NALIP Renews Board Leadership

November 24, 2014, 11:29 am

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Contact: NALIP Press press@nalip.org

National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Board of Directors Elect

Margie Moreno as Chair

Los Angeles, California (November 21, 2014) -- The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) today announced that its Board of Directors elected Margie Moreno as Board Chair, and Dennis F. Hernández as Vice Board Chair effective immediately.

Margie Moreno.

Margie Moreno is the Vice President, Programming for mun2, NBCUniversal’s Hispanic cable network. In her role, she oversees all facets of programming, including Current and Development.

Dennis F. Hernández is a Los Angeles attorney and an expert in media and First Amendment issues. He is active in the community and serves as a Commissioner for the City of Los Angeles Convention Center Authority.

"NALIP has a rich history of developing Latino content creators for traditional and emerging platforms, by positioning Latino talent at the forefront with networks and studios,” said Moreno. “I am honored to be elected as Board Chair, and I look forward to furthering the NALIP mission within this changing market.”

Dennis F. Hernández.

A premier Latino media arts organization, NALIP looks into meeting the current industry challenges their members face with a renewed Board of Directors that is now comprised of 10 members. Additionally, the non-profit announced Jim Mendiola, Chief Programmer for the San Antonio CineFestival as Board Secretary and Marcos C. González, a strategy management professional as Board Treasurer.

"As a long-time member of the NALIP board, I look forwarding to working with the board to increase the number of working Latino professionals within media,” said Hernandez. “Network involvement at a board level has often created meaningful value to our existing programs and relationships, and this dynamic will continue with Margie’s leadership as Chair.”

"We welcome Margie and Dennis to the leadership of NALIP's Board of Directors,” said Axel Caballero, Executive Director of NALIP. “And thank former board co-chairs Rosa Alonso and Kirk Whisler for their commitment and dedication in this transition. We look forward to the board’s contribution and commitment in moving Latino content creators forward in 2015 and beyond.”

Closing with a strong 2014, NALIP held a total of nine programs; the NALIP Media Summit, Doing Your Doc Labs, the Latino Media Market, NALIP WORLD Channel American Graduate Digital Video Project, the Women in Media Forum, ARC Retreat For Women Filmmakers and Unscripted LA Producers Workshop, they plan to continue and further expand their existing program initiatives in 2015 that develop Latino content creators while furthering industry partnerships that open door and create important access.

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) seeks to inspire, promote, and advocate for Latino content creators in media. As an established non-profit organization, NALIP advances the development of Latino content creation through its programs focusing on narrative, documentary, TV, and digital formats. For more information, please visit www.NALIP.org.

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HOLA Member Bochinche

November 24, 2014, 12:58 pm

≫ Next: Superman, Wolverine and Wonder Woman Detained By U.S. Government Due To "Undocumented" Status

≪ Previous: NALIP Renews Board Leadership

Bochinche refers to “gossip”. In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting, performance or similarly artistic gigs and/or recognition in the media. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface. To see what other HOLA members are doing currently, click here.

Johary Ramos, shown at right, is starring in the holiday play Los Nutcrackers: A Christmas Carajo. Written and directed by Charles Rice-González, it is scheduled for a December run at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!), located in the Westchester Square area of the Bronx. For more information, click here and here.

2014 HOLA Awards recipient Kathy Tejada, Héctor Luis Rivera (see below) and Jason Torres co-starred in the music video for the song "Asesinos" by the music group Mala Entraña (directed by Alan Aguilar).

Yvette Quintero and Héctor Luis Rivera (see above) are acting in the short film Quédate (written and directed by Wilton Reynoso), currently filming in New York City.

Pablo Andrade is currently shooting a role in the webseries "Just My Luck" (written and directed by Elisa Halma and Frank Delessio). For more information, click here.

J.W. Cortés hosted the 26th annual Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce gala, which took place at the Marriott Uniondale Hotel in Uniondale, New York. In addition, the actor-singer-activist was interviewed by Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly of the local Fox morning series "Good Day New York", where he spoke on his life and career, including his current role as Detective Álvarez in the hit Fox series "Gotham". To watch the interview, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and you want to submit abochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

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Superman, Wolverine and Wonder Woman Detained By U.S. Government Due To "Undocumented" Status

November 24, 2014, 4:21 pm

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Check out this op-ed article by HOLA member Vanessa Verduga in Latin Heat which talks of the U.S. immigration crisis currently in the news which deals with some notable "undocumented" characters– Clark Kent (also known as Superman), Logan (also known as Wolverine), and Diana Prince (also known as Wonder Woman)– by clicking here.

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HOLA Member Bochinche

November 25, 2014, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: A Latino Reboot of "All In The Family"? Perhaps According to Sony Pictures Television and Series Creator Norman Lear

≪ Previous: Superman, Wolverine and Wonder Woman Detained By U.S. Government Due To "Undocumented" Status

Francisco Ramos, shown at right, has just booked the lead role of the Prince of Darkness (also known as the ruler of the underworld), in the upcoming horror feature film Sinister Mind (written and directed by Indira Killen). The film will be shot in February and March 2015 on location in Lima, Peru. For more information about all things Ramos, click here.

Jason Torres just started filming the short film And I Saw Her (written and directed by Josy Gonzalo), which is currently lensing in New York City.

Víctor Cruz just wrapped up production work on the feature film The Stockroom (which he wrote and directed and in which he stars, opposite Liza Colón-Zayas and Luis Antonio Ramos). He now is headed to act in the play Cocktales: Confessiones of a Nymphomaniac. Written by and starring Tjasa Ferme, the cabaret-styled show was directed by Kira Simring and will be presented by November and December at the Railroad Blues Speakeasy in Miami, Florida. For more information, click here.

