CONCERTS
COLOMBIA ON MY MIND
Marta Gomez’s irresistible rhythms and songs will take even
non-Spanish speakers into the heart of her beloved Latin America. The
singer-songwriter and native of Cali, Colombia, who was nominated for
Billboard’s Best Latin Jazz Vocalist in 2005, has been hailed as a pure-voiced
folk traditionalist and jazzy pop adventurer. Gomez will be accompanied by a
South American trio and is set to play cumbia and bambuco, zamba, son, landó and
bossa nova, all (from her acclaimed “Cantos de Agua.”) • Aug. 20, Joe’s Pub, 425
Lafayette St. at Astor Place. (212) 539-8500. 7:30pm. $15.
MAMBO MADNESS
Cuban bassist Israel “Cachao” Lopez, the mambo and Latin jazz great,
takes the stage at the Blue Note, blessing audiences with renditions of his
greatest hits. The living legend has played with other virtuosos, such as
Charlie Palmieri, Machito and Tito Rodriguez. • Aug. 11, Blue Note Jazz Club and
Restaurant, 131 West Third St., between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal Street. (212)
475-8592. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. $30 for a seat at the bar and $40 for one at a
table.
GOLD STANDARD
Merenguero Raul Acosta’s Oro Solido heats up the stage at Highland
Park with their notoriously contagious rhythms. • Aug. 16, Highbridge Park,
173rd St. and Amsterdam Avenue. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Free.
SHOPPING
BAGS WITH CLASS
Argentine designer Tania Carol-Lujones, “Viva Zapata” line features
stylish, sturdy and versatile handbags in vinyl fabrics and corduroy. Imported
from Argentina by Tania’s mother, the bags come in vibrant color combinations
like burgundy, silver and burnt orange. • Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Tania’s SoHo booth, Prince St., between Greene and Mercer streets, (917)
442-5560. Starting at $15.
HEAD OVER HEELS
Spanish designer Juan Antonio López is redefining our most beloved
item: the You don’t have to travel to Barcelona the new Blahniks. Shop NYC has a
slew and fall delights. • Shop NYC, 105 Stanton St. at Ludlow Street. (212)
375-0304. Open from noon to 7:30 p.m. Prices range from $250 to $350.
LOCO MOTION
Inspired by his Latina and her infectious culture, artist Bill Attinger
designed “Palitos Locos,” an entire apparel line for the dramática, loca
or just plain gruñona in life. •
PalitosLocos.com
T-shirts start at $17.99.
RESTAURANTS
LET THERE BE LIGHT
By adding “Luz”to the neighborhood, Clinton Hill has even more Latin
flavor than before. Owners Vivian Torres and Pedro Muñoz have put their Pratt
Institute architectural degree to work by designing the very sleek and sexy
restaurant interior. Puerto Rican Chef Henry Lopez Jr. delivers stellar recipes
with menu highlights such as red snapper passion fruit ceviche ($10). • Luz, 177
Vanderbilt Ave., between Myrtle and Willoughby avenues, Brooklyn. (718)
246-4000.
ART EXHIBITS
BACK TO YOUR ROOTS
Galería Cecilia celebrates its opening with the launch of “Orígenes
Latinos,” featuring the artwork of Andres Santodomingo, Mario Ayerbe and
Blanca Moreno. •Through Aug. 27, Galería Cecilia, 516 West 20th St., between
Tenth and 11th avenues.
ANIMAL ATTRACTION
Peruvian Grimenasa Amoros’ art will leave you breathless. “Frente Feroz”
is a public-art installation that takes over twelve windows on the second floor
of the Lee Building in Harlem. The work, which was inspired by Amoros’ love of
exotic animals, projects colored lights and looped sequences exposing oversized
silhouettes of animals made of foam board. The showing begins just before sunset
and ends at sunrise. • From Aug. 10, Lee Building at 125th St. and Park Avenue.
IN LIVING COLOR
Nestor Rodriguez’s paintings symbolize his childhood in Spanish Harlem: loud,
colorful, brash and, most importantly, multicultural. Images from Kurosawa
films, “The Creature from the Black Lagoon,” graffiti-style tags and bright
Puerto Rican Day Parade colors all pop up on his canvas. And it makes perfect
sense — Rodriguez grew up in the East 90s. “I’m used to be being brought up
multicultural and multicolored,” says the 44-year-old artist, who toils as an
electrician by day. “Being Latino, there’s a lot of visual and aural
stimulation.” Rodriguez’s art exhibit, “Main Attraction,” comprised of 25
paintings and sculptures, all have the characteristics of artists Andy Warhol
and Salvador Dali.
— Kevin Giordano
• From Aug. 23 through Oct. 22, Midoma Gallery, 429 East 75th St., between
First and York avenues. (917) 432-2667.
ECUADOR PRESENTE
ECUA-FRIENDLY
Celebrate Ecuador’s Independence Day today with a juicy steak,
Ecuadorian style. Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse’s Ecuadorian chef Pedro Benitez
will cook his Braised Leg of Lamb with Cerveza — a family recipe. • Aug. 10,
Frankie & Johnnie’s, 32 West 37th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues. (212)
947-8940.
DOMINICAN WEEK
WHAT A FEST!
Block out two days for the best Dominican parties in Washington Heights. The
Dominican Festival’s street fair features food, musical performances and
arts and crafts for the family. • Aug. 13 and 14, 190th St. and Amsterdam
Avenue. For more information, call (212) 243-1177. Noon to 8 p.m. Free.
STAR BRIGHT
Now in their 15th year, the Estrella Awards are considered the
Dominican Grammys. Hosted by Celines Toribio and Tony Andrade, a special
recognition will be given to Baseball Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. Following the
awards, there will be performances by Andy Andy, Aguakate, Amarfis, Hector
Acosta, El Chaval, Joseíto Mateo and many more. Full buffet and open bar all
night. •Aug. 13, Marriott Marquis, 1546 Broadway at 46th Street. (212) 243-1177.
8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $40.
FLOAT-ING AROUND
Wave your flag proudly, dominicanos. The Dominican Day Parade route
begins on 36th Street and runs along Sixth Avenue through 62nd Street. Look for
the New York Post’s Tempo float. • Aug. 14, Sixth Avenue from 36th to 62nd
streets. Noon to 4 p.m.
24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE
La fiesta continues at MANA Lounge. DJ Rich Moreno will spin
old-school classics and today’s hottest merengue, bachata and reggaetón hits.
The first 100 guests get a complimentary Presidente beer “vestida de novia”
(chilled to perfection). •Aug. 14, MANA Lounge, 270 South Fifth St., between
Marcy Avenue and Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn. (718) 599-5623. Doors open at 9
p.m.
