She is a world singer of Colombian descent and has won many hits, titles and awards thanks to her varied repertoire. Her songs are a mix of Latin pop, pop rock, pop, dance and merengue. She is known for her smooth moves that she performs with ease during one of her live shows and in her music videos. She owes the body that many envy in part to her "trademark": belly dancing. In addition, she often performs barefoot, something that also characterizes her. She is in a relationship with famous Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué and together they have two children. Also take a look at the stormy life of the dancer, actress, singer: Shakira.

• Shakira only really broke through worldwide with her songs "Whenever Wherever," "Underneath Your Clothes" and "Objection.
• The official World Cup song 'Waka Waka' for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa became an outright hit.
• She likes to dedicate herself to the less fortunate. She does this through her own foundation 'Pies Calzados' and by being a female ambassador for UNICEF.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is her full name. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Feb. 2, 1977, she has shown from an early age that she has talent and aptitude for music. As early as the age of eight she began writing lyrics. She taught herself the English language by studying the works of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Walt Whitman, among others. She also took history classes at the University of Los Angeles, where she then quickly picked up English. She is fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese and Italian; languages she has also sung in at times. She released her first album at the age of 14 under the name "Magia. Her real success only came not with her first album, but through a single released with hits by Colombian artists. The nummber "¿Dónde estás corazón?" became an outright hit and also gained exposure outside Colombia. She only really broke through worldwide in 2001, when she released the English-language album 'Laundry Service' with the songs 'Whenever Wherever', 'Underneath your Clothes' and 'Objection'.

Today, the Colombian already has 10 albums to her name and has sold more than 60 million records. She also has many collaborations to her name and is considered one of the most successful singers of our time. Collaborations with Anastacia, Beyoncé, Céline Dion, Cher and Calvin Harris, among others, have already been added to her repertoire. Her last collaborations were with Pitbull in 2012 with the song "Get It Started" and with Rihanna in 2014 with the song "Can't Remember To Forget You.

In addition, Shakira is the only singer who has been allowed to perform at FIFA World Cups twice in a row. This happened at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany with the song 'Hips Don't Lie' and at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with the song 'Waka Waka'. The song 'Waka Waka' immediately became the best-selling World Cup song and the most viewed music video on YouTube.

After quite some time, she then received the famous star on the 'Hollywood Walk of Fame' in 2011. She also has the most 'Latin Grammys' to her name and was the third most viewed artist on Youtube in 2011. She is committed to charity and shows a lot of charisma towards humanity. The 'Pies Descalzos' (barefoot) foundation she founded creates opportunities for the most underprivileged children in Colombia. The foundation has set up five schools in different regions where help is most needed. Here children are offered education, nutrition and psychological help. Also, Shakira has been a female ambassador for UNICEF since 2003. So not only is she a world-class Colombian singer, but she is also trying to do her part for a better world.

The Beatles was a band that swept over the world with startling speed, even a country like Spain couldn't avoid this English steamroller thanks in part to Radio Luxembourg and its shortwave transmissions of rock n roll into Spain. One person, in particular, who was an admirer of the group, also used the lyrics from these transmitted Beatles songs to help teach English to his students. Juan Carrión, now 90 years old, was an English teacher at the University of Cartagena and his story was the inspiration behind the movie Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed by David Trueba which was selected as Spain's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the 2015 Academy Awards.

During the time Juan Carrión was teaching languages, there wasn't an established teaching method employed in Spain. Instead, he had to create his own classroom teaching strategies and help his students succeed in language learning. One tool that he employed which made him different from his peers was his use of music in the classroom. By getting his students to listen to songs and their lyrics, he believed that this would help them improve their listening comprehension. His notions today are backed by research that states that using music in the foreign language classroom produces positive "emotional and learning enhancements". In a University of Edinburgh study and workbook the author states that songs are an authentic, challenging and enjoyable method of getting students involved in the language which can lead to them practicing outside of the classroom.

What makes Juan Carrión so unique are the lengths he went to so that his students would learn correctly what was being sung by the artists. You have to remember that Juan didn't have the albums of his favorite band which meant that he had to write down the lyrics to the Beatles songs as he heard them on the radio. Not an easy thing to do even for native speaker.  As you can imagine his notebook was full of lyrics and some empty spaces where he couldn't figure out what they were saying.

John Lennon in Spain

As luck would have it, in the autumn of 1966, Juan discovered that John Lennon was in Almería filming the movie, How I Won the War. This was a difficult time for John since he had just finished touring non-stop for three years and the fame surrounding him was becoming a tremendous burden, so much so that he was considering leaving the band. Unlike the stereotypical rabid Beatles fan, Juan was a quiet and modest teacher with a goal—to ask John to fill in the gaps in his notebooks of copied lyrics and ask John (and the Beatles) to publish their lyrics on the album sleeves like other bands.