Inma Heredia performed at a benefit for the short film Tú. Yo. Baño. Sexo. Ahora. Written and directed by Francisco Lupini Basagoiti, the film will co-star Francisco Fuertes and Mauricio Pita. The benefit took place in November at The Alchemical Theatre Laboratory in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, where Lupini's previous short film Yo, la peor de todas (starring Carmen Cabrera, Basílica Bliachas and Ana Verónica Muñoz) was screened.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

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A Latino Reboot of "All In The Family"? Perhaps According to Sony Pictures Television and Series Creator Norman Lear

November 25, 2014, 12:48 pm

≫ Next: ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS of the 2014 HOLAfestival

≪ Previous: HOLA Member Bochinche

Check out this article from Todd Spangler in Variety about how Sony Pictures Television approached series creator Norman Lear about doing a reboot in 2015 of his groundbreaking, critically acclaimed television series "All In The Family" (1971-1979), just this time centered around a Latino family. To read the article, click here.

[In the photo, from left to right: The cast of "All In The Family"– Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Carroll O'Connor and Sally Struthers.]

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ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS of the 2014 HOLAfestival

November 25, 2014, 2:58 pm

≫ Next: Prime Latino Media Salón: Holiday Fiesta 2014

≪ Previous: A Latino Reboot of "All In The Family"? Perhaps According to Sony Pictures Television and Series Creator Norman Lear

Alberto Bonilla received a BA in Theatre at Arizona State University. He also studied at The British American Dramatic Academy in Oxford, England. He continued his studies at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts receiving an MFA in Acting under Maggie Flanagan and William Esper. Plays that he has written include Walking To America, Nonnie, Big Black Mexican Woman, #69, El Conejo and PS 357. He is currently developing two new plays. He also wrote and developed a new play based on Medea called María with Resonance Ensemble of which he is a member. As a director, his credits include the plays Look Back in Anger, Three Points Over the Vig, Leaving Lilly, Servant of Two Masters, Raft of the Medusa, and Macbeth. He is also a fight director, teacher and the Director of Film and Television at Maggie Flanigan Studios. For more information, click here.

Elaine Del Valle has enjoyed a lucrative voiceover and commercial career for over two decades. She studied acting under the legendary Wynn Handman, in whose studios she wrote and developed her multiple award-winning off-Broadway solo show Brownsville Bred, her true, coming-of-age story set in the tough neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn. Directed by Pamela Moller-Kareman, the show enjoyed sold out, critically acclaimed runs at Westchester's Schoolhouse Theater, before debuting off-Broadway at the prestigious 59E59 Theaters. She continues to perform the show and share its inspiring message at high schools, colleges and corporations. Recent performances include at new York's legendary Nuyorican Poets' Café, Time Warner Columbus Circle and The New York Times headquarters. She is currently penning the young adult fiction novelization of Brownsville Bred with Parachute Publishing. In addition, she also enjoys performing standup comedy and improv at places like Governor's Comedy Club, The P.I.T. and UCB. Recent film credits include Elliot Loves, Stereotypically Me, and the webseries "Los Angeles". She also writes, produces and stars in the popular webseries "Reasons Y I'm Single". Recent television appearances include "Blue Bloods", "NYC-22" and MTV's scripted comedy series, "Failosophy". She can also be heard on the Nickelodeon/CBS hit animated series "Dora The Explorer", in which she continues to be work, sing, and voice many characters since its debut in 2000. For more information, click here.

Michael Díaz (also known as Juan Bago) originally hails from Redding, Connecticut. After attending Central Connecticut State University, he moved to NYC in hopes to pursue his dreams in acting and comedy. In 2006, he wrote, produced and starred his first independent film, The Story of Juan Bago. The original screenplay and production was conceived from the perspective of not seeing enough roles for Latinos. The success of the slapstick-humored film led to his involvement with various projects such as Jolopeo (producer/assistant director), Sandman's Box (producer), The Tickets (director), and HBO’s “Habla Ya” campaign (actor). During the evolution of his career, he formed Heights Entertainment, a multi-service production company specializing in marketing and film production. He studied at the famed Upright Citizen Brigade (UCB) to perfect his comedy and improvisation skills. Consecutively, it led to his co-hosting “The Bochinche Bueno Show” on Urban Latino Radio for the following two years. He continued on to work on various projects ranging from producing and starring in the short film Act of Love to working on as a personality for NuvoTV; Latino101 and MTV Tr3s Chisme Club. In the late 2000’s, he founded a comedy troupe, Room 28, that performed live and filmed sketches. The group has has recently reunited and has been performing live throughout NYC. With Heights Entertainment, he created viral hit "Pan con Queso", the spoof of Wiz Khalifa’s hit song “Black and Yellow”. The parody duo, Juan Bago and O, had comical hits have been featured in The New York Daily News, Telemundo, Yahoo! News, Billboard.com and was on rotation on mun2, MTV Tr3s and Music Choice. He is currently involved in a couple of projects including "Brisk Bodega Chat", "Studio Heads" and several web projects including hosting "123unodostres", a new digital hub for a young, multi-cultural demographic. He stars in the new webseries from The Flama (an entity owned by Univision), "#AskBago", which premiered in October 2014.

