Kristy Moody's Blog, page 3

Review: Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán – 2025 El Legado Tour in Chicago

The Auditorium Theatre welcomed Hispanic Heritage Month with open arms on September 12. Lupita Infante joined the legendary Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan for their 2025 El Legado tour.

Lupita Infante kicked off the night honoring her late father, the famous actor and producer Pedro Infante Jr., through music while connecting with fans in Spanish and English. The audience showered her with gifts as she was overcome with emotion from all the Chicago love. She turned her 30 minute showtime into a concert/ mini meet and greet. It was wonderful to see her and a few fans throughly enjoy each other’s company. Lupita’s elegant stage presence and attire was flawless.

Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan, who are known as the best mariachi in the world, brought their musical history to life. Originating from Tecalitlan, Jalisco, Mexico in 1897, Carlos Martinez, leads the sixth generation. During this one night only event, they played classic movie clips and performed their well known soundtrack tunes for each scene. The band was undeniably authentic with their music selections, breathtaking traditional clothing, and dance. They took the audience on a journey to Mexico and other distant lands with the gorgeous video backdrop and ambience.

While presenting their rich heritage, Vargas De Tecalitlan made the audience feel special by literally placing the spotlight on us throughout the entire night. They waved, held hands and serenaded their longtime fans. It was a life changing experience for everyone. The soul stirring show made all of us feel very welcomed and symbolically embraced by the band members.

Three hours into the show, the band never tired of performing and gave it their best with each number. The 2025 El Legado tour in Chicago was a success. Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan captivated attendees and completely immersed us in the wonderful Mexican culture. The entire show was mainly sung and conversed in the rich Español.

Credit: BTSCelebs Credit: BTSCelebs

*A Special thanks to The Silverman Group and Auditorium Theatre for the opportunity to attend the show.

Review: “Sunday in the Park with Lyric”

Alexis Peart and Enrique Mazzola, Photo by Kyle Flubacker

On September 7th, the holidays came early when the gift of performing arts arrived at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park. “Carmen,” “Medea,” “Madama Butterfly,” “The Barber of Seville,” and so much more was previewed during the serene evening.

A massive crowd filled the outdoor seating and lawn as people gathered to witness another historic artistic moment. The event was expertly arranged in two acts that mirrored an actual opera. Delightful overtures were performed live by the elegant Lyric Opera orchestra.

Highlights from the night included The Joffrey Ballet’s hypnotizing dance for “Carmen,” Nedda! Silvio! A quest’ Ora? from Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” and Alla bella Despinetta fron Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte,” and Georgia on My Mind held everyone captive by the stellar vocals and dynamite chemistry between the performers. Some of the featured stars were opera singers Adia Evans (soprano), Emily Richter (soprano), Alexis Peart (mezzo-soprano), Travon D. Walker (tenor), Sankara Harouna (baritone), and Christopher Humbert, Jr. (bass-baritone). Enrique Mazzola and Chi-Yuan Lin shined as the conductors.

“Carmen” became a double treat by The Joffrey Ballet opening the event with an inspired dance number and Lyric ended the night with their own opera rendition.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has something for everyone this year and I recommend you check out their list to see what suits you best.

The season kicks off on October 11th, 2025.

A Special Thanks to The Silverman Group and The Lyric Opera of Chicago for the invite.

MORIAH Shares BTS of “Flint” Movie

The singer/actress recently took fans on the set of her upcoming western drama film, “Flint.” Moriah plays a character named Juana and gave her supporters a glimpse of the production’s picturesque setting.

Click the link below see the “Flint” set.

https://www.instagram.com/share/BAGG_jyyli

“Flint,” which is a story about a rebellious man in a territory fight, also stars Josh Holloway, Dianna Argon, and Kristoffer Polaha. It is scheduled for release next year.

Cheryl Grey Bostrom: Q&A with the Author of “What the River Keeps”

Tyndale: What inspired you to write a story set on NW Washington’s Elwha River? 

Cheryl Grey Bostrom: For five generations, my Port Angeles family lived within a ten-mile radius of the  Elwha Valley, and my grandparents roamed its pristine ecosystem with me in tow. Having loved the Elwha since childhood and eager to plant my imagination there for the course of a story, I was delighted when protagonist Hildy came to  mind. Trapped by, then freed from a generational stronghold of deception, the  young biologist’s inner history parallels the dammed-up river’s. In every way, the  setting was an elegant fit.  

Throughout the story, Hildy dismantles lies she’s believed since childhood. How does the narrative encourage readers to do the same? 

Though professionally successful, Hildy’s inner world is in shambles, leaving her  fearful, isolated, and questioning her sanity. Her path to personal growth veers  off-track sometimes, and her steps forward are small. But as she allows herself  to enter honest, loving relationships, physical and spiritual truths come to light,  and she begins to heal. The fact that her faltering, but persistent, explorations dismantle her inner strongholds can encourage readers to examine their own  barriers to wholeness—and to tear them down. 

