We have just updated our website to a new look and since we into streamlining everything, we integrated our Blog Site into our website. It will be the first thing you see once you get into our website. So thanks to everyone who visited this site, and we will see you on the new site.

WWW.ESPERANZA-ATL.COM

Cheers,

Daniel, Bart, and Eric

What’s up people?  Just a few goings ons for this weekend.  Esperanza will be all over the city as we will be taking part in I.C.E. (Indie Craft Experience) in Centennial Park AND the Virginia Highland’s Summerfest.  This, of course, means that this weekend is the perfect time to stock up on summer tees.  We will be in the highlands in front of M3, which is next to Noche, on Sat and Sun.  We will be in centennial park on Sat only, booth #70.  Yes, we will be in both places at the same time, so if you can’t make one, you better make the other!  Both of these festivals are a ton of fun and would be highly recommended even if we weren’t part of them.

We better see you there!

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A truly amazing event took place yesterday. Esperanza Co-Owner Daniel Barbalho was downtown in an old abandoned building “hanging out” when the place caught on fire. A crowd of people gathered outside of the building, but no one would heed Daniel’s cries for help….that is until Charlie and Ivy came to his rescue! Charlie and Ivy are 2 amazing puppy heroes. They braved the 50 ft flames to pull our friend Daniel to safety. Charlie and Ivy claim that anyone would have done the same, but we know better than to believe that. These puppies are true heroes and deserve to live in a happy home. When Daniel asked them what he could possibly do to thank them, all they asked was for a little water, food, and a soft spot to lay on. Esperanza is putting out the call. There are two hero puppies looking for a good loving home. They are a dynamic duo, so we think they’d like to stick together. If you or anyone you know would be interested in giving these dogs a home, contact us at esperanzaatl@gmail.com

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So Maxim magazine has teamed up with some other investors and literally torn apart the old, weak sauce restaurant BED that came to the ATL and quickly went out of business. I met up with the GM of Maxim Prime and the manager , Brittany, who is an old friend and we started brewing up some details for another Esperanza rooftop party.

I grabbed my girl, Meri, and were treated to a serious surf and turf dinner. From the redone black and purple glass entrance, to the spiral staircase, and a bar that looked like it was cut out of an iceberg, Maxim Prime is super cool. In addition, our dinner was excellent. Service was primo, and my fillet was as soft as a gummy bear and was cooked perfect.

As Meri and I sat on one end of the restaurant, we noticed the crew from Sly Fox and Trafik Tradeshow sitting across the way. So we sent over a tray of Sake to Greg and Kristen. They were throwing the first of many thursday night parties they are dubbing “the topless party”. We finished up our meals and shot up to the rooftop which in sick.

It looks like Esperanza will be teaming up with Sly Fox to throw a super sweet event at the end of July at Maxim Prime. Think rooftop fashion show/club. We will keep you all posted.

BIG UPS!!!! to Maxim Prime for showing Meri and I a great time. Check it out.

Photos courtesy of the Midnight Socialite. Thanks buddy.

Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend. The weather here in Atlanta was absolute perfection.

Amongst a bevy of other things we got accomplished over the Holiday, Saturday night Nic and I finally made the trek out to Alpharetta to visit with Berto, Fern and El Bebe since I hadn’t met him yet… and since having a baby is apparently a big deal.

Baby Berto can be seen here totally kickin’ it in the baby Dunks we brought him. Baller.

After some visiting we all headed out to the much buzzed about restaurant PURE and it was plenty worthy of the hype. The ceviche is worth the trip alone. And the secret is obviously out because the place was totally slammed. Check it out by clicking the pic below. We totally need one of these intown.

That’s all for now. Website should be up this week. Keep checking back!

Quick pics from last week when I was surfing in Maui.  That place is awesome and chillin on Lava Flows and Mai Tais for a week is just what the doctor ordered.  Anyone up for going to Costa Rica later this summer???  Jaco beach is the spot down there.

Riding it all the way in.

I gathered a few quick tracks to blast this holiday weekend while doin whatever ya’ll do when its so beautiful out.

Off “The Drought is Over: 4,” this track is Weezy bringing it back to the old school.  Early 90’s break with the soul singin’ chorus, its definitely mixtape material, but that at its finest.  BBQ & Corona & Bacardi Limon.

