Friday Graciela

Resplendent in gold lamé and matching eyeshadow, a reddish halo of perfectly coiffed hair, making her way from her walker with a built-in seat to the microphone, Graciela Pérez is no joke. She insists that photographers only shoot her from the waist up, that good-looking men escort her, and when she's thirsty, she succinctly specifies, "agua no" (her drink of choice is Dewar's, straight or on the rocks).

Here's my piece this week about the Queen of Mambo's 93rd birthday tribute concert on Sunday (photo slideshow here). I first interviewed her two years ago at her home with her pet turtle Chucha. When I saw her again, I was chided for not returning for a visit like I promised, and informed that Chucha had since died.

I was looking for a clip of the Graciela song, "Sí sí no no" with the fabulous line "Mi cerebro es lo último, mi cintura es lo último" but instead found this performance of another flirty fave, "Ay José." Not sure of the exact date of the concert, but judging by the size of Tito Puente's frizzy white 'fro, I'd say this is from the early 90s, which puts her in her 70s. You try being that sexy a septugenarian. G'head. I dare ya.