kesta happening magazine april issue

THE DC SALSA COMMUNITY:

Vive Latino 2011

ZION Y LENNOX

Way more than Rum & Coke!

Fashion Watch:

PERU

OCHO DEBASTOS

JuanesSPRING TRENDS

HERE AND NOW!

MORE THAN A COVER BAND

Cici

MI PAIS:

Cuba Libre

KESTA GIRL OF THE MONTH

SALSA ROOMSalseros Paradise

APR

IL /

ISSU

E #

1FR

EE

REMAINS A PARCERO TO ALL

D E S P I T E S U P E R S TA R D O M

/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE / APRIL 20112

WWW.KESTADC.COM / 3


TABLE OF CONTENT

AprilVive Latino Mexico City 2011ROCK

TROPICAL

URBAN

KESTADC.COM GALLERY

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEATURE

FOOD

STYLE


MI PAIS

NIGHTLIFE

LOCAL TALENT

KE?

6

7

8

10

11

12

14

16

17

18

20

21

22

Photos of concerts and DC nightlife

Despite superstardom Juanes remains a parcero to all

Zion y Lennox

The DC Salsa Community: here and now

Calendar of upcoming events

Cuba Libre: Way more than rum and coke

Fashion Watch: Spring Tends

Cici Carmen

Peru

The Salsa Room

Ocho de Bastos: More than a cover band

PUBLISHER: Media644 / DIRECTOR: Juan Luis Gonzalez / EDITOR: Claudia Silva / DESIGN: Miriam Jave / WRITERS: Luis Ayala, Monica O Ateca, Rosario Garcia, Amanda Landrian, Christina Martinez, Christina Cortes, Claudia Silva / PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jose Acha, Juan Luis Gonzalez, Miriam Jave / CONTACT US: [email protected], www.kestadc.com, tel: 202 643 0555

ISSUE # 1

WWW.KESTADC.COM / 13/ KESTA HAPPENING MAGAZINE / APRIL 201112

FEATURE

Juanes is one of the most respected Latin performers of the past decade and one that has made the Washington Metropolitan area one of his favorite stops. DC definitely loves him back. Juanes first visited the area in 2000 as part of the Watcha Tour—a sold out concert that featured other Latin artists such as Enanitos Verdes, Molotov, La Ley, Bersuit, and Los Rabanes.

Juanes’ musical talents catapulted him to a headlining act and his star power was evident during a 2003 performance at the Kennedy Center. Juanes was set to perform at the Grand Foyer—a room that could fit the Washington Monument with 75 feet to spare if it were laid horizontally. The gigantic room’s capacity was not enough to hold the 6,000+ fans that flooded the historic venue and resulted in a line that snaked around the building. One thing is certain, whether he plays a small venue like the 9:30 club or a large arena like the Patriot Center, Juanes always delivers the same message of love, peace, and freedom.

What does a rock star, a humanitarian, and a royal knight have in common? All three titles can be used to describe Colombian singer/songwriter Juanes (whose real name is Juan Esteban Aristizabal).

JuanesREMAINS A PARCERO TO ALL


As part of his new P.A.R.C.E tour, Juanes will be bringing his message again to the DC area performing at the Patriot Center on Sunday, April 10th, 2011. His new album P.A.R.C.E. was produced by Stephen Lipson in London (released on December 7th, 2010) and has already resulted in two hit singles. “Yerbatero” recently reached the #1 spot in 19 countries and the new second single “Y No Regresas” has already charted as Juanes’ 17th Top-5 title on the Latin Pop-Airplay Chart according to Billboard magazine. P.A.R.C.E has already sold more than 500,000 copies and there is no doubt that these songs have become favorites among the many pop-rock fans in the Washington Metropolitan area. With his new album, Juanes has kept the successful formula of great pop music, and romantic ballads that when mixed with Juanes’ unique voice, and heavy guitar sounds result in the music that has won him numerous awards including an astounding 17 Latin Grammys and 18 MTV awards. Juanes recently told Billboard magazine, “I see the album like a book, with coherence and an ebb and flow,” he says. “We wanted to preserve the notion of that trip, even if people don’t end up listening to it that way.” P.A.R.C.E.—an abbreviation for ‘parcero’, is a Colombian term that translates to “friend” or “buddy”—and alludes to the concept of true brotherhood, which Juanes believes can solve social and political problems in South America, as described in the song “Chimera”. One of the traits that has garnered Juanes much respect and earned him a spot alongside artists such as Bono and Bruce Springsteen is his belief in the possibility of social change through music. He uses his music as a tool used to convey messages of peace and highlight injustices that face the most marginalized people in the world. He also puts his words into action through the work of his own Fundación Mi Sangre which is a leading crusader in the fight against the use of Anti-personnel mines. In addition to working toward the eradication of the deadly devices, the Mi Sangre Foundation actively provides assistance and rehabilitation to landmine victims throughout Colombia. Juanes’ social activism has led him to be named one of “TIME’s 100 Most Influential People” in the world, earned him the designation of Knight of The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and most recently made him the recipient of Colombia’s prestigious National Peace Prize.

