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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ NOVEMBER
2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
November
ISSUE # 20
6 ROCK
Miguel Mateos
7 ROCK Octavia
9 LATIN JAZZ
16
Chucho Valdés and his Quintet
10 TROPICAL
La Charanga Habanera
11 TROPICAL
El Grupo Niche
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12 BOSSA NOVA Bebel Gilberto
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14 KESTADC.COM GALLERY
Photos of concerts and DC nightlife
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15 UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar of upcoming events
16 FEATURE
José Feliciano
19 FAMILY
La Feria de la familia
20 BACKSTAGE KESTA Cronicas de un rockero
23 STYLE
Winter Coated
24 KESTA GIRL
24
Jessica Jessie
26 RADIO PERSONALITY JR al aire
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PUBLISHER: Media644 / DIRECTOR: Juan Luis Gonzalez / EDITOR: Rosario Garcia / DESIGN: Miriam Jave WEB & TECHNOLOGY: Javier Gonzalez / WRITERS: Luis Ayala, Aline Barros, Veronica Brown, Maria Veronica Cevallos, Ellen Flores, Juan Leon, Roxana Martinez, Manu Mayor, Alicia Yim PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jose Acha, William Espinoza, Harold Reynold / SALES: Jose Acha, William Espinoza INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN INTERN? CONTACT US: info@kestamag.com, www.kestadc.com, tel: 202 643 0555
27 SPORTS
Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions
28 KESTA LIKES
Our top likes of the month
29 KE?
Win tickets to La Charanga Habanera & José Feliciano
WWW.KESTADC.COM
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ NOVEMBER
2012
ROCK
his year, the DMV area has had a chance to see some of the some of the best acts within the Rock en Español music scene. We’ve been lucky to receive artists like Spain’s own Jarabe de Palo, Argentinian music heroes Enanitos Verdes, Mexican Ska-Punk bands Panteon Rococo and Gran Silencio, and this month Enrique Bunbury. However, the year isn’t over yet and the DMV area is in for a treat with a visit by one of the biggest icons in the Ola de Rock Argentino; a patriarch in the Rock Nacional movement. On November 21, the Fillmore Silver Spring will be host to the one and only Miguel Mateos!
Influencia Mateos
Miguel Mateos has been a name that has withstood the test of time. Spanning generations, countries and languages, he has managed to achieve what very few have; a chart topping, successful career that still to this day, allows him to sell out each venue he visits. What Miguel set out to do back in 1979 was to do music, never knowing that his compositions and arrangements would connect with generations of music lovers for years to come, and for that alone, we will be forever grateful for his music, his voice, and his stories. Miguel Mateos has many, many career milestones. One of his biggest accomplishments was with his band Zas in 1981. Zas opened for British Rock legends Queen, at their three night soldout crowd of 150,000 people in Buenos Aires. Later on while touring, Miguel Mateos y Zas recorded Rockas Vivas, a live album that made record sales history in Argentina and is still the second top selling live album in the Rock Nacional genre. Rockas Vivas catapulted the charts with the crowd favorite “Tira Para Arriba”. Following the success of the album, “Solos En America” was released featuring iconic tracks like “Cuando Seas Grande” and “Mi Sombra En La Pared”. The songs “Es Tan Fácil Romper Un Corazón” and “Llámame Si Me Necesitas” were covered by multiple artists, among them, the boy band sensation Menudo. By: Ellen Flores
Conscious of his success and position within the movement, Miguel Mateos
opened the doors for a plethora of artists. In his 1987 tour dubbed “Rock en Tu Idioma”, Caifanes and Maldita Vecindad were introduced to the world and launched their decade spanning careers. With this tour and the impact that Miguel had on the music scene, the press dubbed him as “El Jefe Del Rock En Español”.
Life After Zas
After finishing the “Rock En Tu Idioma” tour, Miguel released Atado A Un Sentimiento, his last album with Zas. However, this was not the last we would hear of Miguel. His solo career later debuted with the release of Obsesión, which received support from MTV and brought him on his first tour of the United States. This album and tour were the final push that busted open the doors to the Rock En Español movement popularity in the U.S. After Obsesión, Miguel went on to have a record breaking solo career with multiple albums that pushed him to the top of the Latin Rock movement and charts.
Asamblea Mateísta
Touring in support of his latest album, Primera Fila, Miguel has revisited some of his classics and added new arrangements to update them and present them to new generations of fans. Much like the stories in Miguel’s compositions, my journey into the Mateo movement has a story of its own. Over twenty years later into his career, I discovered his sound his compositions and his voice. Even though his songs were written many years before my time, the connection I felt to his music rekindled my passion for the genre of rock en Español and turned me into a fullfledged, die hard Mateísta. But I know what you are thinking. What is an “Asamblea Mateísta”? I define Mateísta as a music lover that is passionate for the lyrics, melodies and voice of Argentine rock icon, Miguel Mateos. If that description fits your profile, then I invite you to be present on November 21 at The Fillmore Silver Spring for the Miguel Mateos: Asamblea Mateísta that will take place here in the DMV. Grab your tickets and “¡tira para arriba!” because this will be a night to celebrate decades of stories, passion and above all, rock en tu idioma. █
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ROCK
By: Veronica Brown
olivians take pride in consuming their national products. All things “Hecho en Bolivia,” are a big deal, and one of their national exports is Octavia: arguably the most important band in Bolivian rock. Octavia is a frequent visitor to the DC metropolitan area, where they keep attracting fans with their catchy mix of acoustic rock and traditional Andean music. Octavia has a unique Bolivian flavor; their music is a reflection of the millenary cultures that exist in Bolivia and the Andean nations. Mixing catchy pop, electronic synthesizers, and acoustic music, they have managed to seamlessly fuse the modern sounds of Latin Rock with the traditional rhythms of the Andean highlands.
