Look up bala in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Bala has several meanings:

Places[link]

• Balâ, Ankara, a town and district of Ankara Province in Turkey
• Bala (biblical), another name for Segor or Zoara, one of the Old Testament "Cities of the Plain"
• Bala, Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom
  • Bala Lake, the largest natural lake in Wales
  • Bala Series of geologic beds in Bala, Wales
• Bala, Okpho, Burma
• Bala, Mehedinţi, a commune in Mehedinţi County, Romania
• Bala, Nepal, a Village Development Committee in Sankhuwasabha District in northeastern Nepal
• Băla (Hungarian: Bala), a commune in Mureş County, Romania
• Bala, Ontario, Canada
• Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, a conglomerate of the suburbs Bala and Cynwyd of Philadelphia
• Bal'a, Palestine, a town near Tulkarm in the West Bank
• Bala (South Africa), a place in the Mbizana Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
• Bala, a village in Allahabad, India
• Bala, Kabang - Yala Province, Thailand

Religion[link]

• The Five Strengths, aka bala, the spiritual powers possessed by a Buddha or bodhisattva
• Bala (clan) - Sikh Jatt Gotra or clan.

People[link]

• Bala (actor), a South Indian film actor
• Bala (director), a South Indian film director
• Bala Jones, Wales international rugby player
• Krystian Bala, convicted Polish murderer and author
• Kujtim Bala Kosovar football player, playing for Halmstads BK

Other[link]

• Bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), a semi-aggressive minnow from Southeast Asia, somewhat common as an aquarium fish
• A common name for the flowering plant Country Mallow (Sida cordifolia), especially when used in Ayurvedic medicine
• Bala (1976 film), a documentary by Satyajit Ray about the Bharatanatyam dancer Balasaraswati
• Bala (2002 film), an Indian Tamil film starring Shaam and Meera Jasmine
• BALA, the Business And Liberal Arts program at Queens College, City University of New York
• Bala (comics), a comic book character from the Devi comic book by Virgin Comics
• Bala (SEPTA station), a regional railway station in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
• BALA, Best in American Living Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders
• Bala (New) railway station, a disused railway station in Bala, Gwynedd, Wales

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Alex Ferrari is a writer/producer and director.

The creator of Red Princess Blues, writer/director, Alex Ferrari wanted to write a new style adventure combining all his loves. The first phase of this story is Red Princess Blues Animated: The Book of Violence. Red Princess Blues Animated is a prequel to his upcoming live action feature film Red Princess Blues.

Alex Ferrari decided to acquire as much knowledge about the art and craft of storytelling as he could. Coming from a post production background, this versatile director combines his passion for storytelling and his post-production experience with a unique visual style. Alex has been directing commercials for over 8 years.

His first award winning short film Broken went on to screen at over 140 international film festivals and has been reviewed by over 250 news outlets worldwide including film critic Roger Ebert:

"Broken is essentially a demonstration of the mastery of horror imagery and techniques...effective and professional. Looking forward to “Broken: The Feature." - Roger Ebert

The Broken: Special Edition DVD has also sold over 5,000 units worldwide. Done on a budget of $8000 and boasting over 100 vfx shots, Broken is one of the most celebrated short films in recent years. He will also be featured in the upcoming book Making Short Films, which will be released in Summer 2008.^{[dated info]}

Alex recently directed a new short film called Cyn, which was born under unpredictable and special circumstances. On March 2007, he was selected as one of the top 100 participants (out of over 12,000) of Steven Spielberg's TV show, On the Lot. He was asked to create a 3-minute short film in 6 days. The film was made on schedule, from script to final output, for under $1000. Loosely based on his character “Princess,” Cyn is an exploration of the darker and more “fun” side of his main character.

He also established an award-winning visual effects company called Numb Robot, which is a visual effects company that specializes in conceptual design, title sequences, storytelling, poster design, commercials and independent films.

Numb Robot also has an editorial division with over 12 years experience. Editing and post supervising over 500 commercials, music videos, trailers, television shows, network promos, documentaries and feature films.

He has also recently opened an animation studio whose first project is Red Princess Blues Animated: The Book of Violence.

External links[link]

• Official website
• Numb Robot
• The Enigma Factory

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Rigo Tovar
Bronze statue of Rigo Tovar in Matamoros, Mexico
Background information
Birth name	Rigoberto Tovar García
Born	(1946-03-29)March 29, 1946
Origin	Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Died	March 27, 2005(2005-03-27) (aged 58)
Genres	Mexican, cumbia, Latin, Tejano/Tex-Mex, rock, soul/R&B
Occupations	Singer, musician, songwriter, performer, actor
Years active	1960s – 2005
Labels	Ariola, Discos Nova Vox, Laser, Melody, Musivisa, Profono Internacional

Rigoberto Tovar García (March 29, 1946 – March 27, 2005) was a Mexican singer best known as Rigo Tovar. Famous for his cumbias, Tovar infused traditional Mexican and Latin music with modern instruments like the electric guitar and synthesizer and popular styles such as rock and soul music.

