Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 50

#TorontoDance: Human Body Expression Toronto Premiere of Resonance Dance/Rock Hybrid September 26–28, 2019

From a media release:

#TorontoDance:
Human Body Expression Confronts the Collective Power
of Peaceful Protests in Toronto Premiere of Resonance
Dance/rock hybrid performance inspired by protests surrounding the impeachment of former South Korean president Park Geun-Hye
September 26–28, 2019 
• Tickets From Only $15

Toronto, ON — Human Body Expression explores the quiet strength of peaceful revolution in Resonance, a compelling hybrid of contemporary dance and rock music, on stage September 26–28, 2019 at 8pm at Sts Cyril & Methody Macedonian-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church. Directed and choreographed by the company’s award-winning Artistic Director Hanna Kiel, and featuring original music composed by Dora-nominated Greg Harrison, Resonance is an artistic response to the successful public protests demanding the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-Hye. Following dramatic revelations surrounding influence peddling and corruption, this bold and provocative work probes the evolution of social outcry into direct action.
Image by Sam So“I’ve always been interested in the ways that human beings propel themselves forward,” says Kiel. “Resonance is not about politics, but rather about recognizing the moments in our lives when significant, global change takes effect. I was profoundly moved by the power of the people to make real change with the successful 2016 South Korean impeachment protests — a turning point of evolution when everyone set aside their differences, working together with one voice to move the country forward — that still resonates across the world, especially in the current political climate.”

The universal language of live rock music will be harnessed to bring a palpable sense of urgency and passion to Resonance. The soundscape includes strong drum beats and electric guitars, spurring the audience into action and leveraging a sense of human connection. Joining composer Harrison, who has performed with Jeremy Dutcher and Cirque du Soleil, will be musicians Adam Campbell on drums, Andrew Beaudoin on guitar, and Roger Cournoyer on bass guitar.

Each dancer's individuality — demonstrated through style, background, gender — will be immediately apparent as the work commences, but as Resonance progresses, a unified collective will materialize. Comprised of 12 emerging professional artists, all under the age of 28, the ensemble includes Connor Mitton, Eleanor van Veen, Jake Poloz, Jake Ramos, J.t. Papandreos, Lonii Garnons-Williams, Martha Hart, Morgyn Aronyk-Schell, Peter Kelly, Roberto Soria, Sarah MacDonald, and Zsakira Del Co.

Resonance's staging within the highly unconventional space of a church will draw into sharp relief both the rock concert experience and allow the audience to truly perceive the impact of each other’s collective power. This poignant contrast will be reflected in Noah Feaver’s lighting design and Julia Y Kim’s costumes.

Dora-winner Hanna Kiel is from Seoul, South Korea, and moved to Vancouver in 1996. She has presented her work at 12 Minutes Max, PlanB Singles and solos Festival, Dancing on the Edge Festival, and Pulse at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in Vancouver.
Photo by Francesca ChudnoffResonance is A DanceWorks CoWorks Series Event.
Tickets from $15 at: BrownPaperTickets.com

About Human Body Expression (hbedance.com)
Founded by choreographer Hanna Kiel, Human Body Expression (HBE) strives to break the mold of traditional dance aesthetics to create hybrid movement forms and cultivate artistic individuality. HBE seeks to tell stories and explore narratives that pulse from the very heart of human feeling; that are touching, arousing, disturbing, exciting, and everything in between. HBE’s artists embody the raw and chaotic force of human emotions to impact audiences on a visceral level. Drawing on the ever-evolving distinctive personal dance style that Kiel has developed over more than two decades as a dance professional, her company aims to present technically strong and accessible choreography with high production values, inspiring audiences of all backgrounds to become more engaged with dance.

In 2019, HBE’s Chasing the Path won the Best Dance Work at the New Dance Festival in Daejeon Korea and in 2018, it won the Dora Mavor Moore Outstanding Choreography Award and was nominated in all five dance categories. In 2017, HBE’s Tangled won the Audience Choice Award at the dance: made in canada/fait au canada Festival.

