One of the things I feel is very important in the artistic community is help highlight other talented artists, writers and musicians out there fighting the good fight.  This page is to help do that.  It will no doubt grow over time. 

Linda La Porte    
New York City singer/songwriter.  Amazingly talented.  I should know.  I played in a band with her for 7 years!  I am still playing with her now!  She is going to turn heads very soon.  Her new work challanges the typical singer/songwriter genre with it's unique song structures and time signiatures.  Her guitar work goes way beyond the typical three chord formula to offer a very original sound that is truly her own.  Trust me on this.     

Laura Joy Lustig
New York City photographer/painter/poet.  Laura's work is simply amazing.  She is also a very talented poet with a number of chapbooks and publications to her credit.  Her artwork has appeared in numerous galleries throughout New York City and beyond.  Truly gifted and original. 

Chio Flores
Peruvian artist now living in New York City.  Painter/performance artist.  I don't know Chio personally.  I first came across her work at El Museo del Barrio's "[S] Files" last year and further investigated her work.   

Coco Martin
Peruvian photographer now living in Virginia.  I met Coco through a friend of mine.  A good guy with a lot of talent.    

Swati
New York City singer/songwriter.  Very original performer who offers something truly different.  Linda and I saw her perform at Arlene's Grocery and we were simply blown away.  You will hear about her in the future.  That much I'm sure of.    

Veronica Caicedo
Head of a production company that showcases Latino/Latina playwrights and filmmakers.  I first learned about Veronica Caicedo and her production company about 8 years ago through an article in the New York Daily News.  I think she has the right attitude and her prodcution company has since been involved in many projects.  The epitome of the DIY ethic and giving a chance to many aspiring playwrights.   

Dalia Nostratabadi
Painter currently living and working in Belgium.  I dont know her personally.  I came across her work in a coffee shop that I used to frequent nearly every morning a couple of years ago before the realities of New York City real estate forced its closure.  Very talented and original and I am eagerly looking forward to another exhibit here in New York City sometime in the future.  I got my fingers crossed.    

Irmabelle Rivera
Irmabelle Rivera.  Brooklyn born painter currently living and working in California.  Another artist who I don't know personally.  I came across her work by accident while surfing the web.  It's definitely worth a look.   

Moorish Girl
A writer who I have not read yet but she has a very interesting and informative blog about things literary and beyond. 

Bea Ba
New York City Latin rock band.  Bea Ba is fronted by singer Bea Connena who appeared on a Bitterweed track called "Estas Aca?"  Bea Ba is her band.  They currently have a CD available and she is also working on material with Linda La Porte.  Check it out.      

Leah Seigal
New York City singer/songwriter.   A very talented songwriter.  I saw her for the first time at The Living Room in New York City.  She's definitely starting to make some waves.   

Jessica Carmen
New York City musician with her hand in a lot of different pies, often playing bass in any number of New York City rock bands.  Her current band is Alcoholic Warhol.  She also is a photographer.    

Ms. Divine
An absolutely insane sketch comedy show on Queens Public Access.  One who definitely follows her own muse!  I happened to catch her show by chance one day.  After seeing it, you just have to keep going back.  It's definitely something different.  She performs all the characters herself.  She films and edits the show herself.  It is truly a one woman show in the literal sense.    

Dawn Eden
Music writer Dawn Eden whose blog deals mainly with Christian themes these days.  I knew Dawn a number of years ago when I was in Third Eye Butterfly.  I haven't seen her or spoken to her in many years but her site is definitely worth a look.  Even though I may disagree with her on many issues, I nevertheless respect her willingness to stand up for what she believes in (something a lot of people are afraid to do these days).  Besides, she is probably one of the most knowledgeable people about music that I had ever known (I kid you not!) She truly is a wonderful person.  She currently as a book available, "The Thrill Of The Chaste". 

Glenda Santiago
While bumming around Luquillo, Puerto Rico, I came across Glenda's paintings in an art gallery and was very taken by her work.  They are definitely worth a look.  Very expressionistic.

