Tobacco Rum Miami 2011

VIVE Katerin stopped by the Tobacco Rum Miami 2011 event in downtown Miami this past weekend. Everyone was having a great time enjoying some mojitos and cigars.  Check it out! Tobacco Rum Miami video

Mamas, vistasen para sentirse bellas! (Moms, dress to feel beautiful)

If you're a mom, its easy to become so focused on your family that you neglect yourself and your appearance. This is why its important for you to dress to feel beautiful everyday. Watch this short video with single mom and author, Mireya Posada as she talks about how moms can dress to make themselves feel sexier and more confident.

Si usted es una madre, es fácil en solo concentrarse y enfocarse en su familia. Hasta puedes enpesar a abandonar te a ti misma y a tu apariencia. Por esta razón es que es importante que te vistas para sentirse bella todos los días. Vea este corto vídeo con una madre soltera y autora, Mireya Posada, mientras habla sobre cómo las madres pueden vestirse para sentirse más sexy y con más confianza.

Cumbia - Bailadores Colombianos en El Museo del Arte de Queens

Video of Colombian dancers at the Queens Museum of Art dancing a traditional Colombian dance called "Cumbia".  I love their dresses; que linda!

Colombian Dancers at Queens Museum of Art

VIVE Katerin was on hand  for the August 19th ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Queens Museum of Art's 2011 Colombian Flower Festival. The exhibit features over 2 millions roses, carnations, sunflowers and lilies.  El Festival de Las Flores had its origins in Medellin, Colombia to commemorate the end of slavery in the country.

While I didn't get to see the flowers last night due to the heavy thunderstorms that rolled through, I did get to see some of great dancers of Estampas Negras Dance Company accompanied by Pablo Mayor & Ensamble.


Here are some pics of some of the dancers. I'll be posting some video of the dances shortly. I hope to go back to get some shots of the las flores this week.  The exhibit is only on for 10 days, so it you want to see it, get over to the Queens Museum of Art (in Flushing Meadows Park).

Pool Party & Fashion Show for Charity

VIVE Katerin stopped by The Talent Xchange’s “Fashions by the Pool” charity event at the Grace Hotel in Times Square benefitting the Institute for Cancer Research.  The beautiful pool and lounge which are literally in the lobby of the hotel just behind the reception area were illuminated with colored light which added dramatic effect to the trendy, Scandavian-style furniture and blonde wood panels.  The event began with a red carpet photo shoot with hosts Johnny Donovan (MTV/VH1 reality TV mogul), Naomi Defensor (of MTV’s Real World Las Vegas) and a host of other reality show celebs.  Angela Pivarnick, former Jersey Shore star was joined by Jeff Miranda, boyfriend of Jersey Shore star Snooki.  SiTV’s “Model Latina” winners Jessica Caban and Codie Cabral were also in attendance.

The party heated up when guest DJ Teso started spinning and the fashion show got underway showcasing swimwear collections from designers Johanna Sarria, Joy Couture and KM Swimwear.  Couture footwear designer John Ashford outfitted many of the models with amazing custom made shoes.

 

Sponsor, Talent Xchange is an entertainment industry networking website for actors, models, designers, photographers and writers. Talent Xchange owner, Reggie Menos was in attendance overseeing all details of the event to make everything ran smoothly and everyone had a great time.

Photography credit: Champion Eye Media (all photos used with permission)

Salsa Dancing in NYC

Are you looking for ideas for what to do tonight in NYC? Why not go to Iguana, a multi-level restaurant and dance lounge, which is well known for its salsa dancing.  Iguana has a full service Mexican restaurant on the main level, salsa upstairs, and another dance floor downstairs that spins mixed dance music.  Located at 240 W. 54^th Street (between 8^th & Broadway), Iguana is convenient to Times Square, the Theater District and Midtown. Given its location, it’s a easy spot to stop into after work or pre-Broadway show for cocktails or dinner.  If you don’t know how to dance salsa, don’t worry – Iguana offers free salsa dancing lessons. 

