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

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 22^nd, 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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