#joaquin hidalgo

[thesixthplaneteer]

The Seed of the Serpent

The Seed of the Serpent is a write up in mine and @crownedinmarigolds VTM canon. It features Noa, Nythanel, and other OCs we have! If you would like a peek at some of what has lead up to this event, click here for a write up by the lovely Crownedinmarigolds. Nythanel has been near fatally wounded and seemingly is unable to recover due to being Duskborn, Thinblood. Noa seeing no other option tries to reconnect with her family much to the dismay of her brother Joaquin. As she waits and hopes for Nythanel to recover she finds herself having a much more difficult time handling tasks and those around her. Hitting a breaking point she decides she needs him back, and needs him back now. Her own studies and reading over Nythanel's alchemical theories leads her to seeking the help of the local Followers of Set. The dawn of the twenty first century is near and their fate unclear.

The descent into the basement was made difficult by the narrow stairs. Julian nearly stumbled several times while carrying Nythanel, causing Noa's dead heart to drop every time. Her grip on the black leather briefcase she carried was so tight her nails tore into the leather. She kept herself composed but with every stumble she was forced to imagine Nythanel’s body becoming more broken, or worse. All this was exacerbated by Joaquin’s teasing of Julian and acting like he was going to drop the wheelchair. She was sure he would have pushed them if she wasn’t  in front of the group. It felt like the stairs went on impossibly long before the final step to level ground. The end of their descent brought relief for one anxiety, only to give rise to another. They were now in the temple of the Followers of Set.

At the base of the stairs she quickly made sure her sleek, form-fitting dress was straightened out. It was far enough outside what she normally wore that it added to her discomfort, but at least it was pink. Julian followed, always looking out for the unspoken instruction, placing Nythanel in the wheelchair before checking his collar and brushing down his coat. Joaquin watched them fuss over themselves and chuckled at Noa as she straightened Nythanel’s outfit. Noa had Julian and Nythanel dressed in coats and pants that were freshly pressed and shoes that were shined. They were here on business and she aimed for them to be dressed appropriately. Joaquin of course rebelled against “dressing nice for some blood sucker” and sported a brown leather jacket, t-shirt and jeans. She wanted to remind him at that moment that she too was a blood sucker, but it wouldn’t have done anything but devolve into an argument that would lead to only more frustration and more rebellion. If he wasn’t going to be well dressed, she at least needed him well behaved.

Noa stood up straight and took in the first breath since they started down the stairs. “I need both of you to remain quiet. Look no one in the eyes, and look at nothing longingly.” 

“Yes ma’am.” Julian dutifully answered between heavy breaths, taking a hold of the push handles on Nythanel’s wheelchair. Even with all his natural strength added to the power given to him from Noa’s vitae, he was still out of breath from carrying Nythanel down the steep stairs.  

Joaquin let out a snort. “Yeah, sure.” 

“I’m serious, Joaquin.” Noa said sternly. 

Joaquin balked but knew she was right. He should keep his trap shut, for now. Julian side eyed him, a faint air of smugness for knowing his place. 

“You wanna be in a wheelchair too, jackass?” Joaquin turned toward Julian with his fists balled tightly.  

“I said be silent!” Noa’s voice rose just slightly, her tone becoming harsh.  

At that moment she sounded like their father. Far too much like their father for Joaquin’s liking. Far too damn much. But unlike with their father, he obeyed and went silent. 

“Julian, stop goading him and pay attention to what you are supposed to be doing.” Noa forced herself to take a deep breath to calm her nerves. 

It was bad enough she had to try talking to the Followers of Set without Nythanel being able to assist, but these two seemed like they wanted to sabotage it. The Beast inside her screamed at her to rid herself of these idiots. Drink them dry! It yelled at her. You want to be treated seriously? Then go in with a full stomach!  Another deep breath calmed the Beast, a meditative practice when one doesn't need to breathe. It’s not been as effective in recent nights.  

“Let’s go.” She commanded and started down the long cement walled hall. 

She walked alongside Nythanel, occasionally brushing her hand against his shoulder. A nervous reassurance that he was still there. Joaquin strolled right behind Noa despite his and Jullian's frames taking up the width of the hallway. The hallway was long, unnecessarily so. It seemed the Setites wanted to give their guests time to decide if they really wanted to be here. The lights were dim and warm like artificial candles. Noa was used to working in dim light but the spacing between the lights made it excessively dark. Even with the low light, Noa could see a golden glint at the end. A door, decorated with large red ankhs along with a golden scrolling line of hieroglyphs. When they finally reached it after what seemed like minutes, Noa steadied herself with a deep breath one last time before giving a single hard knock. As if the person on the other side was simply waiting for the courtesy to be observed, the door immediately came open. 

