Alliance Of Latin Artists
Central Park June 1975
San Juan Bautista Festival
NY Daily News Centerfold
Meet Mr Salsa
For The First Time
January 1977
At El Teatro El Porton
Read Lefty Barretto's
Nobody's Hero
Spring 1977
He was to become a Mentor and Friend
Lefty on Left - Soledad on Right
And Another Mentor
June 1977
"Loisaida" As I Witness It in 1977-79
NEW RICAN VILLAGE
101 Avenue A 1977
Young Lord Eddie Figueroa became a mentor in 1977 when I visited his Arts Center "The New Rican Village."
"The Arts is a way for us to express our culture, our beliefs to a large audience. Our main philosophy is about personal growth. People developing their own potentialities. Their capacities learning who theyare, how this operates .. psychology. For example, we start working on a play by Pedro Pietri in a couple of weeks. Pedro is by far one of our more important writers. He's always been ahead of the curve. He's very laid back and a lot of people can't understand what it is seeing things from their points of view but he's a visionary. His stuff is out there. He shows relationships well, the ridiculous and the tragedy of our relationships. Jesus is Leaving is an example of this but it wasn't executed well. The actors didn't put that across but the script did. He has a play that just closed called The Living Room which is about mental illness and the piece that we're going to do What Goes Down Must Come Up which is about relationships. More things are happening on radio than TV for us. The music on radio and a lot of the happenings that are ocurring now are being documented on radio, not TV. I see cable TV as going to develop in the future for us. The focus moving into the eighties is more personal. If you want to call it politics it would be the politics of responsibility. Are we going to be responsible for the space that we occupy? Are we going to be responsible for educating ourselves in developing our own awareness and getting at the root of what it is?"
The New Rican Village is a music driven venue that features guerrilla salsa by Conjunto Libre. While punk rock and new wave bands like The Talking Heads, Blondie and Kid Creole develop around them in the East Village, the Gonzalez brothers explore Afro Caribbean rhythms as reactionary head music with the New Rican house band. Andy and Jerry Gonzalez (Conjunto Libre) lead a pack of musicians who carve a special niche of their own in Latin music history. They perform each Thursday night. Flute player Nestor Torres, pianist Hilton Ruiz and saxophonist Mario Rivera (with his Salsa Refugees) stand out. Nestor is fresh from Puerto Rico. Nestor got here four years earlier with his family. A conservatory-trained musician who studies with Alberto Socarras (the first jazz flute solo on record is attributed to Socarras in 1928), Nestor Torres is a delight to meet and related to my father’s side of the family. His tone is pure. He plays the flute percussively dancing on top of the conga rhythms as a butterfly darts over a field of lilies. The genius of Nestor and bassist Andy Gonzalez is how they develop a musical language while they play. Each anticipates the others rhythmic patterns, notes, key changes while locked in a unique conversation of beats. When the music between Andy and Nestor is really happening there’s a deep communication that occurs where the two are one in touch with their most inner selves. Their signature piece is a bass/flute duet entitled Tres Palabras -- Three Words. Their sound could be translated just as simply in three words: It was heavy.
The Holy Grail At Latin NY
I meet him covering an appearance at Fordham College Lincoln Center. He splits a bill with ORQUESTA CIMARRON fronted by the tremendous Rafael De Jesus and develop a casual acquaintance. He is a very affable man. Obviously high but emanating a strange sort of spirituality. From the few conversations I have with him and encounters when I fall deep in the life with a West Indian Posse in my neighborhood during the mid eighties, I come to the conclusion what a bitch it is to be a professional Salsa Star. Not a life I ever want. At the same time my devotion remains intact to his career. Buy every album and learn to sing Salsa by memorizing ten of his songs. I am in Tucson when he passes away. It pretty much bums out the musicians I am playing with at the time. I'm not ashamed to say I cry for a 45 minutes straight the night of his death. The kind of cry where you can't catch your breath - sollosando. RIP Papito. Love you madly.
EL TODOPODEROSO
HECTOR
HECTOR LAVOE REFLECTS ON HIS CAREER
Hector Lavoe reflexiona sobre su carrera
Issue I Was Hired
Cover Story Report
On Los Papines 1977
QUOTED IN FRENCH STUDY ON MONGO SANTAMARIA
Eléments bibliographiques : CHALUISAN, Luis. 1978.
"Mongo's Magic spell".
Latin NY (April 1978) : 20-23, photos.
La composition la plus célèbre de RS est certainement
Afro-Blue dont l'interprétation de John Coltrane domine le lot de
la vingtaine d'enregistrements qui en a été faite, même celui de
Count Basie et celui de Dizzy... mais c'est une question de goût.
D'autres compositions - moins connues sans doute - sont intéressantes
Yambú, Mi guaguancó. Quand on compile les enregistrements, on constate
que RS a enregistré seulement deux standards cubains (El Manisero -
Manteca), tandis qu'il a gravé plusieurs tubes de jazz (All the things
you are - Body & Soul - Summertime - You are on my mind).
Invited To Salsa Dance
with Brooklyn Philharmonic
By David Amram Premiere Of
Summer 1977
With SPIC CHIC
In Europe
David Amram's `Upbeat' Memoir
A Riff On A Full Life
Upbeat: Nine Lives of a Musical Cat
(Paradigm; 322 pages; $23.95)
is filled with an almost manic glee,
a hunger for experience, knowledge
and kinship that is positively infectious.
Former Albany Poet/musician
Luis Chaluisan
makes an appearance
in a chapter titled
"Natural Ambassadors,"
which focuses on Amram's efforts
in the Latin musical community.
MICHAEL ECK Albany Times Union
My Editorial Mentors While At Latin NY
Far Left: Soledad Santiago Middle: Piri Thomas
Next to Piri: Lefty Barretto 1977
Felix Romero - Isa Diaz
Performing with Felix Romero's
Teatro Puerto Rico
Teatro Otra Cosa Drummers: Performing at
Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City 1977.
my mentor in Bomba Dancing.
This was my Creative FAMILY
and remain my daily inspiration to create.
(Much love l-r Ayoka, Jose Manzo,
Joe Sircus, Felix Romero and James Cherry)
Favorite Bronx
Neighborhood Salsa Club
On Tour With Fania All Stars
Relaxing Before Show At Coleseo Roberto Clemente
Hartford. Connecticut 1979
1981
And The Universe Changed
Aetna Corporate Communications
Associate Producer
TV Pilot Program 1981
Executive Producer
ARTBEAT 1982
WBGU TV
Putting into Action as a Professional Television Producer what I witnessed and participated in as a writer during my tenure at "LATIN NY" Magazine and the Loisada Arts Scene 1977-1981
ESPIRITU SALSA
WBGU FM 1982-84
The First Band As
Music now archived in the Jerome Library at
Bowling Green State University 1982-84
Music Recordings-Local Newspaper Coverage
and Vintage Posters from the Period of band
"Little Otis and The Upsetters" (plus development of the
Upsetters Repertoire by La Gran Orquesta El Extreme Luis Chaluisan)
Archived in BGSU Music Library by invitation
from William Schurk Sound Recordings Archivist BGSU Music Library and Sound Recordings in the Jerome Library Archives as being contributors
to the NW Ohio Pop Culture scene by introducing Caribbean
and Original Latin Tinge Alternative Rock 1982-84.
Toledo Rock And Rollers
Who Have A Great Impact
On My Musical-Creative
Direction
The Haircuts with Steven J. Athanas having
a good ol' time at the Toledo Festival 1982.
Loved By Millions
The Wet Shavers 1982
circa 1982
"The Haircuts" balanced the Indie NW Ohio Rock Scene that existed in the early 80's by bringing a distinctive style in their appearance and a razor edged rockabilly sound that neatly complimented the more R&B-Motown New Wave Pop Tunes that The Wet Shavers perform.
JUMP AND JIVE BAND 1982-84
I loved playing with the Jump and Jive band
Not only because they were the only swinging
African American Group In NW Ohio
But also because they were true friends.
to hire me as a percussionist in 1982. I learned to to sing gutbucket
blues with the group and play hardcore four sets a night. Plus drink
like there was no tomorrow. So much so that Ray fired me for taking
a conga solo in the middle of a slow ballad while playing a gig at
SPATZ bar in South Toledo (lol). Miss you a lot bro.
First Aired WBGU TV
on Art Beat
Later Aired in 1983 on MTV "Basement Tapes"
Hosted by: Martha Quinn and
Billy Crystal as Commercial Break Lead in.
About Basement Tapes:
MTV would show indie band videos and
viewers voted for the band they
thought deserved a recording
contract by calling an 800 number
SPIC CHIC
Chelsea Playhouse
Premiere 2002
With NYC
Congratulations on
Success Of Spic Chic
And they are often found not only reading but also acting and singing in their own shows and performance pieces. ''Spic Chic,'' a one-man show opening at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe this month, features poetry, music, drama and monologues to portray Puerto Rican pride in surviving life in the United States. Luis Chaluisan, 44, the show's creator, calls it ''the further adventures of an unrepentant Rican with no self-pity.'' ''You know what a Nuyorican is?'' Mr. Chaluisan asked. ''It's someone who finds solutions. How do I surmount this?''
Chronologcal Development
Of Spic Chic
From Edenwald Projects Community
Room To European Tour
2001-2004
SPIC CHIC
First Workshop Performance
Edenwald Housing Projects
Community Room
September 18, 2001
SPIC CHIC
Workshop Performance
November 2001
SPIC CHIC Off Broadway
Chelsea Playhouse 2002
DIRECTED BY:
Actor, Director, Playwright, Teacher
Founder and CEO of I The Actor.
On The Way to Timbuktu
SPIC CHIC Off Broadway
Repertorio Espanol 2003
Luis Chaluisán (Performer/Author, Spic Chic) was born in The Bronx in 1957. After traveling all through the United States he returned to his hometown in 1999 where he currently resides. He graduated from Amherst College, the Loisaida arts scene in 1977. He has worked as writer/editor for The Latin New York magazine, was a reporter/writer for local CBS News stations in Hartford, Connecticut and New York, Bar Band Rock and Roll Bands in the Midwest and Public Television producer in Ohio. He was married, divorced, took a turn with Salsa Bands in the Southwest, morning news writer for a Ted Baxter like anchor, writer for The State Senate in Albany and recording for Blue Lunch Records in upstate New York. He spent those obligatory times in jail for fighting, run guns into Mexico during the early stages of the Chiappas uprising with some crazy Marialito Cubans, collected for a neighborhood bookie, lost his friends to AIDS, witnessed the birth of his daughter (who turns out to himself in high heels). He ran a Telemndo TV Station out west for a goofy white American businessman, married a one legged former call girl whose a dead shot, hosted a couple of FM radio shows, landed in a top ten team twice at the National Slam Poetry Competitions 1998/1999 and finally returned to New York as El Extreme - that Nuyorican poet celebrating his tribe at the local slams. The only thing that saves him in times of trouble or confusion is that he always has a pen and the Holy Trinity -- Family, The Bronx and Ricans -- no matter how strange the situation is.
Original hand made version by Pedro
of his En Mi Viejo San Juan.
My payment for being in
COCK TALES (2003)
SPIC CHIC
Despierta America
Univision NY 2004
Metroland Art Mumur The Return of El Extreme 
According to Phil Williams, Chaluisan is a highly energetic character with a real passion for what he does. And his ability to share that energy and create a buzz is just what Changing Spaces needs. “If there’s no enthusiasm, it really affects our ability to stay open. Luis has really given us a shot in the arm,” says Williams. Chaluisan is no stranger to the Capital Region. The Bronx-raised Puerto Rican artist used to live here in the early 1990s, and you might say that his hit one-man play was born in Albany. His band, La Gran Orquesta El Extreme, debuted at Pauly’s Hotel in 1990 and the compositions they performed that night form the basis of Spic Chic.