Octavia was formed in La Paz in 1988. It is comprised of band members, Gimmer Illanes, Simón Lujan, Vladimir Pérez, Ricardo Sasaki, Omar González, and Martín Fox. During the early 90’s they experimented with sounds and names starting out as Stress and Coda 3. They released four albums under the name Coda 3 with independent record companies. In 1996 they found the winning formula with their album “Aura” released under Sony Music Entertainment, and it was at this point where they changed their name to Octavia to avoid confusion with a Mexican band named Coda. The album was well received, achieving platinum record sales. This brought them a lot of play in well-known music channels such as MTV Latino and Telehit, exposing them to the wider Latin American audience. They
released two more albums, all going gold or platinum, with hits such as Verdades Ineditas and Redencion. Soon the band began touring internationally, and in 2000 they were invited to one of the most important Latin Rock festivals in Latin America, “Rock Al Parque,” in Colombia. They played to an audience of more than 50,000 people and were featured on CNN. In 2004, they released the album Talisman and their hit Despues de Ti which has become an anthem for young Bolivians everywhere. Since then they have widely toured Latin America, Europe and the US releasing 8 albums all of which have been a success. They released their most recent album “Medular,” in 2009. The album is classic Octavia, and features the hit songs
“Bienvenido,” and “En tus Labios,” both must-listen productions. After two decades of a musical career, Octavia continues to grow and entertain fans with their unique musical proposal. They are as much a Bolivian staple as salteñas and for many Bolivians they represent an integral part of their culture and youth. This is a Bolivian export we all want to import! Don’t miss your chance to see this Bolivian treasure perform live at the State Theater in Falls Church, VA on Saturday, November 24, 2012. The tickets are on sale at: www.thestatetheatre.com and are $26 in advanced/$31 day of the concert. █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ NOVEMBER
2012
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LATIN JAZZ
Collaboration with an Afro-Cuban Flavor:
chucho valdés and his Quintet By: Maria Veronica Cevallos
Latin Jazz legend Chucho Valdes, who visited the area in February, returns to the Washington DC area with a new opportunity for audiences to enjoy his talent with his Chucho Valdes Quintet. Kesta had the opportunity to ask Chucho about his career, music, new album, and even some new endeavors such as a piano line with Japanese company Sakai. Kesta: Your career has spanned more than four decades, and you’ve recorded more than 80 works. To what do you account your career’s longevity and wanting to keep recording and performing music? Chucho: The public has always seemed to be fond of our music since I started with Irakere [his first band]. What I account for it is that art keeps you young as long as you, as an artist, continue to create and evolve. Miles Davis, Pablo Picasso and Arthur Rubinstein are clear examples of this, artists with long careers. Art is an eternal spiral. New experiments, new formulas and sounds are the challenge. The point is not to stop. K: Tell us about your upcoming follow up to 2010’s Chucho’s Steps. C: We have not yet finished recording it, but I can tell you that it is something very different to my previous work. It will have new fusions, new structures, and special guests. K: We know also that your new album will have collaborations with Spanish flamencofusion Buika and Roy Hargrove. How did you go about choosing these collaborators? C: The process involved basing it the compositions I had written for the album which have different paths but the same roots. These are all excellent performers whom I have worked in the past.
K: How do you feel about working with other artists in collaboration, like Buika, who interpret different genres than your own? What are the themes that we will hear in this new album that we haven’t heard before from you? C: I feel wonderful because despite the different genres, they all have a common root: Africa. In this new album, it will be the first time I’ve recorded with guest performers and I will “Afrocubanize” their style. Here is where you will find the difference in sound, rhythm, and harmony. K: You seem to enjoy mixing genres. Why do you think this is so? C: Because within fusion lies the richness of style and improvisation. K: Tell us about your Sakai piano line. How did
this new enterprise come about and why did you choose such a project? C: It is a marvelous project and the sound [of these pianos], in my opinion, are more specialized to play Jazz and Latin Jazz. Sakai came to me with the idea to make a piano with a sound that I thought great for Jazz and in three years of analysis and studies, we found the sound that I found ideal. The pianos are now being manufactured in Japan. K: Now, tell us a little bit about your new show. Can you tell us a little bit about your new group, the Chucho Valdes Quintet? How is this new show different from the one you brought earlier this year? C: [The Quintet’s] members are the younger generation of Cuban talent, with a wealth of ideas and rhythmic innovations and impressive melodies. They are Gaston Joya (bass and double bass), Rodney Barretto (drums), Yaroldy