The full force of the droning industrial techno playing inside beat against their ear drums. Noa and Joaquin seemed least affected, Joaquin’s own ear drums abused by loud club music and gunfire. Noa refused to allow any sign of weakness in her now that they were entering the temple proper. Julian winced at the sudden sound as his grip on the wheel chair loosened, wanting to bring his hands up to cover his ears. Catching himself, he tightened it once more to not displease Noa. A club goer himself years ago but he still wasn’t ready for just how loud it actually was. Nythanel shifted in the wheelchair. His movements were slow and unsteady but it was clear he was uncomfortable with the noise. Noa looked at him, a feeling of pity and sorrow swelling in her but she quelled it, he wouldn't want her to feel that about him. 

The inside of the temple was like a scene in a movie. Stone columns with white cotton sheets hanging between them like sheer dividers. A thin haze of smoke choked the air. Ahead of them through the fabric they could make out silhouettes of people, mingling and entangling together so much that they seemed like a single writhing beast. 

The heady smells of incense, sweat, and more besieged their nostrils. Noa was mostly spared, only needing to breathe when she spoke. But the other three had functional lungs. They drew in the smog and were overcome with the earthy, burnt timber and sweet citrus smell making their heads swim. Joaquin and Julian were no strangers to substance use. This mild high wouldn't be their undoing, but it certainly helped them feel a little more relaxed. A little more okay with the pounding rhythmic music. A little more comfortable in a strange place. Nythanel’s cheeks became rosy as he breathed in the smoke and his muscles relaxed.

A voice somehow pierced the thrum of the music. It was calm, controlled, and clear. 

“Miss Hidalgo.” Spoke a bald man with a serious face. 

He was shorter than Joaquin or Julian by a few inches. He had a strong chin and nose but his face still had a softness to it that, judging by how his suit fit, his body did not have. He was not as opulently dressed as Noa would have expected for a Follower of Set. He had a modest amount of jewelry, just two thin rings and nice cufflinks. His suit was pretty basic, wine color, possibly a high end material. Noa looked at him with a polite smile and faint recognition. She was sure this man was the bouncer in Mexico years ago. It felt strange to be delighted in a familiar face amongst the snake den. Before she could give an answer he spoke again. 

“I am Arham.” He introduced himself with a shallow bow. “If you and your party would follow me. Just this way.” He turned and started walking. He spoke like a trained and experienced concierge.

Noa waved her party on to follow the man. Her anxieties ate away at her. Soon they would find out if they walked into a trap, or if a deal could be struck. Eyes leered from around the pillars and the sheets, hands reached out and grasped for Arham and their group. Voices called out to them, inaudible through the music. Julian would look through the corners of his eyes then force himself to look forward, remembering Noa’s instructions. Joaquin scowled, eyes locked on Arham.

Their guide pulled back a curtain to reveal a pair of plain doors. He opened them to reveal yet another dimly lit hallway. Noa’s anxiety fueled her frustration. She wondered if they were just being toyed with. The only calming sight ahead of them were the large doors at the end of the hall. That had to be their meeting room.

“Just through those doors, Miss Hidalgo.” Arham said as he gestured towards their destination.  

The doors at the end of the hall were ornate like the ones that had led into the temple. Their handles were golden and their surfaces decorated with a mural that seemed to be made of inlaid gemstones. It was a depiction of a crocodile headed man fighting a tiger. A large snake boarded the mural. Noa couldn’t help the sense of awe. The Followers were an ancient clan and their histories and rituals were so shrouded in lies and half truths, seeing just a glimpse of it first hand was exciting in itself. She considered the meaning behind the crocodile man and tiger fighting… until she realized they weren’t actually fighting, but coupling. A shot of embarrassment went through her for not noticing immediately. Not just for herself, but for playing into what she thought was a stereotype of the clan.

Joaquin let out a sharp laugh at the sight of it. “Think they’ll want us to fuck a tiger?” He said, still chuckling to himself. 

Noa cut an angry look at him. It said all that needed to be said and served as a reminder of him needing to be silent. He huffed and looked away, and Noa was thankful for the best outcome of that situation. Refocusing her attention, she took the golden handle and pulled open the door. 

The room looked like a lounge and sitting room. Chairs upholstered in velvet of different colors with golden accents. Cushions and large pillows were in piles on the floor. Works of art hung on the walls and rested on pedestals. On the parts of the walls without hanging art there were grand painted murals. The room was lit with only candles, giving a flickering glow throughout the room but no detail was hidden. Standing near a portrait of a naked woman was another familiar sight for Noa. 

His hair was yellow gold and skin golden-bronze like the scales of a desert snake, he even glinted in the candlelight. He had a strong and muscled build, broad-shouldered and tall. He wore a silk robe that trailed down to the floor. When he turned to greet them, they realized the robe gave him very little in terms of modesty. The open chest revealed the myriad of tattoos that decorated him. The most prominent one a snake that seemed to slither all over him, the head at his throat and posed to strike out. There were also Ankhs, a lotus flower, a stalking tiger peeking from behind the snake’s body, and filling the spaces between were hundreds if not more hieroglyphs. His hawkish nose was well framed by the rest of his handsome features. Full lips, a strong jaw, high cheekbones. He was the most impossibly beautiful man Noa had ever seen, there was no way to confuse him with any other. The irises of his eyes were golden with slit serpent-like pupils. He had a wide and disarming smile.

