ariza M OCTOBER 18 AT 8 P.M.
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR THE ARTS Fairfax, Virginia
Tickets: 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu
Metropolitan
Jazz Orchestra LATIN NIGHTS Chuchito Valdés, piano
OCTOBER 19 AT 8 P.M. Tickets: 888-945-2468 or HyltonCenter.org Manassas, Virginia
GW LISNE R P R ES EN TA
LAS LEYENDAS LATINAS ORQUESTA BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB®
FUEGO DE TANGO: LLAMAS DEL DESEO
CONCIERTO EN VIVO 8 DE OCTUBRE
PRESENTACIÓN EN VIVO 26 DE OCTUBRE
Íconos afro-cubanos y ganadores del premio Grammy regresan a los Estados Unidos por primera vez en 15 años.
La compañía de bailarines y músicos más captivante de Buenos Aires viene a DC por una sola noche.
Dele un Vistazo al
BOLETOS A LA VENTA AHORA
LISNER Compre sus boletos para estas presentaciones y más visitando www.Lisner.org o llamando a la taquilla al 202-994-6800. FACEBOOK.COM/GWLISNER
@GWLISNER
@GWLISNER
PINTREST.COM/GWLISNER
YOUTUBE.COM/GWLISNER
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
October
6 COMEDY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cheech & Chong
ROCK
Rabanes
7 REGGAE-ROCK Los Pericos
ISSUE # 31
8 ROCK
Julieta Venegas
10 SALSA
Jerry Rivera
11 TANGO
7
Tango Fire
12 KESTADC.COM GALLERY
Photos of concerts and DC nightlife
13 UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar of upcoming events
14 FEATURED
14
25
19
Cristian Castro
16 LATIN JAZZ Roberto Fonseca
17 LATIN JAZZ Chuchito Valdés
SON/RUMBA
Buena Vista Social Club
10
FOOD 19 La Granja de Oro
8
20 KESTA ASKS Halloween Stuff
6
17
17
23 STYLE
Thigh Boots Fall Fashion
25 KESTA GIRL Jana Costa
26 LOCAL TALENT Markus Dowling
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PUBLISHER: Media644.com / DIRECTOR: Juan Luis Gonzalez / EDITOR: Rosario Garcia / DESIGN: Miriam Jave WEB & TECHNOLOGY: Javier Gonzalez / WRITERS: Sarah Berrie, Veronica Brown / Malayna Butler, Darlene
Campos, Maria Veronica Cevallos, Ellen Flores, Kala Fryman, Rosario Garcia, Juan Leon, Ian Ramos, Alicia Yim PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jose Acha, Jose Arrieta, William Espinoza, Miriam Jave, Daniel Martinez, Harold Reynold SALES: Jose Acha, William Espinoza / INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? info@kestamag.com / tel: 202 643 0555
FEATURED BARTENDER 27 Lupita Rodriguez ELECTRONIC
This month at Echostage
28 KE PASÓ
Farruko & Café Tacvba
29 KE?
Win tickets to Cristian Castro, Disney on Ice, and La Charanga Habanera
WWW.KESTADC.COM
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
COMEDY
/ OCTOBER
2013
ROCK
By: Rosario Garcia and Ian Ramos
I’m taking large exaggerated gulps of air and wrinkling the front of my shirt with my fist. I’m croaking that I can’t breathe. Inhale. My companion slowly asks me what I just said, I gulp louder and I wheeze the response, “I CANNOTBREATHE”. Then we start giggling, when he exclaims, “Oh yeah. I love that movie.” It is at the time of writing this that I realize my life is reminiscent of the aforementioned, “Up In Smoke” movie by Cheech and Chong. Cheech and Chong have been defining an entire era with their satiric, hilarious no-holds-barred comedy routines for decades. More than just comedians, they are legends. Grammy-award winning legends. The duo have released many cult classics that focus primarily on a counter culture that revolved around the hippie and free love movement (along with their fateful love affair with marijuana). Way before marijuana reached a spot in popular culture (think Pineapple Express), and made its way to Capitol Hill in recent calls to legalize it, Cheech and Chong were its ambassador. That’s not the only card up their sleeve though, some of their best-known comedy routines and songs include “Earache My Eye”, “Basketball Jones”, “Santa Clause and His Old Lady”, and “Sister Mary Elephant”. Perhaps their most famous line is “Dave’s not here”, from their self-titled debut album. In 1985, the duo released their album Get Out of My Room, which included the novelty hit song, “Born in East L.A.,” a play on Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”. The song was later expanded into a movie by the same name in which Cheech Marin played the starring role. This marked a separation of sorts as Cheech pursued his solo career.
It’s not always been rosy for the duo. In 2003, Chong was the focus of an investigation that resulted in federal officials raiding his business “Chong Glass” where he was fined $20,000 and sentenced to 9 months of federal prison for conspiring to distribute drug paraphernalia. This was a big blow to Cheech and Chong who were forced to put plans for a reunion film on hold. Although Cheech and Chong have had their ups and downs, their humor is undeniable. They reunited in 2008 for a brief tour in which they visited select cities and filmed a performance at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio. The two are back at it again this time with a Cheech and Chong Animated film, released in April 2013 (blu-ray) featuring new songs like the gem, “Medical Marijuana Blues.” If the bluesy beat doesn’t get you right away, the opening line will, “Don’t need no dealer to keep you waitin’ ‘round, don’t need no desperate late night road trips to the seedy side of town,
don’t need no friend of a friend whose cousin knows a guy…you don’t need to worry and panic before you get high.” The song then goes on to list the types of ailments that you can ask the “doctor” to “remedy” such as headache, stress, insomnia, and “hearing voices and seeing things”. Still the message is definitely clear, “Boy if you don’t have that card, you won’t get very far, because you’ve got the medical marijuana blues.” You can expect this and other new jingles during Cheech and Chong’s new “Light Up America” tour coming to the Lincoln Theatre in DC on October 24th. This marks the first full US tour for the duo in 25 years! Opening up is the hilarious Shelby Chong. Don’t miss your chance to see these legends in action, get your tickets at: www.thelincolndc.com. █
By: Veronica Brown
Panamanian urban rock trio Los Rabanes is coming to the DMV so you can jump up and down and save your partying soul. Washington DC is just one stop in their US tour promoting their latest disc Urban Rock, their 8th disc in a long trajectory all through which they have continued to entertain us with a unique mix of Latin rock fusion. Their new album is currently out digitally and will be officially out in November. Los Rabanes came to International prominence in 2008 with their sixth album “Kamikaze,” which earned them a Latin Grammy, becoming the first ska-rock band to take the honor home. Their latest disc is a continuation of this legacy, with shout outs to the punk ska that made them popular in the 90’s and new sounds mixing everything from salsa to bachata. The first single from Urban Rock, “El Apreton,” is a fun danceable mash-up where the trio sings about squeezing a little too hard when dancing at the club, with lyrics like, “se me paso el apreton, creo que se me chispoteo.” Though their lyrics are tonguein cheek, Los Rabanes are still committed to exposing the diverse realities of Latin America through humor and sarcasm. True to their Panamanian ethic, the trio aims to provide a temporary cure to any woes with a raging good time. Their show certainly promises to be full of energy, Los Rabanes are famous for their live antics always bringing the energy of punk rock and sprinkling it with a little raunchiness, Latino style. They will be performing live at the happening U street hangout, Tropicalia on November 1st. Get your tickets early, space is limited! www.tickeri.com █
WWW.KESTADC.COM
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REGGAE-ROCK
By: Juan Leon
