Kesta Happening Magazine March 2015

KESTA HAPPENING W I N

T I C K E T S

T O

F A R R U K O

C O N C E R T

&

M U C H

M O R E

YOUR SOURCE FOR ALL LATIN MUSIC & CULTURE IN THE DC AREA Rosana

Gerardo Contino

PLUS! OYAMEL RESTAURANT

AND ITS 8TH ANNUAL TEQUILA & MEZCAL FESTIVAL

LOCAL TALENT

DJ SABO

Tierra Santa

Larry Hernandez

Cherry Blossom Festival Pimpinela

Leo Dan

Farruko

INSPIRATIONAL:

M.I.G. MARTINEZ LO NUEVO

ZION Y LENNOX LATEST SINGLE ECHOSTAGE LINEUP

ALBUM REVIEWS KESTA LOVE KE PASO` STYLE

Y MUCHO MÁS

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March TABLE OF CONTENTS

7 POP

ISSUE # 48

Leo Dan

8 METAL

Tierra Santa

9 METAL

Leo Jimenez

9 POP

Rosana

10 SALSA

9

Gerardo Contino

10 BANDA

Larry Hernandez

12 POP

Pimpinela

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18

10

21

13 REGGAETON Farruko

14 KESTADC.COM GALLERY

Photos of concerts and DC nightlife

15 UPCOMING EVENTS

Calendar of upcoming events

18 FEATURED Messi

21 FESTIVAL

Cherry Blossom Festival

24 FOOD

Oyamel: Tequila & Mezcal Festival

28 STYLE

Little White Dress

30 KESTA EPIC PICS

Some of our favorite pics of the month

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32 INSPIRATIONAL

24

M.i.G Martinez

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33 LOCAL TALENT DJ Sabo

33 ECHOSTAGE LINEUP

This month at Echostage

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34 LO NUEVO

8

Zion y Lennox New Single

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35 ALBUM REVIEWS

Tego Calderón & Fernanda Ulibarri

36 KE PASÓ PUBLISHER: Media644.com / DIRECTOR: Juan Luis Gonzalez / EDITOR: Rosario Garcia, Assoc. Editor: Ellen Flores DESIGN: Miriam Jave / WEB & TECHNOLOGY: Javier Gonzalez / WRITERS: Alicia Yim, Ellen Flores, Malayna Butler, Sarah Barrie, Jazmin Moral, Rosario Garcia, Juan Leon, Darlene Campos, Marisol Murillo, Maria Veronica Cevallos

SALES: Jose Acha, William Espinoza, Francisco Ochoa, Julio Zilleruelo INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? info@kestamag.com / tel: 202 643 0555

Nicky Jam & Enjambre

36 LOVE ADVICE

Love, dating & relationship advice

37 KE?

Win tickets to Farruko Concert

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POP

By: Darlene Campos

made it popular amongst 90s youth), “Fanny,” “Estelita,” and “Santiago Querido.” During Leo Dan’s sudden successful musical and touring career, he met a woman named Mariett and married her in 1966.

Leo Dan was born in Villa Atamisqui, Santiago del Estero Province in Argentina on March 22, 1942. He was born to a middle class family of Quechua, Diaguita, and Gaucha origins. At only four years old, he learned to play the flute and harmonica, the instruments of his ancestors.

When he was eleven years old, he learned to play the guitar and it was also at this young age when he began writing songs. Today he is one of the most celebrated song writers in existence touching the hearts and souls of many.

Shortly after Leo Dan turned 20, he visited Buenos Aires in search of a record deal. He found one immediately with CBS Sony Records and recorded what would be his very first hit – “Celia.” The song soon reached the top of the music charts, and went on to record additional songs which would garner him national and international attention. A few of these songs were “Como Te Extraño” (a song that has been covered by many artists including Café Tacuba who

After getting married, Leo Dan and Mariett moved to Spain where Leo Dan would continue recording more hit songs.

While living in Spain, he recorded and released the songs “Mary Es Mi amor” and “Siempre Estoy Pensando En Ella” professing his love for his wife. In 1970, Leo Dan and Mariett relocated to Mexico and where Leo became the first top chart singer to record with a mariachi band. Along with his new band, Leo Dan recorded the songs “Te He Prometido”, “Esa Pared”, and “Con Nadie Me Compares.”

In 1980, Leo Dan switched it up by returning to Argentina and campaigning for governor. However, this facet was short lived as politics proved not to be his calling.

Leo Dan remained in the music world and hasn’t left ever since. Leo Dan has released more than 20 albums, over 2,000 songs, and has sold approximately 40 million records worldwide. His songs have been translated into Japanese, Italian, French, English, Portuguese, and German among others. He has been awarded a Grammy for Best Composer and garnered numerous awards throughout his lifetime.

Beloved by fans of all ages and from different corners of the world, Leo recently performed at the Festival Nacional de Folklore de Cosquin in Argentina in January 2015 where he performed his hits as his fans sang along to every word and followed with a standing ovation.

Leo Dan currently lives in Miami with Mariett and their family and has no current plans to retire. His latest album titled “Bendiciones” is available on Pandora and he will be performing songs from it along with his previous hits at the Howard Theatre in Washington DC on June 20, 2015! For more information and tickets visit, www.tickeri.com. █

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METAL

By: Rosario Garcia

ailing from La Rioja, Spain, Tierra Santa is on par with renowned bands like Mago de Oz, and Baron Rojo for their special brand of Heavy Metal from the late 90s. Forming in 1992 under the name “Privacy” the band recorded a demo that garnered much attention. However, it wasn’t until the band reformed and renamed themselves “Tierra Santa” in 1997 fronted by Angel San Juan on vocals and guitar that the band began to tour with bands like Mago de Oz and Avalanch. Shortly after they released their debut album “Medieval” to positive reviews that lead them to their immense following today.

Tierra Santa joined the heavy metal scene flawlessly participating in festivals all over the world and even opening for mega start DIO through his tour of Spain in 1998. This tour helped them secure a record deal with Locomotive Music which gave way to their second album, “Legendario”. This started a theme for Tierra Santa who centered this album amongst historical figures and themes like “El Cid” and the Spanish Conquest as well as mythological figures. Their music tastes evolved from heavy metal to power metal and drew in a wider audience.

Their third album, “Tierras de Leyenda” cemented the band with their mega-hit “La Cancion del Pirata” which would become an anthem to fans for decades to come.

They continued the musical historical theme by introducing a song called “Caballo de Troya” and many more. Their fourth album “Sangre de Reyes” would introduce songs like “La Sombra de La Bestia” and appealed to both heavy metal fans and rock fans alike. They focused on powerful guitar riffs, quick transitions, and catchy riffs that showcased their versatility.

In 2003, Tierra Santa released yet another album, Indomable, which was much more personal in nature yet still carried the essence of the band. This album took them on tours again throughout Europe and around Central America. They continued to write and record music and were able to release “Apocalipsis” in 2004 continuing with their power metal influences and accentuating the use of the keyboards. Their lyrics also seemed to focus on more varied themes to include liberty and nature with songs such as “Rumbo a las Estrellas”.

Although they have released many albums to include a few more in 2006, “Mejor Morir en Pie” this album seemed to foreshadow a future event. In 2008 the band announced that they would be taking an undefined break from music after announcing that Iñaki, their drummer, would no longer be a part of the band. Shortly after, the band disabled their website and seemed to disappear from

the music scene after 10 years of being a fixture in the heavy metal scene.