Going to Almeria from Cartagena by bus in the 60s was certainly a long and hot drive along winding country roads and stopping at every village along the way. Juan did this not knowing if he would meet one of the most famous rock stars at that moment. After one week of trying to arrange a meeting he was finally permitted to meet with John Lennon as he was playing soccer with fellow actor Michael Crawford. His first words directed to Juan were "you're late". John was probably just as shocked at the appearance of this not quite middle-aged "groupie" asking for help with understanding his lyrics and "demanding" that the Beatles print their lyrics so everyone can understand what they are saying in their songs.

As a result of this 40 minute encounter, John Lennon took the time to fill in gaps and add some notes of his own to Juan's notebooks. John was fascinated so much with the idea that his music could be used to teach people English he even promised Juan that he would stop by and visit his school one day (a promise that he couldn't keep). Whether or not Juan was the motor behind the change, in 1967 the Beatles published for the first time the lyrics to their songs in liner notes of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and would do so for the remainder of their albums. It should also be noted that "Strawberry Fields Forever" was penned by Lennon during his stay in Almería.

Today, you can see the movie that was inspired by this story starring Spanish Actor, Javier Cámara (Talk to Her) and Jorge Sanz (Belle Époque). Winner of seven Goyas, the Spanish equivalent of the Oscar, including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director, this movie changes some of the details of Juan's pilgrimage but stays true to the spirit of the times and the character of this unique and compelling language teacher.

Here is a brief interview with Juan Carrión (in Spanish).

Reggaeton

Reggaeton (sometimes written as reguetón) is a musical style from Latin America that originated from different musical styles and different countries. However, the origins of reggaeton are most commonly associated with Puerto Rico, where the music became popular and was also incorporated into commerce.  Reggaeton quickly spread through Latin America and has since achieved worldwide popularity.

Reggaeton music descends from "raggamuffin" or "raga" music, a subgenre of club music that in turn descends from reggae and hip hop. Reggaeton can be distinguished by its controversial Spanish lyrics, rapped and sung, provocative style and influences from various Latin American music styles such as bomba and salsa. In addition, reggaeton is recognizable by the "Dem Bow" beat, first popularized by Shabba Ranks in 1991.

Reggaeton developed as an urban movement aimed at youth, much like hip hop in the United States. Reggaeton is very much related to a style of music known as Perreo, derived from the Spanish word perro (dog), which refers to the obscene and sexually explicit dance moves.

The history and origin of reggaeton is somewhat controversial, as it mixes different musical genres and influences. Reggaeton once began with Panama's Spanish reggae style, an adaptation on Jamaican reggae. Nevertheless, according to general consensus, reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico, where it evaluated into the reggaeton we know today and is known and popular worldwide. Moreover, the most famous reggaeton artists are Puerto Rican. The development of reggaeton has been influenced by American hip hop, Puerto Rican rhythms and other influences of Latin American music.

Reggae Music

Reggae music originated in Jamaica and developed as more and more new sounds and rhythms were added. In 1985, Chico Man performed in Panama with a Spanish Reggae act. At the same time, Spanish rap emerged in Puerto Rico and Vico C. performed with it. A new, Latin American, musical movement developed throughout North and South America.

In the 1990s, Spanish and Jamaican reggae, as well as Spanish rap, were very popular. This trend laid the foundation for what eventually became today's reggaeton. The first popular reggae songs were: Demwbow, by Nacho Boom; Pantalón caliente, by Poncho Pan; Dulce, by La Atrevida; Muévelo y Son Bow, by el Gran General and many successes by Gringo Man.

Between 1993 and 1994, a new movement began in Puerto Rico. The first reggaeton sounds, called "under," were distributed through secret networks of young people. The movement became known for its controversial music and one of the main producers at the time was DJ Playero. The new genre developed and with time the names of the music changed: Melaza, then música underground, followed by Dem Bow, to finally become Reggaeton.

Reggaeton spread and rose to a nice popularity with the help of DJ Playero, DJ Nelson and DJ Eric. Reggaeton was no longer an underground music style, but had exploded to the top of mainstream Latin music. Some famous Reggaeton artists include Don Chenzina, Tempo, Master Joe & OG Black, Baby Rasta & Gringo and Lito & Polaco.

DJ Blass and artists Plan B and Speedy helped expand the movement to the United States. By 2004, reggaeton music had already achieved popularity in the U.S. and Europe, thanks to Reggaeton groups such as Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, Hector y Tito, Luny Tunes and Noriega, Yaga y Mackie and many others. Other important Reggaeton musicians are: Alexis & Fido, Angel & Khriz, Nina Sky, Nicky jam, Zion, RKM & Ken-y, Voltio, Calle 13, Hector "El Father", Ivy Queen, Wisin & Yandel, Tito "El Bambino" and Don Obar.

The most famous international Reggaeton songs are Daddy Yankee's hit single "Gasolina" and Shakira's "La Tortura. Both songs came out around 2005 and were worldwide hits that took reggaeton music to new heights.

“I paint myself because I am so often alone, and because I am the subject I know best.”

