Festival de Santo Domingo

Tomorrow on the Malecon will be 8 hours of free music. The Festival starts @ 4pm.

Bailarin Dominicano

Celebrations & Culture

Last week a popular urban entertainment blog reported that it got a tip that Jay-z was going to be celebrating his 40th birthday with a blowout party in the Dominican Republic. It is all over the internet and blogs. Each entry sounded like a press release and I was starting to believe it wasn't true. I then found an entry on a very well-respected blog about Casa de Campo, which has since been removed. The blog entry confirmed that preparations had been in the works for some time. I am sure the entry was removed over privacy concerns. But it has been confirmed that Jay and Beyonce are going to be having a party in a posh villa in Casa de Campo. What hasn't been confirmed is the guest list. Is Oprah going to pop down on her new jet? Casa de Campo is still the premier luxury destination in the Dominican Republic. Many of the Dominican Republic's elite, along with other international jet-setters, have homes there. Some recent visitors have been Bill Gates and the Jonas Brothers. The last time Jay & Beyonce were here they stayed in Casa de Campo. I hope there will be some photos.

-------------------------------There are other cultural happenings taking place. Tomorrow in the colonial zone Calle Hostos between El Conde & Arzobispo Nouel will be closed for a lavish party.
-------------------------------Next week, on December 10, there will a celebration of Museums. All the museums will be open from 9am until midnight. There will be concerts, theater and other surprises. I found out about it last year after it happened. I am there.
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Raoul

Tonight @ the Gym

Overcast

Trying to shoot when it was overcast

Monday, Monday

This was a great weekend. Didn't do anything much. Haven't been to a gay club/bar in several months. The whole scene has become quite boring and predictable. Not as many gay tourists visiting as in holiday's past. Thanksgiving was really very nice (and my pumpkin pies turned out beautifully, thank you) with good food and friends. Yesterday the weather is beautiful and I stumbled upon an art fair in the colonial zone and bought a small handmade lamp for $8. Wish they put aside some space in the colonial zone and do this every week. There are many empty spaces that could be used.

How was your weekend?

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a holiday that is celebrated by Americans all over the United States, and anywhere in the world they happen to live. This is a day when you cook a lot of food. Have friends and family over and just be 'thankful.' I am thankful for many things this year. I am thankful that despite the worldwide economic recession I have still been able to live my dream and prosper. I am thankful for the many friends who love me. And though I don't get a chance to tell them everyday, but I am truly thankful for them. I am thankful that I don't have any major health issues. I am thankful for just being alive.

Even if you are not American, I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Now let me go to the supermarket. I am supposed to be making pumpkin pies.

Painted

coquichuloimages.blogspot.com

What Happened?

Last week there was a big commotion about a police raid on the Foreigners Club Hotel. The initial story I heard was that it was closed because of some taxes that were not paid. The story just didn't ring true to me. Because even in the Dominican Republic they don't just come and raid your property for unpaid taxes without due process. The owner of the Foreigners Club died over a month ago of cancer. It was supposed to be hush-hush, but many people knew. One of the people who knew very well was a "friend" of the owner who died. Allegedly, he saw an opportunity to take over the building and run it. According to him, that is what the owner wanted and she even signed some paper to that effect when she was alive. At least that is according to the "friend."

So the police that came and "raided" the building had no legal right to do so. There were no papers shown, no orders from the court. Nothing. There were no guests there at the time, but the Hatian employee that was arrested and turned over to immigration, because he had overstayed his visa (he has now been released). And this "friend" proceeded to open the place and let everyone know he was in charge.

Unfortunately, the family of the owner disagreed with assertions of this "friend." They came and were able to get the building back without a fight.

And the moral of this story? Choose your friends very, very carefully.

Americans in Cuba?

