Cheyenne Hispanic Festival June 3-5

The Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, supported in part by a Cultural Trust Fund grant, will occur in the Cheyenne Depot Plaza June 3 -5, 2011. The festival will include mariachis, jalapeno contest, Aztec dancers, food and craft vendors, live entertainment and more. The Festival will include educational and cultural exhibits. This event provides the opportunity to celebrate the various Hispanic cultures throughout our communities. The event is free to the public. For more information, visit the website. Photo courtesy Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, 2010. 

“Construyendo Latinidad" exhibit at Wyoming State Museum May 1-June 25

“Construyendo Latinidad,” an exhibit at the Wyoming State Museum, examines the history of Hispanics in Wyoming from the late 17^th century to the present. The exhibit opens May 1 and is on display through June 25.

Maps and historic black and white and color photographs demonstrate the effects and changing needs and interests of Hispanics on Wyoming communities. The exhibit consists of 40 16” x 20” panels.

            

The exhibit serves as an example of what American Studies and Anthropology professor, Arlene Davila defines at “Latinidad,” or the ongoing social, economic and political construction of Latino identity by various public and private entities that have portrayed Hispanics as a homogenous racial/ethnic minority.

Undeniably, the sociohistorical Hispanic influence on contemporary Wyoming “Latinidad” from approximately the mid-16^th century through the early-19^th century has proved indelible and provides substantive legitimacy for the northern New Mexico and southern Colorado Hispano/Manito identity for Wyoming Latinos.

For more information about this exhibit, please contact Manny Vigil at 307-777-7025.

April 15 Brazilian Dance Workshop highlights fiesta at UW

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Cinco de Mayo will be first fund-raiser at new Sagebrush Community Art Center in Sheridan

New Sagebrush Community Art Center at Sheridan Historic Depot

The Sagebrush Community Art Center in Sheridan is planning a Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Thursday, May 5, 6-9pm. This will be the first fund-raising event in the new home at the Historic Train Depot, 201 E. 5th St.).

Tickets are on sale at the art center and are $40 per person or $75 for a couple which includes music, a Mexican inspired dinner and one free beverage. Activities include a silent and live auction of artwork from SAGE members and painted and signed ceramic trains from several local celebrities. The trains and ceramic paints were donated by Alex Boyle of “Something to Kiln”, a local paint your own pottery store. There will be piñatas and balloons filled with great prizes including one pass to attend the oil painting workshop by Phil Starke coming in June 2011 in conjunction with the SAGE Juried Art Show. Proceeds will help with art programming and operating expenses of the Sagebrush Community Art Center.

For more information or to purchase tickets please call Executive Director Karen Myers at 674-1970 or email her at artinsheridan@hotmail.com

Crochet across cultures Feb. 1 in Jackson

From the Teton County Library in Jackson:

The Crochet Circle meets at the Teton County Public Library on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 6:30-8 p.m.

Crochet across cultures and learn basic stitches, how to shape a project, and have fun making vests, hats, scarves or flowers with Chilean crocheter Carmen Gloria Rodríguez Sanzana. Bring your own yarn and hooks. Drop-ins welcome. Location: Conference Room. Free. Latino Programs Coordinator, Patty Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237 or procha@tclib.org. In Spanish and English.

Author Victor Villasenor speaks at Teton County Library Feb. 10

On Thursday, Feb. 10, 6-7 p.m., the Teton County Public Library presents a talk by author Victor Villaseñor.

He will discuss "Family and Quality of Life: Pride in Heritage, Family, and the Power of Personal Achievement through Vision, Education and Perseverance."

Mexican-American writer, Victor Villaseñor, best known for the New York Times bestselling novel "Rain of Gold," speaks in a heartfelt manner, about the strength of family, pride in heritage, and the dedication to education and personal achievement. Presentation is geared towards inspiring teens and parents. A book signing with titles available for purchase will follow. Location: Ordway Auditorium. Free. Latino Programs Coordinator, Patty Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237, procha@tclib.org.

In Spanish with simultaneous interpretation to English.

During the author's trip to Teton County, he will also speak to students at Jackson High School. On Feb. 7-8, Villasenor will be at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. 

U of A prof speaks about "Arizona's Anti-Ethnic Studies Bill 1108" during UW's Ethnic Studies Week

From a UW press release:

Leading ethnic studies researcher, Andrea J. Romero, will lead three programs Monday, Oct. 4, at the University of Wyoming.

Romero, a professor at the University of Arizona, is a key speaker during Ethnic Studies Week at UW. She will give a public lecture on "Chicano/a Students' Engagement with Arizona's Anti-Ethnic Studies Bill 1108: Civic Engagement, Ethnic Identity and Well-being" in the Wyoming Union East Ballroom from 6-7 p.m.

Also Monday, she will discuss "Life Span and Human Development: Positive Ethnic Identity Development for Chicano/a Youth" in the College of Education auditorium from 9-9:50 a.m.

"!El Movimiento Sigue!: How Being Engaged with Anti-Ethnic Studies Arizona Legislation Keeps Chicano/a Students Healthy" will be discussed in the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) from 12:30-2 p.m.

Romero is a Fitch Nesbitt professor in family studies and human development and Mexican American and Raza studies. She has a Ph.D. in applied social psychology with a minor in qualitative methods from the University of Houston.

Ethnic Studies Week is sponsored by the University of Wyoming Chicano Studies Program in conjunction with Multicultural Affairs and the UW chapters of MEChA and Sigma Lambda Gamma.

Other planned activities for Ethnic Studies Week include the Ross Hall Book Club Friday, Oct. 15, from noon-1:30 p.m. in the Ross Hall Conference Room 108. Lilia Soto will lead a discussion on "Every Night is Ladies' Night" by Michael Jaime-Becerra. This event is open to faculty, staff, students and Laramie residents. The first 10 people to register by e-mail to Chicano_Studies@uwyo.edu receive the book free.

Photo: Andrea Romero will discuss "Civic Engagement, Ethnic Identity and Well-being" from 6-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4, in the Wyoming Union East Ballroom.

Sept. 24 deadline for NALAC grants to "support Latino artistic innovation"

From a National Association of Latino Arts and Culture press release:

NALAC Fund for the Arts Grants support Latino artistic innovation, self determination and community empowerment.

The NALAC Fund for the Arts is a field-advised, grant program designed to help Latinos develop their creative talents and make lasting contributions to our communities and society as a whole. Launched in 2005 by the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture with major support from the Ford Foundation, the NALAC Fund for the Arts provides financial resources to strengthen Latino arts organizations and to support Latino artists in the creation of their work.

Online and Postmark Deadline: Friday, September 24, 2010

FMI: http://www.nalac.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=4&Itemid=31

Join Flores De Colores for Aug. 8 appreciation picnic

Flores De Colores, Laramie County's Hispanic dance troupe and members of the Wyoming Arts Council artists' roster, will hold an appreciation picnic on Sunday, Aug. 8, 1-5 p.m., at Holliday Park in Cheyenne. Meet at the gazebo by the Big Boy locomotive.

Potluck, so please bring a dish to share.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs and soda will be provided. BYOB.

Flores De Colores will distribute its California awards and will be showing off its updated photo albums.

FMI: http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Roster/Artist.aspx?ID=20