60 years since the death of one of the world’s most iconic, and immediately recognizable artists, Frida Kahlo’s legacy is being brought to life once more in 2014 through the medium of dance. The show makes up part of the Grec Festival; an international circus, music, theatre and dance festival in Barcelona, marking part of an effort to revive artistic heritage, a project led by Amèlia Boluda. The show is not a new phenomenon, and was performed previously some 21 years ago at the San José Arts Festival in Costa Rica, yet this contemporary interpretation sees the dancers themselves sharing the stage with the musicians, as they collectively narrate the story of one of the most talked about faces of the art world. But why should we bother celebrating the legacy left behind by the Mexican artist?

It is estimated that Kahlo completed around 140 paintings over the course of her lifetime, and 55 of these were self portraits. A bus accident in 1925 had left Frida with serious injuries, and she was haunted by relapses of intense pain her entire life. The complications associated with these injuries also left Frida unable to conceive, and this substantial physical and mental anguish is not elusive in her art. In Frida’s Self Portrait completed in 1948, Kahlo depicts her features as notably harsher, her expression is stern, and she appears trapped within the confines of the lace ruffle surrounding her face. Three tears rest upon her cheeks, and Kahlo herself described the painting as ‘an exact expression of her emotions’. Similarly frank portrayals of emotion can be found in The Two Fridas (1939) painted shortly after her divorce from husband Diego Rivera, and in The Wounded Deer (1946), in which Kahlo expresses a great sense of disappointment and frustration at her physical injuries. While it is doubtful Frida Kahlo ever set out to be a feminist, and labeling her as such seems to strip her work of its deep personal value, there is no doubting that such a candid representation of female emotion, the female form and condition to some extent gives a voice to specifically female struggles, in particular childbirth or loss, as depicted in Henry Ford Hospital (1932) or My Birth (1932).

Besides deep personal torment, Frida Kahlo also represented her heritage and perceptions of the Universe through her art; ideas which will remain pertinent for centuries to come. Most famously, in The Love Embrace of the Universe (1949) she depicts a complex arrangement of human and mythological beings and in doing so portrays a system of intricate dependencies. Central to the painting, Frida cradles Diego as a mother would cradle a child. The male in the painting, Diego, has the third eye of wisdom on his forehead, and these ideas of nurture and wisdom seem here mutually dependent. The Aztec Earth Mother cradles both Diego and Frida, who in turn is embraced by the Universal Mother. These references to ancient Mexican mythology are relevant on an international artistic landscape, and even within contemporary society, understanding other cultures or ancient traditions through the medium of art is important, and Frida certainly facilitates this.

Frida Kahlo is emblematic of strength and creativity, her expansive imagination evidenced in her array of art; often portraits, and often visual representations of her own internal conflict. It is perhaps this that sets Kahlo apart from other artists, and justifies her continued recognition. Not only is Frida’s legacy valuable for its demonstration of clear artistic talent, but there is an unquestionable rawness and honesty, particularly in her self portraits, which is unrivalled. While many artists, writers and performers use their art in order to transmit ideas and personal emotion, Frida quite literally becomes her art in her portraits, intrinsically connecting the pieces with the person behind them. Indeed, she was often quoted as saying that she did not paint dreams, but rather her ‘own reality’.

Money can achieve many things, for example, you can pay your favorite singer to cross the Atlantic Ocean to give you a private concert with your four favorite songs.

A billionaire Spaniard, whose identity is still unknown, is paying Cristina Aguilera 2.4 million to do just that.

The news broke this week by famous celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

According to sources, she will quickly and anonymously enter Spain, date and exact destination unknown, give the private concert and return home.

Each song will be costing the Aguilera fan a whopping half a million per song. Ouch. Hopefully he has a good idea about which songs he wants to hear!

This is not the first time she has been hired for a private performance. IN 2005 she gave Andrei Melnichenko a birthday show for a million dollars. Another rich Russian, Kerimov, also hired the blonde bombshell for a similar performance.

Other singers known to give private concerts are Shakira, to the young Vinita Agarwal, as well as the recently deceased Amy Winehouse

The 83^rd Academy Awards, the Oscars, took place this week and one of the most talked about couples to hit the red carpet was the Spanish actor and actress Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz.

This was their first public appearance since Penelope Cruz gave birth to their baby son, just a month ago, who they have announced is called Leonardo. The cameras were flashing left, right and centre to get a glimpse of one of Spain and Hollywood’s favourite celebrity couples, who looked happy to be in each other’s company. The paparazzi have also gone crazy about their outfits, which for Cruz was a stunning and figure-flattering red dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and for Bardem a smart Gucci suit.

But the couple weren’t just there to look glamorous; Bardem was in fact nominated for the Best Leading Actor award for his role as a criminal suffering from cancer and with two children to look after, in the Spanish language film Biutiful, which was filmed in Barcelona. He didn’t win, with the Oscar going instead to Colin Firth, but Bardem has previously received an Oscar in 2007, for his role in No Country for Old Men. Cruz was also an Oscar winner in 2008, for Best Supporting actress in the comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Despite the couple’s great success in the international world of film, the pair are notorious for keeping their private lives private. They married last July in a quiet ceremony in the Bahamas, away from prying eyes, and have also kept the details of their son’s birth to a minimum. In doing so, they’ve made themselves a couple that receive little bad press and are well respected professionally. Public appearances together like at this years Oscars are a real treat for their fans!