect palm trees and incredible views of the bay make this worth the rough 10-hour drive from the city. Locals make their rounds greeting guests with oysters, drinks and other local treats. It may feel odd to pack hiking boots AND a swim suit all for one trip, but Venezuela has a little bit of everything. Places like Angel Falls, Los Roques and Play Medina may be hard to reach but its all part of the adventure. In true Venezuelan spirit, just grab your bag and go! Venezuela is not only oil, beauty pageants and soap operas, its paradise. █
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HEALTH arbs: Everyone is afraid of them but carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel. They are vital for boosting energy and mood and the average adult should get around 40% and 60% of their total calories from carbohydrates. The best choice is complex carbohydrates because they provide calories, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Choose to consume more fruits and vegetables, eat more whole grains like wholewheat bread, brown rice and cereal, and finally, eat more legumes (beans, lentils, etc). Walnuts, Cashews, Almonds, and Hazelnuts: They are rich in protein, contain magnesium, and play a vital role in converting sugar into energy. Most nuts are also full with heart healthy substances like unsaturated fats, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamin E. However, don’t go “nuts” for them as most nuts are high in calories. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends about a handful (1.5 ounces, or 42.5 grams) per day.
A MORE
Energized by Jenny Osoria
s there a point in the middle of the day where you feel like you can no longer keep your eyes open? Do you ever just feel like turning off your computer and taking a nap on top of your desk at work? These feelings are most likely due to your low energ y levels. In order to avoid getting fired, you begin to look for ways to boost your energ y. However, you find yourself with no time to exercise and the stress from work and family are contributing to your lack of sleep and sluggish feeling. You wish there was an easier way to increase your energ y. Well, there is good news! Boosting your energ y can be as simple as controlling and improving the choices of foods that you consume daily. There are three different ways that foods boost your energ y. First, there are those that provide sufficient calories, then there are stimulants like caffeine that keep you alert, and finally, there are those that push your metabolism to burn more fuel. Here is a list of foods you should incorporate into your daily diet to say goodbye to those zombie days and hello to a more energized you!
Lean Meats: Lean pork, lean beef, and turkey are all a healthy source of protein. They contain the amino acid tyrosine, which boosts levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, chemicals that can help you feel more alert and focused. Salmon: Contains Omega-3 fatty acids, essential unsaturated fatty acids. These are molecules vital for normal metabolism. Fiber: It is an energy and blood sugar stabilizer. Dietary fiber is only found in plant based foods so boost your fiber intake by eating grains (whole wheat pasta and barley), legumes (split peas and lentils), whole fruits (raspberries and pears), and vegetables (artichoke and broccoli). Dark Chocolate: This one is for all those chocoholics out there. A few squares of dark chocolate can boost both energy and mood. Try to go for chocolate with 70% or more cocoa, but since it is high in calories, they recommend limiting daily intake to about an ounce per day. Always remember that your body reflects what you eat. Make the best choices when it comes to meal planning and try to include a daily activity in your lifestyle to keep you 100% energized! █
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STYLE
by Daniela Guillen
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ove over stilettos, wedges are taking over! This 70s influenced trend is carrying over into the fall. Comfortable, versatile and stylish, there’s no doubt wedges are here to stay. The great thing about them is they come in all different colors, styles and heights. Wedges are paired great with flared jeans, maxi dresses or tights in the colder months. With so much versatility to offer, what’s not to love!? 7
Pair these in the h fall wit tights!
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2 5 9 GREAT FOR THE OFFICE!
