Flamenco Festival New York, February, 3 - 24, 2007

This is without a doubt one of my favorite times of the year. I look forward to the Flamenco Festival the way children look forward to Christmas and this years production is the equivalent of lifetime supply of PSP's and Sidekicks. The Festival and the accompanying events have me giddy with anticipation. Que viva España! Que viva!!!!!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd. 8:00 PM
Estrella Morente
TOWN HALL
123 West 43rd Street
$55, $40, $30
$50, $35, $25 / WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members.
Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100
Box Office (212) 840-2824
Information/Tickets (212) 545-7536

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th 8:00 PM
Paco de Lucia
CARNEGIE HALL
West 57th Street and 7th Avenue
$79, $73, $56, $40, $31, $25
CarnegieCharge (212) 247-7800
http://www.carnegiehall.org/


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 7:30 PM.
Gala de la Bienal de Sevilla
Joaquín Grilo, Isabel Bayón, La Moneta,
Manuel Liñan, Olga Pericet & Marco Flores
NEW YORK CITY CENTER
West 55th Street btwn 6th and 7th Avenues
$85, $75, $45, $30,
$80, $70, $40, $25 / WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members
Special $200 gala tickets include reception
Call (212) 545-7536
CityTix© (212) 581-1212
http://www.nycitycenter.org/


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 8:00 PM
Compañia Rafaela Carrasco
NEW YORK CITY CENTER
West 55th Street btwn 6th and 7th Avenues
$70, $60, $40, $30
$65, $55, $35, $25 / WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members
CityTix© (212) 581-1212
http://www.nycitycenter.org/


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 7:00PM
Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras
NEW YORK CITY CENTER
West 55th Street btwn 6th and 7th Avenues
$70, $60, $40, $30
$65, $55, $35, $25 / WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members
CityTix© (212) 581-1212

THURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 8:00 PM
Gerardo Nuñez Quintet with Carmen Cortés
Pre-concert talk at 7:00 PM: Flamenco Guitar
NYU SKIRBALL CENTER
566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South
$50, $42
$45, $37 / WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members
Ticket Central (212) 279-4200
Online Tickets: http://www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu/
Information / Tickets (212) 545-7536

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 8:00 PM
El Pele with Edu Lozano
Pre-concert talk at 7:00 PM: Flamenco Song
NYU SKIRBALL CENTER
566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South
$50, $42
$45, $37 / WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members
Ticket Central (212) 279-4200
Online Tickets: http://www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu/
Information / Tickets (212) 545-7536

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 8:00 PM
Biznagas - Málaga en Flamenco
Pre-concert talk at 7:00 PM: Flamenco Dance
NYU SKIRBALL CENTER
566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South
$50, $42
$45, $37 / WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members
Ticket Central (212) 279-4200
Online Tickets: http://www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu/
Information / Tickets (212) 545-7536

SPECIAL EVENTS AT INSTITUTO CERVANTES
MEET THE ARTISTS
Free admission
English / Spanish
events@cervantes.org

MONDAY, February 5 6:00 PM
The Flamenco of Another Era. Conversation with Jose Molino,
master of flamenco in NYC.

MONDAY, February 12 6:00 PM
Creating New York versus Traditional Flamenco.
Conversation with choreographer Rafaela Carrasco

FRIDAY, February 16 6:00 PM
Flamenco Dance, Interactive class with dancer La Moneta
and journalist Rosalía Gómez, accompanied by the presentation
of the "Routes through Flamenco Territories".

WEDNESDAY, February 21 6:00 PM
Composition in Flamenco Guitar Today. Fausto Nuñez,
musicologist, will interview guitarist Gerardo Nuñez.

MONDAY, February 26 6:00 PM
Concert by guitarist Javier Conde.
$15, $10 for WMI Friends, Instituto Cervantes members.

Info / Reservations: (212) 308-7720 or events@cervantes.org

Any one up to the challenge of creating the next Dora?

