Thursday, September 25, 2008

The pinch me moment: Ana Castillo reads at Tianguis















I had been preparing for last Friday night's reading for about a month--I was going through the motions at a pace that didn't allow me to really reflect on what was going to happen--but then Ana Castillo walked through our front door and that's when it really sunk in. Ana Castillo was reading at Tianguis! It was like when that special tia or the long lost cousin comes to visit and everyone gathers to anxiously wait and welcome their arrival. There was an energetic buzz that began building up in the store in the hours leading up to the reading because it was an honor, for me, my store and my customers to have an opportunity to share in such an intimate setting with a very talented writer--we all accepted the gift gratefully.

Ana read from her new book The Guardians, now out on paperback, and shared a poem from her poetry collection I ask the Impossible. There was a brief Q&A before folks lined up for the booksigning and picture taking.















A great big shout-out and thank you to all the wonderful folks that helped (behind-the-scenes) to make the evening a great success: Amanda Torres, Cristina Correa, Diana Pando, Liza Ann Acosta, Jenny Priego, Yolanda Cardenas, Isabel Garcia, Ellen Wadey, Radio Arte/Yollocalli Studios (for the use of their lovely red folding chairs) and to everyone who joined us. Look for more pictures of the evening on our myspace photo albums.

You can log on to Ana's blog to check out video from that evening that she has also posted.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Workshop with Taco Shop Poet, Tomas Riley

Last Thursday, September 18th, Tianguis hosted a poetry workshop led by Tomas Riley and sponsored by the Guild Complex. This is the second workshop of its kind (learn about the first one here), we love the creative energy this type of gathering brings to our space. We had some familiar faces amongst us, as well as newbies and some old students of Tomas Riley that joined us for the evening. We will keep you posted if similar opportunities become available in the future.



Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Proyecto Latina: September recap


This last Monday we got together for our September '09 edition of Proyecto Latina: we had chismes, open mic and a featured reading by Achy Obejas. The Yollocalli Gallery at Radio Arte, where we hosted our event, is currently decked out in various shades of pink because their current exhibit is about the Quinceanera tradition. I thought it was pretty cool and appropriate that our open mic participants and Achy got to read with a Latina deity of sorts (a student piece) watching over them.

If you missed it, we just want to let you know that copies of Achy's latest titles, This is what happened in our other life and Havana Noir are still available at Tianguis. You can also catch Achy September 26th where she will be having a conversation with Junot Diaz at Instituto Cervantes.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

A little bit of serendipity and a week full of all-stars


It must have been a little bit of serendipity because these events kind of built up on our calendar before we realized what an amazing all-star line-up we had before us. So, we are excited and gearing up and we hope you can join us for one or two or ALL events!

Monday, September 15, 2008
Proyecto Latina welcomes back Achy Obejas. Join us for a reading, to check out her latest book and first published poetry collection, This is what happened in our other life. As usual open mic and chisme box will be in full force. Held at Radio Arte. Details here.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Free poetry workshop with Tomas Riley at Tianguis. Free but space for this event is limited. RSVP required to info @ tianguis. biz. You can catch Tomas' at Palabra Pura on Wed. 9/17 where he will be one of two features.

Friday, September 19, 2009

Ana Castillo will read and sign copies of her latest novel, The Guardians (now available on paperback) at Tianguis. Free, arrive early, seating will be limited to first come first serve.

Saturday, September 20, 2009
This is a bonus event for us! We may not be hosting it but we are definitely supporters of Lisa Alvarado and her work. We will be joining her for the national book release party for her poetry collection: Raw Silk Suture. Event details.

You can find complete event details on our website: www.tianguis.biz.