Even as Juanes’ popularity rises exponentially, he is more accessible to his fans now than ever before. This is thanks to social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook. Billboard Magazine recently crowned Juanes “the Latin king of social media” and although Juanes disagrees, he does have more than 1.8 million fans following his every move on Twitter (unprecedented for an artist who only sings in Spanish). In February 2011, Juanes participated in the first ever Spanish language “Facebook Live Session” and joined the ranks of previous guests like Bill Gates, George Bush, Tony Blair, and Bono. It’s unclear how many fans tuned in for the live event but judging from Juanes’ 2.5 Million fans on Facebook, we’re guessing muchos! Juanes often professes his love for social media and has used it to connect with fans and involve them in his everyday life. In October 2010, Juanes opened up the flood gates by requesting that his twitter fans submit photos that would be included in the P.A.R.C.E cover art....the response was major. More than 50,000 fans responded and now P.A.R.C.E bears an image of Juanes that to the naked eye appears to be made up of tiny dots, but if magnified, reveals tiny pictures submitted by tweeters from all over the world. Juanes has positioned himself as an iconic brand, and a trend-setter among Latin artists. He’s the

first artist to bring Spanish language tracks to the popular “Rock Band” game, and gave the first Spanish performance in last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (televised to reach well over 60 million viewers). It’s no wonder that he is one of the few Latino artists who can play almost two dozen concerts in major U.S. cities. So get ready parceros, Juanes, the only known Latin rock star, humanitarian, and knight will be here on Sunday, April 10th, 2011 at the Patriot Center. See you there!

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Win tickets to Zion y Lennox and more!

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One thing about Vive is that you will arrive knowing you already love some of the bands, but you will definitely leave loving a few dozen more. One such act may be Sonidero Meztizo, a new funk/hip-hop/reggae/ska/afrobeat project headed by Roco, lead singer of legendary rock group Maldita Vecindad, and his wife Moyenei Valdes. The full line-up and breakdown of which bands are playing per day can be found on www.vivelatino.com.mx.

If you need a small break from the music, this year the festival is premiering a documentary to be screened in the “Carpa Ambulante” curated by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal (of Y Tu Mama También fame) and promises to be a smash hit. The festival also features a Tianguis (cultural flea market), a food mecca, and a graffiti zone where you can practice your Borf-like talents.

Recently it was announced that the festival will not be broadcast live on the mexican TV channel Telehit as in years past, instead the organizers opted to give exclusive broadcasting rights to Coca Cola who will stream the event worldwide on their website for free. This change will undoubtedly help the Vive Latino become a prime destination once fans from all over the world get a taste of how Mexico hosts a party. The Vive Latino has already created a buzz amongst Latin rock fans in the Washington Metropolitan area that plan to make the trip this year. Among them is Jose Luis Espada, founder of Apuesta Por El Rock, a Facebook page dedicated to the promotion of Latin rock in the DC/MD/VA area. Espada tells us, “I started Apuesta after going to Vive Latino 2010. I saw the passion for the music, and I wanted to bet that Latin rock can become a major player in this area.”

The KestaDC crew is psyched to head to the Vive Latino this year to bring you photos and interviews from some of this year’s artists. We can already taste the tacos al pastor and the caguamas we’ll be enjoying while our favorite artists take the stage at the Foro Sol. Ahh…that tastes good!

Tickets will run you $100 dollars for a full three day pass, or $160 for VIP tickets which allow you access to a private vending and seating area. So go ahead, request those vacation days and head to Mexico City for Vive Latino 2011!

Vive Latino is a music festival now in its 12th edition being held in Mexico City, at the Foro Sol the weekend of April 8, 9, and 10th, 2011. It is one of the most sought after

events for artists from around the world seeking to play for over 100,000 wanting fans. The festival operates like a well oiled machine juggling over 90 artists performing on four music stages over the course of the three days.

Among the highly anticipated acts are the Mexican rock group, Caifanes, who recently reunited after a 16 year split and are only expected to perform two reunion shows. The

first will be on Saturday, April 9th at the Vive Latino.

In a festival that boasts a largely alternative rock line-up there is a lot of variety this year, from the explosive ska rhythms of the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra to the Brazilian thrash metal mayhem courtesy of Sepultura. The Chemical Brothers started a frenzy in Mexico when they announced their participation in this year’s festival, as did Jane’s Addiction. Other mentionable acts are Los Enanitos Verdes, Jarabe de Palo, Fobia, Draco Rosa, The National, Babasonicos, Charly Garcia, Los Pericos, Los Estrambéticos, Los Bunkers, Bostich + Fussible, Banda de Turistas, and Bomba Estereo.