CALL FOR ENTRIES: THE NICKELODEON WRITING FELLOWSHIP-Jan. 2nd-February 28th
Call for Entries: The Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship
Nickelodeon is offering writing fellowships in live action and animated television to culturally and ethnically diverse, new writers. Participants will have hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas.
The program, developed to broaden Nickelodeon's outreach efforts, provides a salaried position for up to one year.
Developed to broaden Nickelodeon's outreach efforts, the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship is designed to attract, develop and staff - new and experienced, culturally and ethnically diverse writing talent on Nickelodeon Network productions.
Operating in a three-phased structure, the Fellowship provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television.
This three-phased structure allows fellows an opportunity to nurture relationships with creators, network executives, line producers, head writers, showrunners and story editors.
As part of their script writing, each fellow will be assigned to an Executive in Charge of Production and have an opportunity to write a spec script for an on-air Nickelodeon show.
In addition, all fellows are integrated into the activities of both the development and production departments. This allows the fellows an opportunity to attend storyboard pitches, notes meetings, records, table reads, show pitches and show tapings, all while being exposed to top creators and key production crews.
During the final phase of the program, the fellow will be assigned to either an animated or live action show and they will spend the remainder of their time as a fellow on that show, pitching story ideas and writing scripts.
The next submission period runs from January 2 - February 28, 2007. Applications and submission guidelines are available on :
http://www.nickwriting.com/

I received an invite with the words Wine and Latin Lovers in the same sentence and was immediately interested.

Havana Central Winter Wine Series - Latin Lovers Sparklers with Ellisa Cooper
Date: Feb 13, 2007 (Tue)
Phone:(212) 398-7440
Time: 7:30
Email:Email Event Organizer
Cost: $50
Id: #110895
Place: Havana Central151 West 46th StreetNew York, NY 10036

Havana Central is hosting winegal Ellisa Cooper's very popular annual Valentine's Day Sparkling wines class. In keeping with Havana Central's Latino theme, sparkling wines from Spain & South America will be featured.

Bring a friend or bring your lover...this is a great way to kick off the holiday!

Havana Central's award winning Cuban cuisine will be paired with each of the wines!

The tasting begins at 7:30 at Havana Central Times Square at 151 West 46th and are $50/class or $135 for a 3 class advance purchase.

RSVP to Lara Richardson at lrichardson@havanacentral.com or (212)398-7440 or purchase here on Local Wine Events!

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Tango X2 at City Center, January 24-January 28th 2007

Its gearing up to be quite a sultry weekend after all! Miguel Angel Zotto's troupe is in town and they are on fire!

Miguel Angel Zotto's Tango X2

Jan 24 – Jan 28, 2007

Purchase tickets thru NY City Center

West 55th Street, btwn 6th and 7th Ave

Their exotic and erotic performances have thrilled audiences across the world. Now, following a triumphant run at Sadler’s Wells in London, Tango x2 brings SU HISTORIA to New York City Center for one week only. In this dazzling new show, Miguel Angel Zotto traces the 18 year history of his company – and the history of tango itself – with an astounding array of dancers, musicians, and singers. Tango x2’s SU HISTORIA is a spectacular tribute to the maestros of dance…and tango at its very best!

Pampano -- Restaurant Week Is Here

I just hosted a Christmas fiesta at Pampano --- a fantastic space. Although much of that evening is a bit hazy (not a great state of affairs following an office party), I made sure to do all my tasting before the open bar dulled my senses and discovered that their menu is flawless.

join us and enjoy our special 3-course menu for Lunch or Dinner

JANUARY 22-26 & JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 2

DOWNLOAD LUNCH MENU

DOWNLOAD DINNER MENU

PAMPANO209 East 49th (3rd Ave) Tel. 212.751.4545

Shop Proenza Schouler for Target at Opening Ceremony - February 2-5

Cuban, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough partnered up for their thesis project, calling it by their mothers’ maiden names, Proenza Schouler, and a collection was born and the rest is history! Now you can purchase collection worthy pieces at Target prices.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007 arriving in Feburary

Fall 2007 Collections*Bryant Park, New York*February 2nd-9th, 2007

Casa Naranja was accredited to cover the shows at Bryant Park and invitations have been arriving by the dozen. We need not mention which shows we are trying to wrangle front row seats to!

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2nd, 2007
10.00 AM JOHN BARTLETT
The Salon
11.00 AM RED DRESS
The Tent
1.00 PM PERRY ELLIS
The Promenade
2.00 PM DUCKIE BROWN
Showroom
3.00 PM BCBG MAX AZRIA
The Tent
4.00 PM YEOHLEE
off-site - location tba
5.00 PM MARC BOUWER
The Salon
6.00 PM AKIKO OGAWA
Showroom
7.00 PM NICOLE MILLER
The Promenade

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3rd, 2007
10.00 AM CHRIS HAN
The Salon
11.00 AM LACOSTE
The Tent
NOON MATICEVSKI
Showroom
1.00 PM ALICE ROI
The Salon
2.00 PM ATIL KUTOGLU
The Promenade
3.00 PM ALEXANDRE HERCHCOVITCH
The Tent
4.00 PM BUCKLER
Showroom
6.00 PM ABAETE
The Salon
7.00 PM SASS & BIDE
The Promenade
8.00 PM CABBEEN
Showroom
9.00 PM VENEXIANA
The Salon

