Guest Columnist: Xánath Caraza. Latino Writers Collective en Chicago.

Xanath Caraza

By Xánath Caraza (see Xánath's bio following foto credits)

When I think of the word Chicago, immediately what comes to my mind is Sandra Cisneros, the Chicago Art Institute, the National Museum of Mexican Art, the Blue Men, and Carlos Cumpián. We, the Latino Writers Collective (LWC) of Kansas City, received an invitation for a collective reading in Chicago to promote our award winning fiction anthology, Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland (Scapegoat Press, 2009), and we were so excited that we could not wait to arrive at the event.

--English language column continues below.

Cuando pienso en la palabra Chicago, lo que viene inmediatamente a mi mente es Sandra Cisneros, el Instituto de Arte de Chicago, el Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano, los Hombres Azules y Carlos Cumpián. Nosotros, el Latino Writers Collective (LWC) de Kansas City, recibimos una invitación para una lectura colectiva en Chicago para promover nuestra antología ganadora de ficción, Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland, (Scapegoat Press, 2009), y estábamos tan emocionados que no podíamos esperar para llegar al evento.

¡¡Chi-ca-go!! El Latino Writers Collective de la Ciudad de Kansas leyó en la Windy City en la noche del 5 de diciembre de 2009, de 6:30 a 9 en Latte en Lincoln, auspiciados por MARCH/Abrazo Press que es dirigida por el dinámico y afectuoso Carlos Cumpián.

Entre los miembros de LWC que asistieron al evento y que con gran entusiasmo leyeron para la audiencia de Chicago estuvieron José Faus, María Vazquez-Boyd, Christina Rodriguez, Ericka Cecilia, Gustavo Aybar, Gabriela Lemmons, Linda Rodriguez, Mario Duarte y Xánath Caraza. Sin embargo la noche fue más que una lectura. Fue el principio de nuevas amistades e intercambio de palabras y experiencias, porque tuvimos la oportunidad de escuchar a dos poetas locales de Chicago. También escuchamos las impactantes palabras de Cynthia Gallaher y la lectura llena de energía del mismo Carlos Cumpián.

¡¡Qué noche!! Un verdadero lujo para LWC. La atmósfera casera en Latte en Lincoln, el aterciopelado vino tinto para brindar y las presentaciones de Carlos Cumpián fueron parte de las delicadezas de esta ocasión. En las palabras de Carlos Cumpián: “Cuando Linda Rodriguez me presentó a LWC fue en la Conferencia de 2008 de Association of Writers and Writing Programs, a través de su antología ganadora de poesía, Primera Página: Poetry from the Latino Heartland (Scapegoat Press, 2008). Después ella me pidió leer, sólo leer un manuscrito. Estaba lleno de voces diversas del Midwest y encontré en sus cuentos mucha narrativa poética. Era un tesoro y las críticas lo han probado. Entonces, terminé por escribir el prólogo para Cuentos del Centro”.

Mientras termino los últimos toques a estas palabras de nuestra noche en Chicago, me asomo por la ventana para ver las luces de la ciudad; ahora sé que estoy en casa. Gracias Chicago y gracias Carlos Cumpián. Chicago, hasta la próxima.


Chi-ca-go!! The Latino Writers Collective from Kansas City read at the Windy City on the

evening of December 5, 2009 from 6:30-9 at Latte on Lincoln, hosted by MARCH/ Abrazo Press led by the dynamic and warm-hearted Carlos Cumpián.

Among the LWC members who attended the event and enthusiastically performed for the Chicago audience were José Faus, María Vazquez-Boyd, Christina Rodriguez, Ericka Cecilia, Gustavo Aybar, Gabriela Lemmons, Linda Rodriguez, Mario Duarte, and Xánath Caraza. However, the night was more than just a reading. It was the beginning of new friendships, and an exchange of words, and experiences, because as well we had the opportunity to listen to two local poets from Chicago. We also listened to the powerful words of Cynthia Gallaher and the energetic performance of Carlos Cumpián.

What a night!! A real treat for LWC. The cozy atmosphere at Latte on Lincoln, the velvety red wine for toasting and the introductions from Carlos Cumpián were part of the delicacies of the night. In the words of Carlos Cumpián: “When Linda Rodriguez introduced me to LWC, it was at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference 2008, in Chicago, through their award winning poetry anthology, Primera Página: Poetry from the Latino Heartland (Scapegoat Press, 2008). Then she asked me to read, only read a manuscript. It was full of diverse voices from the Midwest and I found in their stories so much narrative poetry. It was a treasure, and the reviews have proved it. As a result, I ended up writing the foreword for Cuentos del Centro”.