Abreu (percussion), and Dreiser Durruth Bombale (vocals and batas). They are exciting to work with and they are a tremendous force and an inspiration. This show is much more Jazz and AfroCuban, and I believe that we are playing our very best. Without a doubt, this show will be one not to miss. Chucho Valdes and the Chucho Valdes Quintet will be performing the Hylton Center’s Merchant Hall stage on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 at 7 p.m. Ticketholders will also have the opportunity to attend a pre-performance discussion beginning 45 minutes prior to the performance in the Hylton Center’s Buchanan Partners Art Gallery. For tickets, visit HyltonCenter.org █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ NOVEMBER
2012
TROPICAL
By Manu Mayor
imba. Cuban salsa with a strong Afro-Cuban vibe, that’s what timba is. La Charanga Habanera. The best exponents of timba since the mid 90’s, that’s who La Charanga Habanera are. David Calzado started La Charanga Habanera in 1988 with a focus on using musical styles from popular Cuban music from the 1940’s and 50’s. After some years and some changes, La Charanga blossomed with its very own style of timba. By the mid 90’s they were touring around Mexico, Argentina, Peru and the U.S. to great success. Their appeal isn’t limited to Latin America or latin audiences for that matter. Their retro lively show has earned them prime recognition and spots on some of the most coveted tours including alongside Stevie Wonder, Donna Summers, Barry White, James Brown, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Whitney Houston to name a few. La Charanga has managed to take great beats from the past and inject them with a vibrant, modern feel. During its first stage, the genre repertoire of La Charanga included the mambo, danzón, bolero, guaracha, cha cha chá and instrumental pieces from the international repertoire. Listening to their songs is like listening to a tropical party
play-list. You will be hard pressed to go to one of their concerts and not feel the urge to dance. This high-energy salsa will have you moving all night long. In 2003, La Charanga Habanera received a Latin Grammy nomination for their album “Live in the U.S.A.” Fast forward to the present day and La Charanga Habanera is still the favorite of the overwhelming majority of the audience for its always young image and its talented instrumentalists and singers, as well as, for its dynamic sound closely associated with the most aggressive timba born of the authentic spirit of the 1990`s. La Charanga Habanera is an indispensable orchestra that has to be considered whenevever you speak of the history of dancing popular music in Cuba. Their success lies on the fact that this orchestra constituted a new proposal which combined the broad potentialities of its members singers and instrumentalists alike- with a well-structured choreography executed by all musicians who display versatility and expressiveness on stage thus breaking every predetermined canon of this kind of orchestra. Other characteristic elements of La Charanga include the use of the African harpsichord which adds a greater freedom of performance and accelerated polyrhythmic marked by the bass and the keyboard in what is known as contratumbao, as well as the introduction of rap, funk and hip-hop elements.
David Calzado and his Charanga Habanera are now expanding their horizons adding more cities and tour dates in the last couple of years. They are hoping to capture the same huge level of success that they have obtained in their native Cuba and also in Peru. They constantly travel to Peru, book 3 or 4 sold out shows in a row and the people there still want more! Why so much demand? La Charanga Habanera is a great show to watch live. A mix of the old and new performed with great energy and sungg with a sly grin. La Charanga Habanera is happy and confident music, what’s not to love? If you haven’t heard La Charanga Habanera, start now so you can get hooked on it by the time their concert rolls around on November 30th at Diamond Lounge. To compare them, doesn’t do them justice, but the closest sound might be that of DLG with a little more swing and a little less rapping. A great song and video to start with is “Gozando en la Habana”. That video really captures the feeling and essence of La Charanga. Despite their inexplicably low media exposure, you will be surprised at how many loyal followers this band has and with great reason. If there is such a thing as underground Salsa, these guys are the kings of it. █
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TROPICAL
O
By: Maria Veronica Cevallos
ne the most recognizable and legendary salsa groups of all time, Grupo Niche, will bring their Colombianstyle rhythm and melody to the area to ring the coming New Year with a bang. Charismatic and energetic, this group has a well-earned place in the hearts of millions of salsa fans with a live show that will be sure to make you dance. Formed in 1980 in Bogota, Colombia, and currently based out of Cali, Colombia, Grupo Niche was started by its founder, Jairo Varela, along with trombonist Alexis Lozano. It also included Nicolas Cristanelo, on the piano; Francisco Garcia, on the bass; Luis Pacheco, on the congas; as well as vocalists Jorge Bassam and Hector Viveros. Varela would become,
as the years progressed (after Lozano’s departure to form his own group, Orquesta Guayacan) the group’s main driving and artistic force, becoming producer, director, songwriter, vocalist and guiro player. The group has produced many and widely known hits, starting with their production in 1984, No Hay Quinto Malo, which produced perhaps their most famous song “Cali Pachanguero”.