Human Body Expression presents
Resonance
Dates/Time: September 26–28, 2019 at 8pm
Ticket Prices: $15–80
Venue: Sts Cyril & Methody Macedonian-Bulgarian
Eastern Orthodox Church
237 Sackville Street
Toronto, ON
Tickets and Info: BrownPaperTickets.com

Retro Pop/Rock: Rob Alexander - When I'm Gone (for George Michael) Independent / 7 August 2019

Retro Pop/Rock:
Rob Alexander - When I'm Gone (for George Michael)
(Independent / 7 August 2019)
• Check Out The Album On Spotify

When I'm Gone (for George Michael) is the fifth single to come from the album Long Road Coming Home by South Florida based rocker Rob Alexander.

When I'm Gone is a stand out track on the release. It's a haunting ballad that begins with a stripped down sound, vocals and piano, swelling with strings and guitar that add drama to the message. He penned the tune the day George Michael passed away in 2016. In a release, Rob says, "The melody came to me almost immediately, and I wanted the song to ask the questions we all wonder...what will people think of us and say about us when we pass away?"

The album is packed with retro pop in various flavours - the kind of songs that used to populate the Top 40 about 40 years ago. Rob's raspy voice is contrasted by lush production and interesting instrumentation that includes keyboards, sax, and horn sounds. Long Road Coming Home epitomizes the sound - a catchy drum line with layers of orchestral synth and guitar melodies.

The lyrics speak from a point of view that has been around the block a few times and lived to talk about it.

Take a long hard look at the past
And you know that you can love me better...
Than that

Romantic lyrics mix with the kind of self awareness that is beyond the average tween. All That's Mine Is Yours offers a little of both.

I'm all alone
I'm in control
It's in my heart
It's in my soul

As a songwriter, Rob has a nice sense of structure, and a knack for creating catchy sonic hooks, like the bouncy beat that runs through You Wanted It This Way. There's a nice variety through the 12 tracks. Trickle Down goes acoustic, with a simple guitar accompaniment. Good Love Does It brings Elton John's piano-driven pop rock to mind.

Rob is at work on a new album that features current members of Elton John's band and former members of Frankie Valli's touring band.

Personnel:
Gabe Lopez: keyboards, bass, guitars, drums, and percussion; Robbie Angelici: acoustic and electric guitars; Kevin Taylor: acoustic and electric guitars; Rick Keller: saxophone; Brian Brigham: backing vocals

Stay in touch:
https://www.facebook.com/robalexandermusic/

Travel Greenland The Disko Arts Festival October 4 & 10, 2019

From a media release:

Travel Greenland
The Disko Arts Festival
October 4 & 10, 2019
• Plan Your Trip At The Link

You may not be able to buy Greenland, but you can visit the world's largest island, with natural beauty, Inuit and Thule culture to explore, and arts festivals to enjoy.
Nuuk, GreenlandGreenland was populated in waves of immigrants from Europe to the east, and the Inuit who came from northern Canada to the west. The Dorset culture came with a prehistoric people who immigrated from Canada. The Norse culture arrived from Norway. The Inuit also came from Canada, and most modern Greenlanders are related to the Inuit. The Thule people came all the way from Alaska.

Nuuk: Greenland's capital city
Many travelers come to Greenland for the spectacular scenery and outdoor pursuits, but the capital has much to offer. In recent years, there has been an upswing in tourist-friendly venues, with gourmet dining, boutique shopping, and interesting architecture on offer.

New Art In The Far North
The Disko Arts Festival
Disko Arts Festival is a relatively new celebration of contemporary music, theatre and performance. It takes place both in Ilulissat and in Nuuk this year. Events are varied and experimental, and often feature collaborations with other international artists.