ROCK

beckons Latin rock fansfrom DC to Mexico City

By Rosario Garcia

WWW.KESTADC.COM / 7

TROPICAL

OOn any given night in the Nation’s Capital, area nightclubs, restaurants or bars transform into salsa dancing fiestas, filled with “salsa addicts” for whom salsa dancing is as much a lifestyle as it is a pastime.It might come as a surprise, but Washington, DC, a city known for its political focus, is home to one of the most active salsa dancing communities in the U.S. The salsa scene is as active today as it was in the late 50’s, when salsa first debuted in the area. For many people, especially Latinos, discovering the DC salsa community comes as a great revelation, as much of a surprise as learning that salsa was actually created in New York—as most believe that salsa was created in Puerto Rico or Cuba (that’s only partially true, as the rhythms stem from Afro-Cuban sounds). While some may find adapting to the busy lifestyle in DC a bit of a challenge, joining the salsa community provides them with the fun and friendly social outlet that they

long for. Seeing the same faces of salseros at the same establishments gives them the same sense of belonging they had back at their native homes. For others, it becomes an excellent way of meeting new people and learning from our culture. DC is a city that is proud of its diversity and cultural richness. This diversity exists in the salsa community which is made up of a mixture of nationalities, races and colors that come together at night to share their enthusiasm for salsa music and culture. As a matter of fact, Latinos having grown up listening to artists like Marc Anthony and dancing to the rhythms of Cumbia at home, would be amazed to see how non-Latinos embrace our culture, yelling out “Wepa!” as they salsa and sing along to the lyrics of the best Hector Lavoe songs. And while many, men or women, Latino or not, check out the “scene” in order to meet some of the beautiful dancers, they end up staying ultimately because of the music and

the people, as well as the openness of a community that draws you in and makes you feel integrated from the get go. Liz Strom, assistant organizer of the DC Salsa Meetup says, “We may be bogged down at our mundane jobs by day…but we let all out at night! We become Salsified!!” And that’s what the Salsa Community is all about, welcoming all to share in the fun without any judgments. Parker Cocolo, a regular at the Salsa Room, one of the DC area’s best known Latin dance clubs, says what got him hooked was meeting so many different great people from all walks of life including, “doctors, lawyers and pilots all in the same night.” The diverse community embraces you for loving the same music that makes them all get up and dance. As Indian American, Vikram Narayan, who performs with a DC-based salsa team ClaveKazi, says, “to me it means a community where I can go dance, have fun and pursue something that’s a passion in some ways.” The Salsa Community is indeed passionate. Strom puts it nicely, “The DC Salsa community, to me, is a gifted group of enthusiastic minds ready to take their enthusiasm and creativity to the dance floor. Most Salseros you meet in this area will tell you that they have an “addiction” to Salsa that they must get their fill for each day of the week.” And it shows, considering that Monday nights are some of the most active nights for salsa dancers here in the Capital area. On these nights you can find salsa dancers gathering at Clarendon Grill in Arlington, Lucky Bar and Lima in DC, or Aloft Hotel in Ashburn, VA. But every night in DC boasts a few well-known establishments such as The Barking Dog in Bethesda on Tuesday nights, or Friday nights at Havana Village in Adams Morgan where you can often count on the regular dancers to welcome and befriend you, teaching you new moves, embracing yours and inviting you out to other salsa spots. As you join the Salsa Community you might find yourself downloading your new favorite salsa songs within days. A few months in and you’ll find yourself scheduling your week around salsa nights and after a while, every vacation is a salsa-cation and all your friends are salseros. Your DC Community becomes your new home and it feels right, so you go off to dance on a Tuesday or Wednesday, knowing that the lack of sleep will be totally worth it.

THE DC SALSA COMMUNITY:

here and nowBy Cristina Martinez


URBAN

WWith recent hits such as “Como Curar” and cameos on tracks like “Si No Le Contesto” blowing up radio waves nationwide, it’s hard to imagine that at one point the Puerto Rican-born reggaeton duo Zion y Lennox struggled to make their presence known in the music industry. Childhood friends who grew up in the small town of Carolina, Felix Ortiz – aka Zion – and Gabriel Pizarro – aka Lennox – have been featured on countless albums including Luny Tunes’ Mas Flow (2003), Mas Flow 2 (2005), Blin Blin Vol 1 (2004), and Contra La Corriente (2004), in addition to releasing four of their own albums such as Motivando A La Yal (2004) and their most recent CD, Los Verdaderos (2010). Having been referred to as the romanticos del reggaeton due to the majority of their songs focusing on love, they set themselves apart from other artists who sing mainly about sex. Combine their unique style and determination with their obvious talent, it was only a matter of time before the duo would explode onto the reggaeton scene!

Like other reggaeton artists, Zion y Lennox came from humble beginnings. Lennox, who is the younger brother of Mackie from the also widely-popular reggaeton duo Yaga y Mackie, grew up spending his spare time in a small recording studio his brother had inside their house. Their small studio was the neighborhood hot spot for up and coming artists to come and lay down tracks, in hopes of becoming Puerto Rico’s next big thing. Being

from the same neighborhood, Lennox met Zion and found that they had a lot in common, including an unshakeable determination to be successful and a deeply-routed love for music. The two quickly became good friends and shared their passion for dancehall reggae, hip hop, Spanish reggae, and all things music. With Lennox’s brother Mackie’s vast connections in the industry, an opportunity presented itself for the young duo to perform a song for a reggaeton mixtape – and they could not turn it down! After recording the track and being featured on the compilation CD, Zion y Lennox felt even more motivated to pursue their dreams of becoming something big in the increasingly popular reggaeton business.