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1. Lela Rose Spring 2011 / 2.Louis Vuitton 2011 / 3. Jeffrey Campbell ‘Mariel’ Wedge Sandal, $109.95, Nordstrom.com / 4. See By Chloe Bow Detail Wedge Shoes, $336.16, Asos.com / 5. Gabriella Rocha Shedson, $71.25 6. SCRIPT Black High Vamp Wedges, $140.00, Topshop.com / 7. Steve Madden, Kloudd, $90 / 8. RAPTTURE, $57.95, Stevemadden.com / 9. River Island Narnia Canvas Mini Wedge With Sling Back, $29.29, Asos.com
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DMV FASHION
DC Fashion Scene
La Petite Marmoset fashion show
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By Gedalia Vera
he fashion industry is a product of the modern age. By the beginning of the 20th century, with the introduction of new technologies such as the sewing machine, the rise of global capitalism and the development of the factory system of production, fashion was born. The fashion industry developed early on in Europe and America, but today it is an international and highly globalized industry, with clothing often being designed in one country, manufactured in another, and sold world-wide. Then come the fashion shows, a showcase of upcoming collections by designers. Fashion shows debut clothes for every season, particularly Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter and is definitely where latest fashion trends are made. This month, I was able to attend two fashion shows that impressed me so much because of the ethnic background of the designers.
occurred at the wonderful Crown Plaza Hotel in Tysons Corner, Virginia. The brand NEEDLEZ is known for their intricate embroidery and trendy fashion lines. Founded in the year 2007, the company set a standard in the city by winning over the hearts of the middle and elite classes. NEEDLEZ also has its PRETLINE for young woman called NEEDLEZ CONCEPTS. The designer uses very costly motifs and Zari tinsel thread work, along with beautiful embroidery and fine quality materials, to produce the superior cultural garments they are so well known for. Not only were the pieces captivating, but the audience and models were a mixing pot of cultures ranging from Hispanic and American to Middle Eastern and European, really demonstrating the ability of NEEDLEZ’s clothing to bring people together from various backgrounds. After all, isn’t that what makes fashion so great? █
A fashion show that caught my eye happened outside at the beautiful Yard Park in Washington, D.C., produced by stylist Katherin Martinez, featuring items from her company La Petit Marmoset. Katherin, born in Maryland and of Colombian and Greek heritage, has a real love for everything vintage and loves bringing that into her styles. Although the pieces showed an obvious touch of retro flair, the designs continued to be contemporary and hip, not straying far from current summer trends of bright colors and crisp whites. The beautiful summer dresses that went down the runway featured many different cuts, suited for ladies of varying height, body shape and style. The two-piece garments and dresses introduced at the show varied from floral patterns to classic solid color pieces; wonderful styles that would work great for almost any occasion. Real vintage looks with a modern twist! An amazing fashion show by a Middle Eastern designer, “NEEDLEZ by Shalimar,”
NEEDLEZ by Shalimar
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KESTA GIRL OF THE MONTH
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Country: Bolivia Hobbies: Dancing, listening to music all day, traveling ,playing with my son as much as I can Favorite Latin genre: Definitely salsa Favorite Latin artist: Marc Anthony Photographer: Cameron (DCProstudio.com) Venue: The Salsa Room (thesalsaroom.net)
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NIGHTLIFE
/ AUGUST 2001
DC By Manu Mayor
here’s been a constant vibe in DC’s Friday Latin scene for the last 12 years. A second home for friendly people that like to party as hard as they work. This home has been DC Parranda. DC Parranda began back when Maurice and Lorena started working at Sesto Senso during the start of their now legendary Friday night parties. Back then, it was just Maurice and Lorena making sure everyone they personally invited had a great time. It was a way for their Latin friends, and some from other countries, to get together to celebrate birthdays, farewells, welcome parties and other special occasions in a place that felt like their home away home. As the parties got bigger and better, everyone would tell Maurice and Lorena, “nos vemos el viernes en la parranda!” And that is how DC Parranda came to be.
