"Bilingual Music & Stories: De Colores" Oct. 8 in Jackson with Jose Luis Orozco

"Bilingual Music & Stories: De Colores" with Jose Luis Orozco
Monday, Oct. 8, 6-7 p.m.
Jackson Elementary School Commons, 155 N. Jean St.
Free!

José-Luis Orozco, bilingual educator, children's author and recording artist, will give parents important demonstrations of how to use music, rhythm, games and songs to develop and nurture language and literacy skills, as well as promote cultural diversity and positive self-esteem. This highly interactive workshop brings the rich heritage of the Spanish-speaking world to children and parents. This program will feature stories and songs in Spanish and English.

Born in Mexico City, Orozco grew fond of music at a young age, learning many songs from his paternal grandmother. At age 8, he became a member of the Mexico City Boy's Choir, and traveled the world visiting 32 countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America. During his tour around the world, he gained the cultural knowledge he now shares with children through his books and recordings.

See more of Orozco and his music and stories at www.joseluisorozco.com or at www.facebook.com/MiJoseLuisOrozco. To learn more about Spanish and bilingual programs at the library, contact the library’s Latino Programs Coordinator, Pati Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237, procha@tclib.org.

Flores De Colores dance troupe brings back awards from Las Vegas competition



This display ad from Cheyenne dance troupe Flores De Colores recently appeared in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. The group won a number of awards at a dance competition in Las Vegas. Flores De Colores is on the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster.

The arts and culture of Mexico highlighted at Casper's NICFest

News from the NIC:

The Nicolaysen Art Museum will host the popular NICFest summer art festival this Friday through Sunday, June 22-24. NICFest is a vibrant multi-day festival that provides endless opportunities to celebrate the arts with professional artists creating and selling artwork, two stages of musical entertainment, fun activities for kids and families, food and art exhibitions for everyone. For 2012, NICFest introduces a new celebration of folk-life. Each year, a different cultural region, country or tradition will be explored. This year, the festival will celebrate and explore the Mexican culture through art, music, dance, and food.

The visual arts include more than 60 artists from across the region and nation selling their artwork in the main tent and on Collins Drive. Exhibitions in the museum explore a variety of themes from agriculture, fashion, Mexican folk art. Featured in Bryce Hall and in the Discovery Center, is the National Arts Program exhibition, which highlights the artwork of city employees and their immediate family. Don’t miss the Doodle 4 Google exhibition in the Discovery Center, which Wyoming children from all across the state reimagined the Google logo.

NICFest would not be complete without music and this year’s headliner main stage performers include 3 Twins Broadband on Friday evening at 7 pm, the Fireants on Saturday at 6 pm, and Jalan Crossland on Sunday at 4 pm. Also, don’t miss our full schedule of music and dance performers on the family stage from Friday to Sunday.

Come and enjoy the 7th annual NICFest celebration of arts and culture. The festival, which will be open from 5-9 p.m. June 22, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. June 23, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 24 is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the Nic at 235-5247 or visit our Web site at http://www.thenic.org/.

17th annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta May 5 at Forum 619 in Cheyenne

One of the vendor tables at Cinco De Mayo Fiesta 2010

The Cinco De Mayo Celebration is presented by the Cinco De Mayo Hispanos Unidos Committee. The 17th annual Cinco De Mayo Fiesta will be held on Saturday, May 5, at the Forum 619 on South Greeley Highway in Cheyenne. It will be from noon to 5:00 pm and is FREE to the public. The fiesta consists of vendors, live entertainment, food, kid carnival and a car show! We also recognize our Cinco de Mayo king and queen, high school students displaying involvement and a positive image for Hispanics. FMI: Contact Linda at 307-635-4369 or by email at ljlovato@bresnan.net.

Cheyenne Hispanic Festival June 3-5

The Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, supported in part by a Cultural Trust Fund grant, will occur in the Cheyenne Depot Plaza June 3 -5, 2011. The festival will include mariachis, jalapeno contest, Aztec dancers, food and craft vendors, live entertainment and more. The Festival will include educational and cultural exhibits. This event provides the opportunity to celebrate the various Hispanic cultures throughout our communities. The event is free to the public. For more information, visit the website. Photo courtesy Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, 2010. 