The absence was only a few years however, as 2010 marked the return of Tierra Santa under a new label Maldito Records. Their new album “Caminos de Fuego” was released shortly after becoming their 10th studio album and keeping with their power metal and heavy metal history. A recompilation album followed in 2012 and most recently in 2013 and 2014 the band has released the albums “Mi Nombre Sera Leyenda” and “Esencia” respectively.

This latest album is an electro-acoustic reimagining of various Tierra Santa hits and is interpreted by new guitarist Eduardo Zamora.

Despite their long history and many successes, Tierra Santa has yet to visit Washington DC and fans are ecstatic that they were included in this 2015 Tierra Santa tour of the United States. With over 9 dates confirmed the Washington DC area is excited to welcome Tierra Santa to the Howard Theatre on May 14th, 2015. For tickets and information visit, www.tickeri.com! Don’t wait until it’s too late, get your tickets to see this epic band today! █

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METAL

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POP

By: Marisol Murillo

hen you mention the name Leo Jimenez and there are any ladies around, you can’t help but see their eyes open up wide and a smile come over their face. Their reaction is not only caused by this gentleman’s beautiful, long and thick hair or his very well kept body covered in tattoos, but also because he carries one of the most powerful and beautiful voices in metal. Who would have thought that this little boy born in Fuenlabrada, Spain, would one day become one of the most popular men in Spanish heavy metal?

Leo Jimenez is well known for being the voice of the band Saratoga and for being the guitarist and front man of the gothic metal band Stravaganzza, two very successful bands in the Spanish heavy metal scene.

Jimenez started getting into music at the age of fourteen. At nineteen, he started his music career and joined Krysalida for a demo.

He also recorded an album with Al Borde.

However, it wasn’t until he joined Saratoga in 1998 that his career really kicked off.

During his years in Saratoga he became quite well-known, and when Saratoga became one of the most popular and successful bands in Spanish Heavy metal, so did he.

Leo enjoyed his time in Saratoga, but he always seemed to have a different view than the band of what heavy metal was suppose to sound like, he felt as if something personal was missing from their music, and so he decided to start a new band with some friends who he shared earlier projects with and created Stravaganzza.

Early in 2006, he decided to leave Saratoga and dedicated his time fully to his new project Stravaganzza. A new gothic metal band, he described as a bit more obscure, romantic and experimental. A few years later, in 2009, he came out with a new solo project called LEO:037 with none other than Ix Valieri (ex-Angeles del Infierno). This new project was a bit more aggressive, which he described as more “American”, a fusion between the power and brutality of Pantera or Sepultura with the voice of Manowar or Judas Priest. This new project only lasted a

few years and in 2012, Leo announced he would leave the band LEO:037 and start his solo group under the name “Leo Jimenez”, which would keep the style of LEO:037.

Jimenez is now touring the United States for the first time, promoting his latest album Animal Solitario. He is also celebrating his 20th Anniversary in the music industry in some of his most recent shows in 2014 which boast quite an amazing set list, including several songs from his Saratoga era, as well as, some songs that he sang with Stravaganzza. He also incorporated several covers-- “tributes” as he likes to call them-from bands that are very personal to him and that have inspired and influenced him in his musical career. Hopefully he will bring that set list to his US tour. If so, we can expect to hear the great Saratoga and Stravaganzza hits, as well as his ”tribute” covers of Manowar, Pantera, Metallica and Judas Priest! One thing is for sure, be prepared for an amazing show!

Leo Jimenez will be playing The Fillmore in Silver Spring on March 19, 2015. If you have a passion for true Spanish heavy metal, then you can’t miss it! █

By: Darlene Campos osana Arbelo Gopar, better known by her stage name, Rosana Arbelo, is a Spanish singer, writer, and performer. She was born in 1964 right off the Iberian Peninsula on an island called Lanzarote, located around the Canary Islands. She was raised in a large family and is the youngest of eight children. However, Arbelo didn’t stifle her talents while growing up. She started writing songs when she was just eight years old. As a teenager, she moved to Madrid where she won first place in Benidorm’s International Song Festival with her song “Fuego y Miel” (Fire and Honey). The Benidorm International Song Festival is held in the small city of Benidorm, Spain and it showcased the talents of Julio Iglesias and Raphael. Now, it was Rosana Arbelo’s time to shine. After winning first place, Arbelo received a recording contract offer with MCA, but her first album was not released until 1996. Her debut album titled “Lunas Rotas” (Broken Moons), had rave reviews. The album sold 10 million copies in almost 30 countries. The significant success of “Luna Rotas” also resulted in Arbelo

giving over 1,000 concerts in North America, Europe, and Asia. In fact, the 1996 film Curdled, produced by Quentin Tarantino, featured two songs from “Luna Rotas,” including “Lunas Rotas,” and “El Talisman.” Since Curdled was an American film, people across the world were suddenly hearing Arbelo’s music for the first time.

Arbelo released her second album titled “Luna Nueva,” (New Moon) in 1998. The vocals and musical sounds were much deeper than her first album, but “Luna Nueva” still received good reviews from critics and the public.

She took a break from creating new music and from touring extensively, so it would be another three years before fans heard from Arbelo again. In 2001, she released her third album simply titled “Rosana.” The album featured the sounds and melodies Arbelo heard as a child while growing up on the island of Lanzarote. So far, Arbelo has released seven albums and she continues to tour all around the world.

Currently, she is giving concerts in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, but she will be making her way to the United States during the final weeks of March. She has plans to visit Chicago, New York, and Woodbridge, Virginia.

Her Woodbridge show will take place on Monday, March 30th at 8pm at The Palace Nightclub located on 13989 Jefferson Davis Highway. Tickets start at $20 each and are now available for purchase through www.tickeri.com. █

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SALSA

/ MARCH 2015

BANDA

By: Rosario Garcia

By: Darlene Campos

erardo Contino, also known by his nickname “El Abogado de la Salsa” (The Lawyer of Salsa), is a Cuban singer and songwriter.

Ever since he was a young man, Contino performed with many well-known Cubans bands. Prior to leaving his native Havana, Contino was the lead singer of the band NG La Banda, which is one of the most prominent Cuban musical groups. NG La Banda stands for “Nueva Generación” (New Generation). The group performs a combination of Cuban Salsa and Jazz music. They are supervised by Jose Luis Cortes, a flutist and graduate of National School of Art in Havana. Gerardo Contino was already heavily influenced by his musical partners as he embarked on a new life abroad.

In 2012, after moving from Havana to New York City, Contino started his own band called “Gerardo Contino y Los Habaneros” (Gerardo Contino and the People of Havana). Members of Gerardo Contino y Los Habaneros include Axel Tosca, a jazz musician, Luisito Quintero, a percussionist with Afro-Cuban and Afro-Venezuelan playing styles, and John Benitez, a Grammy award winning bass player.

In 2013, Gerardo Contino y Los Habaneros released their debut album titled “Somos Latinos” ( We Are Latinos). The online Cuban music magazine called “Timba” described “Somos Latinos” as “a treasure trove of state of the art bass, piano, and percussion work laid down by some of the very best instrumentalists in the genre. Overall, ‘Somos Latinos’ is not only a strong Timba album, but also the kind of Timba album that could only be created within the confines of New York City itself.”

Hector Avilesin, a music reviewer for Latino Music Café said that, “Gerardo Contino delivers in all cylinders in ‘Somos Latinos’. Gerardo has a good voice and he uses it to bring emotion to each song. He can get sentimental in romantic parts of songs and provide radioactive energy in hotter Salsa movements. Gerardo provides original and intelligent ‘soneos’ that keep songs interesting and

enjoyable through the end.” Gerardo Contino y Los Habaneros received praise for their debut album and they will only continue to receive more as they develop additional albums.

