Celia Cruz Inspires New Celeb Shoe Craze!

Young starlets like Victoria Justice and Lucy Hales have made fashion statements on the red carpet lately by wearing very  trendy and bold "heel-less shoes."

But did you know that this sculptural shoe is not a new fad, but rather a trend introduced by the Queen of Salsa herself, Celia Cruz? In fact, in 1997 the Salsa singer donated a pair of her favorite shoes—gold vinyl heel-less platforms designed by Mexican shoemaker Mr. Nieto—to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Since then, there have been at least nine pairs of Cruz’s “signature shoes” on display.

Given her tendency to lean towards the glitziest and most glamorous clothes, it's makes total sense that the Azucar singer adopted this style of shoe as her own! Though fashion-forward celebs are rocking the same trend all these years later, we'll never forget who really started this craze.
Take a look at who followed in Celia's footsteps, no pun intended!

Daphne Guinness attends the Christopher Kane show during London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011 at Sheldon Square on February 21, 2011 in London, England.

Lady Gaga arrives at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Actress Lucy Hale arrives at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheater on August 7, 2011 in Universal City, California.

Victoria Beckham attends the launch of the Beckham Signature fragrance collection at Macy's at Herald Square on September 26, 2008 in New York City.

Actress Victoria Justice attends the Nickeloden TeenNick HALO Awards at the Hollywood Palladium on October 26, 2011 in Hollywood, California.

Source: Verky Arcos

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Posted in 2011 best latina salsa shoes , celia cruz , lady gaga , latina fashion shoes , Latina salsa craze , Lucy Hales , Queen of Salsa , Victoria Justice

Pitbull to Record Duet With Celia Cruz

Pitbull has collaborated with many superstars, but now he says he is fulfilling his dream of recording a duet with the Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz.

Dominican news website Diario123.com is reporting that while filming the Cuban rapper's latest video, “Baila, Baila,” with El Cata, Miss Dominican Republic and JenCarlos Canela, Pitbull explained why this is one most exciting projects.

“I know this dream will be difficult to fulfill because my Cuban queen, she is no longer with us,” Pitbull said. “Rest in Peace, but today technology exists and I know that we will be able to do something there.”

Pitbull added that all the arrangements have been taken care of for the recording to begin.


Source Alexandra J. Gratereaux

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Posted in 2011 Celia Cruz , 2011 Pitbull , Baila , celia cruz , Cuban Queen , pitbull , Pitbull Celia Cruz , Pitbull Record Duet Celia Cruz , Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz

10 Summer Classics Every Latina Should Know

Want to upgrade your summer barbeque from frat party to classy, grown-up affair? We suggest serving sangria instead of beer, replacing hot dogs with churrasco and topping it all off with our ultimate summer playlist of classic beats. From Celia Cruz to Perez Prado, our list spans four decades and is sure to get your soire started—Latin style, of course.


Los Lobos, “La Bamba”


Grammy-winning chicano rock band Los Lobos took this Mexican folk song—first made famous by Ritchie Valens in the 1950s—and turned it into an international sensation. According to Rolling Stone, it’s the most recognizable song in America not sung in English and one of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Not a bad way to get your party started.

Santana, “Oye Como Va”


Close your eyes and imagine Carlos Santana sitting beside you on a deck chair, strumming something on his guitar, and that song will certainly be Tito Puente’s classic “Oye Como Va,” which Santana covers to perfection here.

Perez Prado, “Guaglione”


If your goal is to get your guests to drop their forks and start dancing spontaneously, Cuban bandleader Perez Prado will do the trick. He’s like Ricky Ricardo on fast forward.


Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto, “Corcovado”


This bossa nova classic is the perfect note to end a warm night on, especially if you’re hoping to cuddle up next to a special someone under the stars. We love this version by American saxophonist Stan Getz and Brazilian singer Joao Gilberto featuring his wife Astrud.

Benny More, “Babarabatiri”


Busta Rhymes has nothing on Benny More when it comes to speed. Or music, for that matter. Turn up the volume on this number and start a conga line around the pool.


