Week of August 2 - August 8, 2010

The countdown for the end of Summer 2010 is here but there is still plenty of time to enjoy outdoor events, good music, good shopping, and maybe a movie premiere……we hope you enjoy this weeks GEM NYC listings.

If you would like to share some of your own GEM NYC finds or would like to drop us a few words please do so at gem@ulmedia.net

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MUSIC - NEW ORLEANS STYLE
FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG EASY

In commemoration of the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute and Lincoln Center Out of Doors is Taking it to the Streets New Orleans Style . The night begins with a pre-party at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute from 4pm to 6pm, the concert will kick off with an official authentic New Orleans Second Line, leaving at 6pm from CCCADI (408 West 58th Street, between 9th and 10th avenues) to Damrosch Park (West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues). Move through the streets to the sounds of New Orleans, led by the Big Easy Apple Social Aid and Pleasure Club for a 7:30pm Lincoln Center Out Of Doors Concert, featuring the original The Wild Magnolias, Glen David Andrews with special guest Davell Crawford, and Soul Rebels Brass Band. Sunday, August 8th. For more information please contact Shantrelle P. Lewis at slewis@cccadi.org or 212-307-7420 ext 3008, or visit www.cccadi.org or www.lcoutofdoors.org.
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FUNDRAISER - CELEBRATING DIVERSITY?
A FUNDRAISER FOR ART FOR CHANGE AND MALDEF

This fundraiser is helping out all families being affected by SB1070 law in Arizona. Help children and families affected by American immigration policy and enjoy great atmosphere, great food, good people, poetry and music all at the same time. Hosted by Genesis Be...poetry and music by Mercedes Martinez, Shisty Nice, Auzriel and more. There will be tables set up with information on how YOU can help stop the law in AZ from going into effect. Pamphlets, brochures and donation boxes will be present. For those who want to help, but cannot attend... you can donate to Art For Change here at www.artforchange.org. Monday, August 2nd at Smiths NYC (44th street and 8th avenue). 7pm-10pm. Free, $10 suggested donation.

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SHOPPING PROMOTION
MADEWELL’S DENIM AFTER DARK EVENT

Bring a pair of lightly worn shoes to Madewell between 7 pm - 9pm, located at 486 Broadway and receive 20% off a pair of brand new Bensimon shoes. Bensimon is a French footwear company, famous for its simple classic design of the tennis shoe. All old shoes will be donated to soles4souls. Guests will also receive 20% off any pair of jeans during the event. Sweets and treats will also be served. Thursday, August 5th. 486 Broadway, NYC. www.madewell.com


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PARADE
DOMINICAN DAY PARADE

Grab your Dominican gear and flag and proudly represent at the 28th Annual Dominican Day Parade. Sunday, August 8th. Parade route; Sixth Avenue between 36th Street to 56 Street, in Manhattan. Parade hours 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to look out for the DEWARS/ “LA SOGA” float which will feature Dominican actor Manny Perez who will be promoting his upcoming movie “La Soga”.
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GEM FIND
YO SOY EXPRESSIONS

A couple of week ago I attended a Latina Style Business Conference here in NYC. As I surveyed the sponsor booth floor one in particular caught my eye because of the beautiful and colorful note card display. I had the pleasure of meeting Yo Soy Expressions President & CEO, Ivette Mayo, who with a very smart looking red business suit and great big smile lured me in. Ivette Mayo is a noted motivational speaker on such topics on cultural diversity, leadership and the entrepreneurial spirit. Yo Soy Expressions is a specialty note card business and online store – www.yosoyexpressions.com. The products are designed and inspired by the excellence of “la mujer Latina”. Card themes range from Mujer Existosa, Latina, Gratitude, Woman to Woman, Girlfriends, and Latina Love. You have the option of Spanish or English cards as well as personalizing with your own message. Prices range from $5 for 4 cards/envelopes to $65 for 100 cards/envelopes.
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FILM
“LA SOGA”

Don’t miss this great film starring Manny Perez and Denise Quiñones. La Soga is an edgy, action-packed thriller set in the Dominican Republic and New York City. The film follows the personal journey of Luisito a.k.a. “La Soga,” the son of a butcher turned government killer, who risks everything for justice. Inspired by true events, La Soga depicts corruption, brutality and one man’s struggle to find redemption. Check out the film’s trailor at www.lasogamovie.com. The film hits select tri-state area theatres on Friday, August 13th. For a list of theatres in your area click here, and check your local listings for showtimes.
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BOOKS TO READ
“A COUNTRY FOR All An Immigrant Manifesto”

In this timely book, award-winning journalist Jorge Ramos makes the case for a practical and politically achievable solution to this emotional issue. Ramos argues that we have a simple choice: to take a pragmatic approach that deals with the reality of immigration, or to continue a cruel and capricious system that doesn’t work, wastes billions of dollars, and which stands in direct opposition to our national principles. To purchase the book visit www.randomhouse.com. Paperback, List Price $14.