Friday, October 4th | Ilulissat Art Museum, Ilulissat, Greenland.Thursday, October 10th | Nuuk Art Museum, Nuuk, Greenland (as part of Nuuk Nordisk Festival).
The Disko Arts Festival is an annual festival for experimental music and art in Greenland. Emerging international and local artists are invited to spend a week in the area, collaborating, exploring and ultimately presenting new work to the local audience.

Disko Arts Festival springs out of Far North, a network and residency established in Oqaatsut in 2012. The core mission was – and partly still is – to bring together emerging international and Greenlandic artists. Disko Arts Festival is a local festival with an international profile, and the artistic programming is tailored for our Disko Bay and Nuuk audience.

Springing out of a residency for contemporary music theatre, Disko Arts Festival presents a variety of expressions, from leftfield electronic music to visual art, emphasizing locally anchored projects and fluid genres and discourses. Disko Arts Festival is a point of gravity around which a number of satellite events evolve: In addition to the ordinary artistic program, the festival includes workshops and events for children and young people and various community based activities.

Disko Arts Festival 2019 is made possible with support from Hurtigruten Foundation, Avannaata Kommunia, Den Grønlandske Fond, Ilulussat Kunstmuseum and Nuuk Kunstmuseum. The festival is proudly signed up to Keychange’s ‘50/50 by 2022’ pledge.

SOUNDS OF INUICITY A project from Disko Arts Festival 2018:

Singer/Songwriter: Aza Nabuko - Aza Nabuko EP (JumpAttack Records / 1 July 2019)

Singer/Songwriter:
Aza Nabuko - Aza Nabuko EP
(JumpAttack Records / 1 July 2019)
• Buy the CD

Sixteen year old Aza Nabukomulti is a instrumentalist, singer and songwriter out of Revelstoke, British Columbia. She recently earning a spot in the top 100 in CBC Searchlight for 2019, and it's easy to see why with the release of her self-titled EP.

The EP is a showcase of her fluid vocals and inventive songwriting abilities. From Strangers -

Since there are only remains here,
It looks like we are strangers
Again

Strangers


Her lyrics specialize in romance with a realistic bent, including the self aware Ordinary.

Sometimes I'd hard to deal with
But I'm worth the trouble baby

Fade Away is a sad ballad in remembrance of a romance that's long over, where Aza's expressive voice plays nicely against a spare piano backing. She ranges from soft and mournful to full blown lament that rises to a crescendo of hurt and regret. It's a highlight of the release.

Heart of Concrete uses a moody cello to reinforce lyrics about loneliness and hurt, while the melody has a kind of gypsy echo and a rising sense of melodrama.

I'm alone
I am broken
Inside
I am frozen
I can't carry it
It doesn't fit
It weighs too much
This heart of concrete

She's impressive as a singer, ranging from a sweet high end to a throaty lower range. Aza has a nicely distinctive sense of phrasing that gives the modern pop compositions a fresh sound. It will be interesting to see what will come down the pipe from her.

Track List:
1. Strangers
2. Ordinary
3. Fade Away
4. Heart of Concrete
5. Space Between
6. When We Fell in Love

Personnel:
Aza Nabuko Vocals, Guitar and Piano

Stay in touch:
https://www.facebook.com/azanabuko/
https://www.instagram.com/azanabuko/

Ordinary:

NINA HOLMES - ‘it is not what i see’ Now on show at Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town until 30 September 2019

From a media release:

NINA HOLMES - ‘it is not what i see’
Now on show at Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town
until 30 September 2019
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - In her latest solo exhibition, entitled ‘it is not why i see’, Nina Holmes presents a series of paintings inspired by an intense three-day study of the forests surrounding Karatara, a half hour drive outside of Knysna (Western Cape).
Nina Holmes | Homage | 2019 | Mixed media on canvas | 52 x 72cm This body of work was largely informed by a landscape workshop that took place in Karatara, a town in the Knysna Municipality earlier this year. After three days of intensive studies in the woods and observing traditional land and sky-scapes during which I experienced extreme weather conditions, I knew that I did not want to represent my environment in any realistic, picturesque way. I was so affected by the harshness of working ‘enplein air’ and the concurrent dualities of nature: The apparent lazy serenity of blissful farm life, blue skies, distant rumble of the local woodchoppers, snorting of horses, undulating valleys versus the harsh sun beating down on one side of one’s face, unexpected gusts of wind sending materials flying, the swarms of relentless mosquitoes in the forest, stinging rain, the difficulty in lugging one’s own equipment through unwelcoming terrain.

