La Vida Yaya

Today is March 30, 2012 and my Latina Fashionista pick of the week is none other than the birthday girl herself, my baby Miss Lydia Sofia No one has inspired me to be bold and take risks in fashion the way she has. Her choice of brights and pattern combinations rival those of any Hollywood designer. So let's take a look at how this 6 year old runs fashion circles around everyone around her, literally. Here Miss Lily is wearing a fun polka dot top with a high waist and pink Hello Kitty skirt. The black tights provide just the right amount of dark contrast to make the bright pink pop! Her sparkle shoes are just the right addition to complete the look. When Miss Lily feels like bustin' a move to some Snoop Dog she layers an oversized tee over a long-sleeve shirt in a paler shade. Her color of choice, purple. Topped off with a stand-out Crayola yellow folded bandana on her head and all that's left to say is "what up, boi!?!" Another fr

This is my new feature! Latina Fashionistas will be featured about two to three times a month plus a few random fashion thoughts sprinkled throughout. Enjoy! Melena Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Nesly Palacios Monday, April 23, 2012 Quetzal Guerrero Monday, April 16, 2012 Alex Ehecatl Sunday, April 1, 2012 Miss Lydia Sofia Friday, March 30, 2012 Miss Ruby Champagne Thursday, March 22, 2012    Walk in Beauty   Thursday, June 10, 2010 Red Lips and Roses   Friday, April 30, 2010  There's more to come so check back!

Here is a list of my favorite posts about life & culture. Enjoy! NALAC Arts Advocacy Institute-Washington, DC Wednesday, May 22, 2013 NALAC Leadership Institute Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Luna, The Stars and The Moon Tuesday, May 29, 2012 Letter to Lydia Saturday, May 12, 2012 My Weight Loss Journey Friday, May 3, 2012 Spider Sense Wednesday, April 4, 2012   Zero to 5 Saturday, February 25, 2012 Home Remedies Sunday, October 9, 2011 Day of the Dead 2011   Thursday, September 29, 2011 Lost Angeles   Monday, September 12, 2011 What You Do For Love Monday, September 27, 2010 Summertime Fun 2010 Friday, July 2, 2010 Chatting It Up With Grandpa   Thursday, June 3, 2010 Alma Tuesday, May 18, 2010 Gays, Gays, Gays   Thursday, May 13, 2010 Sara Garcia   Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Black History Month Year-Round   Friday, February 5, 2010 Cultural Events at the Mexican Consulate   Friday, January 15,

Welcome to my list of art, theatre, and film blog posts. Enjoy! Striking artwork by George Yepes. Heriberto Luna Tuesday, May 29, 2012 John Leguizamo Sunday, October 2, 2011 Free Museum Day Chart   Thursday, May 20, 2010 LA Arts Month   Tuesday, January 5, 2010 La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin   Monday, November 30, 2009 George Yepes   Saturday, October 17, 2009 Central Ave and Beyond - Mayme Clayton Library   Monday, September 21, 2009 HBO's Which Way Home Friday, September 18, 2009 Chimaya Art Gallery Saturday, September 12, 2009

Here is where you can find my music-related posts. Enjoy! Quetzal at LACMA. Photo by Abel Gutierrez. Rocio Friday, June 8, 2012 Melena Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Entre Mujeres   Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Return of the Conga Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Aztlan Underground's new song and video "Our Nature" Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Bang Data - La Sopa   Thursday, March 15, 2012 Native American Music Awards   Thursday, October 7, 2010 Quetzal   Sunday, July 11, 2010 Aztlan Underground's New Album   Friday, June 11, 2010 Francisco Aguabella Friday, May 14, 2010 Ozomatli Day - City of LA   Friday, April 23, 2010 Rene Camacho- Bassist   Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Latin Beat Magazine   Monday, September 14, 2009

Marisoul, J. Hernandez, G. Tenorio, P. Hidalgo, Miguel Ramirez, Donaji, Juan Domingo The African roots and influences in Mexico are still somewhat of a mystery to most. Fiercely patriotic citizens boast about Mexico's rich homogenous culture, history, and food, but for some, Mexico's culture is rich in outside influences that have been adapted and remade Mexican. But labels and identity are always far more complex than what you see on the surface. That is why I felt compelled to chat with my friend and local LA musician, Gabriel Tenorio, about his recent cross-cultural/border-crossing project, The Return of the Conga . The conga, aside from being an actual drum, is also an African rhythm that crossed to Southern Mexico via Cuba in the 1800s. While the style flourished and became popular in Cuba in the early part of the 20th century it disappeared in Mexico. The conga is still danced and played in contemporary Cuba and continues to be played throughout the salsa world. &quo

Welcome to my new blog feature, Latina Fashionistas! No where can you find a collection of Latina fashion that doesn't involved boobalicious celebrities like Salma, Sofia, or Eva so I decided to enlist my fellow amigas to start this new section. Don't get me wrong, SSE are fabulous and we adore them but I want to look at ladies and gentlemen (Yes, stay tuned for fashionable men too!) who always have their look well-put together. Ruby serves up some Mexican-inspired fashion. Photo by Mr40Chev. These are some of my friends and acquaintances that I think are truly worthy of magazine covers. Their everyday style is fun and fresh, cultural and modern, and they make a statement without saying a word. What shines through the most is their fabulous self-confidence and that's what ultimately makes them stylish fashionistas whether they are wearing name brand shoes from Macy's or plastic bangles from La 99. For my first feature, we start with the gorgeous   Miss Ruby Cham

Our Nature by Joe Galarza of AUG The Aztlan Underground boys are back with a new single and some advice for those of you feeling a bit suppressed. Their new single called Our Nature is about the beauty of spring, rebirth, reproduction, and our very own natural calling to procreate. It is being released on March 20, 2012, the Spring Equinox. “Society often dictates that sexuality and procreation are to be narrowly addressed in the confines of certain people’s belief systems, but we feel that does not and should not apply to everyone,” said lead vocalist Yaotl. “Those of us that walk in the natural, Indigenous spirit world understand that the act of reproduction should be celebrated, honored, and enjoyed.” The retro/gothic sound of the new single takes the band in a fresh and intriguing musical direction while keeping true to the original Aztlan Underground sound. The dark tones in the single seek to juxtapose the darkness and negativity associated with the natural occurrence of s

View of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge on my last trip. Photo by YayaDeLeon There's something calm and intimate about San Francisco and its surrounding areas. One of my first visits was a road trip with my girlfriends to see Quetzal perform at the Fillmore. I can't remember details but I do remember the quietness of the city and the way locals carved out serene spaces within its tiny boundaries. A little garden here, a farmer's market stand there. People moving about their business in internal contemplation. Even the Golden Gate Bridge sits quietly in the foggy haze. Perhaps that is why I am surprised to have been introduced to who has easily become my new favorite Latino hip hop/rock band, straight out of the Bay area, Bang Data. I have to credit my friend Maria for pushing me to get to know their music. I saw them play at La Cita in downtown LA but didn't pay much attention to the style or lyrics. I remember having a great time but being the music snob that I am