Friday, November 18, 2011

have you seen HOPE? A great play at the Los Angeles Theatre Center

"HOPE" cast on Stage. PHOTO courtesy Ramon V. Parra


I love going to Plays. You can "SEE" the actors in person on stage, you can "FEEL" the energy of a live performance and you can "HEAR" them without the filters of editing equipment and looping sessions.
 "Lets Talk" girls supporting Dyana  Ortelli ,(the Star of HOPE),Kikey Castillo, Naibe Reynoso (Me),  Bel Hernandez 
No wonder the best actors in the world keep coming back to the stage, including Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Robert de Niro.

This Thursday I got to see my friend and fellow  "Let's Talk" co-host Dyana Ortelli in her play titled “Hope: Part II of a Mexican Trilogy". I went to it not really knowing what to expect, which is the best way to see something. When there are no expectations is when you get the best surprises. Needless to say I was blown away. I loved it! And so did the L.A. Times!

The play  is part musical, part history lesson, party family drama. Written by Evelina Fernandez and directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela. It takes place in the 1960's and follows a Mexican family facing the uncertainties of the country's future as they face the Cold War with the Soviet Union, Fidel Castro, and a looming Atomic Bomb that may or may not fry them like "chicharrones". (Chicarrones are pork rinds). President John F. Kennedy and Fidel Castro make cameo appearances. 

It also talks about the Mexican family dynamic, where Machismo, passiveness (by the Matriarch), and racism take center stage.

The play, did to me, what any great performance should. It made me laugh, get emotional and learn something new .

(here is a promo for HOPE)

"HOPE" made me realize that, 40 years after the Kennedy years, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Now in the 21'st Century, we may not face an "Atomic" bomb, but we do face an "Atomic" financial crisis that has hit us all without mercy. I feel Machismo in our community hasn't changed much. I still see the man playing certain roles and the females succumbing to old traditions. That's changing a little, but at a snails pace. As far as discrimination, hmmm well I think its strange that although I was born here in the U.S., its 2011 and I'm STILL considered a "minority".

I have to give props to ALL the actors. The young actors sang so angelically that I was a little pissed that I haven't seen them before on mainstream series like "Glee" or even "High School Musical". They were great singers and performers and hopefully their talents will be showcased on even bigger platforms. 
top row: Sam Golzari, Esperanza America Ibarra, Pepe Serna, Olivia Cristina Delgado, Dru Davis, Dyana Ortelli, Sal Lopez
Botto row: Geoffrey Rivas, Edward James Olmos, Keith McDonald
What can I say about my colleague and friend Dyana Ortelli. She played Elena, the Matriarch who puts up with a cheating husband, sacrifices her own happiness for the sake of her kids and does it all with charm and grace with one clean sweep!  She caused me to fold over  my seat laughing,  hold back tears as she stirred some deep emotions that I've encountered in my own family, and make me proud to know and work with someone so talented. 

I encourage everyone to see  “Hope: Part II of A Mexican Trilogy”". Its now playing at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Ends Nov. 20. $20-$40. All seats $10 on Thursdays. Contact: (866) 811-4111 orTHE LA THEATRE CENTER  Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.

Hurry.... you only have a few more days! 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Bohemian-Chic in Stacy Sterling Jewelry Designs.

Designer Stacy Sterling (in the Middle) and friends wearing her designs
 I recently went to jewelry designer Stacy Sterling's "Catch your Spirits Glow" Launch party held on November 10th in Venice CA because I love her jewelry line!
Here I am wearing a layered feather necklace. Every time I wear it I get compliments and I feel so earthy yet chic.

Naibe Reynoso (me)wearing Feather Layered Necklace


Daniel Nuguyen, Naibe Reynoso, Jeff Hodsden (supportive boyfriend)
Her designs, which are handcrafted are ethereal and bohemian with a sophisticated flare. She gets inspiration by the vibrant colors and textures of natures beauty, her pieces speak to those with both a glamorous and free-spirited soul.
various feathered necklace, bracelets, and earrings.

colorful skull inspired latches 

Feathers+ rocks+metal = cool
Models wearing Stacy Sterling ( in grey shirt) wearing her designs 

Designer Stacy Sterling and Me!
Stacy Sterling is truly talented. No wonder celebrities like Debra Messing, Hayden Pannetiere, and Hilary Duff are fans! Although "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend", its jewelry like Sterling's made with passion, love and patience that truly makes a woman feel Beautiful!
FOR MORE AMAZING DESIGNS CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE:
www.stacysterling.com

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I'll show you mine.... my TOP TEN Favorite APPS


I love ME my IPhone Apps. They put a little bit of fairy dust on an otherwise dull business and emergency-only device: the phone (okay maybe I also use it for the occasional gossip call). When I was a kid, and I used to see "businessmen" on their phones, I thought yuck... who wants to be on that thing for hours on end? But now thanks to all the fun apps that smart phones have, I want to be on my phone for hours on end!

Here is a LIST of my top TEN favorite apps.

1. Facebook/Twitter-
 We can instantly Facebook/Twitter via our smart phones when something pisses us off and save tons on Therapy! EXHIBIT A:
BTW: follow me on Twitter @naibereynoso


2. MAPS -Can I say Hallelujah! Just when I needed a Trader Joes all I got to do is Map it in and Voila! Who knew I was only 3 minutes away? Who knew there was actually a Trader Joes here??? Im the GREEN dot, and all I have to do is get to the RED dot. Easy. Men... are you reading this?


3. Yelp! Its like Yellowpages and Help all rolled into one.. Need I say more?


4. Nike plus GPS. Love tracking my Miles while I run. It also comes with a built in cheerleader that congratulates you every time you reach another mile... gooooo Nike!


5. iBooks.  I never got the Kindle and I almost sleep with my Iphone, so might as well "cuddle" up with a good book while I'm at it and kill two birds with one stone right? Here is my library, what does yours look like?




















6. Pandora. Its Free. You create your own radio station with your favorite music.  There are NO disc jockeys. I mean I don't want to hear Ryan Seacrest anouncing my favorite Adele song or interviewing his celebrity friends. It totally kills the mood when im dancing in my underwear. Hope the next hit is "Pandora killed the radio star".
http://www.pandora.com/

7. Celeb for a Day. In this era of instant fame everyone wants a piece of the pie. With this App you don't have to sell your soul or get married then divorced in 72 days to make headlines. You create your own Fake Magazine cover. Here's mine:

8. TOON PAINT. Everyone is cooler as a cartoon character. This app is free and uber cool. Look at my before and after's:

9. INSTAGRAM. Make your drabby pictures works of art with this app that provides different filters to make your snapshots pop. The app is a social site which allows you to share pictures with other Instagram subscribers and make comments . Here is a before and after INSTAGRAM.
BEFORE INSTAGRAM 


AFTER INSTAGRAM 


BEFORE INSTAGRAM 
AFTER INSTAGRAM

10.PERIOD TRACKER. Okay this App is just for girls. But I love the fact that it reminds you when Aunt Flo is scheduled to arrive etc. eliminating the need for you to write embarassing notes on your calendar. This App does all the "dirty" work for you.


***BONUS app
11. AGE FACE. we all need a reality check once in while. With the swipe of a finger this app ages your current photo. Yes, even botox and facelifts will not save you from eventually looking like this: so might as well "Face" the music.

Before AGE FACE 

AFTER AGE FACE! Yikes!

OKAY, i've showed you mine, now you show me yours What are your favorite apps. and why?