Halt to Puerto Rico's Northeastern Nature Preserve
November 3, 2009 The Forumactor, Associated Press, Benicio Del Toro, environment protection, environmental lawyer, Governor, Hector Morales, Luis G. Fortu, Luquillo, mayor, natural preserve, President, Puerto Rico, Rico�s governor, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., San Juanescalona
SAN JUAN, P.R. (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor on Friday canceled the designation of part of the island's northeastern coastline as a nature reserve, opening the door to large-scale development along a white-sand beach where proposals for hotel resorts have sparked bitter protests.
The order signed by the governor, Luis G. Fortuño, directs environmental authorities to evaluate 3,240 acres of public and private land and identify the most ecologically sensitive areas. Those sections would be preserved, while others could be opened to developers.
Currently, only small, eco-friendly projects are allowed in the reserve.
"There should not be any doubt that a nature reserve will be established here," the planning board president, Hector Morales, said at a news conference.
Conservation groups have fought to keep hotel projects out of the Northeast Ecological Corridor, which includes a beach fringed with tropical forest used by endangered leatherback sea turtles as a nesting area. Proposals for resorts rallied opposition from celebrities including the actor Benicio Del Toro and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer.
Mr. Fortuño's predecessor, Gov. Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, ordered the preservation of the corridor in 2007, and his administration had begun seeking financing to buy private parcels from their owners.
But Mr. Fortuño faced pressure from officials, including the mayor of Luquillo, José González Ortiz, to open the region to development that would create jobs.
Talk with makers of "Ladrones y mentirosos"
November 1, 2009 Corrientesactor, DIRECTOR, Director of MediaNoche, Director� award, East 106th Street, Florence Gould Hall, Isidro Bobadilla, Juan Luis Guerra, Judith Escalona, Magda Rivera, Scarface, Steven Bauer, the New York International Latino Film Festival, the Phoenix Film Festival, Thieves and Liars, www.ladronesymentirosos.com, www.nylatinofilm.com/home.htmlescalona
MEDIANOCHE HOSTS TALK WITH THE MAKERS
OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PUERTO RICAN FILM
LADRONES Y MENTIROSOS
(Spanish, English subtitles)
Wednesday, July 26, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Reception with live music by Grupo Coco Rico, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Screening of film excerpts, discussion and Q&A, 7:30pm – 9pm
161 East 106th Street, First Floor
(between Lexington and Third Avenues)
This Wednesday, July 26, at 6:30 PM, MediaNoche will host a reception for the filmmakers and leading actors of the award-winning Puerto Rican film Thieves and Liars (Ladrones y Mentirosos). Poli Marichal and Ricardo Méndez Matta, who co-wrote and co-directed the controversial film, will be present along with three of their stars: Cuban actor Steven Bauer (Scarface, Traffic), Dominican percussionist Isidro Bobadilla (Juan Luis Guerra y 440), and Puerto Rican newcomer Magda Rivera. Judith Escalona, Director of MediaNoche, will moderate a discussion with the filmmakers and cast that will include previewing scenes from the film and a Q&A.
Thieves and Liars tells the story of three families caught in a web of government corruption and drug trafficking. Much in the manner of Traffic, Marichal and Méndez Matta draw a connection between the two. According to Mendez Matta: "The fact that high level corruption and increased drug trade both surfaced at exactly the same time cannot be a coincidence."
The film won a "Best Director" award at the Phoenix Film Festival and will screen twice during the New York International Latino Film Festival: Thursday, July 27, 8pm, at Imaginasian Theater; and Sunday, July 30, 6pm, at Florence Gould Hall.
For information about the film, visit www.ladronesymentirosos.com. For information about the festival (and to purchase tickets), visit www.nylatinofilm.com/home.html. Grupo Coco Rico is a Latin music band performing classic salsa, bolero and son-cubano.
Directions to MediaNoche: Take the IRT #6 train uptown to 103 Street. Walk three blocks up, turn right on East 106th Street. MediaNoche is between Lexington and 3rd Avenues.