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Ever since then, DC Parranda has hosted some of the best upscale Latin events in the area. Their crowd is a mix of international students and Latin professionals from various countries. They became known for their adrenaline inducing parties, complete with choreographed dancers, contests, shots from the bar, and the irreplaceable hosts, Maurice and Lorena, who always greeted you with a smile. At one point, they were interviewed by
Univision for having the best Friday night party in the area. Ask around and you’ll find that hasn’t changed. DC Parranda has now moved from their long time home at Sesto Senso to the remodeled Eden and they haven’t missed a beat. DJ Jose Scott is still spinning a great mix of Latin & International hits, filling up the dance floor at Eden every Friday. Over the years, DC Parranda has grown, assembling a team of promoters, photographers and performers that all share that friendly DC Parranda vibe. This has enabled them to throw massive special events like their amazing Brazilian party at Asia Lounge next door to Eden and the Super Crazy Hour in 2011 in collaboration with Kesta Happening and Toneros DC. The vibe that makes DC Parranda parties so great is so strongly felt that once, Lorena tells us, “in the middle of a performance the power went off at Sesto Senso for one whole minute... the music stopped and the lights when out completely, but there were so many people jumping together and chanting that only the DJ and the event staff noticed it.” Now that’s a Parranda! Long live DC Parranda. █
www.dcparranda.com
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VENUES
BRAVO! BRAVO! B
by Jorge Cevallos
ravo! Bravo! is one of the most recognized night clubs in the Metropolitan area of D.C., Maryland and Virginia. It has maintained it’s spot as one of the best for more than 20 years; or more than 30 years if counting the days of it’s earlier reign as Down Under. This has been made possible thanks to the continued support of the guests who remain faithful to Bravo! Bravo!, quick to consider it a favorite hangout for a night out on the town. With seven bars to guarantee a hand is never without a drink and plenty of space to dance the night away, Bravo! Bravo! is characterized by its perfect location in the heart of D.C. and the two nights a week where patrons can often be seen partying it up until four in the morning. Friday nights kick off the weekend with a bang with Grown & Sexy Fridays hosted by DJ Cholito and C.O.C. Productions who have continued this crowd favorite for four consecutive years. The duo has brought in some of the best artists for the weekly event
in the various Latin genres of salsa, merengue and bachata like Tito Rojas, Raulin Rosento, Toño Rosario, Eddy Herrera, Prince Royce and Frank Reyes. Other artists have also been known to occasionally pass through the doors of Bravo! Bravo! like La India, Marc Anthony, Grupo Mania, Elvis Crespo, Grupo Niche and many more. Salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and top 40 are played with the focus of creating an atmosphere of Tropical and Caribbean paradise, featuring some of the best DJ’s in the area like DJ Xplosive of el Zol 99.1 FM and DJ Bemba. Making sure to keep the party going, Saturdays are Latin night featuring events that have been going strong for over 25 years. Many event attendees are regulars, making it a habit to join Bravo! Bravo! every Saturday as they offer up the best of the international dance hits of salsa, cumbia, merengue, reggaeton and Spanish rock and pop. Bravo! Bravo! owes a lot of its success to their house DJ’s, DJ Oscar el Maestro, who’s always spinning the
very best of the best, and DJ Guillermo, also known as “El Doctor de la Salsa,” whose nickname really says it all. The clubs host Arnold also deserves special recognition as his animated personality and ability to heat up the dance floor never fail to entertain. Of course, it wouldn’t be a truly successful night out for any of the guests without the help of Bravo! Bravo!’s security team who always ensure an enjoyable night without worry and stress. With plenty of drinks to go around and more than enough dance space to bust some killer moves, it’s no wonder Bravo! Bravo! is ‘the place to be’ and a D.C. area favorite. We know where we’ll be every weekend from now on. Will we see you there? █ For all the latest news on upcoming specials and events, visit bravobravodc.com or djcholito.com.
Bravo Bravo 1001 Connecticut Ave NW # Ll1 Washington D.C., DC 20036-5532 (202) 223-5330 www.bravobravodc.com
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Photos courtesy of: V&Y Entertaiment
LOCAL TALENT
LA VOZ
By Amanda Landrian
onell, born Jimmy Escobar to El Salvadorian parents, was born right in our backyards in the city of Fairfax, Virginia. Music caught the interest of Yonell at a young age; his father, Julio Escobar, was the lead vocalist of his own band called Los Gatos who played, sang and composed ranchera and cumbia music. Having music be such a huge part of his fathers life really inspired Yonell to take up singing for himself. Although it began as a hobby, it didn’t take long for Yonell to realize that music wasn’t just something he wanted to do on the side; he wanted to make it his career. Getting more serious, he started to compose his own music and buy his own tracks to lay down songs to. It was
a slow and bumpy start at first, as it is for most aspiring artists in the early days, but perseverance and a sheer will to succeed pushed him to mature his voice and record as many tracks as he could compose for. It was a real time of fight or flight for the young Yonell, knowing that his dream would never become reality without an unwavering dedication and endless hours of hard work. He began to network with as many artists in the industry as possible, meeting people who had the same big aspirations of making it big and collaborating on tracks with local musicians in the area. It wasn’t long before he saw himself performing in shows with big name artists like Toby Love, Divino, Tony Dize, Sensato and Arcangel.