Close to ten years in the industry later, Zion y Lennox are definitely no longer rookies to the game. The duo’s first CD release Motivando A La Yal reached gold certification and produced hit songs such as 2004’s club bangers “Doncella”, and “Yo Voy” which featured the hottest reggaeton artist at that time Daddy Yankee. Their 2010 CD Pasado, Presente y Futuro produced various hits, as did their latest album to drop, Los Verdaderos. Los Verdaderos contains one of the duos most popular tracks to date, “Como Curar”, which has received heavy rotation on radio stations throughout the U.S. and Latin America, and also airs regularly on Latin music TV stations such as mun2 and MTV Tres. The duo has also been considered the creators of reggaeton romantic because they were

arguably the first group to focus almost all their songs on love as opposed to sex. In addition to their many accomplishments as a group, Zion has released several solo projects including his CD The Perfect Melody, which debuted at number 2 on the Latin Billboard Charts and was certified as having gone platinum in 2007.

Regardless of all that they have accomplished and hold under their belts, the duo is still hungry for more. With plans of recording more music, and already scheduled concerts and shows – including an upcoming performance here at Ibiza on Saturday, April 9th – Zion y Lennox have made it clear they aren’t going anywhere any time soon. They came into the business with aspirations of making history and intend on doing exactly that. Although they may take some time off in between projects to achieve perfection, don’t doubt for a second that Zion y Lennox are a powerful movement within reggaeton and plan on keeping it that way for a long time!

ZION Y LENNOXby Christina Cortes

WWW.KESTADC.COM / 9


KESTADC.COM GALLERY

Julieta Venegas @ State Theater 02.22.11

Tango Buenos Aires @ GMU Center of the Arts 03.05.11

Jowel y Randy @ Ibiza 03.10.11

Poncho Sanchez @ Warner Theater 03.12.11

The invaders @ Galaxy 03.25.11

FOR MORE PICTURES GO TOWWW.KESTADC.COM

Los Amigos Invisibles @ Black Cat 02.26.11 Montenegro @ Divino Lounge 02.18.11

March Nightlife

WWW.KESTADC.COM / 11

Sat 04.02

Sat 04.02

Sat 04.09

Sat 04.09

Sun 04.10

Sat 04.16

Wed 04.20

Fri 04.22

Fri 04.29

Thur 05.05

Thur 07.07

Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

Latin Fridays @ Rio CantinaFancy Fridays @ Cococabana

Saturdays @ Sutra LoungeLatin Rock Invasion @ Marx Cafe

Domingos de Matinee @ La Cabana Lounge

WEEKLY EVENTS

Tonazo Peruano “La Hora Locasa” @ Cafe Asia

The Carnaval @ LOVE

Zion y Lennox @ Ibiza

Ska & Reggae Show @ Chapala

Juanes @ The Patriot Center

The Pinker Tones @ Cheif Ikes’s Mambo Room

Mago de Oz @ Fur Nightclub

24 Horas @ Rio Cantina

Fidel Nadal @ Rock and Roll Hotel

Bomba Estereo @ Black Cat

Jarabe de Palo @ State Theater

For more information and many more events go to KESTADC.COM

KESTA HAPPENING DC FEATURED EVENTS


FEATURE

Juanes is one of the most respected Latin performers of the past decade and one that has made the Washington Metropolitan area one of his favorite stops. DC definitely loves him back. Juanes first visited the area in 2000 as part of the Watcha Tour—a sold out concert that featured other Latin artists such as Enanitos Verdes, Molotov, La Ley, Bersuit, and Los Rabanes.

Juanes’ musical talents catapulted him to a headlining act and his star power was evident during a 2003 performance at the Kennedy Center. Juanes was set to perform at the Grand Foyer—a room that could fit the Washington Monument with 75 feet to spare if it were laid horizontally. The gigantic room’s capacity was not enough to hold the 6,000+ fans that flooded the historic venue and resulted in a line that snaked around the building. One thing is certain, whether he plays a small venue like the 9:30 club or a large arena like the Patriot Center, Juanes always delivers the same message of love, peace, and freedom.

What does a rock star, a humanitarian, and a royal knight have in common? All three titles can be used to describe Colombian singer/songwriter Juanes (whose real name is Juan Esteban Aristizabal).

JuanesREMAINS A PARCERO TO ALL



As part of his new P.A.R.C.E tour, Juanes will be bringing his message again to the DC area performing at the Patriot Center on Sunday, April 10th, 2011. His new album P.A.R.C.E. was produced by Stephen Lipson in London (released on December 7th, 2010) and has already resulted in two hit singles. “Yerbatero” recently reached the #1 spot in 19 countries and the new second single “Y No Regresas” has already charted as Juanes’ 17th Top-5 title on the Latin Pop-Airplay Chart according to Billboard magazine. P.A.R.C.E has already sold more than 500,000 copies and there is no doubt that these songs have become favorites among the many pop-rock fans in the Washington Metropolitan area. With his new album, Juanes has kept the successful formula of great pop music, and romantic ballads that when mixed with Juanes’ unique voice, and heavy guitar sounds result in the music that has won him numerous awards including an astounding 17 Latin Grammys and 18 MTV awards. Juanes recently told Billboard magazine, “I see the album like a book, with coherence and an ebb and flow,” he says. “We wanted to preserve the notion of that trip, even if people don’t end up listening to it that way.” P.A.R.C.E.—an abbreviation for ‘parcero’, is a Colombian term that translates to “friend” or “buddy”—and alludes to the concept of true brotherhood, which Juanes believes can solve social and political problems in South America, as described in the song “Chimera”. One of the traits that has garnered Juanes much respect and earned him a spot alongside artists such as Bono and Bruce Springsteen is his belief in the possibility of social change through music. He uses his music as a tool used to convey messages of peace and highlight injustices that face the most marginalized people in the world. He also puts his words into action through the work of his own Fundación Mi Sangre which is a leading crusader in the fight against the use of Anti-personnel mines. In addition to working toward the eradication of the deadly devices, the Mi Sangre Foundation actively provides assistance and rehabilitation to landmine victims throughout Colombia. Juanes’ social activism has led him to be named one of “TIME’s 100 Most Influential People” in the world, earned him the designation of Knight of The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and most recently made him the recipient of Colombia’s prestigious National Peace Prize.