I met with Nino Brusco, who has managed Iguana for over 8 years.  Nino started in the hospitality business at age 10 when he worked in his uncle’s restaurant as a dishwasher.  He worked his way up to busboy and then waiter and then went to school to study hotel and restaurant management.  After finishing college, Nino managed several restaurants and even owned several of his own.  When commercial real estate investor and Iguana owner, Jerry Shallow, approached Nino about helping him launch Iguana, he jumped at the opportunity.  Nino prides himself on hard work and not being afraid to fail – two traits he believes are critical to success in the restaurant and hospitality industry.    

Plan a girls’ night out for salsa dancing and stop by Iguana for a great time.

Photography credits:

• Iguana logo, courtesy of Iguana. 
• Photo of Nino Brusco w/ VIVE Katerin taken by Sunny Norton Photography

SACHIKA TWINS Present REVE BOUTIQUE FASHION SHOW

Last week, I attended a fabulous party/fashion show at the Sky Room in NYC with the Sachika Twins. The Vietnamese identical twin designers, To-Tam and To-Nya, presented a runway show of their latest fashions which will be part of the Fall 2011 collection at Reve Boutique in Englewood, NJ.  The Sachikas have been building a name for themselves with their designs which are being worn by many Hollywood celebs.  Additionally, the have appeared as regulars on the E! cable TV show "Ice Loves Coco" starring Ice-T.  I'm looking forward to spending some more time with the twins soon to learn more about their background and how they grew their fashion business into such as success!

Here are some photos from the event.  You can see the models were stunning in the many creative and unique Sachika designs.  It was all highlighted by an amazing setting in the Sky Room with views of west midtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. A great party and great night of fashion.

Photography credit: Sunny Norton Photography

Indian Themed Specialty Cocktails

On my website, there is an article about party promoter and hostess Libby Keatinge's Indian themed birthday party titled Legend of the Maharani.  The party, held at the Theater Bar in Tribeca, featured a specialty cocktail menu. Created by Theater Bar's owner, Albert Trummer, these cocktails feature whimsical names and innovative and tasty combinations of spirits, natural fruit and vegetables juices and herbs/spices.  Here are the ingredients for a few of my favorites.  The rest along with mixing recipes can be found in Trummer's upcoming book about cocktails, which he has written with the assistance of Keatinge.

Snake Charmer

Fresh cucumber juice, soaked in a dill fennel, Bombay Sapphire gin base, with fresh market herbs

The Maharani

Grey goose with fresh muddled Long Island strawberries and a house orange bitter essence with fresh lime

Magic Carpet

Fresh Israeli mint soaked in a Bacardi 8 with fresh lime juice and vanilla essence number 7

Maharaja

Dewars soaked in fresh Long Island apples with lime juice and lavender essence number 2

The Land of Milk & Honey in Lower Manhattan

So where can you go in the financial district to get an amazing breakfast or lunch? The Milk Street Cafe at 40 Wall Street in the Trump Building.  Ok, so I know what you're thinking - why is it called Milk Street Cafe if its on Wall St?  The original location of the cafe is on Milk Street in Boston. The new location, a 22,000 square foot space in lower Manhattan had its grand opening last week.  The cafe will cater to many specific dietary needs including kosher, vegetarian and gluten-free.  In addition to a sushi station, with fish delivered fresh every morning, Milk St. also has an amazing salad bar.  It starts with an industrial sized salad wash station and spinner that cleans lettuce of any pesticides and dirt particles.  Of course, Milk St. Cafe also has great coffee and baked goods.

Perhaps more important than having another eatery, however, is the fact that Milk St. Cafe will bring 120 jobs to lower Manhattan, and area that is still reeling from the impact of 9/11 and the recession.  The store employs chefs, bakers, catering managers, pastry chefs and many more support staff.

If you're in the area check out Milk St. Cafe for lunch or breakfast.

ThanX!!!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone associated with X-Factor, especially the publicity contacts. You have a great team that works together to ensure things run very smoothly in an environment that would otherwise be chaotic.  Thanks again for all your help in giving access to VIVE Katerin and other small/independent media outlets.

