Fri. March 12th

Though the current world of Alkaline Trio is not nearly as fraught with and fueled by drink and drama as in the band’s formative years, the making of the new Crimson (out May 24, 2005 on Vagrant), was not without its share of dark portents: Two bone-shattering skateboarding accidents, one PunkVoter tour that failed to block the reelection of George W. Bush… but oddly enough: No failed relationships! As a result Crimson stands as the most mature and ambitious 13 songs Alkaline Trio has ever pushed itself to create-with able guidance from producer Jerry Finn (Green Day, Blink-182, Jawbreaker).

VIDEO: 8th Annual Latino Trendsetter Awards

November 16th, 2009

A Latino Trendsetter represents the highest of standards. A Latino Trendsetter defines the American Latino experience. A Latino Trendsetter makes every Latino — regardless of country of origin — proud of his/her heritage. A Latino Trendsetter serves as an important role model for youth by being visible and active in the Hispanic culture and their local communities. A Latino Trendsetter transcends boundaries and defines trends that influence both the Hispanic and non-Hispanic culture.

8th Annual Latino Trendsetter Awards at the United Nations
Click here to view the embedded video.

Hawaii is adventure. It offers exotic places and an indisputable promise for a unique vacation. The 50th state provides its visitors the opportunity to submerge in a true earthly paradise. Hawaii, home of surfing and hula, became the youngest state to join the American union in 1950, attracting thousands of tourists every year who rush to discover the treasures of the six main islands:  Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the island of Hawaii.  

Beyond the warm weather, surfing and islands, Hawaii invites visitors to discover its cultural richness and every island offers its own fantasy space. If you are ready to embark on a trip to Hawaii, perhaps you won’t find a better adventure guide than President Barack Obama, who grew up in this idyllic place considered a multicultural space that without a doubt served as influence in the president’s personality. Even First Lady Michelle Obama has said: “You can’t understand Obama until you have understood Hawaii,” reaffirming that the roots of the head of state will always be with that state. 

   The first destination is the beach. Two of Obama’s favorites are Sandy Beach and Halona Blowhole, the last one being very close to where his mom’s ashes were scattered. The president grew up enjoying picnics with a spectacular front view of Puu Ualakaa State Park, close to his house, just like Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. When it comes to pastimes, golf occupies one of the first places in his agenda. Obama has played at the Olomana Golf Links and Luana Hills Country Club. In a tour like the president’s, it is also imperative to include the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl, one of the most distinguished national cemeteries for the armed forces and the resting place for his grandfather.  Prepare to dress casually and have a good time. It is recommended only to bring light jackets for the evening and semi-casual dresses for the restaurants and the night life.  Forget the suit and ties; they are not common in Hawaii. Good food is always a must in this adventure. When it comes to eating out, one of the restaurants you can’t miss is the Kapahulu on the outskirts of Waikiki. It is known that the president usually orders a traditional dish from the Rainbow Drive-In as well as the restaurant Zippy in Oahu. In his most recent visit, Obama and his daughters also completed the menu with a local version of ice cream cone from Island Snow in Kailua.  Matsumoto Shave Ice, on the north coast, is another famous store. You can also include Waiola Shave Ice in Kapahulu. 

Facts about Hawaii, Hawaii: 

State’s name:    Hawaii 

State’s nickname:   The Aloha State

Capital:  Honolulu 

Languages:   English and Hawaiian 

Duke Kahanamoku, the Father of Modern Surfing, grew up in Waikiki in Oahu

Things you must do on your first trip: 

Enjoy the wonderful scenery it offers, from many different places to the coasts of Kauai.Visit in Oahu the remains of the USS Arizona and USS Missouri commemorative monuments from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Ride a mule on the Kalaupapa peninsula in Molokai Make a complete a tour in Lanai to discover incredible landscapes and observe the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii’s Big Island.

“I’m very happy with all the support I have received from the audience, all of this has been a blessing. I wanted this album to reflect the maturity that I have reached since the release of the first album, I wanted it to be a different proposal, and I didn’t want to duplicate the formula. I’m definitively satisfied because I feel that we achieved a different product with a lot of quality,” she says about the album, which includes a duet with Noel Schajris from “Sin Banderas.”

Fanny Lu, who began her career as a TV host and actress, debuted in 2006 with the album “Lagrimas Calidas,” a production that soon crossed frontiers and internationalized her with themes like “No te pido flores,” “Te arrepentiras” and “Es por ti.” The musical career of Fanny Lu seems to have been going at full throttle, but the artist explains that her success is the result of many years of effort and a lot of dedication and passion that she has had since she was a girl. “For many, it may seem that my entire career has been easy, but not everything has been pink. Before presenting my first disc, I knocked on many doors. I don’t remember at what point I decided that I wanted to dedicate myself to this career, because since I was little, I had love for music,” says the artist who also shared some of her dreams, details of her new album and expectations with DTM.