With this hit, and the following recording, 1985’s “Se Paso!” recorded in New York, catapulted the group into not only fame, but a mythic status that has since accompanied the band. Then, the famous addition of Tito Gomez, a Puerto Rican singer who had previously worked with la Sonora Ponceña, and Ray Barretto, the Godfather of Latin Jazz. Later that year, Grupo Niche released “Me Huele A Matrimonio”. Gomez, as well as other vocalists, left the band. Grupo Niche’s achievements include many firsts for a Latin music band. In 1986, they became the first Colombian group to perform live at Madison Square Garden, leaving the public with an excellent impression of their musicianship and their status as one of Salsa’s leading voices. In 1989, the group assembled an audience of more than one million people at Campo Marte in Peru and later, they start their first tour around European countries such as Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, and England. Loved by many around the world, the group has paid more than one hundred visits to the United States, where the group is much beloved by not only Hispanics, but many other Americans alike. In its long and fruitful career, Grupo Niche has won dozens of
gold and platinum discs for excellent sales and has received numerous awards and special awards in different parts of the world. Since Varela’s tragic death earlier this year from an apparent heart failure, a great void was left in the hearts of fans that will not be easily filled. However, his music and his band carry on his genius and intend on continuing his work and bringing salsa music that comes from the heart and thrills millions around the world. Songs like “Sin Sentimientos”, “Una Aventura”, “Gotas de Lluvia”, “Hagamos Lo Que Diga Corazon”, “Nuestro Sueño”, and the famous cumbia “Canoa Rancha”, all by Varela, will always be some of the most recognizable salsa classics. You’ll get your chance to experience Grupo Niche in full splendor during a very special Kesta Happening New Year’s Eve Latin Gala taking place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott on December 31st, 2013! This end of the year blowout event will be the spot to be, featuring special guest DJ’s playing the best Latin International hits, La Hora Re-Loca, as well as, hors d’oeuvres, and Champagne at Midnight! VIP tickets for this event include a reserved table and dinner from 7-9pm. Doors for the concert open at 9 pm. If you want to party until the cows come home, the Marriott is offering a special Hotel Rate available $129 for concertgoers. Don’t miss out on this incredible New Year’s Eve celebration with Grupo Niche and Kesta Happening DC! To purchase tickets visit www.tickeri.com! █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ NOVEMBER
2012
BOSSA NOVA
By: Juan Leon
arold Bloom’s notion of the anxiety of influence describes an artist’s struggle for originality against the dominant influence of the masters preceding her in the artistic pantheon. In Bloom’s estimation, only in breaking away from the influence of the canonical forefathers, can the artist create work that is truly original and great. In the case of Bebel Gilberto, the anxiety of influence theory strikes closer to the heart than it might for other artists. Or at least those canonical forefathers do. Bebel’s father is the legendary bossa nova singer and guitarist Joao Gilberto. Bebel’s mother is Brazilian singer Miucha (less well-known in the United States than Joao but undoubtedly a massive influence on the young Bebel). In spite of her birthright as Brazilian bossa nova royalty, Isabel Gilberto de Oliveira (known to fans of adult contemporary bossa nova as Bebel Gilberto) was born in New York City, New York in 1966. She grew up singing with her mother and participating in classic Brazilian musicals. Bebel debuted on record on her mother Miucha’s first solo album, a collaboration with Brazilian jazz great Antonio Carlos Jobim, titled after the jazz star and pop singer, Miucha & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1977). In 1979, a 13-yearold Bebel performed at Carnegie Hall, singing with her mother and another jazz legend with ties to bossa nova, American saxophone player, Stan “The Sound” Getz. Gilberto’s childhood and adolescent dalliances with music eventually led to her own professional musical career. In 1986, Bebel debuted as a solo artist with her self-titled EP released on the WEA label. During the next few years, she collaborated often with Brazilian rock artist Cazuza. She was featured as one of the artists on the Red Hot + Rio benefit album, as well as collaborated with Japanese producer Towa Tei (singing on “Technova” and “Batucada”). She also worked with
prolific former Faith No More frontman Mike Patton on “Caiprinha” for his Peeping Tom self-titled release in 2006. Bebel’s next project was her proper studio debut, Tanto Tempo (also notable for providing the material for the excellent Tanto Tempo Remixes album) which proved to be a success in the United States and globally as a club-lounge staple. Her second studio release, Bebel Gilberto, in 2004, was a departure from the electronic tinged Tanto Tempo, and saw Bebel return to her roots with a mostly acoustic style in a traditional Brazilian lounge vein. Stylistically, 2007’s Momento, seemed to strike the balance between Tanto Tempo’s electronic nod to the future and Bebel Gilberto’s return to the past. On Momento, she worked with Brazilian Girls (a nod to the future) and Rio’s Imperial Orquestra (a nod to her roots). Her latest release, 2009’s All In One, sees Bebel Gilberto working with an eclectic mix of producers and collaborators. Carlinhos Brown, Didi Gutman (Brazilian Girls), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Sean Paul), Daniel Jobim and John King (Dust Brothers). All In One is Gilberto’s debut for the Verve label. All In One as a record is (unsurprisingly) as eclectic as the producers and artists who worked on it. “Chica Chica Boom Chic” is a throwback tribute to Carmen Miranda, while “The Real Thing” (written by Stevie Wonder), finds Bebel collaborating with Mark Ronson and accompanied by Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse’s former backing band The Dap Kings. Elsewhere, “Sun Is Shining” is a breezy, electro-touched, lounge track. Finally, “Port Antonio” closes the album as a pretty piano and strings ballad, showing off yet another dimension of Gilberto’s diversity. Bebel Gilberto plays at the 9:30 Club soon. Visit 930.com for more information. █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ NOVEMBER