Aside from Geraro Contino’s current band, he has also been a part of several other musical projects. He has worked with Son Yoruba and Charanga Forever.

Additionally, he has played onstage with musicians such as Oscar D’Leon, Roberto Roena, El Gran Combo, La India, Los Van Van, Xiomara Laugart, Carlos Varela, Alexander Abreu, Frank Fernandez, Armando Gola, Kelvis Ochoa and many others. Since starting his musical career, Contino has toured and performed in Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Canada. He has been invited to sing at the Toulouse Festival in France, the Latin American Festival of Milan, Festival Fiesta in Rome, Festival of Munich, Copenhagen Festival, and the Salsa Festival of Verona. In New York City, Contino’s new home, he has given concerts at venues such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Sounds of Brazil, Le Poisson Rouge, the Bronx Museum, Guantanamera, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, DROM, Iguana, and Lina Frey.

What many people don’t know is that Gerardo Contino is also a realized scholar who studied law at the University of Havana and received a Master’s degree in Law from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University in New York City. Lucky for us Contino didn’t give up on his musical abilities and continues to perform for audiences all over the world.

Don’t miss your chance to see Gerardo Contino performing March 13, 2015 at Artisphere in Arlington, VA. For tickets and information visit, www.artisphere.com. █

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arry Hernandez was born into a family of musicians. His grandfather was a musician and his cousins and other family members have also been well known artists.

However, no one inspired Hernandez more than the late Chalino Sanchez, a man that for many years was the crème of the crop of Mexican regional singers.

One thing that makes Larry unique from the first time you listen to him is his ability to perform using multiple instruments. He’s an established composer, singer, drummer and accordion player. Additionally, although Larry was born in Calfornia, his family moved him to Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico when he was only 2. Because Larry spent most of his adolescence living in Mexico, he was heavily influenced by the Mexican sounds he heard throughout Culiacán.

In 1998, Hernandez conducted his first recordings which were composed of 65 songs in a tribute to Cornelio Reyna. Later, in 1999, Hernandez recorded his first solo album, “Contella Norteña.” Afterwards, Hernandez recorded eight more albums; “Mil Noches” in 2001, “El Amigo de Todos” in 2003, “Linda Chuiquilla” in 2004, “Labrinto” and “Arrepiente” in 2005, “Se Busca Cantar Buenos Corridos” in 2006, and “Hace un Mes” and “Dejate Querer Tantito” in 2008.

However, It wasn’t until 2009 when Hernandez’s fame became elevated with his release of “16 Narco Corridos,” which only took Hernandez one day to record, hitting the top billboard charts, and reaching the rank of number four on the Billboard Top Latin Albums.

While some people have criticized Larry’s use of the “narco corrido” and his lyrics, his reply has been, “My ‘corridos’ aren’t made to start controversy with anyone, they are made to entertain people, so they drink and have a good time. In reality, the economy and the whole world are going through tough times; the only thing I can give people is my talent and a good time so they forget everything and enjoy themselves.”

In 2012, Mun2 aired, Larrymania a reality TV series following Larry Hernandez as he navigates through his musical career and juggles family life. Larry Hernandez is currently on tour and will visit the DMV on March 15, 2015 with a show at the Palace Nightclub in Woodbridge, VA. For tickets and information visit, www.tickeri.com! █

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FUSION

By: Rosario Garcia

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POP

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Intensity through Song By: Maria Veronica Cevallos

show, and then went on to sell ten thousand copies.

Pimpinela’s peculiar style of conversational singing, mixed with dramatic live performances, had almost immediate appeal to fans. Furthermore, song themes of loss and love are easy to relate to and added to the duo’s mass appeal.

The intensity of back and forth conversations between Lucia and Joaquin speak well of the duos’ interpretation skills and even more so when you consider they are actually brother and sister, a fact often forgotten when you hear or see these two singers perform.

The story of this duo starts in their native Argentina where siblings Lucia Galan and Joaquin Galan were born.

Encouraged by their parents, the pair decided to become a singing duo after great insistence of their mother that they sing together. Although Joaquin had already begun as a solo singer with his group Luna de Cristal, it was when he started singing with his sister that he started to gain notoriety. During one of their many trips to visit their family in Spain, the two obtained the interest of another Argentinian singer and composer, Luis Aguilé, who asked them to record a demo for him. Aguilé advised them to keep singing as a duo and assisted in signing them to his label, CBS. In 1981, Pimpinela released their first album ‘Las primeras golondrinas’.

Their first single ‘Tu me prometiste’ went unnoticed until the pair performed during an Argentinian variety

By 1983, Pimpinela’s success had grown quickly through Latin America and especially in Argentina. Their rise to fame was so quick that the group had to deal with the peculiar problem of imitators. These imitators often performed as Pimpinela in various presentations across Latin America, pretending to be the siblings as local radio stations through the continent gave radio play to songs that Pimpinela had not yet released. This fact actually forced the duo to tour the region, and by the end of the year, they had successfully regained the respect for their skills and given even more validation of their talents. By 1984, they had even reached great popularity in Spain, another market to be conquered. One of their most recognizable hits, ‘Olvídame y pega la vuelta’ paved their way in the Iberian Peninsula.

Pimpinela had not had enough, they wanted to keep reaching more audiences with their songs, and went on to conquer other markets such as Brazil, Italy, and even the United States, singing and releasing material in Portuguese, Italian, and even English. The duo has also explored their acting abilities in a series of projects including a television series, El Duende Azul, which was filmed in Miami and Buenos Aires in 1987.

Today, Pimpinela continues recording and touring, and in 2011, they released a new album called ‘Estamos todos locos’, where Lucia’s daughter Rocio and Joaquin’s son Francisco, join their parents making their singing career debuts.

Starting in 2014, Pimpinela began to record a new album as they tour the continent and now, in 2015, begin a new leg of their tour visiting cities in the United States.

Pimpinela will be in the area performing on March 12th at the Palace in Virginia. Tickets are on sale now by visiting, www.tickeri.com!

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REGGAETON

Yankee, DJ Luian and others who have made significant contributions to the genres that his music enriches.

Farruko, who was born on May 2, 1991 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, is not only a music phenomenon he is also becoming somewhat of a fashion icon.

His personal style seems to reflect and simultaneously permeate Latin urban music and youth culture. In the aforementioned interview, Farruko’s parents also speak about their son’s success, and pull out some of his childhood photos, many of which he is pictured on motor bikes or in toy cars and give insight into his sense of style in his formative years. While growing up he worked in his father’s mechanic shop and this ultimately led to his fascination with cars especially those spotted in his videos and interviews.

His mother reveals how she felt about her son’s growing success and her reaction when he filled up El Choliseo, a legendary venue for concerts in Puerto Rico.

By: Malayna Butler

before In an interview, Farruko, who came to be known as “The Most Powerful Rookie” gives a tour of the home where he grew up and the place where his father built him his first studio. Today he has posted flyers from his very first shows as memorabilia from a time when he was barely known.

