Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal Boxing Match Rescheduled to Independence Day Weekend

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal are now preparing for a real fireworks show in the ring.

The 39-year-old half-Mexican American mixed martial artist and professional boxer’s upcoming encounter with the 39-year-old Peruvian & Cuban American professional boxer and former professional mixed martial artist inside a boxing ring has a new date and venue.

Diaz vs. Masvidal, originally slated for June 1 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, will now relocate to the Honda Center in Anaheim and take place during Independence Day weekend on July 6.

The 10-round light heavyweight showdown will be presented on Fanmio PPV.

The original date was met with heavy competition as UFC 302 is scheduled for the same night in Newark, New Jersey, where Islam Makhachev will defend the lightweight championship against Dustin Poirier. The same day, Dmitry Bivol defends his WBA light heavyweight championship against late replacement Malik Zinad while Deontay Wilder returns to action against Zhilei Zhang on the same card.

“I sell pay-per-views for a living,” said Masvidal to ESPN. Masvidal is the promoter of Gamebred boxing as well as the bare-knuckle MMA promotion Gamebred Fighting Championship and MMA promotion iKON FC. “You don’t want to go up against other fight events and you definitely don’t want to go up against the UFC. I have been trying to switch the date from the beginning.”

Masvidal said that Diaz initially wasn’t cooperative and adamant that their boxing match take place on June 1. But the former UFC title contender said that making the move to a new date would prevent splitting the attention of fans who wanted to watch. He also stated that the event, billed as “Last Man Standing,” was moved to Anaheim to service a starved MMA fanbase that routinely turns out for UFC events in the city.

“It just doesn’t make sense but he’s not a boxer and he doesn’t have a boxing fan base,” Masvidal continued. “The fanbase he has is from MMA, from the UFC. Why go up against our own fanbase? As a promoter, I never wanted to go against them. I know fans may buy both events but why do it if there are other dates available? Finally, the promotion heeded my advice and we were able to change dates.”

The inaugural press tour for the fight was a contentious one as two fighters traded barbs with Masvidal accusing Diaz of being a “diva” during the promotion. “Gamebred” does have concerns that Diaz may not make it to the fight.

“I just felt like he didn’t want to be a part of the press tour,” Masvidal said. “I just hope he shows up to the fight because a big part of me doesn’t think he will. We have some backups out there. We have been making some calls and hunting them down because the feeling is out there that he won’t show up. I hope he proves me wrong, but we have a backup just in case.”

Diaz and Masvidal first squared off inside of the UFC‘s Octagon in 2019 when the two fan favorites competed for the inaugural BMF championship at UFC 244. The highly anticipated encounter ended on a sour note when a doctor’s stoppage due to a cut over Diaz’s eye awarded Masvidal the victory. Now the two will settle their differences in a different medium, but both fighters are looking for a definitive result on July 6

“After the fireworks on the Fourth of July you will get to see a funeral on July 6,” said Masvidal.

Demi Lovato to Perform on CNN’s “The Fourth in America” Special

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is celebrating America’s independence in a special way…

CNN will be hosting an Independence Day special, The Fourth In America, that will include a performance by the 30-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress.

In addition to Lovato, other performers will include Post Malone, Zac Brown Band and Leon Bridges.

Dana Bash, Boris Sanchez, Victor Blackwell and Cari Champion will host the special, which also will include Sheryl Crow, Darius Rucker, Alanis Morrisette, Duran Duran, Flo Rida, Smash Mouth and The Plain White Ts.

This will be the fourth year that the network has scheduled a Fourth of July special, following CNN’s long running tradition of New Year’s Eve coverage from Times Square.

The special also will include a performance by the United States Air Force Band, as well as fireworks shows from around the county, including Washington, D.C.

Alejandro Fernandez Taking Part in Monthlong Mexican Independence Day Celebration in Las Vegas

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Fernandez is ready to scream with pride…

In celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day, Las Vegas will capture El Grito’s essence with month-long cultural events, a star-studded lineup that includes the 50-year-old Mexican singer, and culinary hotspots, to name a few.

