"New Jersey's Best Latin Band" releases their new song "Me Veo Sexy" MAXIMA ALERTA feat. Eduardo Antonio

The Multi-award winning group MAXIMA ALERTA has just released their new single "Me Veo Sexy" MAXIMA ALERTA featuring Eduardo Antonio & model/actress and social media sensation Jessenia Vice Gallegos.  It is a sexy tune that will surely make listeners feel good and get up and dance.  

See it now:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15v2zuy9pu0&feature=youtu.be

International Ballet Festival of Union City

The International Ballet Festival of Union City

International Ballet Stars Perform in Union City!!!

(Union City, NJ)  The City of Union City, Mayor Brian P. Stack and Board of Commissioners will be presenting the International Ballet Festival of Union City on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, NJ.  Refreshments. FREE Admission.  Free parking.

For the first time to appear in Union City

The International Ballet Festival of Union City, presents worldwide renowned Ballet Companies represented by their greatest Stars.   Among the dancers performing are:  Brian Gephart (Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, Metropolitan Opera); Morgan McEwen (BalletMet, Metropolitan Opera, on Broadway in “Brigadoon”); Emi Hariyama (International Ballet Star from Japan); Mami Hariyama (Hariyama Ballet); Ari Mayzick (Artistic Director of ARIM Dance, Martha Graham Dance Company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo); Sarita Apel (ARIM Dance); Steven Melendez (New York Theatre Ballet); Ursula Verduzco (Benjamin Briones Ballet, Ballet Austin, New York City Opera, Eglevsky Ballet); Oswaldo Muniz (Eglevsky Ballet, Ballet Oklahoma, Edward Villella and Dancers, Ballet Chicago, Metropolitan Opera Ballet); Dianna Warren (Washington Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, Das Berner Ballet Switzerland, “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway); Elisabeth Beyer, Sabrina Yap, Sarah Scandrett, and Kouadio Davis (Ellison Ballet); among others.

One night only!!!  The only opportunity to see this memorable ballet event!

The International Ballet Festival of Union City

Saturday, September 22, 2018 

7:00 PM

Union City Performing Arts Center

2500 Kennedy Blvd.

Union City, NJ  07087

Refreshments

Free Admission

Free Parking at the 23^rd Street Municipal Parking Deck located on 23^rd Street between Summit & Kerrigan Avenues.

www.internationalballetfestivalofuc.blogspot.com

Eduardo Antonio & MAXIMA ALERTA en Concierto.

El publico lo pidió y aquí están… El "Divo de Placetas" Eduardo Antonio y MAXIMA ALERTA en concierto. Una sola noche... Miércoles, 16 de Mayo, 2018 a las 7:00 PM en La Havana 59. No se lo pierda!!! 

Para reservaciones, por favor de llamar al: 

201-964-9515.  

World Premiere Screening of "Union City, U.S.A."

World Premiere Screening of the 
Documentary Feature Film 

“Union City, U.S.A.”

(Union City, NJ)  The City of Union City, Mayor Brian P. Stack & Board of Commissioners will be presenting the highly anticipated World Premiere Screening of the Documentary Feature Film "Union City, U.S.A." on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, NJ.  Free Admission & Free Parking.

“Union City, U.S.A.” is written/directed/produced by Lucio Fernandez with Mauro De Trizio serving as director of photography/editor; with appearances by Superintendent of Schools Silvia Abbato, Fmr. Police Chief Brian Barrett, Historian Gerard Karabin, Fmr. Commissioner James Lagomarsino, Attorney Libero Marotta, the late Rhyta Musto, Historian Jane Pedler, Susan Scherman, Mayor Brian P. Stack, Commissioner Celin Valdivia, Fmr. Mayor Arthur Wichert, Connie Wichert, and narrated by Tom Colavito.

The film takes us from the early days of the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans to present day Union City.  Through testimonials, historical photos, and present day images, it tells the story of a great city known for many its important accomplishments and people.  Union City has been known as the “Embroidery Capital of the World”, “The Burlesque Capital of the World”, “Havana on the Hudson”, for the home of  “longest running Passion Play in the United States”, and for being the most densely populated City in America.  The City is rich in history and culture.

Research began in 2008 by Lucio Fernandez and Gerard Karabin in preparation for their book “Union City in Pictures” which debuted in 2010.  In early 2016, Fernandez set out to produce the film “Union City, U.S.A.”.  In order to make this program possible, the City of Union City received a grant administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, a county agency officially designated by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.  In early 2017, Fernandez and Karabin set up a research team, and in May of 2017 all the interviews were conducted.  It took them contacting a great many people to compile all the research and images; and nearly a year and literally thousands of hours of post-production work to bring  “Union City, U.S.A.” to fruition.  The film is dedicated to the people of Union City, NJ… past, present, and future.

“Union City, U.S.A.”

World Premiere Screening

Friday, April 20, 2018

7:00 PM

Union City Performing Arts Center

2500 Kennedy Boulevard

Union City, NJ 07087

Free Admission

Free Parking

A Story of Never Giving up on your Dreams

From driving a garbage truck to the Latin GRAMMY’s

a story of hardship, dreams, and perseverance

It hasn’t been easy for Ray Machado, founder and lead singer of the musical group Maxima Alerta.  After reaching notoriety with his group in Cuba, he found himself censored and blocked from working by the communist Cuban government.  He then sought asylum in the United States to find freedom and opportunity.  But life has not been easy. 