X Marks the Spot

What an exciting day today at the Prudential Center in Newark!  Thousands of contestants battled the 100 degree temps to wait for their turn to audition for X-Factor, the new singing competition show which will air on FOX starting this September.

I was able to speak with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, LA Reid and Nicole Scherzinger about the new show.  I'll have the video up tomorrow on my website vivekaterin.com and YouTube.  For now, I thought I'd share a few pics from today.

Good luck to all the contestants!  Work hard and follow your dreams!!

-Katerin

Bailando a Rhumba Nueva

I had a great time at the Cuban Day Parade today! I met a lot of great people, including Leonel Ortega aka Papo Ortega.  Senor Ortega is a police lieutenant by trade, but followed his passion and is also a talented singer.  His band, CUBANOSON, billed as New York's Cuban Orchestra is a finely tuned machine of latin percussion and syncopated horns.  Fortunately, they made it to the New Jersey Cuban Day Parade, where they played their music on the Univision 41 float.

Their new album, Rhumba Nueva, opens with a upbeat, pulsing song A Bailar Con Cubanoson, which features a brassy trombone that kicks things off until Ortega's smooth singing voice takes over the lead. The remainder of the CD continues with great songs, which vary in tempo, style and mood.  Among my favorite, and perhaps the most playful, is La Gallinita, a song about a little rooster.

Rhumba Nueva, as well as CUBANOSON's first album, Recordando a Cuba, is available for purchase on iTunes. Also, visit www.cubanoson.com for more information about the band.

Tuve un día fabuloso hoy en el Desfile del Día de Cuba! Conocí mucha gente con pasion incluyendo Leonel Ortega alias Papo Ortega. El señor Ortega es un teniente de la policía, pero siguió su pasión y es también un gran cantante talentoso. Su banda, Cubanoson, es reconocida como cubanos de Nueva York, la Orquesta es una máquina finamente sintonizada de América percusión y sincopado cuernos. Afortunadamente, llegaron  a el Desfile, donde tocaron su música en la flota de Univision canal 41. 

Su nuevo álbum, Rhumba Nueva, abre con un tempo mas rapido y preciso, la canción Con A Bailar Cubanoson, que incluye un sonido de un trombón increíble hasta que escuches la gran voz de Ortega conatando con calidad y suavemente tomando la iniciativa en su cancion. El resto del CD continúa con grandes canciones, que varían en ritmo, estilo y estado de ánimo. Entre mis favoritos, se encuentra La Gallinita, una canción acerca de un gallito. 

Rhumba Nueva, así como el primer álbum de Cubanoson, Recordando a Cuba, está disponible 
para la compra en iTunes. También, visite www.cubanoson.com para obtener más información acerca de la banda.

Football on the brain

Yes, we're in the middle of baseball season (and I just finished watching the Yankees close out their subway series against the Mets with a win), but lately I've been thinking a lot about NFL football.  Perhaps because of my recent meetings with Santonio Holmes and Rex Ryan of the NY Jets, but of course because of the current lock-out situation as well.  I really hope that the arbitrators get to work and the owners and players union reach an agreement so we'll have football this fall.  It dawned on me that aside from being big business, football also generates a lot of charity. Aside from Santonio and Rex, I also just read that Braylon Edwards was out at Six Flags Great Adventure today supporting a charitable event for the Ronald McDonald House.  Great guys, great players, great game!

Marley & Me at Good Morning America

Yes Marley is a dog! Not the one from the film, but he does work in TV.  Marley is a bomb-sniffing dog on the set in Times Square where ABC films Good Morning America just to make sure all is well.  Anyway, I thought he was cute, so here's some pics of him and owner/trainer, Richard.  Thanks!

