Buzz Magazine Miami

Medina, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, majored in audiovisual communications at the University of Puerto Rico, and later completed his Master of Fine Arts in directing for the film at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In 2013 he collaborated as director of photography for an Axe commercial that was awarded the Silver Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and since then has directed multiple award-winning short films and commercials for brands including Coca-Cola, T-Mobile and Medalla Light.

Cotarelo, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and after made the transition to working in the cinematic world. She started her career in the production department and later on moved to focus on production design. Since then, she has been working in everything from music videos, commercials, narrative films and documentaries.

After years of working in the Audiovisual Industry, Medina and Cotarelo moved to Miami, where they continue to collaborate as artists. Together they created Érase una vez (Once upon a time) a film collective of storytellers. Here Xavi operates as writer/director, cinematographer and editor and Maria manages production, art department and other departments as needed.

Last year, Xavi was chosen as the first Cinematic Resident from Oolite Arts, where he obtained a grant to make our first feature film titled Sunnyland. At the moment we are shooting principal photography and we plan to have a final cut of the film by the end of summer. Continue Reading Meet Xavier Medina of Érase Una Vez

In 2006, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. I had to start dialysis immediately in the summer of 2008 because my kidney functions rapidly decreased. Being on dialysis at such a young age was no joke. I remember, at one point, all my hair fell out. I suffered a seizure and a stroke. I battled with potassium, protein and low iron issues over the years. My skin was dark and bumpy. I was tiny as a toothpick. I was doing dialysis at home peritoneal dialysis. I was trained on how to connect and disconnect myself from the machine every day. I had to do dialysis for nine hours, every single night, for over three years.

In 2011, I was at my mother’s house, searching craigslist for furniture for my new apartment. My mother made a comment (that I thought was silly at that time) to post on craigslist for my need for a kidney transplant. I had to think about it for a while and I knew the only way to get my mother off my back about it was to post the ad. Within 24 hours of posting on craigslist, I received an email from a local news station. I was skeptical at first, but I decided to reply back when I was able to confirm that the information within the reporter’s signature was legit. Next thing I knew, the news station was in my living room, filming my story about my need for a kidney transplant. People from all over the world sent me emails wanting to donate and/or telling me their health stories as well. I was doing countless interviews, even filming for a show that aired on Oprah Winfrey’s Network, called “Lost and Found” That is when I knew that this was more than just me needing to be saved. I had to be a voice for others as well. I would continue the fight long after I received a new kidney.

Within numerous emails that I received, which happened to be close to a thousand, a young lady by the name of Stephanie Grant reached out to me and for some reason, her email really stood out to me. It was like I could feel her good spirit as I was reading her email. I invited her to do a news interview with me, not knowing she would be the one to donate to me. Five months later, on December 13, 2011 I received the gift of life. Stephanie Grant donated her kidney to me, a complete stranger at that time, and gave me a second chance at life. I have been dialysis free since then and I thank God for her! She is an amazing person! We keep in touch a lot. After our transplant surgery, she moved back to her home town in Springfield, IL. We take turns visiting each other almost every year.

A few years later, after my kidney transplant, I found out that I was pregnant. All of those years went by and I was always told that I would never be able to have kids. Well, they were proven wrong! I gave birth to my very first child, Ke’ Niya, my preemie princess on October 6, 2017. She was born at 25 weeks and four days old. I was suddenly diagnosed with HELLP and had to have an emergency c – section. It was all new to me, but I was just so happy to be a mother at the age of 34 (2 months before I turned 35).

The NICU was a whole other world for my family and I. Just when I thought I had been through it myself and knew everything medically, my daughter had common preemie issues. My baby girl was a fighter. She went from weighing 1 pound 7 oz to 6 pounds within four months of being in the NICU. She was everything to us! Both my parents were finally grandparents and my sister/my only sibling, finally an aunt. Ke’ Niya was born on my sister’s birthday.

Unfortunately, our lives changed forever in the blink of an eye. Just two days before our Ke’ Niya was due to be discharged and come home to us, tragedy struck and she passed away in the NICU. My life has never been the same since. I had plans for Ke’ Niya, we all did!
Continue Reading Meet Selina Hodge of Ke’Niya Speaks Foundation, Inc.