Santana, “Oye Como Va”


Close your eyes and imagine Carlos Santana sitting beside you on a deck chair, strumming something on his guitar, and that song will certainly be Tito Puente’s classic “Oye Como Va,” which Santana covers to perfection here.


Gipsy Kings, “Bamboleo”


French-Spaniard group the Gipsy Kings added a little of their signature flamenco-pop and turned this Venezuelan folk song into their biggest hit.


Manu Chao, “Me Gustas Tu”


Peppy and infectious, Manu Chau’s biggest hit to date will have you rewriting the lyrics in no time.


Celia Cruz, “Guantanamera”


Hands down, this song from Cuba is one of the most covered tracks in history—everyone from Julio Iglesias to Wyclef Jean has tried their hand at recapturing the magic about “the girl from Guantanamo”—but we settled on this classic incarnation from Cuban queen Celia Cruz.


Source Smriti Mundhra

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Posted in Bamboleo , celia cruz , Gipsy Kings , Guantanamera , La Bamba , Latin style , Los Lobos , Manu Chao , Me Gustas Tu , Oye Como Va , salsa dance , Santana

Fans of beloved Celia Cruz to mark eighth anniversary of singer's death

Hundreds of fans of Celia Cruz are expected to flock to locations associated with the late music icon Saturday to mark the eight-year anniversary of the singer’s death.
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In a statement released Friday by F&F Media Corp., a mass will be held at Saint Raymond Catholic Church in Coral Gables, where the Queen of Salsa will be honored.

Fans are also expected to gather at the legendary Cuban singer’s modest mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, which she shares with her husband, Pedro Knight, who died in 2007.

Fans may find a few family photos, rosaries and a Cuban flag resting on the singer’s resting place when they peer through its windows.



“It was specifically designed so the fans can look in,” Susan Olsen, the historian for the cemetery, told the New York Times. “Someone comes in on a regular basis, cleans it out and changes the photos so there’s always something for the fans to see. It was totally thought out.”

Apart from the pictures of the couple and a small portrait of young Cruz, the rear wall displays a stained-glass window depicting Cuba’s patroness, La Caridad del Cobre.

Olsen said setting of the couple’s mausoleum near an intersection with a small path leading to the front door was designed to be considerate of others.

“It was positioned so it would not intrude on other people’s lots or ruin the grass,” Olsen told the newspaper. “People might say it was arrogant to expect so many visitors, but it was anything but arrogant. We get people who come from all over the world who come to see her.”

Known as one of Latin music’s most respected vocalists, Cruz died at her home in New Jersey in 2003 after failing to recover from a brain tumor operation.

Omer Pardillo, President of the Celia Cruz Foundation, which continues to raise money for underprivileged students wishing to study music, said he remembers Cruz as a great philanthropist.

"She was a lady who was always interested in supporting good causes and never hesitated to show gestures of solidarity with the needy.”

In memory of the singer’s life, a coffee table book is in the works to showcase photographs taken of Cruz’s extensive collection of shoes.

One of Cruz’s favorite shoes _ a pair of gold vinyl platform shoes designed by Mexican shoemaker Mr. Nieto _ are on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

The mass held at Saint Raymond Catholic Church begins Saturday at 10:00 a.m.


Source Celebrity News Service

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Posted in celia cruz , Cuban singer , Latina icon , Saint Raymond Catholic Church , Salsera Queen

The Smithsonian Institute Honors Latin Music with A New Exhibition

The Smithsonian Institute has opened a new exhibition honoring Latin music. The title of this work is American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music. The exhibition includes a mix of panels, graphic works, audio material and musical instruments related to the development of Latin music in the United States.

American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music takes a look at the contributions that Latin music artists have produced in the US since the 1940s. The exhibition is an opportunity to explore the social conditions that provoked the birth of legendary stars like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and Selena.

Geographically speaking, this unique cultural event focuses on five cities that have been shape to a large extent by Latinos. The exhibition covers the evolution of Latin music in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and San Antonio.

American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music will run between July and October at the Ripley Center in Washington DC. If you like Latin music and have the chance to be in the nation's capital during this time of the year, this exhibition is definitely a nice opportunity to learn more about the sabor (flavor) that has defined Latin music throughout the years.

