Friday, December 28, 2007

CELEBRATE WITH US! 2nd Anniversary Soiree


Proyecto Latina is brewing a wonderful celebration event for the night of Saturday, January 19th. Stay tuned for a lovely and talented lineup--a best of Proyecto Latina features from the past two years. We are grateful to the help of our friends at Radio Art and Junior's Sports Bar.


UPDATE:
Its a night to put your pen and papelitos away, and instead whip out your dancing shoes, and open up to inspiration. Proyecto Latina invites you to join us and celebrate our 2nd Anniversary on Saturday, January 19th 2008 at Junior's Sports Bar, 2058 W. Cermak Rd. (In Pilsen and a couple of blocks away from Tianguis.) We're bringing back highlights--crowd favorites of course--from our past features list to help us mark this wonderful occassion with amazing words, music and dancing. And we are super excited to cap the night off with two Proyecto Latina newcomers our two featured DJ's to put more groove in our night: La Primitiva and Spacerwoman.*

We get started at 7 p.m. Free admission and antojitos (while they last).

Silvia Rivera Amanda Torres
Wendy (Gwen) Vargas


The Luna Blues Machine

La Primitiva Spacerwoman


We owe a very BIG thanks to Radio Arte and Junior's Sports Bar.

*No open mic for this January event. We will be bring back the open mic with the February edition of Proyecto Latina.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Featured titles to help fulfill your gift needs

A thoughtfully selected book can add meaning to your gifts, take it to the next level and turn it into a keepsake by personalizing it with a short note, the finishing touch--a bookmark of course.

Below is our list of recommended titles that we know make ideal gifts, and which can all be found on our bookshelves:


Bless Me Ultima is our current bookclub selection, its a coming-of-age story appropriate for adults and young readers:








Ask A Mexican will draw in even the most hesitant reader on your list. We still have autographed copies available.







The Alchemist Chances are people who read this books got it as a gift and there is a high probability rate that they go on to share the gift with others.






More suggestions:











from l to r: Once Upon a Quinceanera by Julia Alvarez
Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask,
a bilingual cuento by Xavier Garza





I will never forget you: Frida Kahlo and Nickolas Murray

by Salomon Grimberg














from l to r: Nahui Olin by Adriana Malvido;
Las Soldaderas: Women of the Mexican Revolution by Elena Poniatowska











from l to r: Revolucion!: Cuban Poster Art by Lincoln Cushing
Mexican Calendar Girls by Angela Villalba

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

submission call:new anthology focus on Mexican/Chicanos in Chicago and Midwest

Call for submissions for new anthology focusing on Mexicans/ Chicanos in Chicago and the Midwest.

Edited by: María A. Beltrán-Vocal, Paul Martínez Pompa,
and Irasema González

  • Abstract: This anthology explores the experience of Mexicans/Chicanos in Chicago and the Midwest through their writing. By telling the stories of Chicano lives’, we create history and provide a foundation for those attempting to understand the needs and experiences of Chicanos. We also provide direction for self-empowerment.
  • The purpose of this book is to record the social, cultural, political, literary experience of Chicanos/Mexicans from their own voice and perspective. This anthology will provide writers and scholars with first hand experience and perspective of Mexicans in Chicago and the Midwest. This anthology will provide Mexicans/Chicanos with the opportunity to explore the presence of Mexicans in Chicago and the Midwest from the end of the XIXth century to today. The writings will allow the reader to view the experience of workers in the railroads, the mills, and the activism of Mexicans in the sixties and seventies to the immigration marches in the XX1st centuries. These writings will give a new perspective of the presence and contributions of Mexicans in Chicago and the Midwest. It will examine the hardships, the struggles and triumphs of Chicanos/Mexicans and how their struggle has changed their perspective of life, politics, activism, education, and gender roles. We are accepting submissions in the forms of essay, poetry, short story, oral histories/testimonies, and autobiographies.
  • Postmarked deadline for submissions is Saturday, March 22nd, 2008.

  • Two hard copies of the article, including endnotes and bibliography

§ Submissions should be double spaced, follow MLA format and must not exceed 20 pages.

§ Poets may submit up to five poems

§ Writers may submit up to two short stories no longer than 20 pages

§ Autobiography/testimony, creative, non-fiction/memoir no longer than 20 pages

§ All contributors must submit a brief biography and professional affiliation.

Please send submissions to:

María A. Beltrán-Vocal
Department of Modern Languages
DePaul University

802 West Belden Ave.

Chicago, IL 60614

(773)325-7000 ext. 51866

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

December's Dynamic Duo: Ultima & Krista

Bookclub now reading:
Bless Me Ultima


Art Feature:
Lucky Sevens, Art by Krista Franklin

Opens Friday, Dec. 7th @ 7 p.m.

Details:
www.tianguis.biz

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

October review: Sor Juana, Open Studios & Proyecto Latina

top: Amanda and Maritza. bottom: Felicia, Irasema, Silvia, Diana.


