tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144853317917045652024-03-05T15:24:47.896-08:00El LiteratiThe blog for Tianguis bookstore in Chicago.El Literati for Tianguishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709420821205166373noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-45230967233688736922009-04-24T09:15:00.000-07:002009-04-24T09:26:20.854-07:00Join Proyecto Latina @ Poetry Fest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.chipublib.org/dir_images/programs/poetry-fest.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 95px;" src="http://www.chipublib.org/dir_images/programs/poetry-fest.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ 2:30 p.m.</span> in the Video Theater<br /><br />Its poetry month and we are taking the <span style="font-style: italic;">chisme box</span> and our favorite Latina poets with us to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">10th annual Poetry Fest @ The Harold Washington Library</span>.<br /><br />Featured readers: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cristina Correa, Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez, Irasema Gonzalez, Diana Pando.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://http//www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/poetry_fest.php">Poetry Fest</a> is a free festival of poetry readings, workshops, performances and discussions, all under one roof.Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-46175425661476269842009-04-19T19:55:00.000-07:002009-04-19T20:56:25.621-07:00Mangocentric Chicago<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0xPH5vryqUTajm4R6dUkIca4z8HT3aaLTjHfHYpUNnFCFF1AJzvuCKKMwrvaNoUMTaI_F8iBwKBjzweA_lrQOXk62vqgIBIgVMtR2V0q3KMSi0FDVKN6meMJEVGIl_0e86iuCSxXgOcI/s1600-h/photo_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0xPH5vryqUTajm4R6dUkIca4z8HT3aaLTjHfHYpUNnFCFF1AJzvuCKKMwrvaNoUMTaI_F8iBwKBjzweA_lrQOXk62vqgIBIgVMtR2V0q3KMSi0FDVKN6meMJEVGIl_0e86iuCSxXgOcI/s400/photo_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326603094353959090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One Book, One Chicago events are still ongoing. I hope you have had a chance to read or revist The House on Mango Street. Maybe you had the opportunity to see Sandra Cisneros read at the Harold Washington Library. Through my work with Proyecto Latina I had the exciting opportunity to interview her, that interview aired on Radio Arte tonight and will be posted <a href="http://www.proyectolatina.org/">here</a> for folks that missed it. I hope you can join us this Monday, April 20th for Proyecto Latina, mangos are our theme and we are excited to have a preview of Tanya Saracho's musical adaptation of The House on Mango Street. Tanya also shares the art process of how she took a lyrical narrative and modified it for the stage.<br /><br /><table style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(222, 150, 32);" bg="" width="100%" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(222, 150, 32);"><div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(52, 76, 202);">PROYECTO LATINA READING SERIES<br />Monday, April 20, 7:00 p.m.<br />Radio Arte<br />1401 W. 18th St.<br /></span></strong><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Mangos, Chismes y Mucho Más! This monthly reading series promotes and features emerging and established Latinas of all written and performance disciplines from Chicago. This month's event honors Sandra Cisneros and includes a sneak peak at Tanya Saracho's adaptation of <em>The House on Mango Street</em>. Proyecto Latina is a collaborative between Teatro Luna, Tianguis Books, and Mariposa Atomica Ink. For more information, go to </span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><a target="_blank" href="http://www.proyectolatina.org/">www.proyectolatina.org</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">.<br /></span><br /></span><strong><span style="color: rgb(52, 76, 202);font-size:85%;" >Lecture: Mango Street Revisited-Youth, the Community/Barrio, and Immigration in Mexican Chicago<br />Tuesday, April 21, 6:00 p.m.<br />DePaul University-McGowan South Building<br />1110 W. Belden Ave., Room 108<br /></span></strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Come to DePaul for a lecture by Juan Mora-Torres, Associate Professor in the Department of History. In the spring of 2006, over a million people, including large numbers of young people, marched in Chicago to demand civil rights for the undocumented population. This lecture/presentation revisits key themes in Sandra Cisneros' novel, <em>The House on Mango Street </em>- the meaning of community, the politics of the youth and issues of immigration in the making of contemporary Mexican Chicago.<br />Free and open to the public; no reservations required.<br /></span><br /></span><strong><span style="color: rgb(52, 76, 202);font-size:85%;" >STAGED READING OF <em>THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET</em><br />Monday, April 27, 7:00 p.m.<br />Steppenwolf Theatre - Upstairs theatre<br />1650 N. Halsted Ave.<br /></span></strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">This fall, Steppenwolf will present Sandra Cisneros' inimitable work about growing up Latina in Chicago. Adapted by Tanya Saracho, co-founder of Teatro Luna, this play will bring the world of Esperanza-her friends, family and neighbors, her dreams and her heartbreak-to vivid life on the stage. This reading presents Chicago actors performing scenes from the adaptation-in-progress.<br />Free event, reservations required! Call (312) 335-1650.<br /></span><br /></span><strong><span style="color: rgb(52, 76, 202);font-size:85%;" >COMMUNITY FORUM ON IMMIGRATION<br />Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 p.m.<br />Chicago Public Library<br />Logan Square Branch<br />3030 W. Fullerton Ave.<br /></span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >Join fellow Chicagoans from all backgrounds for a "town hall" meeting on the topic of immigration. The evening will feature a short reading, input by local activists, and your conversation.<br /><em>This program is presented as a partnership between the Chicago Public Library, The Guild Complex and Latinos Progresando. </em></span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td width="50%"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'll be leading a couple of Spanish language discussions for The House on Mango Street. You can join me at the West Belmon Branch this Tuesday, or in May at the Albany Park Branch. You can get the full list of Spanish language discussions in the One Book, One Chicago resource guide <a href="http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/onebook_onechgo.php">here</a>.Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-75160925437929748162009-03-12T13:12:00.000-07:002009-03-12T23:23:17.310-07:00Chicago reads The House on Mango Street<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yE-IEyk3m1bx7M2xqj3Nb6aza-gfQepZmAfS5qskO1Gc0BsDlaIuW9YgWKWBl-0RQg7rIpYOzygWg393Jz7kmrJvadS_0LW5FwC0XACWaZG14LyUK_zl37Q45_X7wPAlF1JcNH8PoOat/s1600-h/Mangostreet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yE-IEyk3m1bx7M2xqj3Nb6aza-gfQepZmAfS5qskO1Gc0BsDlaIuW9YgWKWBl-0RQg7rIpYOzygWg393Jz7kmrJvadS_0LW5FwC0XACWaZG14LyUK_zl37Q45_X7wPAlF1JcNH8PoOat/s400/Mangostreet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312403493218316882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The House on Mango Street was announced as the next pick for One Book, One Chicago earlier this week.