Sebastien de la Cruz

See below comment and feedback from a San Antonio woman via Pat Wood regarding the racist remarks against this little boy.  It is well said and I am glad to see the Texas community react in a positive way in light of the clearly racist remarks against San Antone-born Sebastion de la Cruz.

Pat Wood writes:

I get so disgusted with these remarks, it literally makes me sick to read about it—this beautiful, talented kid is deserving of the highest praise, and it hurts me to think of him or his family reading these poisonous remarks—they deserve way better. We were writing about this on another post, several of us hope that the Spurs invite him to do the anthem for the rest of the finals—people just love him, and would be thrilled to hear him for the next two games here.

One of my favorite things about Spurs games is that you are met at the entrance by a tremendous mariachi group (all female)—terrifically talented—many times they will come out on court at the beginning of the 4th quarter to do a number, and it usually brings the house down—just fabulous.
So glad that the Spurs help to show everyone what our city is about—let me tell you, we are really proud of our kids—they shine a beautiful light on our city. Our mayor Julian Castro likes to point out—just look at San Antonio, and you are seeing what many other cities in this country will look like 25 years from now!

Sebastien de la Cruz

Bigotry seeps in sports, too.

A bunch of basketball fans appear to be upset a mariachi Mexican-American boy dared to sing our National Anthem.

I served my country and fought for all Americans — not just a certain class or ethnic group,  and I am outraged to see the hatred for Mexicans continue.  San Antonio native Sebastien De La Cruz sings the national anthem again before the Miami Heat championship chase game against San Antonio Spurs on ABC.

From PUBLIC SHAMING:

10 year old Mariachi singer Sebastion de la Cruz was thrust into the national spotlight last year on America’s Got Talent. Tonight, he was once again seen by the nation as he sang the national anthem at Game 3 of the NBA finals in San Antonio where the Spurs took on the Miami Heat.

As you can see, patriotic Americans were NONE TOO PLEASED that a Mexican (don’t tell these people he’s Mexican AMERICAN) sang the United States national anthem – a song so beautiful that bald eagles usually cry whenever they hear it but not tonight because a Mexican sang it.

“#GoHome.” He’s already home. He lives in San Antonio. The same San Antonio where the majority of the population is Mexican.

OK THERE, “THE GREAT WHITE.”

“I’m highly upset that THIS MEXICAN KID is singing the anthem.” lmao. Wait a few years Grace and tell us how you feel when the majority of the country is Hispanic. I look forward to hearing from you then!

San Antonio may already be your own personal hell if that’s how you feel about Mexicans, Blake.

Correction: YOU ain’t. All of the United States ain’t racist white males like you, Thomas.

lmao, DESTIN WHITE. If “what has the world come to” is your reaction a little Mexican boy singing the anthem, just you wait! Hint: your world won’t be WHITE.

And, now, for my favorite tweets: people asking why is this Mexican/illegal/foreigner/etc. singing “OUR/MY ANTHEM”…

“Our anthem!” Our racism!

(Above Left to Right)  Gabo Fayuca, Sam Edwards and Raf Fayuca.  Fayuca Trio getting ready to tour Texas. Photo taken 12 May 13

FAYUCA just released their new Barrio Sideshow album this month with a successful launch and record release party that took place on May 3, 2013 in the Phoenix area.

I first met Gabo Fayua (lead vocals and guitarist for the FAYUCA band) through a mutual friend and fine artist El Moises who created the band’s new CD cover.

Arizona Fine Artist, El Moises designed the artwork for FAYUCA’s new album “Barrio Sideshow” now on iTunes

In addition to being a serious musician, Gabo wrote a song about social justice and how we can empower ourselves.  In fact, Fayuca contributed Que Protesta music to the Tequila Party Album (which supports a good cause in our community).

Known for their fierce live performances and relentless touring, Phoenix trio Fayuca blends their Latin roots and mother tongue with the ethos of reggae and the passion of progressive punk. The end result is an intimate explosion of heady, sultry, stoner rock with a Spanish twist.  According to their biography, Fayuca has not only shared the stage with Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, Nas, 311, The Dirty Heads, Authority Zero and Fishbone; but have also showcased at numerous festivals nationwide. Fayuca recently signed with boutique label Fervor Records and are currently working on their 4th studio release with platinum producer Ralph Patlan (Megadeth, Jamie Foxx).