“Greetings, Miss Hidalgo! Welcome to our temple, I am so excited to have you here with us.” He spoke to Noa as if the others were not in the room. “This is my wife, Parvati.” He gestured to a pile of pillows in the corner of the room. 

At first glance there seemed to be no one, but as Noa’s eyes adjusted further, she saw the Hierophant’s wife. Unmoving, like a waiting predator, was a woman with deep warm skin. She lacked even the attempted modesty garment Harrakhty wore. Her long dark hair draped over her curvy body. Her unblinking gaze intense and seeming to pierce right through them. Her sharp jaw, smooth cheeks, aquiline nose, and full lips made her another image of impossible beauty. The body jewelry she wore framed her large breasts and accentuated the curves of her belly and hips. Lines marked her stomach, implying she may have been a mother in another time. 

The woman stirred and watched as they became aware of her. Julian’s eyes were locked on her. He couldn’t help himself or keep his desire completely at bay.  

Noa stood next to Nythanel with the other two just behind them and led the conversation. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Parvati.” Noa said to the woman then looked back at the Hierophant. “And you of course, Mr. Harrakhty. I really am grateful for this meeting.” Her smile is polite and her tone business-like. 

“Oh of course!” He said as he drew nearer. His lack of underwear was apparent as the fabric of his robe hugged his body. “All out of the goodness of my heart and all that.” He stopped just a few feet away and looked down at Nythanel who stared ahead, seemingly not aware. “Is this our special man?” He said, leaning down to look at Nythanel’s face. 

Nythanel’s head turned slowly and his unbandaged eye met with Harrakhty’s gaze. The glazed over look in Nythanel’s eye gave way to a spark of something deeper inside trying to escape before glazing over again and his posture returned to a neutral state. 

“Oh yes, you're very special aren’t you?” Harrakhty commented as he stood up straight again. 

Parvati’s gaze was focused on Nythanel. She shifted on the pillows, now sitting up from her lounging position. 

“You know Miss Hidalgo. This feels like a very common group for your clan.” He spoke, seemingly refusing to allow any dead air in the conversation, or for her to speak. “Strapping, similar featured bodyguards. The delicate often waifish boss. Someone incapable of caring for themselves.” 

As he spoke Noa reached out and took Nythanel’s hand. She hated how much Harrakhty seemed to be familiar with her clan and just how predictable they were apparently. It was obviously meant to be a display to make them uncomfortable or irritable and unfortunately it was working. She wished more than anything that Nythanel were able to speak and engage Harrakhty in this social dance. But he couldn’t, all because of her. She got them into this mess and she will need to get them out. She felt a fire light in her as she felt Nythanel’s grip tighten on her hand. 

“It’s all very Giovanni.” Harrakhty continued. “So, I must know, which one are you shtupping?” He said with a smirk but his eyes were not on Noa, they were on Joaquin and Julian. 

Joaquin scowled at the question and Julian shuffled uncomfortably, pulling his attention away from Parvati. Idiots she thought to herself. They remained silent like she told them but their expressions and body language were giving Harrakhty all the answers he wanted.   

“Ah!” He said with a self satisfied grin. 

“With all due respect.” Noa said, the same all business voice she greeted him with. “That is not what we are here to discuss, Mr. Harrakhty.”  

“Yes of course!” Harrakhty said with a short laugh. “Apologies, I rarely get to speak with your clan on good terms after that whole, consuming the cappadocians event. My curiosity got the better of me.” As he spoke he sauntered over to the same pile of pillows his wife was sitting on and flopped over onto them, putting his arm around her. She seemed to register his touch and rested her head on his shoulders, but her eyes never left Nythanel. 

The robes Harrakhty wore now hid nothing as he reclined with his legs spread. His antics were obviously upsetting Joaquin as he started to shuffle in place, angry he had to stand here and listen to a vampire. Julian was basically drooling while staring at Parvati once more. Noa recanted to herself how important this meeting was to keep herself calm and push down her anxieties. She had to remind herself she still needed Quino and Julian. 

“I understand, I have my curiosities of your own reclusive clan. However I am here for a specific reason.” Noa took just a moment to take a breath, unfortunately allowing an opening for Harrakhty. 

“Yes well if you could-” Harrakhty’s voice trailed off as his wife's hand ran over his bare chest. 

“My love.” She said in a cold pur. Her intense gaze now upon him. “Let her speak.” 

The air in the room became thick and Noa was afraid they were going to reenact the mural on the door as they stared into each other’s eyes. Harrakhty then looked back at Noa, with the smirk that seemed permanent on his face. 

“Again, apologies. Continue.” 