As I’m finishing the last touches of these words of our evening in Chicago, I look through the window to see the city lights below; now I know I am home. Thank you Chicago, and thank you Carlos Cumpián. Chicago, we hope to return there soon.

Fotos:Stephen Holland-Wempe.

Top: con Carlos Cumpián.

Bottom: Mario Duarte, Xanath Caraza, Jose Faus, Maria Vasquez-Boyd, Ericka Cecilia and Gustavo Aybar.)

Biographical Statement: I’m a traveler, educator, poet, and short story writer. My original work and essays have been published in El Cid, Revista estudiantil del Capítulo Tau Iota de Sigma Delta Pi, La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica, Utah Foreign Language Review, Present Magazine, and Latino Poetry Review. I have also been published in the following anthologies: Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland, (Scapegoat Press, 2009), Primera Página: Poetry from the Latino Heartland (Scapegoat Press, 2008), and Más allá de las fronteras, (Ediciones Nuevo Espacio, 2004). I’m a member of the Board of Directors of the Latino Writers Collective, Kansas City, Missouri. I love hiking, Concheros, Baroque music, and a warm cup of oolong tea.

La Bloga welcomes and encourages guest columnists. If you have a book review, arts or cultural event, a significant reading experience, or something from your writer's notebook that you'd enjoy sharing with La Bloga, click here to discuss your proposal.

Michael Sedano's regular Tuesday column returns next week, December 14, with his review of Mexico City Noir.

Sunday, Sun Day, Day of the Sun in Kansas City & Los Ángeles

Xánath Caraza

Kansas City Latino Writers Collective members: Jose Faus, Gustavo Adolfo Aybar, Xanath Caraza y Chato Villalobos

 

Hoy en La Bloga un paseo por Kansas City, MO y Los Ángeles, CA.  Kansas City siempre está llena de actividades literarias, culturales y/o de activismo social.  Este pasado fin de semana no fue la excepción.  Tuvimos desde presentaciones de libros, entrevistas y una presentadora de Honduras.  También, hoy en La Bloga, noticias sobre una antología recién publicada en Los Ángeles.

Miembro fundador del Latino Writers Collective, José Faus tuvo la presentación de su libro, This Town Like That (Spartan Press, 2015) en Kansas City. ¡Enhorabuena!

This Town Like That Poems by Jose Faus

 

José Faus is an artist and writer. He has exhibited extensively and been involved in a series of mural projects locally and abroad. He is a 2012 Rocket Grant recipient for the community project VOX NARRO. He is a co-founder of the Latino Writers Collective and president of the board of the Writers Place. He is the 2011 winner of Poets & Writers Maureen Egen Writers Exchange award and one of four recipients of the Gift of Faith Award by the Regional Evangelical Council of Churches. 

This Town Like That is his first book, Faus conjures up memories and reflections in a narrative meditation on a love affair with his adopted hometown of Kansas City

Sobre This Town Like That unas palabras por Gustavo Adolfo Aybar también del Latino Writers Collective.

Gustavo Adolfo Aybar

 

This Town Like That by José Faus (Spartan Press 2015)

"From the first poem in this pocket-sized collection to the last, I found myself not only entertained, but intrigued; curious about “this town” and wondering how with fifteen years in this city, does Faus introduce me to new aspects of it, as well as make me wish I too knew 39^th Street and Kansas City/the Midwest as well as he does. " G. A. Aybar

 

 

Desde Honduras Reyna Tejada fue invitada por Cross Border Network (CBN) a Kansas City, Judy Ancel es la Presidenta de CBN y Melissa Archer la coordinadora. Tejada vino para presentar la plática, The Hands that Sew your Clothes: Garment Workers in the Honduran Maquila en la galería Vulpes Bastille de la ciudad.  Varios miembros del Latino Writers Collective dieron la bienvenida a Reyna Tejada con una breve presentación de poesía.  A continuación unas fotos del evento.

Reyna Tejada and Judy Ancel

Chato Villalobos at Vulpes Bastille Gallery

 

Jose Faus

 

Xanath Caraza

 

Gustavo Adolfo Aybar

 

Reyna Tejada at Vulpes Bastille Gallery

 

Kansas City Latino Writers Collective members: J. Faus, Jan Rog, G. Aybar and Chato Villalobos

 

 

 

Desde Los Ángeles, California, Víctor Sotomayor, Editor, nos informa que la antología, No Se Habla Español ya está a la venta.  Aquí el enlace para su adquisición. 

Editor Victor Sotomayor

 

 

Para terminar quiero agradecer a la Dra. Villalobos de la University of Nevada at Reno por la entrevista sobre mi quehacer literario, la cual será publicada próximamente.  Muchas gracias, viva la poesía y la literatura.