“Only the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ can celebrate Mexican Independence Day with some of the biggest names in Latin entertainment,” Fernando Hurtado, senior director of global sales at Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) tells Billboard. “With nearly 40 flights from Mexico to Las Vegas per week, there’s no better place to celebrate El Grito or any other special occasion.”

Live Nation is producing seven of 12 performances taking place in September, including Christian Nodal kicking off his Botella Tras Botella tour with special guest Gera MX, Grupo Firme with three back-to-back shows at MGM Grand Garden Arena, and both Marco Antonio Solis and Fernandez with two concerts each.

“The Independence of Mexico is a celebratory event, and Live Nation has been the primary promoter recognizing this special holiday by bringing iconic Latin talent to Las Vegas, which is a destination for international and domestic Hispanic travelers every September,” Emily Simonitsch, SVP of concerts for Live Nation, tells Billboard in a statement.

In regards to the COVID-19 and Delta variant spikes, Simonitsch assures, “Live Nation continues to follow all venue and local government protocols and encourages guests to visit the websites for each venue for the most updated guidelines.”

For more information, visit LiveNation.com or VisitLasVegas.com.

Here’s the full live music schedule:

MALUMA
Sept. 4 — Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

MARCO ANTONIO SOLIS
Sept. 10 & 11 — The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

GRUPO FIRME
Sept. 10 to 12 — MGM Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

BANDA MS
Sept. 11 — Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay

PANCHO BARRAZA
Sept. 11 — Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

LOS ANGELES AZULES
Sept. 12 — Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

CHRISTIAN NODAL with special guest GERA MX
Sept. 14 — Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ
Sept. 15 & 16 — MGM Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand

PITBULL
Sept. 18 — Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

CAMILO
Sept. 18 — Tropicana Las Vegas

BRONCO
Sept. 18 — Concerts on the Beach Series at Mandalay Bay Beach

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS & RICKY MARTIN
Sept. 25 — MGM Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand

Auli’i Cravalho to Perform at PBS’ Televised Independence Day Celebration “A Capitol Fourth”

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Auli’i Cravalho is embracing the independence…

The 20-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer will perform at this year’s Independence Day celebration A Capitol Fourth, which will feature a pre-taped concert and live fireworks from Washington, D.C.

The city has lifted almost all COVID-19 restrictions, and President Joe Biden is planning an event at the White House that day, his goal for having at least 70% of the country with at least one COVID-19 shot.

But producers have been planning the show for months, with COVID-19 forcing them to set aside the traditional live concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

In addition to Cravalho, others who will perform at the event are Jimmy Buffett, Cynthia Erivo, Alan Jackson, Pentatonix, Jennifer Nettles, Train, Gladys Knight, Mickey Guyton, Ali Stroker, Jimmie Allen and Laura Osnes.

The National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Jack Everly, will perform John Williams’ Olympic Fanfare, honoring U.S. participation in the upcoming Summer Olympic Games. The orchestra and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus will accompany the fireworks with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

Vanessa Williams will host the event, with Renee Fleming set to open the show with the National Anthem. The concert will honor men and women of the military, with other participants including the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The Joint Armed Forces Chorus and The Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

The concert, a co-production of Michael Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA-TV, will air on July 4 from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm ET on PBS, and it also will be broadcast to the American Forces Network. NPR stations also will air the event, and it will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and PBS.org through July 18.

Cravalho rose to acclaim as the voice of the title character in Disney’s computer animated musical Moana. Her other credits include NBC’s Rise and Netflix’s drama film All Together Now.

Christina Aguilera to Perform at the Soon-to-Reopen Hollywood Bowl This Summer

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Aguilera is preparing to bowl over fans this summer…

The Hollywood Bowl has announced it’s all-star lineup for its first summer season since the pandemic shutdown, which kicks off earlier than previously expected, with the 40-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer set to perform.