he soulful distinction of Bahiano’s versatile voice anchors the tenderly and fiercely resonant music of legendary Argentinian reggae group, Los Pericos. Though dynamic Bahiano left the band for personal reasons in 2004, his voice (figuratively at least) can still be heard in the group’s music. The inventive, emotive arrangements of the band’s instrumentalists (Diego “Chapa Blanco”, Gaston “Moreira” Goncalvez, Marcelo Blanco, Ariel “Topo” Raiman, Guillermo Luis Valentinis and the deceased saxophonist Horacio Avendaño) draw upon Wailers style reggae and rock en Español sources. Among the wave of peers, influences, and influenced in the reggae style (Los Cafres, Los Autenticos Decadentes, La Mosca), Los Pericos are top class. Commercially and critically successful, but most essentially Los Pericos’ music connects with its audience at an authentic emotional level, uniting pleasure and solace in a spiritually significant way, which is probably why the band is much more successful than a “niche” reggae group. The band’s song titles manifest their reggae-ideology influenced goal of achieving unity and soulful reconciliation in the face of pain and struggle. “Pupilas
Lejanas”, “Mystic Love”, “Sin Cadenas”, “Complicado y Aturdido” serve as great individual pieces of music within a vaster fabric of universal edification. Formed in 1987, Los Pericos became one of the first reggae rock bands in Argentina and served as a spark and influence for an explosion of Latin American ska and reggae bands. Their success was virtually immediate-- debut album El Ritual De La Banana (released in 1998) was certified triple platinum. After El Ritual De La Banana, Los Pericos would go on to make 15 additional releases including the milestone albums Mystic Love in 1999 and Desde Cero in 2002. Mystic Love proved a particularly important record in Los Pericos’ oeuvre, as the source of some of the band’s biggest hits, as well as the artistic culmination of the band’s style and aesthetic-- “Pupilas Lejanas”, “Donde Van Las Almas”, and especially “Sin Cadenas” all contain the soulful ideology of struggle Los Pericos communicate through their music. The “Sin Cadenas” music video directed by Mariano Mucci connects the soulful solace reggae provides to its audience with the existential struggle of the same audience’s political reality (represented in the classic motif of a street tough boxer).
Mucci intercuts fighting and training scenes with shots of the boxer running from police or frolicking with his girlfriend. Mucci’s intertwining of the boxer’s fall, incarceration, liberation, and eventual triumph joins the spiritual-political roots of reggae with distinctly Latin American desire for the spirit of freedom in the face of societal and political oppression. The similarity of Jamaican and Latin American experience with individual and communal warring against the day-to-day evils of corruption, injustice, and poverty probably explains the particular success of reggae en Español bands. Los Pericos and other reggae en Español bands’ authentic internalization and understanding of reggae’s innate purpose as a source of hope and societal release in the face of oppression and dread is evident. As manifested in “Sin Cadenas”, this understanding of the spiritually edifying purpose of reggae is evident despite the reggae en Español bands’ reinterpretation of reggae in uniquely Latino fashion: Lyrically (“Complicado y Aturdido”), musically (“Parate y Mira”), tonally (“Pupilas Lejanas”). Throughout their career, Los Pericos have stayed true to reggae’s spirit of struggle, drawing on reggae’s tension between dread and soulful liberation. The political and societal common ground
of Jamaican and Latin American reggae listeners makes this tension relevant. Los Pericos’ stature (even outside the reggae en Español genre) can be measured by the reggae royalty lending their talents to Los Pericos’ latest release: 2010’s Pericos & Friends-- The Original Wailers, Toots Hibbert, Ali Campbell, Gregory Isaacs and other distinguished reggae luminaries contribute their voices and talents. A likely part of the reason such distinguished reggae greats recognize Los Pericos’ own greatness is due to the band’s hard-won and felt insights into the essence of reggae music. Make sure to catch Los Pericos (plus a surprise local DMV talent) at the State Theatre (220 North Washington Street, Falls Church, VA) on Thursday October 31st for KestaWEEN! Kestaween is presented by Kesta Happening and comes full with a costume contest where winners will win prizes and backstage access to meet the band! Be on the lookout for details for the KestaWEEN afterparty held from 11pm-2am at a venue to be announced. Tickets are $32 (General Admission) and available from www.tickeri.com. Doors open at 7PM. Show starts at 8:30PM. For more info, call 202-681-9494. Don’t miss out on Kestaween with Los Pericos! █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
ROCK
By: Rosario Garcia
Anita Tijoux in “Vuelve” come about? JV: I’ve been wanting to work with Anita Tijoux since our last collaboration in “Eres Para Mi” and I was lucky she was free to collaborate on this song. Same happened with Ruben Albarran, I’ve been a super fan of Ruben’s since I started in my career. I think his participation adds to the message of the song, and gives it a power that only Ruben can give.
Thankfully, Julieta was still available when I frantically called back and we were able to chat about her latest album and tour, Los Momentos. First, I geeked out and told her I’ve been a (stalker), err…fan since I first heard “De Mis Pasos” 15 years ago, and that I love her as much as she loved David Bowie at that age. She genuinely laughed and said “ayy, que linda,” I died and went to groupie heaven. Here’s the rest of our chat. Kesta Happening: In “Los Momentos” you reflect on new themes of violence, and lack of peace, and joy, why did these issues arise now? Julieta: Truthfully, it wasn’t a conscious thing. I just started writing based on situations emerging around me. In the case for “Vuelve” the idea came after a friend from Spain called me to ask if it was safe to travel to Mexico, it was very sad and eye-opening to realize people are afraid of my country. Other themes were about different levels of heartbreak (Tuve Para Dar), insecurities, and how we all need some peace in our lives (Un Poco de Paz). This album is a gathering of all those moments. KH: How did the collaboration with Ruben Albarran (Café Tacvba) and
KH: How have people responded to the album? Do you have any favorite songs? JV: People have received it very nicely and sales are good. But more than just sales, for me it’s important to see how people react to the new songs when we perform them live, that is the true test. I have been very happy to see people singing along. I don’t have a favorite song, I like them all! KH: How do you balance work now that you are a mother? JV: It’s something I’m still learning to manage. Our situation is not common, nor is there a manual that teaches you to be a mother. We had to learn together and I always want to be around my daughter, but at the same time, my passion is playing my music. There is no “family plan” for our situation so we have made our own rules. I try to create an environment where I can always take care of her, where she is safe, and at the same time where I’m able to create my music. There have been sacrifices of course, I can’t be on tour as much and I have a tight schedule when it comes to writing. Before, I could dedicate my entire day to writing music if I wanted to. Now I’ve had to stay at home and work on creating a space where I can go explore my creativity but still be within reach of my daughter. KH: In your career, you’ve dabbled in all types of genres from ska, rock, pop, folk, to tango, the new album is more electronica, tell us about that. JV: To me genres are like colors.