Anthony Ruiz is an actor and writer. As an actor his recent credits include Eli Moran (starring David Zayas, scheduled for release during summer 2015), Daughter of God (starring Keanu Reeves, scheduled for release during fall 2015). Last year he won the SVA/Directors Guild of America Best Actor Award for the short film Caravella. He is also a semi-regular in "The Late Show with David Letterman". As a writer he has written several sketches about "The Richest Man In The World... Carlos Slim" (with David Letterman), and Stirred Crazy: The Pryor Family Story, Part One (with Richard Pryor, Jr.), scheduled to be presented in December 2014 at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Long Island City. With Ed Trucco, he co-wrote and co-directed the short films Truth Will Out and The Game.

Ed Trucco is an actor/director who can be seen in several films and TV shows. His credits include Maria Full Of Grace, and “Law and Order”, among others. He has an extensive theatre background. He most recently acted in a production of La caída de Rafael Trujillo (The Fall of Rafael Trujillo) at Teatro Círculo in New York City. He co-wrote and co-directed with Anthony Ruiz the film Truth Will Out and the soon-to-be-released short The Game. He is currently working as director of photography on a short directed by Laura Gómez, titled The Iron Warehouse. He is also a second-generation director, as his father was Argentine film director Orestes Trucco. For more information, click here.

Vanessa Verduga is an actor, writer, singer, director, producer and lawyer committed to examining social issues for their impact on the underprivileged and disenfranchised. She is the creator and star of the popular award-winning webseries “Justice Woman”, which follows the story of an Assistant District Attorney, by day, who becomes a defender of truth and justice at night. She also stars and produces H.O.M.E., a feature film that examines the loss of communication told through the immigrant’s perspective, and is in pre-production for a comedy feature film she wrote and will star in entitled The Implications of Cohabitation. For more information, click here.

The 2014 HOLAfestival will be presented at Teatro LATEA on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 7:30pm. To RSVP for the evening of screenings, call either (212) 253-1015 or (888) 624-HOLA or by e-mailing here. For more information, click here.

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Prime Latino Media Salón: Holiday Fiesta 2014

November 26, 2014, 3:06 pm

≫ Next: HOLA Legends: ROBERTO GÓMEZ BOLAÑOS "CHESPIRITO"

≪ Previous: ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS of the 2014 HOLAfestival

invite you to

the MADRE of all holiday parties

Holiday Fiesta 2014

New York’s only monthly network series for
Latino multimedia-makers & actors

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 from 6-10PM

A support network to advocate, promote and advance

mainstream and Latino projects in English and Spanish

1st Annual Padrino & Madrina Awards 2014

As we wrap up 2014, we count our blessings. But as we embark on a new year we also take stock: where have we come from, where are we now, and where are we going in 2015? Heaven knows we can’t do it alone and in PRIME LATINO MEDIA we firmly believe in the power of networking and forging relationships to move forward. We know the power of having a “Padrino” and “Madrina” (Godfather & Godmother) in the industry. To that effect we highlight two individuals who on top of working successfully, they firmly believe in the artistic Latino community and supporting. No better way to kick off our prospects for 2015 in full Latino style ~ ¡Latinos Unidos!

8PM: Padrino & Madrina Awards 2014 withTÍO LOUIE

PADRINO 2014, actor David Zayas& MADRINA 2014, filmmaker Sonia González-Martínez

FREE ADMISSION & CASH BAR – RSVP:http://fiesta2014.eventbrite.com

Note location:Bar 13,121 University Place, at East 13th Street (near Union Square), NYC

David Zayas

Star of stage and screen, he was raised in the Bronx. He won raves as the terrifying and powerful prisoner Enrique Morales, from HBO's Oz. A longtime member of the LAByrinth Theater Company, he had his debut on Broadway in Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Anna in the Tropics. He was seen playing Ángel Batista in the hit Showtime series Dexter. He received the 2012 HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award. This year alone he was in the TV series Saint George with George Lopez and Olga Merediz and recently in the breakout Fox TV series, Gotham playing the mobster, Sal Maroni. But what is most impressive about this performer is that in spite of the heights he has reached professionally, he has no qualms about acting in independent films by Latinos and first-time filmmakers. He believes that it keeps him current and immersed in innovation, as well as a belief in this is how we build community. He is a member of Latino artistic organizations believing in the power of support.

Sonia González-Martínez

A writer, director and editor, she has edited the documentaries Antonia Pantoja ¡Presente!, Soul Food Junkies, and Spies of Mississippi and two episodes of María Hinojosa's America by the Numbers for PBS. Her directing credits include the award-winning documentary feature Bragging Rights: Stickball Stories, on the history and players of the NYC game of stickball that aired nationally on PBS. She formed T&A Flicks, a comedy team with actress Tammi Cubilette and comedian Angelo Lozada, directing and writing comedy shorts. For 20 years she has been an activist working on anti-police brutality cases and she led a protest against the film The Perez Family, for casting non-Latinos in Latino roles, which inspired her to create Latinos for Positive Images (LPI) organizing panels between Latinos in media and the community to raise awareness of our collective power in media. She is co-founder of Chica Luna Productions, which was a multimedia organization dedicated to training young women of color in all aspects of video production and distribution. She was on the NY chapter and the national Board for the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP).

