Thursday, March 27, 2014

Cesar Chavez Screening Sponsored by Budweiser

Beverly Hills, CA - Budweiser held a small screening at the Harmony Gold Theater (3/21/14) in Beverly Hills the day after the Hollywood Premiere.

The Budweiser rep, Jim, spoke about how Anheuser-Busch was able to place Budweiser in this iconic film and how A-B has the availability to make labels from any era to make sure the authenticity is displayed in any film.

Jim then introduced us to Paul Chavez (Cesar's youngest son) and his children.  A few moments later, Budweiser presented the Cesar Chavez Foundation (where Paul serves as President & Chairman) with a check for $15,000.

Just as the lights dimmed, a Spanish Budweiser "commercial ad" came on the big screen.  At the end of the ad, the Bud V.O. was informing the audience to step out to the lobby for a surprise from Budweiser.  At first, everyone thought it was just a joke...but the ad informed us once again to step into the lobby as the film was not going to start without the audience.  The lights came up and most everyone stepped into the lobby to get a refreshing cold drink...

I've never seen this kind of promotion before but it was clever & fun - very Budweiser!


Paul Chavez (center)

Jim presenting check to Paul & children

After the drink break, everyone heads back to their seats and there are a few surprise guests that are introduced...Director Diego Luna, Jacob Vargas (Richard Chavez) and Yancey Arias (Gilbert Padilla).  Each spoke about their experience on filming Cesar Chavez.


Diego Luna, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias

After they all spoke, Yancey decides to do a selfie with the audience...
View it here: https://twitter.com/yanceyarias/status/447283251875282945/photo/1


Selfie

Jacob Vargas brought his 9 year old daughter to this screening.  This is the first time his daughter will see the film.  I think she enjoyed it while learning a little part of American Latino history.


Diego Luna - Salud con Budweiser


"We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about the progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own." -- Cesar Chavez


Cesar Chavez Hollywood Premiere

Hollywood, CA - In the heart of Hollywood, at the historic Chinese Theater, a multi-cultural mix of people came out to celebrate the Hollywood Premiere (3/20/14) of Cesar Chavez - a Mexican-American migrant laborer-turned-civil rights activists.

All of the performances are convincing and they very much pull you into the world of the working class laborers in the 60's.  The film is moving and with most of it being true, there are moments when you want to clap and chant out loud along with the actors in the film.

It was such an exciting moment for me to see the film's director Diego Luna and the stars of the film - Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias, along with so many other American Latino actors and supporters attend the premiere...then simply crossing the street to continue the celebration at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for the official after party which Hennessy V.S. hosted.


Just one day after Cesar Chavez screened at the White House, we have them all here in Hollywood!  Finally, we get to see this long overdue story on the big screen of one of America's preeminent civil rights leaders Cesar Chavez.


Director Diego Luna

Michael Peña (Cesar Chavez)

Yancey Arias (Gilbert Padilla)

Dolores Huerta (labor leader & civil rights activist)

Emilio Rivera (Sons of Anarchy) and wife Yadi

Bel Hernandez (Latin Heat CEO & ¡HOLA! LA Exec. Producer and Host)

Nick Chavez (hairstylist to the stars & Cesar's nephew), Dolores Huerta and Gregory Nava (Selena, El Norte)

Lisa Ling (journalist)

*Please go to the following Latin Heat link to see more pictures: http://www.latinheat.com/spotlight-news/cesar-chavez-hollywood-premiere-at-chinese-theater/

"We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation." -- Cesar Chavez

Sunday, November 20, 2011

THANKSGIVING DAY - Dia de Accion de Gracias



Los Angeles, CA - As we start celebrating the wonderful holiday season it’s time to give GRACIAS to all you have in your life.  A time to reunite with family and friends around the dinner table and enjoy each others company with good food.

Below, I have a recipe for my tangy Cran-Citrus sauce that will not only compliment your turkey meal this Thanksgiving day but is also great topped off over a slice of cheesecake or snacks (for example: brie or pepper jack on crackers) anytime of the year.

Some traditional dishes have no recipe…for example, if you ask my parents, aunts, or siblings for a recipe to one of their delicious dishes…they have NO written recipe…their dish usually calls for a handful of this, a pinch of that, 1 or 2 of these, etc…

I found myself doing a cup of this and a dash of that for my tangy sauce.  But with any dish there is usually no wrong way as you can add extra items or spices to create your own signature dish.