I was trying to make paintings of my experience of being there, and I didn’t know what that looked like. So as much as I was surrounded by visual cues, which obviously springboarded the work, I wanted to work predominantly from what I felt in those woods. So I became hyper sensitive to my other senses. I wished to make visual that which I had heard, mark the tactile quality of the soil, the sharpness of branches, the irritation of ants. I wanted to colour the smells, retaste the dank mould of the earth, feel the delicacy and confusion of crossing twigs. And always, not merely just sensory awareness, but emotional.
Nina Holmes | Karatara: Ambient Composition | 2019 | Acrylic on canvas | 82.5 x 117.5cm On returning to Cape Town, I wanted to continue the process. I surrounded myself in my studio with my entire body of Karatara studies from which I worked. I pursued paintings that were mostly large that would afford me a kind of vast landscape on which to work. Quickly, instinctively. Working in acrylic mainly to allow for speed as I had done before. Trying to recapture elements of that location - the single tree, the intersection of branches, the shouting of hens. I painted what I didn’t see. Recurrent motifs, abstracted forms seemed to reappear again and again. Inspired by the work of Fabienne Verdier, I painted on large loose canvasses taped to the floor working aerially. I began another in black and white working solely from audio to the music of Lisa Gerard. It is not what I see. I have tried to look at each work and really feel what the painting needs and wants as opposed to superimposing any idea of preconceived outcome. I have tried to become comfortable with not knowing.

Not to forget another implied understanding of the show’s title, that it is not about what I as the artist sees, but what the viewer sees or experiences. I hold the belief that while some knowledge of the artist’s intentions and methods may allow for greater appreciation of specific work, the viewer may see or feel something entirely different to the artist’s original ideas and intended outcomes.
Nina Holmes | Muted | 2019 | Acrylic on paper | 47 x 35cm MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST:
The words of artist Albert Oehlen resonate strongly with me. Oehlen speaks of "qualities that I want to see brought together: delicacy and coarseness, colour and vagueness, and underlying them all, a base note of hysteria."

- I love art. It is immediate. I hate art. It confronts me. I love art. It allows me to forget. I hate art. It makes me vulnerable. I love art. It drives me. I hate art. It is contrived and pretentious.I love art. It is painful –

Cape Town based artist, Nina Holmes, obtained a postgraduate diploma (with distinction) at the Michaelis School of Art, University of Cape Town in 2017. She has participated in numerous group shows in a Cape Town and this is her second solo exhibition at the Eclectica Contemporary gallery.

Her work is included in private collections in South Africa and abroad.


Now on view at Eclectica Contemporary, 69 Burg Street, Cape Town until 30 September 2019.

NINA HOLMES - ‘it is not what i see’ Now on show at Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town until 30 September 2019

From a media release:

NINA HOLMES - ‘it is not what i see’
Now on show at Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town
until 30 September 2019
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - In her latest solo exhibition, entitled ‘it is not why i see’, Nina Holmes presents a series of paintings inspired by an intense three-day study of the forests surrounding Karatara, a half hour drive outside of Knysna (Western Cape).
Nina Holmes | Homage | 2019 | Mixed media on canvas | 52 x 72cm This body of work was largely informed by a landscape workshop that took place in Karatara, a town in the Knysna Municipality earlier this year. After three days of intensive studies in the woods and observing traditional land and sky-scapes during which I experienced extreme weather conditions, I knew that I did not want to represent my environment in any realistic, picturesque way. I was so affected by the harshness of working ‘enplein air’ and the concurrent dualities of nature: The apparent lazy serenity of blissful farm life, blue skies, distant rumble of the local woodchoppers, snorting of horses, undulating valleys versus the harsh sun beating down on one side of one’s face, unexpected gusts of wind sending materials flying, the swarms of relentless mosquitoes in the forest, stinging rain, the difficulty in lugging one’s own equipment through unwelcoming terrain.