They are mutable and change with the light. Sounds are the same way, they make you experience different feelings and those feelings change over time. This is how I describe my sound, like various colors strung together to form a single rainbow. Over time feelings change, we interpret sounds differently depending on our phase in life. KH: How do you handle the stress of the tour, is there a ritual you practice to relax? JV: In general, I don’t feel stressed now because I’m truly doing what I love. If I’m feeling tired before a show I make sure I do stretches and relaxation exercises to loosen up. We ended our chat with Julieta sharing she thinks DC is beautiful and is excited about returning. She’ll be performing songs from Los Momentos along with her hits like, “Lento”, “Eres Para Mi”, and “Me Voy”. Get your tickets for this amazing October 10th show at the Fillmore in Silver Spring by visiting www.tickeri.com I for one, can’t wait! █
WWW.KESTADC.COM
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
SALSA
By: Maria Veronica Cevallos
tarting as a signed artist at the age of 15, Jerry Rivera’s career has had a long and thriving run, making him the most successful and celebrated salsa artist in the United States and Latin America. His 15th recording, an album entitled El Amor Existe, has already achieved the second spot on the US Latin Tropical chart, is only the latest achievement in a long list of awards and records Jerry Rivera has had in his fruitful career. Born to a family of musicians, it is no wonder why Jerry has achieved such level of fame and recognition. Born in Humacao and later moving to Levittown in his home Puerto Rico, Jerry’s love of music began early. His parents and siblings are singers and musicians who exposed Jerry to music not only as a singer but as a musician. It was in a show where he accompanied his parents by singing a couple of songs in a hotel where Jerry got his break after Tommy Olivencia, renowned salsa music bandleader, encouraged Jerry to record a solo demo at when Jerry was 14. The demo got him signed with CBS and in 1989, Jerry released his first album Empezando a Vivir. It is then that he begun to be known as “El Bebé de la Salsa”, a reference to his youth. Jerry’s third album, 1992’s Cuenta Conmigo, was Jerry’s true international break as it won 3 platinum record awards in the United States, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Colombia. The album became enormous in its notoriety and it was with songs like Cuenta Conmigo, Me Estoy Enamorando, Casi Un Hechizo, and the mega-hit, Amores Como el Nuestro, made Rivera known throughout the US and Latin America. In 1993, Jerry released Cara de Niño, yet another album with songs that are hailed as Rivera’s best, such as the title track Cara de Niño, ¿Qué Hay De Malo? and No Hieras Mi Vida.
Jerry continued making hits and records through the rest of the 90s, even venturing into singing ballads in his 1999 album, De Otra Manera. The album featured the bolero Ese, a song he sung in duet with his father at a concert in San Juan’s Roberto Clemente Coliseum. The new decade brought changes to Jerry’s career, signing to a new record label, recording new albums and reaching a new fan base with his self-titled album Jerry Rivera, in 2001, and his 2002 single Vuela Muy Alto. He also started his acting career with a small role in the movie I Like It Like That, and made an appearance as himself in the soap opera Mi destino eres tu, which aired in the US in 2005. Most recently, Jerry’s notable activities have included being one of the four judges for the Puerto Rican version of American Idol, Idol Puerto Rico. For his latest album, El Amor Existe, Jerry tributes Venezuelan artists he grew up listening to like Franco de Vita, Guillermo Davila and Ricardo Montaner, giving salsa interpretations of songs like “No Basta”, “Sera”, “Solo Con Un Beso” and the promo cut of “Solo Pienso En Ti”, along with some new original songs like “Quien de los Dos” and the title track “El Amor Existe”. Be sure not to miss this great salsa singer’s show at the Palace in Woodbridge, Virginia on October 18th at 9pm. Tickets are out now available at www.tickeri.com █
WWW.KESTADC.COM
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TANGO
By: Kala Fryman
re you looking for a night of passion, intensity and intrigue? If so, look no further than a Tango By: Aline Barros Fire performance. The worldrenowned tango dance company from Buenos Aires will entice and pique your senses with five individual couples’ dance performances, a live tango quartet and one of Argentina’s up and coming singers. The Tango Fire Dance Company of Buenos Aires was founded in 2005, and first presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Following the immense success of their first performance, Tango Fire has become an international phenomenon for taking the mystery and seductiveness of tango from Buenos Aires to Asia and everywhere in between for the last 8 years. The Company is comprised of five couples, all world renowned dancers who have not only made names for themselves in Buenos Aires’ most famous tango houses and milongas; but also internationally. German Cornejo, acclaimed Argentine tango dancer, choreographer and the 2005 World Champion of Tango, choreographs Tango Fire’s performances and is the company’s lead dancer with his partner Gisela Galeassi. Cornejo is regarded as one of Argentina’s best teachers of Show Tango, with many of his students reaching the finals in the Tango World Championship. Many of Cornejo’s accolades include performing in the most prestigious theaters around the world and for various heads of state; as well as performances and choreographing on top-rated television shows such as Susana Giménez, Q Viva, and Bailando 2012. Although Cornejo refines the couples’ steps, the Tango Fire Company is well known for the creative freedom given to the couples. The couples’ showcases trace the traditional roots of tango, but are heavily infused with their individual style and flair. Each couples’ interpretation is very unique and highlights how tango is more than just simply learning steps or following a beat; it’s a deeply personal and adaptable mode of artistic expression. The couples mix the sophistication and technical precision of
tango flawlessly with modern interpretations and unexpected twists. Tango Fire’s 2013 tour welcomes a new couple, Max Van De Voorde and Solange Acosta, the 2011 World Champions of Stage Tango. Tango Fire’s accompanying live quartet, Quarteto Fuego, is comprised of four promising Argentine musicians. The live quartet not only enlivens the Tango Fire performance, it also displays the necessary relationship between the music and dance in tango. Tango musicians are just as emotive as the dancers; and the sensuality and intricacy of the music would not be possible without the interchange between the musicians and the dancers. Jesus Hidalgo, the quartet’s singer, heightens the company’s performance by bring the poetry of tango lyrics to life. Argentine Tango in its earliest forms was notably the favorite music of thugs and gangsters frequenting brothels and had no lyrics; it was a dance to demonstrate male sexuality; melding emotion and machista aggression. As the years went on and the style evolved, the wailing and melancholic bandoneón was matched with lyrics following themes of immigrants’ lamentation, love, loss, romance and solitude. With his vocal performance, Hidalgo also covers the rich and varied landscape of tango as much as the dancers and musicians. Tango Fire’s 2013 tour, appropriately entitled Flames of Desire, is set to burn the floor across the US and Canada’s finest theaters with its stunning performances. Per a review in The London Paper, “Though other tango shows abound, the Tango Fire Company leaves you burning to take up where they left off.” This performance is not to be missed and is set to heat up the DMV on October 26th at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University. Tickets can be purchased at: http://lisner.gwu.edu/tango-fire-flames-desire. █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
KESTADC.COM GALLERY Café Tacvba @ The Fillmore 09.17.13
Luis Vargas @ Coco Cabana 09.13.13
Américo @ Echostage 09.12.13
Photos by: Miriam Jave
Photos by: Harold Raynold
Photos by: Miriam Jave
Hector Acosta “El Torito” @ Galaxy Nightclub 8.30.13
