Carnaval has come and gone!
Carnaval SF 2010 has gone into the record books. It came and was gone in a flash! I was only able to visit for a couple of hours on early Saturday afternoon with my wife and son. There was a time when I used to spend months perhaps an entire year planning, organizing and presenting the entertainment on four different stages for Carnaval but that was a long time ago when there was still real money around to support events for the community. Until recently, our radio station KPFA was one of the sponsors of the stages as well….unfortunately, that’s also in the past as well. Now I’m just a spectator checking out the new generation of carnavalescos, bands, promoters, djs and scene makers do their thing. I wasn’t impressed by anything this year really because I’ve seen everything that could happen and has happened in Carnaval…however I was impressed that SFCAT was able to pull it off this year anyway and kept the spirit of Carnaval alive for the freshly initiated, the fans and guys like me. John Calloway’s SF State Student Salsa/Afro Cuban big band played the best music the whole time I was there. I visited the Havana Pavilion where Dark Rum, Walt Digz, Nick & Serena and company were setting things up despite lacking a huge tent. Their spirits were still high while they were doing the hard work. We actually went there to see Mestiza who didn’t play after all which disappointed all of us. When I inquired back stage about their non appearance, Jimmy, a gruff young guy who ran the show told me that they had a “keyboard issue”. What happened? The keyboard player didn’t show up? Well..the ups and downs of a big festival! Meanwhile, Calloway and company had the crowd riled up though…dancing and cheering to those great tunes played by smiling students who were stars for an hour on a glorious sunny...
Read MorePalmieri
I saw the sun of Latin Music last night, the great maestro Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II at Yoshis in San Francisco. Talk about salsa expertly played by an ensemble of greats led by a master who has spent five decades creating unforgettable Latin music. Palmieri effortlessly led an all star ensemble through a smokin’ set featuring explosive versions of “Ritmo Caliente”, “Sujetate La Lengua” and “Cuidate Compay”. The 9 time Grammy Award winner performed music that was too irresistible for both the dancers and listeners in the crowd at Yoshis. Eddie will be releasing a new DVD of a live performance soon but check him out...
Read MoreI’m baaaaacccckk!
I know it’s been a while since I have talked to all of you. I spent some quality time with my family..recharged my batteries. What a Mothers Day weekend! Caught Manolito Y Su Trabuco at Cocomo. Although it took them a while to resolve their equipment issues, they rocked the crowd with a powerful show…la gente con las manos arriba..smiles abound..great music mostly on the timba side. The crowd on the light side appreciated every minute. Jumped over to the massive Luis Enrique salsa dance/concert at the Hilton on time to catch the tail end of the spectacle. Luis Enrique sounding good to an adoring packed crowd…the show started at 6 pm with 9 scheduled deejays, 3 local acts including crowd favorites Avance and the emerging Montuno Swing..and Proyecto A from the old Adolecentes from Venezuela. Yes, I missed all of that but caught “el principe de la salsa” en su gloria in jeans and t-shirt….ah..those stars can get away with it when they go...
Read MoreCinema Cinema and more Cinema
I have been immersing myself into the world of film by going to the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival. I have been a film buff since I was a kid (I have to thank my mom for my exposure to movies!). So I’m thrilled to have checked out the opening night screening of the delightfully wacky French film “Micmacs”, attended a discussion with this year’s Oscar winner for best song, T-Bone Burnett sharing his experience about making music for film and going to see new Latin cinema such as the poetic Columbian film “The Wind Journeys” and the revealing documentary about the tragic fall of iconic Brazilian entertainer Wilson Simonal. I’m looking forward to going to a tribute to the great filmmaker/director Walter Salles who directed the oscar winning “Central Station” and the sensational “The Motorcycle...
Read MoreLive Appearances
Follow Luis on
Follow Luis on