Noa nodded acknowledgement to his apology then spoke again. “As you can see my Nythanel has been injured. He is Duskborn and unable to heal himself. I can help him. But I need to ask you if you can perform a ritual. I have heard rumors of the Followers of Set being able to remove Kindred hearts without triggering their Final Death.” 

Both pairs of eyes were on her. Their intense stare. Both so predatory it was no wonder they represented themselves as apex predators. Harrakhty rolled his hand to signal Noa to go on. 

“I need you to remove his heart. Safely.” She felt her own heart drop. The worries of everything that needed to go wrong in order to put them in this position of weakness. The spiral of everything that could go wrong from this point coiled around her and squeezed tightly. 

Harrakhty let out a deep chuckle, the welcoming warmth waned and the air around him became sinister. “That is a big ask. Tell me Miss Hidalgo, what does an orphan and an invalid have that can be in comparison to an ancient rite reserved only for our most devout?” 

“Cut the bullshit will you? Get on with the creep show so we can leave.” Joaquin loudly declared. 

Noa quickly shot a scowl at him. She had no idea what he could be thinking or planning but she didn’t want him doing it. She couldn’t tell if he was actually thinking he was being helpful or if he was trying to ruin everything like he always does. Something she found herself wondering a lot lately. Her look cut into him and he became still, scowling back at her. The coiling emotions squeezed tighter on her with embarrassment.

She looked back to Harrakhty. “Could my mortal cohort possibly wait outside?” 

“Arham.” Harrakhty called out.

The door they came in pushed open. The same bald man that led them through the temple. 

“Yes?” He asked.

“Can you give these gentlemen the tour? Don’t have too much fun now.” He said with a smile. 

“Yes sir.” Arham looked expectantly at Joaquin and Julian. 

Julian looked to Noa for instruction and Joaquin sucked in air through his teeth but it was clear she was only going to get more upset with him if he stuck around. 

“Whatever.” Joaquin said with a huff and walked out of the door, brushing against Arham as he left. 

Noa motioned with her hand toward the door and Julian followed. 

With the others gone and the door sealed, Noa felt some sense of relief over her. She hated how much having Joaquin out of the room made her feel more at ease. But he’s proven too many times he was too brash. She rested her hand on Nythanel’s shoulder and with new found confidence spoke to Harrakhty. 

“With the combination of the disciplines I've studied and my beloved’s own studies, we can create new life.” 

Harrakhty allowed a quiet moment, giving Noa a chance to continue before he spoke. 

“We can create a viable womb to support the gestation of an offspring.” Noa said, taking a pause to let it start to sink in. “I can facilitate the bearing and birth of you and your wife's child.” 

Harrakhty still smiled and let out a quiet chuckle,very amused at the impossible fantasy she proposed. Then his smile dropped and he looked at Parvati who was still hanging onto his shoulder. They stared into each other's eyes like they were having a silent conversation. Then he looked back at Noa. 

“You really believe you can do that, don’t you?” There was no more amusement in Harrakhty’s tone or expression. 

“I do.” Noa replied confidently. 

“How?” Harrakhty asked. 

Noa knew she had his full attention now. Few loved the sound of his voice more than him. Single word sentences meant he was focused on something other than himself. “I have all of the details here in this case.” She tapped the briefcase for emphasis. “It will require invasive surgery, and the transplanting of Duskborn reproductive organs into you and your wife. It will require a lot of blood.” 

“Thinblood parts? Oh this is very interesting. Tell me, how will it be my child if I am using the gonads of someone else?” Harrakhty asked with all sincerity. 

“They will be treated with an alchemical process using your vitae.” Noa answered. “Same with the womb.” 

“So not only are you asking for me to remove the heart of your companion, you also want both of us to relinquish vitae to you? All for the promise of a child born in a process of magic and insanity? Tell me, how in the multiple millennia that Kindred have existed and propagated that you are the one to be able to do this?” 

“Duskborn have been exceedingly rare until very recently in our history. Even fewer were able to survive long enough to understand their condition.” She gently squeezed Nythanel’s shoulder. “To put it in his own terms, my Nythanel is an elder Thinblood. He has not only survived, but thrived. We now understand so much more of our existence than we could ever have.” 

“What if this child comes out as an abomination? How can I know I’m getting what I’m paying for?” Harrakhty sat up and learned forward. 

Noa was thankful for the robe falling back over Harrakhty’s privates, and even more confident to have his undivided attention. “You’re a man of faith. I’m sure you understand there are not always guarantees for everything but I can guarantee I will try and try again until you get what you want. We have many more millennia to perfect the process.” Noa hoped it wouldn’t take that long but was more than willing to dedicate whatever it took to make it happen. 

“What do you think, my love?” Harrakhty asked Parvati out loud as they looked into each other’s eyes.

She drew closer to him, her breasts pressing against his shoulder. Her hand ran along his chest. She seemed ready to start practicing their part of the procedure. “I want our child.” She answered him in a quiet voice, kissing his neck. 