We know its a little overdue, but we did want to report on some memorable October events. After all October is the month that marked our 2nd anniversary. And we have gotten this far through a lot of hard work but also support from family and--new and old--friends.

The second weekend in October was a busy one for us. We got started with Entre Letras, Palabras y Cantos, an event that Proyecto Latina was invited to collaborate on, it was part of the Sor Juana Festival at the National Museum of Mexican Art. A very exciting night, we had several local Latinas that came out to strut their literary and musical talent including Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez, Maritza Cervantes, and Belinda Cervantes. (You can currently see all three in Teatro Luna's Macho's production.

The feature that night was Felicia Luna Lemus who read from her second novel, Like Son. Which was also one of our recent bookclub picks. I was pleasantly surprised when Felicia dropped by to check out the store before walking over to the museum for the reading. How often do you get a one-on-one with a writer that allows you the opportunity to share thoughts and ask questions about their book?

The weekend was also filled with Pilsen Open Studio activities, and we were delighted to host an eclectic mix of art by Naomi Martinez and Jose Arceo. On Monday we capped things off with our monthly open mic Proyecto Latina and our first Macho feature, Paul Martinez Pompa--the chisme box was hot as ever.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone that joined us, we value and appreciate the support very much. Get your calendars ready because we have some year-end and new year activities scheduled.

Monday, October 8, 2007

This November Teatro Luna presents Machos







Teatro Luna, our co-collaborators for Proyecto Latina, have completed their next production. I'm super excited and can't wait to see Machos!

Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased directly from the Teatro Luna website.

MACHOS: Be a Man?...

Men. Women. Women dressed as men. Teatro Luna, Chicago's All-Latina Theater Company, announces the world premiere of MACHOS, an interview based play about contemporary masculinities. As always, Teatro Luna is cheeky, straightforward, and willing to ask even the most hard hitting questions: exactly how did you learn to use a urinal? MACHOS is presented In English with a sprinkle of Spanish.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Gallery: Antonio Pazaran










We got new art up on our walls. Its the work of Antonio Pazaran and it all happened quite spontaneously which means it will only be here for a very short time. A couple of my favorite pieces are the calla lilly (below), part of the flores urbanas trio and the self-portrait (above).* If you're in the neighborhood make sure to swing by to check it out soon, Pilsen Open Studios is fast approaching and our walls will once again be transformed.

*Select original pieces for sale. Prints for sale on all pieces.



Friday, September 7, 2007

Save the date for Pilsen Open Studios

Tianguis: books.tea.cultura is excited to be participating in Pilsen Open Studios, we will be featuring the artwork of Naomi Martinez and Jose Arceo. Mark your calendars and make sure to join us because we will also be celebrating our second anniversary with birthday cake. More details forthcoming.

Date: Saturday, October 13th and Sunday, October 14th
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen, Chicago, IL 60608

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Tianguis Bookclub news and more



The fall brings exciting developments and it starts with our bookclub selection, Like Son by Felicia Luna Lemus. We invite you to read along with us and join us for the bookclub discussion on Wed, Oct. 3rd @ 7 p.m.

If you're sad that summer is ending, I think this is just the page turner to distract you. And if you can't get enough of Nahui Olin, after seeing the Frida Contemporaries exhibit, you will be as delighted as me to see how Felicia brings Nahui Olin to life on the pages of this captivating novel.

We are also reading this book in anticipation of the October 12th event, that will be part of the Sor Juana Festival: Entre Letras, Palabras y Cantos. Which will feature Chicago's local Mexicana poets open for acclaimed author Felicia Luna Lemus. These local poets include: Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez, Magda Banda, Yolanda Cardenas, and The Luna Blues Machine. This event is a collaborative between the National Museum of Mexican Art and Proyecto Latina*.

Like Son is available @ Tianguis and your local library.

About the book: Set amidst present-day New York, 1990s Los Angeles, and 1940s Mexico City, Like Son is the not-so-simple story of a father, a son, and the love-blindness shared between them. Frank Cruz is a post-punk, sardonic, thirty-year-old who unwittingly inherits his father's legacy. Born a bouncing baby girl named Francisca to parents tangled in a doomed love affair, Frank grows up in both the poorest barrios and poshest hills of Southern California. A defiant loner, Frank leaves home at the age of eighteen, but is later sucked back into helping his estranged and blind father navigate an untimely death. On his deathbed, Frank's father gives him a mysterious crumbling photograph of a woman with a stunning gaze: Nahui Olin, a fierce member of the early-20th-century Mexican avant-garde who once brought tragedy upon the Cruz family. Punctured to his core by Nahui, Frank takes her portrait and flees to New York City to start anew--this time for real. In September 2001 the New York skyline tumbles, and Frank finds himself smack in the middle of his predestined fate.


* Proyecto Latina is a seperate collaborative between the women of Tianguis, Teatro Luna and Mariposa Atomica Ink.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Recap on the Mexican invasion

We were thrilled to host a reading for Gustavo Arellano, author of ¡Ask A Mexican! last Wed. He shared excerpts from his book as well as a few jokes, took questions during the Q&A before taking a seat to begin the booksigning. For us it was exciting to have Gustavo in the da house, and to see many familiar and new faces in the crowd. We are grateful for Gustavo's support, he reminded everyone of the importance of supporting independent bookstores and then put his money where his mouth is. That's him, Diana and Amanda looking joyous over the transaction.

He left autographed copies so that Chicago peeps that missed the reading could still get one--so get 'em while they last.

And one final thought: The ¡Ask A Mexican! column is not syndicated in Chicago. I think that should change, considering that Chicago is a city that hosts several Mexican enclaves. If you agree, consider writing the editors at your favorite local daily/weekly and asking them to syndicate.

Friday, July 6, 2007

The Mexican @ Tianguis

UPDATE:
SLOTS FOR THE READING ARE ALL FILLED, BUT MAKE SURE TO JOIN US FOR THE BOOKSIGNING--THAT IS OPEN TO ALL.

BOOKSIGNING BEGINS AT 8 P.M.



Gustavo Arellano, author of ¡Ask a Mexican! will be doing a reading and booksigning at Tianguis. I almost fell out when this opportunity came up. It was a no-brainer, we gave a resounding yes. For reasons beyond his entertaining column and coming to read at our humble nook in Pilsen, Gustavo has made it on our list of favorite people ever.


If you're interested in joining us, here's the official scoop:

What
: Reading and booksigning with Gustavo Arellano author of ¡Ask a Mexican!

When: Wed. July 18, 2007
Please note:
Reading: 7 p.m. RSVP required. Space is limited.
Booksigning: 8 p.m.Open to all.

Where: Tianguis: books. tea. cultura, 2003 S. Damen.

How to rsvp: Call 312.492.8350 or email info@tianguis.biz

************************************************

Arellano on the Colbert Report

Saturday, June 16, 2007

July events @ Tianguis

Wednesday, July 11th @ 7 p.m.
Tianguis Bookclub
A final opportunity to join the book club discussion on the award winning, and Pulitzer Prize finalist: The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea. Free.

Thursday, July 12th @ 7 p.m.
Hooks and Needles
Our stitching circle meets monthly on 2nd Thursdays. Open to everyone: Beginners and crochet/knitting veterans. Free.

Wednesday, July 18th @ 7 p.m.
Ask a Mexican!
Gustavo Arellano author of the hilarious book Ask A Mexican returns to Chicago and will be doing a reading and book signing at Tianguis. RSVP required, space is limited.

Thursday, July 26th @ 7 p.m.

Reading featuring Raúl Niño and his exquisite new chapbook Book Of Mornings.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

LUNATIC(A)S, Teatro Luna's new show

Our friends over at Teatro Luna are once again doing what they do best. We went to see this show last Friday. I cried, I laughed, and laughed so hard I cried.

Don't miss the CRAZIEST show of the season! Teatro Luna's LUNATIC(A)S. That crazy stuff you don't want to admit you do? We'll confess it for you - you can just sit back and RELATE! I promise.

LUNATIC(A)S
June 7-July 15
@Chicago Dramatists
Thurs @ 7:30, Fri/Sat @8pm, Sun @ 3pm
$15 general admission/$10 students
For tickets and info call 773-878-LUNA or e-mail info@teatroluna.org




update: REVIEWS ARE IN!

Don't miss Teatro Luna's latest show, LUNATIC(A)S. Audiences love it and the critics do too! Here's a sampling of what they have to say:

JEFF RECOMMENDED

THE TRIBUNE:
Few theatrical endeavors capture the essence of the modern-day female better than Teatro Luna... This is chick lit without the bad writerly flourishes; Cosmo magazine without the quizzes or the how-to-please-your-man confections. Teatro Luna, of course, brings a funky Latina point of view to the table, and its shows are executed with a precision and liveliness that is hard to resist...the show as a whole contains some of the strongest observational humor you will find this side of "Sex and the City,"

TIME OUT CHICAGO
funny feministas....blistering, hilarious honesty about the everyday insanities they experience as women and as Latinas...

EPOCH TIMES
...this is pure comedy with a capital "C"."

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Bookclub: The Devil's Highway, recap

Our bookclub discussion for The Devil's Highway was last night. There will be one more opportunity to share thoughts on the book in July, stay tuned for the date and time.

For now, I want to take a quick moment and follow up on last night's book club discussion. We had a nice exchange of ideas, regarding the book and the immigration issues it touches on. Some shared personal stories, or family anecdotes, it was definitely a book that struck a chord with many. One participant said she appreciated how the book humanized the immigrants crossing and a few regretted not having a novel format because we were left wanting to know more. I wondered if perhaps this was Urrea's way of conveying that desperation and feeling of not knowing feelings that perhaps the families left behind still live with.