Work by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo at Teton County Public Library June 6-30

Detroit Industry, South Wall, 1932-33, fresco by Diego Rivera. Detroit Institute of Arts.

The Teton County Public Library in Jackson will feature an exhibition of work by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo June 6-30. The library gallery will feature large, life-size reproductions from Mexico’s most famous muralist: Diego Rivera. Right next to him you can enjoy prints of Frida Kahlo’s vibrant paintings and self-portraits that celebrate the colorful culture of Mexico. This display is part of a traveling exhibition from Teacher's Discovery and will be on display until June 30. Location: Library Exhibit Gallery. Free. Latino Programs Coordinator, Pati Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237, procha@tclib.org.

Author Victor Villasenor speaks at Teton County Library Feb. 10

On Thursday, Feb. 10, 6-7 p.m., the Teton County Public Library presents a talk by author Victor Villaseñor.

He will discuss "Family and Quality of Life: Pride in Heritage, Family, and the Power of Personal Achievement through Vision, Education and Perseverance."

Mexican-American writer, Victor Villaseñor, best known for the New York Times bestselling novel "Rain of Gold," speaks in a heartfelt manner, about the strength of family, pride in heritage, and the dedication to education and personal achievement. Presentation is geared towards inspiring teens and parents. A book signing with titles available for purchase will follow. Location: Ordway Auditorium. Free. Latino Programs Coordinator, Patty Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237, procha@tclib.org.

In Spanish with simultaneous interpretation to English.

During the author's trip to Teton County, he will also speak to students at Jackson High School. On Feb. 7-8, Villasenor will be at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. 

Northwest College hosts Multicultural evening

The Northwest College Multicultural Committee is sponsoring a night of dance & music provided by Tres Vidas http://www.core-ensemble.cc/tv.htm  on October 9, at the NWC Nelson Performing Arts Building. The group provides music and dance that ranges from popular and folk songs from the Mexican, Salvadoran and Argentinean cultures, to transcriptions of works by Astor Piazzolla, to new music written especially for the Core Ensemble by composers Osvaldo Golijov, Orlando Garcia, Pablo Ortiz and Michael DeMurga.

New mural in Laramie celebrates history of Latinos and Latinas in Wyoming

On Saturday, May 1, Paredes Hablando - Walls That Speak, will be unveiled by La Radio Montenesa Voz de la Gente KOCA in Laramie. The mural by Stevon Lucero commemorates Latinas and Latinos in Wyoming.

There will be an 11 a.m. luncheon followed at 1:30 p.m. by the unveiling of the mural, with an Artist's Talk by Stevon Lucero, “The Unyielding Process of Chicano Art.” All events at the Alice Hardy Stevens Center, 603 E. Ivinson Ave., Laramie. At 5 p.m., there will be a screening of a film by Yolanda Cruz, 2501 Migrantes, about a population of a town in Mexico that has been forced to leave to find work.

Info: Connie, 742-2842 cocaj58@aol.com

Flores de Colores presents "The Music of Feasts" at Humanities Festival

Wyoming Arts Council roster artists Flores de Colores Dance Troupe of Cheyenne will present "The Music of Feasts/Folkloric Dance" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 25 at Durham Hall, Casper College. This presentation is part of the 25th annual Casper College Humanities Festival and Demorest Lecture Feb. 24-26. For complete schedule, go to http://www.caspercollege.edu/events/humanities/

Grants available for cultural exchange projects with Mexico and Central American countries

The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture is offering a new grant program for nonprofit organizations.

The Transnational Cultural Remittances Grant Program will support exemplary cultural exchange projects that use grassroots artistic practices to strengthen social networks across national boundaries in migrant communities. Applications, due July 24, must demonstrate an ongoing connection between two or more of the following countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and the United States.

Reception for Latino baseball exhibit 5:30 p.m., May 1, at Cheyenne Civic Center

The Cheyenne Lobos, one of the teams featured in the exhibit "Sugar Beet Fields to Fields of Dreams: Spanish Contributions to America's Favorite Pastime."

The Wyoming Humanities Council sends this news:

If you happen to be in or near Cheyenne on the evening of Friday, May 1, be sure to swing by the Civic Center for the opening reception for the baseball exhibit, "Sugar Beet Fields to Fields of Dreams," which highlights the contributions of Latino players to the history of baseball.