“Apartment Therapy’s BIG BOOK OF SMALL COOL PLACES”

Written by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, co-founder of the most popular interior design website, ApartmentTherapy.com. For years I have been an internet “peeping tom” checking out apartments of complete strangers online locally, nationally, and around the world to get my own decorating , space saving ideas. ApartmentTherapy.com will help you transform tiny into totally fabulous. You can purchase the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Powell’s Books, and Indie Bound. Hard Cover, List Price $30.

Week of June 09 – June 15, 2010

Last week we had a blast shopping for the latest trends and eye-popping designs, just in time for the theatre debut of Sex and the City. Now that we’ve got our fashionista flair in check, let’s focus on what else is flourishing with the summer heat! This week, we found ourselves loving these rare GEMs.

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SUMMER GEAR:

These summer days are getting hotter and hotter by the minute, so why not visit your local pool, beach, resort or country club? Well, if you ate one too many hotdogs two weeks ago during the holiday weekend, you may feel a little inhibited. You should shake that feeling off – and revive your GEM-tastic flair with this fun and breezy “Geoffrey” drawstring tunic. This black and white swimwear coverup is the perfect length for petite or tall ladies alike (as you can wear it higher or lower on your hips. The shoulder and collar bone cutouts give you an air of elegance that’s sure to turn heads everywhere you go. Just don’t forget to wear matte “Diva” red lipstick, and a white large brim hat to top it all off this summer. For more information about the “Geoffrey” and for pricing information click here.


SUMMER RELAXATION:

Yoga at the Great Lawn – aaahhhh, peace and relaxation. As a free event, on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, more than 10,000 yoga-lovers will gather on Central Park's Great Lawn. With such a high attendance, this event could become the largest event of its kind in yoga's history.

The class, starting at 6 PM, will be taught by Elena Bower, who has trained celebrities like Naomi Watts and Christy Turlington. Free yoga mats, courtesy of JetBlue, will be given to all attendees. Also, the event will feature performances by Buddy Wakefield Wah!, O'Konsi Rhythms and others.

The event is open to all ages and skills level. But, unfortunately, to participate you need to register in advance for your chance to win your spot. Visit the registration page to do so; drawings will be held at random. For those of you who live outside of the metro NYC area, you can win a trip to this event, courtesy of Flavorpil by registering before this Wednesday, June 9th here.

FOOD:

In both decor and spirit, Industria Argentina may be New York’s most thoroughly modern Argentine steakhouse. The presentation begins with a miniature flaky empanada delivered as an amuse-bouche—it’s more artful than it sounds. The tuna “Tiradito”, often a rustic raw fish jumble at other places, is a delicate appetizer that layers frothy avocado puree atop silky tuna slices. Sliver-thin oven-dried tomato is added to a ramekin of oozing smoked provolone, making for another stellar starter. For the main event, the kitchen hews more closely to the classic steakhouse formula, serving flame-kissed steaks with chimichurri “picante”. Check out the Tuesday night “Parrillada” special, a mixed grill for two, featuring a platter of lamb chops, sausages, hanger steak and short ribs. Hours of operation are Mon–Sat noon–5pm, 6pm–midnight.

Industria Argentina - 329 Greenwich St (between Duane and Jay Sts ) - Tribeca | Map
212-965-8560 | Make a reservation
http://www.iatribeca.com

DRINK & BE MERRY:

There's no better way to cool off on a sweltering summer day than with an ice-cold drink – and this week GEM tried the White and Golden Sangria. The beauty of this simple White Wine Sangria recipe is that it is as delicious as it is easy, and it only gets better as you add your favorite fruits!

Prep Time: Less than 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 Bottle of white wine (Riesling, Chablis, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc)
2/3 cup white sugar
3 oranges (sliced) or may substitute 1 cup of orange juice)
1 lemon (sliced)
1 lime (sliced)
1/2 liter of ginger ale or club soda (ginger ale for those with a sweeter tooth!)

Preparation:
Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the orange, lemon and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds) and add sugar. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale
If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled white wine and serve over lots of ice.