Different passages stood out for a few of us. For me it was page 32, its a meager list of effects found on the victims that reads like a poem, for another person it was the top of page 165 that names the GPS coordinates that identifies where the journey ends for some victims, for another person it was page 128 that describes how walkers strip nude to escape the heat and how the clothing is found,"eerily neat, carefully folded and left in nice little piles."

Did you read the book and didn't have an opportunity to join us? Are there any thoughts you would like to share before the next book club discussion. We encourage you to post a comment here or send it to info@tianguis.biz.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

On La Bloga

Lisa Alvarado, our featured performer for the next Proyecto Latina is the Thursday columnist for La Bloga. Her column today features Tianguis, Proyecto Latina and a profile on yours truly.

La Bloga is a blog that covers Chicana/Chicano Literature, Writers, Fiction, Children's Literature, News, Views, Reviews . My favorite feature is the extensive link list to author websites. No more wondering if your favorite Chicano author has a website. :)

Finally, make sure to mark your calendars and join us Monday, June 18th @ 7 p.m. for the next Proyecto Latina with Lisa Alvarado who will be sharing from a new body of work. As always there will be chismes and an open mic.

--Irasema Gonzalez

Monday, May 7, 2007

Tea Time: new hours and specials


NEW HOURS:
Mon. through Sat.: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sun:
10a.m. to 5 p.m.

The tea bar is finally open. That means that in addition to tasty drinks, we are introducing new hours. Please note that we are now open earlier and on Sundays. And to celebrate we are featuring a morning special:

MORNING SPECIAL:
$1.00
small coffee/tea*

7 a.m.-9 a.m.
*(select tea options)

We have organic loose leaf teas --our current favorite is the King Crimson blend--and we can make it a hot or iced tea. Indulge in one of the chais, we have four flavors for choose from. And for a sweeter, hot weather treat, try one of our bubble teas--with or without tapioca pearls. And finally, we also have coffee, and we promise that we can make a mean cup of cafecito.

Our primary mission is to celebrate Latino literature from established authors but also to help nurture emerging voices that are also telling our stories. Buying a drink or snack at Tianguis is a great way to support and help the book selection grow.

We invite you to swing by next time you're in the neighborhood. We are conveniently located across the CTA Pink Line, Damen stop. We can make our space available after hours for meetings or other events, contact us for details.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

New bookclub selection: The Devil's Highway


The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea is our next book club selection! It's the first book that we pick that I have not actually read first. But I think its a safe gamble since it's a national bestseller and a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

The book recounts a true story about a group of Mexican immigrants that got lost in May of 2004, along the Arizona desert on a deadly stretch known as The Devil's Highway or La Carretera del Diablo.

I'm already half-way through the first chapter. I've also thumbed through different parts of the book, including the table of contents, the interview and readers questions at the back of the book. One item that stands out is the timeline summarizing the deadly five day journey these men went on. It begins and ends during the month of May. I'm beginning to feel that perhaps the timing of this book as our book club selection for the month of May is serendipity. In the last couple of months, we had considered a couple of titles by Urrea and just recently and unaware of this coincidence picked The Devil's Highway. The thought of that
timing coincidence lingered as I began to read the first few pages, making Urrea's descriptions of desert and desolation all the more surreal.

In light of the ongoing immigration debate we think its a timely read for individuals on both sides of the argument. At the interview at the back of the book, Urrea is asked about how he kept his account objective, he responds, "If I was going to write a book hoping to deal with this issue fairly, how could I write with prejudice...I have to trust my readers to make up their own minds. Even if that means reaching decisions I didn't intend for them to reach."

We invite you to read along with us. If you have already read this book, we encourage you to revisit it and share your thoughts with us. You can do this either through the comment feature on this blog or by joining our book club discussion. Immigration affects us all at many levels, we hope this book can help spark some healthy dialogue in our community and perhaps inspire action leading to changes that ensure that tragedies like this no longer occur.

There are four weeks to read the book. The next book club discussion gathering will be Wednesday, June 6th at 7 p.m. Can't wait to see you.

The Devil's Highway (Bay Back Books, 13.99) is for sale at Tianguis.

--Irasema Gonzalez

Friday, April 6, 2007

Monstrochikas have arrived!


Three postcards to pick from, take some home, keep them around for when you need to write to a special friend or to frame and enjoy as art. On sale now@ Tianguis now.