The exhibit will be on display May 1-30. Opening reception May 1, 5:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta May 2 in Cheyenne

This comes from Karen Cotton's Backstage Pass blog:

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta facts:

When: Saturday, May 2, noon to 5 p.m. At noon, there will be a presentation of the Cinco de Mayo proclamation with Mayor Rick Kaysen, and Ccrowning of the Rey and Reina.

Where: Cheyenne Depot Plaza, downtown Cheyenne Wyo.

More info: ljlovato@bresnan.net

Car Show: Low Riders, Custom, Classic, bikes, model cars, motorcycles and music more.
More info: Joe, 650-0649

Live band performance by Glen Garcia and his band “Mas O Menos” on Saturday.

Entertainment: Cinco de Mayo Ambassadors: Wyoming Arts Council roster artists Las Flores de Colores (pictured above), belly dancers, Sunshine Generation, rap music, folkloric dance groups, Las Angelitas, Los Rayos del Sol and Grupo Colonias de Jalisco.

For the full entertainment schedule, pick up a copy of ToDo in today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle.

Weather notice: Because this event is held outdoors, if the weather is bad, the event will be cancelled and the event organizers will notify the radio stations, and the newspaper.

This event is funded by the Wyoming Arts Council.

Matt Flint paintings at Jackson gallery

The Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary Gallery in Jackson presents its monthly “First Friday” event on June 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Meet Lander painter Matt Flint, winner of a 2008 Wyoming Arts Council visual arts fellowship. Also joining in will be photographer Richard Speedy and his backcountry guide Santiago from the Copper Canyon region of Mexico. At 6 p.m., Richard and Santiago will share their experiences over the last twenty years with the Taramuhara of Mexico.

FMI: http://www.lmcontemporary.com

Orozco conducts bilingual program at library

From a press release:

Families with children of all ages are invited to join "An Evening of Spanish Children’s Music" with José-Luis Orozco from 6-7 p.m., on Tuesday, May 20. The bilingual program, presented in the Teton County Public Library's Ordway Auditorium in Jackson, is free and open to the public.


An award-winning songwriter, recording artist and children’s book author, Orozco takes audiences on a musical tour of Latin America. He has recorded 13 volumes of "Lírica Infantil, Latin American Children’s Music," and enjoys introducing listeners to songs, rhymes, tongue twisters, lullabies, games and holiday celebrations from Spanish-speaking countries.

Orozco got an early introduction to music from his paternal grandmother, who taught him many songs during his childhood. At age 8, he joined the Mexico City Boy’s Choir, which allowed him to travel to 32 countries. Seeing such a variety of cultures from Europe to the Caribbean to Latin America shaped his life. Today, Orozco uses song and stories to share his cultural knowledge and experiences with children.

Orozco's latest book is "Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi." It shows how everyday family activities, such as cooking, singing, reading and storytelling foster essential early literacy skills. The book is the first in a series slated for publication by Scholastic’s Latino initiative Lee y Serás (Read and You Will Be), which was created to improve reading and literacy development among Latino children.

Orozco earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a master’s in multicultural education from the University of San Francisco. Born in Mexico City, Orozco has dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship and today lives in Los Angeles.

FMI: Contact Latino Program Coordinator Patty Rocha at 307-733-2164 ext. 237.

Western Folk Arts Fest in Cheyenne Nov. 3

Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum presents its 2007 Western Folk Art Festival on Saturday, Nov. 3, in Cheyenne.

Three performers/performing arts groups from the Wyoming Arts Council roster are in the line-up. Here's the entire schedule:

9-10 a.m.: Opening brunch (tickets $10), chuckwagon display and catered breakfast. Tickets $10. Includes opening remarks by the WAC's Annie Hatch. Followed by awards ceremony.

10:30-11:30 a.m.: Kevin McNiven, "America’s Cowboy," cowboy yodeling and music performance.

1-2 p.m.: Allison Sage – Arapaho music and culture performance

2-3 p.m.: Las Flores De Colores – Mexican folkloric dance performance (pictured above)

Throughout the day (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), there will be ongoing demonstrations and information booths by exhibiting artists including weaving, beading, silver-smithing and leather-tooling.