Lil Wayne – I (mp3)

Kenna – Say Goodbye To Love (remix feat. Lupe Fiasco) (mp3)

Next up is a Kenna track remix with Lupe Fiasco.  Strikkly dance floor material.   Also works with the windows down.  And cause he references Prefontaines, I’ll show you what Lupe’s talkin bout since I copped a pair yesterday:

I obviously went with the Spidey color scheme.

Paper Route Gangtaz have a mixtape comin’ out soon called “Fear and Loathing in Hunts Vegas.”  This is a track off that mixtape and its hella dope.  Utilizing a Weezer sample from the song “Say It Ain’t So,” they get all nostalgic and do nice with XO and Cee Cee.

Paper Route Gangstaz (feat. XO and Cee Cee) – Grind Baby (mp3)

Tell me the cat in the first verse doesn’t remind you of the long lost member from OutKast…  Southernplayalistic OutKast that is.

I’ll be back on this thing a little later.  Ernie is dying for a walk.

Along with about 99% of America, I’m gonna try to get into a theater this weekend to have a blast watching the new Indy flick.  Raiders of the Lost Ark was the first movie I ever saw in a theater and pops took me, so this weekend I’m gonna get him down here so we can go check this one out together too.  Since Buckhead Backlot’s closed for repairs, it’s gonna have to be at Movie Tavern or Midtown Art Cinema, cause who watches movies these days without cocktails?  New Jack sucker toys.  Thats who.

Wow… Lots happenin’ as usual.

Those pics from the photoshoot look great, right? That was the first time I seen ‘em too, so we’re on the same page there. Great work Merk.

Today? Totally diggin’ on Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip’s highly anticipated album “Angles.”

I posted about these dudes ages ago, when their first single dropped, and have been waiting on a full length since. Well, it’s here, or almost at least, and its predictably great. Abled DJ work, intellectual lyrical snark you can only get away with utilizing a sharp British accent, ripped beats, [non?]dis-tracks, plenty of props, and just plain old ground breaking hip-hop from the UK. One of these days I’m gonna get into writing proper reviews since I spend about half my life in traffic listening to the ish I pass on to you my minions, but for now check out my (still) fav track by DLSvsSP:

Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip – Thou Shalt Always Kill (mp3)

uhhh, actually, sorry. That was my fav track. This one’s tops now (ripping a Dizzee track for reference and shouting out KRS-ONE and Rakim, yo. Proper.):

Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip – Fixed (mp3)

Yesterday? Discovered THE best snack on the planet.

Good lord. Just try not thinking about a frosty beer while munching on these puppies. I’m, admittedly, a peanut freak and this, for me, is nirvana. Pass me a High Life, would you?  These peanuts are making me thirsty.

And, as a born and bred die hard Sox fan (still love my Bravos too, but this is a CT thing) I gotta give my props to John Lester for the no hitter he pitched on the 19th. Last game of the ‘07 Series and then the sacred no-no, all less than two years after being diagnosed with cancer?? Cheers to you.

Well, I gotta hit the couch for some recharging…

So we through a massive party on top of 6 feet under last weekend, but before we downed Whynatte’s until our eyes popped out of heads we got down to some business and had a photo shoot inside the restaurant. Our good buddy the Midnight Socialite created the magic.

Here is some of the Magic……..oh man we are so close to launching that new website and these will be on it.

Daniel

So Esperanza’s great fans, Sonia and Alex have just in some awesome pics from thier travels in South America. They have been sporting the new line now since they ordered from Argentina. They have been all over South America and are headed to Asia and Australia next. Watch out for the Kangaroos with boxing gloves, and if you can, Sonia and Alex, we at Esperanza think you should try to get on the show “Human Tetris“.

So here are some pics they sent in.

Rockin the Southern Rebelle and the OUr Lady of Buford Highway

Crazy Chiliean Hipster kids at Lake Titicaca….fresh colors!

Yippee for Firework!!!

A little vino and Esperanza for the heart.

A little dog and Esperanza for the stomach.

Sweet Tea swinging from the trees.

Oh Lady of Chile???  Totally ripped us off…

Old logo shirt.