Even as Juanes’ popularity rises exponentially, he is more accessible to his fans now than ever before. This is thanks to social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook. Billboard Magazine recently crowned Juanes “the Latin king of social media” and although Juanes disagrees, he does have more than 1.8 million fans following his every move on Twitter (unprecedented for an artist who only sings in Spanish). In February 2011, Juanes participated in the first ever Spanish language “Facebook Live Session” and joined the ranks of previous guests like Bill Gates, George Bush, Tony Blair, and Bono. It’s unclear how many fans tuned in for the live event but judging from Juanes’ 2.5 Million fans on Facebook, we’re guessing muchos! Juanes often professes his love for social media and has used it to connect with fans and involve them in his everyday life. In October 2010, Juanes opened up the flood gates by requesting that his twitter fans submit photos that would be included in the P.A.R.C.E cover art....the response was major. More than 50,000 fans responded and now P.A.R.C.E bears an image of Juanes that to the naked eye appears to be made up of tiny dots, but if magnified, reveals tiny pictures submitted by tweeters from all over the world. Juanes has positioned himself as an iconic brand, and a trend-setter among Latin artists. He’s the

first artist to bring Spanish language tracks to the popular “Rock Band” game, and gave the first Spanish performance in last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (televised to reach well over 60 million viewers). It’s no wonder that he is one of the few Latino artists who can play almost two dozen concerts in major U.S. cities. So get ready parceros, Juanes, the only known Latin rock star, humanitarian, and knight will be here on Sunday, April 10th, 2011 at the Patriot Center. See you there!


FOOD

IIn a place like Washington D.C. it is hard to picture yourself delightfully dining in a warm, Caribbean, energy packed setting; until you’re enchanted passing through the doors of Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar. Showcasing the riches of the Cuban spirit, flavors, and architecture, you will find yourself feeling like Cuban royalty enjoying soul-satisfying meals designed by award winning Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot and executed in the kitchen by Executive Chef Jason Kaufman. Cuba Libre provides you with flavorful cuisine at moderate prices while providing an energetic yet romantic atmosphere to boot… y eso no es todo. Cuba Libre first opened its doors in Philadelphia and gracefully danced its way to Atlantic City, Orlando, and finally to our Nation’s Capital. Day and night a melting pot of regular and new clients can be seen dining and lounging at Cuba Libre with nothing but a smile. Being new to Cuba Libre I asked Kaufman for three of their most popular dishes, dejame decirte, que Kaufman and the eighteen talented chefs left me craving for more. The fragrant aroma of delicious Cuban seasonings, cooked garlic, and paprika were lightly tossed in the air and wafted from the kitchen all the way to the dining room floor. Once the food arrived every bite was layered with flavor

My first bite was of Kaufman’s highly recommended appetizer, Arepa Rellena sweet melting Mozzarella and goat cheese layered on top of grilled white corn cake, filled with the flavors of perfectly seasoned rib meat. I then moved on to a special lunch entree listed as one of their favorites. Tuna de lata, ahi tuna “canned” in house with extra virgin olive oil, Spanish chorizo, Manchego cheese and a hard boiled egg. This was served with romaine and arugula salad and a fine grilled brioche. Dinner then found itself in front of me in the form of Camarones con caña. Juicy jumbo shrimp covered in a sweet mango barbeque glaze, served on a sugar cane. Accompanying the glazed shrimp was a soft and sweet breaded roll stuffed with the perfect texture of quinoa, sweet potato and mascarpone cheese. I wasn’t disappointed by a single bite. Cuba Libre has a menu rich with high quality and fresh beef, poultry, pork, seafood, exotic fruits, root vegetables, and herbs and seasonings. Cuba Libre’s very own signature white, dark, and spiced rums led me to their exciting bar. They have over fourteen unique mojitos to choose from; the grilled pineapple, guava, and watermelon mojitos are their most popular. Each mojito is blended with exotic fruits and contain

Way More Than Just Rum and Coke!

fresh handpicked limes, mints, and sugar canes sticks. Te lo dije, Cuba Libre has way more than just rum and coke. A private dining room fits twenty-eight people and can be reserved for birthday parties, Quinceañeras, or corporate events. This high volume restaurant fills up fast with over five hundred diners going there every week, and that’s just for dinner. Reservations are highly recommended. So go ahead and park next door, take off your winter coat, and look for the bright red doors to be transported away into the vivacious Havana at Cuba Libre!