CINE_REAL: Two exhibits about film
November 1, 2009 Corrientesactor, CINE, DIRECTOR, director of photography, East 102nd Street, IDOLatries/IDOLatrias, interactive new media, Jaime Sanchez, Judith Escalona, Judith Escalona's, Lexington Avenue, MediaNoche, New York, New York City, Ted Ciesielski, www.medianoche.usescalona
MediaNoche presents
Judith Escalona's "Bx3M: A work in process"
Hector Canonge's "IDOLatries/IDOLatrias"
November 8 – December 20, 2007
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 8, 6 – 8PM
1355 Park Avenue (entrance on East 102nd Street)
For info: www.medianoche.us or 212-828-0401
SUBWAY:
Take the IRT Lexington Avenue Local #6 train to 103rd Street and
Lexington Avenue. We're one block South and one block West.
Project Descriptions:
Witness firsthand the ongoing editing of this New York City epic. The
director and invited guests (Director of Photography Ted Ciesielski
and Actor Jaime Sanchez for starters) go through a performative
process of editing. Visitors watch and interact with
them. Behind the scenes footage also on display.
Hector Canonge's "IDOLatries/IDOLatrías""
An interactive new media work utilizing barcode and readers to bring
attention to yet another way women are objectified. Barcode takes us
one more step away from seeing these luscious Latinas on boxes,
cans,and jars as anything other than their use value. Consumer heaven
or hell, depending on which side of the supermarket aisle you're on.
Alberto Vazquez Actors Workshop
November 1, 2009 Corrientesactor, Actors Studio, Adelphi University, Alberto Vazquez, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, August Men, Bano de Damas, Barbizon School, Brian De Palma, Buffalo, Bulgaria, Charles Fuller Patrick Tracey, Charles Montoya, Charlie Montoya, Christopher Durang Oriana Navarro, Christopher Presley, Colgate University, Crossroads, Dan Margulies, dance choreographer and director, David Mamet, Deborah Houston, Fear Factor, Fordham University, Friends for Life, Gary Cruz, Gene Frankel, HB, HB Studio, Hoboken Films, Ida Vega, Incorporated, interdisciplinary artist, Judith Shakespeare Company, Karen Contreras, Law & Order, Lorena Jorge, Los Angeles, Luis Guzman, member of the stunt team, Mexican desert, Miguel Pinero, National Sports Academy, NBC, Neil Simon, New York, New York City, Nilo Cruz, Patrick Tracey, Pearl Classical Theatre Company, Plinio Villablanca, Producer & Director, Producer�s Club, Rodney L. Cummins, Salem Ludwig, Sam Shepard Ida Vega, Santo Domingo, Scarsdale, School for Film and Television, screenwriter, Silence, Story, Thalia Spanish, The Black Dahlia, The Producer�s Club, The Regina Opera Company, Third Watch, Tina Satin, Tracy Moore, TROY, Vernonescalona
1st bi-Annual Showcase
The Producer's Club
358 West 44rd Street @ Crown Theater
Produced & Directed by Alberto Vazquez
Performances @ 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Reception after performances at the in house bar
latinfrommanhattan@earthlink.net
(eight exciting scenes / seven exciting monologues
BIOS:
Ida Vega: Ida Vega has been dong community theater on and off while
raising a family since the 1980s. She trained with Tina Satin at the
Open Cage Theater in Mt. Vernon, NY and is now training with Alberto
Vazquez. Mr. Vazquez has been training her for a year and a half doing
camera study and scene analysis. She recently performed the Vagina
Monologues at the Greenville Community Theater in Scarsdale, NY and has
auditioned for the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater.
Patrick Tracey: After eight years of being in the industry, which
started off doing some background work, Patrick graduated to being
featured in, Bringing Out The Dead, Oz, Third Watch, Law & Order. He
was a finalist in NBC's Fear Factor – 100th episode (where he stole the
show). He also made recent appearances in magazines, "D-Mode" and
"August Men", and since, has auditioned for Independent films, "Friends
for Life" and "Incorporated" which he was cast as Mimms.
Oriana Navarro: Oriana has studied acting at Bellas Artes school in
Santo Domingo for two years. She has performed in three plays at
Bellas Artes and has done numerous commercials. She has studied
modeling and acting at the prestigious Barbizon School. She is
currently studying acting at the Alberto Vazquez Actors Workshop.
