Latina in Nashville: Music

On Friday night I headed South to the popular Latin dance club, Ibiza Night Club, to hear the tunes of Revolfusion. My date was an hour late and the band didn’t start until midnight so the old lady in me was considering calling it quits. But I couldn’t. These guys are too good to walk out on.

I’ve been following this group as Kazique, and watched them gain momentum as Conexion Americas utilized their talent under the name Rumba to win the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s Corporate Band Challenge earlier this year. That exposure opened doors for the group to perform during the CMA Music Festival, to be the opening act for Los Lonely Boys at Live on the Green and to perform at the gorgeous Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

This has been a year of tremendous growth for this group. They are doing their own music with a very unique style and great lyrics. The band members are more in sync with each other and with the audience and the crowd responds to their beats every time. It also doesn’t hurt that they are nice to look at.

I’m under the impression that along with the name change the guys are getting increasingly serious about their gift. They’ve hit the recording studio recently for their first record, Machete Desembainao. If you haven't seen and heard the fun and energetic music Revolfusion delivers you should make it a New Year's resolution. I'm sure you'll join the rapidly growing group of Revol-lovers. Se te meteran en el pecho poquito a poco. Enjoy!

Latina in Nashville: ARTEmio

It's another chilly Thursday evening and my buddy and I head over to Watkins College of Art, Design & Film for a lecture by self-taught, Mexican printmaker, Artemio Rodriguez. This guy tells the Watkins Art students the story of his life. The more he talks the more enchanting he becomes. He's sweet, honest, and totally open. He isn't afraid to talk about his fears, his mistakes or his passion for his art. It was refreshing to hear an artist speak so humbly about his incredible work and journey. The students laughed when he used the *f* word and I laughed when he cursed under his breath in Spanish. I was pleased that the students got to hear about his experience crossing the border and what life is really like in Mexico beyond what you hear in the news.

Rodriguez learned the art from a friend and mastered it. He specializes in Linocut which is carved linoleum that is then fed through a printer press. He has a few young students in his shop back in Mexico. I'm so happy to know that there are little Artemios out there soaking in all of his knowledge and talent.

The patience, skill, and creativity Rodriguez employs is evident in each one of his pieces. His humor, frankness, and humility are just icing on the cake.

YouTube video below: