New rum on the market: Copacabana 1940 Rum

ATTN: Rum Lovers, Bartenders, Mixologists, Bar Managers! we have a new rum on the block...

Last week (July 8th), Copacabana 1940 Rum kicked off its' New York launch event at (where else?) Copacabana in Times Square. Celebrity Chef Alex Garcia and Restaurateur Spencer Rothschild, partners of Barrio Spirits and the legendary nightclub are the experts behind the rum brand! You might have heard it in the Barry Manilow "Copacabana", but NEVER before has anyone legally sold anything with the iconic name. It was a great time, full of entertainment, celebrities, beach balls, dancers, food and of course cocktails!...the chef inspired rum was the talk of the town in the big apple.



Actor, Tony Plana with Copa 1940 Rum Owner, Spencer Rothschild

The New York Launch event was supported by Second Stage Theatre Uptown’s production of Mala Hierba written by Tanya Saracho (HBO’s “Girls” and “Looking”) and directed by Jerry Ruiz. Actorslike Tony Plana (ABC's Ugly Betty), Hisham Tawqif (NBC's Blacklist) and the cast from Mala Hierba were all in attendance!



Copa 1940 Dancers

This golden rum is made in one of the most important distilleries in the world, Las Cabras in Panama. The central province of Herrera is known for its abundant sugar cane fields that grow in nutrient-rich volcanic soil fed by rivers stemming from mineral-rich mountain springs. This all leads to a rich, balanced, sensual rum with strong hints of citrus and a light caramel and almond finish

Guests were invited to try four signature Copa 1940 Rum cocktails : Good Fella, Show Girl, Malecon and The Perfect Storm!

Copa 1940 Rum Owner, Chef Alex Garcia

Alex Garcia chef'd it up and used his rum brand to create Copa 1940 rum glazed jumbo shrimp & chicken lollipop sticks!

 DJ Miguelito spinned classics with a modern twist, while Melanie Torres‘ Dance on Two Studio gave beautiful performances. 




Scene Stealers brand ambassadors and ULM Staff

Copacabana 1940 Bowties were created by Wonder Lee! Staff were rocking them and guests were loving it. How fab do the ladies look?




Spencer Rothschild, Sandra Marquez, Marta Milans, Roberta Colindrez, Jerry Ruiz, and Ana Nogueira

Here's rum owner Spencer Rothschild (left) with the cast of Mala Hierba!... by the way you guys must go see it ... check out our next post for the play's recap.

CARLOS SANTANA #CORAZONLIVE

Hey Guys!

So on April 16th  we were invited  to check out 10-time Grammy award winner, Carlos Santana at the Hudson Theater (pretty exciting, I know)! The VIP Event was a way to celebrate his HBO Latino documentary and tribute concert Santana: De Corazon. The half-hour preview special spotlighted the iconic Mexican-American artist through a collection of interviews by his musical peers, mixed with touching insights from members of his most intimate circles (Gloria Estafan, Juanes and Miguel to name a few). The exclusive documentary aired on HBO Latino last week.

Recap:
The evening was hosted by (the very handsome) Actor and Director, Carlos Ponce! DJ Camilo set the tone with great hits from Santana. The one and only MR. Clive Davis, Miss Universe, and Frankie Negron all posed and walked down the red carpet.

After the Q&A segment with Ponce, guests were delighted with the electric sounds of youth guitarists hailing from the Little Kids Rock School, the inaugural beneficiary of Santana’s charity, The Milagro
Foundation. Santana was presented with a new guitar signed by over 300 students! (It was truly a beautiful moment)

The humble Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and philanthropist, Carlos Santana returned to his Mexican roots this year with his first All-Spanish CD, Corazon, Corazon will be in stores on May 6th! His music has always come from the heart that's why we believe he has that ability to touchmany hearts and souls for the last 45 years.

Who can you except to see and hear? well here's the run down: Gloria Estefan, Miguel, Juanes, Romeo Santos, Samuel Rosa all joined him in the studio and onstage at a concert taped Dec. 14 in Guadalajara, Mexico, for the HBO special “Corazon, Live From Mexico: Live It to Believe It.” Tou can catch this exclusive performance on May 3rd on HBO Latino. (See below for show times)
.

Replay schedule:
  5/3 at 12AM (technically 5/4)
  5/4 at 5PM/4C
  5/5 at 8PM/7C
  5/11 at 11:10AM/10:10C
  5/21 at 10:45 PM/9:45C
  5/26 at 3:25 PM/2:25C
  5/30 at 5:55 PM/4:55C 



 

 

 

 

I AM TODAY'S #NUEVALATINA

 

I AM THE #NuevaLatina !

