Get a glimpse of what the inaugural Taste of Rum Festival in Old San Juan had to offer: good food, lively music, great people, and the finest rums in the Caribbean. Also included are some awesome pictures from the High Flair Bartender Entertainment stage. Get started by clicking on the EyeCandy gallery below! To learn more about rum in Puerto Rico click here. To learn more about the Taste of Rum event click here.

EyeTour.com is one of the media sponsors for the inaugural edition of the Taste of Rum International Rum & Food Festival to be held next Sunday May 24th, 2009 at El Paseo de la Princesa in Old San Juan.  Join us for a day of Caribbean music, culinary treats, and of course, the best rums in the world!  Prepare for the event by reading our featured article on Puerto Rican rum here.  We’ll be covering the event and will feature it on an EyeCandy Photo Gallery update on our blog soon after, so check back for updates!

Some information from the event website:

Location: Paseo La Princesa, Viejo San Juan
Date: Memorial Day Weekend, May 24th, 2009

Taste of Rum 2009 features a chance to experience a wide variety of Caribbean rums, great food from our neighboring islands, live music, and, last but not least, a feast of Puerto Rican joyful energy, culinary and musical richness, and culture!

The Puerto Rico International Rum Competition
Features the unique experience of rum tasting with international and local rums, to be judged by a panel of rum experts and celebrities. The event will be held May 23rd & 24th at Hotel Casa Herencia.

Day Event: Doors Open 12pm – Closed @ 5pm (Tickets will be available until 4pm)

• Sampling Cover Charge $10.00 Plus Tax. / Includes 2 Rum Samples & 1 Typical Food Sample Tickets
• Premium Cover Charge $30.00 Plus Tax. / Includes 14 Rum Sample Tickets & 6 Typical Food Sample Tickets

Night Event: Doors Open 7pm – Closed @ 11pm

• El Catador Cover Charge $45.00 Plus Tax. / Included Unlimited Rum & Food Sample
• To benefit SAPIENTIS, a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of Puerto Rico’s public education system
• Learn about the organization at www.sapientis.org

Puerto Rico is famous for many things but it is probably best known for producing some of the world’s finest rums.  With that in mind, here’s a brief primer about everything you might want to know about rum (but were afraid to ask) including: cocktails, brands, history and culture.

I’m willing to bet most visitors to Puerto Rico come for the beaches, the weather, the historical sites and the natural wonders.  But in the back of their minds they’re probably thinking “Hmm, I’ve heard they make some good rum down there on the island.  I think I’ll try some when I’m there”.  So, even though they don’t come exclusively FOR the spirit, it’s undoubtedly a persuasive attraction.  And, really, who can blame them.  Puerto Ricans do not take it for granted that they live on an island that produces high-quality product, we consume it without prejudice.  It’s not a stretch to consider it an intrinsic part of our culture - and of the Caribbean’s as a whole - as much as wine is part of the French way of life, or vodka in Eastern Europe.  Rum serves as a link to our past, both the mythical and the real; from the decks of pirate ships to the sugarcane fields of the centrales azucareras.

Although antecedents of rum production can be traced back to centuries before the European arrival into the New World, the beginnings of what we now know as rum are a direct effect of the colonization process of the Americas.  The world-wide demand for sugar led to an expansion of the mono-culture of sugarcane all along the Caribbean islands and places like Brazil.  Molasses, the by-product from the refinement of sugar, was so readily available it began to be fermented and distilled; thus, rum was born.  Cheap and intoxicating, the spirit’s appeal was widespread, and what was once boot-legged and illegal became a money-making venture.  By mid-19th century, the Bacardi company and the Serralles family were already producing high-quality rum and continue to do so to this day.  If you find yourself in the southern city of Ponce, be sure to check out Castillo Serralles - a 20th century mansion that was the family home and now serves as a museum and cultural landmark.

Museo Castillo Serrallés

So, now you know a bit about rum’s origins, it’s history. Now, you want to try some.  The two most popular rums are made on the island:  Bacardi - the world leader in rum sales - has a plant in the city of Cataño, just across the bay from Old San Juan, that gives guests regular tours of the facilities (trust me, it’s a nice day trip if you can squeeze it into your schedule).  In Old San Juan you can find Casa Don Q, a museum dedicated to the Serralles family and its flagship product, Ron Don Q - the island’s top-selling rum.  Also, the Rums of Puerto Rico Tasting Bar, located in the same building, offers visitors a chance to try several cocktails made from the wide variety of products available. Try any combination of drinks from Cuba Libre, Piña Colada, Daiquiris, Mojitos and anything else you can think of, don’t be shy, the first drink is complimentary and it’s a fine way to learn what to order whenever you go to another bar.  Though Bacardi and Don Q are the most popular potent potables, they are by no means the only ones available: Ron Barrilito (in two or three star varieties) is a classic gold rum perfect for sipping on the rocks or with a mixer, Palo Viejo and Ron Llave are also popular options.