J-Alvarez @ The Palace 08.30.13
Molotov @ The Fillmore 08.26.13
Photos by: José Arrieta
Photos by: Miriam Jave
Photos by: Daniel Martinez
WWW.KESTADC.COM
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KESTA HAPPENING DC FEATURED EVENTS Fri 10.04 Sat 10.05 Tues 10.08 Thur 10.10 Thur 10.10 Fri 10.11 Fri 10.11 Thur 10.17 Fri 10.18 Fri 10.18 Thur 10.24 Fri 10.25 Sat 10.26 Mon 10.28 Thur 10.31 Fri 11.01 Fri 11.08 Sat 11.09 Fri 11.15
Roberto Fonseca @ Artisphere Dj Luian @ Cococabana Buena Vista Social Club @ Lisner Auditorium Julieta Venegas @ The Fillmore Jorge Drexler @ The Birchmere Tito Rojas y Antonio Cartagena @ The Palace Los Adolescentes All stars @ Cococabana Transmetal @ MXL Maritza @ GMU Center of the Arts Jerry Rivera @ The Palace Cheech and Chong @ Lincoln Theatre Toby Love, Yoskar Sarante & El Varón @ Cococabana Tango Fire @ Lisner Auditorium Eva Ayllón @ The Howard Theatre KestaWeen with Los Pericos @ The State Theatre La Santa Cecilia @ Artisphere Charanga Habanera @ Diamond Lounge El Gran Silencio @ Tropicalia Alex Ubago @ The Howard Theatre
For more information and many more events go to KESTADC.COM
ROBERTO FONSECA
THE FUTURE OF CUBAN MUSIC
FRI OCT 4 8PM
With timba by special guest DJ Reyna “La Farandulera” Morales
“Razor-sharp rhythms and sultry emotions of Cuban musical tradition.” –The Financial Times
Fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, Latin jazz, hip-hop, soul and electronica by one of the most gifted and adventurous pianists today.
www.artisphere.com 1101 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22209 Free Parking / Rosslyn Metro Two Blocks
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
FEATURED
/ OCTOBER
2013
By: Ellen Flores
here are three things that are common among all Latinos and never fail to get us all worked up commenting left and right. First you have your sports, Copa Mundial 2014 here we come! Then you have your beauty queens and beauty pageants Miss Universe anyone? And finally, you have entertainment and music family legacies. We don’t have royal weddings or monarchy chisme to follow, so we make up for it by following those telenovela entertainment business families for decades.
De una cuna de oro to a world stage, Cristian Castro fulfills this desire for family legacy entertainment, plus adds some sex appeal and persona. Considered the prince of México’s entertainment history, Cristian is the son of renowned actress and singer Verónica Castro and actor-comedian Manuel “El Loco” Valdés. Did we mention his uncle is Ramón Valdés a.k.a. Don Ramón from El Chavo del Ocho?! Talent runs deep in this family and it runs in his blood. From a very young age Cristian was exposed to the lifestyle that comes with a career in the entertainment business as his acting debut was in 1981 at the age of six with his mother Verónica
Castro in the telenovela El Derecho de Nacer where he played the character of Alberto. Fast forward to the early nineties and Cristian arrives on the airwaves with the release of his second album “Un Segundo en el Tiempo” which gave him his first number 1 single, “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte.” Cristian’s career took off and shortly after this album the golden haired, hazel-eyed Prince of México City became a teen idol and sex symbol throughout Latin America and Europe. The curious thing about this phase that not many people know is that Cristian was a smart artist. He chose to work with some of the biggest names in Latin music to arrange, compose and collaborate
with in his albums. Artists like Juan Gabriel, Raúl Di Blasio and hit making producers Kike Santander and Emilio Estefan were among the chosen to help him grow his career. These collaborations and wise production choices would be the elements that helped him become the third most successful Latin artist in the music industry, with 29 hits on the Billboard charts and over 12 million albums sold worldwide. Although his musical style is mostly that of the pop genre, Cristian Castro has evolved his sound and produced multiple albums that vary greatly both in sound and vocal styling. Songs like “Lloran Las Rosas” show Cristian’s range into more of a rock >>>>>>>
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sound and is a throwback to his short lived rock band days with the group Deca. His album “El Indomable” put him in the Mariachi genre with a full length album dedicated to this style of his home, México. As a tribute to one of his idols and one of the most respected artists in the world, Cristian recorded “Viva el Principe” a tribute album to the music of José José. Among his stand out albums and collaborations we have to mention his participation in the Spanish version of the Disney movie, Mulan, where he voiced the character of Shang and contributed two songs to the movie soundtrack. Celebrating the life of the late Tejano superstar Selena, he covered a version of Selena’s classic “Como la Flor” which became a radio hit upon release. As we have established, Cristian is not afraid of collaborations or trying out new sounds. This last year has brought along some of the most interesting collaborations and projects he has done so far. Recording with Bachata sensations Karlos Rose and former Aventura member Henry Santos, Cristian has crossed over into the realm of Bachata music and connected with a new generation of fans. However, Cristian is not just another pop star. He has the >>>>>>>
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enviable ability to interpret a song with such perfect delivery and with a sensibility that connects with his listener’s emotions in a defining way. This makes Cristian a versatile star who connects with his fans in any tempo so long as it’s paired with his beautiful voice. This ability to connect has given birth to his newest project “Primera Fila”, an album featuring his biggest hits performed and recorded in front of a live audience. This format of “Primera Fila” is a very prestigious album to have. Only the biggest Latin artists have been invited to perform and have their Primera Fila albums released. Artists like Vicente Fernández, Thalía, Franco DeVita and Miguel Mateos are among the high profile artists that are part of the “Primera Fila” circle of recording artists. With “Primera Fila” Cristian has yet again taken over the radio airwaves with his upbeat and pop single “Enamorados”, a song that has been on the top of the Latin Billboard tracks consecutively. In “Primera Fila”, his performance album recorded in front of a live audience in Los Angeles, you will find amazing guest artists like: Leonel García (Sin Bandera), Reik, Ha*Ash and his mother Verónica Castro, on the medly “Aprendí a Llorar/Ven” a moment that is one for the history books. The Washington D.C. metro area will have its own moment for the history books this month when Cristian arrives at The Fillmore Silver Spring on October 30, 2013 for an intimate show filled with his biggest hits and his powerhouse voice. For tickets visit: www.fillmoresilverspring.com █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
LATIN JAZZ
/ OCTOBER
2013
boost I’ve ever had in my career”. For Fonseca, being able to work with Ferrer was a great honor, an experience equivalent to “touching the sky.” Throughout his musical career, Fonseca has received numerous awards and recognitions. His first album En El Comienzo won Best Jazz Album at the Cubadisco 1999 festival. Fonseca’s monumental album, Zamazu was his first international album and was recognized as one of the top 10 jazz albums of 2007. “Llego Cachaito”, one of the tracks on the album was selected by Colombia Pictures to be used in the 2008 film Hancock, starring Will Smith. That same year, Fonseca collaborated with Cuban singer and dancer, Omara Portuondo, of Buena Vista Social Club, a song that won a Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Tropical Album. Given his tremendous success, I asked Fonseca what advice he would give someone who is just starting out in the music business, “First you must learn that you must study classical music. Classical music is really important for the musician. Listening to all kinds of music will develop your knowledge. Try to take risks, all the time. I really enjoy taking risks because it allows you to go places where you never thought you’d go before (in a musical sense).”
