Friday, September 19, 2014

Notes From the Rocky Mountain Front

Culture War? If there is such a thing, I think we are winning. Here are notices about a few artistic skirmishes in the Mountain West. Cultural warriors unite.

 

Call for Entry: El Dia de Los Muertos

7
CHAC Gallery & Cultural Center
774 Santa Fe Drive Denver

Attention Artists, Students, Teachers and Community Members!

 2014 “El Dia de Los Muertos” –A Celebration of Life!

Best of Show $100, and two honorable mentions $25 each!


Judges Stephanie Shearer and Chris Bacorn owners of Pandora on the Hill and Soul Haus!

Show Dates: Wed. Oct. 1- Sat. November 1, 2014
Opening Reception October 17th 6-9 PM 
With a procession with Aztec dancers, and traditional refreshments
  • Artwork drop off is Sunday September 28th from noon to 4 PM at 774 Santa Fe Drive Denver CO 80205. 303-571-0440
  • You may also drop off your work ahead of time during regular gallery hours the week prior.
  • Requirements: Work must be Festive, Fun…new, never shown at CHAC, and based on the  cultural theme of El Dia de Los Muertos  (Day of the Dead). Work must be ready to hang. (Student artwork is the only exception) Art work must be suitable for a family friendly, environment, and be all age appropriate. 25% commission on all sales.
  • All Mediums are welcome including, but not limited to paintings, photography, sculpture, drawings, carvings, mixed media, fabric and jewelry.
  • Artwork may be refused for any reason if deemed inappropriate for the exhibit.
  • Altars-We are encouraging small altars due to limited space. Sunday set up only! Please call to reserve a spot beforehand. $20 donation required.
Entry fee: Free for CHAC Gallery members, $10 each or 3 for $25 for non members Teachers and schools $1.00 per art piece per child. We will work with you on pricing and sizes. Please call Crystal at 303-571-0440 with any questions!

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 CineLatino



DENVER FILM SOCIETY TO WELCOME EDWARD JAMES OLMOS, RICHARD MONTOYA AND NICHOLAS GONZALEZ FOR THE OPENING NIGHT PRESENTATION OF WATER & POWER AT CINELATINO


September 15, 2014 (Denver, CO) – The Denver Film Society (DFS) is proud to announce special guests Edward James Olmos (Producer), Richard Montoya (Director) and Nicholas Gonzalez (The Purge: Anarchy, Sleepy Hollow, Grimm) will attend CineLatino on behalf of the Opening Night film Water & Power on September 25. The film, a Sundance Lab Project and official selection of the LA Latino Film Festival and San Diego Latino Film Festival, revolves around twin brothers nicknamed “Water” and “Power (Gonzalez)” from the hard scrabble Eastside streets of Los Angeles.

“We are thrilled to make this announcement on the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month,” says DFS Programming Manager, Ernie Quiroz. “CineLatino is a celebration of the accomplishments of Latinos in film and I can’t think of a better person that exemplifies this than Mr. Olmos. He has opened the door for multiple generations of Latino actors, writers, producers and directors and continues his tireless work with the new film Water & Power by Richard Montoya.”

The Festival will open on Thursday, September 25 with a special pre-reception beginning at 6pm. The film will begin at 7:30pm immediately followed by a Q&A with Mr. Olmos, Mr. Montoya and Mr. Gonzalez. The DFS will continue to celebrate Edward James Olmos’ legacy on Saturday, September 27, by presenting a free screening of his film, Zoot Suit. In addition, Antonio Mercado along with students from the original North High School production of Zoot Suit Riots will host a panel discussion following the film. In 2004, Mercado and the students of North High School made history with their performance of Zoot Suit Riots and the play became the first high school production to be staged at the Buell Theater. Ten years later, the students have grown to become community leaders, actors, and activists.

A complete Festival pass to CineLatino is $50 for DFS members and $60 for non-members. The pass includes guaranteed seating to all films and panels, as well as access to all receptions and parties. Tickets to the Opening Night Film and Reception are $20 for DFS members and $25 for non-members, Closing Night Film and Reception are $15 for DFS members and $20 for non-members – both receptions include complimentary food and drink courtesy of Lifestyles Catering and locally based, Suerte Tequila. Regularly scheduled films are $10 for DFS members and $12 for non-members. Visit www.DenverFilm.org for more information and to purchase your tickets. 
Direct Link to full program and to purchase passes and individual tickets: click here.
The Man Behind The Mask
         
Other notable films in the festival (twelve total) include:
Thesis on a Homicide (Argentina) 
Who Is Dayani Cristal? (Mexico, documentary with Gael Garcia Bernal) 
Frontera (USA, starring Michael Peña and Ed Harris)



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Tirar Chancla



Great band, great venue, great people having a good time.


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Latin@ Book Festival - Pueblo



Hard to see in the image (the only one I could find), but this all-day event offers author presentations, panels on getting published and banned books, and more. La Bloga friend Mario Acevedo is featured at 2:45 PM when he will talk about Murder Your Writing Demons, while I will speak at 9:30 AM on Chicano Noir: It's Black and It's Brown.

September 27
Rawlings Library
100 E Abriendo Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81004-4290
(719) 562-5600


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Enrique's Journey





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Michael Nava in Boulder

On a very warm but beautiful afternoon (September 18) I attended a reading and discussion with the popular and award-winning author Michael Nava on the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado.  The event was hosted by Professor and author Emma Pérez of the C.U. Ethnic Studies Department.  Michael read from his excellent novel The City of Palaces, reviewed on La Bloga here and here. Retirement allows me the spontaneity to take in events such as these, and this was an interesting and enlightening time enjoyed by all who attended.


Emma Pérez, Michael Nava, Manuel Ramos

Final note:  I had a great time at the Literatura Hispana event sponsored by Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado on September 16. I read and answered questions about Desperado, and shared the stage with fellow writers and friends Denise Vega and Sheryl Luna. This was the first time this college hosted such an event but the organizers hope to make it an annual event for September 16th celebrations.  That would be swell.

Later.


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