<br /><br />I have a well thumbed and authographed copy of this book already but I was delighted to get a copy of the new edition. It not only has a beautiful new cover but it also includes a moving introduction by Cisneros where she shares the story of writing this book and also on how she became a writer and the series of life events that led her to writing Mango Street. Plenty of food for thought in those first few pages. <br /><br />I want you to also re-discover this book and I hope you have a chance to read the new introduction too. The Chicago Public Library has hooked up <span style="font-weight: bold;">Proyecto Latina</span> with <span style="font-weight: bold;">FREE copies of The House on Mango Street</span> so make sure to join us on <a href="http://proyectolatinachicago.blogspot.com/2009/03/proyecto-latina-march.html">March 16th, our feature will be the Vida Bella Ensemble with the Brown Girl Chronicles</a>.<br /><br />There's a calendar full of citywide events and you can get an electronic version of the resource guide <a href="http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/onebook_onechgo.php">here</a>.<br /><br />Also, you can catch up with me at a couple of events this Spring: I will be co-hosting Proyecto Latina in April and contributing on a panel on Latina Creativity in Chicago.<br /><p><strong>Panel Discussion: Celebrating Latina Creativity in Chicago<br /></strong>Thursday, April 2, 6:00 p.m.<br />DePaul University—John R. Cortelyou Commons Building<br />2324 N. Fremont St.<br />Join a distinguished panel of artists who will discuss the path of their own creative journeys, examine the ways in which their work has been influenced by Cisneros, and trace the dynamic relationship between artists and their communities. Panelists will include Professor Bibiana Suarez from the Department of Art, Media, and Design at DePaul University; Irasema Gonzalez, poet and founder of Tianguis Books; Coya Paz, co-founder of Teatro Luna and Visiting Multicultural Faculty in DePaul University’s Theatre School; and Tanya Saracho, co-founder of Teatro Luna who is adapting <em>The House on Mango Street</em> for the stage.<br /><em>Co-sponsored by the Women’s Center at DePaul University. Free and open to the public; no reservations required. </em></p><p><strong>PROYECTO LATINA READING SERIES</strong><br />Monday, April 20, 7:00 p.m.<br />Radio Arte, 1401 W. 18th St.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mangos, Chismes y Mucho Más!</span> This monthly reading series promotes and features emerging and established Latinas of all written and performance disciplines from Chicago. This month’s event honors Sandra Cisneros and includes a sneak peak at Tanya Saracho's adaptation of The House on Mango Street. Proyecto Latina is a collaborative between Teatro Luna, Tianguis Books, and Mariposa Atomica Ink. For more information, go to <a href="http://www.proyectolatina.org/" target="_blank">www.proyectolatina.org</a>.</p> <strong></strong>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-2184588538608648242009-02-23T18:09:00.000-08:002009-03-30T06:21:59.425-07:00The flow of spanglish & power of language<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It was exciting to see what people had to say about our first <a href="http://elliterati.blogspot.com/2009/02/dominican-f-word-can-you-even-say-it.html">question</a>. It got me thinking that as a bilingual educator-FOR LIFE-I am finding that language is very misunderstood. In these times of looking down upon Spanish, immigrants, ebonics, we often forget that each language is beautiful and evolving. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It is ever reflective of our place and time in the world.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Nancy</span> enlightens us with her words, <span style="font-style: italic;">"...could the f word come from "fuck you" and could fuku americanus be really as simple as "fuck you americans". Maybe the fuck you was returned to a Dominican and since we all [know] the strength of the return Fuck you, it probably stuck as a damnation..who knows..I am still savoring on that."</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">There is no right language or wrong language. There is however power in crafting a phenomenal message.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Junot does this exceptionally well. I get his FLOW! The flow of mixing languages, thoughts that communicate. As </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ixchel33</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> put it, </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">”Seamless is a good word, I hadn't even noticed that there were words in Spanish, I didn't bat an eye when I read them”</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Why? ‘Cause the message is clear...well, at least for bilingual/bicultural readers. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Maureen</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> shares the perspective of a non-native speaker of Spanish, </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“ Diaz just puts in the Spanish and lets you deal with it.”</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rich</span> says, <span style="font-style: italic;">"I say, no italics for Sterling Brown*, no italics for Junot Diaz. We're knee-deep in the new American idiom, y'all. Whether or not some folks are ready to accept that, of course, is a whole other story." </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Language is powerful!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I remember when I first discovered that I spoke Spanglish in my early twenties. I looking up at the sky (or my brain) searching for the best word after speaking English that would describe my thinking. This word was in Spanish not English! Ah yes…perfect! Is that what Junot did as he wrote Oscar Wao? How beautiful to be able to do that with your mind. Have one powerful message using words from different languages.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Walter Mosley, author of Devil in a Blue Dress and Blonde Faith states that Wao “is a book that speaks in tongues”. In more ways than one! Not only is Junot speaking to us in ethnic tongues, his references of sci-fi and comic books are definitely specific to a segment of American pop-culture language, and he also speaks in the tongue of Latin American history. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Maybe, just maybe this is why <span style="font-weight: bold;">La Mujer Maravilla</span> (Love your tag name!) says, <span style="font-style: italic;">" The language seems more authentic."</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I’ll think of African slaves screaming this curse word from the depths of their pain</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">,” </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Jessica</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> points out in reference to the word Fukú (Zafa! Just to be safe ;) Do you see the impact…the image…the context…the history that it brings?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> What a wonderful way to engage in history.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Alejandra Ibañez</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> captured my sentiments exactly, “</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It left me yearning to learn more about Dominican history.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">” I wonder if we can use this book with young people in high school?