Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
La Vela is a small town in the state of Falcón, on the northwest coast of Venezuela, where every December 28th Los Locos [“The Crazy Ones”] arrive wearing colorful and elaborated costumes. The whole town becomes a party, with businesses closing and people dancing in the streets. It’s a tradition that could be in any magical realism novel and that desperately struggles to not fall into oblivion.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
We’ve already seen some interesting, fabulous and downright curious things in the “mercado de pulgas” (flea market). But what about the people in there? They’re as colorful, amusing and charming as the goods in any stall.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Moenia may be considered one of the first modern, successful, experimental Mexican groups, finding commercial viability in a market normally dominated by old-style Latin crooners, Ranchera and Cumbia. Heavily influenced by ‘80s bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure, Moenia surged in ‘92 but fell out of public favor in the mid ‘90s when a key member quit. More recently, the reunited band has won over new fans with songs infused with ‘80s-style electronica.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Argentina
Poor Bertolt Brecht should have suffered with Majo’s free version of one of his most well known poems “Ahora Me Llevan a Mí.” Her performance not only disturbed the German playwright’s sleep but also wasn’t delivered to the right audience, was it?
Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
You can almost smell the coffee as Part 3 of our documentary takes us through the roasting process.
Difficulty: Beginner
Guatemala
Guatemalan crooner Ricardo Arjona sings a long list of things he wants in his song “Quiero.” This video for “Quiero” was shot in the Dominican Republic and features the stunning Miss D.R. 2007, Massiel Taveras.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
In Colombia, costeño y cachaco are almost opposite terms. Costeños, that is de la costa, people from the Coast, are usually depicted as festive, noisy, and colorful people who really enjoy killing time. Cachaco is usually the name given to people from the capital, Bogotá, and they’re characterized by elegance; they’re always dressed up and in control of their emotions. One group is seen as lazy, the other as boring. Regional differences aside, Bomba Estéreo is a fresh musical mix of both regions.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
The quest for an excellent cup of coffee continues. Now we’re in the lab working to get rid of impurities by threshing and selecting the best coffee beans.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Abraham Quintanilla, III (also known as the brother of late Tejano singer Selena) was one of the founding members of Los Kumbia Kings, a band he broke away from in early 2006 to form the Kumbia All-Starz, garnering many hits including "Speedy Gonzalez". The Kumbia All-Starz are from Texas.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Dominican Republic
19 year old Kat de Luna was born in the Bronx and raised in the Dominican Republic where she received operatic vocal training. Relocating to the States as a pre-teen, she entered and won a Karaoke contest where the legendary Cuban salsero Rey Ruiz gave Kat advice that she carries with her today, “nobody knows you better than you do, and no one can help you if you can’t help yourself.”
Difficulty: Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Some people say that rock ‘n roll is half attitude and half talent. We already know that Carli had enough disrespect for the rules to make it and in this video he makes it clear that he has enough respect for the music to complete the equation.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Argentina
This Argentine hip hop artist reminds us of the artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince. Dante has been recording since he was 14, as part of the very successful duo known as Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Colombia
The history of bullfighting dates back to at least Roman times. For some people it is a form of art while others regard it as a barbarian tradition. This video takes us to the very heart of Las Ventas in Madrid, the most renowned bullfighting arena in the world. Torero o toro? Just pick a side, take a seat and enjoy the show.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
Una pulga is a flea. “Un mercado de pulgas” is, of course, a flea market. We go on a spirited tour of Bogotá’s flea market where our guide shows us antique items we never knew we needed.
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
Italian pop star Eros Ramazzotti teams up with Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin in this duet, “No Estamos Solos” (“We are not alone”—or, “Non Siamo Soli” in its Italian version). Born in Rome, the 44-year-old Ramazzotti is no duet virgin: He’s recorded songs with the late Luciano Pavarotti, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Cher and Carlos Santana, to name a few.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment? You will not be able to recover it.