Festivals, such as the Taste of Rum inaugural festival and competition, are a perfect way of relishing the pleasures of rum to the maximum.  The Taste of Rum will be held during Memorial Day weekend at Paseo La Princesa in Old San Juan and is a unique chance to experience everything the island has to offer: great food, great crowds, and, of course, great rum.

To read up on this year’s Saborea Puerto Rico culinary event, click here.

After last year’s resounding success, Saborea Puerto Rico returns for a second helping as the Caribbean’s premiere culinary event.  The three-day festival runs from Friday, April 3rd through Sunday, April 5th - at El Escambrón Beach near Old San Juan - and promises an extravagant gastronomic experience to delight even the most meticulous food enthusiast.   The festivities commence on Friday night with the Rums Of Puerto Rico Beach Soireé, a can’t-miss bash featuring an amazing assortment of cocktails and a menu created by chefs Bradford Thompson and Mario Ferro.

The Saborea Puerto Rico Village opens Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm and encompasses the main activities within the event.  At Al Euro Demo Kitchen Theatre, renowned local and international chefs will delight onlookers with cooking presentations.  Among the personalities participating in the event are: Iron Chef Cat Cora, Executive Chef of Bon Appétit magazine; Michael Psilakis, Best New Chef of 2008 for Food & Wine magazine; world-famous chocolatier Jacques Torres, and acclaimed Puerto Rican chef, Wilo Benet.  To see who else will be presenting, click here.

Tastings, seminars and other demonstrations are spread out across two pavilions, where foodies will get a chance to try dishes and sample a wide variety of wines and spirits from some of Puerto Rico’s finest dining places.  Some of the establishments showcasing the flavors of Caribbean and World cuisine include Ajili-Mojili, Trois Cent Onze (311), Morton’s @ Caribe Hilton, Old Harbor Brewery, and many others.  For a complete list of restaurants and exhibitors, click here.

Not to be left out, the Saborea Kid’s Pavilion offers youngsters the opportunity to learn simple and fun recipes through cooking demonstrations and other exhibitions.

With the abundance of activities, a picturesque setting and the exquisite flavors of the cuisine, events such as Saborea are quickly making Puerto Rico the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean.

This year the Festival Claridad celebrated its XXXV anniversary with the salsa sounds of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.   The celebration took place at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium’s parking lot area and lasted from Thursday February 26, 2009 through the whole weekend.  El Gran Combo took the stage on the first night and wowed the crowd with their best known hits.  For more information about the Festival Claridad, click here.

Each year the Festival Claridad brings out the crowds for a weekend celebration of Puerto Rican identity full of music, arts & crafts, food, and drink.  This year was no exception as you’ll find in the gallery below.  See you next year!  For more information about the Festival Claridad, click here.

Friday February 27, 2009

Fitness Festival – Roberto Clemente Coliseum
Runner’s kit pick up
Runner’s Kit Pick-Up
Sports & Health Expo
San Juan Sports Festival

Saturday February 28, 2009

Fitness Festival – Roberto Clemente Coliseum
Runner’s Kit Pick-Up
Sports & Health Expo
Exercises
Special Olympics

Sunday March 1, 2009

Duathlon over the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge
Chalk Drawing Contest
Westernkids Mini Race
Wheelchair Race 
World’s Best 10K

To read more about the event, click here.

For information about the Festival Claridad, click here. For directions, start

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Thursday, February 26

(from 7:00 pm)

Main Stage / Tarima Claridad

Héctor Giovanni y su Orquesta
Caribe Gitano
Andrés Jiménez
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
Plenasón

Second Stage / Tarima Estrella (starts at 4pm)

Graffitti 
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm - Live Transmission Fuego cruzado
Sal de tu duda with Luz Nereida Pérez (Mariana Editores)
Book Reading and Signing: Sexo y cura/Carnada de cangrejo by Rafah Acevedo (Editorial Isla Negra)
Performance: El dragón de la playa by Héctor Iván Monclova (Isla Negra)
Book Reading: Breve estadía en el cuerpo by Iván Figueroa Luciano (Isla Negra)
Presentation and Signing: Ensayos para la terraza by Daniel Nina (Isla Negra).
9:30 pm - Rap (Absoluto independiente, Desde el campo , and others)
10:00 pm - Sábana Negra