Michela Musolino
A singer who records traditional Sicilian folk songs.  I came across her music while doing research about Sicilian history for a writing project I was working on.  I found the music very interesting because it has elements of all the peoples and cultures that had once passed through the small Italian island over the centuries.  It is a very interesting listen and she does it very well.  

Sussan Deyhim
Sussan Deyhim is a composer, vocalist and performance artist who has been at the forefront of experimental music internationally for over two decades. Deyhim's music combines extended vocal techniques, digital processing, and the ancient mysticism of Middle Eastern music to create a deeply moving fusion of East and West.  I first heard her music while browsing the "World Music" section in Tower Records.  I bought her CD "Madman of God" which is truly beautiful.  It was one of those chance findings that lead to a truly memorable musical experience.  Do yourself a favor and definitely check her out. 
 
www.esflamenco.com 
Over the past year or so I've really begun to get into Flamenco, particularly the guitarists.  This site is all things flamenco, with info about classic performers as well as contemporary performers.  If you are interested in this type of music or would love to know more about it, this site can't be beat.  Extremely informative with bios, music clips, etc.  Search for singers Montse Cortes and Estrella Morente, two contemporary singers that won't disappoint. 
 
Diogenes Ballister
Check out Puerto Rican artist Diogenes Ballester. A wonderful painter whose work I look forward to seeing a lot more of. Once I find a specific website of his work, I will note it here. In the meantime, I highly recommend seeking him out. He is amazing.

Jennifer Vazquez 
A singer/songwriter now based out in California, though she was born and raised in the Bronx.  I knew Jennifer very briefly about a decade ago when she was a frequent perfomer at The Vault in Queens, NY.  I think she may have just been starting out then, but I'm not too sure.  She's come a very very long way since then and I am very happy to see that she has succeeded in a big way.  She has developed into a very fine and mature songwriter and has achieved a hell of a lot over the past 10 years.  

Chloe S. Georas
Chloe S. Georas is a wonderful and very talented poet from Puerto Rico.  Her website showcases her excellent poetry collection "Rediviva = Lost in Trance-lations".  Her writing is truly inventive and her book is truly a work of art on many different levels.  I highly recommend you check it out. 
 
Yasmine Hernandez
A painter who I happened to come across on-line recently.  I don't know her but I really do love her paintings.  Her paintings, according to the artist, "challenge notions of U.S. iconography, rejecting racist and elitist images that intend to eclipse my own history and its heroes.".  Definitely worth a look.
 
Putamayo
A world music label that offers a wide variety of different forms and styles from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and beyond.  If you are looking for interesting music from around the world, these compliation CDs are definitely worth checking out.  The website allows one to download pieces of music from all their releases as well.  An excellent site for those interested in exploring the vast musical terrain.  

Coralie Clement
A French singer that is a must hear.  I only heard of her recently and that was by chance.  Her site is completely in French so if you don't speak French it's hard to get any information about her but at the very least you can hear her music and find out about her releases.  Personally, I really love her voice and her style.  Definitely worth checking out. 
 
Bebel Gilberto
Put simply: a singer I absolutely adore.  This is her official website.  Do yourself a favor and check out her music.  Classy, sophisticated and the perfect antidote to all the "Britneys" out there.

Nini Baseema
A dancer from Germany (and very beautiful, I may add) who I happened to stumble upon while seeking out some Flamenco musicians on My Space.  Her blog is very interesting with regard to Middle Eastern music and instruments.  A fascinating read.  Being that a lot, if not all, Flamenco music is derived from Middle Eastern music, particularly Arabic, anyone interested should have a look at this.  A lot of other cultural information as well.  She is also a wonderful photographer.   

Adem Tesfaye
An excellent singer/songwriter from New York City (by way of Madison WI) who's amalgam of Soul, R&B and Hip Hop should definitely get your attention.  Check out his music here and if you are in the New York City area whenever he plays, by all means, go see him live. 

Angela Gonzales
An amazing New York City painter. 

Frank Gonzales
Angela Gonzales' husband and amazing NYC artist as well.