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The Bakersfield Californian
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Local
Juanes can’t get enough of Kern BY MATT MUNOZ For The Californian
It may be a coincidence that Grammy Award-winning Latin artist Juanes has twice chosen to kick off a major tour in Bakersfield — but maybe not. It was in nearby McFarland that the Colombian superstar filmed the video for his single “Juntos” (Together), the theme song for Disney’s “McFarland, USA,” the feel-good sports film released earlier this year. Juanes received a rock-star welcome at the town’s Christmas parade late last year and met Jim White, who coached the McFarland High crosscountry team to a string of championships beginning in the late 1980s. “For me it was an inspiration, on a different level,” said Juanes during a phone interview Monday. The singer was backstage at a taping of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in Los Angeles. “I came to this country looking for opportunity,
Juanes and Ximena Sarinana When: 7:30 p.m. today Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Tickets: $28.50-$74, plus fee; 852-7300
trying to make my dreams come true, and I saw that reflected in this movie.” The film, starring Kevin Costner as White, touched the Colombian-born artist, 42, whose full-name is Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez. “It’s also inspirational for any kid watching and shows what can happen when you work as a team. You really can make anything possible in this life.” In the video for “Juntos,” Juanes is seen running with actors from the film through valley orchards. “I’ve been running every day of my life, especially when I was teenager. I love it so much so, that I had to
CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
COURTESY XIMENA SARINANA
Juanes, left, shakes hands with retired McFarland High School cross-country coach Jim White at the McFarland Christmas Parade in December.
Acclaimed Mexican singer-songwriter Ximena Sarinana will be the opening act for Juanes.
have surgery in my right knee. It’s healed now.” Another interesting connection Juanes has to the Central Valley and Bakersfield comes through his Basque heritage. “My last name, Aristizábal Vásquez, comes from el vasco (Basque). The family line came to Colom-
super cool guy and that makes a difference when you’re opening.” Growing up in front of the camera as a child actor in Mexico, the multi-talented Sarinana has become one of her country’s most acclaimed talents, both on screen and off. Her recording debut, “Mediocre,” was released in 2008. She shifted gears with her English-language follow-up, whose radio single and music video “Different” helped her cross-over strategy. Her latest release, “No Todo Los Puedes Dar,” is a return to Spanish; a standout track is her cover of Pat Benatar’s “We Belong”
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bia from Spain over 300 years ago. So, Basque is part of my ADN (DNA). “I had no idea Bakersfield had such a history. I’ll have to look into it. That’s incredible.”
Ximena Sarinana Opening for Juanes tonight at Rabobank Theater is Mexican singer/ songwriter and actress Ximena Sarinana. “I’m really happy that I’m part of this tour,” said Sarinana, 29, during a recent phone interview. “I’ve followed Juanes’ music since I was a girl. He’s been really big for a long time in America and Latin America. I’ve met him before and he’s a
(“Juntos por Siempre”). “I was involved through whole production process: songwriting, songs I was going to record, musicians I would record with, studio location, mixing and mastering. It was a great feeling and something I needed. Every artist has this sort of need to do that at some point in their career, and I was really happy for the result. I had a lot of support.” Sarinana performs a bilingual program, ensuring no fan feels left out. “I will always mix both languages in my show. That’s one thing I never want to lose. I speak two different languages and that’s exactly who I am.”
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