Many young writers struggle to create multi-dimensional characters. What  advice would you offer to those aspiring to write compelling, complex  personalities? 

I was riding a NYC subway when my companion cautioned me not to make eye  contact. Toughest thing ever, since on the days I’m with people, I’m observing,connecting, listening, and sniffing for emotions, motives, and nuanced behaviors  in those around me. Always, I’m asking myself (or those I’m watching, when  doing so isn’t flat-out weird) “why would they choose/do/say that?” It’s those whys infused into stories that make characters interesting.  

How has your faith shaped your writing—or vice versa? 

Carved into the lintel above psychologist Carl Jung’s door was a Latin inscription that, translated, read “Bidden or unbidden, God is present.” As a Christ-follower who seeks to tune herself to God’s handiwork and presence in both my inner and  outer reality, I couldn’t agree more. Though my characters may or may not  believe as I do, eternal truths that govern the world shape my settings, character  conflicts, and outcomes, and . . . I hope . . . cause readers of any persuasion to  question and consider. Conversely, as I grapple with those truths in my writing,  my own faith expands. 

The natural world plays an enormous role in this and your previous two  titles. Why the emphasis on nature? 

The subtitle of my first non-fiction book—Watching Nature, Seeing Life—captures my belief that the natural world connects us to God’s design for life in  astonishing, beautiful ways. Too, nature can be a portal to understanding the  Creator’s character, and to intimacy with him. As I weave the creation into my  stories, I hope my readers will be compelled by awe to ponder all that. 

As we evolve with life’s seasons, our writing genres may change too. Has  that been true for you? 

Absolutely! As a child and into my breakneck twenties, I wrote poetry in brief,  vivid bursts of life discovery. When marriage, two children, and a farm full of  animals shifted my goals to home-making and loving well, short- and long-form  non-fiction emerged: devotional and human-interest stuff. Practical in those years and beyond, when I worked outside our home, I wrote inside the lines, and didn’t  experiment with words much. But then our kids left home. Collisions of longing and play returned me to poetry, until, with time’s new roominess, a lifetime of stories, and fresh courage, I began  writing fiction. 

Your novels have won more than two dozen awards in both the general and  Christian markets. To what do you attribute that favor? What sets your  books apart?

Hm. I’ll tap reviewers for this one. I’m beyond grateful when they say the plots  are “captivating” and “layered,” the writing “unique” and “lyrical,” and the  characters “unforgettable” and “endearing.” Readers like getting lost in the  wondrous Pacific Northwest as they immerse themselves in the psychology and  mystery of human behavior.  

I’d guess that award givers might say their warm reception to the books comes  from their emotional connection with the characters, or my writing style,  immersive settings, and themes that go deep. But I attribute their favor to my  Maker’s kindness in helping me write. And to my revisions. Miles and miles of revisions.

“What the River Keeps” is currently available at major bookstores and online.

A special thanks to Cheryl Grey Bostrom and Tyndale House Publishers for the images and interview.

“Middlehood” Celebrates Another Milestone This Week

Credit: WERDGERL and FilmHub

The award-winning indie series enters new territory tomorrow. Michele Palermo’s independently produced and written project will be free to watch on YouTube/YouTube TV, according to an official press release from DGPR.

Michele Palermo: “We are delighted to have MIDDLEHOOD launch for free on YouTube in August, opening up our Indie TV series to a much wider streaming audience. To date, the show has garnered amazing reviews, nationwide radio and podcast attention, and terrific viewer feedback on Amazon – folks are loving the show. This is a true 2025 TV series – modern both from being at the forefront of today’s Indie TV movement and written as the first GenX TV comedy with the experience of women and moms of my generation in mind. Like, what happens in midlife to the latchkey kids who basically raised themselves? They have an edge that’s missing in other generations that makes them question a lot of reality. The result? It makes midlife messy. (In other words, this ain’t no Hallmark show.). So find your favorite Prince mixtape, old flannel shirt, vintage Swatch Watch and come join us.”

“Middlehood” can currently be viewed via TVOD on Amazon Prime Video (U.S., U.K./Ireland); AVOD on biblio+; and plans to hit The Roku Channel, Xumo and Hoopla next.

The edgy series follows “Lisa Giordano-Navarro (Elena Wohl, “The Session Man,” “Seinfeld” as “Fake Elaine”.) She is stuck in the middle: between marriage and divorce, 2PP-0 between career and unemployment, and between the various members of her family, particularly her conservative immigrant parents. As she embarks on her annual visit with the lively Giordano clan in LA, she struggles to reconcile who she is and where she came from.” The storyline is realistic with some adult language.