To celebrate Naomi and her monstritos are scheduled to take Tianguis by storm--we will be hosting a special presentation of Naomi's artwork. Make sure to join us:

Friday, April 13th
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Held @ Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen

Naomi Martinez was born in 1977 and is an all-natural Chicago grown Xicana artist. Her interest in art began in high school with her discovery of her local graffiti art scene and the Mexican social muralist movement of her father’s native land. She learned painting and pottery skills as an Apprentice Artist at Gallery 37 with the Marwen Foundation. She later enrolled at Columbia College Chicago for acting and photography but with no major in mind soon dropped out. After her college experience she became a road trip enthusiast and even had a brief stint as a poet and Rock en Espanol band singer. She revisited painting and aerosol art in 2000. More recently she has designed and hand sewn Monstrochika pouches and stuffed monstros while completing volume one of Monstrochika Comix. She has also collaborated with other local women graffiti artists on various murals around the Chicago. Naomi is inspired by both nature and metropolis, graffiti, comics, her childhood in the city and her pets. She is currently a legal secretary by day and Monstro Factory worker by night. Visit Naomi's myspace.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Are you passionate about education?

Big Picture High School in Back of the Yards needs your support to make a difference. Remember that it took complete community involvement to get the Little Village High School built. This time we need to come together to keep the Big Picture High School in the Back of the Yards open.

Tianguis has hosted internships for Big Picture High School students and we strongly support its mission and model. At Tianguis we value the work that Big Picture is doing with the young adults from Back of the Yards. The students are encouraged to think BIG, pursue higher education and learn through real life experiences.The loss of this school would be devastating to the Back of the Yards community and an injustice to the young people who reside in it.

To support Big Picture consider doing the following:

*This Wednesday, Feb. 28th, 2007. 10:30 a.m.:
A group of students, mentors and parents will be going in front of the Chicago Board of Education meeting. If you can join us at CPS Central Administration Building, 125 S. Clark Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603 .

*Call the Board or Education. Its pretty easy, just dial, 773-553-1600, and ask to be transferred to the office of one of the board members, then leave a message with the assistant.

Sample message:
This message is for ____________________ I am a _____________________and I am calling to ask you to please support Big Picture High School in Back of the Yards. At Big Picture we have seen the:
*Personal and academic growth of each student.
*The teachers’ drive to develop strong relationships with their students
*Students’ readiness to pursue higher education.
*Consider adding any personal messages on why you feel it is important to keep Big Picture open in Back of the Yards.
*Finally, ask to please let Big Picture High School enroll freshman next year.

*Write a letter.
Take a moment to write of a letter support for the Big Picture High School in the Back of the Yards and mail it to:

Arne Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
CPS, Chicago Board of Education
125 S. Clark Street, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Rufus Williams
Board President
Chicago Board of Education
125 S. Clark Street, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Cynthia Barron
Area Instructional Officer
Area 25 Office
4655 S Dearborn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60609

or any of the other CPS board members.

Finally, do not hesitate to send messages of encouragement and support to the educators, parents, mentors and students at Big Picture High School. Their commitment and hard work is inspiring but the support of its community is crucial at this time.

info@bigpicturechicago.org

Big Picture High School
4946 S. Paulina
Chicago, IL 60609

Please repost, foward, and distribute to your contacts. We need all the support we can get.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

A Blank Stare is Better than an Empty Chair

A collection of stories written by Chicago native Michael Villarreal

Meztli Gallery
556 W. 18th Street, Chicago.

Tickets: $15 ($12 group/student)

Runs through April 8 (NO Performance Friday March 2)
Fridays and Saturdays: 7 p.m. Sundays: 3 p.m.

Everyone has a story. Some are romantic – some are tragic – some are funny. Our stories are the just about the only things we can truly call our own.

Villarreal explores the stories of six women of varying backgrounds and experiences. From Karyn’s sacrificial revelation to Dulce’s mysterious visitor, each of these characters offers a touching – often poignant view of life as seen through their eyes.

Cast includes: Niki Aquino, Diana Campos, Beatriz Jamaica, Venessa Ortega, Carrie Peters, Alicia Ponce, and Diana Shield. Music: Marcia Klatt and Waldo Ocana.

Info or rsvp: 866.811.4111, www.myspace.com/abstare, or www.theatermania.com.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Ending violence against women

“What Will It Take?”
Town Hall series

6 - 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 1

Westside Technical Institute

2800 S. Western Ave., Chicago

Special performance by Professor Maria Beltran-Vocal,

author of “Troublemaker: Peleonera Poems”

Recently, we have seen a rise in such forms of violence against women and girls such as the murder of a Latina woman in Little Village and the sexual assaults of two young girls in the Back of the Yards, all of which impact whole families and communities—and we have a lot to talk about.

Join us. Share your concerns and help us find solutions.

“What Will It Take? Building the Safest State for All Women and Girls” is a yearlong statewide initiative of Chicago Foundation for Women. It is based on the idea that to find answers, you have to ask the question. The Town Hall series is part of that effort.

This second of nine town hall meetings held across the state is hosted by Chicago Foundation for Women’s Latina Leadership Council in conjunction with Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Latino Coalition for Violence Prevention, Amigas Latinas, Chicago Public Schools’ Girl’s Initiative, and Rape Victim Advocates.

Violence does not discriminate. It affects people no matter what your income, age, race sexual orientation or gender identity. But it disproportionately affects women and girls of color, immigrant women and girls and disabled women and girls.