Source  Carlos Quintana

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Posted in celia cruz , latin music , latino music , Latinos , Salsa , salsa dance , selena , tito puente

Celia Cruz: The Queen of Salsa

Celia Cruz was born in nineteen twenty-five in Havana, Cuba. Her parents were not musicians.  But music played an important role in her childhood. Her grandmother once said that Celia could sing before she could talk. Celia would often sing at school and community gatherings. Later, as a teenager Celia started competing in singing contests. She won many competitions.

Her father wanted her to be a teacher. But Celia wanted a career in music. She later said that she was both a singer and a teacher. She said that her music taught the world about Cuban culture and the happiness of living life to the fullest.

 Music is an important part of the cultural life of Cubans. During the nineteen thirties and forties in Havana, Celia heard many kinds of music. Famous music groups and singers would perform live on the radio. She could listen to dance music like the rumba, mambo and guaracha. These kinds of songs were influenced by the music of Africa and Spain. This Cuban music or “son” is defined by the beat of the drum and the call of the singer. It is music made for dancing.

In nineteen forty-seven Celia started studying at the Cuban Conservatory of Music. She was discovered a few years later by the music group La Sonora Matancera. This group of was one of Cuba’s most famous orchestras. Their lead singer had just left the band, so they needed a new performer. When the group heard Celia’s voice, they hired her immediately.

At first, listeners missed the band’s former singer. But soon, they fell in love with the powerful voice of Celia Cruz. Here is another of her songs recorded with La Sonora Matancera. It is called “Caramelos”.  Cruz tells about a candy seller singing in the streets about his delicious goods.

In the early nineteen sixties, great political changes took place in Cuba. After a revolution, the communist leader Fidel Castro took power in the country. Like many other Cubans, Celia Cruz decided to move to the United States. She later became an American citizen and never again returned to her country.

A few years later, she married the trumpet player of her band, Pedro Knight. Soon Cruz and her husband separated from La Sonora Matancera. They had played together for fifteen years. But it was time to explore new musical choices.

Celia Cruz lived in New York City where Latin music could be heard in many forms. Many musicians were experimenting with mixing different traditions, rhythms, and styles.  The music known as salsa was a combination of Cuban “son” with other Latin sounds. This music expressed the happiness and the pain of life in Latin American communities.

Celia Cruz soon became the voice of salsa. She performed and made records with many musicians. She would wear wildly colorful clothing with tall shiny shoes. Her face was often painted with bright makeup.

And her dancing was as energetic as her voice.  Here is a recording of Cruz singing “Isadora” with Johnny Pacheco and the Fania AllStars.

During the nineteen seventies Celia Cruz became famous for calling out “Azúcar!” while singing. This word means “sugar” in Spanish. Cruz would shout out this word to energize her band and her audience. You can hear her saying this word in many recordings.

Celia Cruz always enjoyed taking on new projects. She sang many songs with musicians that were not salsa performers. For example, she sang with the hip-hop singer Wyclef Jean on one of his albums. She also sang with musicians such as David Byrne and Patti Labelle.  Cruz also appeared in several movies. One of her most well known roles was in the film “The Mambo Kings” in nineteen ninety-two. Not surprisingly, Cruz plays the part of a salsa singer. Here is Cruz performing the song “Guantanamera” from the sound track of this movie.

 Celia Cruz enjoyed a full and successful life. She won many Grammy Awards. With her seventy albums, she became the most famous voice of salsa music. She was a strong and powerful woman in a music industry made up mostly of men.

In two thousand three, Celia Cruz died as a result of brain cancer. Her life was celebrated at two funerals. Hundreds of thousands of people attended the funerals. Actors, politicians, musicians as well as thousands of fans attended to say goodbye to the Queen of Salsa.

We leave you with the song “Rie y Llora” from Celia Cruz’s last album. It is a song about laughing and crying.  Cruz reminds her listeners to live their lives fully and enjoy every moment.

