Rita Indiana’s Christmas carol!

The güira’s prominence in Rita Indiana y Los Misterios’ terrific “Dime a vel, mambo navideño” featuring Vakeró, Juliana y Daniel Santacruz gives the tune a nice folksy vibe. I’m digging it. Download it here.

November in pictures

Stuff that didn’t make it in during the month.

A feast day serenade

In order to keep the religion and life, the slaves became “Christianized” at least to the slave owners. The slaves took each African god (orisha) and renamed them after the saints. Chango, the god of thunder, became Santa Barbara and they kept the religion in secret. Even today the religion is kept in secret…

2009 Young Lords & Black Panther Film Series

In addition to highlighting the struggles and achievements of the influential groups, the series commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Young Lords’ founding and murder of Chicago Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton at the hands of the FBI and Chicago police. The program culminates on the 12th with an entire day of performances, screenings, and parties held at several Harlem and El Barrio institutions. For the entire schedule, go here.

At the vet

We’re both in good spirits but nervous. Though for different reasons I’m sure. Today I learn how much Andi’s heart condition has worsened, while Andi’s anxiety is purely instinctual–caused by the fearful scents of the animals before him. It’s difficult to be optimistic when most dogs die a year after diagnosis and we’re at ten months since his vet discovered that Andi’s murmur had worsened to a progressive condition that leads to heart failure. Fingers crossed, y’all.

UPDATE: His lungs are clear, which is a good sign. It means that the heart’s still working enough that fluid isn’t collecting in his lungs. I’m back in the waiting room watching I Love Lucy while they take x-rays to see what’s going on with his heart. It’s the chocolate factory episode.

♫ Smile Upon Our Joys ♫

Bring on los carols en verde y rojo

I’ll admit it. It wasn’t until my graduate school Latin American music seminar that I first learned about traditional Latin American Christmas music. Until then, every Christmas I subsisted on Catholic school carols, an ill-conceived 80s vanity project, and Jose Feliciano’s hypnotic Spanglish hit– puro empty musical calories! Somehow villancicos and aguinaldos didn’t make it into my parents’ and godparents’ record or CD players growing up.

I’ve made up for it though. And then some. I’ve become a big ol’ nerd for musica navideña in all its forms–from the traditional to today’s bachata, reggaeton and duranguense yuletide tunes.

So in an effort to share my enthusiasm for this great, diverse music (and, um, spread some X-mas cheer?), I’ve compiled a mix.

My favorite moment at…

the Festival of Santa Cecilia in Sunset Park on Wednesday night was the Mariachi procession through the Our Lady of Perpetual Help church.

The music of the 14 mariachi outfits–comprised of members hailing from El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Dominican Republic as well as Mexico (by way of the tri-state area)–could be felt throughout the cavernous sacred space.

Photos after the jump.

What’s good from Marble Hill!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Boogiedown! I’m currently trying to convince my stomach that a fifth piece of the tuna pot pie my tia made special for me is a good idea. The recipe for the pie, which is filled with tuna and fresh mozzarella, hails from her native Mendoza, Argentina. I’ve attached some photos of my “nephews” (my cousin’s two pitbulls). Even though they’re completely docile, they’re also unaware of their strength. Even the little one (in his crate) Pastelito is super strong. I’m kind of worried they’ll make a squeeze toy out of my Andi. Anyway, happy thanksgiving from the birthplace of hip hop!

Visiting Ganesha

After reading The Hindu Temple Society of North America’s writeup in my Hidden New York book, I had an strong desire to visit institution yesterday. So I stayed in my seat at 40th St-Lowery–my station–and sat there until I reached the first stop of the 7 line.