On the set for Men in Black 3 in NYC

Hey! Exciting day yesterday.  In addition to interviewing Buddy Valastro, aka Cake Boss, at his new Cake Boss Cafe in Times Square http://youtu.be/pNhnQOfJZKg, I also made my way downtown to Soho to the set of Men in Black 3.  Here's a pic I snapped of Will Smith waving at me! LOL.  Here's some of the extras and fans at the set waiting to see Will as well.
-Katerin

Great Day for a Walk in the Park

What a beautiful day! This morning I joined the March of Dimes Morris County, NJ chapter for their annual March for Babies 5K walk and rally.  The event was held in Madison on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

I had the opportunity to meet with several of the cast of the Real Housewives of NJ, who were on hand to join Jacqueline Laurita's team.  Jacqueline's story as well of the stories of several of the other families who shared them with me were very inspiring.  I've attached a few pics of me with Jacqueline and the rest of the Real Housewives stars.

Please also check out www.vivekaterin.com soon for an article about the event. Also, stay tuned for an upcoming video on YouTube, which will also be broadcast on Bravo.

Lady Gaga - Antichrist or Savvy Marketer?

So, there seems to be a mini-controversy brewing about Lady Gaga's official release date of her song "Judas" timed to align with the Easter holiday. Assuming that Gaga and her record label, Interscope, did specifically plan to release Judas around Easter, I don't see anything inherently evil about this.  It's just marketing - create some buzz via a controversial issue, and (hopefully) sell a lot of music.

In fact this isn't even a new marketing tactic at all.  Similar to Gaga's song "Born this Way", which most people older than 16 recognize the similarities to Madonna's "Express Yourself", the sex/music/religion marketing tactic was most likely first done by Madonna.  Does anyone remember when the "Like a Prayer" was released?  As I remember, Pepsi sponsored the first airing of the "Like a Prayer" video on TV and received a ton of consumer backlash for it.  But, I'm sure it sold a lot of singles for Madonna and a lot of Pepsi.

And so, I can't really begrudge Lady Gaga the same. I hope her new single is a great success.  Gaga's in NJ tomorrow night BTW; in concert at the Prudential Center in Newark.  I may just show up with my camera, so stay tuned!

I think I can!

Things have been very busy these past few days! I've been pursuing some big celebrity interviews, which has been interesting to say the least. While I haven't been told "No!" outright, there have been a few challenges (e.g. having to travel to Cleveland!)  I've been in full-on pitch mode lately, both in terms of chasing down interview opportunities, but also trying to raise interest from producers.  At the same time, I've had some business requests that just weren't right for the VIVE Katerin brand that I've had to turn down, which is difficult to do at this stage. But, I know in the long term making the tough choices will pay off.

I've been knocking on doors all week, with quite a few being shut in my face.  Still there have been some awesome developments, which I hope to share in the next few days once things are official.  Through it all, I've reminded myself to be confident and positive and not let anyone discourage me or stand in my way!

There's a great quote from Henry Ford about the power of positive energy and achieving success that helps me stay confident:
"Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right".  

Best,
Katerin

Weathering the Storm

Seeing all the pictures on the news today about the destruction caused by the tornadoes across the South and particularly in North Carolina got me thinking about all my friends in the Raleigh area.  I hope y'all are safe and got through the storms without too much damage.  It must have been a very scary and intense storm system. The lightning always seems brighter and the thunder louder in NC.  Be safe!

Talking with "Everygirl" Maria Menounos

Earlier this evening I stopped by Bookends in Ridgewood to interview Maria Menounos who was in town to sign copies of her new book The Everygirl's Guide to Life.  You probably know Maria from Entertainment Tonight, NBC's Today, Nightly News, and Dateline.  

I was really impressed with how friendly and down to earth Maria is.  Even though there were cameramen from several major TV outlets there to shoot her book signing, Maria took the time to interview with me for VIVE Katerin.  I can't tell you how encouraging she was.  Totally made my day!

I can't wait to read Everygirl. It is literally written as a collection of great tips on everything from organization and time management to travel to weight loss. I have my signed copy that I purchased at Bookends http://www.book-ends.com/.  I encourage all of you to check out Maria's book.  Consider buying from an independent bookstore if possible, but just buy it. Here's a link to The Everygirl Guide to Life on Amazon. 

 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061870781?ie=UTF8%20&tag=harpercollinsus-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061870781