Chicano poem put to song; Rigoberto Gonzalez reviews; Racist Houston Mayor; Grande wins Premio Aztlan; Espada readings

Check out Rigoberto Gonzalez’ Review of Alex Espinoza’s Still Water Saints

http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_5724619

Award-winning classical music groups to cover Jalapeno Blues

Songwriter, Gabriela Frank has written music for Chanticleer using poet, Trinidad Sanchez, Jr.'s poetry from his latest book, Jalapeno Blues. The songs will be introduced at the following event:

Minnesota Public Radio presents Chanticleer in concert at The Fitzgerald Theater on Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 p.m..

Praised by the New York Times for its "precise, pure, and deeply felt singing," and by the Los Angeles Times for its "luxurious perfection," Chanticleer vocal ensemble were honored with a 2003 and 2004 GRAMMY® awards.

Chanticleer has developed a remarkable reputation for its vivid interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. With its seamless blend of twelve male voices, ranging from countertenor to bass, the ensemble has earned international renown as “an orchestra of voices.” Based in San Francisco, Chanticleer has developed a remarkable reputation for its vivid interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music.

RACIST HOUSTON MAYOR INSULTS AMERICAN INDIANS

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Houston's Mayor Pro Tem Michael Berry insulted American Indian
listeners during his talk show on slavery and Indians on KPRC Radio
950. The American Indian Genocide Museum in Houston urges others to
respond.

Houston's Mayor Berry said:

"We need to stop wasting all this time and energy apologizing to the
American Indian, which we continue to do ... We give them casinos, we
give them special licenses, we give them special scholarships and why
I don't understand .."

" We conquered them, that's history - Hello "

" You got to be against giving welfare to the American Indians
because of the fact , that 200 years ago they were whipped in a war.
Lets just call it what it is, they lost a war."

His websites:

http://www.michaelberry.com/

http://www.houstontx.gov/council/5/index.html

email Michael Berry: iam@michaelberry.com

Contact Houston City Council members: http://www.houstontx.gov/
council/index.html

Reyna Grande Wins Premio Aztlán Literary Prize

The University Libraries at the University of New Mexico recognizes emerging writer, Reyna Grande, an English as a Second Language and Citizenship Teacher at the Los Angeles Unified School District, as the winner of the 2006 Premio Aztlán Literary Award. Ms. Grande will receive $1,000 and deliver a public lecture on Thursday, April 26 at 4 p.m. in the Willard Reading Room in UNM’s Zimmerman Library. Prior to the reading, a talk for students takes place, also in the Willard Reading room, at 11 a.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

Across a Hundred Mountains is a stunning and poignant story of migration, loss, and discovery as two women -- one born in Mexico , one in the United States -- find their lives joined in the most unlikely way. The phenomenon of Mexican immigration to the United States is one of the most controversial issues of our time. While it is often discussed in terms of the political and economic implications, Grande, with this brilliant debut novel and her own profound insider's perspective, puts a human face on the subject. Who are the men, women, and children whose lives are affected by the forces that propel so many to risk life and limb, crossing the border in pursuit of a better life? Grande’s book, published by Atari Press Simon and Schuster, will be available for purchase at the event.

Reyna Grande, born in Guerrero , Mexico , in 1975, followed her parents to the United States at nine years of age. She graduated from the University of California , Santa Cruz , in 1999 and was named a PEN Center USA Emerging Voices Rosenthal Fellow in 2003. She lives in Los Angeles with her son.

The Premio Aztlán Literary Award is a national literary award, established to encourage and reward emerging Chicana and Chicano authors. Renowned author, Rudolfo Anaya and his wife, Patricia, founded Premio Aztlán in 1993. The prize was reestablished in their honor in 2004 by the University of New Mexico Libraries

To be considered, each entrant must have authored no more than two books as well as being active in the Chicana/o community. Former Premio Aztlán recipients, Denise Chavez, Pat Mora, Alicia Gaspar de Alba and Sergio Toncoso and Mary Helen Lagasse, have become well-known literary figures.

For more information about Premio Aztlán Literary Award, contact Teresa Marquez at: or phone (505) 277-0582.

Martin Espada Readings until end of May

April 27: Reading, 10AM, Crispus Attucks Middle School, Indianapolis, IN, Contact: Rafael Méndez, RMendez@imcpl.org

April 27: Reading, 7:30PM, Etheridge Knight Festival of the Arts, Basile Theater, Indiana History Center, Indianapolis, IN, Contact: Eunice Knight-Bowens, EKFestival@aol.com

May 1: Reading, 1PM, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School, South Hadley, MA

Contact: Erin Feldman, efeldman@pvpa.com

May 19: Commencement Address, 10:45AM, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA

Contact: Judy Raper , jraper@hampshire.edu

May 21: Lecture, 7PM, Milton Academy, Milton, MA, Contact: James Connolly

james_connolly@milton.edu