This past Wednesday Procter & Gamble’s Orgullosa program launched a new (fabulous) Campaign, Nueva Latina - a movement to celebrate and empower today’s modern Latina (like you and me)! 

To kick off it's campaign, Orgullosa presented the "Nueva Latina Monologues" at the Hellen Mills Theater. The program teamed up with popular Latina director and writer, Linda Nieves-Powell, to reenact some real-life stories, topics and cultural themes that surround today's bicultural Latina. While there is a lot of pride in being a Latina, it's not always easy. We constantly experience ongoing “cultural cross roads” that aren’t always defined or discussed. The production embodied the "Latina experience" through a scripted performance that conveyed emotion, comedy and authenticity on culturally-relevant themes.

Roselyn Sanchez, LaLa Anthony and Adrienne Bailon were amongst the star studded VIP event.

Our OSS editor enjoyed some sangria at the “Chica Nights Out” beauty bar and had a chance to mingle with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez and LaLa Anthony before the show…. By the way, Thank you Olay, Venus, Clairol, Tide and Pantene for the goodies!

When we asked LaLa how she felt about being part of this movement, her response was:
 
"I feel so honored and I’m happy to be here…This is me! We come in all shades, we don’t all look the same and I’m happy to be part of that!”

We were all later ushered to the theater to see the live production of the Nueva Latina Monologues. Angie Martinez introduced Linda Nieves-Powel to the stage, she explained how this project means a lot to her since she dedicated most of her career writing about the evolution and duality of a Latina living in the US.

At the end of the day “being Latina is not measured by how well you speak Spanish, dance to music or cook food but by the Orgullo (pride) you feel in your heritage and culture!” – Orgullosa

Couldn’t have said it better!

So to all my bicultural ladies make sure you are una mujer con la falda bien puesta!  And remember you have the best upbringing from both worlds, consider yourself lucky!

;)
XO! 

Romeo Santos making history!

 

This past Monday we were invited to Romeo Santos Album Press Conference at the Legends Suite Club in the Yankee Stadium (the name of the suite definitely fit the King of bachata, if I say so myself). The press conference focused on the release of his sophomore album, Formula Vol 2, which is in stores now! Before talking about his new project, Felix Cabrera (Concert Promoter), Yankees’ officials and the King himself made a HUGE announcement….

On July 12th, 2014 the Bronx native will be performing at the Yankee Stadium, making him the 1^st Latino to perform at the new stadium! Officials expect a sold-out show (stadium holds over 50,000 seats) … No Pressure Romeo, right? … "I always walked around visualizing going to a game with my dad … I never envisioned performing at Yankee Stadium” said the bachatero.  He explained how honored he felt but is also aware of how enormous this responsibility is. Putting the pressure to the side, he can’t wait to challenge himself and take it to the next level! Making this one of the highlights and most important event in his entire career. #MakingHistory

Now about his amazing Album…. The 17-track set "Formula, Vol. 2" features collaborations with Nicki Minaj (who he considers the best female MC), Marc Anthony, Tego Calderon and Carlos Santana, as well as an introduction by comedian Kevin Hart. Santos' single “Odio," featuring Drake, is in its third consecutive week in the No. 1 spot on Hot Latin Songs. Fun fact: He created Odio with Drake in 7 hours on December 23rd 2013 and Drake insisted to sing a verse in Spanish!

 

His “formula” is to sing about relatable issues/relationships. He admits that he repeats certain topics in his songs but he tries to keep a variety. In this Album he wrote about a topic he never touched on before, a song about homosexuality,  'No Tiene La Culpa' is about a gay kid who feels trapped in his body dedicating it to his fans who are gay.

After the press conference Romeo was also spotted at Stage 48 hosting his Album Release party after signing hundreds of autographs at FYE in the bronx. Yup, the King Stays King….

XO, OSS

 

 

 

 

 

Stealing a scene with Marc Anthony!