2012
KESTADC.COM GALLERY Eddie Santiago & Luis Miguel Del Amargue @ Bravo Bravo 10.19.12
Tito Puente Jr & Gilberto Santa Rosa @ Warner Theatre 10.15.12
Jarabe de Palo @ The State Theatre 10.13.12
Salsa Music Awards @ Diamond Lounge 10.12.12
Gianmarco @ The Howard Theatre 10.05.12
Prince Royce @ The Fillmore Silver Spring 10.04.12
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KESTA HAPPENING DC FEATURED EVENTS Sat 11.03 Postponed Fri 11.09 Sat 11.10 Sun 11.11 Sat 11.17 Sun 11.18 Wed 11.21 Wed 11.21 Fri 11.23 Fri 11.23 Sat 11.24 Thur 11.29 Thur 11.29 Fri 11.30 Sun 12.02 Mon 12.03 Fri 12.17 Fri 12.14 Mon 12.31
Made in Hamilton @ Hyattsville Bebel Gilberto @ 930 Club Daniel Agostini @ Diamound Lounge Heart Walk @ Nationals Park Studio Fiesta Zumbathon @ Twinbrook Elementary Rockin Fairfax @ The Old Firestation #3 La Feria de La Familia @ DC Armory Miguel Mateos @ The Fillmore Tony Rosado @ Ceviche House Vernis Hernandez @ Marco Polo Bachata Heightz @ Cococabana Octavia @ The State Theatre Enrique Bunbury @ The Howard Theatre Enrique Bunbury AfterParty @ Red Lounge La Charanga Habanera @ Diamond Lounge Chucho Valdés @ Hylton Performing Arts Center El Vez @ U Street Music Hall Los Redd @ The State Theatre José Feliciano @ The Howard Theatre NYE Latin Gala with Grupo Niche @ Marriot Crystal Gateway
For more information and many more events go to KESTADC.COM
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ NOVEMBER
2012
FEATURED
A Bridge Across:
By: Juan Leon
he story goes that the glaucomablinded at birth Jose Feliciano, first picked up the accordion before he was given a guitar in a brown paper bag. One of eleven brothers, Jose moved to New York City with his family at the age of five. At age nine he performed in the Bronx at the Puerto Rican Theatre. When he did eventually start playing
the guitar, he dedicated himself to the instrument with arduous determination, practicing (with nothing but records as a guide) up to 14 hours a day. The young Feliciano quit school at 17 to pursue his music and help his family: playing coffee houses in Greenwich Village where he and his fellow musicians would pass the hat. Jose’s first break in the industry came in the Spanish speaking market, when Buenos Aires RCA executives encouraged him to stay
in Argentina and record an album of Spanish language tracks. Born in Lares, Puerto Rico, Jose Feliciano’s iconic status through an incredibly lengthy career (spanning nearly 70 albums and 8 Grammys) has seen him become beloved beyond the bounds of his homeland and into the hearts and minds of Latin America (really, all of America). Feliciano’s music has served as a connection between appreciators of Feliciano’s work, be
they Latin or American (or both), between generations (fathers and sons), and between cultures. Even in the genres Feliciano revisits and reinterprets, a deliberate sense of erasing barriers can be seen. His most popular singles evidence this tendency: In the ‘60’s, his Grammy winning cover version of The Doors’ “Light My Fire” brought Feliciano’s jazzy >>>>>>
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>>>>>> Latin-island, inflected acoustic style to American rock fans. Feliciano has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra (Peter Stuyvesant presents Jose Feliciano in Concert). He has shown an affinity for both soul (1977’s Sweet Soul Music, 1968’s Souled and 1966’s A Bag Full of Soul) and rock n’ roll (1975’s Just Wanna Rock’n’Roll). With 1983’s “Let’s Find Each Other Tonight”) Feliciano bridged yet another musical barrier and brought his work to Country audiences (“Let’s Find Each Other Tonight” made it onto the Country charts). The Spanglish classic “Feliz Navidad” similarly introduced American culture to a recognizable and universally joyous take on tradition. In 2009, Feliciano’s political consciousness forced him to respond when two hack radio producers created a throwaway parody of “Feliz Navidad” entitled “Illegals In My Yard”.
Releasing a statement on his official website, Feliciano addressed the parody succinctly (rightfully recognizing the pitiful smallness of the attention grabbing attempt) while reinforcing the humanity strived for in his own work: “This song has always been a bridge to the cultures that are so dear to me, never as a vehicle for a political platform of racism and hate. It’s disgusting and my only wish [is] that my song and I are distanced from the whole affair as soon as possible.”
Emerging from the turbulent political climate of the 1960’s around the same time as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, Feliciano pursued his career with a stringent consciousness, an aesthetic commitment to the humane. His bluesy 1968 interpretation of the “Star Spangled Banner” at Tiger Stadium during Game 5 of the World Series proved controversial enough to stall his career for three entire years and also opened the door for subsequent non-traditional renditions of the national anthem. Unlike the shock tactics of unscrupulous partisan hacks with paper-thin ideals, Feliciano’s genre crossing work has consistently stayed true to his artistic ideals. Never courting controversy for its own sake, Feliciano nonetheless displayed unerring fealty to his compassionate, humane vision.