So, yesterday was absolutely beautiful and the view from the top deck at Six Feet Under – Westside was, well, there it is. Didn’t snap too many pics during the day/night/morning cause Chris Merkle, a.k.a TheMidnightSocialite, was there doin it properly. We’ll have those up soon.

The night was a blast, we had a great time, people copped tons of new shirts and drank more coffee and Jager than I ever thought possible. Thanks to the Whynatte guys, DJ Reality, Tribe Called Quest, Pharcyde, Six Feet Under – Westside (but not our server Wayne. You’re a nice guy dude, but keeping the drinks coming is just not your calling). Check out Whynatte site for more.

Plans for tonight: laying on the couch and chocolate ice cream.

Booya. eBay just notified me that I’m the proud father of a brand new pair of Nike SB Strummer Premiums. What shoes are you wearing?

Esperanza, in it’s continuing effort to take over the world, was recently in New Orleans. I made sure that I kept them “Too Busy to Hate” while taking in some jazz, crawfish, po boys, beer, beer, beer and beer and Bourbon St. and Canal St. and more beer and oh yeah that wedding thing we were there for. Needless to say, the Big Easy gave me a Big Hangover, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Here are some pics that will clue you in…

St Charles in the French Quarter has some

cool buildings!

Canal St also has some cool buildings

There’s no such thing as a Po’ Boy that’s too big for EK

It looks like a lot, but it’s never enough

A ginormous Abita Turbo Dog…highly recommended

We obviously had to listen to some live jazz!

Enjoying Atlanta in New Orleans

I love my little Southern Rebelle.

She walked barefoot down Bourbon St.!

Of course he was listening to P.M Dawn

I better see you at Six Feet Under Tonight!

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This was the best movie of last year. Period. I finally got around to catching up last night and was absolutely blown away. For all that saw and said, “emph?” Dude. Based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel “Oil!” it’s done in silent talkie fashion. Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction is amazing. Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance is astounding. And Jonny Greenwood’s score almost makes the movie (god. that score. i could go on all day about how you could watch this movie without dialogue and know exactly what was going on…. and also how mr. greenwood’s trojan comp “..is the controller” shows the breadth of his bossness). Just check it out. In fact! Check both out!

Next up. Your official summer jam.

Lil Wayne – Lollipop (Kanye West Remix)

Happy Friday. And don’t forget our little shindig tomorrow night with Whynatte at Six Feet Under – Westside. And get there early if you want your picture made and used on the website for a product pic.

i normally don’t bite directly from other blogs, but sorry YASLY, I laughed out loud when I watched this and hopefully the plug makes up for poor etiquette.

In the world of Esperanza, there has been some shocking and scary news. The bike a.k.a. Mini Hog we bought and rebuilt and then gave to Dangerpress is hurt bad. She also has put a friend of a friend in the hospital. A severe accident happened earlier this week when the Mini Hog allegedly took a mind of its own and crashed into a parked trailer on the side of the gauntlet(our track that circles the Dangerpress warehouse). The rider flew face first over the handlebars into the trailer and broke his face….literally. He is suffering from broken cheek bones, broken eye socket, broken nose, broken bones in his neck, and blood in his brain…Shhhhheeeesshhh. He remains in the hospital but is getting better day by day and is expected to return the wild world of sports in 3 weeks. He is our new Evil Knievel and the Mini Hog will now be called….Maximum Overdrive

That is not dirt on those bars….its blood.

THE BIKE DOES SAY “DANGER” ON IT…..I THINK THAT IS FAIR WARNING.

!!!!SAY A PRAYER FOR THIS KID PEOPLE!!!!

I took a trip up to the NYC to see my cousin graduate from Medical School. I was surrounded by doctors all weekend which made me feel really smart, but I was able to get out and check out Manhattan. Aside from triple Atlanta prices everywhere it was a good time.

Next year esperanza should open a store in the Meat Packing district of New York. Very cool scene, and no its not a gay area.

A little Graffiti from the NYC…..hmmmmm…….wonder what artist did that on the left????

My buddy, Patrick, has a great kid named PJ. We took him out to bars all day Saturday and he was a staunch critic of many beer menus, but he stayed with the classic Guinness….well done PJ.