They were not referring specifically to Las Vegas but some fans can certainly relate to waking up the morning after a fun-filled night, taking a look around and wondering what really went down only hours

In addition to “6 AM” with J Balvin, Farruko has collaborated with various artists in the genres of reggaetón, urban and pop music. The artist, born Carlos Rosado Efren Reyes, and Sean Paul released hot fire with their collaboration “Passion Whine” which reached Certified Platinum and he proudly shows off the achievement in a picture on his official website with Univision’s Tony Dandrades. Farruko also sparked magic with “Besas Tan Bien” and “Titerito”. “Farruko Presents: Los Menores” one of his latest projects features songs including “Recordarte” with De La Ghetto and “La Calle Me Llama” with Yandel, Ñengo Flow and DJ Ozi in addition to the love song “Lejos de Aquí”. Farruko’s music is backed and vetted by Daddy

Farruko’s website highlights photos with J Balvin, Daddy Yankee, Yandel, Wisin and Pitbull showing his growing star power. “Imperio Nazza: Farruko Edition” is one of a set of releases under Daddy Yankee’s label. The two worked together on “Llegamos A La Disco” featuring other artists who have come to have flourishing careers and bring their own flavor to the industry such as Arcangel, Ñengo Flow and De La Ghetto and Baby Rasta y Gringo among others. He has said in an interview with Univision Musica that he believes that Puerto Rico is an island “donde nacen campeones” (where “champions are born”). Farruko once revealed that the best career advice he has received came from Daddy Yankee.

Since last year “El Talento Del Bloque” as he’s also been called, has added vocals to tracks with Nicky Jam on “No Soy” featured on “Los Menores” and “Voy A Beber Remix 2” featuring Cosculluela and Ñejo. Other songs included on “Los Menores” are “No Quiere Saber” featuring Zion & Lennox, “Si No Te Tengo” with Tony Dize and “Mira El Reloj” with J Alvarez and Jory.

Don’t miss “Los Menores Tour Bus 2015” when it stops at The Palace in Woodbridge, Virginia on March 27. For tickets and information visit, www.tickeri.com. █

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KESTADC.COM GALLERY

Ricardo Arjona @ The Patriot Center 03.01.15

Photos by: José Acha & José Arrieta

Arcangel “ La Maravilla” @ Cococabana 02.28.15

Gilberto Santa Rosa @ The Palace 02.27.15

Photos by: Daniel Martinez

Photos by: José Arrieta

Nicky Jam @ Cococabana 02.20.15

Photos by: Daniel Martinez & Will Espinoza

Tito Nieves @ The Palace 02.13.15

Photos by: Harold Reynold

Enjambre @ Tropicalia 02.07.15

Photos by: Daniel Martinez

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KESTA HAPPENING DC FEATURED EVENTS Sat 03.07 Tango Buenos Aires @ GMU Center of the Arts Thurs 03.12 Pimpinela @ The Palace Fri 03.13 Gerardo Contino @ Artisphere Thurs 03.19 Leo Jimenez @ The Fillmore Fri 03.20 Raul Romero @ The Howard Theatre Fri 03.20 Jowell y Randy @ The Palace Fri 03.27 Farruko @ The Palace Sat 03.28 Argentina vs El Salvador @ Fedex Field Mon 03.30 Rosana @ The Palace Fri 04.10 Grupo Vena @ Cococabana Fri 04.17 Tego Calderon @ Cococabana Thurs 05.14 Tierra Santa @ The Howard Theatre Sat 06.20 Leo Dan @ The Howard Theatre Thurs 06.25 Romeo Santos @ Patriot Center Wed 07.07-07.11 LAMC @ New York City Fri 08.07 Chayanne @ Patriot Center Fri 10.09 Ricky Martin @ Patriot Center For more information and many more events go to KESTADC.COM

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FAMILY

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POP

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ALTERNATIVE

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FEATURED

/ MARCH 2015

By: Ellen Flores and Rosario Garcia

That’s why here at Kesta Happening and throughout the entire DMV area, we are celebrating the arrival of Messi with the Argentinian national team as they

face the national team of El Salvador in an intense, no holds barred match that will take place at FedEx Field on Saturday, March 28.

agreed to have his medical bills covered by the team. This was when Messi’s family picked up and moved across the Atlantic to make a new home in Spain.

The Argentina native is not just a machine, but a phenomenon when it comes to scoring goals and establishing records. He’s won individual awards and is on route to being recognized as the best soccer player in the world.

Messi returned the favor in full becoming a star in his new country, scoring at will while leading his club to championships. In 2012, he set a record for most goals in a calendar year, and afterward was named FIFA’s “Player of the Year” a record fourth time.

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, as a young boy, Messi tagged along when his two older brothers played soccer with their friends, not in the slightest bothered by the older and bigger boys. At the age of 8, he was recruited to join the youth system of Newell’s Old Boys, a Rosario-based club.

Although he was often homesick in Spain, Messi moved quickly through the junior system ranks, and by the age of 16, he had made his first appearance for Barcelona.

Messi put himself in the record books on May 1, 2005, as the youngest player to ever score a goal for the team. That same year, he led Argentina to the title in the under-20 World Cup, scoring on a pair of penalty kicks that put them ahead of Nigeria.

However, Messi was recognizably smaller than most of the kids in his age group, and was eventually diagnosed by doctors as suffering from a hormone deficiency that restricted his growth. Messi’s parents, Jorge and Celia, decided on a regimen of nightly growth-hormone injections for their son, though it soon proved impossible to pay several hundred dollars per month for the medication. So, at the age of 13, when Messi was offered the chance to train at soccer powerhouse FC Barcelona’s youth academy, they

Despite his disorder, Messi eventually grew to 5 feet and 7 inches, and with his short stature, speed and relentless attacking style, he drew comparisons to another famous Argentinean footballer: Diego Maradona. “I see him as very similar to me,” the retired player told the BBC. “He’s a leader and is offering lessons in beautiful football. He has something different to any other player in the world.”

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Amazingly, the petite soccer player continued to improve, discovering new ways to elude defenders while leading Barcelona to La Liga and Spanish Super Cup championships in 2010 and 2011, as well as the ‘11 Champions League title.

At the 2014 World Cup, he led Argentina to the final, winning four consecutive Man of the Match awards in the process, and received the Golden Ball award as the best player of the tournament.

Universally regarded as the best player in the game (alongside rival Cristiano Ronaldo), the boyish Messi has become the commercial face of soccer with endorsements from Adidas, Pepsi, EA Sports and Turkish Airways, among other companies. Having signed an extension with Barcelona that guarantees him a base salary of approximately $21 million per year through 2018, he is one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

Although he is quiet and private off the field, Messi has found ways to help out others in need. In 2007, he formed the Leo Messi Foundation to provide opportunities for disadvantaged youths. In early 2010, UNICEF named him a goodwill ambassador, with a focus on fighting for children’s rights across the world.

So there you have it, Lionel Messi is not only an athletic icon but a philanthropist to boot. He is the highest

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goalscorer in the history of the Spanish championship after surpassing the previous record of 252 goals. He has joined the select group of Barça players that have worn the jersey 300 times in official matches. His athletic talents can’t be denied nor can his global recognition. In the recently released biography, author Guillem Balagué says that “Messi’s success is primarily explained through his personality, which was molded through the hard experience of having to leave his family at the age of 13 and because of his compulsive nature to win and his desire to constantly improve as a player.” It is these genuine qualities that make Messi more than just an athlete, they make him a global phenomenon that connects with millions of fans.

In the home of the Washington Redskins, the stadium will be transformed into a global arena that will unite sports fans of all nationalities in one spot for an afternoon that will feel like a moment taken from the World Cup itself.

Saturday, March 28 is a FIFA date, which means that club teams must release their players to their respective national teams. As a result, Argentina’s full roster is expected to appear in the match; this includes: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Carlos Tevez ( Juventus) and Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelona).