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4th, 2007
10.00 AM LELA ROSE
The Salon
11.00 AM TADASHI
The Promenade
NOON DKNY
off-site - location tba
1.00 PM TWINKLE
The Salon
2.00 PM TRACY REESE
The Promenade
3.00 PM ERIN FETHERSTON
Showroom
4.00 PM DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
The Tent
5.00 PM Z ZEGNA
off-site - location tba
6.00 PM NAEEM KHAN
The Salon
7.00 PM TULEH
The Promenade
8.00 PM MATTHEW WILLIAMSON
The Tent
9.00 PM TEREXOV
The Salon
7 - 9 PM EDUN
off-site - location tba

MONDAY FEBRUARY 5th, 2007
9.00 AM KAI MILLA
The Salon
10.00 AM CAROLINA HERRERA
The Tent
11.00 AM NANETTE LEPORE
The Promenade
NOON JILL STUART
New York Public Library
1.00 PM OSCAR DE LA RENTA
The Tent
2.00 PM REEM ACRA
The Salon
3.00 PM LUCA LUCA
The Promenade
5.00 PM GENERRA
The Salon
6.00 PM MAX AZRIA
The Tent
7.00 PM ELLEN TRACY
Showroom

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 6th, 2007
9.00 AM TIBI
The Salon
10.00 AM MONIQUE LHUILLIER
The Promenade
11.00 AM BILL BLASS
The Tent
NOON CHAIKEN
The Salon
2.00 PM TEMPERLEY LONDON
The Promenade
3.00 PM BETSEY JOHNSON
The Tent
5.00 PM DOO.RI
The Promenade
6.00 PM JASON WU
The Salon
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
off-site - location tba
7.00 PM PEGAH ANVARI
Showroom
9.00 PM HEATHERETTE
The Tent

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7th, 2007
9.00 AM PORTS 1961
The Salon
10.00 AM PETER SOM
The Promenade
11.00 AM MICHAEL KORS
The Tent
NOON RICHARD CHAI
The Salon
1.00 PM CARLOS MIELE
The Promenade
2.00 PM MALANDRINO
off-site - location tba
4.00 PM TWELFTH STREET BY CYNTHIA VINCENT
Showroom
5.00 PM JENNI KAYNE
The Salon
6.00 PM VIVIENNE TAM
The Promenade
7.00 PM ANNA SUI
The Tent
8.00 PM MICHON SCHUR
The Salon
9.00 PM DRAGANA OGNJENOVIC
Showroom

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8th, 2007
9.00 AM LYN DEVON
Showroom
10.00 AM J MENDEL
The Promenade
11.00 AM BADGLEY MISCHKA
The Tent
NOON MALO
off-site - location tba
1.00 PM NEIL BARRETT
The Salon
2.00 PM VERA WANG
The Tent
3.00 PM Y & KEI
The Promenade
4.00 PM CALVIN KLEIN
off-site - location tba
MAC MILLAN
off-site - location tba
5.00 PM CALVIN KLEIN
off-site - location tba
6.00 PM JOANNA MASTROIANNI
The Salon
7.00 PM CUSTO BARCELONA
The Promenade
8.00 PM ZAC POSEN
The Tent
9.00 PM JAYSON BRUNSDON
The Salon

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9th, 2007
10.00 AM RALPH LAUREN
off-site - location tba
11.00 AM RALPH LAUREN
off-site - location tba
NOON EVISU
The Salon
1.00 PM CARMEN MARC VALVO
The Tent
2.00 PM DENNIS BASSO
The Promenade
3.00 PM CHILD MAGAZINE
The Salon
DONNA KARAN
off-site - location tba
4.00 PM ZANG TOI
Showroom
5.00 PM CHARLES NOLAN
The Promenade
6.00 PM COSTELLO TAGLIAPIETRA
The Salon
7.00 PM CHADO BY RALPH RUCCI
The Tent

Taste of Brazil in New York – Brazilian Wines and Steak

An Authentic Brazilian Riodizio with the Best Wines from Brazil!
Join us on January 29 for an authentic Brazilian riodizio dinner paired with over 10 wineries from Brazil. The foods, wines and festivities will be overflowing when the Carneval comes early to New York.

Churrascaria Plataforma, New York’s authentic Brazilian steakhouse, will serve as the stage for our salute to Brazilian food, wines and culture. If you’ve never experienced an all you-can-eat riodizio where the flavors and choices are charged with Brazilian energy this is a night not-to-be missed!

