Miss Rita Rekindles Lucha VaVoom for Fire Relief
"I see this a Valentine to L.A., home to me and so many of my favorite people and artists," she adds. "I want to bring together people from all backgrounds and celebrate the strength and creativity of Angelenos."Feb. 19 will be her first all-ages event in Los Angeles, and the musical theme is, what else: Los Angeles! Artists will perform songs about L.A., and there are a lot of local legends on the bill, including Stray Cats' Slim Jim Phantom, L7's Donita Sparks, punk legends Kid Congo Powers and Alice Bag (performing as Juanita and Juan), Church and Love Bailey to name just a few. Comics Dana Gould and Jeff Davis will host and there will be roller skaters, aerialists, DJs and of course, lucha libre ring action.Goldfinger's Charlie Paulson has put together the backing band, Kii Arens designed the event poster and Rose Apodaca curated the art auction featuring work from Shepard Fairey, Aaron Rose, Piper Ferguson, Merrrick Morton and many more. The proceeds will go to benefit Best Friends Animal Society, ARC Fire-Fighter Fund and Grief & Hope, a fund set up by volunteer artists/art professionals to directly assist the 400+ artists and art professionals who lost or suffered significant damage to their homes, studios and work.
At the Belasco Theater, Wednesday, Feb. 19. theBelasco.com
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Listen To Me And Not Your Mother': How Gloria Estefan's Grandma Steered Her To Superstardom
remembers vividly the first time she met her husband, Emilio Estefan Jr. 'He had short shorts, he had great legs, playing the accordion — he looked naked,' she says with a laugh while reflecting on a moment that would change their lives forever. She was at a friend's house putting a band together for one night, and Emilio, who knew her friend, showed up to give them some pointers. 'I was sitting on the floor and I thought, 'Wow, this guy has charisma,' ' she recalls. 'He left, we did our gig, everybody went their separate ways.' More from Billboard Gloria Estefan on 'Raíces': 'It's Like a Modern Mi Tierra' Meet the Producers Making Regional Mexican Music Explode Soulshine at Sea 3 Is Cancelled After Artist Exodus That summer, the two would meet again at a wedding that her mother had dragged her to. He was part of the band, playing Van McCoy's 'Do the Hussle' on the accordion when she spotted him — this time in a tux. 'We run into each other in a doorway, and he goes, 'You're that girl!' and I go, 'Yeah, you're that guy.' 'Come sing with the band!' And I go, 'Ahhhh.' ' By then, she was known within the community, and many guests had heard her play guitar and sing since she was a kid. So she obliged and performed two Latin classics, 'Sabor a Mí' and 'Tú Me Acostumbraste,' earning both an ovation from the guests and an invitation from Emilio to formally join the band. Gloria Maria Milagrosa Fajardo, then 18 years old, working two jobs and about to start college, politely declined. 'He found my number and called me two weeks later,' Gloria continues, beaming. It was her grandmother who made her see the light. ''You aren't going to be happy in your life unless you share your gift,' ' she recalls her saying. ' 'Listen to me and not your mother.' And I did. I joined the band for fun.' 'I really liked the metal in her voice,' Emilio says. 'I thought there was a sound for the new generation that was bilingual — the Miami Sound — and I said, 'This would be good, because it would be something new in the music industry, and she can sing both in English and Spanish.' 'I think that Gloria and I, it was destiny, because we both found happiness in music amidst all the tragedy we were going through,' he adds. 'I didn't have my mom, I didn't have anyone, and I was obsessed with being able to carry a sound that I thought was unique. And also, the need [as a Cuban immigrant] — everything I saved would be used to bring my mother, my brother, my whole family [to the U.S.].' As for Gloria, 'I saw her sad — her father went to the Bay of Pigs. When he came back, he went to Vietnam, and when he came back from Vietnam, he came back in a wheelchair. But when it came to making music, her eyes shone.' Now that 50 years have passed, Gloria adds, 'Every step of the way has continued to be fun.' Since rising to stardom in the 1980s as the lead vocalist of Miami Sound Machine and later as a solo artist, Gloria has helped infuse Latin flavor into English-language pop music, breaking barriers with hits like 1985's top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit 'Conga' — which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame this year — and 'Rhythm Is Gonna Get You' while also singing in Spanish. She has placed 29 songs on the Hot 100 — three of them at No. 1 ('Anything for You' in 1988, 'Don't Wanna Lose You' in 1989 and 'Coming Out of the Dark ' in 1991) — and 31 tracks on the Hot Latin Songs chart, 15 of which reached the top (from 'Si Voy a Perderte' in 1989 to 'Hotel Nacional' in 2012). Her first Spanish-language album, Mi Tierra (1993), spent an impressive 58 weeks at the summit of Top Latin Albums and earned her the first of her four Grammy Awards. Her latest, Raíces, debuted in the top 10 of the Tropical Albums chart, while the title track landed atop Latin Airplay, Tropical Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay. In between, 2000's Alma Caribeña debuted and spent seven weeks at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums and 2007's 90 Millas debuted and spent three weeks at the top of the same chart. 'Gloria Estefan is a global icon, a true artist with endless talent, but above all, she's a wonderful person,' says Afo Verde, chairman/CEO of Sony Music Latin Iberia. 'Her trust in Sony Music throughout her career speaks to a relationship based on professionalism, passion, love and respect. She's an essential part of the company's heart.' 'Gloria Estefan represents the best of our music and our history,' adds Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music U.S. Latin. 'Her legacy is eternal, and her generosity and spirit continue to inspire all of us who have the privilege of working with her.' Gloria has also proved to be a talented author — she's written two children's books — and an actor with a comedic edge in her performance as the no-nonsense mother in the 2022 remake of Father of the Bride alongside Andy Garcia. She also co-hosted Red Table Talk: The Estefans, a spinoff of the popular talk show Red Table Talk, featuring her daughter, Emily Estefan, and niece Lili Estefan. It's a remarkable career for the Cuban American star, who in 2023 became the first Latina inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and in 2024 received the Legend Award at the Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony for her lifetime achievements — all while balancing work and family and putting her loved ones first. And many have not only noticed but been inspired by her, inside and outside the Latin music world. 'To have that sound and go mainstream, topping the pop charts, was groundbreaking and really incredible. What she and Miami Sound Machine did influenced music, food, television, fashion,' American pop icon Cyndi Lauper, her contemporary and friend, tells Billboard Español. 'Gloria is a true cultural phenomenon. And on top of that, she and Emilio are the salt of the earth. Such great people, generosity of spirit, caring, leading by example to change to world. People throw these kinds of words around a lot, but the Estefans really did change the world.' 'Gloria and Emilio have been a true family to me. They've always made me feel at home, and when the U.S. was a new country for me, they supported me every step of the way,' Colombian superstar Shakira recalls. 'Gloria was a role model, a true inspiration … She accompanied me throughout my crossover as a mentor and a friend, helping me translate my lyrics from Spanish to English [for the 2001 album Laundry Service] while maintaining their essence when I hadn't yet mastered the language.' 'Gloria is a hero to me, not only for being a pioneer in music and opening doors for Latinos in the industry but also for what she represents as a human being,' Cuban American star Camila Cabello says. 'Beyond her talent, her humility, her passion for her people, her fight for our shared dream of a free Cuba make her even more admirable and adored by all.' A mother of two and a proud grandmother of one, Gloria now chooses her projects carefully, based not only on what moves her but also how much time and travel it will take. 'A lot of it has to do with, 'Is it going to take me away from my family?' ' she says. 'If it's something that is going to take me away from my grandson's life and miss big chunks of it — that's high on my list of priorities. He is growing so fast.' She also feels she's earned that precious time. She will do an occasional concert but not a full, big tour like she used to in the '80s and '90s, when she was at the peak of her stardom. '[Touring] is wonderful because I get to be with the fans, but it is like boot camp for me,' she explains. 