Miss Dominican Republic

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Janette

Just came out that the Miss Dominican Republic who won the contest on April 17, 2012 cannot serve as our representative in the Miss Universe Contest. It seems that she hid that she was married and this is against the rules of the contest. They even have copies of her marriage certificate.

Carlina Duran Baldera, representing La Vega has been de-throned after only one week being Miss República Dominicana. Now the first runner up Dulcita Lieggi Francisco from the National District will take her place in the Miss Universe Contest.

Dulcita is 22 years old, 5 feet 11 inch tall (1.80 m). She is an actress and model. (information on Facebook)

The announcement was made from Puerto Rico by Magali Febles, director of the franchise of the Miss Dominican Republic. The Miss Universe will return to DR to crown the second runner-up, now the contender for Miss Universe, Dulcita Lieggi Francisco.

They are comparing this event to the time that the representative from Santiago, July Ramírez, showed her breasts in 1992 during the swim suit contest to show her unhappiness with the contest organizers.

Here is a little information about the contest with some pictures that I will need to change as I get more information. http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/miss-dr.html

http://missosology.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=133656

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Play – La Razón Blindada

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Janette

“La Razón Blindada”, a play written by renowned Argentinean playwright Aristides Vargas, will be preformed at the Teatro Guloya in April.

The play is about two prisoners in a maximum security prison, pressured by emotional and physical circumstances who meet Sunday evening to recount the story of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. They use story to to transport them to a human adventure located in their imagination. Imagination is the only place reality can not reach. This play promises to bring laughter through the madness and craziness of the characters.

Viena González is the director. Actors: Daniel Sosa, Fernando Pucheu and C. Cordero.

The shows are in April – Friday April 20 and 27th at 8:30PM, Saturday 21 and 28th at 8:30PM and Sunday 22 and 29th at 6:30PM

Location: Teatro Guloya en la Arzobispo Portes 205, Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Come and support our local theater.


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Cueva Fun Fun Excursion 4-2012

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Janette

Fun and Adventure!/ Diversión y Aventura!!
Rancho Capote – Cueva (Cave) Fun Fun in Hato Mayor del Rey, República Dominicana, is having a special excursion. Sunday April 29, 2012.

Come and live this unique experience with us.

Includes:

• Transportation
• Breakfast
• Safety equipment
• Horseback riding for about 30 minutes
• Walk 40 minutes through the rainforest of Valle Nacional Los Haitises
• Rappel about 18 feet, assisted by our guides
• Exploration of the cave with a distance of 1.4 km approx
• refreshing drink at the cave
• typical Dominican lunch (one drink included, except water).

Note: You must wear a bathing suit, underwear, spare socks for boots that we will lend to you. Also a towel if you want to take a shower after the trip. Insect repellent is suggested.
No cameras are permitted. You can buy the professional video of your trip for only $40usd.

Departure time: 5:30 am
Location: Bomba La Lira
Price: RD $ 2,990

There must be at least 15 people for the tour or it will be canceled. So get a group of friends and visit the Cueva Fun Fun.

You can also book at: reservas@cuevafunfun.net

More information and links to their web site http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/pastimes.html#cueva-funfun


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International Jazz Day in Dominican Republic 2012

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Janette

UNESCO, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, announced at the General Conferences 36th session that April 30th of each year be known as International Jazz Day/ Día Internacional del Jazz . According to UNESCO “This Day is to raise awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people.” More information about this international jazz celebration at the UNESCO web site.

Dominican Republic will be celebrating this event on Friday, April 27th with Sandy Gabriel and Puerto Plata Jazz Ensamble presented by Fiesta Sunset Jazz. Sandy will be doing like he and his ensemble always do, entertain the crowd. They always like to talk among themselves and bring the audience into their joking and conversations. Playing their original arrangements and compositions of Blues, Latin, Funk.


The saxophone player, Sandy Gabriel, is also a band leader, composer and arranger. He won a Casandra Award in 2012 for Concert of the year/ Concierto del año with Jazzeando. He was also nominated for Album of the Year/ Álbum del año with Jazzeando as well.

The concert by Sandy Gabriel and the POP Jaza Ensamble will be recorded as part of the celebrations that will be held internationally as part of this great party.

The concert will be at the weekly location of the Sunset Fiesta Jazz in the
Dominican Fiesta Hotel Casino (Ave. Anacaona #101, Mirador Sur, Santo Domingo) on the 8th floor in La Azotea. Friday April 27, 2012 at 6:30PM.
More information at www.sunsetjazz.com.do and reservations can be made at 809-562-8222

If you cannot make it to the concert you can listen to it live at www.compasillo.com


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Operation Holy Week 2012

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Janette

Operation Holy Week (Easter) 2012 from Thursday April 5th to Sunday April 8 / Operativo Semana Santa 2012 de jueves 5 al domingo 8 de abril.

