Good story regarding news affecting the great Southwest — particularly Arizona.

10 best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo — the 5th of May — means one thing in many cities across the United States and Mexico: fiesta time. Grab an ice-cold margarita at one of these 10 celebrations.

“Celebrate Culture” in Denver

For two days each May, the people of Denver tip their hats to the spirit of freedom and the beauty of Latino culture with their annual Cinco de Mayo festival, entitled “Celebrate Culture,” at Central Civic Park. Family-friendly events include a parade, green chili cook-off, chihuahua races and local and international talent performing on three separate stages.

Puebla, Mexico – Where it all began

On May 5, 1862, Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza and his outnumbered soldiers successfully defended the town of Puebla, Mexico against larger and better equipped French occupying forces. While not the official day of Mexican independence, Cinco de Mayo has become a symbol of Mexican pride and heritage.

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Phoenix Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Phoenix aren’t limited to a single location. Check out the hundreds of booths in downtown’s Patriots Square Park, watch a chihuahua race in Chandler, watch live performances on the stage in Scottsdale or enjoy three days of dancing and festivities in Mesa.

10Best provides its users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content on top attractions, things to do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

FULL STORY AFFECTING OTHER CITIES ABROAD FOUND HERE>>>

Two years ago this month, our infamous Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 – a bill that targets Mexican-Americans, Latinos and immigrants.  When our Governor was asked: “What does an immigrant look like?”  She had no answers … but the rest of us knew that this was the ousted Sen. Russell Pearce’s evil idea.  In fact, it was Pearce who stated he wanted to bring back “Operation Wetback” because he felt it was a good program even though we told Pearce that term was defamatory and demeaning.

As a result of Brewer signing that horrendous and draconian law a couple of years ago, we believed in using Arizona as a launch pad to create a Spanish and English CD from artists across the country addressing the need for fixing the broken immigration system.  Indeed we support a legal and humane immigration plan.

We believe in communicating through art and music.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once penned: “Music is the universal language of mankind — poetry their universal pastime and delight.”   Our goal is to communicate through music with regard to the humanitarian aspect of immigration.  Mexicans and other immigrants are not asking for a handout – they are seeking earned legal immigration reform.  Chicanos and American citizens are here to push the American Dream, and we know that when our Nation continues to be a Beacon and a light to the Globe – blessings come our way.

The launch of our Tequila CD will take place on April 5, 2012.  We will be having a concert to promote our CD in the heart of where the draconian anti-immigrant law originated.

Date:  Friday, April 5, 2013

Time:  7:00 pm

Location:The Lot -  1005 North Second Street, Phoenix, AZ

For more information contact 480-200-3748

The Tequila CD consists of music created by new emerging Latino artists and poets across the country.  Throughout 2011 & 2012 the National Tequila Party Movement visited universities and cities in an effort to help get out the Latino vote pushing support for pro immigrant politicians.  We hosted tequila party rallies (countering the extremist tea party movement) in states such as Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, Texas, Florida, New York, Indiana, Michigan, and more.  New emerging Latino artists performed at our tequila rallies and created songs with regard to the immigration movement.

A portion of our CD sales will go to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students since they have to approximately $575.00 for documentation fees + attorney fees, and the other portion of our CD sales will go to Mexican-American artists who helped contribute their talents to this important message.

3-13-13
For Immediate Release
info@nationaltequilapartymovement.com

Shirl Mora James, President – Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer

Arizona Anunciar El Lanzamiento De Un CD De Música Humanitario Que Promueve La Inmigración Legal y Adquirida

Phoenix Az— Estamos muy contentos de anunciar el lanzamiento de un CD de música humanitario que promueve la inmigración legal y adquirida. Creemos en el arte y la música como un vehículo de comunicación.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow escribió: “La música es el idioma universal de la humanidad— la poesía su diversión y alegría”.

Muchos de nosotros tenemos buenos recuerdos de las palabras de las canciones de artistas como Bob Marley Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine, y demás. ¿Cómo puede ser que las palabras escritas por artistas famosos como John Lennon, o Marvin Gaye en donde hablan sobre la paz o la guerra sigan vivas en los corazones de las personas tantos años después?

Hemos llegado a la conclusión de que los grandes músicos y escritores son aquellos que sus frases e ideas perduran a través del tiempo y dan la vuelta al mundo.

El Tequila CD es una colección de música y poesía creada por nuevos artistas latinos por todo EEUU.

Durante el  2011 &2012, el Movimiento Nacional del Partido del Tequila (National Tequila Party Movement) viajó a muchas ciudades y visitó a muchas escuelas en apoyo al voto latino y candidatos que se encontraban a favor de una reforma migratoria. Llevamos a cabo eventos para luchar en contra del movimiento extremista del Tea Party en Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, Texas, Florida, New York, Indiana, Michigan entre otros. En nuestro camino, los artistas nos ayudaron mucho al contar nuestra historia y nuestra causa por medio de sus canciones.