I was trying to make paintings of my experience of being there, and I didn’t know what that looked like. So as much as I was surrounded by visual cues, which obviously springboarded the work, I wanted to work predominantly from what I felt in those woods. So I became hyper sensitive to my other senses. I wished to make visual that which I had heard, mark the tactile quality of the soil, the sharpness of branches, the irritation of ants. I wanted to colour the smells, retaste the dank mould of the earth, feel the delicacy and confusion of crossing twigs. And always, not merely just sensory awareness, but emotional.
Nina Holmes | Karatara: Ambient Composition | 2019 | Acrylic on canvas | 82.5 x 117.5cm On returning to Cape Town, I wanted to continue the process. I surrounded myself in my studio with my entire body of Karatara studies from which I worked. I pursued paintings that were mostly large that would afford me a kind of vast landscape on which to work. Quickly, instinctively. Working in acrylic mainly to allow for speed as I had done before. Trying to recapture elements of that location - the single tree, the intersection of branches, the shouting of hens. I painted what I didn’t see. Recurrent motifs, abstracted forms seemed to reappear again and again. Inspired by the work of Fabienne Verdier, I painted on large loose canvasses taped to the floor working aerially. I began another in black and white working solely from audio to the music of Lisa Gerard. It is not what I see. I have tried to look at each work and really feel what the painting needs and wants as opposed to superimposing any idea of preconceived outcome. I have tried to become comfortable with not knowing.

Not to forget another implied understanding of the show’s title, that it is not about what I as the artist sees, but what the viewer sees or experiences. I hold the belief that while some knowledge of the artist’s intentions and methods may allow for greater appreciation of specific work, the viewer may see or feel something entirely different to the artist’s original ideas and intended outcomes.
Nina Holmes | Muted | 2019 | Acrylic on paper | 47 x 35cm MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST:
The words of artist Albert Oehlen resonate strongly with me. Oehlen speaks of "qualities that I want to see brought together: delicacy and coarseness, colour and vagueness, and underlying them all, a base note of hysteria."

- I love art. It is immediate. I hate art. It confronts me. I love art. It allows me to forget. I hate art. It makes me vulnerable. I love art. It drives me. I hate art. It is contrived and pretentious.I love art. It is painful –
Cape Town based artist, Nina Holmes, obtained a postgraduate diploma (with distinction) at the Michaelis School of Art, University of Cape Town in 2017. She has participated in numerous group shows in a Cape Town and this is her second solo exhibition at the Eclectica Contemporary gallery.

Her work is included in private collections in South Africa and abroad.
Now on view at Eclectica Contemporary, 69 Burg Street, Cape Town until 30 September 2019.

Ontario Culture Days Announces 10th Anniversary Edition with Kaleidoscope of Cultural Activities and Events September 27–29, 2019

From a media release:

Ontario Culture Days Announces 10th Anniversary Edition
with Kaleidoscope of Cultural Activities and Events
September 27–29, 2019
Province-wide weekend to celebrate arts and culture
offers plethora of FREE events and activities to suit every taste and interest 

Toronto, ON – Ontario Culture Days announces a kaleidoscope of free activities and events taking place across the entire province from September 27–29, 2019. Encompassing visual art, theatre, cinema, dance, and beyond — this vibrant weekend of expression will explore the intersections of creativity, the arts, and well-being. This year’s edition will include the unveiling of a special province-wide, interactive art exhibition entitled DO BLUE BUTTERFLIES EAT PARTS OF THE SKY?, guest curated by David Dyment. It is coupled with Culture Trek — a series of three made-to-measure travel itineraries highlighting Ontario’s diverse regions, with tips on the best places to eat, sleep and bask in culture. Additional events will engage some of the most iconic cultural institutions in Ottawa and the GTA from the National Gallery of Canada to the Royal Ontario Museum and beyond.

