Joining a growing list of foreign chefs who have fallen in love with a Peruvian and followed them back to Peru (see Astrid Gutsche and Hervé Galidie) is Jason Nanka, an ecologically minded Australian chef, who recently opened a restaurant, Nanka, in the suburb of La Molina with his Peruvian wife.
New World Review
Bonnaroo has halted sales for the four-day music festival during the first day of ticket sales because of overwhelming demand and technical problems.
Tickets for the 2012 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival were scheduled to go on sale on Saturday, but the event’s organizers said on its website that they were suspending the ticket sales.
The statement said they were trying to fix the problem and would announce later when tickets would be available for the festival held annually in June in Manchester, about 65 miles southeast of Nashville.
This year’s lineup includes the reunited Beach Boys, along with Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish and Bon Iver.
Palm Beach Entertainment: Events, movies, restaurants, nightlife & more | pbpulse.com
During a few weeks of travel in Trinidad and Guyana in late 2011, one song came on the radio again and again. It was soulful with a reggae beat. It was violent, tragic, and had an edge. It was the ballad of a murder occurring in Central station, sung with a West Caribbean accent. I googled some of the lyrics (Rum pa pa pum Rum pa pa pum Rum pa pa pum Man down) and it turns out it was by Rihanna, the Barbados born singer that has become a major pop star in the last few years. I thought I had discovered some great new reggae artist that no one would have heard of. I assumed the song was blowing up back in the states too, but when I came back that wasn’t the case. No one had ever heard of it and Man Down wasn’t getting play anywhere. It barely cracked the Billboard Top 100.
New World Review
New York City is seeing a surge in new non-taco oriented inexpensive Mexican eateries. There’s La Churreria, serving churros, Pulqueria, serving pulque and other foods, and now Tortaria, a Mexican sandwich shop.
New World Review
Foreigner takes a bow after performing at the Sunrise Theatre. (Howie Grapek / GPO)
With the movie “Rock of Ages” hitting the theaters this summer, it was a real treat to see Kelly Hansen and the rest of the new Foreigner perform at the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce.
OK, so Lou Gramm is no longer with the band. In fact, on this night, Mick Jones wasn’t there either, but the sound, sights and feel on stage took me right back to when I experienced the original group at Madison Square Garden in 1978 when I was 16 years old. For me, it is all about the music, not the new band members – as long as they sound authentic. Which they did!
Originally billed as playing “Acoustique” on Friday evening, I was ecstatic to learn that the band was going to be in full form and in fact played 13 hits just as they were originally recorded. Hansen brought new energy to the familiar classics and the show was better than I could have imagined it would be.
This night was even more special for the community in that the band helped raise money with a portion of the all-girl choir from a local middle school. There were over a dozen 12- through 14-year-old young ladies on stage as backup singers with the band during the song “I Want To Know What Love Is.”
Photos: Foreigner at the Sunrise Theatre | Visit Howie Grapek’s website
Foreigner is proud to have joined the Grammy Foundation in an effort to help keep music education alive in high schools all over the country. On this night, Foreigner helped raise money to benefit the Stuart Middle School Advanced Choir with a 0 donation. Additionally, Foreigner donated a signed Les Paul guitar which was raffled off after the show.
Being a photographer and reviewer isn’t always as glamorous as it may seem. It is actually hard work. Sometimes we get yelled at (and have things thrown at us) by paying patrons because we are standing in front and blocking their views and sometimes the band even gets upset when we are in front of them. Other times, I may not be very familiar with the act or music, which is a tricky, because it forces me to do research prior to writing a review. It is a double-edged sword, I love all music, and the research and exposure to new acts are a real treat, but can be challenging at times.
Friday night was incredibly special for me at so many levels. First, I consider myself one of their biggest fans. Foreigner’s music is incredibly familiar to me (more on that later). The Sunrise Theater was a perfect backdrop for this classic rock band’s show. The venue is high-tech, yet originally built in 1923 and is beautifully restored. The stage is perched just high enough for everyone present to see, even when standing, yet small and intimate enough that the band could feel the energy and play off of it. The lighting is tremendous and the sound is stellar. Like myself, everyone in the audience knew every word of every song… we all sang, danced and rocked together. There are wings on each side of the stage jutting onto the main floor. On multiple occasions, each member of the band pranced onto those wings and either played their instrument or sang with the audience members swooning. On several occasions, Hansen walked into the middle of the floor with his microphone — singing and dancing with audience members.
I’ve always got multiple cameras with me when covering a show like this, one for close-ups, one for wide-angle shots. As I was squatting at stage right, just below stage level, during the middle of the third song, Hansen posed for me and then reached down for one of my cameras. I hesitated, but handed it to him quickly. He danced with it on stage – used it as an instrument and took photos of the band, audience and me – all while performing and never missing a beat. I don’t know if they do that often, but this has never happened to me in all the years I’ve been doing this.
The band was tight, and although not a single member of the original was present tonight, it was as if I was transported back in time. If you think about it, the music lives on and is timeless, but the fact of life is that entertainers get old – it is their legacy which remains.
