Dominican Community in Washington Celebrates their Independence Day, Attracting Celebrities from the  Dominican Republic

http://www.elojolatino.com/arc/0210/inddominicana0210.htm
Translation from the Spanish by Millie Ribeiro

Last Saturday, February 20th, over 300 persons turned out to celebrate one more year of Independence of the Dominican Republic  at the luxurious  Hyatt  Regency Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland.  The celebration consisted of a Gala VIP, sponsored by the non-profit Unión Multicultural Latino Americana (UMLA) and  La Unión Cultural Dominicana.  Special guests for this event came from the Washington D.C. metro area.

Also enjoying the evening were  guests of honor flown in from the Dominican Republic: the famous night time Dominican  TV Diva also ex Miss República Dominicana, Milagros Germán   and   the Dominican TV Host  Jochy Santos.  Both were honored following the dinner.  The second part of the event consisted of  a Ball held at the same hotel with music provided by  the Kinito Méndez orchestra.  Everyone awaited the presentation of  the  ”Hombre Merengue”,  which had been programmed to start after midnight.

“The idea is to provide the Dominican community and their friends with an event of this magnitude to celebrate Independence Day”, said Franklin Jimenez,   UMLA’s Executive Director and coordinator for this event.  “Dominicans are known for holding parties in other places, and we wanted to let everyone know that we also hold events in 5 star hotels such as the Bethesda Hyatt Regency.”  concluded Mr. Jimenez.  Maryland State Delegate, dominican-american Jocelyn Peña-Melnyk, pointed out how important it was for her to participate in the celebration.

Among other personalities attending the event were the Dominican Ambassador to the United States,  Roberto Saladin,  Chief of Police for  Prince Georges County, Roberto Hylton, the owner of  Radio América, Alejandro Carrasco, Maryland State Delegate, Jocelyn Peña-Melnyk, y the  President of  the Washington Latino Caucus, Franklin Garcia.

Photos of the event can be seen at  http://www.unidaddominicana.com/eventos/drindepgala2010.htm. A video is also available at YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgxDgHhgJEA.

This Gala launched a series of celebrations which will be held in the Washington D.C. area.    On February  25 the Inter American Development  Bank will also be holding a private event for the Independence Day celebration.  The White House will soon be sending out invitations for another Dominican Independence Day event programmed for March 1st.

Franklin Garcia.

Photo by Millie Ribeiro

To view our photo album go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/umlausa/sets/72157623364746387/

Video clip of the speech by Dominican Ambassador to the United States, Roberto Saladin, at the Gala held at Bethesda Hyatt Regency on February 20th, 2010.

If you cannot see the video above please go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEPplj1AbYc

Additional videos of the event can be viewed at :

http://www.youtube.com/user/UMLAUSA

Entertainment will be provided by Kinito Mendez Orchestra and a Bachata Group.

When: February 20,2010
Time: Dinner-8:00PM to 10:30PM
Music – 10:30PM to 4:00AM
Where: One Bethesda Metro Center
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Tickets: $80 per person
to cover Dinner and Music. There will be a cash bar.

To purchase a ticket for this event call:
202-409-7865
240-888-2398
240-412-3301
202-592-7600

To print a flyer in Spanish click on the image below:

Jonathan is a member of the School Band program and plays many instruments including clarinet and saxophone. He currently is an Honor Student with a Grade Point Average of 3.69.

We are impressed with his extra curricular activities which include lab research, cross country, football and National Honor Society. Jonathan is also a Sunday School Volunteer and was involved in the Appalachia Service Project.

He is currently a member of the Blues Alley Orchestra.

The announcement was made at the VIP reception following the Palmieri Trio concert at An Die Musik.

Below is a photo of Jonathan Cothran with Mr. Eddie Palmieri:

Eddie Palmieri and Jonathan Cothran at An Die Musik on 20 December 2009

Our thanks to An Die Musik for asking UMLA  to co-sponsor this event and to all of our guests who shared this afternoon of great Latino Music!

Special thanks to the Palmieri Trio: Eddie Palmieri, Luques Curtis and Brian Lynch for a legendary concert. We are looking forward to a CD of the Trio.

Although Mr. Palmieri has already thanked Wanda Jimenez multiple times for the beautiful and delicious birthday cake she made for him in the shape of a gift, UMLA would like to thank her by posting the photograph below:

Wanda Jimenez and Eddie Palmieri

Join us at AnDieMusik on Saturday December 19, 2009 at 9:30pm for the concert and from 10:30pm to 11:30pm for the VIP Reception. Cost will be $40 per person for both the concert and the VIP reception.

We  invite you to meet and greet the artists: Eddie Palmieri (piano), Brian Lynch (trumpet) and Luques Curtis, at UMLA’s VIP Reception following the 9:00PM concert.

Cost will be $40 per person for both the concert and the VIP reception. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales will be used to fund UMLA programs.

Where: AnDieMusik 409 N. Charles, 2nd Floor St. Baltimore, MD 21201

When: on Saturday December 19, 2009
Concert at: 9:30pm
VIP Reception to follow the concert: 10:30pm to 11:30pm

Saturday’s concert has been postponed until Sunday, December 20 at 5:00PM. VIP reception will follow the concert.

Hope to see you there!

Listen to Eddie Palmieri’s “Puerto Rico” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HbCt6nXsv4&feature=player_embedded

Scroll down and click on the images below to print a flyer.

Roosevelt High School – Washington DC (N.W. DC)
Montgomery Blair High School – Silver Spring, MD (Mont. County)
Albert Einstein High School – Wheaton, MD (Mont. County)
NewPort Mills Middle School – Wheaton, MD (Mont. County)
Spring Brook High School – Silver Spring, MD (Mont. County)
Parkland Middle School – Silver Spring, MD (Mont. County)
Wilson High School – Washington, DC (N.W)
Sligo Middle School – Silver Spring (Mont. County)

Sunday March 29, 2009
2:30PM to 4:00PM
Guest Speaker: Mrs. Montalvo.
Guest: Mrs. Ribeiro

Long Branch Community Center
8700 Piney Branch Road 2nd Floor
Silver Spring, Maryland

If you would like to participate in this event, or have any questions regarding this event please contact Silvia Rodriguez, President at
silrodriguez23@aol.com

DEPARTURE AT: 7:00a.m. from the parking lot at the Hillendale Shopping Center, Silver Spring, Maryland. It is located at the corner of New Hampshire Avenue and Powder Mill Road.

DEADLINE FOR PURCHASING TICKETS : December 13, 2008

TICKET COST: $40 with a refund of $18 dollars

If you have any questions please contact us at (301) 503-7680

Officer Hylton of the Prince George’s County police department who was recently promoted to County Chief of Police was selected forthe UMLA Community Award 2008 is. He was born in the Republic of Panama.

On September 14, 2008, a plaque conveying this well deserved recognition was given to him during a reception held at Union Mall. Panamenian folk dancers provided the entertainment.