“This year’s celebrations explore the essential link between creativity and well-being” says Ontario Culture Days Executive Director Ruth Burns. “Ontario Culture Days will use its unique perspective to highlight the direct impact arts and culture has made in communities large and small — while also shining a light on the essential role arts and culture organizers play in these regions. This year’s 10th anniversary offerings were programmed to help boost community engagement, foster deeper social connections, and build an understanding and appreciation for the collective artistic experience.”

from 2018:


Ontario Culture Days’ 10th anniversary celebrations will include a number of innovative cultural experiences, among them the multi-site exhibition, DO BLUE BUTTERFLIES EAT PARTS OF THE SKY?, curated by Dyment, an artist and curator associated with various editions of Nuit Blanche around the country, and featuring interactive free programming that invites participation.

Culture Trek will shine a spotlight on four distinct communities: Waterloo Region, Brockville, Durham Region, and Guelph, allowing intrepid explorers to discover hidden travel gems, support local businesses, and appreciate the vibrant creative industries in these diverse communities.

In Ottawa, among the myriad of free events offered, will be Family Sunday at the National Gallery of Canada, encouraging families to discover the national collection, the Ottawa Animation Festival at the Ottawa Art Gallery, and Caribbean Culture Day. In Toronto, participants can venture to the Big Draw Festival, a celebration of the universal power of drawing and creative expression at 14 of the City’s history museums; the Toronto Public Library, who will be hosting a special series on the melding of storytelling, creativity, the arts, and well-being; the Royal Ontario Museum’s Culture Days’ specific programming, and, Myseum’s Wigwam Chi-Chemung’s learning series, showcasing two art-making workshops with Elder Duke Redbird.

For a detailed overview of Ontario Culture Days and this year’s expansive 10th anniversary events in your community, visit: culturedays.ca/on

About Ontario Culture Days (culturedays.ca/on)
Ontario Culture Days was initiated as a project of the Ontario Arts Council, and became an independent non-profit in 2015. Ontario Culture Days works in collaboration with the national Culture Days office, and provincial organizing bodies in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Together, Culture Days works to support organizers in producing their own Culture Days events, as well as leading a marketing and communications campaign that drives general audiences to the arts and supporting regional tourism. Starting in 2018, Ontario Culture Days began producing travel itineraries to localized communities, as well as expanding a public programming and artistic presentation series, which are produced in partnership with local organizers.

from 2018:

Jazz CD Release: /fyo?og/ - Temp'rall Sho'gazing (Independent / 26 July 2019)

Jazz CD Release:
/fyo?og/ - Temp'rall Sho'gazing
(Independent / 26 July 2019)
• Listen on Spotify
• Check out the YouTube playlist
• Buy it on CDBaby

/fyo?og/ are Katarina Boudreaux and Sam Tepper, New Orleans based and inspired by the city in this collection of bluesy jazz covers and originals. You could say it's retro in flavour, but distinctly modern in sensibility.

Katarina's voice is fluid and expressive, with a knack for phrasing that complements the stellar piano playing of Sam Tepper. She's alternately strident and playful on Better, against a kinetic piano line. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair is a traditional song that gets something of an avant garde makeover, all shimmering piano and cymbals, with a mournful violin against the dramatic vocals. It's quite haunting.

They're not afraid to play with the old favourites. St. Louis Blues goes for the dramatic, the rhythm lengthened into almost a Latin feel in the introduction, veering back and forth between old school swing and avant garde syncopation - ending in a gospel-like blaze of glory. Blues After Hours, on the other hand, gets a classic treatment where Tepperman's virtuosic piano playing comes to the forefront.