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >*"In 1933 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Allen_Brown">Sterling Brown</a> published his first book of poetry <i>Southern Road</i>. It was a collection of poetry with rural themes and treated the simple lives of poor, black, country folk with poignancy and dignity. It also used authentic dialect and structures..." --from wikipedia</span>Cynthia Nambohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03933057117403823960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-89566938242068307252009-02-19T11:07:00.000-08:002009-02-19T15:10:36.909-08:00February highlightsIts been a busy February on my end. I had told my friends that I was going to take the first part of the year slow, to transition into my new skin as an online retailer, but the Universe seems to have other plans and I've hit the ground running. The favorite part of my job is the wonderful opportunities to meet and hang out with some amazing people, this month I interviewed three amazing Latinas and walked away with gifts I can't wait to share with you. I'll be sharing more on that in the following days. In the meantime a preview:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZTtKjRhSLDQR-uSiEKrQfe7h0roXUbMycHF3tU-dPxZRPvrtTMJkMfDhkhB-dUhtSxUCms9i1mYuSCx2zFOdOeqCjMhxJu8w0O6HdXzHXSixWoN-Q4kzhCvdBU4ktTzsjg3xqSp6ooDH/s1600-h/0209stephread.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZTtKjRhSLDQR-uSiEKrQfe7h0roXUbMycHF3tU-dPxZRPvrtTMJkMfDhkhB-dUhtSxUCms9i1mYuSCx2zFOdOeqCjMhxJu8w0O6HdXzHXSixWoN-Q4kzhCvdBU4ktTzsjg3xqSp6ooDH/s400/0209stephread.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304602258210087970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jenny Priego and me with Stephanie Elizondo Griest at the the reading of Mexican Enough this past February 7th. Check out my interview with Stephanie <a href="http://proyectolatinachicago.blogspot.com/2009/02/to-write-or-pay-rent.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrpwn0qFsT94pIwC3HwcoJ9A9DRftWUGXXVe9TUpjfGpl6e-I1VQ78ta4GB6Mm095tOh1ULsFaCzfY4LEeLG1JR8pMqeL5xmPqG1SPcj3QKAuuVWfvpXaYCpaIbHnEdovE2IbjfKHWvky/s1600-h/0209elenaminor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrpwn0qFsT94pIwC3HwcoJ9A9DRftWUGXXVe9TUpjfGpl6e-I1VQ78ta4GB6Mm095tOh1ULsFaCzfY4LEeLG1JR8pMqeL5xmPqG1SPcj3QKAuuVWfvpXaYCpaIbHnEdovE2IbjfKHWvky/s400/0209elenaminor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304602514808343714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A morning coffee and chat on the first day of <a href="http://www.awpwriter.org/">AWP</a>* with elena minor publisher of <a href="http://www.palabralitmag.com/">Palabra</a>. I'll be airing and uploading that interview soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu95aOQ3unNj77iqoyKo3uNKdD-q6g1wCIuM0us_4sjXKPEQZNv2FAqReQ-dBfitbakSiBUNoZMouxSY2v97oMVlaROveK4VqGSM1Z15tdQiOaZCx1KdwcQvrPSyIcfAWYe0XvhmVGdqP/s1600-h/0209michelleotero2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu95aOQ3unNj77iqoyKo3uNKdD-q6g1wCIuM0us_4sjXKPEQZNv2FAqReQ-dBfitbakSiBUNoZMouxSY2v97oMVlaROveK4VqGSM1Z15tdQiOaZCx1KdwcQvrPSyIcfAWYe0XvhmVGdqP/s400/0209michelleotero2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304602691357402386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Michelle Otero author of <a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo.html#malinche">Malinche's Daughter</a>, featured at Proyecto Latina this past Monday. Couldn't miss the opportunity to interview Michelle either, that will also be aired and uploaded soon.<br /><br />*<span style="font-size:85%;">I know AWP has passed, but Francisco Aragon summarized Latin@ participation at this years conference at the <a href="http://latinopoetryreview.blogspot.com/">Letras Latinas Blog</a>. He lists</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">the following, "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >57</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Latino and Latina poets, writers, teachers, other literary folk are taking part on </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >34</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> panels." You can get a more the four part breakdown on his blog.</span>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-19535997862494682592009-02-05T09:39:00.000-08:002009-02-05T10:49:51.057-08:00The Dominican “F” word, can you even say it?<blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">"They say it came first from Africa, carried in the screams of the enslaved; that it was the death bane of the Tainos, uttered just as one world perished and another began; that it was a demon drawn into Creation through the nightmare door that was cracked open in the Antilles. Fukú Americanus, or more colloquially, fukú --generally a curse or doom of some kind; specifically the Curse and the Doom of the New World. " </span><br />--from the introduction to <span style="font-style: italic;">The brief and wondrous life of Oscar<br /><br /></span></blockquote>All it took was the first sentence...of the introduction! Junot Diaz reached up from the page, placed a wizard's spell on my imagination. I devoured the book and lamented when life forced me to put it down. Being a bookworm was so much easier when I was a kid, when I could afford to spend an entire evening or weekend with my nose in a book.<br /><br />We hope that you have read the introduction and chapter 1. If you are like me, you probably kept pressing forward. This is definitely a page turner. We plan on taking the book discussions a little slower to help us process the book. We ask for your patience since this is the first time we do this and we are learning as we go along.<br /><br />Cynthia and I have met a couple of times to discuss our book club goals and timeline. During our meetings every time I say, <span style="font-style: italic;">fukú</span>. Cynthia promptly follows up with a, <span style="font-style: italic;">zafa</span>. This makes us laugh, a little nervously, after all we are Latinas, we can't help superstition. We might be Mexican but we understand Junot's reference, "<span style="font-style: italic;">to extraordinary tolerance for extreme phenomena.</span>" We take careful mental notes on antidotes and even begin to avoid saying fuk<span style="font-style: italic;">ú</span>, instead call it the Dominican "f" word. <span style="font-weight: bold;">So, our most pressing question right now is in the title of this blog post, can you even say it?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More food for thought</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">These questions are regarding language.</span><br />Spanish words and phrases appear unaccompanied by their English translations. What is the effect of this seamless blending of Spanish and English? What if Junot had stopped to provide translations at every turn? Why does Junot not italicize the Spanish words (the way foreign words are usually italicized in English-language text)? Are you bilingual? Do you italicize or resist?<br /><br />We want you to hear from you, chime in via the comments, you can address one thought, or address multiple questions.*<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />*Cynthia and I are seeking to develop a safe place for honest and open dialogue. Language is powerful, let's exercise some tolerance and be open to opposing views and if debates arise let's do it respectfully.</span>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-80029328446730465972009-02-02T18:12:00.000-08:002009-02-02T19:50:28.883-08:00"In praise of the chapbook"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tianguis.biz/images/dearjack150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 230px;" src="http://www.tianguis.biz/images/dearjack150.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" ><strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo.html#jack">Dear Jack </a></strong></span><a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo.html#jack"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /> </span></span></span></strong></a><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo.html#jack"><em>by Scott Inguito<br /> </em>with an introduction by Craig Santos Perez</a><br /><br /><br /><br />I got word from Momotombo Press publisher, Francisco Aragon that the following article appeared in the El Paso Times. For those new to the world of chapbooks, Daniel A. Olivas sums it up nicely in a short paragraph, "mini-collections of poetry, fiction or essays that can whet the appetite of adventurous readers." The article goes on to share the history of Momotombo Press, and also includes a great review on Momotombo's latest title, Dear Jack, a collection of experimental poems.