Celebrating 21 interviews conducted @
PRIME LATINO MEDIA Salón 2014:

· Laura Gómez: Actor, Director, Producer & Screenwriter

· Jean-Marc Berne: Songwriter, Audio Producer & Voice-Over Coach

· Adel L. Morales: Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Web Series

· Mónica Palmieri: Producer/Actor

· Luis Caballero: Director/Screenwriter

· Adrian Manzano: Director/Screenwriter/Actor

· Jesenia: Actor & Writer

· Jenni Ruiza: Actor, Writer & Director

· Michael Díaz: Writer, Director, Producer, Actor

· Jaime Fernández: Actor, Writer, Director

· Anthony Palmini: Actor, Director, Composer, Editor

· Olga Merediz: Tony-nominated Broadway, TV & film Actor

· Cecilia Aldarondo: Documentary Filmmaker

· Sonia Fritz: Narrative & Documentary Filmmaker

· Juan Pablo Cadaveira: Documentary Filmmaker

· Rashaad Ernesto Green: Filmmaker

· Reinaldo Marcus Green: Filmmaker

· Paola Mendoza:Actor, Director, Screenwriter & Author

· Javier Aguirre: Film Producer

· Jorge Pupo:Theater, Film & TV Actor

· Edward Kostakis: Producer/Creative Director Aerial Filmmaker

Louis E. Perego Moreno/TÍO LOUIE

An interactive content producer and educator who for the past 33 years has owned Skyline Features, a bilingual (English- and Spanish-language) multimedia and educational production company developing documentaries, television programming and advertising commercials featuring Latinos, Blacks, Women, Urban Youth and LGBT. Produced 70 documentary shorts with 1,500 Latino and Black Youth. Producer/Director/Writer of documentary feature, Latina Confessions (2010) and airing on PBS nationally was co-producer on American Dreams Deferred(2012-2014). Executive Producer of PRIME LATINO MEDIASalón, metropolitan New York's only monthly gathering of Latino multimedia-makers and actors in which over 60 narrative & documentary filmmakers, programmers, casting agents, TV & digital media producers and actors have been interviewed.

Next month: PRIME LATINO MEDIA Salón, January 2015… stay tuned!

Be part of the movement:

FACEBOOK Group: Prime Latino Media

Twitter: @PLMSalon

Instagram: PRIME_LATINO_MEDIA

Vimeo: Prime Latino Media

Join the following Professional Networking Groups:

· Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) www.hellohola.org

· United Latino Professionals (ULP) http://www.ulpnetwork.com

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HOLA Legends: ROBERTO GÓMEZ BOLAÑOS "CHESPIRITO"

November 29, 2014, 5:16 pm

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Roberto Gómez Bolaños (21 February 1929 – 28 November 2014), more commonly known by his pseudonym, was a Mexican screenwriter, actor, comedian, director, playwright, songwriter, and author. He is widely regarded as one of the most important Spanish-language comedians of the 20th century. He was internationally known for writing, directing, and starring in the "Chespirito" (1968), "El Chavo del Ocho" (1971), and "El Chapulín Colorado" (1972) television series. The character of El Chavo is one of the most iconic in the history of Latin American television.

Born in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Gómez was an amateur boxer before becoming an actor. He studied engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He wrote a number of plays, and contributed dialogue for scripts of films and television shows in Mexico, as well as some character acting work before he became famous. His stage name, "Chespirito", was given to him by a producer during Gómez Bolaños' first years as a writer, and was concocted from the diminutive form of the Spanish pronunciation of the name of William Shakespeare's surname-- Shakespearito, meaning "Little Shakespeare".

Chespirito was discovered as an actor while he was waiting in line to apply for a job as a writer, and soon he began writing and starring in his children's comedy shows. Chespirito's first show was "Los Supergenios de la Mesa Cuadrada", a sketch comedy show that premiered in 1968; the show also starred Ramón Valdés, María Antonieta de las Nieves and Rubén Aguirre. "Los Supergenios" was later renamed "Chespirito y la Mesa Cuadrada", and later "Chespirito"; characters like El Chavo, El Chapulín and Dr. Chapatín were introduced in this show (1972, 1970, and 1968, respectively).

His best known roles were in the shows El Chavo and El Chapulín Colorado. Both series premiered in 1973, and were based on sketches of the same name from Los Supergenios. The shows were produced by Mexican TV network Televisa, and aired in 124 countries. Other shows produced by and starring Chespirito were the short-lived "La Chicharra" from 1979, and a second version of "Chespirito" from 1980–1995.

In El Chavo, Chespirito played an 8-year-old boy who often took refuge inside a wooden rain barrel in a Mexican neighborhood, and in El Chapulín Colorado, he played a good-hearted superhero who gets involved in humorous situations. "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening has said that he created the Bumblebee Man character after watching El Chapulín Colorado in a motel on the United States–Mexico border. He also played Doctor Chapatín in his television series, a doctor who is always trying to practice surgery on patients– even if they don't need it.

El Chavo and El Chapulín Colorado have become cultural icons all over Latin America and the United States, and have also aired in many countries worldwide.

Chespirito is also noted as a composer. He started writing music as a hobby, and most of his early musical work was related to his comedy work, particularly featured in occasional Chapulín Colorado or Chavo del Ocho special episodes. Later works include the theme songs for various Mexican movies and telenovelas, such as "Alguna Vez Tendremos Alas" and "La Dueña".

On 19 November 2004, after 27 years together, he married actress and longtime companion Florinda Meza, who starred as Doña Florinda in "El Chavo". After show production was stopped for his television series, both toured Mexico and the rest of Latin America and the United States with different plays, sometimes playing the characters that made them famous. He died at the age of 85 in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

QEPD Roberto Gómez Bolaños "Chespirito"

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HOLA Member Bochinche

December 2, 2014, 12:44 pm

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Paola Tonini, shown above, at left and at right, was the cover story of the magazine El Correo-Queens Courier (the November 28-December 11, 2014 issue), where she was profiled for her leading role in the award-winning feature film The Hardest Love (written and directed by Henry B. Roa), which also starred Francisco Ramos (also shown in the article) and Jason Torres (see below). To read the article (which is in Spanish), click on the photo above, at left, or click here and here. To find out more about Tonini, click here or here.

