Week of April 27 - May 3, 2010

BEAUTY: Instant Nails

For those that want to shine in the sun, Broadway have just launched some nail kits that change when exposed to direct sunlight. Fashion Diva Color Changing Nails come in four designs and adjust in seconds. At night and indoors nails are a classic French style with a white or black tip and simple design. But when on the beach, by the pool or driving around with the top down, nails will transform instantly with a neon tip or extra design, such as shooting stars or a simple floral pattern.

Each nail kit comes complete with 24 nails in 12 different sizes and lasts for up to 7 days. Self-Tabs are on each nail to make application easier and pink nail glue and manicure sticks are also included. Available for $5.99 at www.walgreens.com


EVENTS: TARGET Free Thursdays Presents: Essentially Ellington Alumni All Stars in the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
Coming up on April 29th the all-star ensemble of Essentially Ellington alumni plays the music of Duke Ellington and celebrates the 15th anniversary of the annual Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) education event that invites select high school jazz bands from across North America to spend three days immersed in workshops, rehearsals, jam sessions, and performances at JALC. Alumni of the Essentially Ellington(High School Jazz Band Program) include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra bassist Carlos Henriquez, saxophonist Erika von Kleist, and bassist David Wong. Join us for this special performance that leads up to the final concert of the annual competition and festival at Avery Fisher Hall on May 10th. More information about Essentially Ellington is available at: www.jalc.org/essentiallyellington.


BEAUTY, BODY: The Spirit of the Amazon

Bring the benefits of Amazonian fruits to your life this season. Already wildly popular at ABC Home, Wembe's Citric, Mango, Avocado, Passion Fruit and Coconut varieties are chock-full of raw ingredients that nourish, exfoliate and turn your shower in a rainforest. Wembe retails nationally for $7-12 at www.abchome.com

Here are some skin tips for using Wembé soaps:

Citrus fruit
For your health: Provides a good source of Vitamin C which boosts immunity.

For the skin: Vitamin C smoothes the texture of the skin. Vitamin C aids in the production and formation of collagen in the skin. Try: Wembé’s Citric Cleansing Bar

Mango
For your health: Provides the body with antioxidants and vitamins A and E which help to protect the body from heart disease and other diseases.

For the skin: Vitamins A and E aid in softening the skin and the antioxidants that mangoes provide helps to fight free radical damage. Try: Wembé’s Mango Cleansing Blend

Avocado
For your health: Avocado provides a large amount of potassium which can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke as well as vitamins A, B, D and E.

For the skin: The vitamins and potassium found in Avocados helps to keep skin smooth and moisturized. Try: Wembé’s Avocado Cleansing Blend


Fashion: Bold Baubles

Right on trend with strong pieces and an even stronger celebrity fan base including America Ferrera. Lia Sophia’s Red Carpet Celebrity Collection offers up options in bold statement pieces like the Wave Cuff Bracelet with Black Diamond Crystals in Matte Gold, $450. All Lia Sophia jewelry comes with a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee so that you can shop with complete confidence.For pieces under $100 Lia Sophia also has the classic line available at www.LiaSophia.com



Beauty, Fitness: Dare to Bare

Sleeveless season is almost in full effect. “So You Think You Can Dance” star Ellenore Scott, www.EllenoreScott.com, shares her tops tips for baring your arms this season.

1.Tone: Using lighter weights and more repetition get your muscles looking long and lean. Ellenore loves doing port de bras (it means carriage of the arms) with 5lbs weights.

2.Scent: As a dancer staying dry is important while moving. Ellenore uses Secret Clinical Strength Sport to keep her dry. To see which Secret formula is right for you visit www.secret.com

3.Shape: Ellenore says you can work out while you watch tv. One of her favorites is the tricep firming reverse push up.

This week's blog is brought to you by

Jennifer Lopez stars in The Back-up Plan

THE BACK-UP PLAN

The Back-up Plan is a comedy that explores dating, love, marriage and family in reverse.

After years of dating, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) has decided waiting for the right one is taking too long. Determined to become a mother, she commits to a plan, makes an appointment and decides to go it alone. That same day, Zoe meets Stan (Alex OLoughlin) a man with real possibilities.

IN THEATRES THIS FRIDAY

APRIL 23RD

Week of April 20 – April 26, 2010

This week GEM is all about having FUN, looking GREAT, and exposing oneself to all that is GOOD in our NYC ‘hood! Below you’ll find some of this week’s treasures…

FANCY FEET: Carey’s wedding peacock flair will be green with envy when you show up wearing these glamorous heels by Martinez Valero! These green satin “Carly” sandals feature a sophisticated rope twisted strap to highlight you’re new ballerina pedicure, a 3 3/4 inch covered stiletto heel, and an ankle strap with a hook-and-eye closure. No need to wear mascara with these babies (few looks will go beyond your ankles)! For more views and similar styles visit Martinez here.

Who says “Wing-Tips” are for Wall Street suckers? This new take on an age-old look in men’s shoes is a breath of fresh air for the Macho GemFashionista. For high-fashion European footwear without the high-fashion European price, consider Fratelli footwear. Made with the highest quality materials, Fratelli shoes deliver style, quality and comfort, all in one. For more views and similar styles visit the shoeshop here.

MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY: Gilded cinch! Look dapper and luxurious in this flaxen mesh gold belt for your next soirée. Made of metallic gold thread, 76” in length with 2 hanging metal orbs at each end for balance and anchor, you’ll feel like a golden goddess wearing the “Obi”. For more details visit Obi here.

Golf may not be the traditional “Latino-sport”, so we’ll leave that to Soccer. However you may want to score big with this new addition to Nike’s repertoire of men’s fashion. Simply called the “Nike Golf Perforated Belt,” you’ll be able to wear this cincher to dressy and casual events. For more views and selections click here.

FILMS: The Annual Tribeca Film Festival, April 21 – May 2nd 2010

First launched in 2002 by Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal, The Tribeca Film Festival was founded to celebrate New York City as a major film making center and to contribute to the long-term recovery of lower Manhattan. Come out from April 21st to May 2nd, and see one or more of nearly 200 movies debuting this year at the festival.

Tribeca Film Festival Ticket Prices:

 General Screening Ticket: $8-16

 Panel Discussion Ticket: $25

 Gala Screening Ticket: $25

Downtown residents, students and seniors can get $2 off general screenings ($3 off other tickets) when purchased at the box office. (ID required.)

For more information about how you can plan your Tribeca Film Festival trip, visit their site here.

GEM’s “must watch” LIST

4/22/10 THE TWO ESCOBARS

4/22/10 THE SENTIMENTAL ENGINE SLAYER

4/28/10 BLOOD AND RAIN

Jeff and Michael Zimbalist’s THE TWO ESCOBARS (Columbia) which will have its World Premiere at the festival on April 22. This is a really incredible story of the dangerous passion of followers of sports and crime – a documentary on Andres Escobar and Pablo Escobar, interweaving their rise and eventual murders- one of the stronger documentaries in this year’s festival.

A directorial debut by Omar Rodriguez Lopez (of the hot band Mars Volta) with THE SENTIMENTAL ENGINE SLAYER (Mexico), having its North American Premiere at our festival on April 22. This is a challenging film, similar in style to his music videos without clear narrative line and steeped in sexuality and obsession.

Jorge Navas’ BLOOD AND RAIN (Columbia) which will have its New York Premiere on April 28 at the festival is a beautifully shot, well-acted neo-noir, which so cleverly uses the city of Bogota as almost a character in the film.

CULTURE: CUENTOS CANTADOS (Sung Stories)

Our history & culture as musical poetry a special event connecting artistic genres of “Bomba y Plena” & “Spoken Word” as our cultural tools for community expression featuring FLACO NAVAJA.

Friday, April 23rd 2010

10:00 am & 12:00 pm

Central Park East School (230-34 East 105th street and Madison Ave., El Barrio)

Admission: $5 (students/teachers) • $10 (general audience)

Secure your seats today through PayPal: www.losplenerosdela21.org

THEATRE:

"Truly a dream! Calderón's classic transcends time and language" - New York Daily News

How many of us have had deep introspective thought about our lives in terms of our free will, versus our predesigned fate? Apparently not many! El Repertorio Español, will give you an opportunity to challenge your mind this spring with wonderful works by Federico García Lorca, Pilar Rioja, and Pedro Calderón de La Barca. You will especially enjoy an upcoming piece by the latter artist, titled “La Vida es Sueño (Life is a Dream), which is a philosophical allegory about the human situation and the mystery of life – “Life is a dream from which only death awakens us” – Calderón de la Barrca, 1635.

La Vida es Sueño
By Pedro Calderón de La Barca
Directed by René Buch

Performances:
Friday, April 30 - 8pm

Repertorio Español
138 East 27th Street
New York, NY 10016
Between Lexington and Third Avenues
Box Office: 212-225-9920

www.repertorio.org

Tickets start at $25, click here to order.

Week of April 13 - April 19, 2010

FILM

LA MISSION

A new drama written and directed by Peter Bratt and starring his brother, Benjamin Bratt. La Mission is the heartfelt story of Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt), a recovering alcoholic and former inmate, who struggles with the revelation of a gay son in the Latino macho-culture of San Francisco’s Mission District. This film project was truly a labor of love for the Bratt brothers who grew up in the Mission District. The film opened last Friday, 4/9 in New York and Los Angeles. Check your local theatre listing for time schedule.www.lamissionthemovie.com

11^th ANNUAL HAVANA FILM FESTIVAL

The Havana Film Festival continues to provide a platform for Latin American Cinema with genres ranging from comedy, thrillers, drama, film noir and children’s tales, as well as films and documentaries about the influence of music and dance. Be sure to check out over 40 films from 15 countries, screenings, special events hosted throughout NYC, and a special tribute to Cuban writer, director, poet, actor and dramatist Enrique Pineda Barnet. April 16^th through the 23^rd. www.hffny.com.