I started off with a group of friends that attended college at FIU we were inspired to hosting a event for our pairs which we did and was very successful at it
After college we decided to keep the momentum going and created a brand called LOTUS .
Lotus is not just an event but more of a lifestyle, whereas we host carnival events , charity events , travel retreats ,fitness events etc
We are happy for the continued support and growth. Continue Reading Meet Shawn of Evolution Plus

I started Off as a model back in 2016 but never really hit the runway till 2017 I got Really popular in 2018 hen I started To engage more with my social media (Instagram) through out those years I was Always a photographer and started to grow even more because of my personality and pretty much just being relatable. I started with about 1,500 and grew to 10,000 all by my self I learned How to be marketable and how to grow you social audiences. Continue Reading Meet Joel Rios of GLAMAZON BY KING JCRAZY

Flex Eatss started backed in 2019 originally I was just doing food reviews for restaurants which was cool but after awhile I realized I needed something of my own so sauce came to mind. I chose to do sauce because it’s literally the soul of the meal plus who doesn’t love an amazing sauce with their food? I put the sauce idea together in 1 week honestly, I hit the kitchen & started to get creative mixing spices and different flavors to see how I can shock people’s palate & I came up with my vegan Sweet & Savory sauce. I’m not vegan but I wanted to be inclusive to everyone so I made sure it was versatile so everyone could try it. I got where I am today by HUSTLE honestly. I had a BBQ for Memorial Day and got some amazing feedback so I already knew I had a golden egg. After the BBQ I needed to find a way to market my sauce so I studied & watched other food brands, listen to podcasts, read marketing books and also networked with other sauceprenuers like @jupiterringsky he has his own vegan buffalo sauce. With all this new Information I knew I couldn’t fail so I started selling wing plates at events in order to build a demand for my sauce & things started picking up for me! People loved the wings & sauce so much I got a buzz around my name, fast forward a year and now I’m trying to have my own events & get my sauce in multiple grocery stores in around the US. Continue Reading Meet Flex of Flex Eatss

Ever since I was a child, I have always had a sweet tooth and a passion for baking. It wasn’t until I started taking pastry classes for fun in Paris did I then decide to take my passion for baking to the next level. I was so inspired by all that I had learned in Paris, I started taking a variety of different pastry courses from learning how to make bonbon chocolates to designing sugar flowers. I started baking cakes and sweets for my friends for free until I started getting orders from people I had never heard of, but heard of me through word of mouth. I soon realized that my passion was turning into a business project and it was moving quickly. I am so grateful for this because it led me to where I am today. The ultimate birth of BakedByMontaha couldn’t have been possible without the love and support of my friends and family. Continue Reading Meet Montaha Ghannoum of Baked By Montaha

n 2016, after 15 years as a Spanish and sign language teacher, I decided to join the Orlando arts scene by opening an art space called Mills Gallery.

At that point in my life, I knew very little about art. I decided to remain honest about that and surround myself with a team of experts who would guide and advise me at every turn. Gallerist Lael Dewahl showed me the ropes about how to run a gallery, and designer and artist Victor Bokas designed the logo as well as the official look for the gallery. I worked with local filmmaker Marvin Welch to create a series of films that introduced my gallery to Orlando and showed them what my overall goal was.

My wish was to create a gallery that was attractive to young people, as well as a place that was available to and representative of all artists, regardless of their sex or gender. Mills Gallery became a pioneer project for gender equality in the Orlando arts, and we strive to exhibit an equal amount of female and male artists annually.

In 2019, I decided to bring curator Kyle Eagle on board on a permanent basis. Eagle is one of the important movers and shakers in the Orlando area, and already within a short year Mills Gallery has soared to new heights. As of 2020, we have turned Mills Gallery into two galleries, with the second one, LUMP Gallery, named after the fat little dachshund that was the gallery’s mascot until his passing in August of 2019.

