Baile estilo Duranguense
It was very difficult to pick a video of the week this time around, too many to choose from! And yes I know, my blog depends heavily on Youtube references so it’s not like I’m limiting myself. Ultimately, I decided to go with this video of Duranguense* dancers (the male dancer in the pink shirt and matching boots was the clincher). Besides, I’m headed to Mexico next week, so might as well get in the mood. My grandfather was from Guanacevi, Durango, so you can say it’s part of my heritage but… not totally. The current craze of Duranguense music and dancing was started in Chicago by Mexican immigrants. I’d love to learn this dance but considering how horrible I was at my attempts at Quebradita (see example below), I doubt I’ll do much better with Duranguense.
Enjoy!
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The Chongalicious Video
During my internet search for examples of chola bracelets, I came across this humorous video for Chongalicious. Chongas, I found out are Miami Cuban versions of our homegirls/chachas/cholas. The song was written during a bored night at home by the two girls in the video and was intended to be a parody of Chongas, instead it became a huge hit on Miami radio and the defacto Chonga anthem. This article in the Miami Herald traces some of the Chonga style back to Chicanas in East Los. There does seem to be some sort of style universality to urban U.S. Latinas: tight clothes, dark lipliner, groomed eyebrows etc. Any theories why this is so?
To continue on this thread of “ch” subjects, I’ll soon be posting on “Chalga.” Betcha can’t wait!
Bule Bule-Los Rockin’ Devils
While this may not be my favorite song by this band, that distinction goes to “Yuyu Mata Yuy Jen” (an excerpt can be heard here), this Spanish version of “Wooly Booly” certainly has it’s own unique charms. Plus, the dancing is quite entertaining!
(Hehe, it reminds me of a night out at Transistor.)
Thanks to El Chavo and his readers for the links!
Since I was 10, I’ve been looking for chola bracelets, you know those black rubber ones that were the ultimate chola (and punk rock) fashion accessory in the 70s and 80s? Well, imagine my surprise when I spotted a colorful pack of them at Target being sold as some kind of Halloween costume. Where’s the scary chola costume to go with it?
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Gwen Stefani “borrowed” the look for many years.
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My grandmother Teresa Martinez and my father (in the background) at Prospect Park in Boyle Heights, circa 1949.
