Festival de Loiza

About the Loiza Festival:

 The Festival de Loiza is a traditional celebration originating in the
coastal Northeastern region of Loiza in Puerto Rico where its
community traces its ancestry back to Africa. The migration of many of
the Loiza residents over time to El Barrio/East Harlem motivated the
re-creation of this traditional festival to the urban setting of East
Harlem. The Hermanos Fraternos de Loiza an East Harlem organization
has organized the three day festival for the past 30 years by bringing
the traditional costumes, music, dance, handcrafts and foods that
celebrates the Puerto Rican community in New York.

Yomo Toro R.I.P.

 

Yomo Toro R.I.P.

Victor Gillermo Toro Vega Ramos Rodriguez Acosta

26 de Julio del 1933 – 30 de Junio del 2012
New York, NY – June 30, 2012 –Por mas de sesenta años presento con prominencia el instrumento nacional de Puerto Rico, "el cuatro" al mundo entero. El guitarrista de renombre internacional reconocido como “El Rey del Cuatro” Yomo Toro paso de este mundo el 30 de junio del 2012 a las 11:40 pm después de estar internado en un hospital de Nueva York por mas de un mes por insuficiencia renal.

Rodeado en un abrazo espiritual de amor y música que sus familiares y amigos le mantuvieron a su entorno en vigilia las 24 horas, el músico de 78 años de edad, Yomo Toro es sobrevivido por su esposa Minerva casados por mas de 31 años , su primera hija Denise Toro, sus hermanas Irma, Iris, Mirza y Milagros Toro, juntos a sus cinco nietos: Miriam Olivera, Martin Olivera, Denise Pinedo, Tiffany Pinedo & Denise Patricia Vélez y los tres tataranietos: Shaun Donate, Cloe Rodriguez and Martin Olivera. Sus hermanos Juan, Angel y Arcangel Toro quienes también estaban a su lado.

Desde los primeros sonidos vibrantes de su pequeña guitarra de diez cuerdas, momentos que paran los pelos corrieron através de los brazos, espalda y cuello del publico cuando el diminutivo seductor musical Yomo Toro montuniaba y con sus solos rascaba los cielos con arpegios celestiales, sus deditos gorditos volando por géneros musicales como las plenas, seis, y bombas de su país natal Puerto Rico hasta la salsa, jazz, rock, guitarra clásica y flamenco. El virtuoso interpreto estilos eclécticos entre esas manos angelicales que através de largos solos recogía su trayectoria musical.

Nacido en el barrio Ensenada de Guanica, Puerto Rico a los cinco años Yomo utilizo una caja como un refuerzo para poder treparse para tocar la guitarra de su papa que colgaba en la pared. Fue sorprendido por su padre Alberto que, en lugar de enojarse, le pidió al niño apodado “Yermo” que volviera a la caja y siguiera tocando la guitarra. Lo hizo. Cuando levanto la vista su padre estaba llorando.

Desde ese entonces, Yomo ha emocionado a muchos al son de su guitarra prefreída “el cuatro”, instrumento puertorriqueño de diez cuerdas descendiente del laúd y luego adaptadas a cuerdas dobles similar a la Valhala española. Como embajador de la cultura puertorriqueña Yomo Toro creció ha tener una carera de seis décadas conocido como uno de los músicos latinos mas respetado del mundo.

Después de aterrizar por primera vez a Nueva York en el 1953 con su banda “Los Cuatro Aces”
Yomo se embarco en una series de giras por el Caribe. Durante este tiempo fue que grabo el disco clásico con los maestros del cuatro Maso Rivera y Nieves Quintero apropiadamente titulado “Los Tres Cuatros”

Su sueño de tocar con el legendario Trío Los Panchos se realizo al principio de los años sesenta, donde Yomo grabo cuatro albunes con ellos y uno adonde canta Eyde Gorme.

