Latest news with #Alejandro
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Denver flea market sees declines in sales and vendors, fear of ICE enforcement
More than $1 million worth of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles stolen in semi truck break-in More than $1 million worth of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles stolen in semi truck break-in More than $1 million worth of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles stolen in semi truck break-in Fears over immigration enforcement in Denver have some people avoiding places like flea markets. These are not just a cultural hub for the community; flea markets are often a source of income for immigrant families. Vendors at an indoor flea market on Federal Boulevard said business is down, and that it's mostly out of fear. Some longtime vendors have noticed more customers buying luggage, saying they're heading back to their home countries. CBS On Tuesday morning, the sound of a mop echoed through the market, a reminder of how empty it was without shoppers or vendors. A market vendor, who identifies as Alejandro, said the fear in this community is evident. "They're afraid because they know what's going on in L.A. right now," said Alejandro. Rumors of ICE activity and the recent immigration raids in Los Angeles have left this community on edge. "I feel really sad for the families," said Alejandro. Alejandro has been a vendor at the flea market for five years. He shared he's never seen it this empty. Other vendors who have been at the market for over two decades shared the same sentiment. "A lot of people don't come out to shop because they want to save money just in case something happens," added Alejandro. It's a reality that several vendors and customers are grappling with right now CBS However, it is not just vendors inside the flea market feeling the slowdown. One food truck owner shared that many of his longtime customers have already self-deported, and business has taken a hit because of it. Gisela Urrieta, an employee for a restaurant near the market, said small businesses are the ones left to deal with the burden. "It affects us all, especially small businesses, and while nothing has happened here yet, we invite people to support us," said Urrieta in Spanish. Though claims of raids at this flea market have been unfounded, it is a chance that many said they are not willing to take.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Sustainable Gastronomy Day: Casa Vigil and its sustainable revolution
Every June 18th marks Sustainable Gastronomy Day, a date to reflect on the environmental, social, and cultural impact of what we eat. This year, we chose to highlight Casa Vigil in Mendoza, Maipú — a winery restaurant that not only shines in its plates and glasses but also strongly commits to the triple bottom line: environmental care, circular economy, and social responsibility. The restaurant, part of winemaker Alejandro Vigil 's universe, maintained its dual Michelin distinction: a red star for excellence in gastronomy and service, and a green star for sustainable practices. Located in the town of Chachingo, this space blends art, wine, and product-driven cuisine, taking guests on a journey that starts from the earth and ingredients and ends on the palate. And we experienced it firsthand. How did Casa Vigil in Mendoza come about? Casa Vigil was born in Alejandro Vigil and María Sance 's family quincho (outdoor dining area), where they hosted dinners for 30 people using products from their own garden. Alejandro cooked, served his wines, and chatted with diners while María gathered herbs and flowers to finish the dishes. Over time, that intimate backyard transformed into a restaurant, winery, and cultural space that still preserves the spirit of home. In fact, the family still lives there, and it's common to see Alejandro strolling around with a glass in hand, sharing stories. The experience begins among vineyards and local art —featuring works by Chiavazza, Rigattieri, and Tachuela— and draws inspiration from The Divine Comedy, a book that marked Alejandro since childhood. This narrative is reflected in the names of the spaces (such as Hell, an underground cellar, or Heaven, an intimate room), and in every detail that fuses cuisine, wine, and literature into an unforgettable emotional journey. Why is Alejandro Vigil's restaurant a sustainable project? Casa Vigil not only stands out for its product-driven cuisine led by executive chef Iván Azar, but also for its commitment to sustainability. Under the Triple Impact Direction, led by María Sance, the restaurant implements concrete actions that earned it the Michelin green star and the Argentine Sustainability Seal. They separate waste at the source and allocate nearly 5 tons monthly to cooperatives, properly manage batteries, oils, and electronics, and compost 100% of raw vegetable waste, producing 2.5 tons of fertilizer per month. Their own garden —part of the Proyecto Labrar — supplies part of the kitchen, preserves native seeds, and promotes fair trade. They also measure their carbon and water footprints to apply improvements and have 136 solar panels covering 86% of their energy needs, avoiding emissions equivalent to more than a thousand trees per year. You might also be interested in: Best winery dinners in Mendoza Casa Vigil's kitchen focuses on flavor but also on the future: they plan the menu according to the season, minimize waste, and optimize every ingredient. 'The hardest part is not getting the star, but maintaining it,' admits Iván Azar. The recipe: honesty, consistency, and hard work. Casa Vigil, an eco-friendly restaurant On Sustainable Gastronomy Day, Casa Vigil represents an exemplary model where wine, cuisine, and territory intertwine with respect and creativity. In times when sustainability is no longer a trend but a necessity, this Mendoza house reminds us that another way to enjoy —and create— gastronomy is possible. You might also be interested in: What are Pét-Nat wines and which ones to try For those visiting Mendoza, Casa Vigil is a must-visit. Not only for its award-winning wines or product-driven cuisine but for the comprehensive experience it offers: art, nature, history, hospitality, and above all, an identity that honors its origins. It's not just about going out to eat: it's about entering a home that vibrates, breathes, and transforms.