Jason Torres (see above) is currently filming the film short The Usher (written and directed by Christopher Johnson).

Lucio Fernández, shown at right, is a Renaissance man of sorts. In addition to being a triple threat (actor-singer-dancer), he is also a playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker and visual artist and advocate for the arts. As a visual artist, his work is being exhibited in the Union City Museum of Art/William V. Musto Cultural Center in the West Hoboken section of Union City, New Jersey. The exhibit, titled "in BLACK and WHITE" will be shown from December 2014 through February 2015. In addition, he is starring in the short film Sal. Written by Fernández and directed by John Jay Hebert (with line producing by Liliana Barrera), the film also stars Saulo Díaz, Judy San Román and Ricardo Bacallao, and will have a screening on Friday, December 12, 2014 also at Union City Museum of Art/William V. Musto Cultural Center. For more information, click here or here.

Caridad de la Luz (also known by her nom de poésie et de musique La Bruja) will be performing in the Bloom Readings presentation, Nuyorican Legends. She will share the stage with Emanuel Xavier, Nancy Mercado and Edwin Torres. The evening of poetry will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at the Hudson View Gardens in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. For more information, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

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HOLA Member Bochinche

December 2, 2014, 2:37 pm

≫ Next: Report on the 2014 HOLAfestival

≪ Previous: HOLA Member Bochinche

Vivienne Jurado, shown at right, is starring in the film Dirty Shield (written and directed by Edgar Jimz). The film will next be screened at the 2015 International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema, taking place in February at Margate, Kent, England, U.K. For more information, click here.

The Hardest Love, the award-winning feature film written and directed by Henry B. Roa, has been hitting the film festival circuit. Its next stop is the Viva! Latino Film Festival NYC International, scheduled to take place in February 2015 in New York City. The film boasts the talents of three HOLA members– Francisco Ramos, Paola Tonini and Jason Torres. For more information, click here.

2014 HOLA Awards recipient Pablo Andrade, shown at left, was profiled in The Platform Magazine (Inspiring Men's Issue - Special Edition), where his work on the plays Noche tan linda (written by 2014 HOLAAwards recipient Pablo García Gámez and directed by Jorge B. Merced and 2014 HOLA Awards recipient Leyma López; fellow co-star Idalmis García can be seen in a photo in the article as well), El loco por fuerza (written by Félix Lope de Vega and directed by 2014 HOLA Awards recipient Leyma López), Agravios de fortuna (adapted from William Shakespeare's Sonnets and directed by A.B. Lugo), and Aire frío (written by Virgilio Piñera and directed by 2014 HOLA Awards recipient Leyma López) was highlighted. In addition, his work on the film Bad vs. Worse (written and directed by Gus Trapani) was profiled. For more information, click here. For more information on Andrade, click here.

Stewie Vill is among the standup comedians performing at the C U Next Tuesday comedy showcase, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at Brother Jimmy's Union Square in the Union Square area of Manhattan.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

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Report on the 2014 HOLAfestival

December 3, 2014, 12:45 pm

≫ Next: The Works of the 2014 HOLAfestival

≪ Previous: HOLA Member Bochinche

On Monday, December 1, 2014, the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) held its 2014 HOLAfestival at Teatro LATEA in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA). It was the fourth annual festival since it was re-established in 2011 (an earlier incarnation, called the HOLA Festival, took place circa 1988-1990). The HOLAfestival celebrates HOLA members who are also writers. In previous years, HOLA highlighted the work of playwrights (through staged play readings which often included HOLA members performing in them) and poetry.

This year's edition of the 2014 HOLAfestival celebrated HOLA members who wrote webseries and short films (oftentimes directing, producing and/or starring in them). The HOLA members involved were Alberto Bonilla (webseries pilot "Josh and Jesús"); Elaine Del Valle (webseries "Reasons Y I'm Single"); Michael Díaz, also known as Juan Bago (webseries "Studio Heads"); Anthony Ruiz and Ed Trucco (short film Truth Will Out); and Vanessa Verduga (webseries "Justice Woman").

The rainy evening didn't prevent a good crowd from attending. However, the evening started out on a somber note as less than 24 hours prior to the HOLAfestival, it was revealed that HOLA member, the actress and writer Lina Gallegos had passed away. The 2014 HOLAfestival was dedicated in her honor.

HOLA members (and Friends of HOLA) who were featured in the works screened include Alberto Bonilla, Elaine Del Valle, Michael Díaz (Juan Bago), Mateo Gómez, Susanna Guzmán, A.B. Lugo, Patricia Olvera, Luis Antonio Ramos, Anthony Ruiz, Ed Trucco, and Vanessa Verduga. Also notable in the screened pieces were performances by Laura Gómez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joshua Warr, Gina Tuttle, and 2014 HOLA Awards recipient Armando Riesco.

The master of ceremonies, HOLA Associate Director A.B. Lugo, kept the proceedings moving and the bar at Teatro LATEA kept the libations flowing. After the screenings, there was a raffle and afterward music was played which led to dancing and even more fun. In addition, HOLA Executive Director Manny Alfaro was surprised with a homemade cake, as the HOLAfestival fell on his birthday. Also surprised was Lugo, who received a gift from Prime Latino Media's own Louis Perego Moreno (also affectionately known as Tío Louie) as a token of appreciation for the work the two have done together in uniting Latino actors and multimedia-makers.

