Dia De La Mujer Latina: Fiesta de Salud

2011 Denver Harbor Cook Off- UPDATED INFORMATION!!!!

DH Ticker: March 26th is DH Clean Up Day!

Spring is near and that means going through all the shelves, nooks, and crannies, and getting rid of the dust bunnies that have started multiplying over the Winter! This time of year is also a great time to do a little neighborhood cleaning, so Denver Harbor Civic Center is excited to invite all residents (and friends) to...

 

 

Saturday, March 26, 2011 has been designated as DENVER HARBOR CLEAN-UP Day! Grab your gloves and lend a hand to Keep Denver Harbor Clean! Meet at 5800 Old Clinton Dr. at 9am! Presented by the Denver Harbor Civic Club.

For more info, email dphinojosa@hotmail.com.

Almost Time for the Annual DH Cook Off- Still Registering Teams!!!

Denver Harbor Cook-off

Saturday, April 2, 2011

RAIN or SHINE!

Palmer’s Ice House

I-10 E @ Wayside Houston, TX 77020

General Cook-off information

Time: 7am – 6pm (Guest invited from 11-6)

Entry Fee:  $50.00 per parking space (approx 10 x 18, enough for a pop up tent, and pit.)  2 spaces max.  Site must be clear by 6pm, however you are invited to stay as long as you like inside Palmer’s.

 SPACE IS LIMITED!!! First come, first serve!

Events:  Enter one category, or enter all!

11am                     Salsa*

12 pm                    Chili

2pm                       Chicken

3pm                       Wildcard (Anything Goes!)

4pm                       Awards

There will also be an award for showmanship.  (Cleanliness, booth appearance, hospitality)

All Entries must be prepared on-site, no-pre-marinades. 

*Salsa may be prepared off-site (due to electricity).  Salsa must be prepared by a team member and must be homemade, within 6 hrs of turn-in.   Your word is good with us.

Awards:

All Categories 1^st – 5th place        Showmanship 1^st place only

Safety

It is the team captain’s responsibility to be mindful of safety and the behavior at their respective tents.  Unacceptable behavior may result in being asked to leave the cook-off area.  Cook-off Committee, Palmer’s Ice House or Sponsors will not be responsible for any theft, damage, or injury. 

NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE BROUGHT ONTO THE PROPERTY.   

You may bring water.

This is a family oriented event.    Teams responsible for their own water and ice.

Payment:

Send a Check or Money Order to: Daniel Hinojosa along with the Info below.  Also taking cash!!

Contact Daniel at 713.373.6703 or dphinojosa@hotmail.com

By paying your entry fee, you agree to all rules and regulations. This is a family oriented event.
Team Name:
Team Captain Name:
Telephone Number:
Email:

DH Ticker: Music Fusion @ Echo This Weekend

Last week, we met Jesus & Stephen of Los Guerreros de la Musica (LGM) -see post here- & the guys wanted to let DH know that LGM along with A-19, Super Pancho Combo, and Amir Bel-Ami will be having a show downtown at Echo (formerly Jet Lounge) this coming Saturday, February 26th, 2011. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9pm, & only $5 to see 4 amazing bands!

Put on your dancing shoes and come party with LGM and the rest!

Echo (fomerly Jet Lounge)

1515 Pease St.
18 & Up welcomed

Visit the Facebook Event Page to check out the bands & Invite Your Friends tambien!!

DH Ticker: Local Band- The Dukes - Looking for Bassist & Guitarist

Local Band in Denver Harbor- The Dukes- are looking for a new bassist & guitarist to join their 8 part ensemble which includes a horn section. The are requesting someone who can play all types of music - specifically, you must be able to play Tejano, Motown, Blues, and Country.
They get along great & have performed mostly at Festivals around Houston.
They practice every Tuesday @ 7pm.
For more information- Contact Duke @ 713-679-0384.

OurDHStreets Spotlights (& Shows Love to): Jesus Romero & Stephen Araujo of Los Guererros de la Musica

2011 is the year for Los Guerreros de la Musica (LGM) - a group of 7 young musicians that have fused all of their respective tastes and experiences to create a very fresh and not-to-be-labeled style. Two of the band members, Jesus ‘El Guero’ Romero and Stephen Araujo, have roots in Denver Harbor & took the time to sit down with me to share how they came together as a band, their musical stylings, and where they see themselves and the community in the years to come.