· Because of language, cultural and financial barriers, immigrant women are more likely to be vulnerable to abuse.

· More than three women are killed each day by a husband or boyfriend.

· One in three girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.

· Lesbian, bisexual and transgender women have the same risk of intimate partner violence.

“Que se necesita?” Town Hall series

6 - 8 p.m.

Jueves, Marzo 1

Westside Technical Institute

2800 S. Western Ave., Chicago

Presentacion especial de la Profesora Maria Beltran-Vocal,

autora de “Troublemaker: Peleonera Poems”

Actualmente se han incrementado las formas de violencia en contra de las mujeres y ninas; como los recientes casos de la muerte de una Latina en la Villita y los ataques sexuales de dos ninas en el barrio “Back of the Yards”, hechos que han tenido un impacto importante en la comunidad y sus familias. Tenemos mucho que hablar acerca de este tema.

Unete y comparte tus inquietudes. Ayudanos a encontrar soluciones.

Que se necesita? Construir un Estado Seguro para todas las mujeres y ninas.

Es una iniciativa de la Fundacion de Mujeres de Chicago que se llevara a cabo durante todo el ano en el estado. Su fundamento esta basado en la idea de encontrar respuestas, tu tienes que hacer preguntas. Estas series son parte de ese esfuerzo.

Esta es la segunda de nueve reunions que realizara el Estado y esta auspiciada el Concilio de Liderazgo de Mujeres Latinas de la Fundacion de Mujeres de Chicago en union con mujeres Latinas en accion , la La Coalicion Latina para la prevencion de la violencia, Amigas Latinas, Iniciativa de Ninas de las Esculas Publicas de Chicago, Defensores de las victimas de violacion.

La violencia no discrimina. Afecta a toda la gente no importa su ingreso, edad, raza, orientacion sexual o genero. Pero afecta desproporcionadamente a las mujeres y ninas de color, mujeres inmigrantes y desabilitadas.

  • Las mujeres inmigrantes son mas vulnerables al abuso debido a las barreras economicas, de lenguaje y cultura.
  • Mas de tres mujeres son asesinadas diariamente por sus esposos y novios.
  • Una de cada tres ninas es sexualmente abusada antes de la edad de 18 anos.
  • Las mujeres lesbianas, bisexuales y transexuales corren el mismo riesgo de ser intimamente abusadas por sus parejas.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Palabra Pura






A perfect excuse to start the weekend early. Grab the alcoholic concoction of choice, a chair and enjoy the show. The Guild Complex and its partners* put a lot of thought into this monthly bilingual poetry series.

Feature's for Wednesday, February 21st.

Fernando Olszanski and Carl Marcum

California Clipper
1002 N. California (California at Augusta), Chicago
Doors open 8:00 p.m.
Reading begins with an open mic at 8:30 p.m.

Free admission/Books for sale
21 and over show (don’t forget your i.d.)

Fernando Olszanski was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has lived in Ecuador, Europe, Japan and now in the United States. He is the author of the novel Rezos de marihuana and the book of poems Parte del polvo. He has received awards for his poetry, fiction and essays in Argentina, Spain and the US. He has published his work in The Barcelona Review and Nitecuento, in Spain; Franchachela and Las Letras in Argentina, contratiempo, The Cove, and Ventana Abierta in the US, as well as publications in Mexico, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia. Part of his work has been translated to Japanese. He is the Chief Editor of Revista Contratiempo.

Carl Marcum is the author of Cue Lazarus (University of Arizona Press, 2001), a second place co-winner for Best Poetry in 2002 for the Latino Literary Hall of Fame Awards. His honors include a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Wallace Stegner Fellowship, the D.H. Lawrence Fellowship from the University of New Mexico’s Taos Summer Writers’ Conference, and a recently awarded Illinois Arts Council Fellowship. A native of Arizona, he currently resides in Chicago and teaches creative writing and literature at DePaul
University.

*Letras Latinas of the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame and the Rafael Cintron Ortiz Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This series is also supported by contratiempo and Arena Cultural.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Let us be your cupid
















Valentine's Day is just couple of days away. In case you can't figure out what to get that special someone in your life. Allow us to suggest a few very original items all available at Tianguis.

Featuring Xochico's licensed Loteria t-shirts. They can convey just the right message.

Regalale La Luna,













La Rosa
, (that will not wilt in a few days),













O dale un flechaso en El Corazon.













Blue Sky Creation's Valentine's Day Cards will add the finishing touch to any gift.












Our current book club selection, The Alchemist would make an inspirational gift to that special person in your life.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

XOXO, Teatro Luna's Valentine's Party

Tickets on sale @ Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen.













We hope you join us this weekend.

Featuring a special encore performance of S-e-x-Oh!, live music from The Luna Blues Machine and Nuestro Tambo

Saturday, February 10th, 7:30 p.m.
@ BOX CO, 4440 S. Ashland, 2nd Floor
$15 in advance/$20 at the door (suggested donation)

B.Y.O.B, bake sale, photo booth, and the chance to meet your secret admirer!