The robe once again covered little as she tugged at it. “You have your answer.” He said to Noa but his eyes were still locked onto his wife. 

Noa felt a rush of excitement. She gets her beloved Nythanel back, they will put the theories of their arts to practice. “When will you be able to remove his heart?” Noa asked. 

“Full moon. Give the briefcase to Arham.” Harrakhty replied before pressing his lips hard against Parvati’s. 

It was obvious it was time for her to go, although she couldn’t help but linger a moment as the pair of elder Kindred lashed out at each other lustfully. Noa couldn’t help but see hope in true Eternity with the one she loved with how even venerable kindred can keep alight a flame of romance. Noa took hold of the handles of Nythanel’s chair and started to push him toward the door. “I believe that is our cue to leave. Are you as excited as I am my love?” Noa practically cooed at Nythanel, giddy with the achievement of negotiating with Setites and the excitement of nights to come.

[natasharoldanpress]

Natasha Roldán at LULAWORLD Festival

Don't miss an incredible night of Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin folk as Joaquin Nuñez & Habana Safari are joined by special guest pianist Dayramir Gonzalez, direct from New York City. Opening set by Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter Natasha Roldán. Presented by Lula Music and Arts Centre and Latin Jazz Net.

[rabbitcruiser]

Flying East (No. 1)

The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a region of California surrounding and including the San Francisco Bay. The Association of Bay Area Governments defines the Bay Area as including the nine counties that border the estuaries of San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and Suisun Bay: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, and San Francisco. Other definitions may be either smaller or larger, and may include neighboring counties such as the Central Coast counties of Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey, or the Central Valley counties of San Joaquin, Merced, and Stanislaus.[9] The Bay Area is known for its natural beauty, progressive politics, prominent universities, technology companies, and affluence. The Bay Area contains many cities, towns, airports, and associated regional, state, and national parks, connected by a complex multimodal transportation network.

The earliest archaeological evidence of human settlements in the Bay Area dates back to 8000–10,000 BC. The oral tradition of the Ohlone and Miwok people suggests they have been living in the Bay Area for several hundreds if not thousands of years. The Spanish empire claimed the area beginning in the early period of Spanish colonization of the Americas. The earliest Spanish exploration of the Bay Area took place in 1769. The Mexican government controlled the area from 1821 until the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Also in 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold in nearby mountains, resulting in explosive immigration to the area and the precipitous decline of the Native population. The California Gold Rush brought rapid growth to San Francisco. California was admitted as the 31st state in 1850. A major earthquake and fire leveled much of San Francisco in 1906. During World War II, the Bay Area played a major role in America's war effort in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, with the San Francisco Port of Embarkation, of which Fort Mason was one of 14 installations and location of the headquarters, acting as a primary embarkation point for American forces. Since then, the Bay Area has experienced numerous political, cultural, and artistic movements, developing unique local genres in music and art and establishing itself as a hotbed of progressive politics. Economically, the post-war Bay Area saw large growth in the financial and technology industries, creating an economy with a gross domestic product of over $700 billion. In 2018 it was home to the third-highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the United States.

Source: Wikipedia

[nickmacleanjazz]

I'm very thrilled to be playing in the My House 'Junction Jazz Fest' next week! It's a busy week, on Wednesday I'm being featured as part of a Herbie Hancock tribute, Friday I'm dusting off my latin chops to play with Arecibo, Saturday I'm playing a Frank Sinatra tribute with the incomparable Carlo Berardinucci, and then finishing on Sunday with a tribute to prestige-era Miles Davis! It's going to be a great week of music, come out and join us!

Wed-Jun-25, 7pm, $20 adv, $30 door HERBIE HANCOCK TRIBUTE feat. Nick Maclean (classic jazz) TIX: www.eventbrite.ca/e/1387655126839 Herbie Hancock, legendary pianist and composer, revolutionized jazz through his work with Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet and as a pioneer of post-bop, funk, and synth-driven jazz. JUNO nominated piano & synth wizard Nick Maclean, leads a elite synergistic quartet featuring some of Toronto's finest in a 2-set tribute: Set 1 covers Hancock’s Blue Note and Miles-era classics, while Set 2 will dive into the funk-driven grooves of Head Hunters. Buckle up for a night of Herbie you won't forget! :: Nick Maclean - piano & synths :: Brownman Ali - trumpet & effects :: Bennett Young - upright & electric basses :: Adam Mansfield - drums

www.NicholasMaclean.com

Fri-Jun-27, 8pm, $25 adv, $35 door ARECIBO (Latin-jazz) TIX: www.eventbrite.ca/e/1387808826559 This exciting Latin-jazz outfit delves deeply into both Cuban and Brazilian modern jazz traditions, modeled after the New York Latin-jazz spirit of Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band and featuring some of Toronto’s most acclaimed jazz and Latin music specialists, all under the direction of 2x National Jazz Award trumpet player BROWNMAN ALI (who also leads the much lauded Latin-jazz group CRUZAO, winners of the Montreal Jazz Fest's "Grand Prix Du Jazz Award"). :: Brownman Ali - trumpet (Trinidad) :: Nick Maclean -- keyboard (Canada) :: Marc Decho - 6-string electric bass (Canada) :: Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo - drums (Cuba)