Ahora , tenemos una colección de las canciones escrito por el Movimiento.  Una porcentaje de las ventas, será destinado para ayudar a los aplicantes de DACA. Así mismo, otro porcentaje  será destinado a aquellos artistas México-americanos contribuyeron con su talento para dar vida a este importante mensaje.

Nuestro meta es comunicar a través de la música el aspecto humanitario de la inmigración. Los inmigrantes mexicanos y de otras nacionalidades no están en espera de que les sea regalado nada- están buscando un reforma migratoria legal y adquirida. Los chicanos y los ciudadanos americanos se encuentran impulsando el sueño americano, porque sabemos que cuando nuestro país continúe siendo líder y luz para el mundo, seremos bendecidos.

La música llega al alma del ser humano y crea memorias. El mundo está listo para un nuevo grupo de músicos talentosos que por medio de sus ideas y sus canciones expresan el amor a la vida y un mensaje político positivo. Aquellos músicos que se preocupan por el futuro de nuestro país deben levantar sus voces, este es el momento para que su mensaje fluya a través del tiempo y el espacio.

Se dice que el idioma español es un lenguaje de amor, y es maravilloso escuchar la fusión de la música en español y en inglés luchar en contra del odio.

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Arizona Humanitarian Concert and Music CD Launching April 5, 2013, in Support of Earned and Legal Immigration Reform

3-11-13
For Immediate Release
info@nationaltequilapartymovement.com

Shirl Mora James, President – Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer

Phoenix, AZ — We are happy to announce the launch of a humanitarian music CD that pushes for earned and legal immigration.  We believe in communicating through art and music.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once penned: “Music is the universal language of mankind — poetry their universal pastime and delight.”  Many of us have fond memories when it comes to lyrics we identify with in songs sung by the likes of Bob Marley, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd and so forth. How is it that a John Lennon or Marvin Gaye song has everlasting global and sustaining reach when they sing of peace or war?  We have come to the absolute conclusion that musicians and great writers are the ones who come up with memorably coined phrases and quotes leaving a lasting global ripple effect.

The Tequila CD consists of music created by new emerging Latino artists and poets across the country.  Throughout 2011 & 2012 the National Tequila Party Movement visited universities and cities in an effort to help get out the Latino vote pushing support for pro immigrant politicians.  We hosted tequila party rallies (countering the extremist tea party movement) in states such as Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, Texas, Florida, New York, Indiana, Michigan, and more.  New emerging Latino artists performed at our tequila rallies and created songs with regard to the immigration movement.

A portion of our CD sales will go to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students since they have to approximately $575.00 for documentation fees + attorney fees, and the other portion of our CD sales will go to Mexican-American artists who helped contribute their talents to this important message.

 

Our goal is to communicate through music with regard to the humanitarian aspect of immigration.  Mexicans and other immigrants are not asking for a handout – they are seeking earned legal immigration reform.  Chicanos and American citizens are here to push the American Dream, and we know that when our Nation continues to be a Beacon and a light to the Globe – blessings come our way.

The launch of our Tequila CD will take place on April 5, 2012.  We will be having a concert to promote our CD in the heart of where the draconian anti-immigrant law originated.

Date:  Friday, April 5, 2013

Time:  7:00 pm

Location:The Lot -  1005 North Second Street, Phoenix, AZ.

For more information, contact:  DeeDee Garcia Blase – (480) 200-3748

Music taps into emotions of the human spirit and it also connects it to a memory.  The world is ready for new and emerging talented lyricists and musicians who are able to express ideas that embrace love, life, and positive political messages. Musicians who have a sincere concern for the direction of our nation ought to rise up — because the time is now for their message to be received by others in the most memorable medium possible.

 

They say Spanish is the language of love and it is wonderful to hear the fusion of English and Spanish music challenging hate and bigotry.

 

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Artist of Tequila CD — El Moises of Phoenix, Arizona

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Lila Downs

Lila Downs is one of my favorite ranchera singers.  A woman who is proud of our rich, rich Mexican culture.  So much so she also incorporates indigenous Mexican influences and has recorded songs in indigenous languages such as Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan, Nahuatl and P’urhépecha.

I was especially happy to see Lila’s music in the movie Frida (2002).  Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican painter born in born in Coyoacán^.

I encourage you to visit Lila’s website here, and below is her self-accomplished bio:

Lila Downs just released the album PECADOS Y MILAGROS (Sins and Miracles) on iTunes and will be available soon in physical format. The title and concept are inspired by the themes of traditional votive paintings of Mexico, as well as her infant son. The new songs are born of the reasons to find items and symbols that give us strength.

Lila Downs, born in Oaxaca, Mexico, is the daughter of Mixtec singer Anita Sánchez and Allen Downs, a Scottish-American art professor and filmmaker. She grew up in Oaxaca, California, and Minnesota, where she graduated from the University of Minnesota in voice and anthropology. Downs is usually accompanied on her musical journey by her longtime band, La Misteriosa, multi-cultural multi-instrumentalists who include Paul Cohen, her collaborator, producer and husband.   FULL STORY >>>

Here is one of my favorite songs by Lila Downs: