Johnny Alf, a Bossa Nova founder, dies at 80

2010-03-05T09:45:42Z

<div id="subtitle">Johnny Alf, a founder of Brazil's Bossa Nova music and aficionado of early jazz, dies at 80</div><div><p>A founder of Bossa Nova music has died in Brazil after fighting prostate cancer. He was 80.</p><p>Pianist Johnny Alf was called the "true father of Bossa Nova" by Ruy Castro, who wrote a defin...

41st NAACP Image Awards - Press Room

2010-02-26T20:17:04Z

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Singer Sila of Sila and the Afrofunk Experience, winner Outstanding World Music Album for "Black President," poses in the press room during the 41st NAACP Image awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on February 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Musician Sila of Sila and the Afrofunk Experience, winner Outstanding World Music Album for "Black President," onstage during the 41st NAACP Image awards pre-tel show held at The Shrine Auditorium on February 26, 2010 in Los Angeles,

Haiti Song

2010-02-19T19:46:41Z

Merengue singer Milly Quezada of the Dominican Republic, poses for photographers on the red carpet as she goes in to record the Spanish language version of "We Are The World" (Somos el Mundo) with other top Latin music artists Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Group of 7-year-old queen last in Rio Carnival

2010-02-22T09:32:16Z

<div id="subtitle">Rio samba group that fronted 7-year-old Carnival queen places last; underdog Tijuca wins</div><div><p>A samba group that enraged child-welfare advocates by choosing a 7-year-old as a drums corps queen finished last Wednesday in the extravagant parade competition, relegating them to the minor leagues next year.</p><p>Julia Lira, daughte...

APTOPIX Brazil Carnival

2010-02-17T15:16:11Z

Julia Lira, 7, queen of the drums' section of Viradouro samba school, dances during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb.15, 2010. A family court judge ruled last Wednesday that the 7-year-old is allowed to samba before a crowd of thousands as a Carnival drum corps queen, a coveted role normally reserved for sultry models. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

CORRECTION Brazil Carnival

2010-02-17T15:16:10Z

Dancers of Viradouro samba school perform during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb.15, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

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Brazil Carnival

2010-02-17T15:16:08Z

A member of Unidos da Tijuca samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 15, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

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Tijuca crowned Rio Carnival parade champs

2010-02-22T08:59:05Z

Woman in skirt scandal is Brazil Carnival star

2010-02-22T09:20:42Z

<div id="subtitle">Brazilian woman expelled from school for short miniskirt, overheats during Rio Carnival debut</div><div><p>Famed for wearing a short miniskirt that got her kicked out of college, Geisy Arruda lived out a dream and danced as a Carnival queen in one of Rio's premier samba parades — even overheating in the proc...

A 7-year-old Rio Carnival queen parades, in tears

2010-02-22T09:35:20Z

<div><p>RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A tearful 7-year-old Carnival queen led exuberant drummers through the Sambadrome stadium on Sunday, in a distressed state that may add to controversy over whether a tiny child should perform such a high-pressure, sexually-charged role.&lt...

Preteen Carnival queen set to parade in Rio

2010-02-22T10:22:04Z

<div id="subtitle">Preteen Carnival queen set to dancing during first night of Rio's samba parades</div><div><p>Carnival is turning its attention to the extravagant samba parades that begin in Rio Sunday night — and to a tiny 7-year-old girl who will reign as the youngest drum corps queen in memory.</p><p>Julia Lira, her toothy grin and quick footsteps s...

Preteen as Carnival queen stirs Rio controversy

2010-02-22T11:15:54Z

<div id="subtitle">Preteen samba queen stirs Rio Carnival controversy as she takes role reserved for sex symbols</div><div><p>She is the Shirley Temple of samba, a 7-year-old named to a coveted Carnival role normally reserved for barely clad models who have undergone more plastic surgeries than little

Preteen as sexy samba queen stirs Rio controversy

2010-02-22T11:12:20Z

&lt;div id="subtitle"&gt;Preteen samba queen stirs Rio Carnival controversy as she takes role reserved for sex symbols&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;She is the Shirley Temple of samba, a 7-year-old named to a coveted Carnival role normally reserved for barely clad models who have undergone more plastic...

White House celebrates Hispanic musical heritage

2010-02-24T19:10:35Z

<div id="subtitle">White House becomes La Casa Blanca, celebrates Hispanic musical heritage with outdoor concert</div><div><p>The White House became "La Casa Blanca" on Tuesday, celebrating Hispanic musical heritage with a South Lawn concert and such guests as Gloria Este...

Mariachis set world record in Mexican city

2010-02-25T13:56:59Z

<div id="subtitle">Dios mio! 549 mariachis sing their way to world record in Guadalajara, Mexico</div><div><p>Ay, ay, ay, ay! Guadalajara finally boasts the world's biggest mariachi band.</p><p>A total of 549 musicians got together to win the record for the birthplace of mariachi Sunday, playing several songs in just...

Carnival Time in Rio

2010-02-25T19:17:34Z

Rio Carnival is said to be the biggest party in the world, so why not arrange yourself a Brazil vacation package and attend the party of your life in February 2010? <br><br>The carnival at Rio de Janeiro only lasts four days so if you plan on staying in the country longer then you may want to arrange a Brazil holiday around these dates. With the 2010 event schedu...

Zumba: fun trumps technique in dancing calories away

2010-02-25T21:47:46Z

<div><p>NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - There's a party going on next door. While you're dutifully pounding that treadmill, the Zumba folks are dancing their calories away.</p><p>Taking a class in Zumba-high-energy aerobics workout performed to a fusion of mostly Latin dance rhythms is a bit like going to a short, sober, and very hip wedding.</p><p>"Zum...

U.S. policy changes spark hope for Cuban musicians

2010-02-27T10:00:52Z

<div><p>NEW YORK (Billboard) - As the annual Cuban music trade fair Cubadisco kicks off Saturday (May 16) in Havana, promoters in the United States are hoping that a thaw in relations with Cuba could revive interest in the island's music.</p><p&gt...

Travel briefs

2010-02-27T03:22:33Z

<div id="subtitle">Travel briefs</div><div><p>Airlines will be asking birthdates and gender for new TSA 'Secure Flight' program</p><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Don't be surprised if you're asked to provide your date of birth and gender when booking plane tickets later this summer.</p><p>The ...

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