Aerial view of Havana

Will it be possible for Americans to travel to Cuba legally? Two bills have been introduced into the United States Senate and House of Representatives that proposes to lift the travel ban. What I did not know until today is that Cuba is the ONLY country where Americans cannot travel (legally). We can go to North Korea, Burma, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia or Iran. But we can't go to Cuba, 90 miles off the coast of Florida. There is strong bi-partisan support so that it very likely that this bill could pass. Here's hoping.

Famed Poet, Blas Jiménez, Dies in Santo Domingo

Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado

Yesterday I was reading Michael Musto's blog and saw this item about a brutal murder in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado was found decapitated, dismembered and burned. As you can well imagine the gay community in Puerto Rico is enraged. There has been an arrest made by the police. The police are themselves under scrutiny because of an alleged remark made by a detective that the victim deserved his fate because of his 'lifestyle.' Horrible story and I pray that this killer is brought to justice.

Update: Click here
Information on the Vigil is here

Model: Jonathan

For more risque photos click here.

Model

Ford Modeling Agency had their annual contest in the Dominican Republic, which has seen a swell of Dominican girls on the international runways. The winner was 12 year-old Giselle Marte, who according to Dominican Fashion Models, is one of the youngest contestants to ever win a modeling competition.

Videos

Sammy Sosa breaks his silence.

Next to last episode Relatos de Mikey Breton.

Model: Carlos Estrada

Carlos Estrada

Birth Defects in small Dominican Town

The Miami Herald has a great article that examines the causes of explosive growth in birth defects among the residents of Arroyo Barril. Arroyo Barril is a small town on the Samana peninsula. Women are having babies without organs and limbs, many towns people are ill. And cause could possibly some be toxic rock ash that was brought to the town from a company in Virginia and left in the town for years. One of the most amazing parts to the article is the talk of women who are pregnant and find out through tests that their children have no brains, or other organs. But, because abortion is illegal in the Dominican Republic these women must carry their babies to term.

Michael Jackson Revisited?

Is Dominican baseball player Sammy Sosa bleaching his skin? Or is there a medical condition to explain these photos? Sammy Sosa is causing an uproar over his changed appearance. I am waiting to hear the answer.

Update: The Chicago Tribune is quoting friends of Mr. Sosa as saying he just had a 'skin rejuvenating treatment.'

Model

Model trying on different looks in Ernest's apartment @ 9:30 this morning.

Hombre

Miky Bretón

Miky Breton, a local television producer and film maker, was found dead yesterday in the Princess Cabañas. According to news reports he was found by the motel staff. The room was covered in blood and he had been stabbed several times and was found with a knife sticking out of his neck. He was also beaten about the head.

Miky was the writer, director and producer of a local Dominican television show, Relatos de Miky Breton (Tales of Mikey Breton). This show delves deeply into the underworld of Dominican society. With stories about corruption, drugs, prostitution, domestic violence and other taboo subjects were well-written, and surprisingly very well acted. He used a lot of local Dominican rappers who gave his work a real authenticity.

Mikey was found dead at a cabaña. For the uninitiated a cabaña is a sex motel. They are located in every city in this very catholic country. They all have the same basic concept. Very flashy with lots of lights, and usually they are clustered in a certain area. You drive into a garage and go inside. You never see anyone, except maybe security upon entering or maybe a housekeeper. Here is a video of a nice cabaña.

This is the number one news story here. Speculation is rampant about why he was killed. Was is because of his fascination with covering the underworld? Did it have something to do with his S.U.V. being stolen a couple of months ago? Were he and his killer at a cabaña to have sex? Police have now confirmed that they are looking for a suspect who is a rapper from San Cristobal. This rapper was a former principal singer in his church who had now starting rapping about marijuana and homosexuality, according to press reports. His group has videos on YouTube. What does any of this have to do with his death? I don't know, but I think we should find out shortly.

