Living la casa Latin
Bored with the white and off-white minimalist décor of late? Then check out decorator and art collector Juan Carlos’s gorgeous new coffee-table book, “Latin Style: Decorating your Home with Color, Texture and Passion.” You’ll find inspiration in the lush and exquisite photos that feature four lifestyles enjoyed by Latinomaericanos here and south of the Rio Grande – Cabana (beach babies), Pueblo (folksy,) Paradiso (organic minimalism) and Hacienda (horse and cattle country.)
“Latin Style: Decorating your Home with Color, Texture and Passion” by Juan Carlos, WorkHouse Books, $24.99. Available in all bookstores in February. Pre-order at amazon.com
Irish-Mexican style
A showcase of sounds and personalities, A Boundless World of Music brings together four artists who refuse to be categorized: Rana Santacruz is a poet who plays a mean mariachi accordion and sings Irish sailor songs; Ramiro Musotto is Afro-Brazilian cool, blending his berimbau with electronica; Rupa and the April Fishes perform in French, Spanish, Hindi, Roma and English; and Slavic Soul Party bring a bit of Balkanized Brooklyn fun to the party.
January 11, 8 p.m. Drom, 85 Avenue A, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. (212) 777-1157. $12.
Party on
The inaugural Mondo Music Festival is another international collaboration that promises to bridge the musical gap for anyone who likes a little West African funk with a touch of Cuban son. The lineup includes mambo singer Jose Conde and his Afro-Cuban groovin’ band Ola Fresca; political rockers Zemog El Gallo Bueno; and Burkina Faso’s first electronica band Burkina Electric.
January 12, 7:30 p.m. Hiro Ballroom, 363 West 16th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues. (212) 242-4300. $15-$18.
Healing your hair
Known as the “People of Beautiful Hair,” the Central American men and women of the Tawira nation have used a secret oil extracted from the Ojon tree to get thick, lustrous locks. Now, these products are available here. Ojon oil offers a highly concentrated, anti-oxidant remedy that has also been used for centuries as a skin healing balm. But alas, you don’t have to go to the Rio Patuca rainforest to harvest it yourself, the line is sold locally.
Available at Sephora. From $9.99-$45. Ojon.com
Globe Trekking
The fifth annual globalFEST gathers an international roster of talent that will make you feel like you’ve been around the world and back – twice! Polka to the sounds of Argentina’s chamame master accordionist Chango Spasiuk; stomp your feet with Mexico’s alt-rock folkloristas Pistolera; and get ready to shake those hips with 84-year-old Dominican son master Puerto Plata, a veteran of the island’s guitar tradition.
January 13, 7 p.m. Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St., between Third and Fourth avenues. (866) 448-7849 or Globalfest-ny.org. $40.
Blame it on Rio
Get out of the cold and into the Blue Note, where Paquito D’Rivera and vocal ensemble New York Voices heat things up with More Brazilian Dreams, a repertoire of classics from their 2001 album of the same name. Expect to hear Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Corcovado,” Luiz Bonfa’s “Manha De Carnival,” Joao Donato’s “A Ra” and other sultry songs. Each show closes with the nostalgic “Snow Samba,” which will make you long for the beach.
January 14, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Blue Note, 131 West Third Street, at Sixth Avenue. (212) 475-8592. $25-$35
Jazzy Incas
New York-based Gabriel Alegria’s Afro-Peruvian sextet smolders with the polythrmic sounds of coastal Afro-Peru. The jazz act jams with cajones (box drum) and fierce zapateo dancing, the Peruvian version of hoofing. Alegria will be joined by special guest from the land of the Incas, percussionist, Freddy “Huevito” Lobatós. Intoxicating songstress, Eva Allyon will also be on hand. Expect Alegria to play from his latest recording, “Nuevo Mundo.”
January 20, 9:30 p.m. Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St., below Astor Place, (212) 539-8500, joespub.com. $20.
Strings attached
Can’t make it to Brazil for all of the pre-carnival fun this month? Close your eyes and pretend you’re a little closer to Ipanema at the five-hour Brazilian Guitar Marathon, a finger frenzy extravaganza co-curated by brothers and guitar duo, Sergio and Odair Assad, who explore the cool, sexy sounds of their native land.
January 15 at 2 p.m. 92nd Street Y, Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street. (212) 415-5500 or 92Y.org. $60.
Tanto tango
Put on your Sunday best and help renowned tango dancer and choreographer Miguel Angel Zotto celebrate the 20th Anniversary of his unrivaled troupe, CompaÑia Tangox2. Always graceful and elegant, the ensemble performs a mix of traditional and modern tango to live music.
January 16-24. New York City Center, West 55th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues. (212) 581-1212 or nycitycenter.org. $35-$95.
Born to dance
Luna Negra Dance Theater makes its anticipated New York debut with a celebratory show brimming with vivacity and passion. Led by Eduardo Vilaro, the troupe is the only professional dance company in the US dedicated to Latino choreographers and composers. Watch out for “QuiceaÑera,” a dance number that combines the joys and terrors of this traditional rite of passage.
January 25, through February 3. The New Victory Theater, 229 West 42nd St., AT Broadway, 10th floor. (646) 223-3020. $8.75-$35.
Out of Africa
As cultural ambassadors of black Peru, Peru Negro has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years, using several cajones (conga-style wooden boxes) to get their African-rooted, anti-colonial message across. The 20-member group’s sound is beautiful, festive and always moving – both physically and spiritually.
January 26 at 8 p.m. New York City Center, West 55th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues. (212) 581-1212 or nycitycenter.org. $30-$60.