Duran Concepts

October 13, 2018October 31, 2018

Central American Happy Hour

What a night! For the first time ever in Houston, young professionals, business owners and community leaders of Central American descent gathered to celebrate their culture & art at the Central American Happy Hour.

The evening marked the kickoff of the Central American Collective (CAC), an initiative that celebrates and advocates Central American culture, art and it’s people. According to the Migration Policy Institute, in 2015 there were approximately 3.4 million Central Americans residing in the US and 213,000 of them in the Greater Houston Area. CAC’s goal is to highlight, connect and support the Central American community – artists, businesses & individuals.

The Central American Collective platform will work to facilitate funding & resources for projects by Central Americans and/or that showcase our experience.

Guests networked to the beats of 104FM KRBE’s DJ Noel On The Mix, and house DJ at Anclamar’s W. Reception Hall, while enjoying lite bites catered by Little Casita Restaurant featuring the bold flavors of Central American cuisine.

The Happy Hour featured special guest, Javier Kafie, the filmmaker of the Salvadoran film Cuatro Puntos Cardinales, who extended a special invitation to everyone to the film screening on Monday at the Holocaust Museum Houston.

Other notable guests included Consul Nancy Guevara, Consulate General of El Salvador; Judge Esmeralda Pena Garcia; Percy Pelaez, President of the C á mara de Comercio Centro Americana; and Andres Guevara, President of the Consejo de Comunidades Salvadore ñ as de Houston.

This celebration took place thanks to the generous support from all of our sponsors: Toros Lifestyle Soccer – Arts District | Anclamar’s W. Reception Hall A,B,C | The Law Office of Edwin E. Reyes, PLLC | Duran Concepts | Atlantida Connect

Official event photographer Carolyn Marie Photography
Social media coverage by Leticia Hernandez

The following photographs are by

October 12, 2018October 24, 2018

Welcome Filmmaker Javier Kafie

On Thursday, October 11, 2018, the Consejo de Comunidades Salvadoreñas en Houston (Council of Salvadoran Communities in Houston) welcomed Central Americann filmmaker Javier Kafie to Houston during their special meeting held at Agente Atlantida USA. The occasion served as an opportunity for Javier to meet the leaders of the various Salvadoran communities and organizations that make up the council and showcase his film Cuatro Puntos Cardinales . The meeting marks a significant milestone for the Salvadoran community in Houston, one fo the largest Central American groups in the Houston Metropolitan area.

The film depicts the art, culture, and people of El Salvador bringing to the light the natural beauty of the country.

Everyone enjoyed an evening filled with music, delicious Honduran food catered by Honduras Maya Restaurant and prizes raffled by the event sponsor, Agente Atlantida USA.

September 18, 2018October 24, 2018

The Central American Collective

We have launched the Central American Collective, an initiative that celebrates and advocates Central American culture, art and it’s people.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, in 2015 there were approximately 3.4 million Central Americans residing in the US and 213,000 of them in the Greater Houston Area. Our goal is to highlight, connect and support the Central American community – artists, businesses & individuals.

The Central American Collective platform will work to facilitate funding & resources for projects by Central Americans and/or that showcase our experience.

We will be kicking off this initiative on October 12 at the first ever Central American Happy Hour taking place at Toros Lifestyle Soccer – Arts District.

The celebration will continue over the weekend at multiple events and culminate on Monday, October 15th at the Special Screening of Cuatro Puntos Cardinales at the Holocaust Museum Houston.

The film’s director, Javier Kafie, is traveling in from El Salvador to be in attendance for a special Q&A immediately following the film. Arrive early for a small reception catered by Little Casita Mexican Restaurant, a Salvadoran owned business in SouthWest Houston.

This documentary that aspires to portray four moving stories from northern, southern, eastern and western parts of El Salvador. This film showcases the cultural, social, and ecological diversity of the Central American region after the Salvadoran Civil War – distancing itself from media discourses characteristic of the region often monopolized by violence. From communities near the sea where surf is practiced up to coffee fields, from former guerrilla zones all the way to craft towns.

Follow the Central American Collective on these social media platforms and stay tuned for other upcoming events.