El show de variedades de Yomo Toro por el canal 41 en Nueva York destaco muchos artistas y hizo un nombre para el joven cuatrista durante los años ‘60 al ‘70. Llamo la atención de Jerry Masucci y Johnny Pacheco co-propietarios del sello Fania y con el tiempo se unió como un importante parte de la Fania All Stars. El año 1969 fue especialmente notable cuando grabo su primer álbum de salsa “Tributo a Arsenio” con la Orquesta de Larry Harlow.

Fue llamado de nuevo por el guitarrista y compositor Roberto García para grabar un álbum de Navidad que Pacheco estaba grabando con un nuevo grupo. Roberto le pidió a Yomo que trajera su guitarra eléctrica, popular en esos tiempos, para sustituir por el. Pero, como Yomo cuenta la historia, cuando escucho la palabra “navidad”, agarro su cuatro en su lugar. Cuando Hector Lavoe vio el instrumento inmediatamente pensó en su mentor y amigo de Yomo el gran cantante folclórico Chuito el de Bayamon y los dos empezaron a comparar los aguinaldos que ambos conocían. A través de este encuentro musical con Hector LaVoe y Yomo en el 1972 salio a luz el clásico “Asalto Navideño” con Willie Colon y Hector Lavoe el cual se convirtió en uno de los mas vendidos clásicos de la Fania.

En los años de los ‘70, ‘80 y ‘90 su carrera salio como un tren de carga. Yomo participo en mas de 150 albunes grabando 20 discos como solista para los sellos Fania, Isla, Rounder Records y Green Linnet. Volvió a la televisión y al cine para tocar en anuncios publicitarios para varias empresas internacionales, como por ejemplos para los programas de televisión tan conocimos como "Sesame Street" y "El Fantasma de Padre Fohner " mientras su música sonaba de varias películas incluyendo "Crossover Dreams" con Ruben Blades y “Bananas” de Woody Allen.

Llamado "El Jimmy Hendrix del Cuatro" por el New York Times, Yomo Toro se extendió a muchos ambientes de grabación musical con grandes como Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Gloria Estafan y David Byrne. Su imagen se captura en estatuas elegidas en su honor tanto en Japón como en su ciudad natal de Guanica.

A pesar de haber viajado el mundo entero, ser miembro de las “estrellas de Fania,” y hacer películas, Yomo mantuvo una simple vida humildemente viviendo entre la gente de su barrio del Bronx adonde se instalo en la sección de Tremont desde el 1973, después de una temporada de haber residido en Brooklyn y en el Barrio. Yomo se presento en la Casa Blanca con el mismo orgullo, vigor y entusiasmo que compartía con sus hermanos musicales durante los bailes anuales en su barrio del Bronx en el Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center donde realizo su ultimo concierto en Octubre del 2010. Entre sus compañeros Yomo fue considerado el mas humilde entre los artistas que personificaba esa calidad extraordinaria de "alma de Dios", una rareza en esta sociedad urbana.

En el 1994 Yomo comenzó a viajar de nuevo y a grabar con las Leyendas Latinas de Larry Harlow. Dos años mas tarde lanzo uno de sus discos favoritos "Celebremos Navidad". Regresa en el 1998 esta vez como parte del musical de Off- Broadway de David González "Sofrito". La música de Yomo también se escucha en el programa popular de niños "Dora La Exploradora".

El trombonista de Jazz Roswell Rudd se enamoro de las cuerdas de Yomo y grabaron "El Espíritu Jibaro" en el 2007, mientras que el súper sonido de Yomo en la salsa tanto como su estilo único en la música jíbara de Puerto Rico se une en el críticamente aclamado disco debut de Zon del Barrio “La Tribu de Cortijo” seguido en el 2010 por el sencillo "Homenaje al Sonero Mayor" donde Yomo se escucha volando, innovando y estrechando su virtuosismo en la cuerdas de su querido cuatro.