'I've worked really hard in my life, and I think, 'Did I really work that hard to work this hard?' ' In the last few years, she's been busy creating songs for an upcoming Broadway musical titled BASURA (Spanish for 'garbage') along with her daughter. Based on the 2015 award-winning documentary Landfill Harmonic, it will narrate the journey of Paraguay's Recycled Orchestra, a group of young artists who turn scrap material into musical instruments. So when Emilio presented her with the idea for the song 'Raíces' a couple of years ago, Gloria, who usually writes or co-writes her own music, got excited. 'Emilio didn't even realize [this year] was my 50th [career anniversary],' says Gloria, who wanted to do something special to celebrate. 'I told him, 'Babe, I can't change my mindset for this, but I would like, if I do an album again, for it to be tropical, for it to be in Spanish.' He says, 'Do you trust me?' I go, 'Who else am I going to trust [other] than you?' ' Released May 30 on Sony Music Latin, Raíces contains 13 tracks mostly co-written by Emilio. Salsa, bolero and tropical rhythms resonate in songs ranging from the title track and 'La Vecina (No Sé Na')' to romantic tunes such as 'Tan Iguales y Tan Diferentes,' 'Te Juro,' 'Agua Dulce' and 'Tú y Yo.' 'He wrote his own love songs for me to sing to him!' Gloria jokes. Among the songs she penned is the sweet 'Mi Niño Bello (Para Sasha),' dedicated to her grandson, with an English version titled 'My Beautiful Boy (For Sasha).' Another track on the album, 'Cuando el Tiempo Nos Castiga' (co-written by Emilio and Gian Marco and originally recorded by Jon Secada in 2001), also has a new English version courtesy of Gloria titled 'How Will You Be Remembered.' Gloria sat with Billboard for a trip down memory lane leading straight to the future. Going back to your beginnings, what do you remember about your start in the music business? You've said in the past that you were shy. It's not that I was shy, because one-on-one I was perfectly fine and I could handle any situation. I was an observer. But what I don't like is to be the center of attention; that's just not my nature. So to join the band, it was for fun. I never thought, 'Oh, I'm going to be famous,' or 'I'm going to do these crazy things.' No. And there was a really nice guy in that band… He was, but I saw him as a man. He was only four-and-a-half years older than me, but he was very responsible, and he took care of his parents. He worked during the day, he studied at night, he had side jobs, he had businesses. I saw him as 'Oh, Mr. Estefan,' you know, the boss … I didn't start dating him until a year after. He had an older girlfriend, let me tell you. She was 36, he was 22. And I didn't think he would be interested in me. I had zero experience, never went out anywhere because I took care of my dad [who had multiple sclerosis]. Joining the band was a freeing experience, and marrying him was an even more freeing experience. I didn't think I'd get married the day after I turned 21. I had no doubt that I wanted to be with him the rest of my life. We've made a very unique partnership, and a lot of the things we've accomplished [are] because we're together. When did you realize that you had really made it in music? When 'Conga' crossed charts in Billboard, I thought, 'OK, they're getting it, they're understanding what we have believed all along could happen.' And look, that song is now going to the Grammy Hall of Fame [after] 40 years. Which three songs do you consider to be the most important in your career and why? 'Conga,' clearly. Probably 'Mi Tierra.' And 'Con Los Años Que Me Quedan,' [which] became a love song and a wedding song and it's the first song that Emilio and I wrote together way back in the day. But there are so many more! OK, tell me two more. If we're going to be real, 'Dr. Beat,' which actually broke through, but I didn't write that one. 