Making Mondays Marvelous

Proyecto Latina was one of those things I had heard mentioned by several of my literary and poetic friends throughout the years. When I heard it later through El Stitch & Bitch, I realized there were layers there I needed to uncover. My research began. What I discovered put a magical smile on my face and I felt a huge sense of pride. This is what more people should be doing in general.

Although the first meeting I went to was focused on a visual presentation by El Stitch y Bitch organizer Thelma Uranga (aka photographer extraordinaire), the entire concept of the gathering was intriguing.


Here gathered a group of women (and men) interested in the art of writing and coming together as one to share, expose and create. Marvelous, darling... simply marvelous. I was excited about the possibilities and looking forward to their next gathering, the third Monday of the following month.

Proyecto Latina has become my poetic haven. Every third Monday of the month I look forward to basking in the words and wisdom of women sharing their stories through the art of poetry, comedy and any medium they deem necessary to express themselves. It is empowering. It is inspiring. It is necessary.

"Proyecto Latina provides a platform to showcase work by Latina writers, poets, performers and artists. It is where Latinas in the arts and media intersect. We tell you about the work and impact these women have on our communities."



For June's session, (Monday, June 21st, 2010) Proyecto Latina is featuring Alicia Tellez Vega from La Dulce Palabra Spoken Word ensemble and it takes place at Cafe Catedral (2500 S. Christiana) at 7PM. This is free and anyone is welcome to participate during the beginning open reading portion. I encourage anyone interested in literature, poetry and writing in general to come on out. It's open to everyone. All ages welcome. (Bring your knitting! And your journals!)

Your next two Fridays, by yours truly

One day, many years ago while I was out at Loyola visiting the folks from Rock Sin Anestesia, I met a guy referred to as "Jesuchico." Those pop-boy-band good looks combined with a sharp but sweet sarcastic tone have marked Jesus Echeverria's witty repertoire ever since and continue to have me giggling in evil delight. What amazed me most, though, was his eclectic knowledge of everything latin rock and beyond. He knew about artists before they knew about themselves. No, seriously!

I've learned quite a bit from this man just like I've learned from other music connoisseurs in this area such as Tomas Cookman, Gabriel Feijoo, Paco Barba, Charly Garcia, Calvillo, etc. (Thank you, my dogma!) Through all of them I've discovered music rarities so sacred I can't even tell you about them. No, seriously!

All jokes aside, the man is a genius and you should take the time to go see him play tonight as it's quite the phenomenon when he showcases that knowledge live. He's DJing tonight at Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago) during Eskucha's "Lavate Las Orejas" night which will be showcasing the expanse of latin alternative music and more with DJs Resistol Cincomil, Nando and Victor Lua. (9PM, no cover before 11pm and only $5 after.)


It's free (before 11pm) and they'll be giving away free tickets to the upcoming Heineken Inspire Night taking place at the Ravenswood Event Center on Friday, June 25th with a live band performance from Babasonicos and Heineken Mezclasonics DJs Mexican Institute of Sound, Nacotheque
and D'Marquesina.

Although Babasonicos and Nacotheque aren't new to Chicago, you should definitely head out to this free show because M.I.S. (who will also be performing at this year's Lollapalooza) and D'Marquesina's Hector and Glori are rarities in the Midwest. They'll leave an impression, no doubt.

Plus, it's a Heineken show and those are always a good time. And who doesn't enjoy free beer and food with some great music? Win-win, people...win-win!

So, this Friday head out to DarkRoom, listen to some outstanding music, get your dance on and get your tickets to next Friday's show where you'll be doing the same. Two Fridays planned out so well for you. You're welcome!

Here's another treat: download (((SONORAMA)))'s Tropipower Podcast.

See you around town.

-ST

Credits:
Nacotheque & M.I.S. photos courtesy of Jose Calvo of Enchufate
D'Marquesina photo courtesy of D'Marquesina.

Takin' it back ol' school style this Sunday + Grupo Fantasma + Music Delights

Let's get is started with some free tunes:

Remember Todos Tus Muertos? Sure you do! (And if you don't, Enchufate!) Well, FIDEL will be performing in Chicago on Sunday, July 11th at an all ages show at El Rey Ballroom (Western @ 35th). El Chopito Records Event.

I'm not sure if this is in celebration of all his upcoming performances, including the much talked about Central Park show during LAMC but Nacional Records has graciously offered up a free tune just for you: FREE Fidel Nadal "Emocionado" MP3 Download. Just click on the link and it's yours. Neat-o!

Speaking of free, if you log onto the Enchufate Facebook you'll have received an invite to this Friday's Grupo Fantasma event at House of Blues (Sound Culture Event).

With it is a chance for one of you lucky music lovers to win a pair of free tickets to the show. We're on a roll with the freebies today. You dig? We do!

More freebies? Sure, why not!