I believe that Miky was gay, but I do not know that for certain. I remember seeing him out several times. I did not know him but we exchanged pleasantries. I remember that he spoke very good English and was extremely approachable and very nice. I believe his killer will be caught. But justice might be another matter. (Facebook)

Dominican Pride

The New LeeStudioNYC Model

A Pair

As seen @ maxegatos.blogspot.com

Life in the Campo

Great video about rural life in the Dominican Republic

Thursday

From Last Week

Arlenis Sosa

Carolina HerreraLeonel Lirio

Last Saturday was the closing night of Dominicana Moda 2009. With Carolina Herrera presenting her collection closing night, and the triumphant return of supermodel-in-the-making, Arlenis Sosa. One of the people responsible for the success is Socrates McKinney, who is in charge of the Elite Model Search for the Dominican Republic. He is the dean of the fashion set here in the Dominican Republic, and responsible for many Dominican models getting contracts internationally. Also showing were old-guard Dominican designer, Leonel Lirio. He held things down beautifully for the Dominican Republic.

Models.com has a great article on Arlenis Sosa. She came with an entourage befitting her status as an international fashion model. They have great behind the scenes photos, including of her and her parents.

I am just confused by one thing. In June there was Republica Dominican Fashion Week. I am still trying to find out why there are two separate fashion events. Well, whatever the reason, the Dominican Republic is furthering its place as a fashion leader in the Caribbean and Latin America.

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Crystal Waters and C&C Music Factory were here performing last weekend. Photos

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And last night the Jonas Brothers performed here to a sold-out crowd at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic stadium. Photos

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The Dominican Republic has passed the 38th revision to their constitution. There are many people who are upset. Some of the things in the constitution are very troubling. Abortion is banned, even in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Declaring that marriage is only between a man and woman has been written into the constitution. Then there is the problem with the possibility that the beaches will become private, except for some small slivers for the hoi polloi. Click here for a very interesting article on the whole thing.

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Chachita Rubio arrived back in the D.R. with a throng of her supporters greeting her at the airport. This video is just too funny. I don't think they have seen that many gay people at the airport ever. The reactions of the people witnessing the commotion is priceless.

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For the longest time I really didn't think much of same-sex marriage. But over the last year I have come to change my mind. It is a civil rights issue. I believe that two people who love each other should be allowed to get married. I doubt very seriously that I will see same-sex marriage in the Dominican Republic in my lifetime. Especially since the D.R. has banned same-sex marriage in the newly written constitution, making it the only country in the world to do so at the constitutional leve [source]. But the momentum seems to be shifting in the U.S.

A good friend, Kelvin Martinez -- and former manager of the Arena club -- got married to his partner, Ondra, last week in the Czech Republic. Same-sex marriage is legal in the Czech Republic. The Dominican Consul in Prague was shocked, but hey, you can't stop love with no stinking constitution. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Congratulations Kelvin and Ondra!!!!!!!

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Former Catholic Priest Arrested for Child Sex Abuse in Dominican Republic

Krispy Kreme to open 15 stores in the next 5 years

Sunday NY Times front page story about shady Dominican Baseball Practices

Briton blinded by eating poisonous worm left in her dinner on D.R. vacation wins $390,000 after lawsuit (Strange Story)

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Until soon,
The Monaga Blogger

Preston Lopez

Carlos Acosta

Carlos Acosta is a Cuban Ballet superstar. Since 1998 he has been with London's Royal Ballet. He commands the stage with his powerful, clean and elegant dancing. And he is not bad to look at. Look at his video below:

Chachita @ Miss Universo Gay Latina 2009

Chachita Rubio, owner of the club CHA in Santo Domingo, won the Miss Universo Gay Latina 2009 pageant. Nothing like gay creativity. Waleska Feliz was the 2nd runner-up in the plus size category.

Santo Domingo Apartments

The former owners of the Hotel Residencial El Candil (Boca Chica) have started a new venture. Santo Domingo Apartments offers short-term rentals in different residential neighborhoods of Santo Domingo.

Sketch Studio Apartments

A young Dominican architect, Jose Campechano, is putting together Sketch Studio Apartments in San Pedro, Dominican Republic. San Pedro is about an hour from Santo Domingo, and 1 hour from La Romana.