Source Steve Amber and Faith Lapidus

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Posted in celia cruz , celia cruz queen of salsa , celia cruz salsa , celia cruz salsa latino , queen of salsa

Top Songs by Celia Cruz

A Compilation of Hit Songs from The Queen of Salsa

The following list offers some of the most famous songs by Celia Cruz. From "Tu Voz" to "La Vida Es Un Carnaval," this compilation shows why Celia Cruz was considered the Queen of Salsa. Her charismatic personality, powerful voice and vibrant style made of Celia Cruz one of the most influential figures in Latin music.

10. “Tu Voz”


"Photo Courtesy Seeco
There has to be a bolero in any list dealing with best songs by Celia Cruz. "Tu Voz" is my personal choice in this field, leaving out of the list other tracks like "Te Busco" and "Dile Que Por Mi No Tema." However, this could be the bolero that better captures Celia's voice. A fantastic song from her beginnings with La Sonora Matancera.

9. “La Ceiba Y La Siguaraya”

Photo Courtesy Fania

In my opinion, "La Ceiba Y La Siguaraya" is one of the best Salsa songs ever recorded by Celia Cruz. This single is the star track from La Ceiba, the collaboration album between the Queen of Salsa and the legendary Puerto Rican Salsa band La Sonora Ponceña. "La Ceiba Y La Siguaraya" is also a perfect song for dancing.


8. “Burundanga”

Photo Courtesy Pimienta Records

This is another classic song from the times Celia Cruz used to sing with the legendary Cuban band La Sonora Matancera. It was her ticket to capture audiences in New York back in 1957 when she visited the Big Apple for the first time. A colorful song enhanced by the memorable trumpets of the Cuban band.

7. “Azucar Negra”

Photo Courtesy Universal Latino

From her 1998 album with the same name, "Azucar Negra" was the most popular track from this musical production. Every time Celia Cruz went to stage her distinctive call "Azucar!" drove people crazy. This song not only enhances that call but alsot Celia's African roots. "Azucar Negra" (Brown Sugar) was one of the most famous songs by Celia Cruz.

6. “Quimbara”

Photo Courtesy Fania

"Quimbara" is one of those songs that helped build the whole musical brand around the Queen of Salsa. This single is dominated by great percussion and trumpet sessions. By far, one of the best dancing songs by Celia Cruz.

5. “Sopita En Botella”

"Photo Courtesy Pimienta Records

From her productive years with la Sonora Matancera, "Sopita En Botella" is one of the songs that shaped the Salsa style that characterized Celia Cruz's throughout her successful career. Salsa fans know this is one of the best songs by Celia Cruz. Her performance is fantastic in a single that needs the voice in the right place at the right time.

4. “Yerbero Moderno”

Photo Courtesy Pimienta Records

This track is another classic from Celia Cruz. It is, in fact, difficult to find a compilation of Celia's hits without this song. This single offers a good beat of Rumba that is exalted by Celia Cruz's powerful voice. A classic track not only for Salsa but for Latin music in general.

3. “Guantanamera”

Photo Courtesy Fania

Even if you are not into Latin music, you know that "Guantanamera" is at the heart of Latin music. This song, which is part of the Cuban identity, was taken to new levels of popularity thanks to Celia Cruz's fantastic version. Very often, when we think of Guantanamera, we think of Celia Cruz and we think of Cuba.

2. “La Negra Tiene Tumbao”

Photo Courtesy Sony Music Latin

"La Negra Tiene Tumbao" proved that Celia Cruz was an artist in constant evolution ready to answer the call of her time. This song provides a modern beat quite different from all the classic repertoire Celia Cruz built throughout her career. With this track, Celia Cruz showed to the world the eternal artist she was.

1. “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”

Photo Courtesy RMM Records

Commercially speaking, "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" was one of the most popular songs by Celia Cruz. Those who grew up with Celia's music know that this is not her best song. However, younger generations made of this track a point of reference for Celia's music. Regardless of all this, "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" was probably the best way for Celia to share with the world her never ending happy spirit. In the end, she lived her own life like a carnival full of smiles and joy. Definitely, one of the most uplifting songs by Celia Cruz.


Source Carlos Quintana

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Posted in celia cruz , celia cruz salsa , dance salsa , dance salsacircuit , fashion latinas , queen of salsa , top songs celia cruz