On Tour In Germany
Bonn Opera House 2004
I Am A Cultural Terrorista
Interview mit dem Theatermacher Luis Chaluisan,
der Schauspielerin María Hernández
und dem Komponisten David Amram
Vom 12. bis 20. Juni 2004 fand in Bonn wieder die Biennale für zeitgenössisches Theater statt. In diesem Jahr war das Programm der Theatermetropole New York gewidmet. Als Beitrag der lateinamerikanischen Szene der Stadt präsentierte die Biennale auf der Werkstattbühne des Bonner Opernhauses Spic Chic: Lola Magdalena von Luis Chaluisan. Der New Yorker Theatermacher puertoricanischer Abstammung inszenierte in der aus drei seiner aktuellen Stücke arrangierten Collage einen Parforceritt durch das Leben eines Latinos in der Ostküstenmetropole. Wie im klassischen Schelmenroman schildert der reuelose Puertoricaner ohne Selbstmitleid aus der Perspektive von links unten skurrile Begegnungen sowohl innerhalb der eigenen Community als auch mit dem weißen angelsächsischen Establishment. Ob als Heranwachsender im Konflikt mit dem traditionalistisch angepassten Elternhaus, als Greenhorn unter den literarischen Größen im Nuyorican Poets Café, als Student an einer konservativen Uni, als Nachwuchsreporter fürs Fernsehen oder als Kunde bei einem missionarischen Friseur – überall bringt er mit seinen Fragen und seiner Art alles durcheinander, weil er so gar nicht in die jeweiligen Denk- und Handlungsstrukturen passt. Chaluisans Theater – den größten Teil des Abends stand er alleine auf der Bühne – ist ein Feuerwerk unvorhersehbarer Pointen. Mit einer grandiosen Mimik und Stimmenvielfalt schlüpft er in die unterschiedlichsten Rollen und präsentiert die witzigsten und aberwitzigsten Dialoge. Vom Englischen wechselt er immer wieder zum Spanischen oder zum originär Nuyorican Spanglish. Dieses Spanglish ist, so klärt er die ZuschauerInnen im Nebensatz auf, keine Sprache, denn eine Sprache – so seine wunderbare Definition – is a dialect with an army und a navy. Luis Chaluisan spielt, singt, tanzt, macht Musik und müsste eigentlich nach zwei Stunden fix und fertig sein. Doch das Multitalent meinte, ein Interview sei kein Problem. Direkt nach der Spätvorstellung – noch in Kostüm und Maske – holte er uns in die Garderobe und wartete ungeduldig auf das Einschalten des Aufnahmegeräts. Mit von der Partie waren zwei weitere New Yorker Multitalente: Die dominikanischstämmige Schauspielerin und klassische Geigerin María Hernández, die in einer Szene und einem eingespielten Video im Mittelpunkt stand, und David Amram, einer der ganz Großen der US-amerikanischen Musikszene, ein begnadeter Jazzmusiker und gleichzeitig ein wichtiger klassischer Komponist und international tätiger Dirigent. Er komponierte und spielte die Musik zu Spic Chic: Lola Magdalena.
Maria Hernandez
BEAUTIFUL from Spic Chic
Bonn Opera House 2004
SPIC CHIC
Telecinco 5 (Madrid Spain) 2004
La Mexicaine de la Perforation (LMDP)
Paris, France 2004
CHAMACO EL GANGSTER
Oil Painting by
Release Experimental Work
May 2005
FROM MAMBO TO HIP HOP
2005 Excerpts
El Extremes Electric Cabaret
El Extremes Electric Cabaret NYC
Farewell Performance Easter 2005
Easter Sunday~What better day than to close a a 25 year playing out live and to do it in a Rock and Roll Chapel? We had played balls to the wall ALL THE WAY! The Adventure didn't stop though. There were new stories to tell and write down. A creative resurrection. El Extremes Electric Cabaret final full performance at original Knitting Factory NYC 2005 The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE). Though primarily known for their venues—both clubs and concert houses located in Brooklyn, Boise, Spokane and Reno—KFE. Also promotes national tours, produces the hit Broadway musical Fela!, operates The Federal Bar Gastro Pub in North Hollywood and is a partner with record labels Partisan and Knitting Factory Records. Another venture, High Adventure Management handles the careers of emerging and critically acclaimed recording artists both in the U.S. and overseas. It is the West Coast artist management wing of KFE.
Elextreme.info
Ceases Operations
2000-05
Programming Rebroadcasted
and Rebranded as
New Edge Cabaret
In 2005
November 2005
Launch 24/7
Community Television
Broadcasting
via Internet
TV News, Local Events
and Special Programs
Focusing on
10467-10469 Neighborhood
2006 Collaboration with National Endowment
Of The Arts Latino Master
Move To Mayaguez Puerto Rico
August 2007
Plaza De Colon Poetry Series
Mayaguez Puerto Rico
September 2007
Jesus "Chu" Matos
Dr. Linda Rodriguez Ph.D.