HOLA would like to thank Nelson Landrieu, Mateo Gómez, Alex Moore and Anthony Ruiz of Teatro LATEA; Ed Trucco (for helping out on the technical side of things); Louis Perego Moreno (Tío Louie); Basil Rojas; J. Edgar Mozoub of the ARTE NY blog (for covering the event); all of the filmmakers; and all those in attendance for making this such a successful event.

[Photos in this blog by Louis Perego Moreno (Tío Louie) and Alphabeta Photography. To see more photos, click here. To see the photo essay in ARTE NY (photos by J. Edgar Mozoub), click here.]

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The Works of the 2014 HOLAfestival

December 3, 2014, 1:23 pm

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Below you will see videos of the pieces screened at the 2014 HOLAfestival, which took place on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Teatro LATEA, located in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA) in New York City.

[Names in boldface indicate HOLA members and/or Friends of HOLA. Caution: The videos below contain some strong language.]

JOSH AND JESÚS
Webseries pilot: “Rocky”

Written by Alberto Bonilla
Directed by Melissa Macleod Herion
Produced by Alberto Bonilla

Stars: Alberto Bonilla, Joshua Warr, Simone Serra.

The adventures of straight guy Jesús and his gay best friend and “wingman” Josh.

Josh and Jesus w: Rocky from Alberto Bonilla on Vimeo.

REASONS Y I’M SINGLE

Webseries: “The Oscars Special” (Webisode 6)

Written by Elaine Del Valle and Holie Barker

Directed by Taryn Kosviner and Elaine Del Valle

Produced by Del Valle Productions and Al Eskanazy

Stars: Elaine Del Valle, Gina Tuttle, Holie Barker, et al.

Special Guest Star: Luis Antonio Ramos

“Reasons Y I’m Single” is a comedy webseries about being single, over 35 and under fabulous. Joan, Doris and Gina are unlikely friends that met decades ago at Banana Splits summer camp. (Banana Splits is a therapy group for kids of divorce.) Now in their 30s and living in NYC, the women share experiences and wonder "Y" (why) they are single.

STUDIO HEADS

Webseries: “Studio Heads Try To Keep Their Jobs” (Webisode 6 - Season Finale)

Written by Michael Díaz (aka Juan Bago) and Jaime Fernández

Directed by Jaime Fernández and Anthony Palmini

Produced by Heights Entertainment

Stars: Michael Díaz, Jaime Fernández, Anthony Palmini, et al.

Special Guest Star: Lin-Manuel Miranda
“Studio Heads” is an original web series that follows the misadventures of self-proclaimed "internet sensation" Juan Bago as he builds a production company. Joining forces with friends Jaime (an aspiring "R&B slow jam singer") and Anthony (an aspiring "important acting award winning actor") he creates Enharmonics, a production company he hopes will bring them fame, fortune, and mad YouTube groupies. Follow the journey of three men who decide to pursue their dreams against all obstacles - obstacles like "having talent," and "possessing a basic understanding of companies" - and find themselves a little in over their heads.

TRUTH WILL OUT

Short Film

Written and directed by Anthony Ruiz and Ed Trucco

Additional dialogue by Armando Riesco

Story by Ed Trucco

Produced by Two Productions and Laura Trucco

Stars: Ed Trucco, Armando Riesco, Mateo Gómez, Laura Gómez, Susanna Guzmán, A.B. Lugo

Some people have skeletons in their closets, these two guys have an entire graveyard. A short dark comedy.

JUSTICE WOMAN

Webseries: “S3E2 - Season 3, Webisode 1– Hallelujah”

Written and directed by Vanessa Verduga

Produced by Vanessa Verduga

Stars: Vanessa Verduga, Lee J. Kaplan, Luke Guldan, Lino Del Core, Jessica Fontaine, Patricia González Olvera, Chelsea Marino, Chiz Schultz, Tony White, Omar González

”Justice Woman” is a comedy-drama series that follows the story of Sofía Escala, a spunky Assistant District Attorney, who is determined to fight injustices within the legal system and the fiasco that she and her office mate, Robert Gallion, get into as a result thereof. A campy series that pays homage to superheroes of yesteryear with an engaging storyline that involves Sofía bringing to light questionable practices in the prosecution of the city's cases, most notably the incarceration of an innocent migrant worker, Jesús López, and her quest to prove his innocence with the help of Robert and few more friends she encounters on her journey along the road to justice.

The 2014 HOLAfestival was dedicated to the memory of Lina Gallegos, an HOLA member whose stage play Carmen's Pearl opened the 2011 HOLAfestival.

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All About Becoming an HOLA Member or a Friend of HOLA

December 4, 2014, 12:28 pm

≫ Next: Why Join HOLA? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About HOLA

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Wanna be an HOLA member? Wanna know more about HOLA first?

HOLA is a not-for-profit arts service and advocacy organization founded in 1975.

HOLA members get their headshots and resumes on our web directory. In addition, HOLA receives casting notices from various sources that we pass on to our members (or in specific cases, help refer actors to the casting director).

HOLA offers low-cost workshops and seminars, professional counseling, special events and networking activities. We also produce the HOLA Awards which honor outstanding achievement by Latinos in entertainment.