Starting in 2017 I also branched out in other areas of the entertainment world. I, along with my co-host, the artist Marla E, host a web series called KISS MY ART. Marla and I had a podcast called LIVE ARTS that ran for two years as well as a radio segment on the Connections show on IHeart radio. Starting in 2019, Marla and I started doing a live version of our web series at the renowned MAXINE’s ON SHINE restaurant in Orlando.

In late 2019 Kyle Eagle and I began production of a podcast called THE EXPERIENCE WITH CHRIS FIO starring break-out local talent Chris Fioravantti. The podcast premiered in February 2020 with some of the highest ratings ever experienced by its distributing company PFT Media.
Continue Reading Meet Boris Garbe of Mills Gallery / Lump Gallery

I moved to Miami in 2017 after receiving my Master’s in Adjustment Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While I was interviewing for positions as a School Counselor in Miami Dade County Public Schools, I was also working privately for families in the greater Miami area as a homework helper, in-home mentor, and guidance figure, especially for young boys [of color] without a “big brother” figure. Simultaneously, I was always aware of the unfavorable average ratio of students to school counselors in most Florida public schools. I think the most recent number I can recall is 462 to 1.

One day while I was working privately for a family in December of 2018, I actually suffered two seizures in less than five minutes for no apparent reason. This was my first-occurring seizure, and the cause of the incident is still unknown to this day (the doctors told me I was severely dehydrated). I have recovered well, and I have been seizure-free since. At the beginning of 2019, I had a lot of time to envision the future I wanted for myself and the legacy I would ultimately leave behind, especially for the children of the next generation.

I began to think about ways to apply my skills and my passion for educating youth in our community. I was frustrated with the lack of extended support for students, not only in schools but also beyond the educational institutions themselves. I also wanted to support other educators who might be in a similar position—it’s not easy for everyone to live comfortably in Miami. I sought to provide a platform for fellow educators and students or alumni in the fields of psychology, human development, and related fields to be supported through this structured after-school program. Now through our nonprofit, Ivy Island Communities, we are providing additional sources of part-time financial support for diverse people looking to teach and mentor youth in our community.

In January 2020, we officially launched our beta test program of the parallel yet totally separate for-profit organization Ivy Island Educators, LLC, with one educator currently serving the community—me (Harlen Shangold). We plan to additionally onboard educators to accommodate the increasingly apparent needs in the greater Miami community. Upon gaining approval of 501c3 status, we will launch a pilot program for Ivy Island Communities, Inc. Our nonprofit will enable us to help as many families as possible. Continue Reading Meet Harlen Shangold of Ivy Island Educators & Ivy Island Communities

Since I was in high school, I wanted to own a gym. I loved to exercise and learn as much as possible about human physiology. I ran a gym after college which led me to business school. Through business school, I came to realize there are limitless opportunities in the world so I took on a few new career and personal challenges. I started a new career path at Carnival Cruise Line and met my wife-to-be within a week of each other. I also tried out for American Ninja Warrior a few weeks later. I failed HORRIBLY on the first obstacle (bounding steps). I swore it wouldn’t happen again so I went searching for a gym that could help and found Adrian Gonzalez and the Miami Freerunning & Parkour Academy (MFR). I fell in love with Parkour and Freerunning. Adrian and I become good friends, and when he decided to move to Colorado my wife and I decided to buy the gym. It has been a life changer to say the least. Continue Reading Meet Christopher Torres of Miami Freerunning & Parkour Academy

Officially, Midnight Kahuna began as an idea in 2007, to bring exotic lounge music to Miami which would incorporate world rhythms and play small clubs. It was the brainchild of Rick Canut, main songwriter, keyboardist, and rhythm guitarist and Chris Castellanos, bass player. Rick and Chris had been playing live music in and around Miami since the early 1990’s in a variety of different cover and original bands. They got together in 1999, and played all over South Florida as the Canute band releasing one album, “Canute, Alive From East Drive”. This album included the small Tropical Rock internet radio gem, “Bearded Wonder From Down Under”. The band would become a staple at the world famous bar and club, Tobacco Road. There they developed a loyal following which would keep turning up time and time again, show after show. Now circa 2002, as the “Canute” band, the boys garnered up the attention of a small label closely associated with Sony Records after an A&R rep heard a couple of new Rock based songs the band was working on but, after some band personnel changes and a gap in live performances, the record label lost interest. The boys lost morale and the Canute band, dissolved. Chris continued to play music in a variety of different bands and Rick walked away from the music scene to start a family.

