Wow! It's already the end of February????

So, here we are, deep into February, 2012. What's the Hurry??? Why are we in such a rush?? They're already pushing Easter at the stores in Whittier. That's in April! You guys gonna have any money for Easter Baskets after paying $4.00 to $5.00 a gallon for Gas? Better put a lock on that gas tank. Gonna be a lot of siphoning going on hereabouts!

So what's going on??? Well, my students and I are deep in rehearsal for the upcoming August 26th Student Celebration and FLAMENCO BRAVO Show here in Whittier!!!! If you're reading this, You'd better be there! The students are working very hard, and getting there. We're having to make trips to Palm Springs to rehearse with the students I have there, and They in turn are making trips to Whittier to rehearse with us here. We are starting to CLICK! Ole! and High Five!
But with that said, why is it that the students that need the most rehearsal are the one's that are absent the most???
Never changes!

Finally settled on a Venue for this endeavor. I planned to do it in my back yard. Remember Spanky and Our Gang? ? He did it in his back yard, so I thought well, why not us? Something Different! A backyard tent, tables, chairs, a raised stage, Two Paellas cooking outside, Homemade Sangria, Tapas and two shows. Simple. So, I stupidly went to the City of Whittier Offices to see what permits I would need. I was promptly told that because I was planning to charge an admission, I couldn't do it in my back yard. I could if I only took donations. Are they kidding??? How would I pay for all the expenses I'm racking up??? Donations??? Yeah, right!

So, I started looking for a venue. Banquet halls, theatres, etc. Banquet halls make tons of money on Weddings, and Quincea~neras here in Whittier! (That's a Mexican custom where they honor the girls when they turn 15 by throwing a big bash for them. They cost as much as a wedding or more. Hell, take the kid to the Olive Garden and buy her a Pizza and a Coke! Done! Happy Birthday! But no, Mexicans don't do that. Instead they dole out big bucks they don't have for these special parties, and then do it again when the kid gets married cause she's pregnant?????? Yikes!!

Would you believe there's a place here in Whittier that charges $7000.00 for the use of their hall? I flew out of that place quick!
Another charges $4000.00. I considered that one also, but couldn't get enough sittings out of them.

So, We're doing the Student Bash and Professional Flamenco Show at a place called Memories, in uptown Whittier in their upstairs ballroom. Nice place. Very high ceilings, great paintings, very early 1900's style. You expect to see Al Capone and his ladies there. They have a great intimate space downstairs, but I wouldn't be able to seat enough people to pay for it. So, we'll be upstairs.

Date of the show is Sunday August 26, 2012. For complete information, please go to Class Schedule page and scroll down! It's there. Tickets for a very limited seating of 200 people are now on sale. $35.00 Per person puts you on a VIP list and gets you a seat!

After the Student Celebration, my Flamenco Bravo Show featuring Noted Flamenco Dancers Mizuho Sato, Rina Orellana,
Emilio Dominguez and Juan Talavera (That be me), Singers Jesus Montoya, Ana Quintero, Guitarists Jose Tanaka, and
Santiago Chano, and Percussionist Gerardo Morales. I'm working on getting a very special guest artist, providing his performance schedule allows it. Stay tuned on that. Limited Standing room only space at $30.00 per person. There will be a bar service provided by Memories. More info? Call me at 562-699-7595 and leave a clear message with a complete phone number and area code... Do check the Class Schedule Page for complete instructions...

So basically that's what's happening here. I'm still doing auditions for student films at USC, UCLA, L.A. Film School, Etc. they're fun to do, and you get a copy of the completed film. I'm in the process of looking for a new agent. Any suggestions???
I wanna win an Oscar like Christopher Plummer did in his eighties! This time I'm not quitting!!

I should mention that I was invited by my dear friend, actress Lupe Ontiveros to a Pre-Oscar party and Flamenco Show at
Eva Longoria's Hollywood Club called Beso! My cousin and I got the total VIP treatment because of Lupel. Lots of TV and Film Stars were there, as well as Eva. She is gorgeous in person, and Very nice. The place is located on Hollywood Blvd and Ivar street. A thousand years ago I danced at a place called Cosmo's Alley there on Ivar. Wonder if it's still there??? There were about 300 people there when we got there, and our names were on the VIP list, Thanks to Lupe. GRACIAS LUPE! She can currently be seen on Rob, on Channel 2 on Friday nites. I've know Lupe since we both worked at the East Los Angeles Head-Start Schools. She was the Secretary there and actually the only one who knew what she was doing!! LOL! She was barely starting her acting career. She did an audition for the play Zoot Zuit with Edward Olmos, got the part of his mother, and from there her acting career took off and hasn't stopped. She's been on most every TV show there is and has done a ton of movies, stage plays and commercials. Remember the Goonies? Selena? Desperate Wives? She hasn't stopped, But she remains humble and unassuming. A true amiga!

That said, I'll close for now. Please come and see our shows on Sunday, August 26th! You won't be disappointed!

Un Abrazote,

Juan

PS: Next week we go material hunting in DT Los Angeles. Gotta start getting samples for looks I want the students to wear. Hope they don't give me any trouble on my selections.