Organize una Discusion de Libros en Espanol Gratis

El programa de "Reading Wyoming", ofrece siete libros en espanol muy interesantes. El primero es "Bendceme Ultima" escrito por Rodolfo Anaya, es una historia llena de sueos sensuales, supersticiones, fenmenos inexplicados y la oscura fuerza de la teologa Latinoamericana. El segundo libro es "Lluvia de Oro" por Victor Villaseor, un narrativo sobre la riqueza cultural de Mxico, de una familia que sus tragedias son soportadas por el poder mstico y el amor incondicional, y todos los emigrantes: personas valientes que viven la vida con un espritu constante. El tercero es "Balun Canan" por Rosario Castellanos, es una novela que relata una serie de sucesos cotidianos que tienen lugar en un poblado chiapaneco cercano a Guatamela, Balan-Canan. En medio de la tensin en que coexisten dos mundos opuestos -el del hombre blanco y del indio chontal- se mueven diversos personajes en cuya vida se refleja una lucha dramtica y ancestral entre dos razas. El cuarto libro es "Como Agua Para Chocolate" por Laura Esquivel, es una historia que habla sobre el amor prohibido de una mujer Tita y su familia, y la manera como Tita expresa su vida por su cocina, empleja un realismo mgico para combinar lo sobrenatural con lo mundano. El quinto libro "Estacin Tula" por David Toscana, es una narracin que nos deja ver el conflicto entre la identidad del centro y la manera de vida en el norte de Mxico, nos enfrenta a la definicin de novela y a sus lmites de creacin e interpretacin y tambin ofrece al lector una serie de narrativas entrelazadas donde se confunden autor y personajes, ficcin y realidad. El sexto libro "Los de Abajo" por Mariano Azuela, es una historia que revela el drama de los hombres que no saben por qu luchan y tampoco saben cmo dejar de luchar, la novela tambin narra la vida de Demetrio Macas, campesino rebelde que se une a la lucha tras sufrir su familia vejaciones por parte de los soldados. El último libro "Mal de Amores" por Ángeles Mastretta es una narracin de una pasin entrejida entre la historia de un pas, de una guerra, de una familia y de varias vocaciones desmesuradas.

El Consejo de Humanidades de Wyoming, ofrece un programa de discusin de libros gratis para comunidades con patrocinio local de organizaciones sin nimo de lucro, o tambin agencias de gobierno como bibliotecas, museos, iglesias, o centro para la tercera edad. "Reading Wyoming" une los miembros de comunidades, y un lder de temas de humanidades habla sobre siete libros. Las organizaciones de patrocinio escogen las series de libros y reclutan los participantes.

El Consejo de Humanidades de Wyoming provee programas de humanidades públicos en compaa con organizaciones locales, y es patrocinado por La Deuda Nacional para humanidades (Nacional Endowment). Para mas informacin sobre el consejo de humanidades, visite: www.uwyo.edu/humanities o llamar (307) 721-9243

Rojos Calientes performs at NIC's Wednesday Night Live

What do you get when you cross bluegrass with Latin rhythms?

Why Latingrass, of course.

With influences bridging both sides of the equator, Rojos Calientes an exciting new sound to Wednesday Night Live outdoors at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper on July 14. The free show begins at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 7:30.

Listen to some of the Colorado group's songs at http://www.myspace.com/rojoscalientes

FMI: 307-235-5247

"Paredes Hablando" mural unveiling May 1 in Laramie

On Saturday, May 1, La Radio Montenesa Voz de la Gente (KOCA) in Laramie unveils its mural commemorating Latinas and Latinos in Wyoming. The mural is "Laramie: Paredes Hablando -- Walls That Speak."

The day will begin with an 11 a.m. luncheon, followed at 1:30 p.m. by the mural unveiling. At 5 p.m., there will be a screening of the film "2501 Migrantes," a 2009 film that documents the population of a town that has been forced to leave to find work. This is at the Alice Hardy Stevens Center, 603 E. Ivinson Ave.

Info: Connie, 307-742-2842; cocaj58@aol.com

UW Chicano Studies opens baseball season with stories from the "Sugar Beet League"

From a press release:

The University of Wyoming's Chicano Studies Program will host a public event April 1, celebrating Hispanic contributions to baseball at both the regional and national levels -- a start to the Major League Baseball season.

Adrian Burgos Jr., University of Illinois associate professor of history and author of "Playing America's Game: Baseball, Latinos, and the Color Line," will give a public lecture about sports promoter Alex Pompez at 5 p.m. in the Wyoming Union West Ballroom in Laramie. Pompez helped hundreds of young baseball players from the Caribbean make the leap from sugar cane fields to major league ball fields.

Following Burgos' lecture, Gabe and Jody Lopez, finalists for the 2009 Colorado Rockies Adult Hispanic Leadership Award, will open in Ross Hall their exhibit "From Sugar Beet Fields to Fields of Dreams: Mexican/Spanish Contributions to America's Favorite Pastime."

The exhibit documents the history of the Rocky Mountain Semipro Baseball League, which got its start among Hispanic agricultural workers in the 1920s and quickly spread throughout northern Colorado, southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska.

"It was dubbed the ‘sugar beet league' because it came out of the Spanish colonies built by the Great Western Sugar Company beet field laborers," says Ed Munoz, UW Chicano Studies Program director.