Vesellin Todorov: Vesselin Todorov has started to study acting 4 months
ago when he met Alberto Vazquez, but he fell in love with the art in
2003 when by "accident" accepted to be an extra for the movie TROY
(with Brad Pitt). He spent 100 days in Mexican desert learning and
doing stage combats for the movie TROY. When he went back to Bulgaria
he became a member of the stunt team of National Sports Academy. For
the next two years he has done stunts in live shows, commercials and
movies (the last one: The Black Dahlia by Brian De Palma).
Plinio Villablanca: A Bronx native has studied with the Judith
Shakespeare Company and the Pearl Classical Theatre Company. He has
also studied with Gene Frankel for four years and with Salem Ludwig
(Actors Studio) for three years at the HB Studio. Plinio's theatre
credits include: Othello at LA TEA, Steambath (directed by Gene
Frankel), Miguel Pinero's The Sun Always Shines for the Cool. Plinio
has also appeared in several independent features: Liberty Kid,
Elevator Weekend and Immaculate Perception. Plinio has also appeared
in various print and television commercials.
Gary Cruz: Gary Cruz studied Acting at gene Frankel Theater Workshop,
The Actors Connection, HB Studios, Tracy Moore Monologues Workshop.
He has performed at The Regina Opera Company, Shakespear In The Park,
Tropicana, Puerto Rican traveling Theater, The Nuyorican Café. Recently
filmed the short film: 9-12 as Peruchin.
Charlie Montoya: Charles Montoya has spent the last 5 years studying
the art of acting at the School for Film and Television. Charles was a
dance choreographer and director for the Latin American Dance Troop at
Colgate University where he would produce a campus wide performance
twice a year. Presently, he is pursuing his love of performance
through acting with Alberto Vazquez. This will be his first live
performance as an actor.
Lorena Jorge: Lorena Jorge is an emerging interdisciplinary artist in
theater and film. She has studied in both Fordham University and
St.John's Preparatory high school where she received a National
Championship Award within the Forensic League Section of Drama. She has
been featured in Sonny Boy Productions independent short film
"Silence," and starred in Center City Film and Video's educational
video. Her theater credits include Fordham University's A Tribute to
August Wilson, "Ten Cycles of Ten Decades," where she performed two
lead roles, Thalia Spanish Theater's Bano de Damas/The Ladies Room and
their most recent play of fall 07′ La Senoritas de Avignon/The Ladies
of Avignon.
Rodney L. Cummins: Rodney L. Cummins: Rodney began his foray into film
& video while studying Film and Television Production at Adelphi
University. Rodney branched off into acting in 2006 and continued his
studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City
where he was trained by acclaimed Theatre Directors Deborah Houston and
Christopher Presley. He has performed in 2 plays at the AADA and has
appeared as an extra in the television Pilot "The Winky Wright Show"
and the Bollywood Feature "Crossroads".
Karen Contreras: Under construction
1. Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard
Ida Vega / Oriana Navarro
2. The Odd Couple by Neil Simon
Vesellin Todorov / Plinio Villablanca
3. Anna In the Tropics by Nilo Cruz
Charlie Montoya / Lorena Jorge
4. Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang
Oriana Navarro / Gary Cruz
5. Soldier Story by Charles Fuller
Patrick Tracey / Rodney L. Cummins
6. Friends by TV Network
Lorena Jorge / Vesselin Todorov
7. American Buffalo by David Mamet
Plinio Villablanca / Patrick Tracey
8. Collected Stories by Dan Margulies
Karen Contreras / Ida Vega
MONOLOGUES:
(monologues between scenes)
1. Karen Contreras
2. Patrick Tracey
3. Ida Vega
4. Charlie Montoya
5. Gary Cruz
6. Rodney L. Cummins
7. Oriana Navarro
Producer & Director
Alberto Vazquez has been an actor for thirty-two years. He has acted
in over twenty films and forty TV shows, numerous commercials and on
He is a screenwriter and has a film being produced in Los Angeles by
Hoboken Films.