FMI: Aimee Reese, CFD Old West Museum, aimeereese@hotmail.com.

19-year-old "poet prodigy" speaks at Casper College Literary Conference Oct. 17-19

The Casper College Literary Conference presents "Spiritual Warriors" Oct. 17-19 on the CC campus. Professional writers from across the globe will present readings and workshops. Here's a profile of one of those presenters:

Ekiwah Adler-Beléndez is a 19-year old poet prodigy who has captivated Mexico’s literary scene. Raised in the small village of Amatlan, Mexico, Ekiwah began writing poems and stories at the age of 10. Two years later, Ekiwah published his first collection of poetry, Soy (I Am). When he presented his newly published book to an audience at the Jardín Borda in Cuernavaca, he became an immediate literary sensation. By age 16, he had published two additional collections, Palabras Inagotables (Never-ending Words) and Weave (his first book in English).

Elena Poniatowska, one of Mexico’s finest writers and journalists, has hailed Ekiwah “a young Prometheus unchained.” In addition to receiving honorable mention for the Premio Nacional de la Juventud (National Prize for the Youth) by the Governor of the State of Morelos, Ekiwah has also been granted scholarships by FONCA (the National Institute for Support of the Arts.) Bi-lingual and of dual citizenship, Ekiwah is currently studying in the U.S., as well as speaking and reading his poems at universities, high schools, and conferences both in the U.S. and Mexico.

Ekiwah -- which means Warrior in the language of the Purepecha – is an appropriate title, given that he has battled cerebral palsy since a premature birth. Ekiwah writes, “I think that what poets do is decipher silence."

if you attempt to trace me,

do not speak to me
speak to what makes me hungry
follow the tracks of what I love
(From "Coyotes Trace")

Click here to register for Ekiwah's workshop.

Latin Jam Showcase at LCCC

The Wyoming Latina Youth Conference will be held October 12-14, 2007 at Laramie County Community College. "The Power of Choice" conference is for Hispanic females, grades K-12. Conference will be held at LCCC, 1400 E. College Dr., in Cheyenne. Registration is $15.00 (includes all conference events). Saturday workshops will feature workshops on teen pregnancy, the power of positive thinking, education and more. Sunday features a Mexican dance workshop. The Friday banquet will be held at the Holiday Inn and will feature Equal Rights Activist Paula Crisostomo whose story was featured in the HBO movie "Walkout." The public is invited. Cost is $15.00 per person.

The Latin Jam Showcase will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2007 and will feature Al Hurricane and Al Hurricane, Jr., Grupo Folclorico Colonias de Jalisco, Ray Ray Moyte aka x-Ray Moyte, and Adrian Molina. Tickets are $15.00 each and are available at Cheyenne Civic Center Box Office. FMI go to www.cheyenneciviccenter.org, or call (307) 637-6363 or 1-877-691-ARTS. The public is invited.

Apply for Transnational Communities Award

From a press release:

The Transnational Communities Award is open to artistic, cultural and social projects that creatively use the technologic and conceptual tools available in the web, broadening the channels of communitarian communication and interaction and giving rise to spaces online where practices and stories are shared. The purpose of this award is to foster the access to cultural goods and to the technologies involved in its production and distribution, to promote the diversity of expressions and to recognize the citizen participation of the Transnational Communities that link Mexico and the United States in a daily and permanent way.

The call for submissions is open to individuals, groups, associations, organizations and institutions from Mexico and the United States that develop artistic, cultural and social projects for which the Internet is both a sufficient and necessary condition of viewing, expressing and participating.

Among the fields of activity subsumed are: video (communitarian video, documental, videoart, videoclip, videomail, telenovelas/soap operas), net.art, citizen journalism, digital communities, online forums, weblogs social networks, videogames online, online artistic collaboration projects, electronic literature, digital narrative, online communitarian radio, podcasts, etc. During the annual festival, the winner will be awarded with USD 3,500.

For further information on the submission please visit http://www.transitiomx.net/concurso,
Or refer directly to:
Mariana Delgado
Communication and Public Affairs Coordinator
US-Mexico Foundation for Culture, Inc.
Tel. (52 55) 55 35 67 35
E-mail mariana@contactocultural.org