Tovar was born and raised in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. After moving to Houston, Texas, his musical career began to take off in the early 1970s. Blending cumbia, tropical, and modern pop rock, he quickly gained a large following. In 1971, Tovar released his first album entitled Matamoros Querido which garnered two hits, "Matamoros Querido" and "Lamento De Amor".

During his career, Tovar broke several attendance records in Mexico and throughout Latin America (many of which still stand to this day), sold over 30 million albums, and continues to influence countless artists of all genres.

Early career and success[link]

Through extensive radio play and touring in Mexico and the United States, Tovar achieved great popularity and success. At the height of his fame, he was known as "El Ídolo de México" (Mexico's Idol) and "El Ídolo de las multitudes" (The Idol of the Masses). The release of the 1976 album, Amor y Cumbia catapulted him to superstar status not only in Mexico but many other areas of Latin America as well as the United States. His adoring public coined the phrase "Rigo es Amor" which is translated in English as "Rigo is Love". This was attributed to the love songs he performed and the passion he poured into them. His music, voice and image were so endearing to so many that he became the living embodiment of love. It was routinely yelled out at his concerts and is still used when people speak of him.

Tovar's other hits include "La Sirenita", "¡Oh, Qué Gusto De Volverte A Ver!", and "Perdóname Mi Amor Por Ser Tan Guapo". He was most successful in the 1970s and 1980s and retired in the late 1990s; however, his music remains popular today. Tovar's musical group, El Conjunto Costa Azul, has gone through numerous line-up changes over the years and is still active today.

"Bigger Than The Pope"[link]

In 1979, Tovar broke the 300,000-person attendance record set in Monterrey, Mexico, earlier that year by Pope John Paul II when the artist performed a free concert at the Santa Catarina River which drew 400,000 concertgoers. Some newspapers reporting on the new attendance record even ran headlines declaring that Tovar was "bigger than the Pope".

Movie roles[link]

Tovar also starred in several movies including Vivir Para Amar (1980), Rigo Es Amor (1980), and El Gran Triunfo (1981).

Personal life[link]

Tovar's life was as full of tragedy and controversy as that of success and fortune. He was born and grew up in extreme poverty in a large family where food was scarce and living conditions were extreme. He lost his mother, with whom he had a very close relationship, when his singing career started to ascend. The relationship with his father was tense and difficult, and although several of his brothers were in the band at the beginning; they left as Tovar started gaining all the attention. The one brother who stayed was Everardo Tovar who became his manager.

Tovar suffered from retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition for which there is no current medical treatment and the reason for his constant use of dark sunglasses. He started losing his sight in his mid-20s and eventually went blind.

He also suffered from vitiligo, a skin condition where loss of pigmentation causes patches of light skin to appear on the body. His brother, Everardo Tovar, died in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. In addition to retinitis pigmentosa and vitiligo, the singer also suffered from diabetes.

A few days shy of his 59th birthday, Tovar died on March 27, 2005, from diabetic complications leading to cardio-respiratory failure. His funeral was held behind closed doors in a notable funeral home located in Mexico City, but fans and some members of his large family entered the funeral service by force. Tovar was cremated and his ashes were thrown onto one of Matamoros' beaches per his wishes.

Legacy[link]

In honor of his legacy, Tovar's hometown of Matamoros, Mexico, renamed a main avenue located in the northwest part of the city, Avenida Rigo Tovar.

Discography[link]

Select albums[link]

• 1971: Matamoros Querido
• 1973: Cómo Será La Mujer
• 1974: En La Cumbre
• 1974: En Acción
• 1975: Te Quiero Dijiste...
• 1976: Rigo Tovar Y Su Conjunto Costa Azul
• 1976: Amor Y Cumbia
• 1977: Dos Tardes De Mi Vida
• 1978: ¡Oh, Qué Gusto De Volverte A Ver!
• 1979: Con Mariachi Vol. 1
• 1979: Rigo Tovar En Vivo
• 1980: Con Mariachi Vol. 2
• 1980: Reflexiona
• 1980: Rigo Rock
• 1981: Rigo '81
• 1982: 10 Años Tropicalísimo
• 1982: Sublime Y Bohemio
• 1983: Con Mariachi Vol. 3
• 1984: De Nuevo En Contacto Musical
• 1985: El Músico Chiflado
• 1987: Quítate La Máscara
• 1989: Baila Mi Ritmo
• 1989: La Fiera
• 1989: Los Últimos Exitos De Rigo Tovar
• 1990: El Ritmo Del Sirenito
• 1992: Rigo El Guapo
• 1994: Éxitos Con Banda

Select compilations[link]

• 2003: Sigue Bailando Mi Ritmo
• 2005: La Historia De Un Ídolo
• 2006: Mi Tinajita Y Muchos Éxitos Más...