Alberto Vazquez directed his short film called "Naked Cards" with Luis
Guzman in L.A.
He has been teaching in New York since 2002. He teaches group and
privately. This is his first showcase with these very talented actors.
www.actoralbertovazquez.com
(click: bio and credits at the bottom)
CONTACT:917.331.3850
PRDREAM's SUMMER FILM FEST formerly the Handball Court Summer Films Series
November 1, 2009 Corrientesactor, Adirondack Mountains, Anthony Felton, Chris Swain, Coco Rico, Correa Cotto, Efrain Lopez Neris, Elisa Perea, Elisa Perea�s Nogales, Hudson River, Jaime Sanchez, Jeronimo Mitchel, Joe Falcon, Jose Anibal Gerena Lafontaine, Judith Escalona, Kenyan Green Movement, La Venganza, leading actor, Mexico, New York City, Park Avenue, plastics, producer, Puerto Rico, Ritchie Velez, starvation, STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN, United Statesescalona
PRDREAM'S SUMMER FILMS SCHEDULE IN THE 103rd STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN (103rd Street and Park Avenue)
Contact: Judith Escalona
judith.escalonaATgmail.com
From Elisa Perea's "Nogales: Aqui Es…."
**Joe Falcon and Coco Rico play opening night, August 11
FILM SCHEDULE
Tuesday, August 11, at Sunset (approximately 8:30PM)
La Venganza de Correa Cotto: Feature Crime Story, 1969. Puerto Rico. Spanish, no subtitles. Some graphic scenes.
Producer Anthony Felton will be available for questions
Wednesday, August 12, at Sunset (approximately 8:30PM)
La Palomilla: Feature Crime Story, 1970. Puerto Rico. Spanish, no subtitles. Some graphic scenes.
Actors Jaime Sanchez (La Palomilla) and Ritchie Velez (cellmate) will be available for questions
Thursday, August 13, at Sunset (approximately 8:30PM)
Nogales: Aqui Es… : Documentary. 2009. Mexico. Spanish, English subtitles.
Filmmaker Elisa Perea will be available for questions
Taking Root: Documentary. 2008. English, no subtitles.
Addicted to Plastic: Documentary. 2009. English, no subtitles.
Friday, August 28, at Sunset (approximately 8:30PM)
Swim the River: Documentary. 2006. English, no subtitles.
THE PUERTO RICAN CRIME FILM AS PROTEST
This year PRDREAM's Summer Film Fest presents two Puerto Rican crime films La Venganza de Correa Cotto, directed by Jeronimo Mitchel; and La Palomilla, directed by Efrain Lopez Neris, as an exploration of crime as a form of protest. Classics in their own right, they were produced in Puerto Rico in the seventies and reflected an earlier period of transformation and transvaluation of island society brought on by U.S. investment policies known as Operation Bootstrap.
These films portray the law as an external imposition, foreign to the values of the common folk, and the outlaw as the unconscious expression of revolt. Both Correa Cotto and Jose Anibal Gerena Lafontaine (La Palomilla) were simple men, thrust by circumstances into extraordinary acts of transgression that challenged the colonial status quo. Correa and Gerena were men of their times, embodying the passions of a people experiencing the trauma of rapid urbanization and displacement. Anthony Felton who also produced Correa Cotto: Asi Me Llaman will be present for a Q&A after the film. Jaime Sanchez. A leading actor in both Puerto Rican and American cinema, who stars in La Palomilla will be present after that screening. Ritchie Velez, an actor who appears as a cell mate in La Palomila will also be present. Some graphic scenes.
BORDER ART: AN INTRODUCTION
Elisa Perea's Nogales, Aqui Es gives an extensive overview of the current art scene in Nogales that sits Janus-face between Mexico and the U.S. Actually, there are two towns named Nogales, the one South of the border is highlighted here as home to a fine pool of artists whose work clearly reflects the transnational nature of life on the border. In Spanish with English subtitles.
IT'S THE ENVIRONMENT…
In keeping with our practice of presenting films dealing with the environment and ecology, the summer film series presents three remarkable documentaries.