www.Arecibo.Brownman.com

Sat-Jun-28, 8pm, $25 adv, $35 door FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE feat. Carlo Berardinucci (vocal jazz) TIX: www.eventbrite.ca/e/1387852647629 Italian-born, Toronto-based vocalist Carlo Berardinucci is a seasoned jazz singer known for his velvety baritone and classic interpretations of the Great American Songbook. His 30+ year career includes being the featured vocalist with the Dan Bodanis Big Band and a 2008 album "She Made Me Do It" showcasing his flair for timeless ballads and jazz standards. In this tribute, he channels the spirit and style of Frank Sinatra with elegance and swing, backed by some of the top-shelf jazz musicians in the country including multiple JUNO Award nominees Nick Maclean & Brownman Ali. :: Carlos Berardinucci - vocal :: Brownman Ali - trumpet :: Nick Maclean - keyboard :: Bennett Young - upright bass :: Frank Botos - drums

www.Carlo.Browntasauras.com

Sun-Jun-29, 4pm (jazz matinee), $20 adv, $30 door MILES DAVIS: The PRESTIGE YEARS (classic jazz) TIX: www.eventbrite.ca/e/1387724524409 Hailed as “one of the greatest interpreters of Miles Davis' work in Canada” (Hamilton Spectator), multi award-winning trumpet iconoclast Brownman Ali leads a tribute to a pivotal chapters in Miles'history. From 1951 to 1956, Miles would record a string of groundbreaking albums for Prestige Records, including Cookin’, Relaxin’, Workin’, and Steamin’ -- music that blended bebop virtuosity with a cool, lyrical sensibility that reshaped modern jazz. Brownman and a selection of top-shelf jazz artists will explore these recordings channeling the intensity and innovation of Miles’ early genius. :: Brownman Ali - trumpet (JUNO nominee) :: Nick Maclean - keyboard (JUNO nominee) :: Bennett Young - upright bass (JUNO nominee) :: Frank Botos - drums (JUNO nominee)

www.AkousticTrio.Brownman.com

All Fest Tickets:

www.eventbrite.com/cc/4357823

My HOUSE Junction Jazz Fest 2025 www.MyHouseInTheJunction.com/Junction-Jazz-Festival Mon-Jun-23, 7pm: JORDANA TALSKY: LIVE LOOPING Tue-Jun-24, 7pm: TIGHTROPE feat. Stich Wynston Wed-Jun-25, 7pm: HERBIE HANCOCK TRIB feat. Nick Maclean Thr-Jun-26, 7pm: BROWNMAN ELECTRYC TRIO Fri-Jun-27, 8pm: ARECIBO Latin-jazz Sat-Jun-28, 8pm: FRANK SINATRA TRIB feat. Carlo B. Sun-Jun-29, 4pm: MILES DAVIS: The PRESTIGE YEARS

[buttercupkg66]

Violent vagrant charged in NYC slashing, arson attack on store worker gets freed without bail.

Joaquin Hidalgo, 35, who already had open cases against him in 3 boroughs, was ordered held on $25,000 bail on felony assault, arson and robbery charges for the Feb. 17 attack at the Two 99-cent store in Bushwick — only to be released without bail by another judge.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events (before 1900)