As was his fathers dream to one day pursue a solo career outside of his band Los Gatos, Yonell decided to put the duo group “Vidal y Yonell” aside for the time being. Why? Because Yonell has big dreams of becoming the very first artist to bring back a Grammy to his home country of El Salvador. Think he’s reaching too high? He and his avid fans would disagree with you, knowing that he has the talent, drive, focus and the assistance of a wonderful and strong team of individuals to make conquering even the wildest dream possible. Currently, Yonell is working on a new album that’s scheduled to be released by mid-September and will feature unique sounds in R&B, bachata, mambo, baladas and beyond. The tracks on this album will be a dedication to his
roots and the love of his heritage and the people he so proudly represents. His next big project after the release of his album will be an international tour, hitting several cities in El Salvador and making stops in nearby countries in Central America. There’s no telling what’s in store for Yonell’s future, but we’re sure that it’s going to be filled with immeasurable success. Already making waves in the R&B Latin industry, he is definitely one up-and-comer you’re going to want to keep your eye on. █
For more information on Yonell, visit his Facebook page at Yonell La Voz or find him on Twitter @YonellLaVoz.
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
KESTA LIKES
/ AUGUST 2001
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KE? KESTA HOROSCOPE Aries: Gondwana says “Tu Sabes
que es verdad, Tu sabes que el amor existe.Tu sabes que es verdad, el sentimiento original”
-”Sentimiento Original”, Gondwana.”
Libra: Incubus says “and it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around but lately I’m beginning to find that when I drive myself my light is found” -”Drive”, Incubus
Taurus: Gianmarco says “Dejemos tiempo al tiempo Volvamos a extrañar Tomar un nuevo aliento Respirar... respirar” -”Respirar”, Gianmarco
Scorpio: Cee Lo says “And although
Gemini: Andy Andy says “si somos libres, para amar y soñar quien puede mas que el sentimiento querida pierden el tiempo los que quieran hablar”
Sagitarius: Manu Chao says “La vida es una tómbola... de noche y de día... la vida es una tómbola y arriba y arriba....”
-”A quien le importa”, Andy Andy
Cancer: Gilberrto Santa Rosa says
“A hora solo hay números en tu cabeza de una relación que no da para más Ahora solo hay símbolos de suma y resta sumas mis errores resto tu bondad”
-”La Vida Tombola”, Manu Chao
Capricorn: Atercipelados says “Eres candela que quema eres la sangre que hierbe”
-”Candela”, Aterciopelados
Aquarius: Pitbull says “Bon Bon Bon
Leo: Molotov says “P*to! el que no haga
-”Bon Bon”, Pitbull
Bon dale Cosa Rica, Bon Bon Bon Bon trae a tus Amiguitas (paparemicano)”
-”P*to”, Molotov
Virgo: Vilma Palma says
“Pasame mas tinto se vino La Pachanga, Dale Pelado no pares nunca mas” -”Pacahnga”, Vilma Palma
WIN TICKETS FOR
there’s pain in my chest I still wish you the best with a...F** you! Oo, oo, ooo” -””F you”, Cee Lo Green
-”Conteo Regresivo”, Gilberto Santa Rosa
lo que quiere. P*to nace y P*to muere!”
GIVEAWAYS:
Pisces: Arcangel says “Que hay flores que tienen espinas.” -”Por Amarte a Ciega”, Arcangel
Download and install a free QR code reader for your phone 1. Open the QR code reader application 2. Take picture / scan the QR code with your mobile device 3. The code willl take you to the Win Tickets Page for a chance to win 4. THE FIRST PEOPLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION CORRECTLY ON THE WIN TICKETS PAGE WINS TICKETS TO CONCERT. Good Luck!
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