Información sobre el velorio sera difundida luego por este medio atraves de al familia Toro. Les agradecemos a todos que se preocuparon de la salud de Yomo Toro y le pedimos respecto a nuestra privacidad para hacer todo los gestos para una despedida al gran maestro del cuatro.

THE LORAX PLEDGE DRIVE - Boys & Girls Club of America and Energy Star Initiative

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA PARTNERS

WITH EPA’s ENERGY STAR ON “THE LORAX PLEDGE DRIVE” TO

HELP FAMILIES SAVE ENERGY AT HOME

Initiative Aligns with the Blu-ray™/DVD Release of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax on August 7

To Get Youth Engaged in Energy Saving Efforts

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 – Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced the launch of “The Lorax Pledge Drive,” based on Universal Pictures’ Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax movie, to engage Club members in helping their friends, families and communities save energy, money, and make a difference for the environment.  “The Lorax Pledge Drive” is part of BGCA’s participation in EPA’s Team ENERGY STAR^® initiative to educate American youth about the benefits of saving energy.  The effort also extends EPA’s collaboration with Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, currently the biggest animated film of the year, coming to Blu-ray™ and DVD on August 7.

EPA’s Team ENERGY STAR empowers kids to help protect the climate through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions and provides them an outlet for sharing their passion for preserving the environment. With Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax as the engaging theme for Team ENERGY STAR, kids can learn and have fun at the same time.

BGCA, which serves nearly four million young people through some 4,000 Clubs, have joined EPA in this effort by running their own Team ENERGY STAR Challenges. Club members are encouraged to participate in energy-saving projects and are recognized by EPA and provided additional rewards donated to BGCA from Samsung Electronics America.   “The Lorax Pledge Drive” is their latest challenge. Clubs collect pledges to save energy among their friends, families and others.  Top pledge drivers will win an ENERGY STAR qualified Samsung LED TV and a library of Universal titles. The grand prize for winners who sign up the most new pledges will be a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

“This partnership with EPA’s Team ENERGY STAR is a valuable part of our many successful initiatives to inspire good character and citizenship in the young people we serve,” said Romero Brown, Vice President of Program and Youth Development Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “I can’t think of any better opportunity than the widely anticipated Blu-Ray/DVD release of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax to show the world how we’re empowering young people to make a difference in the fight against global warming.”

“EPA is proud to work with The Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help engage America’s youth in protecting the climate by providing them with ways to help their families save energy at home,” said Jill Vohr, Director of Marketing, EPA’s ENERGY STAR Labeling Branch, “Effectively reaching the next generation of environmental protectors is critical to the future health of our planet and bringing together the Boys & Girls Clubs and Dr.  Seuss’ The Lorax is a great way to do that.”

“With his classic book, The Lorax, Dr. Seuss found a compelling and hopeful way to

teach kids about the importance of being good shepherds of the environment by conserving natural resources,” said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  “Universal is extremely pleased to join with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and EPA’s Team ENERGY STAR to continue educating young people and spread Dr. Seuss’ message, which is just as important today as it was 40 years ago.”

About Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

The imaginative world of Dr. Seuss comes to life like never before in this visually spectacular adventure from the creators of Despicable Me! Twelve-year-old Ted will do anything to find a real live Truffula Tree in order to impress the girl of his dreams. As he embarks on his journey, Ted discovers the incredible story of the Lorax, a grumpy but charming creature who speaks for the trees. Featuring the voice talents of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is filled with hilarious fun for everyone!

About BGCA

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens.  Today, some 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach.  Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours.  Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

About Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal , one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helping us save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. Now celebrating its 20^th anniversary, ENERGY STAR has nearly 20,000 partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses and the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 65 product categories.  In 2011 alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 41 million cars — all while saving $23 billion on their utility bills.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Media Contacts

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA

Kinetra S. Joseph, (404) 487-5421
Lead Director, Public Relations
kjoseph@bgca.org

EPA, ENERGY STAR

Molly Hooven, (202) 564-2313

Press Officer, EPA

hooven.molly@epa.gov

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Evan Fong, (818) 777-5540

Vice President, Publicity

evan.fong@nbcuni.com

NBA Fit 4 Life - En La Escena

The NBA draft 2012 prospects visit a boys and girls community center for the NBA's fit 4 Life program. En la escenas Andrew Rosario talks to them about the pending NBA draft and where they think they will be playing.