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aesthetic principles. 2012 has seen the astoundingly prolific artist release an Elvis Tribute album (the American rock side), as well as Alma Rebelde (the Latin side). Thus is the work of a master devoted to bridging the gap between cultures, genres, and people. December 14th, the Howard Theatre hosts the legendary singer/ guitarist, undoubtedly sporting his trademark dark shades for a “Holiday Feliz Navidad Show”. Tickets are $38.50 in advance, $42 on the day of the show. Doors open at 6:00PM, showtime is at 8:00PM. Tickets available through www. ticketmaster.com. █
His latest work evidences Feliciano’s continued commitment to his
All photos of Jose are the work of DAVID BRAVO
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2012
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FAMILY
By: Aline Barros
elemundo Washington D.C. will be hosting La Feria de La Familia 2012 on November 18 at DC Armory. In its 10th anniversary, families will enjoy a day of live music and entertainment while focusing on their health, and experiencing dance and fitness demonstrations. The fun filled day is in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, and Telemundo Washington organized this important event to entertain, inform and connect the Hispanic community with local businesses in the region. “It is basically a large family expo, where we bring in sponsors and vendors to connect services for the participants. We have information on services of the area, and we also have a main stage where we have bands, dance groups, and our network’s talent from Miami,” said Brian Van Hoven, Washington, D.C’s Telemundo Marketing Director. Since it is the 10th anniversary, the organizers want to make sure everything is even more special. Last year, La Feria reached nearly 30,000 people, and the organizers hope to reach an even higher
L A C A S I TA P U P U S A . C O M
number of attendees offering a broad range of health and financial services. According to the official press release, La Feria 2012 is designed to deliver information, services, and the best of Telemundo talent and entertainment in one place. All of it in a family atmosphere with a guaranteed day to inform, empower and entertain. The exciting, interactive, and community event is promoted by ZGS Telemundo affiliate and is a strong forum for businesses to demonstrate their commitment and strengthen their brand within the Hispanic community. “We will be there to share the moment with our community, get to meet our viewers, and hear what they have to say about the service we offer. More importantly, we are there to thank our audience for their trust and support,” said Juliana Monsalve, news anchor and reporter from Telemundo Telenoticias Washington. Penelope Menchaca, the beloved host of 12 Corazones, comes to our nation’s capital to visit family, friends, and to host for the fifth year in a row La Feria 2012. “She loves coming to the D.C. area, it is a special place for her,” said Van Hoven.
Participating celebrities will greet fans and take pictures. Also, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the talent from Telenoticas Washington, Sulema Salazar, Juliana Monsalve, Randy and Cristina Serrano Caicedo-Smit. In the past, La Feria has had more than 25,000 people attending, with grand prizes and concerts from Frankie Negrón, and Raymond Arrienta, as well as, Angeline Moncayo the Columbian actress meeting and greeting fans. Monsalve thinks events like this are important to show appreciation to the public, “Our hard work everyday is only so that we can serve them and inform them well, and Feria is the perfect opportunity for us to make sure that’s what we are doing.” La Feria de La Familia will take place at the DC Armory from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18th, 2012. For more information visit www.holaciudad.com █
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BACKSTAGE KESTA
w By Luis Ayala
hen friends or family come to visit they usually bring presents or gifts, but rarely do they leave something behind that can be outrageous or just plain crazy. When a rock band like Victimas del Dr. Cerebro from Mexico comes to visit, you better be prepared because they are full of surprises and may leave you with “a small token of their appreciation”, as I will share in this month’s Cronicas de un Rockero! Back in 1997, while the Victimas were touring and promoting their third album Boutique 2000, we had the chance of booking them in the area. Since this was the first time they were going to come to Washington DC we decided to go all out and request a full theatrical set-up to go along with their musical show. Their stage props included stuff like monster costumes, gas masks, laser lights, and of course piñatas! The place where the concert took place actually had the name that was just right for this event, Phantasmagoria, and when we decorated the place to the hilt with props that Victimas brought specifically for their show. Everything looked spookily perfect. All the people that helped with the decorations were excited about how the venue looked and even the band’s crew were just amazed that the stage turned out even better than their show in NYC. Just like that we opened doors for the fans to come in and the concert was on its way. The show was so great
that many people still talk about how perfect the stage, decorations were for the band and venue, and for a nonHalloween concert, this was top of the line. At the end of the concert and when we were putting all the decorations away for Victimas’ trip back to Mexico, an interesting point came across our minds, are the airlines going to let the band take this back home without charging them extra? So the manager mentioned that their record label paid for that when they left Mexico but nobody said anything about the trip back. So now we had to plan something to solve this little problem because this was going to be really interesting, the budget of the show was not planned to cover this expense, and the band was not going to pay for it. That’s when a funny comment somebody from the band said: If it’s too expensive we can always leave it here, it would be cheaper to buy it back in Mexico! So the morning came and we took the band to the airport (along with their interesting decorations), and as you can imagine it was pretty funny to be in line to check baggage with these monster masks and props. People around us were either laughing or a bit worried about what was going on. To our amazement one of the airline’s employees happened to be a fan of the band so he helped us get 99% of the decorations in the plane without charging extra. Now the problem was that other 1%, because of the size, he told us that the devil’s head piñata was not going in the plane, and if the band wanted it they had to pay $600.
