Catholic High School-The Brat, 1983?
The Brat is an early 1980s Eastside Punk band from right here in Lincoln Heights. Theresa Covarrubias is singing about her alma matter, Sacred Heart High School.
I wish they’d have more concerts at the Lincoln Park Boathouse…
A very good interview of The Brat by longtime Eastside punker Jimmy Alvarado can be found here:
Razorcake
Check out Razorcake Magazine while you’re at it!
I have it on good authority (is there such a thing?) that when in doubt, people refer to this blog for the latest dance moves. In light of this important responsibility, I’m happy to introduce two new videos for the YouTube Dance Party Collection. First up, is a karaoke version of one of the most entertaining Bollywood numbers I’ve seen in awhile, a very catchy tune: “Benny Lava.” (This video might even be better!)
Continue reading
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!
Continue reading
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!
Nimbooda from the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
For a long time after watching this video, I was obsessed with creating my own Chicana version of a Bollywood musical number. I imagined made up cholas and chachas dancing in the Lincoln Mini-Mall, Bollywood style. Afterall, the Indian women on the screen didn’t look all that much different from the Latina women in my neighborhood. I asked around to see if some film student would be up for the idea, but no luck.
This video for Nimbooda (Hindi for Little Lemon) is one of my all-time favorite Bollywood scenes. The costumes are beautiful, the choreography amazing and the song extremely catchy. It features Aishwarya Rai, considered by many to be the world’s most beautiful woman (too bad she wears blue contact lenses) and is from the excellent film ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.‘ It’s the usual Bollywood story of forbidden and unrequited love, deliciously enjoyable and equally frustrating!
The Hipster Showdown
Favorite line: “It’s so passe, you know…What am I like every other person in fucking, the history? You know, like…it’s like who hasn’t fucking moved to New York? I dunno, I’m just kinda over it.”