Here in Dominican Republic the weekend of Easter is one of the biggest travel weekends. Most people leave the cities and go to the beaches, rivers or just get away and visit family. The roads are full. The hotels and resorts are full. The people are partying full force. Hospitals and Emergency stations are full. It can be a fun time but it can also be a little dangerous if you do not take precautions.
Logo Civil defence dominican republic
The Dominican Civil Defense/ Defensa Civil Republica Dominicana will be stationed throughout the country with the participation six thousand workers and more than eight thousand volunteers in over 1400 strategic locations. They will be watching beaches, rivers and highways to make sure the big weekend runs smoothly. When you see the orange jump suits they are there for your safety and protection. If you have any problems please go to one of these stations. They are there to help and assist.

Many of the more dangerous beaches and rivers will be closed for the holiday to ensure the publics safety. There will be 23 closings in the Province of Santo Domingo, 1 in the National District, 12 in Santiago de los Caballeros, 6 in the provincias Espaillat y Santiago Rodríguez, 3 in Montecristi, 23 in San Pedro de Macorís, 8 in the Valverde Mao providence, 4 in La Romana, 3 in Nagua, 8 in Samaná y Sánchez Ramírez, 11 in Monseñor Nouel, 14 in Peravia, 9 in San Cristóbal and Villa Altagracia, 13 in Monte Plata, 8 in Barahona, 4 in Azua and 7 in the Province of San Juan de la Maguana.

For a complete list of beach and other places of importance closings visit: www.defensacivil.gov.do – listado-de-puestos-playas-y-carreteras in PDF form.

Remember there are restrictions according to Resolution No. 96/2012.
*Jet Skis and Wave Runners, Motorized Boats, Horses, Motorbikes, and Motorized Vehicles are NOT permitted on the beaches in the entire country from Thursday April 5 to Sunday April 8.
*There will be NO boats used in
-Laguna Gri Gri in Rio San Juan
-The Sanoa Island
-Catalina Island
-Cayo Levantado Island

*Heavy equipment vehicles are prohibited to be on highways from 6AM Thursday until 6AM Monday.

*There will be a curfew of 5:45PM for swimmers to get out of the water daily on public beaches.

*Many places have a ban on loud music for the weekend. Inside businesses it is OK but the noise is not permitted to weft outside. This is not enforced like it used to be but it still happens in many locations.

Make sure to get your Habichuelas con Dulce/ Sweet Beans (one version of the recipe for Habichuelas con Dulce). This is the favorite Semana Santa treat. A little Colmado on Calle Duarte and Luperon in Colonial Zone usually sells it in plastic cups. You can also get the ice cream version at Helados Bon.

Remember the reason for all the celebration is to remember Holy Week known as Semana Santa in Dominican Republic. There are many things happening in the churches, whatever religion, country wide. Try and visit one during this time to remember why we celebrate this time.

This is a video I took on You Tube of one of the Prosessions during Semana Santa in Colonial Zone. It is dark but I tried to lighten it a little. The link will open in a new window.


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Malecon Turns Into a Beach for Easter

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Janette

Avenida George Washington, also known as the Malecon, in Santo Domingo will turn into a giant beach for a few days during the Easter/ Semana Santa holiday. This is a very special Easter gift from the city.

The sea side road will be shut down to traffic between Calle José Heredia and Máximo Gómez from 6AM Holy Wednesday/ Miércoles Santo (April/abril 4) to Sunday (April/ abril 8). This is the section where Plaza Guibia is located near Adrian Tropical Restaurant and Malecon Center.

The entire stretch of highway will be shut down, covered with sand and converted to a big beach/ playa. Most people leave the city to return to their home towns or to visit many or our beautiful beaches and rivers. This project bring the beach to those that cannot leave the capital for whatever reason, especially the lower income families. Mayor Roberto Salcedo says that the space will become a sort of terrace with 12 pools, sand, lounge chairs and other attractions. There will be sand, palm trees, 12 portable swimming pools for the children, sun loungers, basketball and beach volleyball courts. There will also be sporting competitions including beach volley ball with the participation of 200 teams from various colleges and schools of the National District. There will be areas for skating and cycling. There will be tables for playing dominoes, chess and aerobics sessions for the adults. There will be something for everyone including special entertainment for the children.

All the Dominican Republics Police and many military personnel will be present to ensure all runs smoothly and without incident.


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