By: Sarah Barrie
orld-renowned Cuban multiinstrumentalist, Roberto Fonseca is known for his unique style and rich musical palette full of contrasts. I had the opportunity of speaking with Roberto Fonseca about his music and experiences and when asked to describe his style, he was adamant about one thing, “I never try to name my style. I have classical, Afro-Caribbean, Classical, Jazz, hip-hop influences… I have a lot of influences because that’s what I grew up with. People tell me it’s really different as I have all those elements. I would never like to classify my music,” he stated. Fonseca grew up surrounded by music. His mother is a chorus singer and former music teacher and dancer in Havana’s Tropicana Club (she was also previously married to the legendary jazz pianist, Chucho Valdés). His father was a drummer and his two older brothers, a drummer and pianist. It’s no wonder that when asked what inspired him to become a musician, Fonseca answered without hesitation, “My family. My mother. She was the person who really gave me the opportunity to discover music because she got me into a lot of different kinds of music..I was always watching my brothers play piano and the drums, so I became interested in all different kinds of music.”
He also added that much of his inspiration came from discovering great classical musicians such as Bach. Fonseca started playing the drums when he was only 4 years old. He later switched to the piano at age 8. One of the first songs he remembers learning to play was “So what” by Miles Davis. He also played many songs by the Beatles. Fonseca reflected upon one of his fondest musical memories as a twelve year old performing at school, “It was the first time I was playing with my own group in front of an audience...when I saw the reaction of the people it gave me the impulse to continue. Their reaction was very important to me.” He felt the same rush when he performed at Havana’s International Jazz Festival at age 15. One could say Fonseca was hooked to the adrenaline of being on stage. After these life defining experiences, Fonseca played in various jazz and pop groups until eventually joining the legendary Cuban music ensemble, Buena Vista Social Club with Ibrahim Ferrer, Afro-Cuban singer and Latin Grammy winner. It was a move that Fonseca refers to as, “the biggest
Fonseca describes himself as a “peaceful and romantic person”, who is above all, very “natural”. He says that he is the same person at home as you see on stage, “Growing up, my family taught me it doesn’t matter how famous you are, that doesn’t give you the right to feel you are better than others.” Before saying goodbye to Roberto Fonseca, I asked him given all his experience and what he knows now, what advice would he give himself as that 12 year old at his first school music performance, “Don’t waste time. Study every day. Sometimes when you are young you waste a lot of time and life is too short to waste time. I would tell myself to try my best.” You will have your chance to witness the power that is Roberto Fonseca at his concert Friday, October 4th at the Artisphere Ballroom in Arlington, VA. Tickets range from $19 -$32, more information visit, www.artisphere.com. █
WWW.KESTADC.COM
LATIN JAZZ
/ 17
SON/RUMBA
By: Darlene Campos & Rosario Garcia
By: Rosario Garcia
to pursue a career as a pro baseball player. He soon realized however that his real calling was at the piano bench and returned to being a musician. Chuchito made a name for himself first when he led his father’s band Irakere for two years before going onto his solo career. He has since performed in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and South America. Chuchito has earned his right as a master of Cuban music, his style includes the rhythms of Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz, Cha-Cha-Cha, Mambo, and Bebop.
“Music, for me, is the spice that gives life its flavor and joy,” Chuchito states on his website, “I hope that where ever we may meet, you enjoy the flavor of my music and take pleasure in the spice that comes from my heart.” Although music always called to Chuchito, when he was 13 he decided
Chuchito says his father Chucho did not force him to leap into the music field; he chose it by his own will. Chuchito passes this sentiment to his three children, all of whom desire to become professional musicians like the rest of their family. Chuchito refuses to interfere with his children’s compositions and says he won’t even let them know if he enjoys their music or not. He only tells them that they may compose and play whatever they please in search of their dreams. This advice is bittersweet for Chuchito who himself lost the opportunity to fulfill one of his biggest dreams which was to
one day perform and share a stage with his father Chucho and his grandfather Bebo. When his grandfather Bebo Valdes passed away in March 2013 at the age of 94, this dream was never fulfilled. Chuchito has released many albums throughout his career including his debut album Encantado in 2002 on Town Crier Records, which he followed with La Timba in 2002 and Herencia in 2004, both on J&N Records. He then released Keys of Latin Jazz in 2007 from Sony BMG International. Valdes continues to tour and record, making his home in Cancun, Mexico. During this latest tour, Chuchito will be joining the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra at Merchant Hall at the Hylton Performing Arts Center for a special Latin night on October 19, 2013 at 8pm. The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra is one that brings together DC’s greatest jazz players which include Artistic director and Sax virtuoso Jim Carroll. This will truly be a night to remember! Tickets range from $28-$44. For more information, please visit www.hyltoncenter.org. █
No one foresaw that the release of Buena Vista Social Club’s debut 1997 self-titled album, would be single-handedly responsible for producing the Cuba-mania frenzy that continues to display its effects today. One critic called the album, “world’s music equivalent to Dark Side of the Moon.” What was expected to be a modest release, projected to garner 100,000 thousand in sales, has now surpassed eight million copies sold worldwide. No one expected this level of success, least of all the original veteran musicians who recorded the album on a fateful day in Havana. On October 8, 2013 the DC area is in for a treat as the GW Lisner Auditorium presents “Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club” featuring original members Omara Portuondo, Elisades Ochoa, Jesús Aguaje Ramos, Güajiro Mirabel and Barbarito Torres on their first US tour in 15 years. The Buena Vista Social Club movement crossed over to the masses by sheer momentum, and word-of-mouth which propelled songs like Chan Chan, Dos Gardenias, and Candela into every bar, elevator, coffee shop, and department store around the world. Buena Vista won a Grammy for their release and starred in the Oscar-nominated documentary detailing their story before touring internationally. The group and its music has become one of the primary catalysts in the re-emergence of the Latin sound into the musical mainstream. Don’t miss your chance to experience the power that is the Buena Vista Social Club live and in the flesh. To purchase tickets which range between $35-$75 go to: www.lisner.org. █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
WWW.KESTADC.COM
/ 19
FOOD
By: Sarah Barrie
Traditional Peruvian decor is evident throughout the restaurant, from the handcrafted gold plates, which line the walls, to the colorful Peruvian tablecloths. The tropical beats of salsa, cumbia and merengue can be heard playing in the background and murals of various Peruvian landscapes can be found scattered throughout the restaurant. The unidentifiable Peruvian cultural presence comes as no surprise as La Granja del Oro’s owner, Oscar Garcia brought over all of the decorations directly from Peru. While having a more relaxed atmosphere during the week, La Granja de Oro really comes to life on the weekends. On Friday and Saturday nights there is live entertainment from 10pm to 2am. Friday nights, known as “Los Viernes de Rumba” are presented by the Latin group Armonia Latina, and Saturday nights, there are live performances by Rumba Kings, along with DJ Oscar, transforming the restaurant
into a Latin dance party, featuring the best rhythms of salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, dance, disco, and more.
that the Granja de Oro was recognized by the Washington Post for having the best Lomo Saltado in the DMV area.