In reviewing the playlist from their new Barrio Sideshow album, I have come to the absolute conclusion that Sigo Amandote  is now my new favorite.  This new melodious song has a blend between Latin Rock and hints of Reggae and is extremely soothing to hear.  You can hear their album on REVERBNATION and decide to buy or download their music at any time.

FAYUCA has already toured Phoenix, AZ, Santa Fe, NM, Pueblo, CO, Lake Charles, LA, Texas Cities:  Austin, Lubbock, Amarillo, Dallas, Corpus Christi and more.  Here is what the rest of their tour looks like if you are interested in attending their tour concert dates below — and as you can see they are heavily touring Florida right now.  Then they will be back thru Texas and the great southwest again.

Fayuca released their new Barrio Sideshow album this month.

No additional words are needed to explain David Grohl’s quote about our next generation of  musicians and American Idol.  The below image explains it quite simply or catch it in Drummer’s World.

David Grohl on the American Idol

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.

Logic Ali

I grew increasingly attentive when the musician spoke of Mark Twain.

Logic Ali had a grandfather who was well known in both the United States and Mexico for being a welterweight boxer in the 1950’s and went on to be one of the first Mexican champions in our Nation. His mother was born in Mexico and his father was born in the United States.  Born in California, Logic Ali grew up in Los Angeles and later attended college at UCLA.  He dropped out of college during his senior year with only 8 classes to go because he wanted to pursue music.  Instinct told him he would end up being a teacher if he graduated so he decided to pursue his dream in music instead.

Logic Ali has been creating music since 15 years of age.  His inspiration comes from the likes of (not limited to) Jim Morrison, The Doors, Beatles, Al Green to the Wu-Tang Clan. His favorite instrument is the key board and he can make approximately 10-15 songs every 2-3 days.   His goal is to become one of the greats as a  Hip Hop DJ/Producer.  He wants to help bring Hip Hop to its roots by taking all the great artists, using 2 turn tables and looping vinyl records while putting a twist from every genre imaginable and adding bass to it.

Logic Ali wrote songs about life at 16 but it was not enough in the creative outlet he wanted to dive into.  He is involved in a number of projects using different pseudonyms allowing him to think differently and out of the box as he dives deeper into the genre he is pursuing.  There are no rules in music, and his goal is to write from many different perspectives and view points other people may have.   Some writers regularly write in more than one genre and they use different pen names for each.  According to the Mark Twain Institute, “Twain used different pen names (pseudonyms or “noms de plume”) before deciding on “Mark Twain”. He signed humorous and imaginative sketches “Josh” until 1863. Additionally, he used the pen name “Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass” for a series of humorous letters.”

Very few appearances are made by Logic Ali, but he will be making an appearance on April 5, 2013, during First Friday in Phoenix where thousands of people will be visiting art galleries and enjoying culture.  He will also be playing with “Vas Aver” – a band that capitalizes on love songs and integrating the female audience.  Vas Aver includes Jonny Diina, a guitarist, co-vocalist and producer while Logic Ali is the rapper/producer component.

Logic Ali featuring Adolfo Salazar created a brand new song for the Tequila Party Immigration CD called “We’re All Neighbors Sin Papeles” and it is about how some people and politicians hate our neighbors to the south. The inspiration behind this track is Joaquin Luna and the DREAM Act. Adolfo Salazar was deeply affected by Joaquin Luna’s suicide so he helped the grieving family with their funeral expenses.  DREAM Act student, Joaquin Luna, was one of ours who  took his life because he felt as an undocumented immigrant he had nowhere to go. He relied and was hoping for the passage of the DREAM Act in December 2010 that could have been passed with only a handful more Senate votes.

Perhaps there is a little bit of Mark Twain in DJ Rapper/Producer Logic Ali featuring DJ/Producer Adolfo Salazar – after all, Twain once wrote that “slavery dehumanized the slave and made monsters of the slave owner” in that era.  Now we see songs being written in the current era with regard to the dehumanization of immigrants and the horrible consequences of it.

Logic Ali is an artist to follow with regard to the songs he writes bringing about social awareness.

Logic Ali and Adolfo Salazar

We’ve been writing about the Tequila Party Concert and CD launch to be held in Phoenix this Friday.