ART

Pablo Picasso fans can rejoice with a double dose, yet very distinct, Picasso exhibits to enjoy……

PICASSO: THEMES AND VARIATIONS

Featuring 100 works and explores Picasso’s creative process through the medium of printmaking, tracing his development from the early years of the twentieth century, with depictions of itinerant circus performers in the Blue and Rose periods, to his discovery of Cubism. Exhibit is open through August 30^th. Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53^rd street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. (212) 708-9400. www.moma.org.

CELEBRATING THE MUSE: WOMEN IN PICASSO’S PRINTS FROM 1905 – 1968

Featuring 200 works in a variety of print-making techniques -etching, drypoint, linocut and lithography. Unlike the aforementioned exhibit, this exhibit is far narrower in focus because it is all about the women in Picasso’s life from wives, mistresses, models, and mythological figures. It is said that Picasso battled with insomnia and spent many hours “studying” his subjects in their sleep. Exhibit is open through May 1^st. Marlborough Gallery, 40 West 57^th Street. (212) 541-4900. www.marlboroughgallery.com.

IPHONE APP

What do Apple and “Sneaker Heads” now have in common? The new MYSNEAKER application launches on April 13th and is available on the iTunes App Store. MySneakers houses all the essential tools that any novice, enthusiast or sneaker aficionado would need to find their perfect pair; a search engine referencing an extensive database of the latest and greatest styles, the blogs that review them, a rating system that allows you to leave your own and (with the GPS function in the iPhone enabled) the stores that carry those styles in closest proximity to the user. NILO Media Corp. and MySneakers have partnered with major and independent brands, including Nike, Converse, PF Flyers, New Balance, Vans, Puma, DC, and Creative Recreation. www.Nilomediacorp.com, www.mysneakersapp.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

GROANA MELENDEZ: FAMILY WORK SERIES

Melendez's photographs in Family Work Series, are a personal investigation of her family, the spaces they inhabit, and an intimate relationship between photographer and the sitter. In the process she explores issues of class, family relationships, and ultimately a deeper understanding of her own Dominican-American roots. In addition to the exhibit, don’t miss the chance to meet Melendez at her Artist Talk on Saturday, April 17th from 1pm to 2 pm. Exhibit opens April 14^th through September 7^th. En Foco at Aguilar Library/NYPL, 174 East 110th Street, between Lexington and Third avenues. (212) 534-2930. www.enfoco.org.

Week of April 6- April 12, 2010

Polling Question: Attention Hombres! We want to know would you wear belly slimming or body shaping underwear?

FITNESS: Wanna train like an athlete? Step up your spring training with new kicks from the Nike Fly Sister Collection. These were the same sneakers the long-track speed skater Jennifer Rodriguez used in her training for the Olympics earlier this year. In fact they are Nike’s lightest and more flexible training footwear ever made. Helping the female athlete train to be stronger and faster, the collection features Nike DiamondFLX and Flywire technologies. The Nike DiamondFLX is a training specific innovation that addresses the multi-directional movements found in training exercises. Visit www.nike.com and try ‘em on.



FOOD: Chef, Food Network star and busy mom Marcela Valladolid teamed up with Ragú® today to launch its Recipe for a Good Start Program. Parents can find easy-to-make recipes and tips at www.vivemejor.com and can enter for a chance to win a $5,000 college scholarship for their child by sharing their own recipe for a good start at www.recipeforagoodstart.com. Not comfortable in the kitchen? Marcella says keep it simple “Look for a cookbook that is at your level and follow the recipe exactly.”




HOMBRES: Body shapers for women have been a growing trend in recent years. Well now there are options for men who want to look better in their clothes. Spanx for Men offers undershirts with compression that firm the chest, flattens stomach, improves posture and offers supports lower back www.spanx.com. Another option is by 2Xist’s Form Collection www.2xist.com. The underwear designed with a shaping waistband and is designed to improve posture and creates a sleeker silhouette.




PLAY READING: La Micro Theater’s Latino Plays on the Road series is back with public readings of contemporary Latino playwrights, featuring “I put the fear of Mexico in’em” by Matthew Paul Olmos and directed by Jerry Ruiz. An American couple visiting Mexico stumble off the beaten path, and are accosted by a Mexican couple in an alley. What ensues is a complex encounter that challenges notions of boundary, safety, identity and what you would do for your family. Friday, April 9th, at NY Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, between Park Avenue and Irving Place, 7 p.m. Best of all this event is FREE, first come, first serve, so be sure to get there early. www.lamicrotheater.org.



DRINKS: Cuervo Golden Margarita
Enjoying Jose Cuervo Tequila with friends means celebrating a tradition that's 200 years in the making. Try this mix for your next fiesta, and enjoy responsibly.

Delightful ingredients:

1 oz. Cuervo Especial Gold (25 oz. per bottle)
½ oz. Grand Marnier (25 oz. per bottle)
3 oz. Jose Cuervo Lime Margarita Mix
1 cup(s) ice
1 teaspoon(s) salt

Preparation:

Rub rim of a chilled margarita glass with half a lime.
Dip into salt to coat.
In a shaker with ice, add Cuervo Especial Gold, Jose Cuervo Lime Margarita Mix, and Grand Marnier.
Shake vigorously.
Strain into glass filled with ice.