Owner, Oscar Garcia started his career in the 1970s, starting from the bottom as a bus boy, and then becoming a waiter and eventually a co-owner of El Cusco restaurant in 1991. Two years later, Garcia opened his second restaurant, Granja de Oro, getting its name from the famous Granja Sur restaurant in Peru.
Along with the Granja de Oro’s Lomo Saltado, its Pollo Saltado (similar to the Lomo Saltado but chicken is used instead of beef ) was also featured by the Washington Post as one of “40 dishes every Washingtonian must try.”
Being open for 20 years, La Granja de Oro has become and important fixture in the Falls Church community. The restaurant takes its pride in putting more professionalism in the kitchen. Many of its chefs were brought directly from Peru when the restaurant opened and are still with La Granja de Oro today. To Peruvians in the area, it’s like having a piece of Peru right there in Falls Church. Granja de Oro, however, has not just become a favorite among Peruvians, but among all people who enjoy Latin American cuisine. Granja de Oro’s signature dish the “Lomo Saltado”, is a traditional Peruvian stir fry made with fresh beef, sautéed in olive oil, red onion, tomatoes, fresh herbs, French fries, and served with rice, and it comes no surprise
For seafood lovers, the Marisco Saltado is an absolute must. Made with fresh jumbo shrimp and calamari, cooked with olive oil, white wine in a special seafood stock, with onion, tomatoes, and French fries, you cannot go wrong with this seafood delight. The Ceviche Mixto is nothing short of amazing and is another must try dish for anyone who likes seafood. Made with succulent jumbo shrimp, scallops, fish, and squid marinated in lemon juices. The lemon, lime and onion give the ceviche just the right kick. Served with sweet potato and corn on the cob, the Ceviche Mixto has a perfect combination of right flavors, sure to make your mouth water. Other favorites include the Anticucho (beef heart), Causa Rellena de Pollo (cold potato, chicken avocado and yellow aji),
and Granja de Oro’s signature soup, Parihuela de Mariscos (fresh mixed seafood soup with Peruvian spices, in a savory broth). Aside from offering an exquisite variety of culinary delights inside the restaurant, Granja de Oro also offers catering services including bite sized versions of Granja de Oro signature dishes, along with elaborate and artistically crafted fruit baskets. The restaurant staff is friendly, and welcoming, especially it’s humble owner, Oscar Garcia, who if you get the chance to meet is sure to greet you with a smile and kind welcoming words. Dining at La Granja de Oro is not your typical dining experience, along with its unique culinary experience, traditional Peruvian cuisine, the staff really makes an effort to make you feel at home with their excellent service and attention. When asked how to make the perfect Lomo Saltado at home, Oscar Garcia said the trick is to have all of the ingredients ready, but the real secret is in the marinade. Garcia shares many of his culinary secrets on the restaurants website www.granjadeoro.com Located at 2920 Annandale Rd, Falls Church. Granja de Oro is definitely worth the visit! █
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
KESTA ASKS
/ OCTOBER
2013
ich costume to wear So you havent decided wh you want to be u? If this Halloween, have yo maybe this can clear , all the toughest of them d our accomplices your confusion. We aske a fight between in Facebook if there was far “El Chapulin these characters, and by his Colorado” would destroy cause be it’s be ay opponents. M il", his of his "Antenitas de bin a" lin ito iqu "Pastillas de ch . n" illo or his "Chipote ch and Our friends on Facebook re are he d KestaDC.com voted an the results:
KestaHappening DC KestaDC
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/ 21
LATIN GRAMMY NOMINATED
LA SANTA CECILIA FRI NOV 1 8PM
With special guest G-Flux
“The Best Latin Alternative Band of The Year.” - LA Weekly “Bold, bouyant, international pop music…Treinta Días is all killer, no filler.” – iTunes La Santa Cecilia exemplifies the modern-day creative hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music.
www.artisphere.com 1101 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22209 Free Parking / Rosslyn Metro Two Blocks
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
WWW.KESTADC.COM
/ 23
STYLE
1 3 This season prepare to give a warm welcome to over the knee boots. There is no better way to look and feel fashionable, sexy, and confident. Depending on the situation you can buy a flat boot with one-inch heel, tall sexy stiletto, wider stacked heel, wedge platform, or all of the above. Dark or light grey, weathered tan, rich chocolate brown, and black are the most versatile color options, whereas Bordeaux red, emerald green, and navy blue are more daring choices. Over the knee boots, look great with high-waisted shorts or pleated skirts worn with tights or socks. Warmer tights are made available in soft wool fabrics or thicker knit, patterned versions. You may also opt for more traditional sheer tights, but in fun new jewel tones – emerald green, navy blue, and purple are popular this season. Online you can find a larger selection of more unique designs 1 that combine the sheer and opaque versions of traditional tights – mock thigh high sock tights and picturesque tights, for example. Specialty tights include lightweight over-the-knee boot liners made by Hue - an affordable option at only $8.00 - or my personal favorite made by Milk & Honey, the Not too Tights – made with “no more muffin top” technology. Then as the weather transitions from fall to winter, you can pair your over the knee boots with leggings or skinny jeans from past seasons. █
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By: Alicia Yim
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1. Schutz Aiyana Boot, $330 – 6pm.com | 2. Michael Kors Jayla High Heel Boot, $995 – bloomingdales.com | 3. Lumiani Inernational Collection Sharris Boot, $139 – 6pm.com | 4. ‘Bird Over the Knee’ Tights, $18 – Nordstrom.com 5. Chinese Laundry Vera Cruz Booth, $99.95 – Nordstrom.com | 6. Charles David Jettison Boot, $149.95 – dsw.com | 7. Stuart Weitzman ‘5050’ Stretch Suede Boot, $598 – Nordstrom.com | 8. Gabriella Rocha Cally Boot, $89 – 6pm.com 9. Stuart Weitzman ‘5050 Boot, $598 – zappos.com | 10. Hue Denim Leggings, $40 – Nordstrom.com | 11. Wool Cable Over the Knee Sock, $10.13 – Asos.com | 12. Tights With Over the Knee Mock Sock, $13.50 – Asos.com 13. Hue Leatherette Leggings, $44 – Nordstrom.com | 14. Fabiana Filippi Thigh High Waffle Knit Tights, $225 – Nordstrom.com
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
KESTA GIRL
/ OCTOBER
2013
WWW.KESTADC.COM
/ 25
KESTA GIRL