FINALLY the video is here! I still can’t believe I interviewed the one and only Marc Anthony! Last month, we were in Miami for Marc’s private listening party, where he introduced new songs from his upcoming album, including hit single, VIVIR MI VIDA. As we were setting the step and repeat up, my boss pulled my co-worker and I to the side, telling us how we’ll be interviewing him the next day (total shocker!). Needless to say I was in lost for words; I was excited, nervous and at the same time very proud!! I’m obviously no Oprah or Barbara Walters, so excuse my jitteriness in advance lol – It is a fun interview and I hope you will enjoy it J

 

VIDEO INTERVIEWS:

 

Check him out as he discusses his new single, VIVIR MI VIDA with Samantha Vargas:

Stealing a scene with Marc Anthony

My beautiful co-worker/singer Zeitlin Perez also interviewed him for Urban Latino, where he proudly announced “URBAN LATINO COULDN'T BE MORE ME!”:

 

Marc Anthony sits down with URBAN LATINO MAGAZINE

"Voy a reir, voy a bailar
Vivir mi Vida lalalala
Voy a reir, voy a gozar
Vivir mi Vida lalalala"  (My new anthem)

XO!

HANGING OUT WITH LD & JHONI!

Earlier last month OSS correspondent, Samantha Vargas had the privilege to interview talented duo LD & JHONI. Sam caught up with them right after their performance at Best Buy in Time Sq, where they opened up for Reggaeton sensation, Tito El Bambino (did I mention it was for Billboard en Concierto?)! .  The crowd went wild - especially the ladies!

Check Sam out as she steals a scene with the boys (Video Interview):
 INTERVIEW

The boys were also part of Romeo Santos’ "The King Stays King Tour", where they performed in 7 cities.

 

 Glenn Acosta (Marc Anthony's road manager) had the vision to bring the duo together. With the help of acclaimed producer & arranger, Angel Fernandez, veteran music attorney/manager Elva Mason and Glenn Acosta, there's no doubt that LD & JHONI will make their mark in the Latin music scene!

 

When they are not on stage, they're just normal down to earth, family oriented, educated, FINE young men.

 Latest single: Mi Sueño

 

follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

  

XO!

 

“Free Angela and All Political Prisoners" - The recap

 

 

 

 

Last Wednesday, we had the honor to attend an exclusive movie premiere for Free Angela And All Prisoners. The premiere was held at the Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture in New York City.  The documentary was directed and written by the beautiful Shola Lynch.  Overbrook Entertainment, ROC Nation, and BET Networks joined forces on the production of the documentary!

 

Jada Pinkett Smith:
“We at Overbrook Entertainment are very proud to support this intriguing documentary about the life of Angela Davis” 

 “Filmmaker Shola Lynch has done an incredible job in revealing a piece of American history we thought we all knew.”

JAY Z:  
“Shola Lynch has crafted an intricate and compelling film about Angela Davis. Roc Nation is honored to be part of a creative collective that can present such a riveting story.”

 

BET Networks: 

“We are proud to be a partner in this film and to share powerful stories of justice such as this that will resonate with our audience.”

Before the screening we were hanging out by the red carpet and saw some popular faces! Amongst them - the lady of the hour herself - the one and only, Angela Davis. She looked marvelous walking down the red carpet!

 

We also witnessed the beautiful Jada Pinkett Smith (in a gorgeous Miu Miu gown) and her charasmatic (talented) hubby, Will Smith walk in hand-in-hand at the New York premiere of “Free Angela”! The power couple, were part of the audience supporting the film.

The documentary chronicles the manhunt, trial, and acquittal of Angela Davis. It’s an engaging documentary, told for the first time by Ms. Davis, herself and others who lived through the events firsthand. The interviews recount the politics that led her to challenge authority and spur a worldwide movement for her freedom that cemented Angela Davis, and her signature Afro hairstyle, as an iconic symbol of this still relevant political and social movement — the right to challenge the system. The film is not only a vital part of American history, it's about the cause, the movement, and how the world rallied to "Free Angela."

The film delivers by empowering and inspiring diverse international audiences with its message of hope and redemption!

You know her name. Now, you will finally know her story

 

LETS SPREAD THE WORD :

If FREE ANGELA is not playing in your town, you can request to host your own screening on Tugg.com.  Tugg.com allows anyone to create their own screening of FREE ANGELA at their local theater with friends and family.

Synopsis: Free Angela is a gripping historic account of the events that catapulted a young University of California philosophy professor into a controversial political icon in the turbulent late 1960’s. Angela Davis joins the Communist Party, protests with the Black Panthers, and becomes a principle spokesperson for the burgeoning prison reform movement. As a result, she finds herself Fighting to keep her job, and in the national media spotlight characterized by her many detractors as a dangerous subversive menace, and by her supporters as a strong leader challenging authority and boldly advocating for “Power to All People.”

 

 

 XO!

 

p.s - NEW SITE COMING SOON :D