![[Intersections] Zumba boom in South LA’s concrete desert](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/zumbajump-slider-blog.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Intersections] Zumba boom in South LA’s concrete desert")
A new crop of Zumba studios have taken root in South LA, helping people lose weight and transform their lives. Continue reading
![[Annenberg Radio] Singing for detainees behind the walls](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/img_3380.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Annenberg Radio] Singing for detainees behind the walls")
The Day Laborers of the North and Ana Tijoux brought music to the doorstep of a federal prison in downtown L.A. in solidarity with detained immigrants. Continue reading
![[Reuters] In Herbalife’s nutrition clubs, Ackman’s attacks fail to resonate](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/santablogslider3.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Reuters] In Herbalife’s nutrition clubs, Ackman’s attacks fail to resonate")
Hedge fund manager William Ackman says Herbalife is a pyramid scheme that exploits the poor. Yet the company attracts fans grateful for a chance to run their own businesses. Continue reading
![[USC] Photo Essay: The Virgin of Guadalupe at Olvera St.](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/screen-shot-2013-11-21-at-1-00-13-am.png?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[USC] Photo Essay: The Virgin of Guadalupe at Olvera St.")
Visit Flickr.com for a photo essay that celebrates images of The Virgin of Guadalupe in all their diversity. Continue reading
![[USC] Latino youth learn leadership at the CASA Institute (+ Video)](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_0557.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[USC] Latino youth learn leadership at the CASA Institute (+ Video)")
Today in Los Angeles, Latino students from eight cities across the nation are learning to be the leaders of tomorrow — and to be advocates for their communities. Daina Beth Solomon met the students at La Plaza Olvera in downtown L.A. Submitted for professor David Daniel’s “Broadcast” class at the USC Annenberg School for Communication … Continue reading
![[Blog] Colburn School Dance Recital May 24: Danish “Flower Festival” to Cuban “Manteca” (+ Video)](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/manteca.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Blog] Colburn School Dance Recital May 24: Danish “Flower Festival” to Cuban “Manteca” (+ Video)")
My 15-year-long ballet “career” has introduced me to astounding music, from Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings in C major” (from George Balanchine’s “Serenade”) to Danny Elfman’s “Beetlejuice” score (from a funky piece by my amazing Westside Ballet teacher Veronica Apodaca). Now, I’m again adding to the list. In a recital this Friday at The Colburn School’s Zipper Hall, I’ll perform two pieces with Colburn’s adult ballet class – and our music ranges from 19th century classical to 20th century Latin jazz. Continue reading
![[LA Weekly] Rocio Camacho: The Goddess of Mole](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/rocio13a-thumb-560x700-kevinscanlon1.jpg?w=290&h=279&crop=1 "[LA Weekly] Rocio Camacho: The Goddess of Mole")
The spirits of ancient Mexican deities may soon reside in Los Angeles, enticed across the border by chef Rocio Camacho. Continue reading
![[Blog] Tijuana Culinary Tour](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/135.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Blog] Tijuana Culinary Tour")
Ever since the Mexican-American War split a chunk of Mexico’s west coast in 1848, Tijuana’s border existence between two major countries has made it unique. The position has made the city a hot spot for tourism, crime, drug trafficking, immigration, industrialization, art, music, and even “zonkeys.” But now there’s another reason for Tijuana’s singularity: the food. During three days last October, I sampled some of Tijuana’s finest food from taquerías to posh restaurants. Read about it here. [Post in both English and Spanish.] Continue reading
![[USC] Miss Chiquita Banana: Here to Stay, for Better or Worse](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/chiquita_banana_sheetmusic_big-crop1.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[USC] Miss Chiquita Banana: Here to Stay, for Better or Worse")
Imagine a packed movie theater in 1950. An audience awaits Hollywood’s latest picture — but first, the commercials. An animated steamboat appears on the screen, chugging along to cheerful music. Then a beautiful woman alights. Or rather, a banana. She is “Miss Chiquita” representing prominent fruit company Chiquita Banana. By 1950, the filmgoers know her … Continue reading
![[Blog] Read This Now: “We’ll Always Have Fidel” by Anne Louise Bardach](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/fidelalwaysface1.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Blog] Read This Now: “We’ll Always Have Fidel” by Anne Louise Bardach")
Author, journalist and Cuba-whiz Anne Louise Bardach hits the nail on the head with a recent article in Pacific Standard magazine. She argues: “We’ll Always Have Fidel.” Continue reading
Lotus land 