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Alejandro G Inarritu teases 'brutal comedy' with Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise's next movie is a "brutal comedy". The 62-year-old actor is currently promoting 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' but he's also been busy working on director Alejandro G. Iñárritu's upcoming film, which is tentatively titled 'July' and has just wrapped shooting in London. The Oscar-winning director teased the film is "insane" and promised audiences will be surprised. He told The Hollywood Reporter: 'All I can say is it is a brutal, wild comedy of catastrophic proportions. It's insane. "It's scary and funny and beautiful. I know comedy is not what people expect from me, or Tom, and making this film was terrifying for me, but I don't like to repeat myself, and every film should scare you a little." The 61-year-old filmmaker praised Tom for his "total commitment" to the role and compared the tone to that of his 2014 movie 'Birdman'. He added: "I felt Birdman was a comedy, a dark comedy, and this one was challenging like that. "And Tom makes me laugh every single day. He has this total commitment, this total madness.' 'July' will also star Sandra Huller and the Mexican filmmaker has admired the 'Anatomy of a Fall' actress' work for some time. He said: "'I've loved Sandra since 'Toni Erdmann'. I met her here in Cannes that year [2017] and have been wanting to work with her ever since." Alejandro plans to begin editing the film - which will also feature the likes of Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, Emma D'Arcy, Sophie Wilde, Michael Stuhlbarg and John Goodman - "next week" and 'July' is scheduled for release next autumn. Meanwhile, the filmmaker's breakthrough work, 'Amores Perros' - which starred Gael Garcia Bernal - is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and it still means a lot to Alejandro. He said: 'Back then, in Mexico, we made maybe seven movies a year. 'There was no real national cinema. If you made one film, that was it. That was your shot. And I poured everything into that film. "All the contradictions, the rage, the love, the chaos of Mexico City — it's all in there. That's why it's messy. That's why it's alive.' As well a marking the anniversary with a visual installation set to exhibit in Milan, Mexico City and Los Angeles later this year, 'Amores Perros' will also be rereleased into cinemas. The director said: 'So that young people can see it on the big screen, not just on one of these [phones]."
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Benito Skinner felt guilty for not coming out sooner. 'Overcompensating' changed that.
Benito Skinner felt guilty for not coming out sooner. 'Overcompensating' changed that. Benito Skinner knows a thing or two about trying to play it straight. For his fourth-grade birthday party, he invited the boys in his class to go see Disney's 2004 camp masterpiece 'Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.' ('I was like, 'It's because Lindsay Lohan's hot,'' he recalls wryly.) And on the high-school football team, the comedian remembers trying to pass off his pop-star obsessions as pure, red-blooded machismo. 'I was like, 'Lady Gaga is sexy!' But the guys in the locker room were like, the one from the 'Alejandro' video? She's terrifying to us,' says Skinner, who has now funneled his real-life closeted chaos into Amazon Prime Video comedy "Overcompensating" (all eight episodes now streaming). 'To be clear, Gaga is a goddess. But for straight guys, nothing could be scarier than a woman with a bob and red lipstick who's actually expressing herself.' Created, written by and starring Skinner, 'Overcompensating' is a barbed, pop culture-savvy series about a college freshman named Benny (Skinner), who's struggling to find himself as a young and confused gay man. He becomes fast pals with Carmen (Wally Baram), who after realizing they're not sexually compatible, is content to just bond with him over 'Glee" and Nicki Minaj. But not even Carmen is safe from Benny's messy crosshairs, as he tells people that they're hooking up in order to maintain his frat-boy appearance. Meanwhile, Benny is crushing on Miles (Rish Shah), his chiseled British classmate, and hiding his sexuality from his older sister, Grace (Mary Beth Barone), who goes to the same university. The show is guaranteed to be stress-inducing for queer viewers, many of whom can understand the crushing anxiety of lying to your best friends and bedfellows about who you really are. 'I want the sick stuff,' says Skinner, 31, who like his character came out during college. At that age, 'you're selfish at times, and maybe doing something really (messed) up to a friend, just out of safety and protecting yourself. It feels so true to me: I could be out in one room, but in another room, I would code-switch and do a deeper voice and find myself still hating this part of me. You're performing so much." Barone remembers dating one of her best friends before he came out, and loves how Skinner captures the bluntness and vulnerability that Benny and Carmen share. "I got to have that relationship, and I knew how special it was," Barone says. "It starts off where you have that wall between you before the person comes out. But as you really get to know each other, you can be so honest and say anything and not feel judged." 