306 – Constantine I is proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops. 315 – The Arch of Constantine is completed near the Colosseum in Rome to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. 677 – Climax of the Siege of Thessalonica by the Slavs in a three-day assault on the city walls. 864 – The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings. 1137 – Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Prince Louis, later King Louis VII of France, at the Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux. 1139 – Battle of Ourique: The Almoravids, led by Ali ibn Yusuf, are defeated by Prince Afonso Henriques who is proclaimed King of Portugal. 1261 – The city of Constantinople is recaptured by Nicaean forces under the command of Alexios Strategopoulos, re-establishing the Byzantine Empire. 1467 – The Battle of Molinella: The first battle in Italy in which firearms are used extensively. 1536 – Sebastián de Belalcázar on his search of El Dorado founds the city of Santiago de Cali. 1538 – The city of Guayaquil is founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Orellana and given the name Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de Guayaquil. 1547 – Henry II of France is crowned. 1554 – The royal wedding of Mary I and Philip II of Spain celebrated at Winchester Cathedral. 1567 – Don Diego de Losada founds the city of Santiago de Leon de Caracas, modern-day Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela. 1591 – The Duke of Parma is defeated near the Dutch city of Nijmegen by an Anglo-Dutch force led by Maurice of Orange. 1593 – Henry IV of France publicly converts from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism. 1603 – James VI and I and Anne of Denmark are crowned in Westminster Abbey. 1609 – The English ship Sea Venture, en route to Virginia, is deliberately driven ashore during a storm at Bermuda to prevent its sinking; the survivors go on to found a new colony there. 1668 – A magnitude 8.5 earthquake strikes eastern China, killing over 42,000 people. 1693 – Ignacio de Maya founds the Real Santiago de las Sabinas, now known as Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Mexico. 1718 – At the behest of Tsar Peter the Great, the construction of the Kadriorg Palace, dedicated to his wife Catherine, begins in Tallinn. 1722 – Dummer's War begins along the Maine-Massachusetts border. 1783 – American Revolutionary War: The war's last action, the Siege of Cuddalore, is ended by a preliminary peace agreement. 1788 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his Symphony No. 40 in G minor (K550). 1792 – The Brunswick Manifesto is issued to the population of Paris promising vengeance if the French royal family is harmed. 1797 – Horatio Nelson loses more than 300 men and his right arm during the failed conquest attempt of Tenerife (Spain). 1799 – Napoleon Bonaparte defeats a numerically superior Ottoman army under Mustafa Pasha at the Battle of Abukir. 1814 – War of 1812: An American attack on Canada is repulsed. 1824 – Costa Rica annexes Guanacaste from Nicaragua. 1837 – The first commercial use of an electrical telegraph is successfully demonstrated in London by William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone. 1853 – Joaquin Murrieta, the famous Californio bandit known as the "Robin Hood of El Dorado", is killed. 1866 – The United States Congress passes legislation authorizing the rank of General of the Army. Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant becomes the first to be promoted to this rank. 1868 – The Wyoming Territory is established. 1869 – The Japanese daimyōs begin returning their land holdings to the emperor as part of the Meiji Restoration reforms. (Traditional Japanese Date: June 17, 1869). 1894 – The First Sino-Japanese War begins when the Japanese fire upon a Chinese warship. 1897 – American author Jack London embarks on a sailing trip to take part in the Klondike's gold rush, from which he wrote his first successful stories. 1898 – Spanish–American War: The American invasion of Spanish-held Puerto Rico begins, as United States Army troops under General Nelson A. Miles land and secure the port at Guánica.

[crownedinmarigolds]

Commission from the incomparable @tapeworrmart of my terrible Joaquin Hidalgo. 💘

I saw his art and KNEW I had to commission him. Thank you so much this is so special and printed and on my wall! Joaquin is a hunter of the Supernatural but is he any better than that of which he hunts? 😎

[thesixthplaneteer]

14, 20, and 27 for Nyth!!

14) Who's a character your OC cannot stand! It's on sight when they see them!

Joaquin Hidalgo! But unfortunately Noa holds him back. Nyth is a trained boxer but Joaquin has like 30 pounds and a foot of height on him. So ignoring vampire powers I don't think either of them will come out pretty.

20) If they fight, what's their weapon of choice?

Fists! Augmented if the situation calls for it (brass knuckles, thinblood alchemy to make him stronger or do more fist damage.) Nyth started boxing when he was 13 (back in the 60s) and it was a huge turning point and help him become who he is. So it will basically always be fists.

27) What's their spirit tamagotchi? Or an animal you associate them with?

Oh! Wasn't there like a weird duck flower thing? It would be that one for sure. As far as an animal, Nyth would probably be a bee.

[crownedinmarigolds]

Noa Vincenza Hidalgo-Giovanni's sire is her own Father: Vincento Hidalgo-Giovanni, which is taboo within the Giovanni clan. She was put up to be Embraced originally by her maiden-Great Aunt Gianna Giovanni, but her father appealed to the elders that the Hidalgos needed a bit more strength behind them as they are such a small bloodline. The elders, either charmed by the man or agreeing with him for other purposes, allowed this. This is also why Noa's older brother Joaquin let loose information about the clan's whereabouts to the local Sabbat: he was horrified and completely sure that their father was truly dead and just a monster wearing his skin. It couldn't continue. He intended to save his sister before she was Embraced, but it was too late. So - Noa's Father's ploy to gain more power for his immediate family is ultimately what destroyed them. <3 <3 <3

tagging: @thesixthplaneteer @auspex @dykeferatu @lazareneblessing @deathandthesoul @storyowls and really anyone ahhh!!

𝐎𝐂 𝐓𝐀𝐆 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 : share one fact about your vtm oc and tag people ! tag as many as you want , keeping the thread going . tagging someone more than one time is okay ! ( especially if it’s me haha )

Tevy’s favorite ballet playe are Giselle, La Dame Aux Camélias (Lady of the Camellias, and Camelot! (She’s always the center stage in all of them trust)

tagging: @eternalera @toreadorcaretaker @bluelolblue @born-to-eat-rats @knownsome @zaolat @dispotatorulzz @findingtarshish @ofmalkavians @garygoldenbignaturals @mortifying-macaroni @porcelainseashore and YOU who SEES THIS yes you with the vtm oc i see you…. you cannot hide from me

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Michael McDonald and Willie Nelson feat. David Hidalgo - “Dreams of the San Joaquin”

In this instance, Willie Nelson would’ve been better off without the Doobie.