'Anything for You,' my very first No. 1. And 'Coming Out of the Dark,' which was a big thank-you to everyone that sent prayers my way after the accident. That song poured out of me in 10 minutes. [In March 1990, Gloria was in a tour bus accident that resulted in a broken back and temporary paralysis. She underwent surgery and a lengthy recovery.] I remember the first time you sang it live, at the American Music Awards. Oh, gosh, it was insane. I wanted to kill Emilio because Dick Clark had called Emilio in September [1990], so I was still at a point where I couldn't move by myself anywhere. And Emilio actually came to me to tell me that Dick Clark wanted me to perform the following January. I was inside this body that didn't feel familiar. I was relearning everything: how to walk, how to wash my face and not be in pain. The last thing that I'm going to think about is getting on a stage. I want to be able to walk and get a glass of water by myself. I want to not put my family through what I went through [with my father] if I could help it. He was nuts. I said, 'Babe, I can't.' And then he told Dick Clark, 'I can't convince her; you're going have to.' And Dick Clark got on a plane and flew to Miami to talk me into [the performance]. Did that help you with the recovery in any way? It did. Emilio, as usual, was right. My first outing three months after the accident was to the studio, because I felt so bad for him that he hadn't left my side. He said, 'I have this piece of paper that I wrote this thing on the day you had the accident, in the helicopter. I found it today in my pant pocket.' It was all washed. He hands it to me. I look at it and I go, 'Why is it in English?' (Laughs.) And it said: 'Coming out of the dark.' He said, 'I would love for you to come to the studio. Jon Secada is going to meet me there.' And I went, for him. And when I heard the one melody line of (Sings.) 'coming out of the dark' that Jon sang, it was like, Oh, my God. And it all poured through me. That's what I was going to perform at the American Music Awards. Having that goal really helped me to focus and not just deambular [wander]. Even though every day I was focused on getting better, it gave me a date to shoot for. Is there anything you miss doing or wish you could do without being recognized? Nothing stops me from doing anything I want. I was talking to my grandson about that the other day, because he and I would get in a car and go to an escape room and inevitably someone would ask for a picture. He knows I'm always going to stop. He always says, 'I'll take the picture.' He's very kind about it. My kids lived a different experience, because that part of it — when you are at the top, you literally can't go anywhere because it becomes impossible. It creates a scene, people go crazy, you divert from the kids. Even though I told them, 'If we're in public, I'm never going to say no to an autograph, because we have a moment to either make them happy or possibly traumatized from approaching anyone.' They understood, but it was harder for them. That's why I love this moment when, yes, we have a beautiful career and I still get the love, people ask me for hugs, but it's not the craziness of that moment when you're new, fresh; the fame is huge. As one of the most stable and beloved couples in Latin music, how do you and Emilio keep the spark alive? Oh, my gosh. He makes me laugh every day. And if he goes on a trip, I'll go to brush my teeth and there's a little note: 'Babe, I'm going to miss you.' He draws a little thing, him with the guitar or something. He's just very sweet and thoughtful. He would buy me stuff all year-round, to the point where I tell him, 'Babe, please, I don't need any more jewelry,' but he's happy doing that. Me mima, he spoils me in so many ways. And I try to do the same for him. We're excited, we love being with each other, we miss each other. We don't sleep the same when we're apart. It just becomes deeper, and there's a lot of respect and admiration. Is there anything you still would like to achieve professionally? This was always my go-to answer, and it's getting a little more difficult to envision it, but if it were to happen within the next few years, to sing in a free Cuba. Somehow that dream, every time we feel a piece of it — like what happened July 11 [of 2021 with the anti-government demonstrations] and we thought, 'Oh, maybe this is it, maybe this is the moment' — it dissipates under the crushing weight of that dictatorship. Celia [Cruz] had that dream, too, and it wasn't in the cards. As the closing song on , 'How Will You Be Remembered,' goes, how do you wish to be remembered? I actually wrote a song answering that exact question years ago, and the title is 'Remember Me With Love.' That's all I hope. That when people think about me, either because of my music or the way I represented the culture or family life, they remember me with love, there's a smile on their face and they play the music a lot. A version of this story appears in the Aug. 16, 2025, issue of Billboard. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
WWE touts record-shattering performance of AAA Triplemania 33