After finishing second in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Argentina is currently preparing for this summer’s Copa América which will take place in June in Chile.

This visit to play El Salvador at FedEx Field will mend the 16 year gap since the team’s last visit to the stadium in 1999 when they played the United States in the last year before the millennium. So now is your chance to score tickets on ticketmaster.com and witness the legend himself right here in our neighborhood! █

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FESTIVAL

Kick Winter to the Curb and Get Ready for an

Amazing Cherry Blossom Festival! othing says spring, like pink blossoms covering the District in a cotton candy like cloud. Spring is upon us and so are the Cherry Blossoms! DC goes pink at this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival beginning on Friday, March 20th through Sunday, April 12. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration, welcoming over 1.5 million attendees each year!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and annual celebration honors the lasting friendship and continued relationship between both countries. In 1915, the United States gifted flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan and in 1981; the cycle of giving came full circle when Japanese horticulturists were given cuttings from the trees to replace some cherry trees in Japan which had been destroyed in a flood. It wasn’t until 1994 that the festival expanded to a two week period to accommodate a diverse schedule during the blooming period. The 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in 2012 was a huge deal because the centennial celebrated the blossoms for an unprecedented five-week celebration

period. Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has grown from very modest beginnings to blossoming into one of the Capital’s biggest draws.

This year, the Festival spans four weekends showcasing Washington D.C. to the world. The festival has daily programming that spreads the springtime joy to all of us attending these wondrous blooms. All of the events in the festival are free and open to the public (unless otherwise noted) no matter what your interests are, there is something for you.

On March 21 the festival kicks off with the Opening Ceremony at the Warner Theatre and continues on with multiple events like the Blossom Kite Festival, the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, the Japanese Street Festival, and of course, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. This parade is one of DC’s largest spectator events; it runs for 10 blocks along the iconic Constitution Avenue. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers comprise this memorable event and make it the grand spectacle of music and showmanship it is. The National Archives serve as an exciting performance backdrop, and vibrant costumes

By: Ellen Flores

and blossom-inspired décor create the look of nation’s premier springtime parade. Another key event to consider is the Sakura Matsuri Japanese street festival, a one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the U.S. with over 50 cultural groups, vendors and food booths, and over 30 hours of performances on 4 stages.

With all the events and specialty programming, the heart of DMV natives is in full bloom with the sight that millions across the world flock to see at least once in their lives. The cherry blossoms are indeed a sight that no words or amount of pictures can do justice to. Couples, children, families, photographers and tourists all delight in walking among the pink blossoms that make spring all that much more special. If you haven’t seen these beauties in person, do yourself a favor and make this the year you see the cherry blossoms in full bloom and in the process, attend one of the many memorable and special events that are part of The National Cherry Blossom Festival. See you there!

Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/events for a full schedule. █

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HOLIDAYS

By: Aminta Nieves-Candamo and Rosario Garcia ost great things tend to come together by chance. It was in the early 1960s that Argentinian composer, Ariel Ramirez, was inspired by a trip to Germany after World War II, where a chance encounter with a group of nuns prompted Ramirez to write a “spiritual piece”. This would later become known as “La Misa Criolla” and went on to sell millions of copies internationally. The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in DC will be hosting a very special presentation of the “Misa Criolla: Christmas of the Americas: Voices of Hope” on December 21, 2014 as a benefit for the Cerniquem Institute for Burned Children.

For those not familiar with the “Misa Criolla” it is a combination of Spanish text with indigenous instruments and rhythms turning the event into a traditional holiday celebration for years to come. This year’s event will include

music from all corners of the world including Andean folk music, Bolivian indigenous music, and performers from Peru and Chile.

One of the key performers will be Ernesto Bravo, Chilean performer of Andean folk music. Expert on instruments like the Charango, Guitar, Quena, Zamponas, and percussion he is sure to delight with his unique style.

Known by his collaboration on “Memorias de los Andes” the documentary of a “Journey expedition Travel”, Bravo hopes to bring traditional Andean folk music to the masses.

Also performing in this edition of the Misa Criolla is tenor Pablo Henrich-Lobo from Bolivia who has become somewhat of a local celebrity having trained at the Catholic University of America, followed by 2 years of vocal training in Rome, Italy under tenor Gianni Bavaglio. Mr. HenrichLobo has also performed with The Washington Opera, The Opera Camerata of Washington, Baltimore Opera Company,

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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE

FOOD

/ MARCH 2015

By: Sarah Barrie

yamel Cocina Mexicana, an upscale restaurant in the heart of Penn Quarter, rated one of the best Mexican restaurants in the country by many publications, will be kicking off their 8th annual Tequila & Mezcal Festival on March 2 and will run for 2 weeks through March 15th. The festival, celebrating Mexican spirits, tequila and mezcal, will feature a sampling of exclusive dishes and cocktails, complimentary tequila, mezcal tastings, live music and an all-inclusive kick-off celebration. I had the pleasure of attending a special preview event where I got an inside look at what’s to come.

Oyamel is owned by world renowned awardwining Spanish Chef, José Andrés who among his many recognitions was included in Time’s “100 Most Influential” list and awarded Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation, in addition to also being credited with creating the “Spanish food boom” in America. Oyamel has also received numerous awards and recognitions including coming in at #2 in America’s best Mexican restaurant by The Daily Meal, Top 10 Power Dining Spots in D.C. by The Food Network, and 10 Best: Top spots for top-shelf tequila

by USA Today, among many others. Their annual Tequila & Mezcal Festival is an event which Oyamel goers and foodies alike look forward to all year.

This year, Executive Chef, Colin King will prepare a festive and delectable variety of special dishes which I recently had the opportunity to sample. I started with the Aguachile costeño Amarillo, consisting of Hawaiian Ono fish sliced and served over jicama, red onion, avocado, radish, and cilantro with a spicy sauce of costeño amarillo chile

and Mexican papaya puree. Next I tried the Camarones con longaniza de Valladolid, consisting of fresh head-on prawns poached and served with grilled Valladolid-style sausage, served over a puree of chilcostle chiles with fresh orange and pickled beet tops. One of my personal favorites was the Birria de Cabra, or local whole roasted goat marinated in a paste of guajillo chiles shredded and served in a house made corn tortilla topped with cilantro and white onions. Another must try were the Panuchos de pavo con salsa chilmole, braised turkey leg cooked in a tomato and habanero salsa, over a bean stuffed and fried tortilla, topped with a sour orange, habanero, and tomato salsa with pickled onions and avocado. Then of course, there’s the guac, which had a smooth melt in your mouth texture, made with jumbo fresh avocados in a molcajete (stone bowl used for grinding and made from lava rocks from Oaxaca).

Specialty cocktails, inspired by Mexico’s favorite spirits were prepared by Beverage Manager and Mezcalier, Jasmine Chae. Some of these bold cocktails include the Paloma de Oaxaca, made with mezcal and grapefruit-jalapeño soda, La Capital, with Tequila Añejo, sweet vermouth and guajillo chili, and my personal favorite, the Pica Pepino, made with Tequila Blanco, cucumber, serrano and lemon. The Pica Pepino had a cool and refreshing taste with the perfect combination of flavors. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Media Naranja, with Fidencio Clásico mezcal, sour orange, habanero,egg white and bitters.

Aside from its amazing food, what I love most about Oyamel is its welcoming and attractive atmosphere. It’s beautiful and tasteful décor filled with big floor to ceiling windows, Mexican decorations, pottery and colorful statues,

butterfly accents scattered throughout, and verses from one my favorite Neruda poems, “Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche” (Poema 20) decorate the walls.