Whats your background? Brazilian born and raised with an Italian background What are your hobbies? Fitness and Nutrition, learning languages and cultures, traveling Whats your favorite quote? “Your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream, and how you handle disappointments along the way.� Whats you favorite movie? Inception Whats your favorite restaurant in the DMV? Teddy & The Bully bar in DC, and Taste Gastropub in Olney MD. Tell us something that no one knows about you: I am a chocoholic. I love chocolate and I can eat it everyday. What are some surprising songs in your ipod? The girl from Ipanema from Tom Jobim & New York, New York from Frank Sinatra. I love Bossa Nova, a sultry Brazilian music with a fusion of Jazz and Samba. What has been your favorite event this year? My favorite event so far: Participating in the Mr. Olympia 2013 Flex Magazine Bikini Model Search. Photography: DC Pro Studio
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
LOCAL TALENT
By: Juan Leon
KH: Where did you grow up? How did you get around to the work you are currently doing today? MD: I was born and raised in Washington, DC. To be specific, far Northeast, DC in the shadow of Deanwood Metro Station. Getting to the point where I was able to sustainably work in the music industry was a decade-long process involving figuring out who I truly wanted to be and doing exactly what I truly wanted to do. Music was always a passion of mine, but after getting laid off from working in the corporate world (and generally feeling unmotivated and unsatisfied professionally); I used my ability as a writer to open a door for myself in music. Though a difficult five-year process, it has proven worthwhile. KH: What projects are you currently involved in now? MD: At present I am the Executive Director of DC’s oldest and largest recording studio, Listen Vision Recording Studios, as well as the studio’s online and streaming audio/visual entertainment portal WLVS Radio, available at LISTENVISIONLIVE.COM. I am also 1/3 of the team at Vamos Promo, a global PR company handling Moombahton and global bass releases, as well as, spreading information and awareness about progressive basscentered dance music. Also, I work alongside Kate Ross at Ross Business Management, as a talent acquisition and business development consultant for her growing business management company for the creative sector. I’m also still active as a writer, contributing at globally respected dance blogs DoAndroidsDance.com and IntheMix.com, as well as occasional pieces for Myspace.com, Medium.com and top local blog Brightest Young Things. Of course, I also host the Vamos Hour ( Wednesday, 11 AM EST, WLVS Radio ListenVisionLive.com), a Moombahton-centric, yet veering all over the past, present and future of progressive (mainly tropical) sounds in rap, traditional Latin styles, bass-friendly dance, and so much more. KH: What is unique about the DC music scene as compared to other cities? MD: DC has a radically changed population of young(er) people who are actively seeking nightlife experiences. It isn’t enough to just “go out to a party,” people - because we’re in a recession - want bang for their buck. DC’s always
been a punk rock and DIY (do-it-yourself ) culture-based city when it comes to entertainment. Thus, with or without a budget, we’re going to go above and beyond the call of duty. DC is different than say, Brooklyn in the sense that we’re not an “industry town.” There are no mainstream or truly relevant indie labels here, so every night in every venue isn’t a chance to get signed. Rather, the thrust of the event is to have an enjoyable time before anything else. KH: Who are some recommended local artists or Latino artists (or both!)? How about a few local events you try to frequent? MD: Gosh. Great question. I’m going to miss so much, and for that I apologize. As a band, Los Empresarios are terrific. Insofar as DJs, there’s DJ Underdog, who puts down the heaviest deep house and Afrobeat vibes in the city. Dave Nada may be in LA now, and DJ Madd OD seems to be constantly touring with (major Latino rap star) Fuego, but the Locomotive DJs are holding down the local-to-global moombahton spirit. As well, DJ Rat and Mafe’s Maracuyeah party keeps the Latin culture in local dance music. Check out Moombahton Massive at U Street Music Hall (obviously), the Maracuyeah, Jungle Fever and Okayafrica parties at Tropicalia, Tropixxx at Velvet Lounge, and as well, I do appreciate the fact that mainstream “EDM” spots like Ultrabar are supporting the ever expanding pool that tropical bass is becoming.
KH: Can you comment on where dance culture is going in the US and/or where local DC music culture is going? MD: Music’s going to get smarter, aware and ultimately a lot more fun. There will be risks taken with sound that will have immediate impact. There’s definitely going to be a shift away from fist-pumping and to dancing again, as festival culture needs to find a way to be more permanent than looking and feeling like heavy metal festivals in the 1980s. As far as DC is concerned, I feel like moombahton really has gained, but has so much more it can accomplish as a sound, insofar as how it influences everything else coming from the city. Jon Kwest has already created “digi go go,” sampling the percussive pocket of DC’s native Go-Go sound in a manner similar to Moombahton’s relationship to the Dembow Riddim. Obviously, there’s more that can come of this. KH: Is there anything else you’d like to comment on? MD: When presented correctly, dance music truly has the best communal vibe of most any sort of enormous gathering of people. In Washington, DC, you’re blessed to have people who are not only veterans of an era when dance in the US was like that, but these are also people who are largely of a punk rock and DIY ethos as well, so there’s not going to be a pervasive vibe of being surrounded by stuffed shirts not able to let down their hair and have fun. This is a renaissance era for the Nation’s Capital, and clearly as great of a time as ever to get out and celebra. █
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FEATURED BARTENDER
/ 27
ELECTRONIC
By: Juan Leon
Glow Land with Thomas Gold, featuring Deniz Koyu, Tyler Sheritt-- Presenting Glow Land. Glow Land promises a “glow in the dark fantasy wonderland”. More likely though, Echostage will be hosting some rather big room, prog house spinning courtesy of headlining Berlin DJ/ Producer Thomas Gold. Turkish house DJ Deniz Koyu also performs. (18+, doors open at 9PM). MEGA DC with Zeds Dead featuring Alvin Risk, Paper Diamond, Green Lantern, Branchez & More (Steez Promo)- Part of the Altered States tour. Highly regarded Canadian DJ/Producer Zeds Dead, whose work runs the gamut from drum ‘n bass to dub step to trap and everything in between, headlines. Alvin Risk is an appropriate booking. His work is sonically along the same vein as Zeds Dead only with a slightly harder edge. Paper Diamond, Green Lantern, and Branchez also feature. (18+, doors open at 8PM). By: Rosario Garcia
Flux Pavilion- English dubstep and moombahcore producer Joshua Steele, AKA Flux Pavilion, headlines the Freeway Tour presented by Steez Promo. Also with Cookie Monsta, Brown & Gammon, Heroex x Villains, and Bare Noize. (18+, doors open at 8PM). Dash Berlin, Roberto Gonzalez-- Dutch trance project Dash Berlin (composed of DJs Jeffrey Sutorius, Eelke Kalberg, and Sebastiaan Molijn) pay Echostage a visit on October 12th. Dash Berlin and their anthemic crowd pleasers will be supported by the mixing skill of Glow resident and DC’s own Roberto Gonzalez. (18+, doors open at 9PM).
