0 The DR Gringas Life

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Gatorade 10K in the Zone

Sunday, April 20 in Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo.

The starting point of this 10K race is the Plaza de la Puerta de La Atarazana at Avenida del Puerto in Colonial Zone. The route crosses the floating bridge over the Ozama River going around the Columbus Lighthouse, returning on the same route to Fort San Gil and then returning to the starting point. They are expecting over 3,000 people to participate.

There will also be bands playing free of charge. Panky y Los Manolos, Pavel Nuñez, Diego Mena, Frank Ceara and Dj Miguel Rivas.


10K Gatorade advertising campaign slogan is: “La Meta esta en ti” / "The Target Is In You"

100% of the funds raised will be donated to the Asociación Dominicana de Rehabilitación / Dominican Rehabilitation Association, an institution that provides functional rehabilitation for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

More information in Spanish
http://www.diariodigital.com.do/articulo,26482,html

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posted by Janette at Saturday, April 19, 2008 0 comments links to this post

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Neighborhood Christmas Party


Last night was the Navidad party for the neighborhood. It was a really great time. There were 2 different bands that played (I can't remember their names) and they were really good. they played Christmas music as well as the dance music. The Christmas music here when I first heard it, I had no idea it was Christmas music. I had never heard Christmas songs that had he merengue music with them. Now I can't imagine Navidad without hearing at least a few merengue Christmas carols.
It was a little cold last night as some of my neighbors and I were waiting for everyone to walk to the next block to join in the fun. but after we got there, in the big crowd, I was happy I didn't put on a long sleeved shirt. I was sweating bad! Especially after doing some dancing.
It was good seeing all the old neighbors. Some that had moved away while I was in USA were there as well. I thought I lost touch with them forever but last night I saw many of them again. many of the people that stay in their homes most of the time, the older ladies and home bodies always come out for the neighborhood party. I love seeing an older woman dancing with a teenager. I even danced with this great grandfather type man and I couldn't keep up with him! After 2 dances I had to go and rest a bit. he was still ready to dance so he asked the next girl he say and kept going. bless his good strong heart and legs!
I love Christmas here in my little town. All the Dominican families visiting for the holidays. the streets are full of people talking and enjoying. The lights, even though there are not as many as in the years past, are beautiful. the Christmas foods...yummm. The neighborhood park is near a church and they always seem to have Christmas music flowing out from the windows into the park which makes sitting there with the Christmas tree lit feel so much like Christmas even if there is no snow. Another thing I really like here is they have no problem having a manger scene in public places. Even the government offices they have the manger set up. I love seeing this. It is one thing that I always felt bad about in USA. They don't permit the creche to be displayed in government places. It is not "politically correct". Yet it is Ok to have Santa and the reindeer. I just cannot understand this. But it is all good. I am here and don't have to deal with that politically correct crap anymore (I hope).
More Christmas/ Navidad stuff and pictures soon..
Learn more about Christams in Dominican Republic.
Oh, by the way, there is a new hotel opening in the nest week or so in Colonial Zone, Coco Boutique Hotel. Check it out in our HOT SPOTS! section.

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posted by Janette at Saturday, December 15, 2007 0 comments links to this post

Friday, September 07, 2007

Movie Review - Santo Domingo Blues


I saw the movie Santo Domingo Blues recently. I really enjoyed it. Being away from Dominican Republic when watching it made the movie so much better. It made me long to return home to the island (but then everything makes me want to return to DR).
My favorite parts of the entire movie were the scenes that showed the campo. The real people of the country living their everyday lives. Reality of life away from the cities.

There are many different well known Dominican performers from the past and present represented in this film. The one I most enjoyed was Aridia Ventura. She is known as "The Executioner" because of the way she puts down men in her songs. All we women can appreciate her bitter and true words about the opposite sex. She doesn't preform any longer since she lost her eye sight. This rare performance is very special and informal.

The old timers include Eladio Romero Santos(he has past on but his music is forever with us),Ramón Cordero known as "The Sparrow",and José Manuel Calderón. I loved watching these performers in their element. Sitting in the yard with a little ron or a bien fria (rum or a cold beer) and playing and singing from the soul.

This movie was about Luis Vargas, of course. He was one of the first bachata singers I ever heard. I went to Dominican Republic on a vacation and heard this music. I was not sure if I liked it with the twangy guitar and the strange old sounding voices. So when I returned to USA I ordered the Putumayo Presents: Republica Dominicana CD. This disc had some great songs along with their lyrics and the translations. After listening to it a few times I was hooked. So I searched for this new (new to me) music, even if I didn't understand the lyrics.

Later, after I started understanding more of the language, I realized that Luis Vargas was a bit of a pervert. I liked his form of irreverence, even though his Machismo attitude does irritate me a bit (you must remember I am a woman). He sings songs with double meanings (which is elaborated on in the movie Santo Domingo Blues). He was even banned on the radio for a time. But I enjoy irreverence with style, and I do have to admit Luis Vargas has this attribute. I have seen him in concert and it is a really good time. The enthusiasm he brings to the audience it contagious.

If you would like to learn about Bachata music known as Música de Amargue(music of bitterness) this movie is great. If you want to see some of the real life in Dominican Republic this movie will show this also. For a documentary I thought this movie presented the information in a really entertaining way, not just a bunch of people talking. Another big plus was the narrator, one of my favorites, Luis Dias (read more about Luis Dias and hear a song of his).

For more information on Bachata music

You can rent this movie from Net Flix Netflix, Inc.

To buy the DVD from Amazon...Santo Domingo Blues (2007)

to get the Putumayo Presents: Republica Dominicana CD from Amazon

The official Santo Domingo Blues web site

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posted by Janette at Friday, September 07, 2007 2 comments links to this post

Monday, May 14, 2007

Palos Video - I Just Couldn't Resist It


I never put a video on my blog before but I came
across this and just had to put it on here. I love Palos
music and wrote about it on my web
site http://www.colonialzone-dr.com..
This song , Los palos by Kinito Mendez is great.
I'm not really into the the TV show Family Guy but
this is just too great to let it pass by. Enjoy!

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posted by Janette at Monday, May 14, 2007 0 comments links to this post