Annual Three Kings Celebration in Wimauma's Iglesia de Guadalupe

For immediate release, December 25, 2011


Contact person: Alayne Unterberger, 813.477.2882

The Twelve Days of Christmas Start Now! Join us for our Twelfth Annual Three Kings Celebration on January 7, 2012 at Wimauma's Iglesia de Guadalupe

Ruskin, FL – On the first day of Christmas, we invite you to begin your plans to join us in a unique cultural event that involves four churches and many different approaches to celebrating the season in South Hillsborough County. This celebration began as immigrant farmworker families identified that the lack of strong cultural heritage events in the South County area was a threat to their children’s well-being. Competing with Santa Claus is almost impossible but parents wanted to teach their children what they learned growing up: that Epiphany or Three Kings Day is really about revering children and their potential. We will re-enact that spirit on Saturday January 7, 2012 and invite the press and public to witness the power of community-wide heritage sharing as a way to build strength in our community.

The event begins at 11 AM at
Iglesia de Guadalupe
16650 US HWY 301 S
Wimauma, FL 33598.

Garcia’s Bakery in Wimauma is donating the traditional ROSCA, a special bread made only for Epiphany, which will be distributed at the event by our own Three Kings (Baltazar, Melchor and Gaspar). Toys, shoes and books were donated by many organizations, including: the Metropolitan Ministries, the Ronald McDonald House and the Independent in Seminole Heights. We would appreciate any last minute donations, especially for youth ages 11 to 16. These tax deductible gifts* (see below can be dropped off at our FICS Multicultural Family Center at 6704 Hanley Road, Tampa FL 33634 or call us at 813.249.8100 to arrange pick up.

The Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) facilitates these events as part of our Strategic Plan for South County, however, the event is planned and )made possible by the South County FICS Community Advisors Project of and our partners at Iglesia Ministerios, Iglesia de Dios Elim, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Ronald McDonald House.

Join us! FICS partners with communities to help them achieve their goals through research, service, education and training. Join our cause on Facebook or by volunteering: www.ficsinc.org.

***We are still taking donations! We would be very grateful for any donations of toys, especially educational games, jewelry making kits, soccer balls, footballs and/or nicer clothing. Donations are tax deductible to FICS and can be dropped off at our FICS Multicultural Family Center @ 6704 Hanley Road, Tampa FL 33634 or picked up by calling 813.249.8100.

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Alayne Unterberger, PhD Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) PO Box 16745 Tampa FL 33687 813.249.8100 Community. Activism. Research. Education.

Victor Maneulle plays "Dile a Ella" in Tampa

Victor Manuelle, famous salsa music artist, recently played a concert in Ybor City to benefit the St. Jude's Pediatric hospital. One of my favorite songs from the artist is called, "Dile A Ella", a song about "Telling Her".

This was actually the first song of his performance.

Dile a ella que a pesar del tiempo no he podido olvidarla
Que recuerdo su tierna mirada

In essence, he's telling a third person "su amiga fiel" how much he misses a former lover, and that he can't forget her. He's asking the third person to "Tell her" his feelings and his emotions.

Below is a little snipet of the song he played in Tampa.

This Wednesday at AJA Wiregrass

Gaitas...Gaitas y Mucho mas con El Grupo Trabuko Gaitero... y un Homenaje al Grupo Niche Inolvidable para cerrar el Año en AjA Wiregrass! El Ultimo Miercoles de 2011 sera uno para la historia!

This Wednesday do not miss our last Latin Night of 2011! We are going out in style with two great bands celebrating our Holidays

Sol Caribe will be performing a special set paying tribute to the great Salsa group of Colombia "Grupo Niche".... with songs like "Una Aventura...Gotas de Lluvias, Cali Pachanguero" and many more......

Then we welcome the Venezuelan Tradition of Gaitas with TRABUKO GAITEROS......something you don't want to miss and will love the experience....

We invite everyone to get their early and enjoy free cover til 9:30pm...

Drinks Specials include

$3 Presidente Beer all night long
$5 Bacardi Mojitos all Night Long
$5 Bacardi Mixers all Night Long
$25 Sangria Pitchers to enjoy with Friends.....

2 for 1 Drinks from 7-10pm !

We would like to continue to give Thanks to all Citi Bank employees by offering a $10 open bar from 9pm to 10pm....

Come by this Wednesday and enjoy a great time with the friendly staff of AJA Wiregrass...

And as it is every Wednesday, this party is hosted by DynastyEvents.com and Stormy Bay Entertainment....

For more info call 813-508-3544
for Guest List and Reservations text 813-778-5158 !

Christmas spirt in Florida

Having grown up outside of New York City, my preconceived notions of Christmas, just like many other folks have, is that it just doesn't feel right when it is warm this time of year.

After all, Santa comes from the North Pole, which is a very very cold place. We have songs, such as "White Christmas", "I'm dreaming of a winter wonderland", etc. that perpetuate this notion. People like to make warm apple-cider, etc.

It's amazing how far our preconceived notions can take us - and even the power of the media to some extent. After all, I'm sure they get in the Christmas spirit in Brazil and Australia, even though it is summer for those locations.

That being said, the Christmas spirit in Florida doesn't have to be non-existent because of our beautiful weather.