Celebrate some of Mexico’s finest flavors at the opening Oyamel’s Eighth Annual Tequila & Mezcal Festival running from March 2 through March 15! Tickets for the festival can be purchased at https://oyamel.tfg.events/. For more information about Oyamel visit them online at http://oyamel.com or in person at 401 7th Street NW, Washington, DC. █

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KESTA ASKS

/ MARCH 2015

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STYLE

/ MARCH 2015

arch confidently into spring in one of this season’s chic little white dresses. Fall and winter weather often fills your closet with earth tones, deep jewel tones, and classic black ensembles. Why not brighten up your life with a brilliant white formfitting long sleeve mini, free flowing crocheted smock dress, or body conscious midi dress. Best of all, you can still pair these looks with a long jacket and boots to protect yourself against this cold weather that just wont quit. The little white dress trend is a fresh way to introduce a crisp, eye-catching new look to your wardrobe this Spring and will carry over perfectly into summer. █ By: Alicia Yim 5

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1. boohoo.com Candy Cutwork Woven Shift Dress $30 | 2. us.topshop.com Fitted Lace Dress $190 | 3. us.topshop.com Metallic Cutout Lace Bodycon Dress $70 | 4. us.topshop.com Embellished Waist Cutout Dress $115 | 5. forever21.com Lace Paneled Bodycon Dress $17.90 6. urbanoutfitters.com Love Sadie Lace Drawstring Halter Dress $69 | 7. forever21.com Raga LA Scalloped Crochet Dress $110 | 8. forever21.com High-Neck Lace Dress $22.80 | 9. 8 forever21.com Striped Lace Dress $19.90 | 10. forever21.com Cutout A-Line Dress $32.90 11. nastygal.com Alice McCall In This Dimension Cutout Dress $310 | 12. nastygal.com UNIF Alleger Sweater Dress $88 | 13. nastygal.com UNIF Stevie Dress White $98 | 14. forever21.com Crocheted Bell Sleeve Dress $24.90 | 15. nordstrom.com ‘Bitter Melon’ Sleeveless Cutout Dress $159 16. urbanoutfitters.com Ladakh Barcelona Dress $119 | 17. nastygal.com After Party Vintage Tie the Knot Dress $128 | 18. boohoo.com Maddie Flower Lace Long Sleeve Smock Dress $44 | 19. nastygal.com For Love and Lemons Lola Lace Dress $258

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Photo by: Daniel Martinez

/ MARCH 2015

Photo by: Jose Acha

Photo by: Daniel Martinez

Photo by: Daniel Martinez Photo by: Daniel Martinez

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Photo by: Jose Arrieta

Photo by: Jose Acha

Photo by: Daniel Martinez Photo by: Jose Arrieta

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INSPIRATIONAL

By: Rosario Garcia

design a tattoo that represented them when I got my half sleeve done. Although they are both conservative in the end they loved being a part of the process.”

That’s what happened when I followed Miguel “M.i.G.” Martinez on Instagram (@ themigmartinez) last month. As I scrolled through his feed and saw some familiar pictures (we have literally gone to many of the same events), I realized he was the mastermind behind the last Ozomatli video, “Tus Ojos” which was filmed at the State Theater in Falls Church, VA. Both the title of the Ozomatli song and M.i.G’s Instagram account share a similar motif. That is that M.i.G wants to show you the world through his eyes, which is why he coined the hashtag #HowIViewTheWorldAroundMe with over 1,644 pictures tagged to date.

M.i.G is the kind of guy that feels like a long lost friend immediately upon meeting him. His demeanor is quiet and reserved yet he makes bold statements in both his films and his photographs. He knows how to get people to open up to him to the point that by the end of our interview I was asking him for advice on how to let my mom know I have tattoos. “You have to make it sound like it was their idea,” he shared, “I had my mom and dad both

Having moved from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato when he was only 10 years old, Miguel lived in Charlottesville, VA for most of his teenage years. “Actually when I moved to Charlottesville that’s when I changed my name to “M.i.G” because people would always mispronounce my name. After a while, I would just say ‘call me M.i.G’. Later it actually helped me with the ladies because they would ask me what ‘M.i.G’ stood for and I would answer, ‘Miguel Inteligente y Guapo,’” he joked. I asked him if it worked, he answered with a sly smile, “It was a hit and a good way to break the ice.”

It wasn’t all fun and games in Charlottesville though, “I missed San Miguel de Allende, especially the vibrant music and art scenes. That’s when I really began to get into music, I wanted to bring music to people who were going through the same withdrawal as me. I applied for an internship at a local radio station and I proposed that I would start playing Latin music mixed with English music.

I didn’t want to freak people out but I wanted to integrate the American community with the Latino community through music,” he described. M.i.G had a successful radio show called “Danza Latina” which he was a part of through 2007 before he moved to the DC area.

In 2008 he began the production of his feature film, “Farewell, Ferris Wheel” with fellow Charlottesville resident Jamie Sisley. The film is a documentary that examines the link between America’s Carnival industry

and a small Mexican town that legally provides one third of the carnival industry’s labor. Miguel immersed himself into this project interviewing laborers who came to the US via the H-2B Temporary Guest Worker Program to work for the carnivals.

One unique aspect of the film which was completed in October of 2014, is that M.i.G and his partner travelled with the immigrants from Veracruz, Mexico to Baltimore, MD and interviewed people from all sides including the middle men and the owner of the carnival. “It was important that we let people form their own opinions.

The viewers will hear the stories and form their own opinions whether it’s for or against these programs,” M.i.G shared.

“Farewell, Ferris Wheel” has garnered attention winning the TAA Creative Promise Award from the Tribeca Film Institute and was selected for the Film Independent Documentary Lab and Firelight Media Producers Lab in 2014. The film is currently being submitted to various film festivals and will be released officially in 2015.

Currently, M.i.G is working with Ozomatli on some additional videos and projects, as well as, helping out at the Union 206 Studio in downtown DC. He plans to release a photography exhibit with a friend in the near future. Additionally, you can find M.i.G on Instagram as @themigmartinez and @elartedeuncaballero a collaboration with renowned tattoo artist, Luke Wessman, which is dedicated to positive ideas, life, women and relationships. Make sure to check him out! █

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LOCAL TALENT

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ECHOSTAGE LINEUP

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/ JANUARY 2014

Echostage | Next page: Grupo Niche

@ The Palace, Jowell

& Randy @ Cococabana

Photo by: Miriam Jave

Photo by: Miriam Jave

This page: Tiesto @

Photgrapher: William

Espinoza

By: Juan Leon By: Juan Leon

His impeccable production work and track selection are always anchored by a thrilling balance of profoundly soulful vibes with an eye towards getting people on the dance floor. Sabo’s sets the mood and captures the moment of current music, but with a true connoisseur’s understanding and love for the past.

Kesta Happening had the chance to ask Sabo a few questions ahead of his monthly Moombahton Massive event at U Street Music Hall on March 18th: KH: Could you tell us a little bit about how you got involved with moombahton?

Before the term “moombahton” was coined by Dave Nada, I was already making music that was in the same vibe as Moombahton - basically reggaeton / cumbia / dancehall remixes mixed with Electronic sounds. So when Dave made his 1st official Moombahton mix for XLR8R, he used 3 of my previously released tunes to go along with his Moombahton edits.

Shawn from Bersa [Discos] kinda made the official intro between Dave and me.