Los Guerreros de la Musica formed in 2009, yet Jesus and Stephen had been exploring their musical niches even prior to meeting in 1995 at John H. Reagan High School. Jesus recanted that one of the first people to open his eyes to music outside of rock/metal/cumbia was Mr. Allen from McReynolds Middle School. He described how the sound of the trumpet entered his ears and how it just became a part of him. Stephen said that his aunt bought him a toy drum set when he was about 8 years old, and he bashed that one up until he was 13 and a friend convinced him to save up his quarters and buy a new drum set. He started a band and delved into punk and rock styles. At Reagan High, he was accidentally checked into band- and was told by the band director, Mr. Hoon, that he’d have to participate in the first marching band parade before he could decide to check out. He participated and he was hooked. That is where he met Jesus. With their friendship came 6 to 7 hour long jam sessions where they found their courage and realized how well they vibed as musicians. In high school, Jesus began being mentored by Mr. Guerra, who taught him the fundamentals of Mariachi music from Son, Guapango, to traditional ballads. This only gives insight into one side of LGM’s melodic foundation.

To hear Los Guerreros de la Musica is like indulging in a ‘musical goulash’, as Stephen explained it. A look at their facebook fan page confirms their genre as a blend of ‘Spanish Rock, Cumbia, Funk, Tropical, Reggae, Jazz, Ballad, and Improvisation. The thing that makes LGM stand out, on top of the fusion of the music, is that their lyrics are en Español. I asked them about this, as English are both of the guy’s first languages and the way they mainly communicate. Jesus explained that he learned more Spanish in high school through Soccer and the Mariachi scene and when he first began writing poetry, it came naturally in that tongue. We also talked about how many Spanish words can have double meaning- see Cantinflas- and how Jesus never shied away from using the language to express himself – regardless of how others might perceive him for it. “We play what we feel inside, and if people like it, it’s just a bonus!”

I also asked the guys about how growing up in Denver Harbor influences their music and who they are. Stephen told me that he lived between DH and the Heights, and how you could tell the difference between how the people interacted in the two neighborhoods. “In DH the neighbors all knew each other” and he feels it’s helped him to stay grounded after all these years. Jesus said that he appreciates what he went through living in Denver Harbor and that he makes sure to make everyone feel welcomed around him because that’s what it was like for him in DH. He also said that growing up here has helped him keep close to his Mexican culture- and we at OurDHStreets say, they’re open, friendly, and cultural pride is very noticeable in all the right ways!

For other musicians and artists, Jesus and Stephen gave a few words of advice and experience. In their avisos, we couldn’t help but tie it to the way you should deal with all things and people in your life, so I list them as a ‘how to’ for every relationship- band or other:

1. Keep an open mind – If they would have closed themselves to certain people in the band due to their musical background, they wouldn’t have the sound that sets them apart now.

2. Trust each other- You have to know that the people around you are reliable.

3. Find people that are on your level- Jesus shares that there are a lot of talented people, yet it doesn’t always mean that you will mesh well together.

4. Communicate- Stephen says that you have to remember that [we] all have feelings, so you need to talk.

5. Heart- Stephen explains that all of LGM are dedicated and hard workers.

6. Attitude- Both guys say you have to have a good onda, because it reflects in the sound.

When asked what changes they have seen in DH and what they see for our streets in the future, Stephen said that he feels people are starting to think more, that the youth show respect, and that people seem to have drive and energy to make changes. Jesus says that he feels that DH was a lot tougher when he was growing up and that people who live here have begun to branch out. Like Stephen, he sees the potential the young have and shared that one of his goals in the coming years is to form a network with other DH residents and like-minded people to create a center for the arts here locally- not just for music, but to build community.

So, with all these thoughts and musical powers combined, Jesus is cranking out tunes on the trumpet, writing music, and doing vocals while Stephen takes care of all percussion instruments and live audio for Los Guerreros de la Musica. Along with the rest of the band, they have a lot coming up this year.

Please make sure to check their links below for upcoming performances, but most definitely look out for them at this year’s iFest: Journey Across Asia! They will be performing on the Latin Stage on May 8^th at 4:00PM! Come out and vibe with the energetic, distinct, and invigorating music of LGM!

http://theLGMwebsite.com/

http://www.facebook.com/LosGuerrerosDeLaMusica/

http://www.myspace.com/GuerrerosDeLaMusica

http://www.youtube.com/GuerrerosDeLaMusica

http://twitter/LGMusica/

♥