HOLA has a Facebook page and a Twitter page in addition to this blog (imaginatively titled El Blog De HOLA). Whenever a member is doing a project, we can promote via e-mails we send out, through our Members in Performance page on the website or in El Blog on our HOLA Member Bochinche column (only good bochinche, never bad bochinche). It functions as another outlet to promote your work. HOLA is also on YouTube and on Wikipedia.

What if you are not an actor? You can support HOLA by being a Friend of HOLA. For more information, click here.

To become an HOLA member online (New York metropolitan area), fill out the member application form here.

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Why Join HOLA? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About HOLA

December 4, 2014, 12:35 pm

≫ Next: HOLA Regional Membership Available For Those Outside New York Metropolitan Area

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WHY JOIN HOLA?

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is HOLA an agency or management company?

No. While we work similarly to an agency or an artist management company, we do a lot more. In essence, HOLA is a membership organization, a not-for-profit arts service and advocacy organization that offers jobs and casting opportunities, workshops and seminars and special events to its membership.

• Does one have to audition for HOLA?

No. HOLA is a membership organization. Just pay the annual membership and you become an HOLA member.

• I am a new actor. Does HOLA apply to me and how so? (Or conversely, I have a fair amount of experience. How does HOLA apply to me?)

HOLA members range from the beginner to the established and everywhere in between. HOLA will apply to you at every stage of your career.

• Do I have to speak Spanish (or Portuguese) to be an HOLA member?

No. HOLA members speak English only, Spanish only, or both languages fluently. Our Brazilian members speak Portuguese as well as English. There is no requirement for any member to speak Spanish (or Portuguese) to be an HOLA member.

• What kind of casting notices do you receive?

HOLA receives all kinds of casting notices— from union and nonunion, through the disciplines of film, television, theater and voiceover. The majority of our notices are distributed to our membership. There are some instances, whether because of short notice or because of the search for something very specific, that HOLA makes referrals to certain talent.

• I have signed representation. Would that be in conflict with HOLA?

No. In fact, we would put your signed representative’s name and number on your online profile. It would be another way to promote yourself without conflict.

• If I book a job through HOLA, do I owe you a commission?

No. We are not an agency or artist management company. You are under no obligation to give us a commission. (But if you want to show your appreciation with a donation, we’ll be forced to take it, I suppose.)

• I am in the process of getting my citizenship. Could I still join HOLA?

Yes. As long as you can legally work in the U.S., you can join HOLA.

• Does HOLA have a social media presence?

Yes. We are on Facebook, Twitter and have our own channel on YouTube. In addition, we are on Wikipedia and have our own blog, titled El Blog de HOLA.

• What if I am not an actor but I like what you do?

You could support HOLA by becoming a Friend of HOLA and donating to the organization. If you are a producer or director, a Friend of HOLA donation allow us to promote your productions!

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HOLA Regional Membership Available For Those Outside New York Metropolitan Area

December 4, 2014, 12:44 pm

≫ Next: Banner Ads Now Available on HOLA Website

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If you are an actor who lives in an area of the U.S. outside of the New York metropolitan area, New Jersey or Connecticut (HOLA's programming and administrative headquarters region), HOLA is proud to announce its Regional Membership level - for only $65 (versus a $125 regular NYC region membership price) for one full year!

As an HOLA Regional Member, you'll be entitled to the following member benefits:

• Your headshot, resume, reel and voiceover demo* showcased on the HOLA Pages, the internet's only concentrated source of Latino acting talent. The directory is a trusted resource for casting directors, producers and talent agents receiving, on average, over 5,000 visits per month. (* There is an additional charge of $15 for adding your voiceover demo.)

• Your performances listed and promoted via HOLA's website and social media pages (Facebook and Twitter) that reaches thousands of people in the entertainment industry.

• Casting notices that will alert you to employment opportunities tailored to the Latino actor.

• Advocacy to combat stereotypes of the Latino/Hispanic community in media and entertainment as well as the opportunity to join in solidarity with the Latino/Hispanic acting community.

Application for regional memberships accepted by telephone order only. Call HOLA toll free at (888) 524-HOLA or (888) 524-4652. (VISA, MasterCard and American Express accepted.) Please submit your headshot (in .jpg format) and resume in a Word document or in Portable Data Format (.doc or .docx; or .pdf) via e-mail to HOLA.

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Banner Ads Now Available on HOLA Website

December 4, 2014, 12:46 pm

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Wanna promote your upcoming stage production? Your upcoming film screening? Your upcoming special event?

HOLA members often get publicity in our Members in Performance page, but what if you could promote on our main homepage, or in our directory (The HOLA Pages), where more people can see your ad?

What if you had a project with no HOLA members that you wanted to promote?

What if you wanted to promote something that wasn’t a show (like your production company itself or a new website)?

Now you can do so by BUYING A BANNER AD on the HOLA website.

Banner ads come in half-page and full-page sizes and can be on the HOLA website for one week, two weeks, three weeks or a whole month. HOLA can also link your ad to a particular website at no additional cost.

Prices on the banner ads are affordable. Also, not-for-profit organizations receive a 10% discount on ad prices.

The HOLA website receives thousands of visits each month. The HOLA website is viewed by many professionals in the industry and is a unique way of reaching the Latino/Hispanic and mainstream audiences, which make buying a banner ad a smart investment for you.

Wanna buy a banner ad? Call (212) 253-1015 or (888) 624-HOLA or e-mail us for prices and ad dimensions.