Monday, February 5, 2007

Tianguis in the Press

We just came across the following article, New Businesses for the New Year. We thought it was a story that never hit the presses so we were pleasantly surprised to find it online.

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Writing our stories

Pushing, featuring, and celebrating books and literature by Latino, Latin-American, and Hispanic authors is part of the mission behind our business. So is nurturing future poetas y escritores, so we thought we'd share this submission calendar with you. All perfect excuses to polish up those cuentitos you've had brewing and get 'em out there.

Feeling a bit stumped when you crack open your journal? Feeling cheated by the muses when it comes to your fair share of creativity? Its okay, it happens to all of us sometimes. I recommend Demetria Martinez's, Confessions of a Berlitz-Tape Chicana to help shake you out of it. I was hooked and inspired before I even finished with the book's first sentence, "A long time ago I learned that if I were to stay sane, I had to jot down notes in the margins of the official story." Its a collection of essays, newspaper columns, speeches and poems and scattered throughout you will find little golden nuggets of info that any Latin@ writer will appreciate, along with small glimpses into Demetria's writing process. Our favorite is the essay, Sweet Revenge, where Demetria states that, "The best revenge is a book of poems." We agree and think that you can throw novels, memoirs, short story collections, etc into that mix.

I want to encourage you to write down your own official stories. Even if in the end they are only for you to read. If the desire is in you, its for good reason. You never know who your words may touch. We promise to make room on our shelves for your publications.

Monday, January 29, 2007

New Literary Series

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Literary Series curated by Achy Obejas with

*David Driscoll
*Bayo Ojikutu
*Coya Paz
* Srikanth Reddy


7 p.m. $5 suggested donation (18 & Over)
@ the Hothouse. Event details.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Call for submissions: Full length stage plays

8th ANNUAL METLIFE 
NUESTRAS VOCES
National Playwriting Competition 2007

Deadline: Friday, June 1, 2007.

For submission guidelines.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Luis Urrea keynote @ Loyola conference












Saturday, February 24, 2007

Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus
Luis Urrea is the scheduled keynote speaker for "A Calling to Justice: An Interdisciplinary Academic Conference, exploring Social Justice in the Professions and Disciplines." The event is open to the public and hosted by Loyola University Chicago. Cost: $25. Registration deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 21. For details and registration info: Michael Maher, mmaher at luc dot edu or 312.915.7727.













Luis Alberto Urrea, member of the Latino Literature Hall of Fame, is a prolific and acclaimed writer who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph. The Devil's Highway, his 2004 non-fiction account of a group of Mexican immigrants lost in the Arizona desert, won the 2004 Lannan Literary Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Urrea's most recent book, The Hummingbird's Daughter, tells the story of Teresa Urrea, sometimes known as “The Saint of Cabora” and “The Mexican Joan of Arc.” Urrea is a professor of creative writing at the University of Illinois-Chicago. For his complete bio, blog, and related information: www.luisurrea.com.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Have you visited Tianguis yet?













If you've never been to our store or have been meaning to swing by but haven't gotten a chance, in an effort to entice you, we're posting a picture and a great review that Diana Pando posted over at Botanas: Art, Culture and other Rants.

Yesterday, I walked through Pilsen anxious to check out Tianguis Bookstore’s new location. I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. The store is in a great and convenient location right across the street from the Damen pink line station, the #50 Damen bus stop and right around the corner from the National Museum of Mexican Art.

If you are addicted to books,like I am, you will ABSOLUTELY ADORE this gem of a place. The moment you walk in your eyes will feast on a variety of books all standing neatly on shelves. From Neruda to Marquez to more contemporary writers there is something for everyone. The store also has a selection of T-shirts with la Chilindrina and el Chavo del Ocho on them, sassy milagrito bracelets by Patricia Carlos and new minature paintings by artist Luis DeLaTorre.

The place oozes with creativity, good vibes and best of all books galore. It’s also the perfect place for a cup of tea. Make mine de manzanillo please. The tea bar is coming in February, hurray! I’m hoping to be spending quality time in the writing/reading nook of the store.

Click here to read complete entry.

Submission Call: Stories of Hope and Survival













Portraits: Stories of Hope and Survival

Deadline: Feb. 28, 2007

“What Will It Take? Building the Safest State for All Women and Girls” is a year-long, anti-violence initiative headed by Chicago Foundation for Women. It is an effort to bring awareness to violence against women and girls, in all its forms, including: domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying, street harassment, prostitution, elder abuse and incest, as well as women and girls who are “trafficked” for sexual or labor exploitation.

While violence against women and girls affects all of us, too few people talk about it. And too often, the stories become invisible. “Portraits: Stories of Hope and Survival” is an effort to give a voice to those stories. We want to reflect the voices of people who have survived, family and friends who have lived through violence and those who may not have been able to talk about violence until now. We will collect original essays, stories, poems and observations about violence against women and girls. Some of the stories will be put on our website, some may be used for a theatrical production and some may be put in a book, a collection outlining the yearlong effort. (We are asking writers to give us limited use rights, since any profits from these efforts will be put back into community grants.)