A reception and book signing will take place in Room 109 of Ross Hall, where books by Burgos and the Lopezes will be available for purchase.

"Mexican baseball teams helped solidify Chicano communities during the 20th century," Munoz says. "They provided a break from hard work in the fields or on the railroad and they also served as social and political outlets for the players and their fans."

Through research, the Lopezes have located information about Wyoming baseball teams in Albin, Bitter Creek, Burns, Carpenter, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Creston Junction, Hanna, Laramie, Lusk, Newcastle, Piker Spring, Pine Bluffs, Rawlins, Riverton, Sinclair, Superior, Torrington, Wamsutter, Wheatland, Worland and Yoder. The exhibit will be expanded to include some of this information.

"We invite the players and their families to the exhibit to relive their playing days," Gabe Lopez says. "We want to hear their stories."

Event sponsors are the Wyoming Humanities Council, the UW Office of Diversity, Multicultural Affairs, Sigma Lambda Gamma, MEChA, Associated Students of UW, the Social Justice Research Center and KOCA 93.5 FM La Radio Montanesa.

FMI: Contact the UW Chicano Studies Program at Chicano_Studies@uwyo.edu or 307-766-4127.

Photo: The 1943 Cheyenne Lobos played in the Rocky Mountain League.

Jenna Martinez performs at Wyoming Latina Youth Conference in Cheyenne

Jenna Martinez will perform during the Latin Jam at the Wyoming Latina Youth Conference Oct. 16-18 at Laramie County Community College. For registration forms and more info on the annual Cheyenne conference, go to http://www.lccc.wy.edu/Index.aspx?page=594

Bio for Aaron A. Abeyta, judge for Blanchan/Doubleday writing awards

The 2010 Blanchan/Doubleday Judge is Aaron A. Abeyta. Here's some bio info:

Aaron A. Abeyta is a Colorado native and professor of English at Adams State College. His first poetry collection, Colcha, received both an American Book Award and the Colorado Book Award. His second poetry collection was As Orion Falls, published by Ghost Road Press. It received a number of favorable reviews, including one from Juan Felipe Herrera, author of Cinnamon Girl: Letters Found Inside a Cereal Box:

“There is no other voice that conjures the sky and keeps count of stars as human migrations, moving, fading, and bursting anew as Aaron Abeyta’s. Here he is standing naked and alone on the abandoned snow drifts and tierras, holding them as fallen angels and stellar evidence of our birthright -- the luminous lands we claimed we would honor thirty-five years ago. Abeyta speaks with the voices of Nazim Hikmet, Jim Sagel, Allison Hedge-Coke and Albert Hunter, all lovers of the small earth and its colossal heart."

In 2007, Aaron published his first novel, Rise, Do Not Be Afraid, also published by Ghost Road Press in Denver. Annie Dawid wrote a review in of High Country News:

“Entering Colorado poet Aaron Abeyta’s first novel, Rise, Do Not Be Afraid, is like visiting a world that no longer exists -- if it ever did. Santa Rita, the mythical Western town that forms the subject of this short, dense novel, is a place reminiscent of Eden, both before and after the Fall. One is reminded of Gabriel García Márquez’s fictional Colombian town, Macondo, as Abeyta creates a culture in a specific place and witnesses its dissolution -- from greed, abandonment, the withering of love. Like García Márquez in One Hundred Years of Solitude, Abeyta begins with an annotated cast of characters, for it’s easy to confuse the people in this novel. Abeyta moves through time and generations as if through memory: ‘That was 1926,’ when the fences were built, we are told in the same paragraph in which we have traveled even further back to the arrival of the treacherous Matthews family in 1878. ‘Santa Rita sat in a long and deep canyon cut by an ancient river of ice, now melted to a river that flowed east toward the Rio Grande. There was no TV reception in Santa Rita. Most news traveled like it always had, by word of mouth.’ ”

Aaron is the recipient of a Colorado Council on the Arts fellowship for poetry. He earned an M.F.A. in creative writing from Colorado State University. He lives in southern Colorado where, as he says in his bio, he can remain close to his family and culture, both of which greatly influence his work. Abeyta was born in 1971.