That’s when everybody looked at me and without saying a word I knew that it was going to be my inheritance! A big red piñata in the shape of the devil’s head had found its new home. Who would have thought that! After the band left I was left standing there thinking, what am I going to do with this? I had no space in my house for it so I had to think who was going to give it a home. I started walking by as people stared and laughed or were scared throughout the airport. When I finally got to my car, I placed the head in the front seat (now I wish I had a camera to take a picture that now would be a piece of history) and as I took off from the airport a police officer that was driving next to me said: “Hey! Be careful you have the devil riding with you!” █
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DRINK
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2012
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STYLE
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IT’S EASY TO FEEL SEXY AND COMFORTABLY WARM EVEN IN THE HARSH WINTER WEATHER WHEN YOU’RE SPORTING SOME WAX COATED SKINNY JEANS. As an added bonus, leather lookalikes are a guiltfree vegan alternative for fashionable animal lovers. You can choose from a variety of shades, including: not-sobasic black, muted neutrals, rich earth tones, brightly colored options like hot pink or sapphire blue, or an eyecatching color gradient. A metallic wax coating in gunmetal, copper, or
By Alicia Yim
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emerald hues will give your denim a sexy standout sheen perfect for a night out. In any color, look for a pair that will end at or above your ankle. Wear your coated jeans with a silky tank top or blouse and when it’s colder out you can layer on a fitted blazer, or simply wear an oversized, or hip-hugging, sweater. Complete your look with closed-toe pumps, slingback heels, or booties. Wearing a sleek platform heel will elongate your leg line even further. █
1. J Brand Denim 901 waxed low-rise leggings-style jeans - $195 net-a-porter.com | 2. Alice + Olivia Waxed Skinny Jeans - $220 saksfifthavenue.com | 3. Joe’s Jeans The Skinny Coated Jeans - $189 shopbop.com 4. Leatherette Legging Jeans by AG Adriano Goldshmied - $198 piperlime.com | 5. Hudson Krista Super Skinny Waxed Jeans, Blue My Mind - $189 neimanmarcus.com | 6. Emma Waxed Skinny Jeans (Bali) - $178 shop.nordstrom.com | 7. rag & bone The Legging Jeans - $198 neimanmarcus.com | 8. 7 For All Mankind The Skinny Coated Jeans - $198 shop.nordstrom.com
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KESTA GIRL OF THE MONTH
2012
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I’m a master personal trainer and nutritionist! I love to help people transform their bodies, I love playing sports and being active, I’m an IFBB bikini pro, former Redskins NFL cheerleader and still love to cheer on my team! Go RG3! Hometown: Rockville, MD Favorite Quote: “Just keep moving forward and don’t give a shit about what anyone thinks. Do what you have to do for you.” -Jessica Jessie Favorite Restaurnat in DC: La Tasca Favorite Food: Sushi
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2012
RADIO PERSONALITY
By: Roxana Martinez
ecently we learned the human side of JR al Aire, La Nueva 87.7FM’s new Program Director and morning radio personality. In this exclusive interview with KestaDC.com he describes how he began his passion for radio and what has been the key to success to become the # 1 radio announcer in the DMV area. Check out the full exclusive interview here!
R
KH: How does it feel to be back in the DMV area? JR: I said I would always come back to the area, that was my plan! When certain things happen to you, you say, “I want to come back and show clearly who I am.” So when the opportunity arose to come back to work with La Nueva, I said, “This is my chance.” I feel very happy and think the public’s reaction has been overwhelming. I thought I would not be able to return so quickly because I missed almost a year. I believe that when a person leaves a mark, it is difficult for someone to come and remove it. Public support has been amazing; in less than two months, we are # 1 in the morning show ratings. I think that is great! KH: How was chemistry between Cesar “El Tra” and you? JR: It is the first time we worked together. The connection is very good; he is a very talented guy. I don’t need to tell him or ask him to look for something. He does it. We have great chemistry on the air and I think we complement each other very well. KH: Let’s talk about your childhood, where did you grow up? JR: Well, I grew up in Puerto Rico. My childhood was not like a normal child playing with cars, mine was the radio. Since I can remember, my dad was a radio announcer for 30 years, and I have been on the radio for a long time. I started by just giving time updates on my dad’s show. I remember I used to lock myself in my room and make pretend microphones using tubes of toilet paper with a baseball taped on top of it. To me, that was my microphone. Then, I began to play giving
speeches as a radio announcer. I practically grew up on the radio. I think I’m living now what I dreamed since childhood. I saw myself doing what I’m doing now. KH: How did you come to work in the DMV area? JR: I was Director of Programming at Mega Philadelphia at the time. Then CBS turned what was a local DC rock station 99.1 FM into a Latin music station. I remember it well because it was January 12, 2005. I had a good friend of mine working in this area and they contacted me the same day of the launch, offering something new and the opportunity to grow. This radio was then named EL ZOL. I met with them and got the job fast. So, that’s how I got into this area. KH: Did you see yourself being where you are now? JR: Look, I found it difficult at first when I learned that this market has different cultures. Many people told me at first that I could not make it as a Puerto Rican radio broadcaster here, and I would not win over the public. I am the kind of person that loves challenges, even more when it comes to my work. I started to get involved with people and went to Langley Park to get to know more about the Central American culture and learn their dialects, customs, and food. Whether it was traveling to El Salvador (as I did three times), using slang words, etc. Everything that happened on my show and what happens today is because I know the listener’s needs, and I think this has been the key to success. KH: For all of your fans who want to know, what’s JR’s heart like? JR: It’s very joyful (laughing) working. I’m involved in an ongoing case. I’m not divorced, but rather separated for 9 months. Today, that person is my friend. We’re still friends and were married for about 14 years. The last two years have been difficult for me, with moving and many changes, but now I feel better. KH: What remains to be done by JR on a professional level? JR: I think what I say will sound a bit harsh, but I’ve always said that, after the