Click here for submission guidelines.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Texas, here they come!










"Hola to our Texas friends! Please SAVE THE DATE(S) : January 24-29th.
Teatro Luna will be in San Antonio performing S-e-x-Oh! at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on Friday and Saturday night and showing a Probadita of our MACHOS show on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. MACHOS will be FREE and S-e-x-Oh! will be about $10 (I think). Times TBA, but PLEASE spread the word. We'd love to see you and your friends and your family and your neighbors and your coworkers there!" --Teatro Luna

For more info: www.teatroluna.org or myspace.com/teatroluna

Pilsen: Paid art internships

WHAT IS INSTALLATION ART?
Spring Session 2007
Feb. 6th - Apr. 20th, 2007: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 3:30pm - 6:30pm
This is a Yollocalli Arts Reach and After School Matters Paid Arts Internship for youth ages 14-21.

For more info or to apply: www.afterschoolmatters.org

Registration and Portfolio review @ Yollocalli, Jan. 15th-19th, 3-5 p.m.
Please bring your school or photo ID, a social security card or ITIN#, and any artwork you have created (sketchbook, slides, photos, drawings in your notebook, etc.) for your portfolio review.

For more information, please write to info@yollocalli.org or call 312.455.9652, ext.204.


************

MURAL CLASS

Spring Session 2007
Feb. 6th - Apr. 20th, 2007, Tues., Wed., and Thur. 3:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
A Yollocalli Arts Reach, After School Matters, and Rauner Family YMCA Paid Arts Internship for youth ages 14-21. Continuing the work from the Fall session, you will help create four new murals for the walls of the Rauner Family YMCA.

For more info or to apply: www.afterschoolmatters.org

Registration and portfolio review from Jan 15th-19th, 3:45-6:45 p.m. @ The Rauner Family YMCA, 2700 S. Western Ave. Please bring your school or photo ID, a social security card or ITIN# and any artwork you have created (sketchbook, slides, photos, drawings in your notebook, etc.) for your portfolio review.

For more information, please write to info@yollocalli.org or call 312.455.9652, ext.200.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Proyecto Latina: Featuring Diane Herrera

We are anticipating the first Proyecto Latina of 2007, our initiative will be completing its first year this month. Diane Herrera will be kicking things off for us, she is our featured performer this January 15th. Join us, its a great way to end the Martin Luther King holiday and long weekend.


If you've attended any Teatro Luna or Salsation shows you might be familiar with Diane's work. Although, I only met her recently I still recall her character Patty from a Salsation show I attended a few years back. We recently asked Diane to answer a few questions because our inquisitive (i.e. nosey) minds wanted to know more.

When did you first figure out that you wanted to be a writer and/or peformer?
I was in college studying general theatre studies--my ultimate goal was to be a professional director. One day I was told by a friend that I could join this playwriting workshop class. The catch was that even though I was only performing the playwrights' works, I had to write six line scenes for every class. I started having fun with it, and my teacher told me I should switch to a playwriting major. I ignored him for the quarter, but he wore me down and I finally took playwriting class...and that's where I fell in love with the process of creating characters and situations and seeing them onstage, and seeing how the audience reacts to them.

Performing--that's a little different. I always loved performing, but I wasn't very much encouraged by teachers or peers. So I didn't pursue it much, just took classes here and there in college. I started taking 2nd City classes after college because I went to this seminar where Jeffrey Sweet was speaking, and he said that when you have writer's block the best cure is to improvise. So I started the improv classes and I was hooked. I kept getting opportunities to perform here and there...one thing lead to another and here I am today!

What gets your creativity going?
Sometimes it's something I'll see or read--other times it's just an idea that strikes me that I have to write out. A lot of times it's something that has happened to me or my loved ones in real life. Sometimes it's a simple as a deadline to get my creativity going! ;)

What is the one question you wished we had asked?
What is my favorite food? Right now it's ice cream. : )


Sad news from Tia Chucha

Luis J. Rodriguez, Xicano author and also co-founder and creative director of Tia Chucha Cafe and Cultural Center in California, announced via an e-mail that the bookstore, cafe, performance and cultural center is being forced to move from its current location. Shortly after the holidays Tia Chucha was served with a notice that would force them to move by the end of February. Sadly, they are scheduled to be replaced by high-tech laundrymat that is apparently investing $8 million in the strip mall, something any independent bookstore or small business would be hard pressed to compete with.

Rodriguez says, "This is a time to come together, strategize, and work to keep Tia Chucha's viable as a cultural center while we explore our options. We will not give up."

Tia Chucha has placed a call for support. To read Rodriguez' complete message and to find out how one can support visit: www.tiachucha.com.