Fast forward to 2007. It has always been my opinion that you can walk away from any passion for a while but sooner or later, the itch of that passion inside you comes back out and when it does, it is usually stronger than before. Such was the case with Rick. The passion of songwriting never let up and in that period of the five year hiatus, Rick had been writing songs that incorporated styles that borrowed from every music genre. In a chance encounter with Chris, both musicians talked about the urge of getting back together and playing some shows. They both wanted it to be different and not the loud Rock shows they had become accustomed playing prior to their split five years earlier. They wanted something more relaxed with exotic synth based rhythms and conga drums. They wanted a new name and identity, something exotic and mysterious that would go well with the new musical direction they were planning. Something Hawaiian. Midnight Kahuna was born. They would play shows at midnight and they would be like wizards with the music they would play. A kahuna is like a Hawaiian wizard or sorcerer. Instead of beckoning the sounds of Sting, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Jimmy Buffett, or Bob Marley, they would beckon instead the sounds of Martin Denny and Les Baxter. It would be something the likes South florida had never seen before, or so they imagined.

This musical venture lasted for just one show for when they hit the stage at Tobacco Road for their triumphant return, they found their loyal base of fans had also returned, but, they wanted to hear the catchy original songs of the Canute band. They liked the new reggae and world rhythms but they also longed for the Rock that was energetic and fun. Rick and Chris found themselves playing those songs again to an overwhelming success. The idea of the lounge act was thrown out but the name, Midnight Kahuna, should stay. Everyone loved it and it could easily be branded.

Since 2007, Midnight Kahuna has played many venues and music festivals across South Florida as far south as Islamorada in the Florida Keys to as far north as Salt Springs in between Gainesville and Daytona Beach. They have graced beautiful stages the likes of the Hard Rock Cafes and not so beautiful stages the likes of those best not to be mentioned. They have had personnel changes over the years but the main players, Rick Canut (Songwriter, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, and Keyboardist), Chris Castellanos (Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals), Johnny Hutt (Sax, Flute, Hammond), and Carlos Fernandez (Lead Guitar), have remained constant over the last ten years.
The songs of Midnight Kahuna are about life. Sometimes funny. Sometimes serious. They are songs about love and loss. They are songs about politics. They are songs about having children. They are songs about being wild and free. They are songs about being young and they are songs about getting older. They incorporate the tropical sounds that permeate South Florida. The reggae, the calypso, the latin rhythms. The songs also incorporate the nitty gritty of the rock and the heat of the streets of Miami and Hialeah. Sometimes they beckon the sounds of old country Florida. Sometimes they beckon the sounds of jazz infused rock with a world beat. They are songs that have apparently hit a chord with a great following that the band enjoys seeing show after show. Midnight Kahuna doesn’t play covers anymore like they used to in the early days. They don’t have to. They’re songs get regular airplay on many internet radio stations all over the world. Their fans expect and want to hear their favorite Kahuna songs at the shows. The know them and they sing along.

In the ever changing world that is the music industry and in South Florida where DeeJays rule over real live musicians, Midnight Kahuna has been successful in establishing themselves as a band with a brand and a wonderful following of loyal fans which lovingly enough, call themselves Kahunuts. The fans are part of the Midnight Kahuna mystique. They go to all the shows. They act in the Midnight Kahuna music videos. They are living and loving, which is the Midnight Kahuna mantra.