Now we're takin' it back ol' school rock en español style. Oh si. Alejandro Marcovich, legendary guitarist, will be performing a free show this Sunday at Cobra Lounge in celebration of Señor Decker's 'Spanglish Rock Sundays' two year anniversary. Marcovich will be playing a Caifanes set, joined by rising mid-west latin rock band Making Movies. Between sets listen to my musical selections, as DJ Angelfuk. ¿No que no? Pues si. Plus, Movimiento TV will be on hand to give out free tickets to the upcoming RatioNation BOMBA ESTEREO concert at Green Dolphin. And, Enchufate will be on hand giving away free iTunes cards loaded with tons of great latin alternative music. We're on a roll, people... on a roll!

In the meantime, make sure to check out more delightful events on Enchufate.com and our corresponding Facebook and MySpace pages.

Antibalas + DiskoRuido + A Shaved Head = Weirdos (Joking!)

Oh how I love my city. Even though we've had a strange week when it comes to weather, overall it's been quite spiffy. Last night, in all of its bittersweet moments, was a perfect combination of sunny and cool.

In case you weren't aware, last night also included the Afro-beat-Funk-Experimental band, Antibalas, playing a free show in Pritzker Pavilion at Grant Park. Aha. What a show, what a show! And free? Yes. Outdoors? Yes. With the best sound system ever? Yes!

Things got started around 7 with African music project The Very Best. Their last album, Warm Heart of Africa (2009), includes guest appearances from M.I.A. and Vampire Weekend. How quirky is that? Quirky enough for me to go take a listen, eh! After their set and a short break later, Antibalas took over the stage and the dancing began. What was really lovely to see among the crowd was the peaceful way in which everyone gathered in front of the stage. It seemed like the night was all about love, peace and music harmony. (This includes my darling friends Charly and Stephanie who were in celebration mode as an Antibalas performance years prior was one of their first dates ever. Sweetness oozed all around.)

Unfortunately, during the band's set I was informed that a friend of ours, a passionate music lover, had passed away. Rainer Tobon left our world last night. It almost seemed the love, peace and music harmony around us was meant especially for him. I'll keep you all posted on any fundraising events that will take place to help alleviate the costs associated with this tragedy.

After the energizing set from Antibalas, we headed over to Bernice's in Bridgeport. Have you been there? Woah! It is one crack-addicting hole-in-the-wall dive bar with oh-so-cheesy-but-awesome music and I love it! You have to ring a bell and get buzzed in. And if you look shady, like our resident photog JoseFO, you may just not be able to get in. Hee! The place is tiny, in comparison to my fave Skylark, but what it lacks in size it provides in kitsch and amazing reception from the bartender and Ms. Bernice herself who pops out now and again from the back of the bar. Delight! Bernice's is located at 3238 S. Halsted and if you Yelp it you'll find nothing but raves for this tiny gem. I also brought up Bernice's because the surf-instro band WrayGun is playing tonight. If you get a chance, do yourself a huge favor and go check them out.

It's Friday and tonight we're heading over to Junior's (after a quick stop at Bernice's, hello!) for Eskucha's DiskoRuido event, Automaton.

The line-up is solid and it's guaranteed you won't be sitting or standing for long. Yes, boys and girls, you'll be dancing the night way. DJ Nando, the man behind it all, assures us "It's going to be like an electronic music surge that will make any robot dance. We're all Automatons after all." Great quote, Nando! Junior's is located in Pilsen at 2058 W. Cermak. No cover before 11PM and only $5 after. Among the featured DJs is Miss Cedeño and Tony Macias. Yeah!

Saturday, we'll be heading over to Caoba for our gal pal Vero's fundraiser for the Sandoval Family. She will be shaving her head! Wha!? Yes, you read it correctly. Vero explains it: "Ignacio "Nacho" Sandoval was a good friend of mine growing up in the same neighborhood in the Back of the Yards. His sister Lety is like my little sister. His mom, a stay at home mom, taking care of her family which consists of 3 children now (one with cerebral palsy) and her husband (a self employed mechanic). Prior to 2007 Nacho was diagnosed with cancer. He had grown his hair out finally, when he started chemotherapy, as all patients of chemo, it started falling out, so he shaved it off! I had promised him all throughout that one day I would shave my head. I feel like it's only fair to know what a person feels if you walk in their shoes. So, in honor of all those affected with cancer, Nacho, this one's for you. Donations will be accepted at the door and a raffle ticket will be given for a special prize. All who want to participate come on out and shave your heads with me if you’d like. I'm a little nervous about it, but it's for a great cause." Things get going at 9PM and Caoba is located at 1619 N. Damen in Wicker Park. Please support this amazing effort.

That's it for now, kiddies. As you know Sunday is Cobra time so we'll catch you out there. 9PM, no cover, great music all night.