Gotcha Child is a shuffle, with Katarina's vocals turning sweet and high. Sam switches to an electronically enhanced organ sound for Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child in a minimalist arrangement that spotlights the emotion of the vocals. In Nibble, the duo switches to a funky groove.

Katarina is a writer, dancer, teacher, and musician. Her novel "Platform Dwellers" is available from Owl Hollow Press. She is the current director of Noladancing.

Temp'rall Sho'gazing by /fyo?og/ should please lovers of jazz both traditional and modern.

Personnel: 
Sam Tepper - Keyboards and Harmonica; Katarina Boudreaux - Vocals; Producer: Chris Butcher and Sam Tepper

Track List:
1. Better
2. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Gotcha Child
5. Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child
6. Nibble
7. Blues after Hours
8. Taint Nobody's Business

Stay in touch:
http://katarinaboudreaux.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FGtemporal

Discover Baja California on Horseback

Guest post by K.C. Dermody, who has traveled to nearly all 50 states and over 20 different countries, including visits to Ireland at least once a year. Her goal is to impart what she has learned from her travel experiences to others, and to inspire more people to get out and truly explore, rather than spending their holidays in a lounge chair by the pool. 


Discover Baja California on Horseback Written by: K.C. Dermody 

It’s not just the American West that offers unforgettable horseback riding excursions and dude ranch vacations — head further south and you’ll discover spectacular Wild West terrain in Baja California, Mexico.

When many people hear “Baja” they automatically think of Cabo San Lucas, located at the southern tip of the peninsula, and days spent partying on the beach, but this peninsula offers so much more. The diverse terrain includes everything from cactus-filled desert and soaring mountains with natural hot springs and waterfalls, to gloriously empty golden stretches of sand edged by crashing waves and powdery white-sand beaches framed by crystal-clear, calm turquoise waters.

Whether you’re looking to ride for a couple hours, a full day, or a vacation focused on being on the back of a horse, you’ll find it here — and it’s a wonderful way to discover the best of Baja.
Los Cabos Courtesy Cuadra San Francisco @LosCabosHorsesIf you plan to spend most of your time experiencing the famous restaurants, bars and clubs in Cabo but want to enjoy a horseback riding adventure too, your best bet is to sign up for a trip with an outfitter like Cuadra San Francisco. This local, highly reputable, family-owned business offers scenic rides through the desert and on the beach. You can choose rides on one or the other, or both. The horses are well taken care of and trained, ideal for everyone from beginners to experts, children as well as adults. Riding on the pristine, white beaches of Cabo Real is sure to be a magical experience, but the ride through the desert canyon brings the chance to marvel at unique animals and plants that make this region different from anywhere else on the planet.
Todos Santos Todos Santos main beach by K.C. DermodyAn easy hour’s drive from Cabo, Todos Santos is an especially charming colonial town that’s been named a Pueblo Magico, or “magical town,” for its importance as a cultural landmark. It’s a focal point for art, with many outstanding galleries, and also offers a remarkable foodie scene with endless restaurants serving mouthwatering Baja fare with lots of fresh seafood and organic produce.

It’s an artsy desert oasis, tucked among palm trees and ancient mango orchards, and offers one of the most unspoiled stretches of sand along the coast — 70 miles of virtually empty beach that makes it ideal for horseback riding excursions. There are rides from the beginner to advanced, guided by expert naturalists who can share their local knowledge with you. As this is a smaller community, there are also opportunities that aren’t as well advertised — if you want something especially unique and authentic, you might want to check with the locals via the Todos Santos Newsfeed on Facebook for the best insider advice.
Los Barriles Courtesy of Baja's Awesome Beach Rides @awesomebeachridesJust 40 minutes from Cabo on the east cape, Los Barriles is an especially picturesque fishing village without the tourist traps or crowds. There are a couple of great options here. With Horseback Rides by Betto, Alberto “Betto” Costa offers guided tours that include trips to the area’s famous waterfalls where you can even swim under the cascades that spill off granite cliffs. You’ll visit gorgeous white-sand beaches and other remote locations as well.