Taking Root: The story of the Kenyan Green Movement spurred by Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai. In seeking to stave off the starvation of her community, this woman challenges modern Kenyan life, teaching her people once again how to plant and grow their own. In the process, she uncovers the legacy of colonialism, the forgotten history, the lost culture and tradition of a ravaged land.
Addicted to Plastic: A revealing documentary about our use and abuse of plastics. So dependent have we become on things made of plastic, and so accustomed to their quick disposal, that we are choking our planet, fish and birds. There is an area in the world's ocean that has been likened to a cesspool floating with every type of plastic imaginable, old and new.
Swim the River: Looks at one man's ambition to swim the entire length of the Hudson River in order to draw attention to its contamination and destruction. Chris Swain swims from the Adirondack Mountains to New York City, braving whitewater, sewage snapping turtles, hydroelectric dams, homeland security patrols, factory outfalls, and PCB exposure.
La Palomilla – Free Screening at the 103rd St. Community Garden
November 1, 2009 Corrientesactor, Anthony Felton, Correa Cotto, Efrain Lopez Neris, Jaime Sanchez, Jeronimo Mitchel, Jose Anibal Gerena Lafontaine, La Venganza, leading actor, Park Avenue, Puerto Rico, Ritchie Velez, STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN, United Stateshugh
This year PRDREAM's Summer Film Fest presents two Puerto Rican crime films La Venganza de Correa Cotto, directed by Jeronimo Mitchel; and La Palomilla, directed Efrain Lopez Neris, as an exploration of crime as a form of protest. Classics in their own right, they were produced in Puerto Rico in the seventies and reflected an earlier period of transformation and transvaluation of island society brought on by U.S. investment policies known as Operation Bootstrap.
These films portray the law as an external imposition, foreign to the values of the common folk, and the outlaw as the unconscious expression of revolt. Both Correa Cotto and Jose Anibal Gerena Lafontaine (La Palomilla) were simple men, thrust by circumstances into extraordinary acts of transgression that challenged the colonial status quo. Both Cotto and Gerena were men of their times, embodying the passions of a people experiencing the trauma of rapid urbanization and displacement. Anthony Felton who also produced Correa Cotto: Asi Me Llaman will be present for a Q&A after the film. Jaime Sanchez. A leading actor in both Puerto Rican and American cinema, who stars in La Palomilla will be present after that screening. Ritchie Velez, an actor who appears as a cell mate in La Palomila will also be present. Some graphic scenes.
The International Poetic Short Film Festival 2009
November 1, 2009 Corrientesactor, Antonio, New York, Playwright, poet, teacher, The International Poetic Short Film Festival, the Latino American Poetic Short Film Festivalescalona
formerly known as the Latino American Poetic Short Film Festival is dedicated to Bimbo Rivas, Poet, Actor, Playwright, Teacher and Humanitarian…
IPSFF will be held Monday October 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2009
at The NUYORICAN Poets Café
located at 236 East 3rd Street New York, NY 10009
To submit a Poetic Short for consideration visit www.ipsff.com
Visions have no boundaries,
José Antonio, Director/Curator
asuperiorarts@gmail.com
October 26, 2009 The Forumactor, Ana Reynoso, Angel Caban, Boricua, Boricua actor, Cris Rosa, Fred, Fuego, Juan Shamsul, Juan Shamsul Alam, massage, Santo Alam, Santo Domingo, Tito Puente Jr.LaNena
Fuego a play by playwright Juan Shamsul Alam will be presented along with EXTREMES at LA TEA theatre…..
Fuego is the story of a family trying to put all the loose ends together by dealing with a son who is Bipolar and radical.
EXTREMES, is the story of a married couple who after so many years together live a contrast life.. Alam is a brilliant playwright who always delivers the massage and you leave the theater entertained..
Said the News…..
Ana Reynoso a rising Star from Santo Domingo is Fantastic in both plays And so is Angel Caban, Boricua actor in the roles of Fuego and Fred in Extremes…
Look out for Juan Shamsul's Alam's films on Youtube.com once upon a time en el barrio, The Familia and The Sunshines on the other side of the street with Tito Puente Jr, Santo Alam and Cris Rosa