We hit it off straight away, and the rest is history as they say….

Saturday and Sunday, March 14 & 15: Tiesto — One of the world’s biggest KH: What do you see the future having in store for moombahton?

As far as the future of Moombahton, I’m not really sure. But I hope it keeps progressing, and new fans will keep an open ear and mind to just what is considered Moombahton. Right now, most of the new “Moombahton” I hear is really really aggressive, and sounds like main stage EDM slowed down to me. That’s not really, nor ever was, my thing, so I search far and wide to find the sexy deep stuff that falls in the mid tempo BPM range.

It’s amazing how much vibey music I find in deep house / techno / electronica sections of digital download sites. To me - some of these tunes - totally capture the essence of Moombahton, but I’m sure the producers of this music have no idea what Moombahton is. In the end it will hopefully keep evolving and when people get tired of the same lasers, and trap snare drum rolls into huge drops, some new sounds and ideas will emerge to take things even further.

KH: What do you think about the music scene in DC? So much incredible music from all genres have come outta’ DC though, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

DC has legendary spots like 18th St. Lounge still open, packed every night, and playing amazing (non-commercial) music.

And then you have a club like U-Hall which does no bottle service, no cameras, and no

silly door policies, about to celebrate its 5 year anniversary. It seems to me that DC is kinda killing it right now.

KH: What’s your current go-to track when you’re spinning?

Probably either my “SuperDrums” edit, or the “Dark Beat” edit I made. Those two have always seemed to work for me.

KH: What’s next for DJ Sabo and/or Sol*Selectas?

Well Sol*Selectas is being completely redesigned, and re-launched this year. I have a full length album to release with amazing remixes coming in from Acid Pauli, Metrika, Nadastrom, and Lazaro Casanova so far. I have signed some new artists for the label like Goldcap, KMLN, and Saand who will all be releasing new Eps on the label this year. Disgraceland has a new EP coming that is seriously the craziest most original shit I’ve ever heard. And then he and I have a collaborative EP coming this year as well.

I’m super excited to share all this new music, and the new and improved sound of Sol*Selectas very soon.

To purchase tickets to the next Moombahton Massive Event at U Street Music Hall on March 18th visit: http://www.facebook.com/uhalldc. █

DJs goes back to back for two nights in a row as part of his Clublife 2015 tour. Support by Tigerlily. This is a weekend you won’t want to miss.

(Doors open at 9PM, 18+)

Friday, March 20: Excision— w/Protohype,

Minnesota. Canadian dubstep producer and DJ Jeff Abel, better known as Excision, is known for his powerful, bass driven sound. This time he comes to Echostage with backup: Protohype and Minnesota will support. (Doors open at 9PM, Ages 18+)

Saturday, March 21: Steve Aoki — w/Headhunterz,

Caked Up, Botnek, Reid Stefan.

Known for his crowd-pleasing party antics as much as his spinning and production, Steve Aoki brings the neon every time he plays. He’ll be joined by a legion of like-minded EDM artists for the Neon Future Experience Tour. (Doors open at 9PM, 18+)

Friday, March 27: Meek Mill — Philly’s own Meek

Mill closes out March at Echostage.

His album Dreams Worth More Than Money is scheduled for release sometime this year. (Doors open at 9PM, 18+) █

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KESTA NEW

/ MARCH 2015

By: Ellen Flores

After a successful sold-out show at the prestigious venue El Coliseo de Puerto Rico (better known as El Choliseo) Zion y Lennox are back with "Pierdo La Cabeza" a song with a simple hook that weaves a cohesive progression of ideas strung together with a beat that make for a fun and *shocker* cute track from the duo. Granted, cute may not be the word these guys want associated with them but the lyrics are an ode to a crush, to that love that you want to celebrate and let the world know how you feel. The kicker here is that the beat and electronic notes give it an updated take on the Zion y Lennox sound of circa 2003, and in my book, that’s always a fun time.

Zion y Lennox performing at "El Choliseo" in Puerto Rico in February 2015

Among those voices and beats my ears made peace with Zion y Lennox- "La Z y La L", a duo that were among the first to combine true vocal harmonies (Zion) with more in your face rhymes and thicker vocals (Lennox) and that now returns with their album "Motivan2" the sequel to their classic album "Motivando A La Yal", an album that was blasting in car speakers from coast to coast through 100 x 35 miles of land nonstop.

Give it a listen and step out of your comfort zone, sometimes you might be surprised with how these two guys from a tiny island in the Caribbean revolutionized a genre that was dominated by aggressive vocals and even more aggressive videos. With age comes wisdom, and for Zion y Lennox, age has brought them a fresh outlook on life and love that captures different points of view that in the past would have never been on a record and now, with maturity and self confidence, are blooming in new music bustling out of your speakers. â–ˆ

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ALBUM REVIEWS

By: Ellen Flores

After eight years of anticipation, Puerto Rican rap icon Tego Calderón returns to the limelight with El Que Sabe, Sabe (EQSS).

Exploring a plethora of rhythms like bomba, plena, merengue and even roots, on EQSS Tego does what he does best, a brilliant fusion of styles with intellectual wit and substance in a genre that is notorious for being disposable and full of puffery.

With the track “Dando Break”, the current single in the album, Tego solidifies his spot in the current musical panorama with a fanfare intro and signature lyrical flow. The album progresses in thematic and sounds with standout tracks like “Estan Fritos” pure Puerto Rican traditional Bomba music, “Amar por Amar” a riff on disco and funk with sazón by Tego’s vocals on the track, and “Pastillita” a merengue featuring Don Omar that will unglue you from your seat and get you on the dance floor.

In the song “Y Quien Diría” the album hits more social themes as Tego joins forces with Kany García to shed light on the subject of child molestation and how it tears families apart around the world.

El Que Sabe, Sabe is one of Tego Calderón’s most compelling and complete albums both musically and lyrically. In a recent interview for SiriusXM’s Iconos series, Tego confessed that he was turned down by Sony because “the album was too intelligent and the public is dumb.” This motivated Tego to release it on his own label, a move that was ballsy and smart; very much like the fans of this album and his music. █

By: Rosario Garcia

Mexican American folk singer and songwriter, Fernanda Ulibarri has been making waves for some time (she toured with Julieta Venegas in 2008) and most recently was featured on NPR and various other media outlets promoting the release of her latest EP, “Polkas de Amor” available on iTunes and Amazon. Even if you’re not a fan of “folk music” or even singer songwriters you will love Fernanda’s unique voice and musical prowess.

In “Polkas de Amor”, Fernanda is focused on upbeat tempos and danceable tracks, with a cabaret folk feel. “People want to dance and have fun. So my new material is dedicated to those who like to dance,” shared the singer in a recent press release.

“Polkas de Amor” which was partially recorded in Echo Park (California), is about both love and heartbreak. Various musical artists collaborated with Fernanda including, Gloria Estrada from “Viento Callejero”, Moises Baqueiro of “Conjunto Nueva Ola” and “Los Abandoned”, and Edi Kistler of “Los Liquits” among others.

The EP single, “Crush” will make you not only sing along but also dance with its sweet polka rhythms. Fernanda’s soft but poignant voice finish up the track making it an instant hit.

The even faster tempo, “Lejos” takes only a second to reel you in before you feel like taking your shoes off, shooting your arms up and dancing like no one is watching. So go ahead, live a little, and buy the album and polka to your heart’s content! █

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KE PASÓ

LOVE

By: Malayna Butler

Nicky Jam could most likely be compared with LL Cool J – they’ve been around for a while and they just seem to look better and better with age!