Friday, February 27

(from 6:00 pm)

Main Stage / Tarima Claridad

Antonio Cabán Vale, El Topo
Andy Montañez y su Orquesta
Plena Libre
Roy Brown
Sammy García y El Sabor de Puerto Rico

Second Stage / Tarima Estrella (starts at 4pm)

4:45 pm - Live Transmission Fuego cruzado
7:00 pm - Kids Happy hour by Tres Monjitas & visit by the Capitán, the Coop. Zeno Gandía mascot
7:30 pm - Child violinists, Conservatorio de Música de P.R.’s Suzuki Program
8:00 pm - Ojo: fábulas cautivas (fragment), Teatro Rodante de la UPR (Rosa Luisa Márquez)
8:30 pm - Salsa Dance lesson with José Iván Carrasquillo
9:30 pm - Guanajibo (Reggae)

Saturday, February 28

(from 2:00 pm)

Main Stage / Tarima Claridad

Child Trovadores Presentation
Peton Place Blues Criollo with Silverio, Sunshine, and Edwin Colón Zayas
Trovadores Meet-Up
El Espectáculo de Chabela
Orquesta La Exclusiva
Haciendo Punto en Otro Son
Así Somos
Orquesta La Experimental
Fiel a la Vega (Rock)

Second Stage / Tarima Estrella

6:00 pm - Bombaeróbicos (Bomba-aerobics) with Elia Cortés and Taller Tamboricua
7:30 pm - Stage play: ¡Qué tostón! - Jóvenes del 98′
8:00 pm - Alí Tapia, Ivania Zayas y el rumbero Vainilla
9:00 pm - Noche de musarañas

Sunday, March 1

(from 1:00 pm)

Main Stage / Tarima Claridad

Plenazo Claridad
Mapeyé
Plenéalo
Tata Cepeda y Gracimá
Atabal
Tacuafán
Julito Alvarado y del Sur al Norte

Second Stage / Tarima Estrella

12:00 pm - Masks Workshop with Lowell Fiet
2:00 pm - Pau, el defensor de la paz - Jóvenes del 98′
2:30 pm - Book Reading with author Tina Casanova
3:00 pm - Ludmilia - Deborah Hunt
3:30 pm - El girasol - Agua, sol y sereno
4:00 pm - Bomba Workshop with Tata Cepeda and the School of Bomba & Plena
5:00 pm - Historia de arroz con habichuelas - Andanza 
6:00 pm - ¡Che! Kes-ke Ce? (humorous) - Compañía M + M
6:30 pm - Grupo Trabuco y Dulce de coco

For event itinerary, click here.

The 35th edition of the Festival Claridad kicks off this Thursday, February 26, 2009 at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium parking lot in San Juan.  A 4-day celebration of Puerto Rican national identity, the festival is organized every year by local pro-independence newspaper, Claridad, and is to many the first major cultural event on the island after its prolonged (and renowned) holiday season.  This year’s festivities are dedicated to the world’s preeminent salsa group, one of the island’s most beloved musical acts, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.  The party starts Thursday night with the honored guests taking the main stage to deliver the beloved sounds of their signature salsa gorda.

Needless to say, lots of dancing is expected - so brush up on those dance steps and salsa moves!  (Here are the basic steps to get you started, and some dazzling ones to get you pumped up and in the mood.)  Don’t let those latin rhythms intimidate you - the idea is to have fun, enjoy yourself, and learn some new steps from the more experienced crowd.

The weekend’s musical acts include local favorites like folk singer-songwriter Roy Brown, rock group Fiel a la Vega, salsa legend Andy Montañez, and traditional bomba y plena groups like Plena Libre - all sure to attract big crowds.  A second stage features book readings, theatre troupes, and comedy shows.  Saturday’s  Copa Claridad singing contest pits fellow trovadores or troubadours against one another, in a display of each’s unique style, wit, and compositional skills, as they rhyme verses in the traditional form know as the décima.

The festival is also known for the plethora of kiosks, tarps, and booths that cover the surrounding areas of the Hiram Bithorn Stadium lot, highlighting the work of local artisans and artists who travel from all over Puerto Rico to proudly display and sell their products here.  You can expect to find anything from t-shirts and lithographs, to hand-crafted jewelry and sculptures.  Hand-rolled cigars are also quite popular.  The stadium is conveniently located next to PR-22, and its two main entrances - one through Franklin Roosevelt Ave. in front of the Plaza Las Americas shopping center, the other on Domenech Ave. - are both an exit away from the expressway. (

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The Festival Claridad begins on Thursday, February 26 and runs through Sunday, March 1.  A $5 dollar donation is requested at the gates.