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_11600006">In praise of the chapbook<br />Independent press excels at creating small poetry samplers<br /></a><br /></span></span></span>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-62461292938092194832009-02-02T17:30:00.000-08:002009-02-02T17:55:45.104-08:00Julia Alvarez @ Chicago Public Library<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsSJY0QTc6tMQFmaVJViok3sDPWyAzkaKhodBjyIoOrlmRJK7EM6owNJ2prp1G86ByjxY_bClkWeSHXKGw0eEYqSPB3Sz5kdN0DETOzInmQIxN3mfND-5rjmw_k53vhRr4NAr3ZL3fgfH/s1600-h/returntosender.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsSJY0QTc6tMQFmaVJViok3sDPWyAzkaKhodBjyIoOrlmRJK7EM6owNJ2prp1G86ByjxY_bClkWeSHXKGw0eEYqSPB3Sz5kdN0DETOzInmQIxN3mfND-5rjmw_k53vhRr4NAr3ZL3fgfH/s320/returntosender.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298380288454266802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Julia Alvarez, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">one of my favorite Latina writers will be</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">reading from </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Return to Sender</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, her new book for young adults at the Chicago Public Library, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wed. February 04, 2009</span><strong style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">@</span></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 6:00 pm </span><!-- No Cost Specified --> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I'm loving the whimsical bird that makes up part of the cover art of her new book.</span><br /><em></em><a href="http://www.chipublib.org/events/details/id/21144/">event details</a>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-51208541384834722962009-01-28T12:06:00.000-08:002009-01-29T13:46:59.647-08:00Oscar loved comics, I'm sure he would have made it out to Table ConHave you started reading <span style="font-style: italic;">The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao</span>, its our current bookclub pick? Have you discovered Oscar and his obsession for fantasy and sci-fi. The narrator describes him as the kind of kid, <span style="font-style: italic;">"...who loved comic books...knew more about the Marvel Universe than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Lee">Stan Lee</a>."</span><br /><br />I'm a relative newbie to comics, well at least to the American comic book world. When I was a kid, a cousin from Mexico introduced me to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalim%C3%A1n">Kaliman</a>. A couple of years ago when my friend Liza was developing a character, for a Latina super hero in Teatro Luna's production of Lunaticas, she walked into Tianguis with a stack of comic books--they were a part of her research. I picked up a copy of Supergirl and was mesmerized. "Did you know Supergirl was Superman's cousin? That she killed her mother?" I paused to ask, it had elements of a good telenovela, no one had ever clued me in.<br /><br />It was serendipity that just as I was reading about Oscar's adventures I came across, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Unbelieveable Laundry Detergent Man</span> by Jose "Nino" Mesarina. Its a comic book and its hero is a boy as awkward as Oscar who gains special powers after being forced to drink a very potent laundry detergent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Iyk9jYF0aEpZ9QMYLsMUlWtLXf7ZIKr24tJpYBs1cd6lYcpkNXoh8YD0vp87yRWsglCWgfwuTKQR-myEhXyR61fAVzkgQj2f7TpsIeH4POyBHH-ALJztivdxr2sPnYw-fFd599uabXHe/s1600-h/tableconflyer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Iyk9jYF0aEpZ9QMYLsMUlWtLXf7ZIKr24tJpYBs1cd6lYcpkNXoh8YD0vp87yRWsglCWgfwuTKQR-myEhXyR61fAVzkgQj2f7TpsIeH4POyBHH-ALJztivdxr2sPnYw-fFd599uabXHe/s400/tableconflyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296829531240422978" border="0" /></a><br />Nino is currently busy with an event he has masterminded, and that he describes as a comic book convention with a twist--one table will feature an <span class="text">artist alley, vendors, guest speakers, original artwork, comic books, and even a gamers area. </span><br /><br />Nino tells me, "Table con was an idea...since high school...It's the only Latino run comic book convention in Chicago."<br /><br />Table Con takes place this weekend.<span class="text"> Its free admission and held at Third Coast Comics, 6234 N. Broadway. You can get details at the myspace page for <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tablecon"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Table Con</span></a>.</span> I'll be swinging by to check out the comics and discover more about Latinos working in the comic book industry.Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-14366996300408674762009-01-27T09:08:00.000-08:002009-01-27T10:04:47.897-08:00First 50 pages and your feedback.Next week, we will be ready to start discussing the first fifty pages, that is the <span style="font-weight: bold;">intro and chapter one,</span> of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao</span>.<br /><br />Cynthia and I worked on a tentative timeline together that would call for reading an average of 56 pages per week. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Feedback</span> on this reading load would be<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">helpful</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">,</span> check out <span style="font-weight: bold;">our poll on the top right hand side of this blog page and click on the answer that fits your profile best</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> None quite describe you or you want to elaborate with a comment or send us a message to info (at) tianguis (dot) biz.Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-14482509461968044722009-01-26T08:47:00.000-08:002009-01-26T09:12:09.190-08:00What did she say?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj2wm0EhT2rjGYlZqAweTk_6fR_FHt7Wx1oHRKdDLp3OM7OfOYRIl4HxNgfPype-TEGqRXWAOTdYRhIri9CC4J_SrPNeOu76Botvm8M_L66DJ1BA-lei00cFjHyYSzyAKgaLK3AzeHtV-/s1600-h/Mexicanenough150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj2wm0EhT2rjGYlZqAweTk_6fR_FHt7Wx1oHRKdDLp3OM7OfOYRIl4HxNgfPype-TEGqRXWAOTdYRhIri9CC4J_SrPNeOu76Botvm8M_L66DJ1BA-lei00cFjHyYSzyAKgaLK3AzeHtV-/s200/Mexicanenough150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295645830595694898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Below I've listed praise Stephanie's Elizondo Griest has garnered for her third book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Mexican Enough: My Life Between the Borderlands</span>. She's gotten some exciting reviews from some of our favorite Latino authors, including Sandra Cisneros and Luis Alberto Urrea. <br /><br /><br />Read an excerpt of Stephanie's book <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Mexican-Enough/Stephanie-Elizondo-Griest/9781416579717/excerpt">here</a>, and see why Luis Urrea said,<span style="font-style: italic;"> 'No, you can't say that.' I am glad she did.</span><br /><div class="praise first"><div class="quote"><br />Make sure to join us for the reading and booksigning on Friday, Feb. 6th, 2009 @ 7 p.m. Event details <a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/#stephanie">here</a>.<br /><br /></div><blockquote><div class="quote">"Stephanie Elizondo Griest dances where others fear to tread. There were several places in this book where I said, 'No, you can't say that.' I am glad she did."</div> <div class="info">-- Luis Alberto Urrea, bestselling author of <i>The Devil's Highway<br /><br /></i><div class="praise"> <div class="quote">"This is a travel journal for the new millennium, a biracial woman searching for herself among the complexities of the borderlands."