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HOLA Member Bochinche

December 4, 2014, 2:17 pm

≫ Next: Report: 2014 Holiday Fiesta

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Allison Strong, shown at right, will sing with her band in a concert of Latin classics, Christmas songs (in English and Spanish), and original songs. The concert will take place on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the Union City Museum/William V. Musto Cultural Center, located in the West Hoboken section of Union City, New Jersey. For more information, click here or here.

2014 HOLA Awards recipient Caridad del Valle, Sebastian Stimman and Paul Montoya star in Lorca, la luna y la muerte. Based on the work of Federico García Lorca and directed by Montoya (with assistant direction by Elena Mohedano), the production by La Caja de los Prejuicios was brought back for a command performance after running in November as part of the eARTh Theater Festival/Lorca Al Desnudo II. It will be performed in December at the Roy Arias Studios and Theaters, located in the theater district of midtown Manhattan.

Luis Salgado and Gabriela García were featured on the December 2014-January 2015 issue of Latina magazine, where it talks of their friendship and their work with R.Evolución Latina. To read the article, click on the image at left.

Mauricio Pita is acting in the play undrown'd. A devised piece created by the company, it is directed by Benita de Wit. The workshop production will be presented in December at the Schapiro Studio Theater at Columbia University, located in the West Harlem/ Manhattanville section of Manhattan. For more information, click here or here.

Edvin Ortega will be performing The Ultimate Boyband Tribute with the singing group Larger Than Life. The concert will take place in February 2015 at Fontana's, located in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood. For more information, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

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Report: 2014 Holiday Fiesta

December 5, 2014, 2:57 pm

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On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, Prime Latino Media (PLM) and the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) hosted their 2014 Holiday Fiesta. The party took place at Bar 13, located in the Union Square area of Manhattan. Prime Latino Media presents the Prime Latino Media Salón, New York's only monthly networking series for Latino multimedia-makers and actors. In addition to celebrating the upcoming holidays, it was a time for reflection on the accomplishments of 2014 and the planning of further achievements in 2015.

Hosted by Prime Latino Media's Louis Perego Moreno (Tío Louie) and HOLA's Associate Director A.B. Lugo, the party was quite the success with over 150 actors and multimedia-makers in attendance. Prime Latino Media also instituted its Padrino and Madrina awards. The Padrino (Spanish for "godfather") and Madrina (Spanish for "godmother") awards are given to people in the entertainment industry who have not only demonstrated success in their field(s) but have also given back to others in the field.

The first annual Padrino Award was bestowed upon actor and writer David Zayas, while the first annual Madrina Award was given to filmmaker and activist Sonia González-Martínez. DJ Classic kept the mood light and fun, with people dancing and grooving to his beats as he held it down on the ones and twos.

HOLA would like to thank Prime Latino Media (PLM) for their continued collaboration, this year's Padrino and Madrina (Mr. Zayas and Ms. González-Martínez), the staff and management of Bar 13 and all those in attendance who helped make our Holiday Fiesta quite a fantastic event.

Photos in this blog are courtesy of Louis Perego Moreno (Tío Louie). To see more photos (including some fun photos from Tío Louie's digital photo booth), click here.

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HOLA Member Bochinche

December 5, 2014, 3:12 pm

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Vanessa Verduga, shown at right, was nominated for a LA WebFest award in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for her webseries "Justice Woman" (in which she writes, directs, produces and stars).

Paola Poucel booked the role of Farmer Ana María of the Nick Jr. television series "Dora and Friends".

María Cotto booked an industrial film from Next Millennium Productions.

Cedric Leiba, Jr., is co-starring in Marchers Trilogy. Produced by Pregones Theater-Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, the piece is inspired by three previous works produced by Pregones– The Wedding March, ¡Ay Jesús! Oh, Jesus! and Peccatoribus. Based on texts from over 15 writers (including Jesús Ortiz, Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill, Walt Whitman, Alvan Colón, Rosalba Rolón, Judith Ortiz Cofer and Sandra María Esteves), the piece is directed by Jorge B. Merced (with musical direction by Desmar Guevara) and be presented in November at the Pregones Theater space located in the Mott Haven area of the South Bronx. For more information, click here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

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HOLA Member Bochinche

December 8, 2014, 11:57 am

≫ Next: HOLA and the HOLA Awards in the Fall 2014 Issue of the SAG-AFTRA Magazine

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Yvette Quintero, shown at right, is starring in José Adolfo Pichardo's play Nadís. Directed by Héctor Luis Rivera, the TEBA production is returning for a second run (due to popular demand) at the Broadway Blackbox Theater, located in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. For more information, click here.

Emmanuelle Bordas shot a national Spanish-language commercial for Goya.

Lorraine Rodríguez-Reyes just recently filmed another installment of "What Would You Do?", a segment for "Primetime" (ABC), hosted by John Quiñones.

Inma Heredia continues to present her self-penned solo show Divas de España (directed by Adolfo Vásquez). The show is being presented at Centro Español, located in Manhattan's West Village/Chelsea neighborhood.

Luis Salgado will be directing and choreographing the musical Zuccotti Park (named after the NYC park that was the birthplace of the Occupy Wall Street movement). Written by Catherine Hurd (book and lyrics) and Vatrena King, the play will be presented in February and March as part of the 2015 Venus/Adonis Festival at 44o Studios, located in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood. Casting is forthcoming. For more information, click here.

Vivienne Jurado is starring in the film Dirty Shield (written and directed by Edgar Jimz). The film continues its run on the film festival circuit, with an upcoming screening at the 2015 Viva! Latino Film Festival International, scheduled to take place in February 2015 in New York City.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

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