www.cubalibrerestaurant.com202-408-1600 801a 9th street, NW Washington DC 2001

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-3:00pmTropical Brunch: Sat-Sun 11:30am-3:00pmDinner: Daily 5:00pm-11:00pmLate dining: Fri-Sat 11:00pm-1:00amBar: Open until 3:00am on weekends

By Monica O. Ateca

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STYLE

t’s official! The flashback to the decade of peace signs and flower power is here with this year’s 70’s inspired

Spring fashion trends. From anything-but-boring espadrilles to statement making maxi dresses, you can be sure to turn heads with this seasons hottest looks in

bold prints and oh-so girly florals.

Spring trends

Round Sunglasses $200 us.burberry.com Sunglasses $5.50;

Charlotte Russecharlotterusse.com

Shoes $139, Rachel Roy;

rachelroy.com

Shoes $22.80, Forever 21;

forever21.com

Shoes $255 Mark + James

by Badgley Mischka; Nordstrom.com

Top $88, Inner Circle; Nastygal.com

Dress $109.90 Carmin; Mango.com

Jeans $169, 7 For All Mankind;

revolveclothing.com

Top $22.99, Papaya; papayaclothing.com

Scarf $24.90; Mango.com

Necklaces $10.80 and $8.80, Forever 21; Forever21.com

Top $78, Skort $58, Hat $78,

Free People; freepeople.com

Skirt $106.80, Torn; southmoonunder.com

IFashion Watch

By Amanda Landrian



Cici Carmen

Country: Bolivia / Italy / SpainHobbies: Singing/ Belly Dancing/ Acting/ Boxing & Stand up Comedy 2011 Projects: Starring role in the independent film Gone Forever directed by Jason Baustin. Also currently working on a pop album with producer Fabio Pereira.For more information about Cici Carmen go to www.cicicarmen.netPhotographer: Cameron (DCProstudio.com)Makeup / Hair & Wardrobe: Rachelle Dalton (nefertaribeauty.com)Makeup / Hair & Wardrobe: JarmalLocation: Josephine Venue Washington DC (www.josephinedc.com)


artisans are born in almost every household. A nation with a cuisine that speaks so loudly of our traditions and our idiosyncrasy, in such a tasteful way, that the rest of the world can no longer ignore it.

The Capital of Peru, Lima is a mixture of old and new that reminisces of the colonial days and that welcomes the contemporary with open arms. A multicultural center where every corner of the

has been influenced by so many different races, inheriting customs from the natives, the Spaniards, the Africans, Asians and many other Europeans that migrated to this beautiful nation who welcomed all. A country with such a diverse geography and landscape that provide it with such a rich flora and fauna that new species are constantly being discovered. A country that’s full of creativity, where artists, musicians and

was a remarkable and unforgettable experience. Truly the kind of place that takes your breath away.

But as striking and imposing as the city of the Incas is, it is not the only thing Peru has to offer. Not only is Peru a country that counts with millennia of History, being home to ancient civilizations contemporary to the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, but it’s also a country with a culture that

When you think about Peru what is the first thing that comes to

mind? I am willing to bet that it is the image of the famous and impressive archeological ruins at Machu Picchu. The gorgeous view with the Huaina Picchu standing tall behind the Inca site that kisses the clouds and that has made my country a destination for millions of people around the world. I have only been to Machu Picchu once and it

MI PAIS

W

by Claudia Silva

By Claudia Silva


“... as striking and imposing as the city of the Incas is, it is not the only thing Peru has to offer”.

remembering family gatherings where the food played a role almost as important as the guests. The Pisco and the cajon where always present alongside a fresh ceviche and almost always some kind of dance. Always present as well were the many conversations about how it used to be and how it is now, about the old and the new, and never really concluding in anything that hadn’t been figured out already.

I tell them all about the places I’ve seen but mostly I tell them about the many others I have yet to see. The list is long, but not impossible. The intriguing Nazca lines are a site that can only be seen from a plane. The beautiful seascapes in Paracas, where one coexists with the hundreds of sea lions that have claimed the beaches as their own. The enchanted White City, Arequipa, that sits at the skirts of the majestic Misti volcano, or the peaceful Lake Titicaca where, as the legend tells, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo where born, and with them the Inca empire.

It would be impossible for me to mention each city and town, each national park, lake or mountain in a 2 page article. How does one do justice to each archeological site, each artist or each folkloric dance? The Peruvian territory is so vast and wide ranged that 1000 words aren’t enough to describe it. I can only try to gather a small collection of facts and memories that will hopefully speak to you the same way they do to me.

So with all these attributes to consider how can one pin point the one single aspect that makes Peru so unique? What is precisely what makes Peru a truly extraordinary place to visit, live, and experience? The answer is quite simple: Peru has an everlasting spirit that transcends eras.

old city takes you on a romantic trip to the past, where liberty was a new thing and our Criollismo was just being born. The new city offers you a glimpse of the future with the promise that the best is yet to come.