The Doobie is Bother Michael McDonald, who joined Nelson in remaking “Dreams of the San Joaquin,” a Bandcamp exclusive released to raise funds for the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services and United Farm Workers of America.

McDonald’s soulful baritone is ill-suited for this tender, acoustic ballad, which features Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo on accordion and acoustic guitar that dances gently with Nelson’s Trigger. Nelson also shares vocals with McDonald and while the former’s craggy croon fits perfectly, Nelson and McDonald’s shared lines go down like a bad coughing fit.

McDonald was the impetus behind this three-pronged partnership for a good cause. That’s probably why nobody told him it would’ve worked much better without him.

But it would’ve worked much better without him.

Grade card: Michael McDonald and Willie Nelson feat. David Hidalgo - “Dreams of the San Joaquin” - D

5/17/21

[iconsnunited]

[unclesamsmisguidedclub]

Officers Encourage Son of Fallen Colleague

Officers Encourage Son of Fallen Colleague

Mission, Texas – On June 20, 2019, Corporal Jose “Speedy” Luiz Espericueta, 43, was murdered in the line of duty. Jose and his fellow officers made a pact a few weeks before his death that if anything happened to one of them, the rest would take care of their families. The officers of the Mission police, Border Patrol, and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office made good on the promise when they showed…

[nickmacleanjazz]

Tomorrow night I'm playing the late show at Drom Taberna with Brownman's incredible latin group ARECIBO! It's going to be such a fun late-night latin jazz party with some of Canada's top latin jazz musicians (and me!) so don't miss it!

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3102327340083966/ ---- Brownman's ARECIBO Fri-Apr-22, 11pm (late night!), $PWYC @ Drom Taberna, 458 Queen St. W.  www.DromTaberna.com ---- :: Brownman Ali - trumpet :: Nick Maclean - piano :: Paco Luviano - bass :: Joaquin Nunez - drums ---- FROM PRESS RELEASE This exciting Latin-jazz outfit delves deeply into both Cuban and Brazilian modern jazz traditions, modelled after the New York Latin-jazz spirit of Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band and featuring some of Toronto’s most acclaimed jazz and Latin music specialists, all under the direction of 2x National Jazz Award trumpet player BROWNMAN ALI (who also leads the much lauded Latin-jazz group CRUZAO, winners of the Montreal Jazz Fest's "Grand Prix Du Jazz Award"). ARECIBO is named after the Arecibo radio telescope housed in Puerto Rico – the largest radio telescope in the world, responsible for the deepest exploration of space mankind has achieved to date. Energized, exploratory and thought-provoking, they are not to be missed!

[angel-hawthorne]

In an alternate universe, Antonia never got assassinated, and had her 3rd child, Anferne. 4 year age gap. Anferne is the complete opposite of his older brother. He has another name Anzel, which is nigh similar to Angel’s name. 

Here are some differences between the two: 

Anferne:

reclusive, straightforward soccer player

Cynical, snide & secretly envious of Angel

Likes to mess w/ older siblings for fun

Enjoys time with anyone who finds him genuinely interesting

Quick to defend family & close friends

Grew closer to Angel after hearing his horrid tales as a ranger & POW

Angel:

good-natured and dauntless circus star

WILL stomp a mudhole and walk it dry

Messes with Anferne (usually in self defense)

Does anything fun with family and friends

Tends to lead by example

Bonds with Anferne after opening up about his time as a POW & ranger

[crownedinmarigolds]

Joaquin and Raymond - our Hunters!

Joaquin Hidalgo - former Giovanni ghoul and "failure" firstborn son to necromancer Vincento Hidalgo and eldest brother of the necromantic prodigy, Noa Hidalgo. As a teenager, he had witnessed the death of his father at the hands of armed gunman, only to see him walk through the door some days later - cold and changed, the same but utterly different. Crueler. Joaquin knew this creature was not really his father, and his refusal to truly accept this change got him beaten and bruised by the one person he was supposed to trust in completely. Now a full grown man that has escaped the clutches of the Family, he is using his extensive knowledge of all things vampires and spirits to spitefully fight Supernatural creatures of the night with no mercy. Refusing to bow down against their supremacy over humans.

Raymond Mulder - former Chicago PD, the most normal of normies and black coffee addict, suddenly thrusted into the world of Kindred and their politics after the "suicide" of his lieutenant upon the discovery of vampires within the local government. Not wanting to be a part of this, he attempted to flee with his at the time girlfriend back to her parents in another state, only to find that she was a Kinfolk with a toxic ex-partner who hurt Raymond even further. Scarred both psychologically and physically from dealing with the Supernatural and finding some ACTUAL power bore from that, Ray finally is accepting his fate of being a protector of humanity, unable to ignore the call to action any further.