Addition ideas: sliced strawberries, peaches, kiwi, a shot or two of gin, brandy or Dewar’s rum.

or club soda just before serving.
SUMMER HAIR:

Who to better represent versatile summer hair than Zoë Saldaña? To get this look, you’ll want the layering to look natural and blended in (not like your cut was planned layer by layer), so ask your stylist to slice in some invisible layers, aka – tousled layers. Most face shapes look best when the hair starts to angle right at the nose. For a rounder face, try going up a little higher closer to the eye. For more course hair consider a longer cut, and for thinner/straighter hair consider angling the layers up for a “lighter, tighter wave”.


SUMMER FUN – PARADAS LATINAS

The 2010 National Puerto Rican Day Parade will be held on Sunday, June 13, 1010. The parade kicks off at 5th Avenue in New York City. The day before, Saturday, June 12th, there will be a Music Festival in Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx. The music festival is a part of an all day event in the park called Juegos Boricuas, which begins at 9:00 a.m. For a schedule of activities, view the PR National Parade site here.

Urban Latino will be present at this parade, and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade 2010 will be aired on NYC's FOX 5 and WOR Channel 9.


MUSICA REVOLUTION:

Mexican-American hip-hop artist Mexia, the eldest son of Los Tigres Del Norte’s co-founder Hernán Hernandez, is like many Latinos in this country, frustrated over Arizona’s controversial SB1070. He exerts his opinions by writing his latest single titled: “Todos Somos Arizona” to which speaks of how the law that targets immigrants, specifically Latinos. According to sources, Mexia wrote the song in an effort to unite other Latino-Americans in this plight.

Via this song, Mexia raps "There's something wrong with that picture there/ No lo puedo creer, no lo puedo ver, tu forma de ser es lo de ayer/ And we’re Latinos on the rise like blood pressure yeah, trying to control us with fear.”

Mexia, who has dual American and Mexican citizenship, says, “I was born and raised here to think that this is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but now we have to watch our backs in our own backyard. It’s terrible to live in fear. Our grandmother was born in Jerome, Arizona, and we have other family and friends who live there. I think ‘What will happen to me if I leave their house without my wallet?’”

For more information about this song and to hear the track “Todos Somos Arizona” click here.


ARTE:

92Y Tribeca is proud to partner with Judios Latinos for a very special exhibition of work from emerging Latin artists. Based on the conflict that arises from belonging to two worlds at once, DUALITY showcases multi-disciplinary work from Mirta Kupferminc, Jessica Kaire, Denise Flasz, Karen Dana, Jennifer Renee Caden Merdjan, Liora Rimoch, Tamara Bogolasky, and Marcos Bucay. Exhibit runs from June 12th through Sunday, Aug 1.

Snippets about the artists:
Mirta Kupferminc is a Buenos Aires native awakening interest in the venerable art of etching. Her art is sustained under the sign of a strong spiritual track and triggers essential questions about the order of the universe, the relationship of men among each other and with their God.

Jessica Kaire is a multidisciplinary artist born in Guatemala City and based in Brooklyn. She develops bodies of work which utilize sculpture and objects as platforms for dialogue, interaction and performance. Among these is the on-going project Confort, a fictional brand of objects seeking to offer a sense of protection and psychological relief to the consumer.

Denise Flasz is a young New York based visual artist and designer born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Her background is in illustration, visual communication and interactive design. With more than 5 years of experience in the creative industry, she has recently obtained her second Masters of Fine Arts, specializing in Design and Technology from Parsons The New School for Design.

Karen Dana’s paintings portray a sense of a charged psychological place while providing discrete spaces at their base for introspection. They give visceral and immediate impact to abstract dualities such as presence and absence, solidity and intangibility.

Jennifer Renee Caden Merdjan is an artist, designer, and educator. She and her artistic shoe sculptures were featured on Univision's Control. The sculptures are on exhibit in conjunction with the release of her book If Shoes Could Talk.

Liora Rimoch was born in Mexico City where she studied Graphic design at the Ibero University. She continued her studies in NYC, earning a Masters in Communication Design from Pratt and an Associate degree at FIT in Accessories Design. Liora currently lives in NYC working as both an accessories and applied pattern designer.

Tamara Bogolasky was born in Santiago, Chile. She became interested in photography at a young age and began exploring the possibilities of the medium. In 2004, she moved to New York to pursue a career in photography, studying at the International Center of Photography. Tamara’s work has been showcased in New York, Chicago and Santiago, Chile

Marcos Bucay studied Communications at Universidad Iberoamericana and the University of Miami. His short film, Free Jolito, part of this exhibition, has screened at film festivals around the globe.

Location: 92YTribeca
Judios Latinos - Feria Artistica: DUALITY

Time: Saturday, June 12th from 8:00-10:00PM
Adult Audience: 21 and over
Fees/charges: FREE
Directions: 200 Hudson Street, New York - (212) 601-1000