What were you looking to do with the second album? What did you want the proposal
to be with “Dos”?
I wanted it to reflect my creative growth. Something that I always had clear when I began working on the album was that I wanted it to reflect changes. I’m grateful to the audience because they accepted me and that let me grow. What I enjoyed the most was the freedom to create new things.

With only a few days before the release of the album, the great acceptance from the public did not wait long, did this album surpass all of your expectations?
I’m very excited with the support, the truth is that I knew this album was made with a lot love and quality, but I didn’t expect this welcoming. I tried to be involved in all the process and I enjoyed every sound, every song, I put a lot of faith and dedication on everything I do.

Get a Financial Advisor

A financial advisor’s job is to help clients reach their money-making goals. “When you’re sick, you go to a doctor and find out what’s wrong and what you can do to feel better,” says Escudero. “A financial advisor works the same way. He or she looks at your expenses and then tells you what you can do to prosper.”

Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden will star in GOD OF CARNAGE, the new play by Yasmina Reza, directed by Matthew Warchus ,opening on Broadway at the Bernard Jacobs Theater (242 West 45 Street) on Sunday, March 22. The play comes to Broadway after a sold-out run in London’s West End in 2008. GOD OF CARNAGE is a comedy of manners without the manners. The play deals with the aftermath of a playground altercation between two boys and what happens when their parents meet to talk.

Copycat, a night of cover songs, presents a Tribute to Arthur Lee and Love. Dj Xerox spins crazy covers and rocking remixes of all the hits (rock, indie, old wave and new) with Special Guest DJ Allan Dias (PIL), there’s live music acts in the back room where some of your favorite artists play cover versions of their favorite songs. Tonight’s Spinal Tap tribute features The The Rats and La Otracina.

February 27th, 2009

Video courtesy of BronxNet

DTM’s 4th Annual Dominican Independence Celebration commemorates the 165th anniversary of Dominican independence. This event was a tribute to all people who, in their daily lives, do things to make the Dominican Republic, America, and the world a better place.

This event was attended by such Dominican luminaries as TV show host Negro Santos, Juan Carlos from “El Vacilón de la Mañana”, historian Néstor Montilla, and restauranteur Cirilo Montoya.

DTM\’s 4th Annual Dominican Independence Celebration
Click here to view the embedded video.

Dear Clarisa, 

I’d like to acknowledge you for being brave enough to question yourself because not many people can do that. When we are afraid, it is easy to blame others. To admit that the jealousy may stem from you, is indeed a noble thing to do. Emotions are great indicators, letting us know whether we are truly happy. Jealousy is not a great emotion to feel.  In fact, jealousy can be downright exhausting, panic-enducing, and it can leave us feeling helpless. Jealousy has a way of growing at an astounding rate.  Every one of us has felt jealousy at least once in a relationship.  The amount of jealousy you experience can reveal how much someone means to you. I understand how you feel.  

However, jealousy has BAD consequences, forcing you to do things you would never imagine.  Suddenly you find yourself checking the messages, emails; you are checking his cell phone while he’s in the shower.  I’m trying to delicately tell you that staying in a state of jealousy for too long is an unhealthy place. There is a fine line between jealousy and paranoia.  

Jealousy is usually temporary and it’s usually justified.  In other words, you should be jealous if your boyfriend gives you a reason.  A good reason would be if you saw him flirting with another woman, or if a girl called him at 2 a.m., referring to him as “baby.”  Jealousy can turn to paranoia. An example that your jealously is out of control is when your boyfriend has done absolutely nothing wrong, but you’re LOOKING to be right. You want to say, “Aha – I caught you!” This behavior only leads to two things:  he will eventually cheat on you because you continually accuse him of the same or he will break up with you because he doesn’t feel trusted and feels like a prisoner.  

Can you remember the first time you were betrayed or cheated on?  Were you recently deceived by an ex-boyfriend?  Is your current boyfriend paying the price for what someone else did to you?  If so, please take a deep breath and just decide to take the chance and trust him.  It sounds to me as if this current boyfriend hasn’t given you valid reasons for the alarm to go off in your head.  

In my experiences, I have found that if someone is going to cheat, he will cheat…keeping your eye on him won’t have any power to change that.  I have also learned that if someone cheats on you, the truth will eventually come out. Give yourself time and trust him – or you’ll lose him.  Bottom line:  relationships do not survive without trust.  Lack of trust eventually will turn him off and it will ruin what might be a good relationship. Clarisa, if you can’t trust him, leave him. If you find the source of your jealousy really stems from your own insecurities, then maybe you’re not ready to be in a serious relationship yet.  Seeking counseling about long-term fears and jealousy could be a good thing for you.  Good luck and try not to be too hard on yourself.