Vaya Con Muñoz 8.13.16

Former New York Congressman Andrew Weiner was a powerhouse for the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. But then he used his Twitter account to show young women photos of his privates and just like that, another charismatic political force was toppled by his own making.
Larry Hott reviews the documentary “Weiner.” Trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCoI3DdstZw
Rosemary Tracy Woods walks us through her Art for The Soul Gallery at 1500 Main Street in Springfield (second floor inside Tower Square) to talk about “Tango: Contemporary Art from Argentina,” an exhibit with 14 artists showcasing multi-media. Info here: www.art4thesoul.org/exhibitions/
And in appreciation that it rained finally, we are sung out by Juan Luis Guerra y 440 singing “Ojalá Que Llueva Café.”

Vaya Con Muñoz 8.6.16

8.6.16 One of the most popular women in the world survived a bruising presidential primary season in which her challenger successfully recast her as corrupt. But millions more knew he was wrong and vanquished him to the sidelines and on July 29, Hillary Rodham Clinton because the Democrat Party’s candidate for president. Wendy Foxmyn, an administrator who has worked for large and small municipalities locally and in the region as well as volunteered on municipal and non-profit boards, shares what the Democratic National Convention, and the nomination ofs Clinton, means to her.
Filmmaker Larry Hott reviews “Everything is Copy,” a documentary by Jacob Bernstein about his mother, the writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron, whose death in 2012 took by surprise her family and friends, many of whom belong to an elite Hollywood and journalism circle, but that’s just part of the story in this film.
And we get sung out by Lucecita, Puerto Rico’s national voice, interpreting “Canto a Borinquen,” written by salsa great Héctor Lavoe.

Vaya Con Muñoz 7.30.16

Dr. Eloisa Gordon Mora, vice president of Academic Affairs at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Puerto Rico, and founder of the online arts/culture/media/politics magazine RevistaCruce (www.revistacruce.com) and I talk about the fiscal control board and its effect on Puerto Rico — and Puerto Ricans both in in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
And even if we already played the original Santana version of “Samba pa’ ti,” listening to it again is a smoldering joy.
Also, filmmaker Larry Hott reviews two awesome documentaries, and raises questions about ethics about filmmaking the age of Internet.

“Presenting Princess Shaw” will make your day. Here is the link to the trailer:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMXGIch82ZU

“Internet’s Own Boy” will break your heart. What else is new?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvsxnOg0bJY

In the picture, a scene from “Presenting Princess Shaw.”

Vaya Con Muñoz 7.23.16

THis week I have 3 things to share: a full page ad touting the “ The Pros” at MSNBC. No doubt that Andrea Mitchell, Rachel Maddow, Chris Mathews and Chuck Todd are pros. But Brian Williams? And why is the self-proclaimed progressive televsion news and commentary cable channel only have white people as pros in its ad? Hmmm. Also, in real numbers, what the emigration from Puerto Rico means to the island’s economy. And, of course, Zika and Naled, that lethal mist that the government wants to spray everywhere to kill mosquitos — and whatever else is alive, one way or another. Filmmaker Larry Hott looks at the world of fashion through documentaries that also spotlight the politics and economics of that world seemingly tailored but for a few, yet gazillions of us wear clothes nonetheless. Watch trailers here: “ First Monday in May” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRFCVG85X_s“ Bill Cunnigham New York” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Je_jxIPl5Y“ Cave of Forgotten Dreams” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kULwsoCEd3gAnd Caetano Veloso sings us out with a sweet rendition of the Rafael Hernández 1929 masterpiece, “ Lamento Boricano,” (Puerto Rico’s Lament) a song many Puerto Ricans are singing these days. In the picture, Don Rafael Hernández. Photo courtesy of SalsaSuperior.com

Vaya Con Muñoz 7.16.16

Art and cultural commentator Waleska Santiago promotes two art exhibits in Western Mass.:
“Splendor, Myth and Vision: Nudes from The Prado,” at the Clark Art Museum in Williamstown; and “African Art Against The State,” an exhibit of rebellion against oppression, at Williams College Museum of Art in Williamstown.
Filmmaker Larry Hott talks about documentaries that speak to these times, again and again — gun control.
Visit these links to watxch previews:
“Katie Couric: Under the Gun”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqkwo3Xr2C4

“Good Guy with a Gun”
https://vimeo.com/162545006

“Bowling for Columbine”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUSpszWfu_w

Completed films are usually available at your library. Ask the librarian!