If you want to play Mexican cowboy or cowgirl, Baja’s Awesome Beach Rides is based here and features an extensive menu of options, including “Cowboy for a Day.” You’ll be able to help feed, groom and tack up your own horse, then enjoy a long ride out on the beach, into the arroyo and up into the hills. You can even learn the skill of rope throwing here and a picnic lunch under shady trees is included as well.
Loreto The beach at Balandre by K.C. DermodyA small mountain town along the Sea of Cortez in the Sierra de la Giganta, Loreto is one of the oldest settlements in Baja and one of the most beautiful. Look forward to an authentic Mexican feel with colorful traditions, stunning beaches and glistening azure bays perfect for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. On land there are miles of trails to explore on horseback, allowing riders to experience both historical sites and breathtaking scenery.

This is an ideal spot for a multi-day adventure. Saddling South offers pack trips that begin from the moment you arrive at the airport. You’ll discover secluded oasis areas with springs, creeks and pools nestled in the rugged canyons and visit working ranches where you’ll meet locals who use old-style methods for tanning hides and weaving horsehair ropes. When its citrus season, you can ride through orchards and gather the local oranges for an especially refreshing treat. Of course, you’ll be able to fuel your rides with delicious Baja cuisine throughout, including homemade tortillas, tamales and machaca tacos that are popular for trail food.

Riding on the beach at Todos Santos

DJ Bitman's New Single "Para Ti" Featuring Ceaese - August 2 2019 on Nacional Records

From a media release:

DJ Bitman's New Single "Para Ti" Featuring Ceaese
August 2, 2019 on Nacional Records
• Check it Out

Nacional Records is proud to announce the release of DJ Bitman's "Para Ti" featuring Ceaese, out this Friday, August 2nd.  Bitman says of the track, "This is the first song of many more to come where I find myself returning to a more club sound. The past few years I produced albums inspired more on a live show, with a band, etc. In "Para Ti" I return to my DJ roots. With a beach-y and warm sound, I can focus on my first instrument, the turntable."

Cease is a household name in Chile's vibrant urban music scene. With over a million monthly listeners on Spotify and having recently won Chile's Premio Pulsar for Best Urban Artist, Ceases brings his unique lyrical flow to the track. Bitman says, "This is the first time I work with Ceaese, and it has been a pleasure and a surprise. He is enjoying a great chapter in his career as an artist and belongs to the new generation of hip-hop in Chile, a scene that leans towards the
urban such as trap and dembow."

Last year, Bitman released the album Homies, which included the single “You,” a collaboration with Spanish R&B singer Nora Norman (listen here) and "Truss Me," a collaboration with Juan Ingaramo and Jesse Baez (listen here).

Bitman is one of the most prolific producers and DJs in Chile’s music scene and has been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Chile. Born José Antonio Bravo in Arica, Chile, the former Olympic surfer started his musical career as Bitman & Roban before going solo artist with his debut album Sunset Beats.

Since then, Bitman has released several solo albums as well as numerous collaborative albums as a member of Ritmo Machine, featuring Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill, and RVSB, with fellow Chilean DJ/producer DJ Raff. He has consistently pushed his musical envelope with his skillful blending of hip-hop, electronic, funk, soul, and traditional Latin sounds with each album.

Bitman’s music has provided the soundtrack to numerous video game franchises such as EA’s FIFA, Need for Speed, and The Sims as well as TV shows such as Dexter, Nip/Tuck, and Weeds.

Fans around the world have witnessed his on stage skills live at events such as the LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference), Vive Latino, Lollapalooza Chile, Lollapalooza Brazil, Lollapalooza Chicago, SXSW, and Estereo Picnic.