THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: EL GRITO DE LARES AND RAMÓN EMETERIO BETANCES, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FREE MEN, MARK GUERRERO’S CHICANO MUSIC CHRONICLES PODCAST WITH RECKLESS ENSEMBLE, MACEO MONTOYA ON “CIELO ROJO,” AND LAS CAFETERAS PERFORM “EL CASCABEL.”
Hola mi gente! This week we celebrate the 152nd anniversary of the Grito de Lares which launched the Puerto Rican struggle for freedom from Spain on September 23rd 1868. The long time advocate for Puertorican freedom was Don Ramón Emeterio Betances. We profile this great Puertorican leader and also republish his famous “Ten Commandments of Free Men,” though your Tia knows that in this day and age Don Ramón would have surely said “Ten Commandments of Free Men and Women.” Check out this important part of Boricua history and, of course, it is our American history as well!
This month’s podcast Mark Guerrero’s Chicano Music Chronicles features the group Reckless Night Ensemble.Mark’s guests are guitarist/arranger Skip Heller, band leader/bassist Nick Ornelas, and vocalist Angelica Villareal. this podcast includes new renditions of famous songs by the granddady of Chicano Music Lalo Guerrero.
And check out author and artist Maceo Montoya’s narrative “Cielo Rojo.” Maceo is the son of famed Chicano artist Malaquias Montoya and nephew of artist poet Jose Montoya. This is quite amazing poem reminds us that talent really runs in this family.
And last but not least, listen to the group Las Cafeteras as they perform the trafditonal son jarocho, “El Cascabel.”
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and rememerb to wear your mask, keep safe distancing and make sure you are registered to vote!
Your bossy Tia Tenopia