KH: Where are you from? LR: El Salvador KH: How did you get started as a bartender? LR: I started working as a waitress at first, but I loved watching the bartenders work. Eventually they gave me a chance to learn from them and now I’m doing something I love. ;) KH: Favorite thing about being a bartender? LR: I have a lot of fun bartending and you make good money too.
KH: What’s the trick to remembering everyone’s “usual” drink? LR: For me I go by the color of the drinks people have. That helps me remember their order the next time they come to me. KH: What is the most popular drink people order? LR: Definitely, the Long Island Iced Tea and Sex on the Beach are the most popular ;).
KH: What’s the funniest drink name you’ve heard about? LR: Probably a blow job hahaha. KH: What’s the craziest thing that’s happened while you were bartending? LR: Watching people dance who don’t really know how to dance but after a few drinks they think they’re amazing dancers, that is probably the funniest thing I’ve seen..
KH: What’s your favorite drink? LR: Patron cosmo. KH: What’s special about working at Bravo Bravo? LR: Bravo! Bravo! is so addictive. There’s always a good atmosphere, good music and people. I really love working here. KH: What do you do in your free time? LR: During my free time I like to spend time with my two children. █
Barstool Blackout Tour-- Billed as the “World’s largest blacklight party!”, the Barstool Blackout Tour sounds like it would be pretty self-explanatory: EDM, neon, foam, blacklights in mass supply no doubt. (18+, doors open at 9PM). Wolfgang Gartner & Tommy Trash- The Hounds of Hell tour featuring two DJs who need no introduction. Superstar house DJ Wolfgang Gartner and remix master Tommy Trash team up with supporting sets from Charlie Darker and Bass Kleph. Also, an opening set from Rez. (18+, doors open at 9PM). Echostage is located 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE, Washington, DC 20018. Check www.echostage.com for more details.
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/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE
/ OCTOBER
2013
KE PASÓ
By: Malayna Butler
Clutching a towel as a precursor of the intensity to come, “The Most Powerful Rookie” took his place on the stage of The Palace on September 20, 2013. Farruko, hailing from Puerto Rico, stood larger than life before our very eyes, a rising star who is currently dominating the Latin Music charts, he looked like royalty . His performance was not reflective of an amateur but rather that of a 22 year-old well-rounded performer capable of enrapturing an audience as skillfully as his more veteran counterparts Daddy Yankee, J Alvarez, and Arcángel (all whom have graced the DMV with their dynamic performances this year). In between songs, he addressed the crowd with familiarity, acknowledging the strong Central American presence in the DC area. His infectious lyrics captivated onlookers who recited lines word for word with near religiosity – like a chant or hymn. At times, he belted a capella songs about his life, and the ties that bind. Whether bachata or reggaeton is your sound, Farruko’s versatility made it impossible not to be possessed by each track as he incorporated hints of hip-hop and dancehall into the mix. My heart throbbed, anxiously awaiting “Besas Tan Bien”. Farruko’s music definitely finds a way into your heart y no podrás, ni tampoco vas a querer, resistirlo. “Dime Que Hago,” “Titerito,” and “Nena Fichu” were only a few of the canciones pegajosas that made the crowd go wild. When it was all over, he bowed humbly and we could nearly breathe again, recuperating the air that had somehow left us during the excitement and anticipation of the show. █
By: Ellen Flores
As the lights dimmed and the crowd got even bigger, Cafeta stepped onto the stage and the musical voyage began with the chords of “Pájaros” from the new album El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco. Rubén, Quique, Meme and Joselo gave us over two hours of musical art with a huge sampling of their vast catalog. “El Baile y el Salón”, “Ingrata” and “La Chica Banda” were among the classics that got us all singing, dancing, moshing and took us away from our ordinary daily routines. As if in a dream, a white tree appeared on stage along with lead singer Rubén sporting a very regal bird mask and outfit, perfect for interpreting the haunting song “Zopilotes”. The songs that followed paid tribute to Mother Earth with an amazing neuron teasing laser show during “Agua”, at which point it began to rain inside the venue with bubbles of water that mimicked sea foam; truly amazing experience for all the senses! As if this weren’t enough, we also saw a volcano erect on stage and erupt during the song “Volcán”. With elaborate lighting, laser shows and stage props, the guys from Café Tacvba did what few can do. They let the music shine and take center stage while taking us on a musical trip into a parallel universe where music comes to life and we are all united. Of course, no Cafeta show would be complete without “Eres” or “Chilanga Banda”, two songs that were also performed flawlessly and celebrated by all of us that were taking part in this magical, musical voyage. Overall, I’m confident to say that Café Tacvba has been THE best Latin show to ever take place at The Fillmore. Talent, spectacle and passion are the words that best describe the musical universe known as Café Tacvba en vivo. █
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KE? KESTA HOROSCOPE Aries: Marc Anthony says “El amor
nunca pregunta cómo ni porqué. Llega sin aviso y vuelve tu mundo al revés.” -“El amor nunca pregunta”, Jerry Rivera
Taurus: Los Pericos says: “Nada escapa, nada muere, nadie olvida,eso lo sé.” -“Sin Cadenas”, Los Pericos
/ 29
GIVEAWAYS: Libra: Cristian Castro says: “...Después de haber querido, intentas otra vez. Después de lo vivido, siempre hay un después” -”Después de ti”, Cristian Castro Scorpio: Buena Vista Social Club says: “La mujer cuando de agacha se le abre el entendimiento. Y el hombre cuando la mira se le para el pensamiento”
win tickets to
cristian castro
wed, oct 30th @ The fillmore
-“Candela”, Buena Vista Social Club
Gemini: Julieta Venegas says: “Por una vez sobre la tierra no hablemos en ningún idioma (ningún idioma) Por un segundo detengamonos. No movamos tanto los brazos“ -”A Callarse”, Julieta Venegas
Sagitario: Desorden Público says:
Cancer: Cristian Castro says: “Dicen
Capricorn:
que el tiempo cura todo”
-”Vuelveme a querer” -Cristian Castro
“La vida es un sueño, es un misterio que fortuna caballero si la musica acompaña ” -”EL tren de la vida” -Desorden Público
Tito Rojas says “Apretala duro para que no se te escape. Si esto es mucho pa ti, no hagas el aguaje.”
CHARANGA HABANERA fri, nov 8th
@ diamond lounge
-“Vamos pa’ la rumba”, Tito Rojas
Leo: Cheech and Chong says: “light it
up man lets get chinese eyes”
Aquarius: Alex Ubago says: ”A la
vuelta de la esquina los dolores se te olvidan, y te encuentras una flor por el camino que caminas.”
-“A la vuelta de la esquina”, Alex Ubago
Virgo: Julieta venegas says: “cuando te digan que todo es mentira, no creas tampoco saber la verdad. ” -“Todo es mentira”, Julieta Venegas
Pisces: El Gran Silencio says: ”Para que te sientas un hombre de provecho por eso yo te digo amigo vete ahi derecho” -”Ingratos Corazones -El Gran Silencio
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!
SAVE! $5 AT THE GATE
OR $3 ONLINE
ENTER COUPON CODE:
KESTA
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