What does the future have in store for Midnight Kahuna? As Jim Morrison once stated, “The future is uncertain and the end is always near.” We don’t know what the future will bring but as of right now, the future seems very bright for Midnight Kahuna. They are more popular than ever with a huge presence on internet radio and music videos on youtube. Their brand is growing with more and more fans joining the ranks and more and more sales at live shows which means more and more orders for inventory. If you include the Canute album of “Alive From East Drive”, they have released five albums and one EP with the latest album released on Christmas Day in 2019, called “Rock-N-Rolla”. Music videos are planned to be released for every song that is released as singles to the radio stations and live shows are coming to support those releases. Life is good right now in the time of Corona for Midnight Kahun and there seems to be no reason why that should change anytime soon. They are riding a wave that started back around ten years ago and for the time being, the wave doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Midnight Kahuna album releases:

Canute, Alive From East Drive, 1999
Howl at the Moon, EP, 2010
Threshold, 2012
Brave New World, 2015
My Tribe, 2017
Rock-N-Rolla, released in 2019

Midnight Kahuna awards and recognition of note:

Regional finalists in Hard Rock Rising 2012

Gold Record of Recognition presented to Midnight Kahuna in 2013 for their music and their role in
“Imagine there’s no hunger” campaign. 2013

The AG News Prize for “Americana Male Singer of XXI Century 2019” 2019

Midnight Kahuna top requested songs:

Howl at the Moon
Jackie Star
Alive
Brave New World
These Dreams
Saving The World One Beer At A Time
Kokopelli
Mr. Rock and Roll
Ride The Donkey
Bearded Wonder From Down Under

Thanks
-Rick Canut
Midnight Kahuna
World Music with a Rock edge
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEVUYSs5kWv5XkO6Mx47FJw?view_as=subscriber
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/MidnightKahuna
https://play.spotify.com/artist/35GEApucWjwMtN4T4nB1KI
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-tribe/id1253802866
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/canute-alive-from-east-drive/id1192772761
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brave-new-world/id986619902
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/threshold/id986623051
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=Midnight+Kahuna
www.reverbnation.com/midnightkahuna
https://www.facebook.com/Midnight-Kahuna-234143789941468/?ref=br_rs
https://twitter.com/Midnightkahuna
https://www.instagram.com/midnightkahuna
http://www.jango.com/music/Midnight+Kahuna?l=0
https://soundcloud.com/midnightkahuna

Whiskey In The Jar (2020 Re-Boot)
https://youtu.be/KW5SPnyaL24

Once The Beauty, Now The Beast
https://youtu.be/TT9SIAf3NtA

See You Again
https://youtu.be/ld8fGoiboUs

Brother Sun, Sister Moon
https://youtu.be/uyYIIj91D5A

Never Been So In Love
https://youtu.be/tK-2B_-rDmg

Alive
https://youtu.be/Qznnc87PDFk

Brave New World
https://youtu.be/bvZRTuTAqS4

Ride The Donkey
https://youtu.be/KZVupkLYUTk

Kokopelli
https://youtu.be/YnwmF6kqGu8

Easy and Cheap
https://youtu.be/UZl_NZl1ojA

Break It To Me Gently
https://youtu.be/PD0XckZx1nc

Howl at the Moon
https://youtu.be/uefKhSJaOCA

Saving the World One Beer at a Time
https://youtu.be/3uezPITJA3w

God Bless This Land
https://youtu.be/FTZuTyXpAfc

Strange Days
https://youtu.be/Wu3kPEtv3Ww

Mr. Rock and Roll
https://youtu.be/63eu2YnpCYY

Bearded Wonder From Down Under
https://youtu.be/y1e_GAmO2SQ

Diamond
https://youtu.be/AC29pv6-VrQ

Jackie Star
https://youtu.be/gGNuA3lNm7A

If Ever You Should Fall
https://youtu.be/2kLW712sQZc

Whiskey In The Jar by Midnight Kahuna video link:
https://youtu.be/0b4ij0g3AcM

A Little Distance by Midnight Kahuna video link:
https://youtu.be/ipXS-0-6qew

These Dreams by Midnight Kahuna video link:
https://youtu.be/yvRQXVRWSzU

Tarzan and Kalimba by Midnight Kahuna video link:
https://youtu.be/B-xKUz_cfXI

KCEG Interview
https://youtu.be/6J0fU21W-I8

RPK
http://www.reverbnation.com/rpk/midnightkahuna
Continue Reading Meet Rick Canut of Midnight Kahuna