On May 15, conductor Gustavo Dudademal and the LA Philharmonic will be the first to return to the Bowl.

Viola Davis will appear alongside Dudamel and the LA Phil on July 15, on the heels of her Best Actress Oscar nomination for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, serving as the narrator of Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale, Peter and the Wolf.

She’ll be followed, on July 16 and 17, by five-time Grammy winner Aguilera.

Cynthia Erivo, who recently starred as Aretha Franklin in Nat Geo’s Genius: Aretha, is set to appear on July 30, performing tunes by Franklin, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and others, in addition to selections from her forthcoming debut album.

Meanwhile, recent Oscar winner H.E.R. will perform her first-ever concerts with an orchestra on August 13 and 14.

Over the course of the summer, the Bowl will also present a number of special events, including two Fireworks Spectaculars, on July 3 and 4, in observance of Independence Day. Those shows will feature appearances from disco-funk legends Kool & the Gang.

Other notable events include “The Princess Bride in concert” (July 31), “Sing-A-Long Sound of Music” (August 21), “Black Panther in concert” (September 10-12), and “Maestro of the Movies” (September 3-5). At the latter event, which serves as the Bowl’s annual celebration of film music, John Williams and David Newman will conduct the LA Phil.

Check out the full schedule for the summer by clicking here.

Mandy Gonzalez to Perform on PBS’ Virtual Independence Day Concert, “A Capitol Fourth”

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Mandy Gonzalez has found her Independence…

The 41-year-old half Mexican American actress/singer, best known for her leading roles on Broadway, will perform on PBS’ virtual Independence Day concert, A Capitol Fourth.

Due to the continued coronavirus pandemic, PBS opted for a virtual Fourth of July event, instead of cancelling it completely.

A Capitol Fourth, now in its 40th year, will feature pre-taped performances from around the country, hosted by John Stamos and Vanessa Williams.

In addition to Gonzalez, who played Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked and originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of the musical In the Heights, performers include Patti LaBelle, John Fogerty, Renee Fleming,The Temptations, Trace Adkins, Andy Grammer, Yolanda Adams, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, and members of the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jack Everly.

Segments for the eventare being pre-taped, and the special also will feature highlights from previous years.

The 90-minute show also will feature a tribute by Stamos to workers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, with Chrissy Metz singing I’m Standing with You.

There will also be segments honoring African American heroes from the past and present, and a salute to wounded warriors. A live segment of the special will feature the annual fireworks display over the D.C. skyline.

“For four decades A Capitol Fourth has paid tribute to our nation’s birthday and the hopes and dreams of all Americans,” said executive producer Michael Colbert. “This year, our broadcast will reflect the reality of what we as a country have faced and the challenges ahead, while showcasing our message of inclusion, patriotism and love.”

The special will air on PBS on July 4 at 8:00 pm ET, and will be heard on the American Forces Network and in stereo over NPR member stations. The concert also will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and PBS.org and will be available on demand from July 4-18.

Richard Cabral to Star in Hulu’s Horror Event Series “Into The Dark”

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

There are dark times in Richard Cabral’s future…

The 34-year-old Mexican American actor and Mayans M.C. star is set to appear in an installment of Hulu’s Into The Dark, a monthly horror event series from Blumhouse Television.

The Into the Dark series includes 12 feature-length episodes, released each month over one year and inspired by a holiday, featuring Blumhouse’s signature genre/thriller spin on the story.

Cabral will play Santo, a scary, cartel killer since he was just a boy, in the Independence Day-themed installment.

Cabral received an Emmynomination for supporting actor in a limited series or movie for his portrayal of Hector Tonz in American Crime. He’s currently a lead in FX’s Mayans M.C., recently receiving a Critics’ Choice Awardnomination for his role as Johnny Coco Cruz. Season two begins production later this spring to air this fall.

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