El Extreme
University Of Puerto Rico Student Poets
Recinto Mayaguez
Plaza De Colon
Cervantes Award at the
First International Congress of Virtual Writers
sponsored by the University of Puerto Rico
Nov 2007
Interview About First International Congress
of Virtual Writers, From Mambo To Hip Hop,
Spic Chic, Salsa and The Nuyorican Experience.
Nov 2007
Plaza del Mercado de Ponce
Poetry Series
Ponce Puerto Rico
December 2007
Featured Performer
Arts And Culture Night
March 2008
Esta antigua residencia contruída en 1890, imbatible ante los desastres naturales, permanece aún intacta como símbolo de la arquitectura típica del Mayagüez tradicional. Hoy museo, la casa, cuya fachada frontal queda hacia la calle Méndez Vigo, fue lugar de cultivo del arte y la cultura. Diseñadaen estilo neoclásico criollo, su majestuosa fachada se caracteriza por sus pilastras, cornisas y por sus arcos de medio punto. La residencia tiene acceso tanto a la Avenida Méndez Vigo como a la Mckinley. Uno de los acceso a la residencia es a través de la escalera lateral con zaguán que lleva al patio interior con galería. Su distribución interior es amplia y espaciosa. Cabe señalar que albergó la Sede de la Audiencia de Mayagüez, donde se reunían personas ilustres de la talla de José de Diego, quien en el 1899 presidió esta prestigiosa entidad judicial. Horario: lunes - viernes 8:00am - 4:30pm Calle Méndez Vigo 104 Este Mayagüez, P.R. 00680 Tel. (787) 832-7435
March 2008
Lunch at El Quiote Restaurant in the Chelsea neighborhood.
Left to Right Linda Rodriguez-Guglielmoni, Luis Chaluisan,
Ishmael Reed, Tony Spiller and Miguel Algarin.
opted to publish a compendium of poetry, photos,
artwork, comedic essays and short stories dating
back to 1975 under the title of Spic Chic
(The Adventures of the Last Nuyorican),
written by Luis Chaluisan (aka El Extreme).
E Book Promotion
Spic Chic Book Signing
August 2009
edgy aspect of my Nuyorican writers experience
including having to retrieve his door receipts at the
Nuyorican Café at gunpoint, being hounded by the
FBI and NY Antiterrorist Squad and the seeds of
the Lola Magdalena story. Excerpt from Interview
by Sissy Gameche on Channel 57 Time Warner
Return To Live In Toledo Ohio
February 2010
WEPAwebTV Begins Broadcasting Live
Events From Ground Level Coffee House
INTIMATE VACUUM
"RADICAL VAUDEVILLE"
January 26, 2010
INTERVISION
HI DEF TELEVISION BROADCAST
Radio Simulcast
Settle In Bowling Green Ohio
August 2010
Launch Espiritu Salsa Radio Show
and salsamagazine.com Network
WEPAwebTV presentation
Maryland Institute College of Art
September 19, 2010
Africana Storytelling Class/series taught by
Professor Cheznia Thompson PH.d
Maryland Institute College of Art About
BG SENTINEL TRIBUNE
Doesn't even take a question to get Luis Chaluisan started.
The words come in a colorful torrent with the humor
and eloquence of a practiced performer
and poet whose stage name is El Extreme
2011
The producers of a BG-based online television station focusing on arts, activism and multicultural issues in Northwest Ohio are set to launch a spinoff station in South Toledo focusing on Latino issues.WEPAwebTV, which broadcasts free in high-definition via Veetle.com, has attracted nearly 800,000 viewers with its mix of local and national original programming since it started in March 2010, said co-producer Luis Chaluisan.
Lecture on Nuyorican Literature and
selections from SPIC CHIC and
Newricane at BGSU - Grad Students
and Dr. Francisco Cabanillas Ph.D. April 2011
Salsa recognitions orchestrated in BG
When Salsa Magazine honored the top Latin music
perfromers, it tapped resources in Bowling Green to
do so. Local disc jockey and web TV producer
Luis Chaluisan with Maria Hernandez
helped promote the competition.
THE PLANET LOVETRON X PERIENCE
luischaluisan@gmail.com
347-526-2670
OLD ROCKER ROLLERS DON'T DIE
THEY SIMPLY DON'T STOP MOVING
AND PLAY THE NIGHT AWAY
Establish Salsa Magazine
February 2011
Collaboration with Salsa Magazine
2012
Collaboration with Miami
Hasta La Bye Bye
El Regreso
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