On Saturday night (Aug. 16) in Mexico City, AAA ran their version of WrestleMania for the first time since WWE's purchase of the lucha libre promotion. Triplemania XXXIII streamed free on YouTube (and on three different channels: WWE's, WWE Espanol's, and AAA's), and featured several WWE talents on the card — with more making surprise appearances during the event. As they are wont to do even when they're not in 'wrestling war' mode, WWE sent out a press release the Monday after the show making much of Triplemania's impressive performance on several key business metrics. There's a word for that… it somehow escapes me right now. Extol? Acclaim? Gosh, I was way off. Daniel Bryan Danielson must be ashamed of me. Here's the presser, presented by Tout: Triplemania XXXIII shatters records for viewership, gate, merchandise and social engagement August 18, 2025 – TripleManía XXXIII, Mexican lucha libre promotion AAA's largest annual event, became the most-viewed and highest-grossing TripleManía in event history. Streamed globally on WWE and AAA's YouTube channels in Spanish and English, the broadcast has been watched by more than 4.3 million viewers in the first 24 hours and hit a peak live concurrent audience of 614,000. With a crowd of 19,691 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City this past Saturday, TripleManía marked the highest attendance for any Mexican lucha libre show this year and set AAA's all-time gate record. Additionally, the event broke records for the highest-ever merchandise sales in AAA history. On X, #Triplemania was the No.1 trending topic in the United States and Mexico on Saturday, and a record 208 million views were generated across official AAA and WWE social platforms. The record-breaking event was highlighted by El Hijo del Vikingo defeating Dragon Lee, Dominik Mysterio and El Grande Americano to retain the AAA Mega Championship, Pagano & Psycho Clown defeating Angel & Berto to win the AAA Tag Team Championship, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. defeating El Mesias to win the Latin American Championship, and more. WWE has acquired leading Mexican lucha libre promotion AAA in partnership with Mexico-based sports and entertainment holding company, Fillip. Now go forth and Tout about it, if you so choose.
Los Angeles Times
9 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Chefs, comedians and actors share their favorite Valley hangs
Everyone has a Valley standby, a place they go when they want to feel at home, with little fuss, a reliable menu and friendly faces. For me it's Tiki No, a neon-lighted bar that serves up flaming Scorpion bowls in North Hollywood. We reached out to some of our favorite Valley residents, from local chefs and cookbook authors to actors, a senator, record shop owner and podcast host. Some were born and raised in the area, while others are newer residents. Alex Padilla, California senator: 'The San Fernando Valley food scene includes quality, authentic cuisine from around the world, but my comfort food favorites are still Mexican restaurants in the northeast end of the Valley. The handmade tortillas at Lenchita's in Pacoima that my dad introduced me to years ago are as good as ever. El Tarasco in Sylmar is under new ownership, but they've maintained the same high-quality ingredients — many regulars think that some of the dishes and salsas are even better than before. But what I'm most excited about right now is being able to order El Mero Mero (Pacoima) on DoorDash. You can't go wrong with any of the tacos, burritos, sopes or specialty quesadillas. Just make sure to ask for extra salsa — both green and red — because your mind and your taste buds will be blown.' Tiffani Thiessen, actor and cookbook author: 'Bill's Burgers [is] our [favorite] burger in the Valley. Super casual setting for a quick bite with the best legendary old school burger. Oy Bar [is] one of our favorite date night spots [and the] food is always on point. Casa Vega [is a] nostalgic Mexican joint that has been a staple in the Valley for many years and [I] hope it continues.' Valerie Bertinelli, actor and host: 'I love Mistral, I've been going there since the '80s, and of course, Casa Vega, we had [Wolfgang] and Andraia's rehearsal dinner there and there's little plaques in the booths for me and [Wolfgang] and [Eddie Van Halen]. And of course I was so happy when Petit Trois came to the Valley, perfect little French bistro.' Eric Warheim: comedian, winery owner and cookbook author: 'A premium Valley experience is a margarita at Casa Vega then over to Bill's Burgers: two of the realest, most L.A. spots you can find. Then Asanebo for some toro and then Anajak for some Emrich-Schönleber!' Evan Lovett, 'L.A. In a Minute' podcast host: 'I love Casa Vega because it's an institution and for what it means to the Valley. When you go in there, it's fun, it's comfortable, they have good drinks. Christy Vega cares so deeply about the legacy of her dad and going back to her grandfather, who opened Cafe Caliente on Olvera Street. Listen, in the Valley, 70 years is forever. ... When my wife and I go out to date night, we go to 'Sushi Row' on Ventura Boulevard. Our little place is Studio Sushi, right near Radford Studios. But we start at Oy Bar. It's super dark, been around since the 1970s, when it was called Oyster House, and was updated. It's kind of a Japanese-Jewish menu, but [Jeff Strauss] does a killer job.' Jaime Ray Newman, actor and producer: 'My husband and I can't live without Red Window Coffee. It used to literally be a small coffee stand where you'd get your fix through a red window, but they got so popular over the years they opened their own storefront. Owned by Aussies, they make the best oat cortado in the Valley. And they have a DJ to set the mood. Lovely baristas, their vibe is very cool, laid-back, and their beans and presentation are excellent. Ticks all our coffee snob needs. Also a shout-out to Coffee Commissary in Burbank. Love their coffee too, but their vegan chocolate chip cookies are the best in L.A.!' Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai Cuisine chef-owner: 'Me and my folks love going to Brothers [Sushi, in Woodland Hills], but actually what we love more is to do the temaki takeout and bring it back home. It's a little bit more economical, and it's very generous and it's lovely.' Philip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee, co-owners of Sushi by Scratch and Pasta Bar: '[Machu Picchu in Van Nuys] is a hole-in-the-wall Peruvian spot. Peru is our favorite country to travel to and we've spent quite a bit of time in Lima, and it's exactly like the stuff in Peru except with better product. The anticuchos are done really well. And their ceviche is the best we've had in Los Angeles. You'll tend to see a grandma in the kitchen and her grandkids playing with coloring books. Sergio Amalfitano, owner of the Midnight Hour Records: 'I happen to be vegan. At Leonor's Mexican Vegetarian in North Hollywood off Lankershim, I like the 'chicken' and cheese empanadas. Tender Grill Cafe for the falafel wrap, or the falafel plate dinner with hummus and fries. Good China in North Hollywood is a little hole-in-the-wall Chinese spot that has six or eight vegan options — honey walnut shrimp, Mongolian beef, chow mein. You would not assume it has vegan options, but it does. I just ordered Veggietize Me's vegan Western burger. They have vegan Big Mac-style and Tommy's-style burgers. Lotus Vegan, a Thai restaurant on Lankershim — awesome mom-and-pop shop. I don't drink, but I like Tony's Darts Away because they have trivia and half the menu is vegan.' Allen Yelent, Goldburger owner: 'The Valley is rich and dense and there's lots of people here, and it is one of the most beautiful parts of L.A. if you actually love and care and think about L.A. The Valley has everything. I mean, sometimes you don't even know the names of the places! There's a regular kabob spot that my dad and I always get takeout from [Malek's Grill & Kabob], on Winnetka and Vanowen. There's so many great neighborhood mom-and-pop strip mall spots doing really, really amazing food.' Danny Gordon, Heavy Handed co-owner: 'I keep talking about these sushi joints down the stretch of Ventura Boulevard. I think they're the best in L.A. and for me, as someone who's been to Japan, these Valley dive sushi spots have this sort of no-frills casualness to them that felt like one of those joints in Japan where you walk in and the guy has five or six seats and he just serves you what he wants. There's no gold leaf or caviar. It's just really good, solid fish and a couple of cooked hot items. The list goes on: Sushi Spot [in Tarzana], Niko Sushi [in Tarzana], Restaurant Tatsuki Woodland Hills, Sushi Iki [in Tarzana], Chiba in North Hollywood. There's just so many like that.' Max Miller, Heavy Handed co-owner: 'I know Danny [Gordon] and I both grew up on this, but Dan's Super Subs. They just absolutely crank out sandwich after sandwich after sandwich. And that was a staple after games: Your parents would take you and a couple kids as well, and be able to get these huge sub sandwiches.'
