I went last year and saw great movies, DON’T MISS IT! My top peli picks are:
This last film was directed by the son of Mexico’s legendary short story master, Juan Rulfo. I’m dying to see his work and will, of course be looking for any father-son artistic connections! FOR TICKETS AND SCHEDULE click here. Nos vemos there!
I’m listening to her lovely live set this morning, and if you haven’t heard her before, check her out. She’s a self-proclaimed “book junkie” (which makes me more of a fan) and we share a birthday, so she HAS to be a cool chica! She was born in Long Beach, California, but raised in Tijuana, Baja California and has lived in Mexico City for years now. Julieta makes playing the accordion look sexy and is a talented musician, winning the 2004 Latin Grammy for Best Vocal Rock Album (Sí). CLICK here to LISTEN TO HER LIVE SET AND INTERVIEW. I’m muy excited to hear the mamá-to-be’s new material. She’s playing May 2nd with Ceci Bastida and ruido de fondo at the Majestic Ventura Theatre. For more info, you can call (805) 653-0721 or go to www.venturatheater.net/ The video below is a beautiful duet she did with Brazilian legend, Marissa Monte.
The cast of UGLY BETTY
Como dicen, all good things must come to an end. And, though I am still lamenting the show’s end (and fabulous fashion), I am more than pleased with its finale. The American version of the Colombian hit “Betty la fea” stayed true to it’s message– it’s ok to be different, pursue your goals with passion, and make an effort to have integrity and be kind. Thank goodness that even though Betty becomes more fashionable and pretty toward the end of the show, the happy ending isn’t about “getting the guy.” Betty’s beauty is always about being self-reflective, self-accepting, and self-aware, loving her family and friends despite their faults and quirks, and knowing when to walk away when something or someone isn’t right for her. We are encouraged by this América(n) beauty to take risks, dream bigger, and love more. From parody to social commentary and fashion to immigration, thank you to the UGLY BETTY team for getting it SO right. It is absolutely refreshing to see a young, Mexican-American/Chicana and her family on mainstream television teach us all something about what it means to be American, human, and free.
Esta peli won the OSCAR this year for Best Foreign Film and for good reason. I just saw it and it’s the best film I’ve seen in a while! A little of everything–crime, mystery,romance, thriller, and drama–the movie will keep you laughing, on the edge of your seat, and thinking about the one that got away. Watch the trailer and see güat you think. ¡No te la pierdes, está en los cines ahorita!
El restaurante
Anyone who knows me knows I LIKE TO EAT. If you even remotely like Mexican mole or good Mexican food, do yourself a favor and head over to Rosa Mexicano at LA Live downtown. My mouth waters every time I think about the Mole de Xico enchiladas I had there last weekend: tortillas filled with shredded chipotle beef, topped with Veracruz mole made with raisins, plantains, hazelnuts, pine nuts and mulato, ancho and pasilla chiles, garnished with crema and queso fresco. Everything I’ve tried is delish, and I’m also a fan because they play good music and put on FREE and fun cooking demos, with food tasting and printed recipes you can take home. I HEART ROSA MEXICANO!
Remember the song “Atrévete te, te?” ¡¿Quién no, verdad?! Bueno, gracias a esos éxitos comerciales, nunca me interesé por la música de Calle 13 y decidí que era reggaeton pop, y ya. TYPICAL BOOTY-SHAKIN’ STUFF, RIGHT? WRONG. Acabo de saber del documental que hizo Calle 13 llamado “Sin mapa”. Nos da la oportunidad de conocer más a fondo el pensamiento y la política del grupo, cómo han madurado, y lo mucho que aprecian el pueblo latinoamericano. WATCH IT; viajarás con ellos, te sorprenderán… and it’ll be a pleasant surprise.
Don’t miss the chance to celebrate Day of the Dead, Día de los muertos! I am thinking of trying to make a special dish called Pipián; it’s like a green, Mexican mole that calls for pumpkin seeds. My grandmother used to make a tasty Pipián. Since my abuelito passed this summer, I think this holiday is the perfect opportunity to try a new family recipe and honor his life.
For a list of Día de los muertos events happening around Los Angeles, click here. If you like beautifully decorated DOD bread, here’s a guide to bakeries that sell pan de muertos. And, if you’d like to go to a food and cooking demo, check out Surfas this weekend! After enjoying my delish pipián, I plan to go to the Self Help Graphics hosted event at the EastLA Civic Center. I also hope to get the chance to visit Rosa Mexicano at LA Live for their special DOD menu before it’s too late!
Mil gracias a Josh por avisarme del nuevo sitio, está muy chido y debes visitarlo. Las fotos son lindas, puedes bajar una canción gratis, y la música es la neta–in other words, it’s excellent. Visit the site, and check out this group that describes itself as “a multi-cultural band of exceptional musicians giving an explosive sonic snapshot of the ever-evolving musical landscape of the Americas.” I’ve seen them live and couldn’t stop dancing. Need I say más?
¡Cuando yo era niña, arroz con leche era uno de mis favoritos desayunos y postres! A veces mi mama me hacía arroz con leche los fines de semana y me gustaba que sobrara (for there to be left over) para comerlo el próximo día. ¡La receta es bastante fácil, asi que inténtala! Si te gusta el flan, los budines, o el sabor de la horchata, te va a encantar esta receta.
When I was a little girl, arroz con leche or Mexican rice pudding was one of my favorite breakfasts or desserts. Sometimes my mom would make it on the weekends and I loved it when there was left over so I could eat it again the next day. The recipe is rather easy, so try it! If you like flan, puddings & custards, or the flavor of horchata, you’ll love this recipe.
Ingredients:
1 C white rice
2 C of water
2 sticks of cinnamon
1/2 C sweetened, condensed milk
2 C milk (you can also use evaporated milk)
Optional add-ons: raisins, coconut, lemon peel, clove
Directions: Bring rice, cinnamon sticks (and raisins or other add-ons), and water to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until rice is cooked and water has been absorbed. You can remove cinnamon sticks or leave them in before adding the milk and sweetened, condensed milk. It might be fun to add other spices or use coconut milk instead! Mmm!
Belanova is a Mexican electropop band formed by Denisse Guerrero (voice) originally from Los Mochis, Sinaloa (Mexico), Edgar Huerta (programming and keyboards) and Ricardo “Richie” Arreola (bass and guitar), all from Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico). The band was formed in 2002. Their latest album “Fantasia Pop” (2007) won a golden disc for sales in just 2 days! I put this song on my running playlist, and the song “Rosa pastel” reminds me of a Sandra Cisneros vignette from House on Mango Street.
