Huerta to Speak at the Chelsea Handler-Organized Women’s March on Main

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Dolores Huerta has been given her marching orders…

The 86-year-old Latina labor leader and civil rights activist is set to speak at the Chelsea Handler-organized Women’s March on Main, an event taking place Saturday in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival.

The march will coincide with post-inauguration marches being held nationwide including the March on Washington.

In addition to Huerta, the co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW), the list of speakers for the Park City event includes Aisha Tyler, Connie Britton, Mary McCormack, Benjamin Bratt, Laurie David, Jessica Williams, Maria Bello and local officials including Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski. Handler is an organizing committee member.

The event, which is not affiliated with the festival, will start at 9:00 am local time at 220 Main St.

Handler announced plans for the march earlier this month. The march is set for two hours, usually before Park City really begins stirring during the festival. But just in case, the city has set up a text-messaging system for updates on transit, traffic and road closures.

Villafañe Signs with United Talent Agency

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Ana Villafañe has new representation…

The Cuban-American singer, dancer and actress has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA).

Villafañe currently stars as a series regular on Hulu’s hit series South Beach.

On the film side, she’ll next be seen in Max Steel, opposite Maria Bello and Andy Garcia.

She also portrays singer Gloria Estefan, opposite Josh Segarra in On Your Feet! The Story Of Emilio & Gloria Estefan, a new musical about the powerhouse pop singer and her producer husband (and the Miami Sound Machine) that earned excellent reviews earlier this summer in its Broadway tryout in Chicago. The show, with book by Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman Or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is staged by Jerry Mitchell (direction) and Sergio Trujillo (choreography).

Villafañe, who attended the same Miami high school as Gloria Estefan, won the role through a filmed audition when she could not make the Miami call.

The show begins previews October 5 at the Marquis Theatre and is slated to open on November 5.

Juanes Performs “Juntos” for Disney’s “McFarland, USA”

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is making movie music…

Disney’s upcoming feel-good movie, McFarland, USA, will feature a new song performed by the 42-year-old Colombian musician in its end credits.

Juanes wrote “Juntos” specifically for the film, which is directed by Niki Caro and stars Kevin Costner and Maria Bello.

The film — which will be out February next year — tells the true story of a Latino high school cross country team from McFarland, Calif. that’s coached through several social issues in the 1980s to win a major championship. The film stars Costner as the coach, as well as Carlos Pratts.

The video for “Juntos,” also directed by Caro, was shot on location in McFarland.

“Watching the film left me inspired about the power of teamwork, tenacity and faith, and I’m honored to now be part of the ‘McFarland, USA’ team,” said Juanes in a statement.

Juanes’ current album, Loco de Amor, is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Latin Pop Album category. It also picked up the award for Best Pop/Rock Album at the Latin Grammys last month.

Pratts to Star in Disney’s Sports Drama “McFarland”

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Pratts is racing his way onto the set of a new feature film…

The 27-year-old Latino actor has joined the cast of Disney’s sports drama McFarland.

The Niki Caro-directed film, produced by Mayhem Pictures, stars Kevin Costner as a high school track coach in a small, primarily Latino California town who transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders. Maria Bello also stars.

Pratts will portray Thomas, a McFarland High School student and member of the track team who has anger issues and spends a lot of time in the principal’s office due to fighting.

Pratts currently plays Gus Ruiz, the son of Demian Bichir’s character, on FX‘s The Bridge.

He’ll next appear as one of the leads in Paramount Pictures’ Paranormal Activity: The Chosen Ones.

Duran Directing an All-Star Cast in His First Feature Film “Strings”

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Duran has landed an all-star cast for his first feature film…

The Venezuelan-born filmmaker will direct Josh Duhamel, Maria Bello, Lucas Till and Tom Everett Scott in Strings.

Duhamel will portray Alex, an Army veteran and counselor in a small town who takes a casual approach when treating Josh (Till).

Alex slowly earns his patient’s trust and respect, but their camaraderie is challenged when Josh makes a shocking discovery.

The ensemble indie drama, which begins filming Sunday in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was written by Oscar Torres.

Duran, Torres, Danny Rodriguez and Phyllis Laing are producing the film.

Duran has previously worked on a number of short films, advertising campaigns and music videos, including Ricky Martin’s behind the scenes/documentary feature for the singer’s Black & White tour.

Trailer Released for Hayek’s “Grown Ups” Sequel

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek is all grown up… again!

The 46-year-old Mexican actress is reprising her role as Roxanne Chase-Feder in this summer’s Grown Ups 2, the sequel to the 2010 Adam Sandler-starrer that earned more than $160 million domestically.

The first film centered on a group of old high school friends who reunite for the Fourth of July weekend; the sequel sees Sandler’s character relocate his family back to the small town where he and his friends grew up.

And from the just-released trailer for the sequel – which also stars Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Maya Rudolph and Maria Bello, as well as newcomers Taylor Lautner and Andy Samberg – Hayek and the gang will be bring the funny!

Grown Ups 2 is set for release domestically by Sony Pictures on July 12.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Maria Bello