It is not that often that I am able to link both countries I love (Canada and Chile) in one specific concert. Luck and good grace have smiled upon me by putting together on the same stage Inti Illimani, who along with few others are part of a rich tradition of Chilean and Latin American traditional music and Francesca Gagnon the outstanding chanteuse of the Cirque Du Soleil. It is also for a good cause; all proceeds go directly to the -earthquake damaged- city of Lota in the south of Chile. We are proud at Alternavox to support any and all efforts towards the reconstruction of Chile. Stay tuned for an depth interview with Inti Illimani very shortly! This concert if presented by the good folks at Latin American Canadian Art Projects (LACAP)
As part of the giant effort undertaken by Undo Collective and Alternavox with the organizing team comprised of : Alita González-Vucina, Andres Mendoza, Carol Navia, Julie Fernandez, Roberto Cortez, Valentina Saavedra and yours truly. But there are so many more hands involved including a legion of dedicated volunteers whose names we will add at a later date to this article. But also we would be unable to take up such a massive undertaking without the support of talent that has made Toronto a world class city. This is the line up and we promise you it will be memorable.
So James Mercer (The Shins) and Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) have been working on a project together for a couple years now. They’ve called it Broken Bells and recently released a full length. Ten tracks full of dreamy atmospheres, killer arrangements, and brilliant vocals. Mercer’s strong songwriting and Dangers unique production make for a potent combo.
I was excited when I found out that they were working together and I am pleased to say that I have the record playing on repeat! Some of my favorite tracks are “The Mall & Misery” and “Vaporize”. They have only played a few shows together so far but have been getting solid reviews, Hopefully there will a Toronto date in the future!
By Daniel Saavedra
Playlist:
Inspector - Noviembre
Gamberroz - Pienso en ti
Francesca Ancarola - Primera luz
Roque Valero - Todo va a salir bien
Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Stairway to heaven
Juan Carlos Baglietto - Mirta, de regreso
I write this as I head to yet another event in solidarity with the earthquake victims. I do so with a heavy heart which betrays the obvious. I am a product of that long, conflicted yet creative and generous land.
We are people of the Sun. We have at times overcome throughout our history a custom for suffering and saying “yes, but not so much” which has provided such good inspiration for our comedians.
We are crafty and ingenious even if now getting meat, oil or water for many may be a miracle only the Holy Virgin Mary could achieve.
I wanted this letter to be a rallying cry to make it all better, but the will is lacking as I begin this note. The truth is I have been missing Chile, I have been needing Chile. I have tried to stay strong but I am failing. It isn’t just the distance, it isn’t just nostalgia for a game of outdoor soccer (Pichangas) or the celebrations announced by church bells or wine or beautiful flying comets. (Volantines)
Posted by: ValentinaFiled in Bentobox15th March 2010
By Valentina Saavedra
In honour of my battered yet resilient country of birth and the wonderfully simple yet robust dishes we grew up with I’d like to introduce you to yet another classic dish so let’s keep all things Chilean!
And here is a “poor man’s” dish – as they call them back home.
The idea behind a poor mans dish is that you should be able to grab whatever you have in your pantry/fridge throw it together quickly and cheaply and come out with a wonderfully textured meal. Add a traditional Chilean tomato and onion salad a good glass of wine and you’re good to go!
The thing about Chilean food is that its not meant to be exact- it’s about feeling your way through it, tasting as you go, it’s meant to be an experience… trust your instincts and change it up a little only one rule in mami’s house – keep it real
The usually brilliant Martin Scorsese takes a turn to directing a psychological horror film. Two United States Marshals travel to an island off the east coast of the United States that reminded me of a cross between Alcatraz and an asylum. The film is very moody and the plot is twisty and supremely melodramatic, though few of the twists seem like new ideas. Real fans of the genre might be forgiven if they claim to have seen this before, but seldom seen in such masterful hands. Laeta Kalogridis wrote the screenplay based on a novel by Dennis Lehane.