</div> <div class="info">-- Sandra Cisneros, bestselling author of <i>The House on Mango Street</i> and <i>Caramelo</i></div> </div> <br /><div class="praise"> <div class="quote">"I can't think of anyone who does a better job of capturing the people and places that inhabit the soul of a country. She grants us access into the hidden corners of a Mexico we've only heard about, with her own brand of humor, spot-on wisdom, and heart."</div> <div class="info">-- Michelle Herrera Mulligan, editor of <i>Juicy Mangos</i> and <i>Border-Line Personalities</i></div> </div> <br /><div class="praise"> <div class="quote">"A revealing exposé of one woman's struggle to live between two cultures and two worlds, and yet not fully belong to either."</div> <div class="info">-- Teresa Rodriguez, author of <i>The Daughters of Juárez</i></div></div></div></blockquote><div class="info"><div class="praise"><div class="info"><i></i></div> </div> </div> </div>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-68528307912401044012009-01-20T15:31:00.000-08:002009-01-20T15:44:15.425-08:00Memoir Writing Workshop w/ Ana Castillo<blockquote>"We’ll talk, we’ll laugh, we’ll cry. We’ll vent. We’ll write from our hearts and our minds. And then, we’ll learn to get rid of all the sentimentality and <span style="font-weight: bold;">leave on the page what is important</span> for the reader to know about your memoir." <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />-- A.C.</span><br /></blockquote> Ana Castillo is coming to Chicago on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday, February 13th, 2009</span> and is offering a one-day<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Memoir Writing Workshop</span>. For details and guidelines visit her <a href="http://www.anacastillo.com/">website</a>.Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-35202750051328384282009-01-19T11:30:00.000-08:002009-01-19T13:13:16.227-08:00Acuerdos for the virtual bookclub (guidelines)In our quest to design one of the best experiences for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tianguis Virtual Bookclub</span> I've put together some guidelines that I use in my work as an assistant professor and consultant. When I use the <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Acuerdos</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (Agreements)</span> in my work, I have found them to create magnificent experiences. They are also incredibly helpful when <span style="font-weight: bold;">creating critical, absolutely thrilling dialogue</span>!<br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Acuerdos</span> we will use are from <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"Los Cuatro Acuerdos (The Four Agreements)"</span> by Don Miguel Ruiz. They are 4 agreements that are simple yet powerful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Be impeccable with your word.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />2. Do your best.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />3. Don't take it personal:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">-Be responsible for your own communication. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">(my elaboration)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />4. Don't make assumptions:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">-Do assume good faith from everyone! </span><span style="font-style: italic;">(my elaboration)</span><br /><br />****************************************************<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><br />What are they? </span><br />*They are system for integrity and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">*</span>Not </span>a system of right and wrong.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">How do we create them?</span><br />*We will get to know them as we use them.<br />*Pick the "one your with" to focus on for each discussion.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">How will they really be effective?</span><br />*Grace of forgiveness...we are all learning how to make it a great literary experience.<br />*At times I will include quotes from inspirational cards Don Miguel has produced.<br /><br />Let's get this party started! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Literary love is in the house!</span> (Yes I'm a Chicago 80's Baby :)Cynthia Nambohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03933057117403823960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-61186570962147262562009-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:002009-01-19T09:06:59.505-08:00AWP events this February<div style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; float: none;" id="9CDA0EB183144EC0_description_rp"><p>Below is the scoop for AWP & related events that I will be attending and participating in this February. I'll be part of a panel at the AWP conference about building literary communities in Chicago. You can also come by the book table and say hello at the fourth annual Con Tinta Celebration, and I'm honored for the opportunity to read with some amazing fellow poets at Palabra Pura's One Poem Festival. </p> <p><strong>February 12, 2009 @ 1:30 p.m.<br />Building, Breaking, Rebuilding: Six Chicago Literary Landscapers</strong> (Ellen Placey Wadey, Erin Teegarden, Krista Franklin, Joel Craig, Jennifer Karmin, Irasema Gonzalez) We are the bold sluggers who run Chicago's independent reading series. Set vividly against the established grid, we build literary communities in neighborhoods from the ground up. How are we thriving in the face of our challenges? Less like a panel and more like a virtual show-and-tell, organizers from a diverse group of popular, D-I-Y reading serieses discuss building, breaking from, and rebuilding Chicago's literary landscape.</p> <p><strong>Thursday, February 12, 2009 @ 6 p.m.<br />Con Tinta Celebration</strong><br />An evening to celebrate the Chicano/Latino literary community. This year's Con Tinta Award recipient is Carlos Cortez, artist, poet, printmaker, photographer, songwriter and lifelong political activist. Special recognition will also be made to Patti Hartmann, editor of Camino del Sol Series at the University of Arizona Press. Literary tributes to Carlos Cortez will be made by Carlos Cumpian, Lisa Alvarado, and Ray Gonzalez. Held at COCO Restaurant, 2723 W. Divison, Chicago, IL. Free. Open buffet and cash bar.</p> <p><strong>Friday, February 13, 2009, 6 to 7:30 p.m.</strong><br /><strong>Palabra Pura, Special Edition: One Poem Festival<br /></strong>Following up on the multi-voiced reading hosted by ACENTOS in NYC last year during AWP, the Guild Complex, Letras Latinas, and Poetry Magazine will be hosting a "One Poem Festival" featuring an ample roster of Latino and Latina poets from Chicago and out of town, including: Lisa Alvarado, Carlos Cumpian, Silvia Curbelo, Gina Franco, Gabe Gomez, Irasema Gonzalez, Maurice Kilwein Guevara, Gabriela Jauregui, Olivia Maciel, Carl Marcum, Valerie Martínez, Orlando Ricardo Menes, Achy Obejas, Daniel A. Olivas, Johanny Vasquez Paz, Paul Martinez Pompa, Linda Rodríguez, Jacob Saenz, Jorge Sánchez, Juan Manuel Sanchez Rich Villar. Held at Jazz Showcase, 47 W. Polk St. Chicago, IL.</p></div>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-79085844859949071772009-01-16T09:37:00.000-08:002009-01-16T10:13:44.573-08:00Reading: Mexican Enough by Stephanie Elizondo Griest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5ibfrK4_-HCCQwpIpDsy755zfalVf_phZUoDmZIbreHEYFfa7qTqMRN-6LKvr_oiPuFmotXpa-4Qi6CPzCx_GY5OCNgUjwnD4k4DRIdiYjtSqTRMxDFLwxScXGZI74i3Fy6S8OoIA3XP/s1600-h/Mexicanenough.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5ibfrK4_-HCCQwpIpDsy755zfalVf_phZUoDmZIbreHEYFfa7qTqMRN-6LKvr_oiPuFmotXpa-4Qi6CPzCx_GY5OCNgUjwnD4k4DRIdiYjtSqTRMxDFLwxScXGZI74i3Fy6S8OoIA3XP/s400/Mexicanenough.