L.A.L.A.’s Tangy Cran-Citrus Sauce
-Fresh Cranberries (12 oz bag)
-1 Orange (for fresh juice & zest optional)
-1 Lemon (for fresh juice)
-Water (1/4 cup)
-Sugar (1 cup)
-1 Apple or Pear or both
-Raisins (1 cup)
-Walnuts or Almonds or both (1 cup diced)
-Cinnamon (a pinch here, a pinch there)


INSTRUCTIONS:


In a pot, bring orange juice, lemon juice, water and sugar to a boil.  Add cranberries...



When cranberries start cracking add apple and/or pear...


Mix all ingredients and start mixing & mashing...


This is what it will look like...


Add raisins, walnuts/almonds and sprinkle cinnamon on top...



Mix ingredients for 5 minutes and you're done!
ENJOY!




Here's something fun and different to add to the table - TOT (The Other Turkey).  The kids will love this...



Enjoying the company of family & friends surrounded by delicious food is wonderful but watch your portions.  They say you gain an average of 5-10 pounds during the holidays.  Of course you want to try every single thing on the table – sampling is better than over stuffing.  Eat slowly and really taste your food – enjoy your deli-scrumptious meal.

Thank you all for reading my blog.  Please send any comments you may have.  Until next time.

LALA

"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." -- John Wooden




Monday, October 24, 2011

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS - Day of the Dead


Los Angeles, CA - Dia de los Muertos is a tradition in Mexico that started over 2,500 years ago.
Dia de los Muertos celebrates the death of our loved ones by making an altar (at home or cemetery), decorating it with sugar skulls and flowers (marigold), and placing food & drinks our loved ones enjoyed.  The 2-day celebration takes place on November 1st (All Saints’ Day) to honor children and November 2nd (All Souls’ Day) to honor adults.



Here in Los Angeles, events are held throughout Mexican-American communities.  People attend these events and many paint their face in traditional calavera (skull).  The calavera symbolizes death & rebirth.



The painted face is also a good costume for Halloween.  You can paint the entire face or half, as I will demonstrate below…

What you will need:
-Face Paint (white, black, and any bright colors of choice)
-Small Paintbrush
-Black Eyeliner
-Red Lipstick
-Water
-Damp & Dry Paper Towel (to clean fingers/paintbrush)

Step 1:  The Before Picture.  Make sure you have a clean face:


Step 2: Apply black eyeliner to your eyes (inside & around eye).  Also, with black eyeliner, lightly trace around your eye(s) and nose.

Step 3: Paint the rest of your face with white face paint.  You can use paintbrush or fingers to apply (I use fingers):


Step 4: Paint eye area and tip of nose black.  Make teeth and outline lips.  You can use paintbrush or fingers (I use paintbrush):


Step 5: Add fun designs with bright colors - there is no wrong way of decorating - be creative.
For girl, add make-up to the other side of face.


Step 6: Dress up in traditional Mexican wear and add jewelry.  Wha-la!:




Step 7: Have fun and take loads of pictures.
These image below where made from an app Instagram and the setting is called Toaster.  Pretty cool si?:

Playing loteria (Mexican bingo).
Playing the piano.

Start your own Dia de los Muertos tradition.  It’s great to remember those you love who have past, including pets, and keep their memory alive.  That’s what memories are for – to talk about them and relive the good times.

Speaking of pets, here are 10 Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Parents from ASPCA:

And, all of that Halloween candy cannot be good for your teeth.  Here is a quote from Dr. Oz:
"Save money at the dentist and whiten your teeth naturally with strawberries.  They contain malic acid, which helps remove stains."  Not to mention strawberries are yummy!  Thanks Dr. Oz.

Thank you very much for stopping by and reading my blog.  Please send any comments you may have.  Until next time. 

LALA

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. -- Steve Jobs

Sunday, September 18, 2011

MY FIRST BLOG.../Mi Primer Blog...

Los Angeles, CA - I'm creating a blog to share the many adventures of my life...
Please stay tuned as I will start posting soon!

LALA

L.A. through L.A.
(view from Marina del Rey towards the Pacific Ocean)