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

August 30, 2018March 30, 2019

ArtFutbolHTX @ COPPA

We want to thank everyone for attending ArtFutbolHTX at Coppa Osteria and helping us kick off this new event series that celebrates Soccer Culture in #Houston.

Guests networked and enjoyed Italian fare as they watched Bettiri do a live painting. The piece depicts the rivalry between El Tri (Mexico) and La Celeste (Uruguay) who will have a showdown on September 7th at NRG Stadium. Tickets are still available.

We will continue connecting Houstonians with the beautiful game… more details coming soon!

May 13, 2018June 2, 2018

Road to Russia: art+fashion show

R2R5 — Laura Velasquez, Owner of SoccerChick; Maria Duran of Duran Concepts LLC; Betirri; Lawrence Barajas | photo credit: Espriella Fifi

Road to Russia: art+fashion show was a success! Yesterday over 150 guests filled the Heineken Star Bar at BBVA Compass Stadium for the second installment of the Road to… event series. Visual artist Betirri exhibited selected art pieces from his collection and SoccerChick by Laura Velasquez presented the new Spring 2018 line.

Event partners and supporters included Telemundo Houston, AeroMexico, HTX Sports Creek HTX, Fresco Cafe Italiano and many others.

The event benefited EGMN (El Gato Media Network), a non-profit that provides career development services for underserved students looking to enter media, and guests had the opportunity to contribute by participating in a raffle with prizes thanks to various contributors.

EVENT COVERAGE:

Photo Galleries

Espriella Fifi | Ruben Garza/Maverickshots.com | TheMillennialTV.com

Photo credit: Espriella Fifi

May 11, 2018June 1, 2018

#R2R18 Media Promos

Road to Russia: art+fashion show is a few days away and we have been busy making the rounds at media outlets across the city promoting the event. A special thanks to all of the media supporting our event and helping us spread the word.

Houston Fox 26

Exito Centroamerica

Solo Mujeres – ARTICLE

April 23, 2018June 1, 2018

Announcing Road to Russia: art+fashion show

For Immediate Release

Photos from Road to Canada: art+fashion show in Spring 2015

April 20, 2018June 1, 2018

Rumbo a Rusia: arte+futbol de Betirri

We had an incredible evening at the office of the Consulate General of Mexico supporting our friend, Betirri, for the opening reception of his exhibit Rumbo a Rusia: arte+futbol de Betirri. This special exhibit features pieces from his collection, Futbol Series, and new works of art that he will be taking to Russia this summer.

Consul General Oscar Rodríguez Cabrera, Betirri, Maria Duran | Photo credit: Leticia Hernandez/Duran Concepts

Thank you Consul General Oscar Rodríguez Cabrera for the special recognition Duran Concepts LLC received as one of the event partners. We look forward to continuing to work with the Consulate on community outreach and other special events.

It’s exciting to see the impact the culture of futbol has and want to thank everyone that supported this event by attending and especially the media for covering it.

Houston Dynamo staff supporting Rumbo a Rusia | photo credit: Espriella Fifi

Millennial TV interviewing Betirri | photo credit: Espriella Fifi

The art gallery inside the Office of the Consulate General of Mexico | photo credit: Espriella Fifi

Group picture with some of the guests attending Rumbo a Rusia | photo credit: Espriella Fifi

Photo credit: Espriella Fifi

We are working with Betirri on other events leading up to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 as he prepares to travel to the biggst sporting event in the world to exhibit his art.

Upcoming Event:

April 11, 2018June 1, 2018

Exito Centroamerica

From the desk of MDuran:

I’m excited to serve as the co-host of a new online radio show called Exito Centroamerica. The weekly Spanish show is produced by the Camara de Comercio Centroamericana (CCCA) and will be transmitted on CBBA Radio on Wednesdays at 10am.

It’s an honor to co-host this show alongside Percy Pelaez, President of CCCA, and help elevate the voice of Central Americans in our region. Each week we will talk about important and relevant business issues that affect the Central American community, provide information and resources about business opportunities on both sides of the border, invite successful Central American community leaders to share their stories and highlight positive news in our community.

As a proud Salvadoran I look forward to sharing my knowledge and resources with my community on this incredible platform.

If you are looking to align your brand or expand exposure for your services or products, contact me at info@duranconcepts.com to learn about advertising opportunities on this show and the powerful Central American consumer market.