“Middlehood” also stars Mark Damon Espinoza, Richard Milanesi, Lisa Goodman, Chris Mollica, Fran Montano, Jazmín Caratini, Anna Talakkottur, Krista Warner, and more. Michele Palermo wrote, directed, executive produced, and edited the series. She also had a dedicated team assist with co-producing, wardrobe, cinematography, etc. It is a WERDGERL production and is distributed by FilmHub.

The Emmys considered the show for 10 categories. The For Your Consideration list is as follows:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series – Elena Wohl

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Mark Damon Espinoza

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Krista Warner, Lisa Goodman, Jazmin Caratini, Anna Talakkottur

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Richard Milanesi, Chris Mollica, Fran Montano

Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (Half-Hour) – Mike Testin

Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) – David Frank Long

Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics – “Something Better Than This” by Julie Neumark

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series Michele Palermo Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series – Michele Palermo

Credit: WERDGERL and FilmHub

A special thanks to DGPR, WERDGERL, and FilmHub for the info and images.

Review: Jenn Chenoweth’s “Out To Get Me”

Jenn Chenoweth releases her debut EP “Out To Get Me” on August 29th. The inspirational project is a serene reminder to Christians that God is always with us and can be trusted in all things. From the haunting yet sweet message of “Remembering” to the friendly nudge behind the single “Closest Friend,” this album is an unexpected gift to welcome the fall season.

There are no favorites to be chosen because each song is equally important to the central meaning. It’s all about the light at the end of a dark tunnel and stressing that we are never alone. The entire project is a message of hope for Christians. According to an official press release from Turning Point Media Relations inc, the artist was inspired by Galatians 5 and Psalm 23 during the songwriting process.”Out To Get Me” is full of “synth-pop anthems, reflective ballads and intimate moments of worship,” and Seth & Nirva’s Seth Ready served as producer. Clarence Monestime is a guest vocalist on “Closest Friend.” A host of other talented musicians were a part of the album’s production.

Jenn Chenoweth:“The heart behind the title is this: God is out to get you, but not like you may think. I used to think He was out to get me like a taskmaster, waiting for me to mess up and fail. But the truth is, God was out to get me, to find me, bring me in, and set me free! I want to connect with those who have been led astray by ideas about the Lord that aren’t true. God is our Father, our Shepherd, and our Friend. Yes, He will lovingly correct us, but He does not condemn us.”

The artist is a singer/songwriter, worship leader and SEU Worship alum. Here is the complete tracklist for “Out To Get Me”:

Remembering

Truth Comes Running

I’m Learning

Light As A Feather (Good Shepherd)

Closest Friend

You Won’t Leave

Truth Comes Running (Acoustic Version)

“Out to Get Me” is scheduled to be released on major music streaming platforms on Friday, August 29th.

A special thanks to Jenn Chenoweth and Turning Point MRI for the review copy and images,

“Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’s” New Season Starts Next Month

Disney is already getting ready for new magical episodes of their hit spin-off. Promos for the upcoming “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” season are already rolling in.

Check out the teaser trailer and Instagram post below! And don’t forget to read my review of the previous season by clicking here.

“Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” continues the story in September.

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Lindsay Lohan Shows Off “Freakier Friday” Retro Premiere Gown

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“Freakier Friday” star Lindsay Lohan honored the 2003 film by wearing a rendition of her classic bridesmaid dress to the new film’s London premiere. She shared photos of the evening gown on Instagram today.

Check it out in the images above.

“Freakier Friday” premieres on August 8th.

Jeon Somi Teases New Album

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After a long wait, Jeon Somi fans are finally getting the music that is well deserved. The K-pop star gave everyone a glimpse into her new music through unique cover art. Promotional photos were shared on social media and show the singer looking runway ready. Her 2nd EP is titled “Chaotic and Confused,” and it’s scheduled to be released on August 11.

Jeon Somi’s catchy song “Extra” dropped on July 7th.

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BTSCelebs to Review Joanne Bischof DeWitt’s “The Heart of Bennet Hollow”

On October 7, author Joanna Bischof DeWitt becomes the next award-winning writer to do a retelling of Jane Austen’s beloved classic “Pride And Prejudice.”

In her 1900s American version titled “The Heart of Bennet Hollow,” an Appalachian farmer’s daughter named Lizbeth Bennet is determined to preserve her family’s farm and provide for herself and sisters. They reside in a Virginian coal mining town, but the mine is currently for sale. Rich businessman

William Drake is a prospective buyer who continues to cross paths with Lizbeth. Despite their first unpleasant meeting, romantic sparks fly and a friendship is formed. Of course, William’s pride as a businessman and Lizbeth’s prejudices will prove to make their future complicated.

Stay tuned to BTSCelebs this fall for a complete review of “The Heart of Bennet Hollow.” (Joanna Bischof DeWitt is famous for her novel “The Lady and the Lionheart.”)

A Special Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the advance reader copy and image.