Your ticket price includes a complete salad buffet, the finest meat selections from the rotisserie-fired steakhouse, your pick of the dessert cart, and our featured wines, presented by a team of visiting winemakers from Brazil. All of this in the party atmosphere of Churrascaria Plataforma set to the Brazilian rhythms of Samba and Bossa Nova. So bring an appetite – and a crowd! – and reserve your space for our Taste of Brazil in New York City.

Ticket Cost: $55.00 per person (no refunds after January 22, 2007); includes the gourmet buffet, riodizio meat dinner, wine selections and dessert selections.

Where: Churrascaria Plataforma, 316 West 49th Street (between 8th and 9th Aves.)

When: January 29, 2007, 7:00 to 10:00 pm; cocktails followed by a seated dinner.

For Tickets: www.hgmarketing.net

Secret Hotels of the Riviera Maya

About once a week I really wish Charlie Suisman of MUG were Latin and this way I could justify further how relevant he is to all things Latincentric. He recently wrote the cover article in this month's Budget Travel magazine called "Secret Hotels of the Riviera Maya": eight hideaways south of Cancún, from a thatched-roof, swinging-hammock, beach-bumming spot, to Pablo Escobar's old mansion, to the very hip, very delightful Hotel Básico in Playa del Carmen. He covered some spots we have been fans of for a loooooonnnng time e.g. Amansala's Casa Magna in addition to some spots we didn't even know about, which indeed is a shocker!

THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM FESTIVAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

I can't believe that the NY Latin Film Festival is right around the corner, but indeed it is and lucky you, you filmmaker you, they are accepting submissions. It is a good thing I can rely on República Update to keep me on point!

The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) announces its open call for applicant entries for film submissions. The New York International Latino Film Festival is now looking for films of all genres for its 2007 film festival. The deadline is Saturday March 31, 2007.
NYILFF will consider films from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean made by, featuring, about and/or for the Latino community. They also will consider all forms: feature narrative, short films, documentary and experimental shorts. All projects must have been completed by no earlier than 2005. Projects in a language other English must have English subtitles. Films cannot have been broadcast (television or Internet) or distributed commercially in the U.S. prior to the festival. Exceptions are made for short films and documentaries. All genres are welcome.
To download an application visit: www.nylatinofilm.com

alejandro sanz y shakira - te lo agradezco pero no

Alejandro and Shakira get it right on every count. The 4 essential S' for a video: Smoldering. Sensual. Soulful. Seductive!

Thank you Perez Hilton for the heads up on this delicious video.

J.Crew 25% off Final Sale + additional 10% off

It appears that my rainy Saturday afternoon with "Breakfast At Tiffany's will have to wait a bit longer. I have just discovered another gem of a sale, J.Crew! Not only are they have a 25% off of their final sale prices, I have come across a secret code that allows a 10% on top of that!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot possibly convey the sense of urgency I feel to stock up on their DELICIOUS cashmere collection.

The discount code is SNTL

Banana Republic 60% + plus an extra 15%

What a simply delightful afternoon! In a prelude to a Audrey Hepburn movie marathon along with some chilled champagne I decided to do some online shopping. Oh my, what a treat I discovered from a fave site, thriftychick blog, a simply not to be missed Banana Republic deal! Shop quickly and execute your order even quicker, things are selling out fastttttttttttttttttttt!

They are now offering am additional 15% off items that were already reduced 60% simply use code JANUARY to get the savings.

Malaga Restaurant: 15% off entire check

Malaga Restaurant: 15% off entire check
Cuisine: Spanish, Tapas
Category: Casual Dining
Neighborhood: Upper East Side, NYC

Distinguished by an extensive tapas selection, authentic Spanish cuisine and great Sangria, Malaga is an Upper East Side stand-out. The decor and atmosphere are classically Spanish, and neighborhood regulars rave about the tapas menu's empanadillas with either shrimp or chicken, the croquetas, as well as the delicious selection of paella, mariscado, veal and filet mignon entrees. Check out this new exclusive offer starting today (Jan 10th).