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291953201965285346" border="0" /></a><br />We know its two weeks away, but we just finalized the date and venue for this <span style="font-weight: bold;">reading and booksigning</span>. Save the date and come out to join us.<br /><br />Friday, February 6, 2009 @ 7 p.m.<br />Held @ Radio Arte, 1401 W. 18th St.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Radio Arte is in Pilsen. A few blocks East of the CTA pink line stop and there is meter parking nearby.)<br />Free. Copies of Stephanie's books for sale.<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:American Typewriter;font-size:100%;" >MEXICAN ENOUGH: MY LIFE BETWEEN THE BORDERLINES<br />Washington Square Press, August 2008<br />As a biracial American, Stephanie Elizondo Griest has long struggled with her cultural identity, wondering if she is “Latina enough” to pursue race-based scholarships and the like. In 2005, she ventured to her mother’s native Mexico to do a little root-searching and improve her “Tarzan Lite” Spanish. She stumbled upon a burgeoning social movement that shook parts of the nation to its core. MEXICAN ENOUGH chronicles her journey, from the narco-infested border town of Nuevo Laredo to the highlands of Chiapas. She investigates the murder of a prominent gay activist, sneaks into prison to meet with resistance fighters, rallies with rebels in Oaxaca, and interviews scores of migrant workers and the families they were forced to leave behind. Travel companions include a Polish thief, a Border Patrol agent, and a Dominatrix. Part memoir, part journalistic reportage, MEXICAN ENOUGH illuminates how we cast off our identity in our youth, only to strive to find it again as adults—and the lessons to be learned along the way.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOfyk5udU3RvkJo4_dhwxF8ac3cLUBI76jOSB7Ktl9q06-Fp0hQyQoSsCpzI0-a5z2Jep-mDaxjYosEVao6aMJ7xAHC8KFS_vcWTl7AlBlIfuw8CUytI17sZ7Qnvk1aDthIpb1yEh94h6/s1600-h/stephanieelizondogriest.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOfyk5udU3RvkJo4_dhwxF8ac3cLUBI76jOSB7Ktl9q06-Fp0hQyQoSsCpzI0-a5z2Jep-mDaxjYosEVao6aMJ7xAHC8KFS_vcWTl7AlBlIfuw8CUytI17sZ7Qnvk1aDthIpb1yEh94h6/s200/stephanieelizondogriest.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291955773977087490" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:American Typewriter;font-size:100%;" >ABOUT THE AUTHOR: STEPHANIE ELIZONDO GRIEST<br />Stephanie Elizondo Griest has mingled with the Russian Mafiya, polished Chinese propaganda, and belly danced with Cuban rumba queens. These adventures inspired her award-winning memoir AROUND THE BLOC: MY LIFE IN MOSCOW, BEIJING, AND HAVANA (Villard/Random House, 2004) and guidebook 100 PLACES EVERY WOMAN SHOULD GO (Travelers’ Tales, 2007). She has explored five continents and once drove 45,000 miles across America in a Honda Hatchback named Bertha. A 2005-2006 Hodder Fellow at Princeton University, she recently won the Richard J. Margolis Award for Social Justice Reporting. Visit her website at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.aroundthebloc.com/">www.aroundthebloc.com</a> </span>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-24468432862023094582009-01-14T08:46:00.000-08:002009-01-15T09:42:30.521-08:00Tianguis.bizUPDATE: Its back!<br /><br />If you are having trouble logging into the Tianguis website this morning, we are having difficulty with our server. The problem is being addressed and we should be back up shortly.Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-30233365470118007562009-01-11T22:58:00.000-08:002009-01-11T23:38:50.779-08:00The virtual book club picks its first read of 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAanJ_Fw_xlSIxz6yq9BlYgC6l1mHUTAkivwDtalIziSQRBAJ8eyKzwy4ARvKEc-KAH2ybX4DMbDL3fazPNp0ZnP8DCHzPhbd85-8h-vuxIKzYnOuklcrplLubu8vUqWoX5euUKR7-Z9nk/s1600-h/oscarwao.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAanJ_Fw_xlSIxz6yq9BlYgC6l1mHUTAkivwDtalIziSQRBAJ8eyKzwy4ARvKEc-KAH2ybX4DMbDL3fazPNp0ZnP8DCHzPhbd85-8h-vuxIKzYnOuklcrplLubu8vUqWoX5euUKR7-Z9nk/s400/oscarwao.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290302377965875650" border="0" /></a>Cynthia and I took <a _fcksavedurl="http://elliterati.blogspot.com/2008/12/tianguis-virtual-bookclub-kicking-off.html" href="http://elliterati.blogspot.com/2008/12/tianguis-virtual-bookclub-kicking-off.html">suggestions</a> and we met last week to discuss the title recommendations. We decided on the book that seems to be on every one's mind (including my own) and that is Junot Diaz' pulitzer prize winning novel, <em>The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao</em>. Over the next several weeks we will be posting book club questions and leading discussions through posts on the blog--we encourage your participation via the comment feature.<br /><span class="bookcopy"><br />For now go get your copy of the book. If you already own it/read it, I encourage you to revisit it and log on for the book club discussions. Look for the first book club questions to be posted next Monday (1/19/09).<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">book synopsis</span><br /><span class="bookcopy">Oscar is a sweet but disastrously overweight ghetto nerd who—from the New Jersey home he shares with his old world mother and rebellious sister—dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien and, most of all, finding love. But Oscar may never get what he wants. Blame the fukú—a curse that has haunted Oscar’s family for generations, following them on their epic journey from Santo Domingo to the USA. Encapsulating Dominican-American history, <i>The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao</i> opens our eyes to an astonishing vision of the contemporary American experience and explores the endless human capacity to persevere—and risk it all—in the name of love.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">reviews</span><br /></span><span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">"An extraordinarily vibrant book that's fueled by adrenaline-powered prose...[Junot Diaz has] written a book that decisively establishes him as one of contemporary fiction's most distinctive and irresistible new voices." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Panoramic and yet achingly personal. It's impossible to categorize, which is a good thing. Diaz's novel is a hell of a book. It doesn't care about categories." --Los Angeles Times</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Superb, deliciously casual and vibrant, shot through with wit and insight. The great achievement of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is Diaz's ability to balance an intimate, multigenerational story of family tragedy...The past and the present remain equally in focus, equally immediate, and Diaz's acrobatic prose toggles artfully between realities, keeping us entralled with all."</span>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-76060299076838381902009-01-06T09:20:00.000-08:002009-01-06T10:16:57.444-08:00New Year, new path for Tianguis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRNfwM_dtrfGVvzL_IfxKROwET5Is71jOpCN5VuTpppoO_OnX56XfzSCd8kBRlAf63S2ZLi58KLr9gTFY0TeXL-FtF6IgKRupFDCMC8TgCezJGijaRNi36bpsEkAq3M5vid6fNFf1SRw/s1600-h/buildownpath.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRNfwM_dtrfGVvzL_IfxKROwET5Is71jOpCN5VuTpppoO_OnX56XfzSCd8kBRlAf63S2ZLi58KLr9gTFY0TeXL-FtF6IgKRupFDCMC8TgCezJGijaRNi36bpsEkAq3M5vid6fNFf1SRw/s400/buildownpath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288244625953744306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br />photo credit:</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > I design my own path</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> by Cynthia Nambo</span></span><br /><br />Feliz Año y Dia de los Reyes!