La vida After Norma: Looking back at Sept. 11, 2001
Illustration by Nuestro Stories I met Norma Cruz Kahn back in 1999, when we were working together for nonprofits located in Northern Virginia (about 15 minutes away from the White House). Of course I had no idea I would specifically remember Norma every year on September 11. Why would I know? Norma was a single […]
Blood in and Blood Out and Up in Smoke make Congressman’s List for Library of Congress
Illustration by Nuestro Stories During the last weeks of Summer 2023, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) nominated 27 Latino-driven films for inclusion to the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry – the nation’s official archive of films with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. (Two of our all time favorites made […]
Frida: Love, Loss and Henry Ford
Credit: Fridakahlo.org One of the most famous faces of the feminist movement, Artist Frida Kahlo, lived her short life riddled by chronic pain. Born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón, in Mexico in 1907, the daughter of a German father and Spanish/Mexican mother is known for turning to art in her moments of great pain, […]
The Telenovela You Must Watch: Jane the Virgin
Credit: Miami Film Festival; illustration by Nuestro Stories. I don’t want to admit this (especially publicly here on the Nuestro Stories platform), but I did not watch the romantic comedy series Jane the Virgin during its successful run on the CW network, from 2014 to 2019. Not one episode. Yep, as a self-proclaimed Latina “girl […]
Mojitos Muddled Past and Popular Present
Lime. Ice. Sugar. Summer. These are precisely the ingredients which make summer magical. But, add just a few more simple ingredients (like mint leaves and rum!), and you’ve created the foundation to Cuba’s most popular cocktail. The mojito. So delicious during this time of the year. Millions worldwide enjoy the mojito on hot summer days. […]
Ras Tas Tas: Introducing the World to Salsa Choke
In the vibrant music scene of Colombia, few songs have the power to ignite a dance frenzy. One track that ignited crowds and was able to leave its mark in Colombia, and beyond, is “Ras Tas Tas.” The song, which first popularized the “salsa choke” genre worldwide, prompted people to learn its unique dance moves […]
The Origin of the American Cowboy Is Mexican
Photo courtesy of Ruiz Elevamos Films By Bel Hernandez Film festivals are an amazing place to discover films and filmmakers who you instinctively know you want to see more of. Recently at the Mexican American Film & Television Festival, there were several short films that fit the description. One that caught our attention, and an […]
From Cuba to Hollywood: Ana de Armas Empowers a New Generation of Latinas in the Industry
Illustration by: Nuestro Stories It’s 2023 and we are still experiencing “firsts” within the Latino community because closing the representation gap has been a long and grueling process. Yet, it also gives us the opportunity to celebrate modern history-makers, such as Ana de Armas, in real time. But what makes her so special? Well, plenty. […]
Celebrating Eugenio Derbez: A Trailblazer for Latino Talent in the Entertainment Industry
Illustration by: Nuestro Stories Eugenio Derbez, a Mexican actor, producer, and director, has emerged as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, breaking stereotypes and serving as an inspiration for Latinos around the world. His remarkable talent, versatility, and commitment to promoting diversity have earned him recognition and accolades, solidifying his status as a leading […]
Being a Blood In Blood Out Fan: Thousands Worldwide Celebrate the Classic Film’s 30-year Anniversary
This painting in East Los Tacos, a restaurant owned by BIBO super fans Joaquin and Erika Armenta, is a replica of the mural in Blood In Blood Out. (Photo courtesy of Erika Armenda.) It’s not just a movie. Blood In and Blood Out is a way of being. I should know. I’ve seen the 1993 […]
Shaking Things Up: The Mystery of Maracas
They shake. They rattle. They may roll. They’re maracas, the percussion instrument that even a baby can play! But pin-pointing the exact origin story of maracas – rattles, shakers, or chac chacs, as they can be called – is not as simple as you’d think. And, according to most musicians, playing the maracas takes practice […]