Bits

Manuel Ramos

SAM QUINONES
We received the following note from the University of New Mexico Press:

Sam Quinones' Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream (UNM Press, 2007), a book of immigration vignettes, picked up great reviews from the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, among other publications. The newest feature of Sam's website is a link where the public can tell their True Tale, based on Sam's first book, True Tales From Another Mexico (UNM Press, 2001).

Here's the link: http://www.samquinones.com/other_stories.asp

You can read La Bloga's interview with Quinones, by Daniel Olivas, here.

And a review of Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream, by R. Ch. Garcia, here.


GENERATION TO GENERATION
Stories on Stage (Theater of the Imagination) begins its 2007-2008 season on August 26 with a program entitled Generation to Generation. Stories on Stage has taken a great concept and turned it into a great series of entertaining events. The concept? Excellent literature read by accomplished and acclaimed actors. Not plays, not performances: readings. The motto for Stories on Stage is Adults Deserve a Great Story ... and Cookies & Milk, Too!


Generation to Generation features four selections: The Queen of Mold by Ruth Reichi, My Son the Fanatic by Hanef Kureishi, Vanderbilt Genes by Augusten Burroughs, and an excerpt from Migrant Souls by Arturo Islas (William Morrow, 1990). The Islas piece will be read by Adriana Gaviria, who performed last year in Hermanas at the FringeNYC and the 52nd Street Project's Power of Ten: Plays That Count at the Public Theater in New York. Her other credits include Anna In The Tropics, September Shoes, and The Birds. She's worked with numerous theater companies including the Immigrants' Theater Project, Young Playwrights, Inc., and Pregones and Repertorio Español. Other readers are Annette Helde, Joshua Coomer, and Shishir Kurup.

Migrant Souls has an excellent reputation. The Library Journal's review of this book said: "Continuing the saga of the Angel family that began in Rain God, Islas explores the effects of life on the border. Burdened by the pride of matriarch Mama Chona, all her children and grandchildren are raised to hate their Mexican, dark-skinned heritage, valuing a mythical light-skinned Spanish ancestry. Islas contrasts rebel Josie Salazar, dark and divorced, who fights the family on every front, with Josie's widowed aunt, Jesus Maria, who attempts to maintain Mama Chona's values despite the scorn of her children. The author displays consummate skill in portraying the anguish of Hispanics living on both sides of a literal and figurative border in the second volume of a proposed trilogy. An excellent addition to fiction collections."

Generation to Generation is scheduled for August 26, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, Stage Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

WHAT HAPPENED AMERICA?
SEIU Local 105 and the Laughing Bean Café present: What Happened America?, featuring The Laughing Bean Players. This fundraiser is tonight, August 17, at 7:30 PM at the Mi Casa Theater, 360 Acoma, Denver. Tickets are $20. Call 303-698-7963, ext. 150.

SEIU Local 105 represents 5,200 employees in health care, property services, and public services.

ELVIS
Hey -- how about this:

The Elvis Presley Tribute is this Sunday, August 19, at Rick's Tavern, 6762 Lowell Boulevard, Denver. The folks at Rick's are inviting everyone to stop by for a good time as The King of Rock 'n Roll is honored: Elvis music, costumes, and impersonators. More info about the event and The Rick Garcia Band on the website. Rick Garcia and his band will perform some of Elvis' songs - in addition to their signature blend of Tex-Mex, New Mexico, country, rock and oldies music.

That's all I got.

Later.