<br /><br />I hope you spent the holidays in good company. Aside from being at the store and helping customers pick out Christmas gifts, I made sure to schedule time to spend with my own family. Knowing that I was going to have to move did keep me too busy and I confess that it took a hot minute to get into the Christmas spirit. It finally sunk in when I was making <span style="font-style: italic;">tamales</span> with my mother and getting to hang out with my precious loved ones was probably the best gift.<br />I know I did end 2008 on a bittersweet <a href="http://elliterati.blogspot.com/2008/12/tianguis-is-moving-make-sure-you-know.html">note</a>, I always hate sharing bad news. I have received beautiful handwritten letters via snail mail, encouraging phone calls and email messages rooting me forward. Some beautiful customers and neighbors even made it a point to come by and say goodbye personally.<br /><br />All that energy and hope, I gotta tell you that I am excited about the possibilities that 2009 will bring. I am brimming with ideas and can't wait to share them with you and have you along for the ride . It will be a time of transition and evolution for Tianguis--our biggest change will be going from a brick-and-mortar to an online business. Please be patient with us, our website and blog might look a little rough in the next few weeks but we ask that you <span style="font-style: italic;">please pardon the dust</span> while we make our virtual renovations.<br /><br />We do want to remind you to save-the-date and join us on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, January 19, 2009 @ 7 p.m.</span> for the first <span style="font-weight: bold;">Proyecto Latina</span> of 2009--we will be celebrating our third anniversary and the launch of a fourth year with some special treats. Details coming soon.<br /><br />Also, we invite you to join the discussion on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tianguis Bookclub</span> that is going on <a href="http://elliterati.blogspot.com/2008/12/tianguis-virtual-bookclub-kicking-off.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">here</span></a>, we already have a few book recommendations but we would love to have more before finalizing down to our first book of the year.El Literati for Tianguishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709420821205166373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-33333885394308721842008-12-22T21:18:00.000-08:002008-12-22T21:24:56.299-08:00Tianguis is moving, make sure you know how to find us<p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Dear Friends,</p> <p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">We hope this message finds you in good spirits and health. We have good and bad news...<br /></p> <p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>The Bad News</strong> I want to assure you that we thought about this long and hard before deciding not to renew our lease, and so December 2008 will be the last month for our brick-and-mortar location at 2003 S. Damen Ave in Chicago.</p> <p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>The Good News</strong> We are still going to be around. For now we will be <strong><em>moving</em></strong> our operation fully online and we encourage you to stay connected via the following:</p> <p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a href="http://tianguis.cmail1.com/t/r/l/jlnih/l/r" style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(159, 79, 72);"><strong>Tianguis.biz</strong></a> We recently introduced our Momotombo shop and we will continue as independent booksellers on our website. We will also continue to bring you the same gift merchandise that you were able to find at our store. Look for a complete website and online store overhaul in early 2009. We will also make sure to keep you posted!</p> <p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a href="http://tianguis.cmail1.com/t/r/l/jlnih/l/y" style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(159, 79, 72);"><strong>Elliterati.com</strong></a> is our blog and we recommend that you add us to your RSS feed. We are going to be launching a virtual bookclub in early 2009 and managing it through this blog and we really want you to join us in the conversation. This is a good way to stay up-to-date with developments from us as well as stay informed about all things that are Latino+Literary.</p> <p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a href="http://tianguis.cmail1.com/t/r/l/jlnih/l/j" style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(159, 79, 72);"><strong>Proyecto Latina</strong></a> This open mic and reading series has just completed its third year and is embarking on its fourth. We will continue with our 3rd Monday tradition bringing you the best work by Latinas, the chisme box and good vibes. I've been honored to be part of this wonderful collaborative with Teatro Luna and Mariposa Atomica Ink. And now there's a Proyecto Latina Radio show on Sundays at 6 p.m. and that airs on Radio Arte 90.5 FM, make sure to tune in.</p> <p style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>A GREAT BIG THANK YOU</strong> to all the people, neighbors and organizations that supported my endeavors. The support that Tianguis receives is from a very diverse group of people that includes members of the community and people that come from far away places and make it a point to pay our humble dwellings a visit. I am also confident that in the next couple of years we will find ourselves with a new home to welcome you in. In the meantime, catch up with us online, on the radio or at Proyecto Latina readings.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Irasema Gonzalez</p>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-30191444454087629322008-12-18T11:15:00.000-08:002008-12-18T11:48:43.396-08:00Tianguis virtual bookclub, kicking-off the wishlist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvc8WxEqVfUj2dNUrc97OR1PQLUqSTfJ58qnsA7GAiwV621W2v35rgWIp0KwqkncvPYoO_xy5a-KpTq98pF7ExywnMpaXXJmgvClAPw5X2gSDuMGlWZyCGJoRxAcpCrOhfG2vkpE9RYE/s1600-h/cynthianambo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvc8WxEqVfUj2dNUrc97OR1PQLUqSTfJ58qnsA7GAiwV621W2v35rgWIp0KwqkncvPYoO_xy5a-KpTq98pF7ExywnMpaXXJmgvClAPw5X2gSDuMGlWZyCGJoRxAcpCrOhfG2vkpE9RYE/s200/cynthianambo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281213768451308450" border="0" /></a>The bookclub at Tianguis is brewing and we are getting ready to launch it again at the beginning of 2009. I want to introduce my bookclub partner in crime, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cynthia Nambo</span>. You will see her posting here with items pertaining to the bookclub.<br /><br />Cynthia and I have been brainstorming recently on getting a virtual bookclub launched, and we will be managing that via El Literati. You will be able to read the book and participate from home as you like and as your time allows.<br /><br />In the meantime we thought it would be cool to get a wish list started and throw out some ideas on our next book club pick. What book by a Latin@ do you think we should consider? <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Chime in via the comment feature (look for that link below this line).</span>El Literati for Tianguishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709420821205166373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-25055833197200289612008-12-11T22:52:00.000-08:002008-12-11T20:50:58.252-08:00What are your thoughts on Malinche's Daughter?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBWWrI1xkVeF_3LyNYBoD4pFg6UCTnfbpwOcTYUd3NqaSfxuqnnbN-hmKYOdmmHpnrMpG5XOaXEdv3Jk0RRgTKQBrqrUpxvz_uXDodfI1koQEy8xpWhnwJg4wvHuLEfgMc_diUbIeE8c/s1600-h/malinches.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBWWrI1xkVeF_3LyNYBoD4pFg6UCTnfbpwOcTYUd3NqaSfxuqnnbN-hmKYOdmmHpnrMpG5XOaXEdv3Jk0RRgTKQBrqrUpxvz_uXDodfI1koQEy8xpWhnwJg4wvHuLEfgMc_diUbIeE8c/s400/malinches.