Working Out

A favorite gym.

Bailando Reggaton (Cuban Style)

Merry Christmas

Today, Christmas Eve, is the day that Dominican families gather to celebrate the birth of Christ. In most Dominican homes there will be a lot of food, along with family and friends. Then later on tonight people will be hitting the clubs. Today is also the day to be very careful about driving, as there will be a lot of Brugal absorbed today.

The weather has been cloudy and rainy the last couple of days. I thought it would be the same today. But it has stopped raining and the sun is out shining brightly, though a few clouds are still lingering about.

Tonight the bars/clubs will open after midnight. Tonight is Chachita Rubio's birthday party at Cha. And also the re-opening of Eukliptus (special party tomorrow). I believe the curfew has been canceled this week. Every year since the curfew was implemented in 2006, it has been suspended for the week of Christmas/New Year's. Here's hoping it is.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then I wish you Happy Holiday's. If you don't celebrate anything then I wish you Peace.

Eukliptus

The owner (who is Dominican) of Eukliptus paid me a visit today. He will be re-opening on Thursday, with a big party on Friday. He promises that it is under new management and will have security. Wishing them good luck.

Sunday @ El Rio

Imagine you go to the river and you find a huge group of men (only) cooking and swimming and having a good time.

Aventura

Aventura is arguably the most popular purveyors of Bachata music in the world. Bachata is a genre of music that was founded in the rural areas of the Dominican Republic. Though they may not be well known to the English-speaking world, they are international superstars of Latin music. Their latest world tour was number 3 in the United States, behind Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears. So that tells you about their popularity. The lead singer and composer, Anthony "Romeo" Santos (pictured above in white), has been dogged by rumors that he is gay. While appearing on El Show de Cristina last week he emphatically denied he was bisexual or homosexual. In doing so he used the perjorative (Dominican) for gay, pájaro (which translate to English as bird). Many in the Dominican Republic use this term but it is offensive to many. Well several Latin LGBT activists in Miami picked up on what he said and he was pressured to apologize. I feel better knowing that though he is not gay he loves and respects us gays nonetheless. He also stated that there are several gay people that work for the group. I am very happy that he cleared everything up.

Deilin Sanz

All above photos by Ricardo Muñiz of Coquichulo Images

One of my all-time favorite models, Deilin Sanz, is up for the Next Man of the Year 2010. To vote for him all you have to do is click on this link. You can only click once per day.

Lights

Plaza Espana, Ciudad Colonial, esta noche @ 9:32pm

Raul

Raul in Rufskin.

Latest

This weekend the movie Avatar opens. This is the long-awaited follow up to Titanic for director James Cameron. What is also amazing is that two of the leads are Dominican-Americans. The beautiful and fabulous Zoe Saldana, and Michelle Rodriguez. Then there is also the Cuban-American actor, Laz Alonso (above). This is a major coup, as every actor in Hollywood wanted desperately to be in this move. Avatar is the most anticipated movie of the year, and at a cost of almost $250 million dollars, one of the most expensive ever. I think I will go and see this. Maybe not when it first opens, as it will be mobbed, I'm sure. But seeing as movies are only RD$100 pesos ($2.79). At the Malecon center the theater is beautiful and new (and it costs RD$200 pesos). There is even V.I.P. seating for RD$350 pesos ($8.37) and you get this separate plush seating with full bar and restaurant menu. It is really nice.------------------------------------------------Friends & family are concerned about the disappearance of D'Arcy Wright. He is a Canadian ex-pat who runs a business and lives in Sosua. The alarm was first raised on DR1. A page has been setup on Facebook. An awful story that I pray turns out okay.

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In the last several years there have been 8 transsexuals who have been killed in the Dominican Republic. And according to TRANSSA, the local organization for transgendered people, not one person has been brought to justice. TRANSSA is really on the front lines of protesting discrimination against the entire gay community. The last victim was shot and killed on November 25, 2009. His family didn't know he was a transvestite. I didn't know him personally but I did see have seen him many times.
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JetBlue is adding to its position as number one carrier to the Dominican Republic.
------------------------------------------------InfernoDR is gearing up for their second annual even taking place the Memorial Weekend (end of May 2010) Punta Cana.
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While putting this blog together I was listening to the internet radio and this song came on. I have not heard it in a while, but it pretty much sums up how I feel today.

Dominican Actor/Model 2

Here is a beautiful model I featured before. These new photos are more relaxed, but equally as beautiful.

Dominican Beauty

Beautiful man from a small town.

Hola Gente

It has been really dead around here lately. Everyone is waiting for their Christmas bonus. All employees get an extra month's salary in the month of December. It is the law. Starting today there will be a lot more money in the streets, if you have a job, that is. Otherwise very slow. And of course crime increases during this time of the year.

------------------------------------------------The Christmas art fair started yesterday in Parque Colon (Columbus Park), which is located in front of the Cathedral Primada de America. Artisans from all parts of the country come to take part. I would definitely stopping by and checking it out. And if you see the guy that sells homemade soap, buy some! He is so cute.
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Tonight is the winner is announced for the latest installment of Latin American Idol. The Dominican Republic's very own, Martha Heredia, is one of two finalists. The other is from Costa Rica. I watched her performance last night. She is very talented, poised, beautiful and a little cocky, which I love. Click here for her performance. I'm sure tonight @ 9pm, which is when the final show airs tonight live, will be very quiet in the country as everyone will be at home watching and rooting for Martha. Good luck, Martha!
------------------------------------------------One of the country's most influential musicians, Luis Dias, has died of a heart attack. He was born in Bonao in 1953 and is credited with creating Dominican Fusion, which merged rock, jazz and blues with over 40 different ethnic rhythms from the Dominican Republic and Haiti. He took his music and traveled the world writing songs and performing. He was very highly regarded musically both locally and internationally. He was also a prolific teacher, both here and in the United States.
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The photo above is of Ernesto. Amateur bodybuilder, masseur and now he runs a gym in the zona oriental section of Santo Domingo. And Ernest Montgomery has photographed him several times. He can get ... oh, never mind. Want a massage?

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