Dance Group Needs Votes!

Da´Republik dance group from the Dominican Republic received the vote of the jurors to hang in the quarterfinals of the competition for the 13th season of America's Got Talent reality show that aired on NBC on Tuesday, 21 August 2018. The hiphop dance group performed danced to "WTF (Where They From)" by Missy Elliot and "Hit The Floor" by Twista featuring Pitbull.

Another Dominican, Amanda Mena, is also competing in the quarter finals.

The performers, need the general public's vote to move ahead.
Da' Republic has shared how to vote:
In the United States and Puerto Rico:
1. By telephone (toll free line only on the evening of the show)
2. America's Got Talent app
3. XFinity remote control.
4. Online on the web site www.nbc.com/agtvote
From the Dominican Republic and the rest of the world:
1. Go to Google Play or Apple Store
2. Download and install "VPN Master”
4. Open the app, start and insert the optimal location
5. Choose "free” and United States
6. Go to the vote link
The vote for Da Republik is open through Wednesday, 22 August at 7pm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP0qaCpiHHo
https://www.listindiario.com/entrete...cas-got-talent

Discounted Destinations

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Antigua Carnival

 ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 25th April 2018…….The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has tweaked its 2018 carnival schedule.

In a meeting that included Minister for Festivals the Hon. Daryll Matthew, members of the calypso association headed by Eugene Silcott, Soca Monarch chairperson Herbert ‘Burga’ Joseph, Calypso chairperson Dion Simmons, soca artistes Menace, Tian Winter and Claudette Peters and chaired by Festivals Commission Chairperson Maurice Merchant; the grouping addressed issues to include private fetes, the calypso and soca monarch competitions, marketing, panorama, prize monies and the format of the various competitions during carnival.

In the interest of providing the best possible programme for visitors and local patrons, the grouping consented to switching the days for the Caribbean Melting Pot show and the Calypso Monarch competition.  The Caribbean Melting Pot show will now be held on Thursday 2nd August and the calypso monarch competition on Friday August 3.

The new carnival schedule will see Panorama held on a Saturday and the Soca Monarch competition on a Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Festivals Commission, Maurice Merchant has announced that the Commission will commence discussions this week with stakeholders on a proposed new parade route for Carnival Tuesday.  The proposed route will incorporate streets in and out of St. John’s city proper. 

Antigua’s Carnival will be celebrated from July 27 to August 7 under a theme, “Revel in Greatness.”

Out Caribe

Out Caribe has all things Pride, including events, lodging and news. It is a new feature in this blogs links section.

Dominican Pride Weekend

OUTFEST

The Cinemateca Dominicana in Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo is hosting the 6th International GLBT Santo Domingo Film Festival, Outfest. The festival began on 26 November and continues until 6 December 2015.

See the schedule at https://www.facebook.com/sdqoutfest/

 

Not Jumping Ship

From the time I first travelled to the DR I loved it. Granted it was not the capitol city as the travel agent had said, but looking back she probably didn't know it herself. Not many people had even heard of the Dominican Republic then, and much like today, people are still guided to the north coast or to the resorts, though word has spread about the benefits of staying in Santo Domingo proper, especially if you are LGBT.

That said, my first trip was glorious! My group had the best of both worlds. We stayed at a nice resort in Juan Dolio and enjoyed its accommodations, then ventured into Santo Domingo to party and to explore the city. We made the best of it. During that initial trip we met some long-time acquaintances and picked up on the unspoken and spoken codes. One thing was for sure, we were definitely returning to SDQ and would be staying in the city when we did.

Yes, so many things have changed since those days of Paradise, Penthouse and the others. Even the short-lived Atlantis was a great dance and mingle spot on the Malecon. There have been others to make their mark, such as Monaga, JD's Disco and the Sports Bar SDQ  and I agree that Bar Phoenix, aka Bar Freddys aka Bar Friends, is a bit cheesy, but that's what makes it the gathering place that it is. It has never tried to be something other than what it is, even under the auspices of "Dr" Leon.

There has always been a need to have a place to let your hair down, somewhere unpretentious, where one can be uninhibited. Even if it seems a bit seedy, that is its calling card. That's why places like The Lido stay in business. And don't pretend you don't know about The Lido theater.

Yes, there have been changes in our little piece of paradise. Fact is, there will continue to be. This is life, honey. Change is inevitable. I have learned that things cycle back around. I have also learned that we, LGBT, can be a fickle bunch.

No, I'm not ready to give up on my beloved DR yet. Cuba is forthcoming on the travel list, but I have history with the DR and I just believe that there is much more to discover. I believe that beautiful tropical flower will continue to blossom and reveal even more.

Texan To Sing In Cuba

AUSTIN, USA -- An alignment of the stars has occurred for Austin, Texas, musician Leticia Rodriguez, as the first American ever to be invited to perform in Las Romerias de Mayo, Holguin, Cuba, from May 2 - 8. She will be performing with Cuba’s popular band, Septeto Cristal. This prestigious festival comes at a time when the US and Cuba are entering a new stage in relations. 

While this news came as a surprise to Rodriguez, the path leading to this invitation has been years in the making. Rodriguez sings the music of her aunt, Eva Garza, an international singer (1917-1966). She was an acclaimed singer in Cuba, as well as the Americas, during the 1940s - 50s.