This band was most popular 30 years ago. The reality is that band members are replaced over time. One can argue that no one will ever sound like Gramm. My experience was that when I closed my eyes, I heard the authentic band’s music. When I opened them, I was reminded of them as well. Hansen and the boys were pretty close! The clothing, hair, instruments and mannerisms were all virtually identical to that which I experienced years ago. The only song which wasn’t played at MSG in 1978 was “Can’t Slow Down” – this was from a studio album cut in 2009. Hansen co-wrote with guitarist/founder Mick Jones, now 67 years old.
As far as musicians go, they were all absolutely astounding! During the song “Urgent”, Thom Gimble played a phenomenal saxophone solo – using artistic license, he pushed the sax portions over the top and in my opinion, definitely added to the original song. Between the songs “Urgent” and “Jukebox Hero”, Michael Bluestein performed a keyboard solo which was truly spectacular. The best solo of the night had to be Mark Schulman on the drums. To the ’80s rock band form, he threw drumsticks into the air and finally into the audience when done.
I personally find it refreshing that Hollywood is recognizing the music of my generation. In the upcoming movie “Rock of Ages”, Tom Cruise actually sings “I Want to Know What Love Is” and two other songs by Foreigner are featured in the film. This movie also showcases the music of Journey, Whitesnake, Styx, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi and a few others. So far, I’ve only seen the trailer, but as it was filmed mostly in South Florida and contains all the music I grew up with, I’m sure to be seeing it on opening night.
Set List – Foreigner – 2/10/12 – Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce
– Double Vision
– Head Games
– Cold as Ice
– Can’t Slow Down
– Waiting
– Blue Morning, Blue Day
– Dirty White Boy
– Say You Will
– Feels Like the First Time
– Urgent
– Jam Session: Michael’s keyboards and Mark’s drum solo
– Jukebox Hero
Encores
– I Want to Know What Love Is (w/Stuart Middle School choir)
– Hot Blooded
Palm Beach Entertainment: Events, movies, restaurants, nightlife & more | pbpulse.com
Observational humorist Jo Koy will return to entertain audiences at the Palm Beach Improv tonight and Saturday. Comedy fans may recognize him from appearances on various VH1 I Love the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s episodes. He also has starred in several television stand-up specials from BET’s Comic View to Jamie Foxx Presents: Laffapalooza!
On Sunday, Jo Koy’s opening act Orlando Baxter will step into the headliner spot and take over the Improv stage for the 7 p.m. show. This energetic former middle school teacher was a finalist in NBC’s Stand Up for Diversity Showcase, and a finalist in the New York Comedy Contest and the Boston Comedy festival. He’s a regular at numerous comedy clubs throughout New England, and currently tours the country performing with Koy.
What: Jo Koy; Orlando Baxter
When: Koy performs 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday. Baxter performs 7 p.m. Sunday .
Where: The Palm Beach Improv, 550 S. Rosemary Ave. Suite 250, West Palm Beach
Tickets: (Koy); .22 (Baxter)
Phone: (561) 833-1812
Palm Beach Entertainment: Events, movies, restaurants, nightlife & more | pbpulse.com
Ayacucho Hotel Plaza– 9 de Diciembre 184,Tel: 62-812-202, hplaza@derrama.org.pe. It is the best hotel in Ayacucho and, although far from luxurious, it retains a high and mighty Colonial feel. Some rooms have balconies. It has 80 mediocre rooms with private hot-water baths, cable TV, and mini-fridges. A good restaurant and bar are also on the premises. Room and laundry service [...]
New World Review
Semana Santa (Easter week) is the height of religious celebration for people throughout the Andes. Perhaps the greatest and most famous celebration can be found in Ayacucho. The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is highly charged and the entire week is set for religious observance. The week kicks off with Jesus riding into Plaza [...]
New World Review
Many kinds of corn grow in Peru, including the giant Andean corn that is used in our Chocolo con Queso, or corn on the cob with fresh cheese, served as a special at our restaurante peruano. There is also purple corn, which is used to make our Maiz Morado, a fruit and cinnamon flavored drink. But if you love crunchy, salty snacks, try maiz cancha, or Peruvian toasting corn. Similar to corn nuts, maiz cancha is a delightfully addictive appetizer or treat. It’s often served with ceviche. Just pop the corn in some vegetable oil in a covered pot, and season with salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. You won’t find authentic maiz cancha in every grocery store, but it is available online. Buy maiz cancha by following the link.
Peruvian Food is becoming a global phenomenon. The culinary scene in Lima and the rest of Peru keeps improving. Food festivals, such as Mistura, are expanding. Young chefs who have trained in top kitchens in North America and Europe are returning home to open restaurants. In the same regard in North America and Europe Peruvian chefs are being called upon to a greater degree to launch new restaurants. Gastón Acurio is not holding back on his expansion plans. Culinary ideas are being refined from every angle. Here’s what to expect from Peruvian food and restaurants in 2012.
New World Review