For more details and to get this great deal, click here

Guantanamera: 15% off entire check

Cuisine: Cuban
Category: Upscale Dining
Neighborhood: Midtown West/ Hell's Kitchen, NYC

This place is hot hot hot - with live music, great Cuban food, and even complimentary hand-rolled cigars rolled right at the restaurant! Patrons have high praise for the authentic Cuban dishes, especially the Ropa Vieja, shredded skirt steak braised in garlic sauce, and the Suckling Pig with cassava, as well as the traditional sides: Tamal Cubano (stone ground corn with pork), Fried Plantains, and Fried Cassava with cilantro sauce. Enjoy your favorite mojito - traditional, Mango, and Coconut, to name a few, and top it off with this hot new offer starting Jan 10th only on DiningFever (click below).

For more details and to get this great deal, click here

DIVA NIGHTS @ 60 Thompson - Tuesday Jan 23rd

It takes one to know one. My good friend and founder of Social Diva is hosting quite a divine book/dinner party. See delicious details below

DIVA NIGHTS @ 60 Thompson - Tuesday Jan 23rd


Jen Schefft hosts Diva Nights! Divas, you remember Jen Schefft! She was featured on both the "The Bachelor" and the "The Bachelorette.” She won the hearts of three different men in those two shows and then realized none of them were right for her. As a true diva, she decided to stay single and she has now written the book about it: Better Single than Sorry (published by William Morrow). So, in true Diva style, we are celebrating the launch of the book!

Diva-tinis will be brought to you by p.i.n.k. Vodka and POM Wonderful. And there's more.. the first 50 Social Divas will get a free signed copy of Jen's book! Don't miss the chance to mix it up with your friends and get your party on, diva-style.

The action goes down at your hot spot Thom Bar at 60 Thompson Street NYC, Tuesday January 23rd, 7pm - late o'clock; cocktails will be served 7pm-8:30pm, followed by Dinner at 9pm. For directions log on to: http://www.60thompson.com/. Tuesday is the new Thursday! What better excuse could there be for good food, great conversation, and tasty potent cocktails... to get you through the rest of the week!

And remember, this party is not just for the gals... bring it on, guys, and forward this email to all of your friends!

RSVP NOW. The Cocktail party is totally FREE. Books will be for sale and if you would like to stay for dinner at Kittichai the price is $100 (which includes a prix fixe meal, tax, tip, and wine—what could be better than that?). But you should RSVP NOW because space is limited!
http://www.whoscoming.com/socialdiva/DIVANIGHTSJan07.html

This Diva-worthy event is brought to you by:
60 Thompson, pi.n.k. Vodka, POM Wonderful, William Morrow and of course Social Diva!

Washington Heights is long overdue for its own musical/Broadway show/theater spectacular (so who cares if it is off off Broadway). I am eagerly and impatiently waiting for the curtain to go up later this week, and I will be reporting back with my review. And -- hope against hope -- Dorka's salon on Dyckman street -- a famous and favorite Heights salon from my (not all that distant) youth, where I used to revel in my Dominican-ness while sitting for hooooourss waiting to get my hair done-- will play a prominent role.



In the Heights (Off-Broadway)
37 Arts Theatre
450 West 37th Street
When:
Tuesday-Friday - 8PM
Saturday - 2PM & 8PM
Sunday - 2PM & 7PM
January 9, 2007 - February 8, 2007


Find out what it takes to make a living, what it costs to have a dream…and what it means to be home In the Heights.


In the Heights is a new musical about three days in the life of Washington Heights, a vibrant and tight-knit community at the top of the island of Manhattan. It's a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. Created by a team of New York's freshest young talents, In the Heights is the tale of a community at a crossroads.
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Show.aspx?si=540419

Nuevo Arte: Colección Tequila Don Julio

Colección Tequila Don Julio

JANUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 3, 2007
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 11 from 7 - 9 PM
White Box
525 West 26th Street
New York, NY

Nuevo Arte: Colección Tequila Don Julio, a national traveling exhibition.

A showcase of innovative works by contemporary Mexican and Mexican-American artists.

Artists:
Ray Abeyta / Tania Candiani / Caleb Duarte / Camille Rose Garcia / Dr. Larka / Michael Hernandez de Luna / Franco Mondini-Ruiz / Julio Morales / Tatiana Parcero /Viva Paredes / Marcos Ramirez ERRE / Jorge Rojas / Betsabeé Romero / Arturo Romo / Taka / Einar & Jamex de la Torre /

White Box
525 West 26th Street
New York, NY

It took a Spanish design house to create a masterpiece, and i give you, Balenciaga!

The Spanish design house Balenciaga, headed by creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere has just introduced four new handbags. All in winter white and slightly oversized. They are perfect, absolutely unequivocally perfect! The Coffre-Fort, Whistle, Giant and the Matelasse are all visions in white. So wonderful is this collection there is a video to showcase them each in all of their glory at Balenciaga