Select singles[link]

• "Matamoros Querido"
• "Lamento De Amor"
• "Recordando Monterrey"
• "Estoy Enamorado De Verdad"
• "Como Sera La Mujer"
• "Pajarillo Montañero"
• "Me Quiero Casar"
• "El Testamento"
• "La Sirenita"
• "Amor Libre"
• "¡Oh,Qué Gusto De Volverte A Ver!"
• "Reflexiona"

See also[link]

• List of Mexican people

External links[link]

• Rigo Tovar at the Internet Movie Database
• Houston Press Blog Article [1]
• Rigo Tovar Fans
• Museum of Rigo Tovar in Internet

Nelson Ned (born as Nelson Ned d'Ávila Pinto, on March 2, 1947) is a famous Brazilian singer from Ubá, Minas Gerais. Nelson built a solid career as a singer and composer of sentimental, suffering songs, rising to popularity in Brazil and Latin America in 1969 and becoming known internationally, especially in Portugal, France and Spain. In 1971 he released his first Spanish album, "Canción Popular" and performed in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Africa. His international performances have included Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and mega-events in Mexico. He was the first^{[citation needed]} Latin artist to sell a million records in the U.S. with his hit "Happy Birthday My Darling" in 1974. He also did some instrumental work for the "Electric Moog Orchestra" in 1977. Since his conversion in 1993, he has only recorded Christian Evangelical songs in both Portuguese, Spanish and some in English.

Some of Nelson Ned's best-known ballads in Portuguese language are: "Domingo à Tarde", "Tudo Passará", "Eu Tambem Sou Sentimental", "Deus Abençoe as Crianças do Brasil", "Medo" and "Feliz Aniversario".

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

(NOTE to editors: This discography is incomplete, as it only lists some of his albums released in Brazil and Christian repertoire. )

• MEU JEITO DE AMAR (Copacabana - 1969)
• TUDO PASSARÁ (Copacabana - 1969)
• EU TAMBÉM SOU SENTIMENTAL (Copacabana - 1970)
• NELSON NED (Copacabana - 1970)
• NELSON NED (Copacabana - 1972)
• NELSON NED VOL. 3 (Copacabana - 1973)
• PERDIDAMENTE APAIXONADO (Harmony/CBS - 1982)
• CAPRICHOSO (EMI-Odeon - 1984)
• O GRANDE NELSON NED (EMI-Odeon - 1986)
• PASSEI DA CONTA (EMI-Odeon - 1987)
• ENAMORADO (RGE - 1991)
• PENSO EM VOCÊ (RGE - 1992)
• EL ROMANTICO DE AMÉRICA (Movieplay - 1993)

Christian repertoire[link]

In Portuguese[link]

• Nelson Ned - O Poder da Fé Vol. 1
• Nelson Ned - O Poder da Fé Vol. 2 (Copacabana - 1990)
• Nelson Ned - Jesus Está Vivo DE SAHARIE
• Nelson Ned - Glórias A Jesus
• Nelson Ned - Jesus Está Voltando
• Nelson Ned - Jesus Te Ama
• Nelson Ned - Jesus É Vida
• Nelson Ned - Jesus Ressuscitou

In Spanish[link]

• Nelson Ned - Jesús Está Vivo
• Nelson Ned - Jesus Te Ama
• Nelson Ned - Jesucristo Es Vida
• Nelson Ned - Mi Testimonio
• Nelson Ned - Sí las flores pudieran hablar

Compilations[link]

• O Melhor de Nelson Ned
• Nelson Ned - Dose Dupla
• Nelson Ned - Compoe e Canta Para Jesus
• Nelson Ned - Louvor e Adoração
• Nelson Ned - 2 Em 1
• Nelson Ned - Warner 30 Anos
• SELEÇÃO DE OURO (Movieplay - 1992)
• SELEÇÃO DE OURO - 20 SUCESSOS (Copacabana/EMI Music - 1998)

Videos[link]

VHS[link]

• Nelson Ned - Alabando al Rey (en español)
• Nelson Ned - Alabando Al Rey - Nelson y Otros (en español)
• Nelson Ned - Un Hombre Nuevo - A New Man (en español)
• Nelson Ned - Desde Brasil - Nelson Ned En Dallas (en español)

DVD[link]

• Nelson Ned - Un Hombre Nuevo - New Man (en español)

Books[link]

• Nelson Ned - O Melhor De Nelson Ned
• Nelson Ned - O Pequeno Gigante Da Cancao
• Nelson Ned - El Pequeño Gigante De La Cancion

References[link]

• "Nelson Ned Biography", Alvaro Neder Allmusic
• "The Little Giant of Song"
• http://cliquemusic.uol.com.br/artistas/ver/nelson-ned "Nelson Ned" Cliquemusic

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