Feliz Navidad

Photo: josefeliciano.com

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

ASCAP, the highly respected music licensing company, says José Feliciano’s classic 1970 hit “Feliz Navidad” from the album of the same name, is one of the top 25 Christmas songs most played and recorded around the world. But Feliciano, while proud of this accomplishment, is clearly much more than one song. Since childhood, Feliciano has had a guitar in his hand. He was, in fact, a teenaged love idol in Latin America in the 1960s. It took this Puerto Rican singer/songwriter a while to catch on in his native America. Latino USA’s Maria Hinojosa has an intimate Christmas conversation with the great José Feliciano.

Holiday Memories and Traditions

Photo:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Latino holidays are often memorable and sometimes offbeat. Sure, there’s the traditional food and family celebrations, but the myriad of Latino cultures means also a myriad of traditions. For New Mexico-based writer Denise Chavez, family Christmas meant gag-gifts. But for Nuyorican writer Joseph Pacheco, a childhood trip to Puerto Rico meant no Santa Clause in favor of Tres Reyes Magos. And in Texas we find the story of Santa’s Mexican cousin – Charro Claus.

We also continue Latino USA’s partnership with StoryCorps Historias with the Torres Family and the Mascareñas Family from Taos, New Mexico. And commentator Michele Serros talks about writing for the The George Lopez Show.

American Dreamer

Photo: Dreamactivist (Flickr)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Last June, thousands of undocumented students held mock graduations in several states and Washington, D.C. Most of them were brought to the U.S. as small children by their immigrant parents. Despite being raised in American culture, these students cannot legally work because of their immigration status. And most cannot go to college, prompting cries for congressional passage of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors or DREAM Act.

This week, Latino USA in conjunction with Long Haul Productions, brings us the story of one of those recent graduates. Producers Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister met Sam in his last few weeks of high school. Here’s part two of his story.