Cococabana Nightclub was the scene of Nicky’s latest D.C. appearance and Hyattsville, Maryland was bustling and full of life on Friday, February 20th – not a parking space was in sight after 11:30 pm. Just fresh after Valentine’s Day, many parejas came out to enjoy a night of old and new school reggaetón and musica urbana. Nicky Jam who had paired up in his early days on songs with Daddy Yankee (the duo was known as Los Cangris), was back on stage and fired up for a younger audience of concertgoers, eager to hear classics like “Yo No Soy Tu Marido” and “Yo Me Voy P’al Party” and newer jams like “Travesuras” which he opened up with.

Nicky Jam has done remixes for that song with today’s hottest artists including J Balvin, De La Ghetto, Arcangel and Zion. Familiar faces from the D. C. entertainment scene were also present as the show was hosted by Mauricio Molina and DJ Travieso who invited JR of radio and television notoriety to come on stage briefly, also Telemundo Washington’s Moises Linares was in the house. The place was packed wall-to-wall and it was apparent that Nicky’s star has not faded since his disappearance from the limelight – that star is, in fact, now shining brighter than ever. █

By: Rosario Garcia

Mexican rockers, Enjambre sent DC into music euphoria on February 7 at the small and cozy Tropicalia on the U Street corridor. I was front and center singing along when all of a sudden in mid-set, singer Luis Humberto Navejas stated in Spanish, “This next song is for the beautiful DJ who opened up for us,” before proceeding to a killer rendition of “Tulipanes” off of their latest album Proaño. To say I fan girled out is an understatement. I was the DJ for that show and I LOVE that song. Earlier that night when I arrived to set up, Enjambre was in full sound check. Although they literally sounded perfect to me, the care and time they took to make sure the sound was flawless was on par with the sound check of a big music festival rather than a small basement bar.

After sound check I had the chance to tell Luis Humberto how excited I was to see them and mentioned my favorite song from the album was Tulipanes. The fact that he remembered is why Enjambre is so down to earth and awesome.

When Enjambre took the stage close to 9pm the crowd was ready to be blown away. Their set included songs from all their albums with a special set to introduce the new songs. Luis Humberto’s vocals sounded like something out of a dream (pitch perfect) and the sound and distortion was incredible. Some of the songs that drew the most screams were “Dulce Soledad” and “Somos Ajenos” along with “Madrugada”. For many fans it was their first time seeing Enjambre live and hopefully it won’t be their last! █

My hubby and I have a few problems, the main one is that he can’t just have a drink or two because he likes the “drunk feeling” too much. I have a 2 year-old son and I do not want him to learn this type of behavior. I think this problem is genetic because other people in his family have the same problem with alcohol. I have threatened to end this relationship due to his excessive drinking many times. He does try to change but falls for it again. What therapy does he need? I am always defensive and I kind of stopped my social life because of this.

-Staying Dry in the DMV I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s drinking problem and how much pain and worry it’s causing you. Alcoholism is a complex problem, there is certainly a genetic predisposition, and there are no easy solutions. The first step is for your husband to recognize that he has a problem, and from your letter it seems that he does as he has unsuccessfully tried to stop or cut down many times. Addiction is incredibly difficult to beat alone, so if he has the desire to stop drinking I would highly recommend that he start attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, where he can find help and support in his recovery.

In addition, he could also consult with an addiction specialist who could recommend whether he would also benefit from individual treatment, or a group outpatient or inpatient program.

Regardless of what he decides to do, the most important thing is for you to get help and support for yourself. You have a two year-old son who needs you, and it’s hard to be at your best when you are struggling alone. Unfortunately, your husband, the person who is supposed to be there for you as you raise your child together, becomes unreliable and unpredictable when he drinks. You mentioned that you’ve stopped your social life, and this is very common when there is a drinking problem in the family, as his drinking can make you feel ashamed and lead to further isolation and loneliness. I would strongly urge you find your closest Al-Anon chapter and attend a meeting (www.Al-Anon.org)- they are free so you have nothing to lose. You will find a community of people who are going through similar struggles as your family and can help you without judgment. It’s a great opportunity to learn from the experiences of other families who have faced similar problems and to break the cycle of silence and secrecy, while getting the understanding and support that you need in this struggle.

Ideally, he will agree to seek help and start on the road to his own recovery.

Research shows that when problem drinkers start a recovery program, they are more likely to succeed when they have the support of family members who are also involved in their own family recovery program, such as Al-Anon. His drinking is affecting the whole family, and you and your son deserve happiness, peace and serenity, whether or not your husband decides to stop drinking. █

Jazmin Moral www.jazminmoral.com is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Rockville. This column is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. If you have a love, dating, or relationship question, send it to us via our confidential online form at www.kestadc.com/love.

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KE? KESTA HOROSCOPE Aries: Romeo Santos says: “Yo tan joven

padesco del corazón, y por tu amor sufriría mil años y con mucho honor.”

– Romeo Santos –“Promise”

Taurus: Farruko says: “Pero que clase de rumba pa pa pa, la que yo cogí anoche que que que no recuerdo lo que sucedió.”

–Farruko, “6am”

GIVEAWAYS: Libra: Ricardo Arjona says: “Que fácil fue tocar el cielo la primera vez, cuando los besos fueron el motor de arranque, que encendió la luz que hoy se desaparece.” – Ricardo Arjona, “Fuiste Tu” Scorpio: Montez de Durango says: “Si

yo se que ya no me quiere que me gano yo con llorar solo unas lagrimillas tontas fueron sin pensar. ”

- Montez de Durango, “Lagrimillas Tontas”

Gemini: Leo Jimenez says:

“La vida es sueño, que ella quiso disfrutar.

Recorriendo un largo trecho, para así llevar felicidad.” – Leo Jimenez, “Vuela Alto”

Cancer: Tierra Santa says: “He conseguido vencer mil tormentas pescando la tierra que un día deje, siempre esperando en el cielo la estrella que alumbre el camino que me haga volver.”

– Tierra Santa, “La Leyenda del Holandés Errante”

Sagittarius: : Gerardo Ortiz says:

“Quién se anima que le entre con ganas a los negocios donde hay buena lana, los placeres, la banda y mujeres.” – Gerardo Ortiz “Quien Se Anima”

Capricorn: Leo Dan says: “Lloraras,

Lloraras por tu capricho si yo se que es a mi a quien quieres, no podras ser feliz con ningun otro pues conmigo conociste el amor.” -Leo Dan, “Te He Prometido”

Leo: Larry Hernandez says: “Eres una

Aquarius: Grupo 24 horas says: “Por

Virgo: Pimpinela says: “Amigo mío, esta noche te invito a brindar por ella, que los amores se marchan, y los amigos nos quedan.”

Pisces: Joan Sebastian says: “Tatuajes de tus besos llevo en todo mi cuerpo tatuados sobre el tiempo el tiempo que te conoci.”-–Joan Sebastian “Tatuajes”

belleza de lo pies a la cabeza eres una dulzura contigo encontré la cura de mis males y mis achaques de mis días mis tristezas .” – Larry Hernandez “Dame Tu Amor”

– Pimpinela, “Entre La Espada Y La Pared”

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favor enamorate de mi que no vez que estoy sufriendo cuando el te llegue a ti.” – Grupo 24 Horas, “Por Favor”

win tickets to

Farruko

fri, MARCH 27TH @ the PALACE

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!

38

/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

By: Rosario Garcia

/ MARCH 2015

WWW.KESTADC.COM

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