Hecho en Tejas in the RG Valley

Rio Grande Valley Hosts Texas-Mexican Writers April 27-29

MCALLEN—Several venues in the Rio Grande Valley will host writers whose work appears in the new anthology from the University of New Mexico Press, Hecho en Tejas: An Anthology of Texas-Mexican Literature. The anthology, edited by novelist Dagoberto Gilb of Austin features both well-known and new voices in journalism, fiction, poetry, memoir, and even music. Hecho en Tejas contributors have already traveled statewide, promoting the book to the general public and to teachers and students in San Marcos, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso. Future events will occur in Laredo, Arlington, Fort Worth, and Austin. From April 27 to April 29, writers in the anthology, many of whom grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, will read from the book and celebrate its historical success with the public. Events include …

• Friday, April 27, 9AM-1:30PM: Literary Fiesta, Benito Juarez-Lincoln High School, 801 N. Coyote Drive, La Joya, Texas. The fiesta will include readings and platicas (chats) with 9th and 10th grade students as part of the school’s “Living Authors” series. The four-hour high school visit will end with a catered lunch where authors can mingle with students and staff. Writers taking part include Dagoberto Gilb, Erasmo Guerra, Christine Granados, Tony Díaz, Macarena Hernández, and Roberto Ontiveros, and Diana López. Sponsored by La Joya Independent School District and Benito Juarez-Abraham Lincoln High School.

• Friday, April 27, 2007, 7-10PM: Cine El Rey, 311 South 17th, McAllen, TX. FREE reading with Dagoberto Gilb, Diana López, Erasmo Guerra, Macarena Hernandez, José Angel Gutíerrez, Robert Ontiveros, Christine Granados, Tony Díaz and Arturo Longoria. FREE and open to the public with book signing and raffle to follow the reading. Musicians David Garza and Joe and Rosa Perez will perform. (This event would have never been possible without the generosity of sponsors hosting other RGV weekend activities: La Joya Independent School District, South Texas College Department of History and Philosophy and Region One).

• Saturday, April 28, 2007, 10AM-2PM: “Teaching Hecho: Teachers and Writers Workshop.” Region One ESC, Starr Room, 1900 W. Schunior, Edinburg, TX. Writers Dagoberto Gilb, Erasmo Guerra, Christine Granados, Tammy Gomez, Tony Díaz, Diana López, Macarena Hernández, and Robert Ontiveros, and musician David Garza will attend. Sponsored by South Texas College Department of History and Philosophy, Region One, and the La Joya Independent School District.

• Saturday, April 28, 2007, 11AM-12:30PM: Edinburg Public Library, 1906 S. Closner, Edinburg, TX. Reading with Erasmo Guerra and Dagoberto Gilb with book signing to follow as part of the many "Books and Brunch" series. FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Edinburg Public Library.

• Saturday, April 28, 4PM: Barnes & Noble, 4005 North 10th St., McAllen, TX. Reading with Dagoberto Gilb, Arturo Longoria, Diana López, Tammy Gomez, Macarena Hernández, Erasmo Guerra, José Angel Gutíerrez, Roberto Ontiveros, and Christine Granados. Featuring celebrated Valley author Rene Saldaña. Q&A and book signing follows. FREE and open to the public.

• Sunday, April 29, 2-5PM, Brownsville Historical Society, 1325 E. Washington St, Brownsville, TX. Signing and reception to follow. FREE and open to the public. Sponsored by the Brownsville Historical Society.

Remembering Gloria: A Night of Poetry!

Looking forward to this important event to honor Gloria Anzaldúa in the Valley thanks to community activists and the Palmview branch library.

Remembering Gloria: A Night of Poetry!

McAllen, TX

We invite the public to join us in a celebration of Gloria Anzaldúa’s legacy, as we present an evening of her poetry on Thursday, April 26, 7:00 PM at the Palm View Branch Library. Various people from the Valley will take a turn reading Anzaldúa’s poetry out loud. A member of the Anzaldúa family will attend in her honor. Afterward, share your thoughts on Anzaldúa during a reception with light refreshment.

Gloria Evangelina Anzaldúa was born in the Rio Grande Valley in 1942, attended Pan American University (currently UTPA) and became a major influence in redefining Chicano/a identity and language. Although she left behind an internationally acclaimed legacy, including books of poetry, essays, and fiction, she has been neglected in her own backyard – the Rio Grande Valley.

This event is free. Bring your family and friends and find out about the Rio Grande Valley’s secret treasure!

For more information on Remembering Gloria: A Night of Poetry, contact the Palm View Branch Library at 688-3322.

Contact: Palm View Branch Library
Contact Person: Priscilla Celina Suarez
Telephone Number: 956-688-3322
Fax Number: 956-688-3366
Email Address: suapri@yahoo.com

Poetry Pachanga this Saturday

The public is invited to come celebrate National Poetry Month with the largest collection of Rio Grande Valley poets ever assembled during the first-ever Poetry Pachanga on Saturday, April 21 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Visit http://www.elzarapepress.com/popa.html for details on featured readers. Free admission.

* * * *
WHAT: "Poetry Pachanga"
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2007
TIME: 6-7 p.m. (UTPA Creative Writing Students)
7 to 10:30 p.m. (Featured Readers)
WHERE: The UT-Pan American Library Auditorium
for more info contact Daniel García Ordaz @ 956-358-7211 or wegotwords@hotmail.com
ONLINE: http://www.elzarapepress.com/popa.html

EPTimes article by Christine Granados

article about a NY Times editor's recent talk at UTEP... how many of these big lecture series at universities on the border continue to undermine and outright ignore Chicana/o literature.

"When the guero is finished with his talk, I buy his book so I can ask him what role he thinks Chicano literature is going to play in American letters. And because I asked straight up like that, he couldn't bring up Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who we both know ain't Mexican-American. The pobre had to answer something, and you know what he told me? He just doesn't see it having a big role in literature, such as other media and the Internet." --from "Who knows the future of literature..." in today's EPTimes by Christine Granados, author of Brides and Sinners in El Chuco.

cesar chavez march slideshow

Slideshow of the Cesar Chavez day march in El Paso yesterday from the EPTimes. For stories, essays, and poems by migrant farm workers, please visit BorderSenses' Memorias del Silencio: Footprints of the Borderland, a wonderful literary project under the direction of writer and teacher Minerva Laveaga.

In the slideshow, also notice the many signs in protest of the downtown plan (a plan that will displace many Segundo Barrio residents in the destruction). For more on the opposition to the downtown plan, visit Paso del Sur.