Date:  Friday, April 5, 2013

Time:  7:00 pm

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

The Tequila Party CD and our concert is a political expression via art and music to push for fixing the broken immigration system.  Artists contributing to this cause believe in a humane and legal immigration plan.  We support the DREAM Act and more importantly, we believe in Mexican-American / Chicano / Latin empowerment. We know that leadership must arise from the ethnic community (via the Mexican-Americans) who have been most hurt and most affected.  It is a fact that the majority of those who are being deported are of Mexican descent.  Mexican-Americans are a rising population muscle and they account for almost 70% of the Latino population pie.  It is time to stand firm against  what politicians in Arizona refer to as “Operation Wetback.”  It is time to support and defend those who are afraid to defend themselves.

That said, we are also selling t-shirts that depict bully Sheriff Joe Arpaio as the devil or el diablo in revolutionary red (see below image).  The t-shirt design was created by the fine artist El Moises — an artist of Arizona.   The State of Arizona may try to bring our spirits down — but it is through adversity that makes us work harder and with fervor.  Politicians may try to eliminate Chicano or Ethnic Studies and our history, but that history will be sought out and live in our hearts forever.

All t-shirt and CD artwork by El Moises Not For Reproduction-Copyright www. artedemoises.com

C/S

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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Music With Political Messages More Influential Than Political Punditry

By DeeDee Garcia Blase

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?

Why is a lyricist/musician more influential than a political pundit?  People remember songs moreso than a political column.

Political pundits and writers seem to be losing their edge these days, and the columns and opinions they write seem to be worth their salt for only a day or two.  The goal is to keep the masses more informed about our surroundings and the direction of our Nation, but pundit writers are having a difficult time with making politics sexy and/or because of their negative non-addicting views.  Mundane topics equate to loss of interest which leads to a lack of knowledge.

More importantly, mere political pundits forget the “unity” message when they increase divisiveness in our “United” States.  Many of them add fuel to the fire when stubborn lines are drawn between Democrats and Republicans.  Shouldn’t resolutions be based on issues – not necessarily the team you are on when toeing the Party line?  Shouldn’t the United States in essence be one big team?

As a former hard core political activist searching high and low for penetrating messages that will leave a long-lasting impression within people’s minds – I have come to the absolute conclusion that musicians and great writers are the ones who come up with memorable coined phrases and quotes leaving a lasting global ripple effect.  I believe words should be like a type of hot branding iron being seared onto leather.  Writers want our words to be branded and forever remembered in the minds of people.

Dopamine is an addicting feel-good chemical, and according to researchers reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience  our brains can pump out dopamine both during the phase of musical anticipation and at the moment when chills hit in full force.  And since people love music, I believe there is a need for more positive political expression by way of music right now in an effort to tap into the masses, increasing knowledge and good energy.

Some of the most brilliant minds in history have relied on soothing music as a venue to open up creative ideas, or to simply be soothed and relaxed during times of trials and tribulations.

During my teens I learnt how King Saul tapped into music, in order to be soothed and for negative energy to flee him.

1 Samuel 16:23 states:

“So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well…”

It doesn’t surprise me to learn King David (in essence) sold millions of copies of his lyrics in print, and performances of his work all over the world earning him the title of the best selling musician of all time.  Books and literary works continue to be sold referencing the Song of Psalms, not to mention the countless musicians who have created music based on his lyrical expression.  King David poured out his soul, his love and agony – offering the sweetest poetry of Israel.

Does anyone remember what Jane Fonda said when she spoke against war?  Yet everyone seems to remember John Lennon’s message about Peace.  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.

Folks seem to misunderstand the meaning of a Chicano — particularly those who are not of Mexican-American descent.

There are several viewpoints out there, and Cheech Marin sort of nails it down in a humorous way when he wrote:

Some ask “Why can’t you people just all be Hispanic?” Same reason that all white people can’t just be called English. Just because you speak English or Spanish does not mean that you are one group. Hispanic is a census term that some dildo in a government office made up to include all Spanish-speaking brown people. It is especially annoying to Chicanos because it is a catch-all term that includes the Spanish conqueror. By definition, it favors European cultural invasion, not indigenous roots. It also includes all Latino groups, which brings us together because Hispanic annoys all Latino groups.

Another viewpoint is given by José Antonio Burciaga in his book Drink Cultura:  Chicanismo.   In fact the famous guitarist and musician via Carlos Santana said this of his book: “A passionately lyrical leccion para todos about the history of the Western and Southwestern people. Burciaga is deeply rooted in the indigenous realities.”

I recommend the Drink Cultura book as a great starting point for those who don’t know what a Chicano is.

Meanwhile, here is an excerpt or  teaser for you below.

c/s