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278283162055358194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo">Malinche's Daughter<br />by Michelle Otero<br />chapbook, 48 pages<br />$10.00</a><div style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; float: none;" id="A58A492001D8AB4E_description_rp"> <p><br />The feast day for Guadalupe is this Friday December 12th. Michelle Otero's book, Malinche's Daughter, features lovely cover art with the image of Guadalupe. Malinche's Daughter is a powerful and reflective memoir, about survival and healing that opens with Michelle's first visit to La Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City. The book is under 50 pages but it dishes out as much intensity as a novel, and you will definitely be thinking about it for some time after you read it.</p> <p><strong>Have you read Malinche's Daughter? Share your thoughts, through the comments feature on this blog.<br /></strong></p> </div>El Literati for Tianguishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709420821205166373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-45229221163021289452008-12-11T20:42:00.001-08:002008-12-11T20:47:51.343-08:00What are your thoughts on From here you can almost see the end of the dessert?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QkGtV7CaoHFHiUqnByF8fxXylTd5Gafme4Qg1HMAiGrfepMhlN8QA3VgEcxsuPOwfums4QOyt_qHIdywkY9QF6F4p4ntpjSE0Tf4tK_KsumtcYNWQV9snLxVrqyJrvzmrANo1pm3UNmA/s1600-h/almostdesert171.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QkGtV7CaoHFHiUqnByF8fxXylTd5Gafme4Qg1HMAiGrfepMhlN8QA3VgEcxsuPOwfums4QOyt_qHIdywkY9QF6F4p4ntpjSE0Tf4tK_KsumtcYNWQV9snLxVrqyJrvzmrANo1pm3UNmA/s400/almostdesert171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278759926098748146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo">From here you can almost see the end of the desert<br />by Aaron Michael Morales<br />chapbook, 48 pages<br />$10.00</a><div style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; float: none;" id="BDE89797235579E7_description_rp"> <p><br /><br />Aaron's book, <em>From here you can almost see the end of the dessert</em>, receives praise from Luis Alberto Urrea and Helena Maria Viramontes. However, I think another valuable endorsement for Aaron's book is Lucy, the customer who returned to Tianguis after reading the book and purchased multiple copies to give to her friends because she was so excited about the three stories in this chapbook that pack a spectacular fiction punch. </p> <p><strong>Have you read <em>From here you can almost see the end of the dessert</em>? Share your thoughts, through the comments feature.<br /></strong></p> </div>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-17184059185081193062008-12-08T11:06:00.000-08:002008-12-08T11:31:34.158-08:00Load up on your stocking stuffers w/ Momotombo Press!<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">The <a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo">Momotombo Press</a> store @ Tianguis.biz is up!<br /><br />This means that if you are not in our area,<br />buying Momotombo titles is only a click away.<br /><span class="style5"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe4nv92vR6TR6p4NYNAya9JD6VssX1f8cGYD1aHmQvMH_j71XAa-RujGINjpMHVIdu1L5pWc-cr-cosXhaRuVmy82i9g56RCgfgja2Y-38KaaPMjdztBwfUrARI_CL3_-sTd1aMy-w5gs/s1600-h/momobanner+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe4nv92vR6TR6p4NYNAya9JD6VssX1f8cGYD1aHmQvMH_j71XAa-RujGINjpMHVIdu1L5pWc-cr-cosXhaRuVmy82i9g56RCgfgja2Y-38KaaPMjdztBwfUrARI_CL3_-sTd1aMy-w5gs/s400/momobanner+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277499298290043170" border="0" /></a><span class="style2"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Discover the titles at</span> </span></span><strong><span class="style2"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tianguis.biz/momotombo">Momotombo Press</a>,<br /> </span></span></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="style5" >they make great stocking stuffers.</span><br /></div> <strong><span class="style2"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></strong><strong><span class="style2"></span></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><em><br /> </em></span>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-68005057126904057322008-12-04T15:52:00.000-08:002008-12-04T20:49:13.971-08:00Holy Quinceañera in Acentos Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.acentosreview.com/December_2008/Acosta_files/Photo%2047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.acentosreview.com/December_2008/Acosta_files/Photo%2047.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of weeks back I shared that the latest issue of <a href="http://elliterati.blogspot.com/2008/11/copies-of-latest-issue-of-palabra.html">Palabra Magazine</a> had arrived and that it featured some local talent. Now, I want to let you know that my good friend and Chicago area writer Liza Ann Acosta, has published her short story, <span style="font-style: italic;">"<a href="http://www.acentosreview.com/December_2008/Acosta.html">Holy Quinceañera</a>"</span> in the December issue of <a href="http://www.acentosreview.com/Home.html">Acentos Review</a>. (hint: go read it and then click on the back button. ;) Liza shared part of Ines' more grown-up adventures at <a href="http://tianguis.biz/proyectolatina.html">Proyecto Latina</a> when she featured last June.<br /><br />Acentos Review is an online literary website that <span style="line-height: 18px;" class="style_1">publishes poetry, fiction, memoir, interviews, translations, and artwork by emerging and established Latino/a writers. The reading period for their next issue opens December 15th, you can find information and submission guidelines on their <a href="http://www.acentosreview.com/Home.html">website</a>.<br /></span>Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-2533096893428357312008-12-03T11:48:00.000-08:002008-12-03T14:00:27.964-08:00Adelita, pata de perro recap<blockquote>"My eyes were dazzled!"<br />--from the guestbook<br /></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVopQJUINsh2GiS9N4aF1DOMVIW1ZQDp-p0JyeZoHQw41xriAzqqZwM8IHuYfX2MJdHBfunZwepgCaGXT-gahbhN25fAHERvQVvY3xjlTI4fmNuY36MFL8C0ffJF9bo-F_szTmgt3y3d5/s1600-h/menadelita.aspx"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVopQJUINsh2GiS9N4aF1DOMVIW1ZQDp-p0JyeZoHQw41xriAzqqZwM8IHuYfX2MJdHBfunZwepgCaGXT-gahbhN25fAHERvQVvY3xjlTI4fmNuY36MFL8C0ffJF9bo-F_szTmgt3y3d5/s200/menadelita.aspx" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275680458297433074" border="0" /></a>Saturday, we go outselves to Tianguis bright and early to get the art up for the opening that evening. We tackled renegade frames, sequence garlands and added some decorative finishing touches to a statue of the virgin Mary that is part of the exhibit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBa6h3nZTsvDkdooTyzNVyrJRMsMwNriA8hLx1Jg2Q1qNaqaZPtLALMg-F3-UXPekeHkykyDp20Yd2lDBOhZDa5ED5UXqK4cYJ2iFoTRTkNxT78QOJHDV3ashDVc4dA1gPDGkunyiE_ja/s1600-h/jennypriego1.aspx"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBa6h3nZTsvDkdooTyzNVyrJRMsMwNriA8hLx1Jg2Q1qNaqaZPtLALMg-F3-UXPekeHkykyDp20Yd2lDBOhZDa5ED5UXqK4cYJ2iFoTRTkNxT78QOJHDV3ashDVc4dA1gPDGkunyiE_ja/s200/jennypriego1.aspx" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275679493450712130" border="0" /></a><br />In the evening we were joined by friends and family to partake in a celebration of Jenny Priego's first public exhibit of her art work. There was her friend Grant, playing guitar, fresh flowers from Natalie, wine and cheese from mom, and most importantly lots of laughs by everyone. <br /><br />It was such a great way to kick-off the holiday season. Jenny's photographs will be up through December. Swing by to check them out and share your thoughts in the guestbook.Irasema Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.com0