last few years, I can leave for another life tomorrow and I’m full of satisfaction. I accomplished everything I set out to do. I’ve done radio. I always dreamed of working an afternoon shift. I always dreamed of being famous and managing a station. I was the manager in Philadelphia, and now I’m the boss of La Nueva 87.7, the New Lead Programmer, beyond that there is nothing left. KH: What would you say to people who have the wrong opinion about you? JR: The people you hear on the radio, many people imagine that we like to party or drink alot. I do not like to drink, unless it’s a social event. I don’t normally spend time in clubs drinking, and you won’t see me getting drunk at a club. I care very much about my image, and people tend to overshoot a bit. KH: What would you say to our community that loves you, has missed you, and most of all has not forgotten about you? JR: I really have no words to describe the love and support they have given me for many years. I was only 9 or 10 months out of the market, and it looks like I never left. Many people tell me: hey, you left and never seem to have gone, because people call you by your name, recognize you on the street, and greet you. I think all I can say is that I am very blessed; even friends from other markets say, “Wow! I see your pictures, and that’s awesome support they give to you.” I am grateful to the people; blessed to have them as an audience, and wherever I may be, I will always be grateful for all of the support they have given me over the years. █
JR Al Aire Listen every morning from 5:30 to 10:00 a.m. On La Nueva 87.7FM www.lanueva877.com www.jralaire.com Special thanks to: Agua Viva Restaurant 808 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314
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SPORTS
By: Aline Barros
ave you ever wondered what happens to gymnasts when the Olympic Games are over? Do they go home for a long and deserved vacation? Or do they jump into the next adventure by touring a bus across the country? If you answered yes to the second question you are correct! Kellogg’s® Tour of Gymnastics Champions announced a 40-city national tour featuring 2012 U.S. Olympic team members including Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas, Aly Raisman, and Jody Wieber along with six-time world medalist and 2008 Olympic silver-medalist Chellsie Memmel, and 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin. The tour
started began in October, and it will come to the D.C. area on November 15 at the Verizon Center. “The Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions will be unlike any previously produced,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics in the official press release. “We plan to celebrate the many wonderful things gymnastics means to young people, along with showcasing some of the biggest names in the sport. Our fans will truly enjoy connecting with the U.S. Olympic team following their accomplishments in London,” he added. Chellsie Memmel, 24, said in the Verizon Center website that the tour provides an opportunity for all the athletes to be recognized for their achievements in the
sports, “...as well as connect with the fans who have been so supportive throughout our careers. I am really looking forward to being a part of this tour.” The cast, who is led by tour spokesperson Liukin, is committed, driven and love to show to their fans how much it means to represent the United States. Gymnasts such as Gabrielle Douglas, 16, the first African- American to win gold in both individual all-around and team competitions at the 2012 Summer Olympics will be showing her artistic moves, and floor routines. Local gymnasts at each tour stop will also join them. Memmel says that performing for her fans has always been an important aspect of her career, “I look forward to celebrating the year with them on the Tour.”
“Love how they involve the local gymnasts, my daughter was able to be a part of this amazing event,” said Hillary Lindsey Mangrum from Mississippi on the USA gymnastics official Facebook page. If you are ready to see amazing acrobatic gymnastics pair Kristin Allen and Michael Rodriguez, along with Gabrielle Douglas, Chellsie Memmel, amongst many others, then don’t miss out the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics in Washington D.C! Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com or go to KelloggsTour.com for more information. The Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions is produced by USA Gymnastics in partnership with AEG Facilities. Kellogg Company is the exclusive title sponsor, and Hilton Honors and Procter & Gamble are official supporting partners. █
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KE? GIVEAWAYS:
KESTA HOROSCOPE Aries: Octavia says: “Es un gran reto
ya lo se una montaña que escalar pero no mires atras abra que arriesgar”
Libra: Vernis Hernandez says: ”No lo tomes a mal eso no es amor, solo tormento ” -“Hipocrita”, Vernis Hernandez
Taurus:Bunbury says: “Quien sabe, no habla; quien habla, no sabe.”
Scorpio: Charanga Habanera says:
-“Fe Visual”, Octavia
-“Alfa”, Bunbury
”Búscate un temba que te mantenga pa’ que tú goces pa’ que tú tengas ”
-“El Temba”, Charanga Habanera
Gemini: Bunbury says: “Que te conceda la vida, de cada dia, lo que mereces! ” -”Que tengas suertecita i”, Bunbury
Sagitarius: Jose Feeliciano says: “It may be hard to discover that you’ll be left for another. But you’ve gotta remember, remember love, that love’s a game”. -”DOnt let the sun catch you crying”,Jose Feeliciano
Cancer: Grupo Niche says: “Que no
te diga la gente. Que tú no puedes ser presidentel” -”Bajame Uno” -Grupo Niche
Capricorn: Miguel Mateos says: “Hay que patear, gritar, esto se va acabar Porque sino la bomba va a estallar”
-“Ciego”, Miguel Mateos
Leo: El Vez says: ”Let’s have a party, send to the store and let’s buy some more and let’s have a party tonight”
Aquarius: Daniel Agostini says: ”Ya no
Virgo: Bebel Gilberto says: ”Quem sabe alguem vai saber se envolvere depois não vai ter mais ninguem pra se ter” -“Cade Voce” - Bebel Gilberto
Pisces: José Feliciano says: ”I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.”
queda nada por perder”
-”Nada por Perder”, Daniel Agostini
-“Party”, El Vez
-“Feliz Navidad”, José Feliciano
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!
kesta deals
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