Puerto Rican Parade Final 2012

The annual Puerto Rican day parade held on 5th avenue. This is the 55 year of the celebration , Rn la escena Leticia Reyes, Tairy Ynoa and Karen Guitterez were on hand to cover this event. In attendance also was Sunset Productions Yvonne pagan and CEO Anthony Austin from En La escena.

PITBULL Wins BMI's President Award

Jose Eledra

Leading U.S. music rights organization Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
honored the songwriters and publishers of Latin music’s most-performed
songs on U.S. radio and television at the 19th annual BMI Latin Music
Awards held at the Encore Las Vegas. International superstar Pitbull
received the BMI President’s Award in recognition of his profound
influence on the entire entertainment industry.


As the 2012 recipient, Pitbull joins an elite list of past honorees
that includes Juanes, Kike Santander, Taylor Swift, Emilio and Gloria
Estefan, and Willie Nelson. To celebrate, Pitbull treated attendees to
a dynamic performance.As further evidence of his incredible success,
Pitbull returned to the stage to share the BMI Latin Songwriter of the
Year win with Juan Luis Morena Luna “Wisin,” Llandel Veguilla Malavé
“Yandel” and Espinoza Paz. The four honorees reflect the diversity of
modern Latin music, from Pitbull’s chart-topping hip-hop and Wisin &
Yandel’s edgy reggaeton, to Espinoza Paz’s soulful Regional Mexican
compositions.
“Niña De Mi Corazón” earned BMI Latin Song of the Year for
songwriterHoracio Palencia and Ferca Global Publishing. “Niña De Mi
Corazón” was recorded by La Arrolladora Banda El Limón.

Universal Music Publishing Group garnered its second consecutive BMI
Latin Publisher of the Year win thanks to contributing 11 songs to the
year’s most-performed list.

The 19th annual BMI Latin Music Awards were hosted by BMI President &
CEO Del Bryant and Delia Orjuela, BMI Vice President, Latin Music. BMI
represents Latin songwriters based in the U.S. and around the globe
through reciprocal agreements with sister performing right
organizations in the songwriters’ home countries.

For a complete list of 2012 BMI Latin Awards winners, please
visitwww.bmi.com/latin

THE HUNGER GAMES HAS A RECORD-BREAKING MIDNIGHT SHOWING

Cover of The Hunger Games

By Martin H. Starkey

THE HUNGER GAMES took in a record-breaking $19.7 million in midnight showings early Friday morning.

The much anticipated LIONSGATE film rung up those impressive numbers playing across 2,565 screens making it the seventh biggest midnight debut of all time. HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2 holds the record for midnight openings. Last year the final installment of the boy wizard's tale took in $43.5 million in midnight showings across 3,800 screens.

THE HUNGER GAMES is expected to take in $130 million over this weekend. If it does that it will become the biggest March opening in history. Currently, ALICE IN WONDERLAND starring JOHNNY DEPP holds that title, opened to more then $116 million in 2010. The film also falls short of the $30.2 million midnight opening TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN, PART ONE took in last year screening across 3,521 locations.

THE HUNGER GAMES, based on the novels by SUZANNE COLLINS, revolves around a group of children who are selected to participate in a televised battle to the death. JENNIFER LAWRENCE, JOSH HUTCHERSON and LIAM HEMSWORTH star in the film directed by GARY ROSS.

The film cost $80 million to produce and it expands today 4,137 locations as it looks to overtake ALICE IN WONDERLANDS March 2010 opening of $116 million. If THE HUNGER GAMES collects the $130 million everyone expects it to make LIONSGATE will become a major distributor in the Hollywood Film market.