Countless beaches make Peru a popular destination for surfers around the world, with perfect waves that give them the chance to ride side to side with dolphins and a sunset that I have yet to see anywhere else. Chicama, a beach at the north of Trujillo, provides them with the challenge of riding the longest wave in the world while and at the same time sharing the surf with local fishermen in their traditional Caballitos de Totora.

The impressive Andes are a geographical monument so elegant that the Incas chose them to establish one of the most powerful civilizations of ancient South America. With a mixture of snow and jungle the terrain is rich and full of life, making a hike through its magnificent mountains a must for all outdoors lovers. The imposing condor soars over the many colorful Andean towns, which, although founded by the Spaniards, are inhabited by local people who still maintain their ancestral traditions.

Peru is also the birth place of the Amazon River. The Peruvian Jungle is one of the most bio diverse places on the planet, with thousands of exotic species of birds, mammals, fish, flowers and fruits that are still being discovered and studied. Remote tribes still inhabit along the shores of the river, as if time and evolution never affected them. Although a source for foreign oil companies, the Peruvian Amazon still house territories that remain untouched by the modern man and that are a perfect destination for the truly adventurous.

When I am asked by my friends to describe Peru I almost always leave these facts for last. I try to describe it to them in a more personal way and so the first thing that comes to mind is, inevitably, our way of living. I start


NIGHTLIFE

he Salsa Room (TSR), formerly Cecilia’s, is one of the largest and most recognized salsa establishments in the DC metro area and owners Franco, Victor and Mitch pride themselves on being the place where salsa addicts can always count on for great latin music, fun dance partners and a mojito or two.

From theme nights such as Salsa Obsession Fridays to bringing in the biggest names in the salsa world, TSR has a lot to offer and as a testament to the dedication, many regulars frequent the club nearly every week!

Owners Franco, Victor and Mitch share with us what The Salsa Room is all about and their plans for the coming year.

perception I hope people have of TSR is a place where you can learn the dance and listen to great salsa.

Is there a specific type of latin music that appeals most to your audience? For example, salsa dura vs. romantic salsa or merengue vs. bachata?Each night is a bit different. Fridays the hard core dancers come so they like classic salsa dura. Thursday we get a lot beginners so they like it slower. Saturday’s is a mix of everything latin so you’ll hear merengue, bachata and everything.

Who are your main DJ’s? What are they known for?We handpicked, in our opinion, the best salsa instructors and DJ’s in the area. Our resident DJ is William “HERCULES” Sanchez Jr. He really is the best.

What’s the most popular/requested drink at TSR?“Franco’s MOJO”. It outsells anything we’ve got. Franco invented the drink a few years ago and it’s addicting. You can only find it at TSR.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning your own business and being your own boss?It’s a double edged sword, I guess. When you do something and it’s successful you get a great rush because you get all the rewards...but if it doesn’t do so well then it’s the complete opposite.

What role do you think TSR plays in the DC salsa community?When other clubs are opening then closing, changing themes, changing promoters I think the area salseros know they can always count on TSR as a place they can go and have a good time.

What is the main concept behind The Salsa Room (TSR)? Why did Cecilia’s become TSR?The concept of TSR is to have a dance venue in the DC area that caters exclusively to latin music and culture with a big focus on salsa. Cecilia’s became The Salsa Room because it had to. The salsa community demanded it.

Who is your target audience/market? Is there a specific age group that you target?Our target audience is 25-40 year old professionals. TSR is not a place where people come to drink first then dance...people come to dance first and foremost.

What artists do you have lined up for this year? Any big names? Do you have a certain percentage of local artists vs. big name artists?Locally we’ll start our “SALSA LIVE SUMMER 2011”. It’ll be the third year where over the summer every Friday night we’ll feature a different local salsa band. The bands will actually not just be from the DC area. Bands from Richmond, Philly, NJ, NY, North and South Carolina will be booked. It’s really been a great success to showcase all the great talent out there.

As for big name bands...we already have Tito Nieves, Sonora Ponceña and Gran Combo lined up. We’ll also bring bachata artists, Xtreme was recently here and we have Bachata Heightz lined up too. We’ll be filling up the calendar in the next few weeks but definitely we’ll have big names coming....that’s what TSR and Cecilia’s was and is all about.

TSR is a pretty prestigious and well-known establishment in the DC area. What do you think contributed to achieve this status? What do you think people’s perceptions are of the establishment?Thanks for the compliment. Our main priority is our clients. We listen to what they want and try to give it to them. We are not set in our ways so I think being flexible in how you run your business is very important...no matter what business you’re in. The

The Salsa Room

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2619 Columbia Pike Arlington VA 22204

www.thesalsaroom.net / 703.685.0790

By Cristina Martinez


“WE STARTED THIS AS A HOBBY AND NOW IT’S SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT FOR

US, WE’RE ENJOYING IT MORE, AND WE’RE GROWING AS MUSICIANS

…NOW THINGS ARE MORE SERIOUS.”

LOCAL TALENT

more than a cover bandPeople love the music they grew up with. Ocho de Bastos is a local Latin rock band that started out from the love of music and the memories that are inevitably tied to the artists and songs we love. It’s no wonder that a band who started out playing solely

covers has reached great success in such a short amount of time.

