Difficulty: Beginner
Mexico
In English “forever” is a really long time, it’s also, you’ll notice, written as a single word. In Spanish “for ever” is expressed as “for always,” also a long time, and is written as two distinct words, para siempre. Zurdok has been infecting Mexico, and the world, with its catchy tunes since 1994.
Difficulty: Beginner
Peru
Yabla is in the historic center of Lima, the capital of Peru, on a national holiday and a saint’s day, no less. If you’re going to be stuck in a bit of traffic on a tour, Lima’s famous Plaza de Armas is a great place to be. There’s so much to see: The presidential palace, a 16th century cathedral and more. Come see for yourself.
Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina
Buenos Aires is a magic city filled with an endless background of tango music. One of the most important Latin American capitals, it has been the home of Jorge Luis Borges, Ernesto Sábato, Julio Cortázar and Diego Maradona. In this video we have the opportunity to take you to Buenos Aires’ historic district.
Difficulty: Beginner
Argentina
Puerto Madero is both antique and fashionable. What many years ago was a commercial port is now one of the most chic parts of the city.
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
Pulsorock has this to say about Los Nativos (the name given to the members of Vivanativa): La energía positiva que irradia este conjunto de talentos no tiene fin y es imparable. The positive energy that this set of talents radiates is endless and unstoppable! Hyperbole? We think not… check it out!
Difficulty: Beginner
Spain
Juan paints outlines on his tiles using a paintbrush and manganese oxide, but at one time practitioners did this by laying down fine strings dipped in wax, and this explains why Juan still calls the technique he uses cuerda seca, or “dry cord.” Note that he describes the technique as one of alto relieve, or “high relief,” which is the opposite of bas-relief (low relief).
Difficulty: Beginner
Spain
From their 2010 album, Modular, The Pinker Tones bring us this surreal song. So much happens to this duo while stretched out under the sun. Funny thing is: some of the crazy stuff they think of is plucked straight from real life.
Difficulty: Beginner
Spain
In their video for the track “Invisible,” the Pinker Tones play with the idea of invisibility. They hide behind newspapers, trees, turtlenecks, boxes, balloons, and sheets right in the middle of downtown Barcelona. Don’t expect a huge vocabulary! It’s just a silly, funny way to express the desire for invisibility.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA Tex-Mex
The Krayolas have been around for a long time, and their work, talent and dedication shows in “Little Fox.” We warn you: this song will be stuck in your head for several weeks.
Difficulty: Beginner
Italy
You shouldn’t be surprised to find these two Italian guys singing in Spanish! There is a huge tradition of Italian singers rocking the pop charts in Latin America. Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini and Nek are some of those ambassadors of Italian pop in the Spanish speaking world!
Difficulty: Beginner
Dominican Republic
Si*Sé brings together musical languages such as hip-hop, funk, rock, jazz and even classical violin. Singer Carol C, who grew up in a Spanish language household within an English language city, adds bilingual vocals that pull together the group’s electrifying sound.
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia
Shakira certainly knows something of the change-up life. A Colombian, she lives in the Bahamas, dates an Argentinian, switched to English, was a brunette, is now a blonde. In this video for “Gitana” (Gypsy), watch her flirt with Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal as she tells us what fans already know.
Difficulty: Beginner
Spain
Ángeles Morales de las Heras, a.k.a. Shaila Dúrcal, the child of pop stars Rocio Dúrcal and Antonio Morales Barreto, grew up in Madrid but spent much of her life on the road touring the world with her mom. No stranger to the limelight, she debuted on Spanish television at 12, singing for Nikka Costa, who was then 19. Adult success was not immediate, but came quickly with the release of the highly sentimental, Recordando, her second album.
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
Luis López Nieves' short story "Seva" takes place during the 1898 US invasion of Puerto Rico, in the fictional town of the same name, Seva. The story, first published in the newspaper Claridad, and which many readers mistook for fact, has sparked a very real debate about culture, identity, history and truth amongst Puerto Ricans of all stripes. The documentary Seva Vive explores these themes.
Difficulty: Beginner
Mexico
This is a song that you don’t want somebody to hear you singing. Trust us! The guys from the Mexican band San Pascualito Rey don’t seem so friendly, but maybe that’s just because they have broken hearts.
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