We get sung out by Mercedes Sosa and Piero, singing “Soy pan, soy paz, soy más,” a song of hope for these horrific times.
In the photo: Fabrice Monteiro, “The Prophecy, Untitled #2” from “African Art Against The State.”

Vaya Con Muñoz 7.2.16

On June 29, 2016 the US Senate voted 68-30 to impose a fiscal control board over Puerto Rico and I bloviate on what a bad decision that is for a lot of reasons, starting with the US usurping Puerto Rico’s supposed autonomous government. President Obama ushered this terrible bill and promsied to sign. Still, the Massachusetts Senate delegation — Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, voted against it. Kudos to them. Art and cultural commentator Waleska Santiago talks about the art of children’s art, and why it matters, especially in times of distress. How children find self-expression through art is powerfully seen in their drawings of 9-11 or other horrific events.Filmmaker Larry Hott speaks with director Roger Sherman about the documentary “ In Search of Israeli Cuisine.” It’s about food, yes, and peace and war. You can watch the trailer here: www.israelicuisinefilm.com. And Eros Ramazzotti sings us out with a hard rocking “ Cosas de la vida,” the Spanish-language version of his original Italia-language song. Such is life.

Vaya Con Muñoz 6.25.16

This week art educator Waleska Santiago looks the big void in the art world — tha lack of women in art shows in musuems and galleries. Makes you think we’re in the 1920s. Calling Judy Chicago! Also, filmmaker Larry Hott talks with another filmmaker, Roger Sherman, director of “In Search of Israeli Cuisine,” about food and peace and hope. And Shakira sings us out with “Ciega sordomuda,” a fun song celebrating crazy love.

Vaya Con Muñoz 6.18.16

In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, we start with a quote by Patrick Donnelly, the poet laureate of Northampton, on kindness and how it is fundamental for a healthy society. Marla Goldberg and I, exasperated and grieving with the rest of the nation and Puerto Rico, look at what can be done so that weapons are not easily available to people intent on killing. It can be done, with the will of Democrats in Congress, and governors and state legislators nationwide. And a song by Mercedes Sosa and León Geico, “Solo le pido a Dios,” (All I ask of God), a plea to do better, to keep hope alive. And in his segment “Depth of Field,”filmmaker Larry Hott talks about the use of the virtual reality technology in filmmaking. You, the viewer, become the director and editor. Is that a good thing? If you’re interested in seeing some of the virtual reality films discussed by Larry, go to:http://vrse.com/#films

Vaya Con Muñoz 6.11.16

Marla Goldberg and I ruminate about the end of the Democratic primary season, and even though we supported different candidates, we still respect one another! It’s a thing, people. Filmmaker and critic Larry Hott talked about the short films commissioned by the Library of American Landscape History, including the films “Fletcher Steele and Naumkeag: A Playground of the Imagination,” and “Ruth Shellhorn: Midcentury Landscape Design in Southern California” go to this site. The films were produced by Larry Hott and Diane Garey. Lolita, Rosario and their mother, the awesomely great Lola Flores sing us out with “A tu vera.”

Vaya Con Muñoz 6.4.16

Myriam Quiñones, coordinator of the Multicultural Academic Services program at Holyoke Community College, has a great story about coming to the United States from Yauco, Puerto Rico, and going from being on one side of her desk looking for support as a college student to being on the other side of the same desk offering support to college students. She is A-mazing!
Larry Hott reviews “In Her Own Words,” an thrilling portrait of Ingrid Bergman, three-time Academy Award winner and everytime extraordinary actress. The doc is at the Amherst Cinema.
Trailer is here.
And Alejandro Sanz and Shakira sing us out with blasting horn section!