The N-Beat: July 12, 2014
CHICAGO (WLS) -- THE N BEAT, hosted by Theresa Gutierrez, with special contributions by ABC 7's Stacey Baca, Michelle Gallardo, John Garcia and Roz Varon airs an encore presentation on Sunday, July 27 at 2:30 pm on ABC 7 Chicago. THE N BEAT is a rich tapestry of profiles highlighting the contributions of Chicago's Latino community. This Emmy Award winning series is produced by ABC 7 Chicago.
Video - N Beat - Originally aired July 12, 2014
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This edition of THE N BEAT profiles Israel Vargas, the Assistant Provost for college access and targeted recruitment programs at Roosevelt University. This South Side native and former ex-convict, who served twelve years in prison, knows the importance of mentors for young people. The program takes a look inside the world of Israel Vargas to see how he is trying to empower the next generation of Hispanic youth in Chicago.
Then, THE N BEAT profiles Ron De Jesus, the artist who grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and spent most of his days dancing in the streets. During his high school years, he made a decision to pursue dance as his profession and later attended Northeastern Illinois University earning a degree in dance. Now more than twenty years later, this talented artist has traveled around the world perfecting his craft while working with various dance companies.
Auristela Nunez is the break dancer known to many in the break dancing world as "Lady Champ." She has spent most of her life spinning her body on floors and cardboard boxes in the hopes of being the best "B" girl in the area. Auristela taught herself the moves of break dancing and now hosts battles across the city for those interested in reviving this popular dance craze. THE N BEAT reveals Auristela's remarkable comeback after a devastating illness that almost turned her world upside down.
Next, Rob and Amy Castaneda had their first brush with gangs when the young couple moved to the Little Village neighborhood 15 years ago. Gangs set their house on fire not once but twice. Instead of fleeing, this young couple decided to stay and try to take back the streets of their neighborhood by starting an after school play program called, "Beyond the Ball." This program they created keeps kids safe, active and off the streets and was even honored by the White House with the "Champion of Change," Award.
THE N BEAT spotlights Alberto Gonzalez who was just 11-years-old when his family made the harrowing journey from Havana to Miami aboard a simple shrimp boat. Now, this proud Chicagoan shares the cuisine of his native Cuba at 90 miles Cuban Cafe in Logan Square. A photo of the original shrimp boat proudly hangs in his restaurant. Alberto and his wife, co-owner Christina Gonzalez, have been so successful they are even opening up a 3rd '90 miles' in Lincolnwood this fall.
Hispanics are now the fastest growing ethnic group in the country. But a new study just released by the March of Dimes reveals that Hispanic mothers are much more likely to be confronting pre-term births and babies born with devastating birth defects. THE N BEAT tells the emotional story of a Latino mother who lost her baby girl just hours after she was born. She is now working with the March of Dimes to try to reverse this tragic trend.
Finally, Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) became the first museum in the U.S. to do an entire Frida Kahlo exhibit. Currently, the MCA is paying tribute to this legendary Mexican artist with Unbound: Contemporary Art after Frida Kahlo. In this exhibit, two works from Kahlo as well as other artists influenced by her bold, feminist themes, are featured. Unbound will be featured at the MCA through October 5th.
Rubye Wilson and Holly Grisham are the producers of THE N BEAT.
More information on this program
RonDeJesus, Artist
Having grown up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, Ron DeJesus spent most of his days and sometimes nights dancing in the streets. It was during high school that he made the decision to pursue dance as a profession. At the urging of his mentor Dame Libby, Ron got his GED and after receiving a scholarship decided to pursue a degree in dance at Northeastern Illinois University. Over the past twenty years, this acclaimed artist has traveled the world perfecting his craft with various dance companies - Joseph Holmes and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Ron's work was most recently on display at the Ensemble Espanol's Annual Spring Performance at the North Shore Center for the Arts.
For more information:
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
Alberto Gonzalez was just 11 years old when his family made the harrowing journey from Havana to Miami aboard a simple shrimp boat. Now, this proud Chicagoan shares the cuisine of his native Cuba at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe in Logan Square. Gonzalez says naming his flagship restaurant was simple.. it was the distance he traveled to gain his freedom. A photo of the shrimp boat that brought Gonzalez and his family to the US proudly hangs in the restaurant. Favorites on the menu are Red Snapper, Paella, 10 varieties of Empanadas.. and the classic Cubano sandwich. Alberto and his wife and co-owner, Christina are even opening up a 3rd '90 Miles' in Lincolnwood, this fall.
For more information:
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL
(773) 227-2822
Beyond the Ball
Rob and Amy Castaneda had their first brush with gangs when the young couple moved to the Little Village neighborhood 15 years ago. Gangs set their house on fire as they slept not once... but twice. Rob and Amy's first instinct was to pack up and leave. Instead, this driven young couple decided to stay and try and take back the streets of Little Village while at the same time, giving kids a chance to just be kids... and -play-! They launched Beyond the Ball.. and what began as a small after-school program in a gymnasium has turned into a free, year-round play program that helps keep 1,500 kids active and off the street. Beyond the Ball has even been recognized by the White House with its "Champion of Change" Award. Rob received the honor in a White House Ceremony led by First Lady Michelle Obama.
For information, call:
773.847.6207
Or visit:
Israel Vargas, Assistant Provost for College Access and Targeted Recruitment Programs
Roosevelt University
As an Assistant Provost at Roosevelt University, Israel Vargas is responsible for reaching out to families and educating students on the programs offered at Roosevelt University. This south side native and former ex-convict who served twelve years in prison, knows all too well the importance of young people having mentors. We take a look at the work Israel Vargas is doing in the community and how he is trying to empower and impact the next generation of Hispanics.
For more information:
Israel Vargas
425 South Wabash
Chicago, IL 60605
March of Dimes Latino Prematurity Study
Hispanics are now the fastest growing ethnic group in the country. But a new study just released by the March of Dimes reveals that babies born to Hispanic mothers are much more likely to be confronting pre-term births.. and babies born with devastating birth defects. More research is being done but indicators are that this trend is partially due to dietary habits and lack of all-important folic acid early in these pregnancies. We hear the emotional story of a Latina who lost her baby girl just hours after she was born but this grief-stricken mother has joined forces with the March of Dimes to try and educate other Latina moms, and hopefully, reverse this tragic trend.
For more information:
or
Auristela Nunez, Breakdancer
Known to many in the breakdancing world as "Lady Champ," Auristela Nunez has spent most of her life manipulating her body on floors and cardboard boxes in the hopes of being the best "B" girl in the area. Auristela, like many other girls, taught herself how to spin and now hosts battles across the city for those interested in reviving this very popular dance craze. We inside her life and look at how she made a comeback after a devastating illness tried to turn her world upside down.
For more information, call:
773.844.3347
Unbound: Contemporary Art After Frida Kahlo
In 19-78, Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art became the first museum in the US to feature an entire Frida Kahlo exhibit. Now, the MCA is paying tribute to this legendary Mexican artist with Unbound: Contemporary Art After Frida Kahlo. In this exhibit, you will see two works from Kahlo... and many more from other artists who've been heavily influenced by her bold, often feminist themes. Unbound: Contemporary Art After Frida Kahlo will be at the MCA through October 5th.
For more information or to plan a visit to the MCA:
The Museum of Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL
312-280-2660