In fact, we have some advantages as opposed to our northern neighbors. Look at the photo below. If it was cold, snowy, and wintery, we would not have beautiful women dressing like they did in the picture below :-)

Bachata workshop by Urban Vibe from Chicago

This was a nice workshop from Urban Vibe out of Chicago on the salsa cruise by Aventura Dance Studio.  I enjoyed this bachata workshop from these guys.  Contact information below the video.



Urban Vibe Dance Company, Chicago
Facebook Page

A funny stop sign in Tampa regarding Governor Scott

This may be my first political post on this blog, as it is not a topic that I follow enough to write with any sort of intelligence. However, I did find a funny picture while I was driving around in Tampa regarding our Governor Rick Scott.

The facts are that his approval rating is very dismal, and it shows when you see "signs" like this below:

Miami Calle Ocho Festival, 2012

The Miami Calle Ocho Festival for 2012 is supposed to take place on

March 11, 2012

If you have never been to the festival, it is one big Latin-street festival that encompasses 23 blocks.  I read in  the Miami Herald that they estimate 1 million people attended that event last year.  It is supposed to be the largest block party in the world.

The Little Havana section of Miami every year transforms itself into a big celebration and has turned into an annual tradition.  It is an opportunity to experience the Cuban culture via music and food.

There are stages set up with various performers on each of the city blocks.  And of course, there are aspiring singers like the one in the video below that is eager to entertain an audience!

Salsa Workshop on the Aventura dance Cruise

One of my favorite workshops on the Aventura Dance Cruise was by a couple of instructors from the Kenny and Adriana Dance School in Orlando.  Below is their information.  This is a nice pattern, but the ending could have been a little better in my mind, it looks like his shine is dancing away from his partner.  I would have preferred that they not break away at the end.  Nonetheless, it is a beautiful pattern.  Please feel free to comment. 



Here is information on SalsaOrlando

Phone: 407-275-0943

Main Location East Orlando
10685 East Colonial Dr.
Orlando, FL 32817

Main Location Kissimmee
401 N. Main Street
Kissimmee, FL 34744

Does it snow in Tampa?

The answer is a resounding YES!  At least it does during the annual Santa Pub Crawl in Ybor City, which is a great event done by Tampa Charities every year to benefit local needy families by providing toys during the holiday season.

This year over 1,000 people attended the event.

Below is some rare footage of "actual" snow-fall :-) in Tampa, taken outside of the Honey Pot.



If you are wondering when we had some real snow in Tampa, here is a partial list:

• December 1934
• January 1940
• January 1948
• January 1976  
• January 1977 believed to be about 1/2 inch 
• December 23 and 24, 1989 

It looks like we are due to have some more snow in Tampa!

Rumblings about Raheem

There are rumblings going on around Tampa Bay that Raheem Morris, coach of the Buccaneers is on his last leg and will be fired shortly. 

I think that is unfair to a guy that is given few tools to work with and told to produce a playoff caliber team.  When you get rid of guys like Barrett Ruud and put in college rookies, you are asking for trouble. 

Another thing that hurt the team was the injury of Earnest Graham.  Here is a guy that has been underutilized his whole career.  It's not a coincidence that the team started going downhill after his injury.  Even Jon Gruden had trouble utilizing this player.  Graham is a back that should probably have a couple thousand more rushing yards to his resume.

Anyways, if they do let Raheem go, I'm sure he'll end up elsewhere and probably turn out to be a good coach.  If they are going to bring in another rookie coach, then I say keep Raheem another year.  If they can get a guy like Bill Cowher, then it may make sense to make a move to re-energize the Tampa Bay Buccaneer fanbase.

Victor Manuelle helped raise over $80K

This is a video from the Victor Manuelle concert this past Sunday evening in Tampa. This fundraiser brought in $80,395 in conjunction with 92.5 La Maxima FM during a show at the Ritz Theatre in Ybor City.

Proceeds benefit the St. Jude Children's Hospital in their fight against pediatric cancer.

Latin Night at the Straz Center for Performing Arts

This looks like it could be a great event, I haven't been to any of the previous Latin Nights.

Hosted by Simone Salsa Dance School

LATIN NIGHT this month will be Thursday, December 15th

at the elegant Maestro's Restaurant at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

- Featuring Live music with Nalisio & Son Salvaje Latin Band

- 30 min dance lesson with Simone Salsa.

- 2 DJ's Dj Louis & Dj Pedro are teaming up to keep you on the dance floor!

Once a month on a Thursday night from 8:00pm until 1:00am. 5 hours of dancing and a good night sleep!

You may be a redneck if...........

Rain Shmain! A little rain never hurt anyone!

Taken during the Aventura Salsa / Bachata cruise beach party in Cozumel Mexico, 2011. As you can see, a little rain won't stop the dancing and the partying! This party was almost like an MTV style, Beach house party with a Latin twist!

My favorite workshop on the salsa bachata cruise

Jose Serrano and his sister from Philadelphia, aboard the Royal Caribbean Salsa and Bachata Cruise by Aventura Dance Studio, perform a workshop called "Salsa Dips and Tricks".

This was probably my favorite workshop that I attended.  I did 3 on the first day, and 2 on the second day.

Jose Serrano is a really talented salsa dancer.  He has a nice style.  Check out the video below.