STEM Events' Master Florist Anabelle Barranco Runs like a Lola!

Following is our Master Florist Anabelle Barranco's interview with Primera Hora Newspaper's Lola Supplement, published last December. Hope you like it!

Follow this link: http://www.primerahora.com/apuestaalaoriginalidad-739772.html

SANSE 2013; What you didn’t see!

“Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián” in Old San Juan had their origin around 1950’s to commemorate Saint Sebastián, a martyr that gave his life for the Christian faith. Sebastián was a synonym of Honorable, Dignity and Respect. He was persecuted, condemned and killed for providing supplies and relief to incarcerated Christians and believers. Throughout the years this cultural event has evolved as to be considered the closing party of the Puerto Rico Christmas Holidays. "Las Fiestas" are Puerto Rican folklore at its highest expression. Music, artisans, food and people get mixed  in a complete excess - an amateur Carnival with yet no set time to explode. 

Following are some pictures of our view of “Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián 2013” or “SANSE 2013”. Just see the pictures, close your eyes, hear the people, the music and smell the Roses. This is what you didn't see!

Grace, visiting from Connecticut, lived in Old San Juan for 30 years.

St. Germain Cafe & Bistro, 156 Sol St. Old San Juan

Graffito: Urban Myth, Part 2 - Self Expression

Graffiti has been around us for million of years. As historians have documented, cave men drew illustrations on cave walls to tell stories, document their lives and save their history for future generations. Romans wrote on the walls of building of the cities they conquered. Today, Graffiti is view differently by contradicting factions; some that view, or lets say, perceived the Graffiti as a series of obscenities and unimportant drawings written or drew by louts, others as an artistic SELF-EXPRESSION made by the Writer of the Graffiti.

The beginning of what we currently know as Graffiti can be traced back to New York on the turn of the 60’s and 70’s. It began as the writing of names or nicknames on the walls of buildings and other places, particularly the Subway. Know as Single Hitting, Tagging.  The owners of the signatures become heroes gaining followers and organizing in different groups each following a style.

Later when the spray paint was invented, the Graffiti evolved and became more popular, new forms of graphics, including drawings, were used becoming a new form of Graffiti called a Piece, a short version of a WORD MASTERPIECE.

Following a few photos:

Wall at the left side of an Abandoned Building located at 363 De Diego St., Santurce 

Abandoned Building located at 363 De Diego St., Santurce

Aldea St. corme Canal St. (Vacant New Building)

Abandoned Building located between 1431 Ponce de León St. and the Centro de Bellas Artes, Santurce 

Sources:

A Brief History of Graffiti, HubPages.com

The History of Graffiti, library.thinkquest.org

Articles-The History of Graffiti-Writing, hiphop-network.com

STEM the Party!

During this Christmas Season we decided to throw 2 parties in our home for our friends. Our vision of what a party or an event should be was put into practice right away. There are 5 steps that need to be followed at the time of throwing an event:

1. Set your expectations. Clearly establish what you want to accomplish with the event. 
2. Personalized the event, here comes the mix and match. You need to be aware that you may have a lot of friends, but not all your friends are alike. Different people means different styles in term of food, music, age, etc. Sometimes is better to create different gatherings than to throw 1 huge party for all people you know. 
3. Look for the venue. Sometimes when looking for a venue, the most interesting places tend to be overlooked. Places like your home, your terrace and your patio are spaces that can be easily decorated for the event. Re-arranging of furniture may be necessary, the best thing is that the venue evoke your personality.
4. Decór: an event decór is not as easy as you think. The rental of event furniture, if not carefully selected may create an unbalanced atmosphere and may result in an unwanted distraction for your guests.  Sometimes following event decór trends is not recommended, for example you may only need 1 fabulous flower arrangement.
5. Be yourself! 

Following is our Mission Accomplish photo (phrases written by our guests during our 2 Christmas parties):