Upon arrival in the US, Machado lived in Jersey City, NJ in a basement apartment with his Dad and his family, and worked as a super in a building while at the same time working in a factory.  In late 2015 he moved to West New York, NJ; but just a few months later his Dad passed away. Luckily, Ray finds a job as a garbage truck driver and laborer picking up garbage in the City of Union City, NJ.  Grateful to have a job and able support his wife and two daughters, he continued to dream about one day doing what he loved most… music.  Like many Cubans before him, he came seeking freedom and a better life for himself and his family, even if that meant never being able to do what he loved most. His luck improved when he was notified that his first song recorded in the United States, and recorded through much personal sacrifice,  “Vive la Vida” made it to the Latin GRAMMY’s - 1st Round of voting in the category of Urban Fusion.   Here's Ray's heartwrenching story... a story of hardship, dreams, and perseverance.

Ray Machado Gómez (director of Maxima Alerta) was born in the city of Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba, where he studied and graduated in 1997 as Audio Engineer from the Instituto Cubano de Radio y Television in Havana, Cuba. He worked as sound engineer on concerts featuring Cuba’s most distinguished musical artists including Cándido Fabre, Paulo FG, and El Chispa y sus Cómplices.  In June 20, 1999 in Santa Clara, he formed his musical group, Maxima Alerta.  Ray was the lead singer, musical director, and composer for most of the songs of the group. 

Maxima Alerta was one of Cuba’s best known and loved fusion bands.  The group moved to the US and it is now based in Hudson County, NJ.  It is known for its fusion of Cuban Music and other genres forming a fresh hip sound.  From son cubano to conga, from cumbia to merengue, from rap to ballads… all with a fresh modern sound taunting audiences on their feet to dance and have a good time. 

While in Cuba, the group became a local favorite, and for four years Ray worked hard to develop their unique sound and build a following.  In 2003 Máxima Alerta exploded on the national scene, hitting radio and television stations with two songs, “Echar pa’ lante” and “Adegüello 1895” which very quickly became popular throughout the country. Thanks to these successes, in 2004 they delivered their new album “Llegaron los Alertas”, recorded at Abdala Studios owned by renowned singer/composer Silvio Rodriguez with the French company Lusafrica, and joining their catalog and sharing the stage with popular groups such as La Orquesta Aragón, Polo Montañez, Anacaona, Isaac Delgado, Osdalgia, among others.

In 2005 Máxima Alerta was nominated to Cubadisco as “Best Album Rap, Dance and Hip Hop” which garnered the group great popularity both nationally and internationally, as well as topping the charts. Later in 2009 the group returned to the top of the charts with the song "Ay Lola" ("La Figura") written by Machado and recorded with the multi-award winning and internationally renowned group Gente de Zona (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITDlIriuVzU).

Later in 2011, they released the CD “Alertas para Todos”, recorded and produced by Nando Pro in Havana, Cuba. This is an album containing fourteen tracks, of which six featured special guests: Yulien Oviedo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCzfuPinxgI) and Dantes (Charanga Habanera); Alexander Delgado y Randy Marcos (Gente de Zona); Sisto Llorente "El Indio" (Orquesta Aragón); Los Cuatro; and Alain Daniel and Ramón Lavado (El Chacal) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPt_N0WeB0s). The CD also features a song dedicated to one of the greatest Cuban baseball players, Victor Mesa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTBzAsTs29g).

After enjoying much success in Cuba, the Cuban government thought the lyrics of one of the group’s songs was not in line with the totalitarian communist regime, and blocked the band and Ray from performing. Ray was not willing to compromise and modify the song and decided it was time to leave Cuba and seek freedom in the United States.  A country he always loved and dreamed of.

Once in the United States, Ray Machado reorganized the group with the help of Lucio Fernandez, whom he had met through his Dad.  Fernandez had his own successful solo musical career, but the two quickly became friends.  Later, Fernandez became the group’s lead singer and manager, and the group took form.  Shortly after, the group recorded a new song. In October 2015, Maxima Alerta was reborn in the United States performing in two SOLD OUT concerts in New York City with renowned merengue singer Fernandito Villalona (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjgxeALnQMQ). In 2016, Maxima Alert released its new song "Vive la Vida" with an accompanying music video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9YEtBVjltIc

The group is proud to call Hudson County, New Jersey home, and they perform regularly at special concerts around the area (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iop3u9ozVL4).

Ray continues to work for the Union City Department of Public Works.  People around town call him the happiest garbage man they’ve ever seen.  Life hasn’t been easy for him, but he says he has his family, his health and once again, his music.  What more can one ask for?

"Ay Lola" this is good!!!

Hot new music video by one of the world's best Cuban bands and "New Jersey's Best Latin Band" has hit the airwaves... MAXIMA ALERTA's "Ay Lola" is here.  The song written by the group's director, Ray Machado, is a fusion of Cuban sounds, but mostly reggeaton.  It's a little bit of everything... energetic, sexy, contagious and a ton of fun.

MAXIMA ALERTA

"Ay Lola"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi-6bpl1xi4