It has been a dream of Rodriguez to bring Eva’s music back to Cuba. Eva and Leticia both share a love of Cuban music, and Rodriguez’ hit song, Saguita al Bate, will be featured in Holguin, along with other selected songs from Eva’s repertoire. 

Dominican Fashion Week

dr1 reports:
Santo Domingo is preparing to host the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) from 27-30 April 2015 at the Autozama Showroom on Av. Winston Churchill. The event will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of Mercedes Benz car sales in the Dominican Republic. Nationally and internationally famous designers will showcase their collections, including Jenny Polanco, Hippolito Pena, Carlos Frank Then, Angie Polanco and Miguel Genao from the Dominican Republic, Hannibal Laguna from Spain, Gabriel Lage from Argentina, Stella Nolasco from Puerto Rico, and Giovanni Lopez from Colombia have been confirmed. 
The event is coordinated by Federman Cruz. Miss Dominican Republic 2008 and Second Runner-Up in Miss Universe 2008, Marianne Cruz, is the runway director. 
http://www.mbfwsd.com

Farewell To A Legend

Oscar de la Renta dressed generations of the world's most iconic women, from former first lady Jackie Kennedy to lawyer Amal Alamuddin, bride to modern Hollywood royal George Clooney.

He died at home in Connecticut on Monday, surrounded by friends and family. He was 82 and had been diagnosed with cancer in 2006.Tributes poured in on Tuesday for the Dominican-born designer, who moved to New York in the 1960s and defined American fashion over five decades, creating a multi-million-dollar fashion house.

"He died exactly as he lived: with tremendous grace, great dignity and very much on his own terms," said step-daughter Eliza Bolen and son-in-law Alex, executives at his company.

"While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much with us," the pair wrote, in a handwritten note posted on the company website.

"Through Oscar's example, we know the way forward. We will make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work that Oscar loved so much."

Bruno Mars at Festival Presidente

The Presidente Beer-sponsored Festival Presidente this year goes global and multi-genre. This year there will be pop, electronic music, R&B, rap and other urban music beats together with the Latin beats of salsa, bachata, merengue. On the list of performing artists is US singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. Franklin Leon, president of the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana, announced that coming for this year's event, set for 3,4 and 5 October 2014, are Daddy Yankee, Mana (Mexico), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Puerto Rico), DJ Tiesto (Holland), Calle 13 (Puerto Rico) DJ Duck Sauce (US/Canada), Victor Manuelle (US), Wisin y Yandel (US), Prince Royce (US) and Daddy Yankee (US). Participating from the DR are Yiyo Sarante, Alex Matos, Hector Acosta, among others. 

The calendar is: 

Friday, 3 October: DJ Tiesto, Calle 13, Duck Sauce, Don Miguelo, Vakero, Mozart La Para. 

Saturday, 4 October: Bruno Mars, Daddy Yankee, Prince Royce, Chiquito Team Band, Sexappeal, Yiyo Sarante, Alex Matos, Hector Acosta, Miriam Cruz 

Sunday, 5 October: Mana, Wisin y Yandel, Anthony Santos, El Mayimbe, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle. 

Culinary Delight

The city's leading gastronomical event, Taste Santo Domingo 2014 will take place on 27-28 September 2014. French-Spanish chef Mikel Alonso will be doing cooking demonstrations this year. He is known as the Basque Food Ambassador in Mexico, where he has successfully blended his Basque culinary heritage with the influences of his adopted country. Colombian chef Jorge Rausch will also be attending. An economics graduate of Austrian descent, Rausch owns seven restaurants in Latin America and is a cookbook author and reality TV show producer in Colombia. 

The annual event will also feature wine specialist, Pablo Banos, who is the editor and founder of the Mexican wine magazine, "Mi Vino Mexico." 

This year's event also includes a culinary film festival at Palacio de Cine, with screenings at 3 and 5pm on 

Read more: http://tastesantodomingo.com 

This Weekend

Leading merengue bands will be playing at the Plaza Juan Baron on the Malecon oceanfront boulevard in Santo Domingo for the Ministry of Tourism-sponsored traditional merengue festival. Booked to play at the city park as part of the Merengue and Caribbean Beats Festival are Los Hermanos Rosario, Krisspy, Miriam Cruz, Kinito Mendez, Mozart la Para, Chiquito Team Band, Chimbala, and Sexappeal. The event is sponsored by Brugal rum.

Something HUGE

dr1- Movie-going is getting better in the Dominican Republic. Plush theaters combined with easy availability at most shopping centers nationwide are making cinema an increasingly popular activity nationwide. Another advantage is that tickets for the movies in the Dominican Republic are relatively inexpensive. Palacio del Cine Blue Mall has announced that the first IMAX theater in the Dominican Republic will open on 3 July 2014. The IMAX theater will also be attractive to guests staying at the JW Marriott that is scheduled to open at the Blue Mall this September. 
The IMAX movie house will open showing "Transformers 4: Age of Extinction." Blue Mall is located on Av. Gustavo Mejia Ricart at the intersection with Av. Winston Churchill in Santo Domingo. 
Imax promotes itself as "going to the theater to forget you're at the movies" because the complex web of high technology and architecture "grabs your senses." There is no frame, and the picture is bigger, higher and wider than a person's field of view.