'Overcompensating' began as a standup show, which Skinner performed across the country in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he frequently went viral with his online persona Benny Drama, donning makeup and wigs as he impersonated celebrities ranging from Kim Kardashian to Billie Eilish. Those sketches ultimately helped him to hone his hyper-specific voice on 'Overcompensating,' which references many of Skinner's favorite touchstones as a kid growing up in Boise, Idaho. (The series opens, for instance, with a young Benny watching 'George of the Jungle,' whose nearly naked star Brendan Fraser left a lasting impression.) 'The more specific, the funnier,' Skinner says. 'Even if 'George of the Jungle' wasn't your queer awakening, you can immediately slot in the thing you know. But also, coming up on the internet helped me realize that an attention to specificity is what people really responded to. If I did this tiny little thing where I put a Pepsi can in the back of a Kendall Jenner (video), that's what all the comments were about.' Baram admired Skinner's strong vision: "He brought everything with every hat that he wore: as a boss, as a friend, as an actor," she says. "I've never met anyone with more poised energy. My brain is exhausted looking at him." The acid-tongued comedy features myriad guest stars including Charli XCX, Bowen Yang and James Van Der Beek. Kyle MacLachlan and Connie Britton also pop in as Benny's well-meaning parents. Most memorably, Megan Fox appears as a poster on Benny's dorm room wall, which springs to life during irreverent confessionals. The image is modeled after Fox's lingerie-clad 2008 GQ magazine spread, which Skinner often feigned attraction to among his friends but really just found "so iconic." During college frat parties, 'I remember being in these bathrooms and seeing these posters of Sports Illustrated models, being like, 'Girls, what are we doing here? This sucks. I'm so sorry, darlings, I love you all,'' Skinner says. When it came time to write similar scenes for the series, he wanted Fox to be the fantastical embodiment of Benny's heteronormative angst: 'She is my idol. She's brilliant, and people haven't really allowed her to be as funny as I think she is in the show.' For Skinner, who has been dating photographer Terrence O'Connor since 2016, "Overcompensating" was a chance to revisit a very tumultuous period of his life, but with newfound humor and understanding. 'It was so cathartic,' Skinner says. 'I was able to forgive myself for not coming out sooner or feeling like I couldn't. I always judged myself for that throughout my 20s, but then being able to perform this and feel like I had some power over it, I finally gave myself a little bit of grace. For so long, I was like, 'Man, I wasted so much of my life,' but I don't think I did. I had my reasons and I'm proud of my experience as a queer person. Hopefully, other queer people see themselves in the show.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brazilian police arrest two over alleged bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga concert
More than 2 million Lady Gaga fans rocked up at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night to join the singer in what was the largest show of her career as of yet, and it was free. Meanwhile, authorities arrested two individuals in connection with the alleged plot — a man, identified as the group's leader, in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on charges of illegal weapons possession, and a teenager in Rio on charges relating to child pornography. Police did not provide further details about their specific involvement in the plot or how the group came to focus on Lady Gaga's concert. Rio de Janeiro's state police and Brazil's Ministry of Justice outlined what they described as a plot involving a group that spread hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community and others, and had intended to set off improvised explosive devices at the event. On Sunday, a spokesperson for Lady Gaga said the pop star and her team 'learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks.' The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the concert at around 10:10 pm local time with her 2011 song 'Bloody Mary'. Cries of joy rose from the tightly packed fans who sang and danced shoulder to shoulder on the vast stretch of sand. Lady Gaga performed her classic hits, including 'Poker Face' and 'Alejandro,' switching between an array of dresses, including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Related Lady Gaga becomes third artist to have multiple #1 hits in three different decades Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem': Euronews Culture's verdict Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years' Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John's Day celebrations in June. Rio's City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (some €93.8 million) into Rio's economy. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028.