In January of 2009, Daniel Santos met up with his good friend Ernesto Quiñones and reminisced on the great music they grew up with in Puerto Rico. The memories were so great that Daniel soon was determined to recreate the quintessential “party band” in what had already become his home away from home, Washington, DC. This band had to be fun, versatile, and most importantly, it had to bring those memories of your first time listening to legendary bands like Soda Stereo, Los Enanitos Verdes, or Café Tacuba rushing back. This band would be Ocho de Bastos, whose current lineup consists of: Daniel Santos (keyboards), Ernesto Quiñones (drums), Hipólito González (bass), Jesse Robles (guitar), and Milton Valentîn (vocals).

We recently sat down with Milton and Hipólito to get some insight on why the band has been in the forefront of so many local media outlets lately (Telemundo and Univision to name a few).

“We started this as a hobby and now it’s something more important for us, not just something we do in our spare time,” Milton tells us, “Now it’s taking more time, we’re enjoying it more, and we’re growing as musicians…now things are more serious.”

The seriousness came as the band started having more demand, as evident by one of their very first shows opening up for Argentinean band Vilma Palma e Vampiros. “We were star-struck to play for artists such as Enanitos Verdes and Nito Mestre, it’s something that we never thought we would achieve,” says Hipólito. “One of the artists that really inspired us was Mr. Nito Mestre who actually told us we were really good and told us to work toward something bigger,” Milton recounted.

Ocho de Bastos listened to Mr. Nito Mestre and spent time in the studio to release their new original single, “Al Despertar” which is a guitar driven rock ballad and now available for purchase online and on their website. Milton tells us that the creative process has been working out great for them, “We’re in our honeymoon period,” he joked, “We get along great and we put our preferences aside to come up with something that is more appealing to our fans. Our fans like

by Rosario Garcia

OCHO DE BASTOSto dance but some also like to rock, we want to give them that variety.”

The band is currently working on a full length album which will include original material but may also include some covers. “We can’t get off the stage without playing ‘Lamento Boliviano’ de los Enanitos Verdes or ‘Musica Ligera’ from Soda

Stereo, our fans go nuts with these songs,” says Milton.

Ocho de Bastos says they work because, “We have a system, all the band members have responsibilities and take care of the different demands

of the band, this helps us work towards our goal collectively instead of the responsibility falling on just one or two people. For example, while others deal with the management aspect of the band, Jesse Robles provides musical direction for both performances and original songs”. This type of hard work has led them to start making plans for an East Coast tour to include New York, Baltimore, Virginia Beach, as well as, organizing their CD release party this year.

To find out more about the band visit www.ochodebastos.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. They even have their own iPhone application, not bad for a band that started out as a “party band”.

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KE?

WIN TICKETS FOR ZION Y LENNOX

Download and install a free QR code reader for your phone1. Open the QR code reader application2. Take picture / scan the QR code with your mobile device3. The code willl take you to the Win Tickets Page for a chance to win4. THE FIRST PEOPLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION CORRECTLY ON THE WIN TICKETS PAGE WINS TICKETS TO CONCERT.Good Luck!

KESTA HOROSCOPE

Aries: Juanes Says: “Si a usted señor lo deja su mujer untese en el alma pomadita de clavel y para la señora que el marido ha sido infiel no se preocupe y busquese uno usted tambien!!!” -Juanes, Yerbatero

Virgo: Mana Says: “Abre tus alas, deja tu sueños volar”-Angel de Amor, Mana

Leo: Jarabe de Palo Says: “Depende, de qué depende,de según como se mire todo depende.”-Depende, JarabeDePalo

Cancer: Mago de Oz says: “Hay un mundo por descubrir, Y una vida que arrancar De brazos del guión final”-Molinos del Viento, Mago de Oz

Gemini: Bomba Estereo says: ¡Ygrita fuego!mantenlo prendido ¡fueeego! no lo dejes apagar -Fuego, Bomba Estereo

Taurus: Mago de Oz says: “No es más rico el que tiene más, Si no el que menos sabe necesitar, Y si tu tienes a alguien Junto a ti... rico serás.”-Dime con Quien Andas, Mago de Oz

Capricorn: Jarabe de Palo Says: Qué hacer, tú lo sabes, conservar la distancia, renunciar a lo natural,y dejar que el agua corra.” -Agua, JarabeDePalo

Sagitarius: Juanes Says: “Porque nunca sabes lo que tienes hasta que lo pierdes, lamentablemente nunca vuelve”-Un Dia Normal, Juanes

Scorpio: Zion y Lennox says: “Va comenzar el vacilon, Busca las botellas de Don Perignon”-Descontrol, Zion y Lennox

Libra: The Pinker Tones says: “If you want to be a rainbow, shout! Fly on, vanish, in the cold sky.”-The Million Colour Revolution, The Pinker Tones

Pisces: Tito Nieves Says: “Que el sueño más preciado que tengas en la vida pronto se te realice”-Lo prometido es deuda, Tito Nieves

Aquarius: Fidel Nadal Says: “asi que ya no aflojes que falta un monton, hay que demostralo completar nuestra mision” -Emocionado, Fidel Nadal

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