Posted by: MikhailFiled in Writersbox15th March 2010
By James Ratlif
This is an exceptional book commencing with the abduction of the 11-year-old Aminata Diallo from her village in West Africa. The title is based on an actual historic document and proves to be an amazing catalyst for Hill’s gut wrenching odyssey. It covers an amazing amount of history and does a fantastic job of educating the reader on just how deep the slave trade was a part of commerce and society in the British Colonies, the U.S. and in particular Canada. From South Carolina, to New York, to Nova Scotia, and to Sierra Leone - the hardships and wrongs experienced by Aminata follow her, guide her, and provide her with an enlightenment and understanding never to be experienced by many she interacts with.
If you’re not familiar with desertification, it might be time to get acquainted. The term describes the process where land in drier areas becomes subject to ‘extreme deterioration’ as a result of human activities. It can be caused by any combination of the following: overgrazing, extracting too much water from aquifers, rerouting of water from its natural sources to population centers, and yes, warming climate. And a new report in the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment has some pretty terrifying news: over a 3rd of the world’s surface is in danger of desertification.
Desertification is a devastating process in many ways–it leads to rapid biodiversity loss, as wildlife dependent on the depleting water sources die out or evacuate the area. After land has been a victim of desertification, it can no longer be effectively be used for farming or be of productive value–true to its name, the process essentially leaves arid desert where ‘useful’, life-supporting land used to be.
I first tried out hibiscus tea at a health club in Cancun Mexico and dearly loved the flavour. Once I discovered about the health benefits, I became r...
Publisher-Creator Mikhail Saavedra began life down by the deepest tip of southern Latin America. He started life with a deep curiosity for all things, with music and books being at the forefront, a curious child by all accounts. As he grew and opened his eyes to the world, he developed a sense of justice and dignity in part as a reaction to growing up in a military dictatorship. Alas, this did not fill him with fear or cynicism but a more rebellious spirit, which led him to being incredibly popular at the principal’s office and the local riot police department….
Then came Canada and it was here that he was able to formulate his deep desire to learn about the world, with Toronto being the kind of multicultural soup that could engage his need to know and embrace. It started with writing, then moved on to what became Toronto’s first Latin Alternative radio show, followed by an all-English show in the same vein. It was this desire to find the true “crossover” among people, which led him to the concept of “Alternavox”
He is a lover of wine, good food, Neruda, Eduardo Galeano, rebel music, revolutionaries, dancing, family and beautiful people. Believes that kindness in this much too cynical world is revolutionary, that you are a better person when able to give a little without asking for the change and that on the same token you should laugh at yourself and the madness surrounding you as often as possible as you set out to change the world bit by bit.
By Daniel Saavedra
only one rule in mami’s house – keep it real 
Publisher-Creator Mikhail Saavedra began life down by the deepest tip of southern Latin America. He started life with a deep curiosity for all things, with music and books being at the forefront, a curious child by all accounts. As he grew and opened his eyes to the world, he developed a sense of justice and dignity in part as a reaction to growing up in a military dictatorship. Alas, this did not fill him with fear or cynicism but a more rebellious spirit, which led him to being incredibly popular at the principal’s office and the local riot police department….
Then came Canada and it was here that he was able to formulate his deep desire to learn about the world, with Toronto being the kind of multicultural soup that could engage his need to know and embrace. It started with writing, then moved on to what became Toronto’s first Latin Alternative radio show, followed by an all-English show in the same vein. It was this desire to find the true “crossover” among people, which led him to the concept of “Alternavox”
He is a lover of wine, good food, Neruda, Eduardo Galeano, rebel music, revolutionaries, dancing, family and beautiful people. Believes that kindness in this much too cynical world is revolutionary, that you are a better person when able to give a little without asking for the change and that on the same token you should laugh at yourself and the madness surrounding you as often as possible as you set out to change the world bit by bit. 