 

Dra. Villalobos de la University of Nevada at Reno

 

 

Of Runners and Writers: Juanita Salazar Lamb, an Arkansan Chicana

By Xánath Caraza

 

Juanita Salazar Lamb at The Writers Place, Festival of Faiths

 

A Chicana con ganas, Arkansas is where Juanita Salazar Lamb lives, a runner and writer.

This week, Juanita will be in Kansas City for a race on September 11. She will be part of the Riverfront Reading Series at the Writers Place on September 12. However, Juanita is no stranger to Kansas City; she has been featured here before as part of the Festival of Faiths also at The Writers Place a few years ago.

Participants and Organizers of Festival of Faiths, The Writers Place, Kansas City, MO

 

I actually met her at our Latino Writers Collective meetings, she is an out-of-town member and last summer I had the opportunity to spend some time with her in Arkansas. 

Arkansas

 

Arkansas

 

 

Of a runner, writer, and friend, an Arkansan Chicana, here is a short interview of Juanita Salazar Lamb.  ¡Conozcámosla!

 

Juanita Salazar Lamb at The Writers Place

 

 

Xánath Caraza: ¿Desde cuándo escribes? ¿Qué género literario escribes?

Juanita Salazar Lamb: I’ve always written—maybe not always on paper or a computer—but in my head ever since I can remember.  I would make up stories about people I would see around town: The man carrying a bouquet of flowers wrapped in green florist’s paper: were they part of an apology or a celebration? The little boy with his arm in a cast: was it the result of a playground accident that couldn’t be helped or was it a result of his travesura?  The woman wearing dark glasses that obscured the upper part of her face: was she hiding something or did she want to observe closely without been noticed?

I mainly write short stories, have been working on a series of murder mysteries for more than 10 years. And, for better or worse, I sometimes produce the occasional verse.

 



La librería favorita de Juanita

Arkansas

 

 

XC: ¿Puedes compartir algún reto para ti cuando escribes?

JSL: Some stories will not let go of me until I put them down on paper.  “The Night the Devil Rode the Wind” is one example.  That story came to me after a very unusual weather phenomenon in Oklahoma.  It filled my mind and I brought it to conclusion in my head, but it kept churning inside of me until I wrote it down.  It was my first short story to be published in a literary magazine, Border Senses, Spring 2006, Vol. XI.  When I experience such an overwhelming feeling, I need to the emotions, turmoil, joy, etc., release from me.  Once it’s down on paper, I can rest.  Will other’s read it and feel what I felt?  I would like to think so, but for the most part writing is something I must do…for me.

 

Arkansas

 

Arkansas

 

 

XC: ¿Qué recomendaciones pudieras dar a las nuevas generaciones que quieren escribir?

JSL: WRITE! We all have a little voice in our head that tells us “nobody cares what you think.” “You, write?  You’re too ___________________(fill in the blank) and not enough ____________(fill in the blank).” Ignore that voice and write.

 

READ!! Read everything—in the genre you’re writing.  Read beyond your genre. Increase your vocabulary, especially adjectives.  Not all things are “amazing”.

 

LISTEN!! If your writing includes dialogue, then listen closely to the way people speak. Do people speak in full sentences or do they speak in phrases, or verbal shorthand? Do some persons have trademark phrases or words?

 

Arkansas

 

Arkansas

 

 

XC: Yo sé que también eres corredora y que de hecho vienes a una carrera a Kansas City, ¿a cuál carrera vienes y puedes compartir un poco de cómo te iniciaste?

JSL:  I’m going to Kansas City to do the Patriots’ Run half marathon on 9/11.   I’ve been running since 2010 when I ran out of excuses as to why I couldn’t do an endurance race.  It’s something I had wanted to do for many years, and suddenly I was looking at turning 60 and still only wishing.    In October of that year I signed up to train for a half marathon with Team in Training, and finished my first half marathon in April of 2011, then turned 60 in May of 2011.  The Patriots’ Run will be my 9^th half marathon; I’ve also completed numerous other races ranging in distance from 5k to 20 miles. 

 

Juanita

 

 

XC: ¿Qué has aprendido de esta disciplina, correr?

JSL: I can apply 2 lessons from running to writing, and viceversa:

There’s a voice in my head that tells me I can’t do it: I’m too old, I’m tired, I don’t feel like it, it’s too hot, it’s too cold, etc., etc., etc.,  It’s just like the voice in the writer’s head I mentioned earlier.  But like writing, I run for me.  Just like I don’t run the fastest race or have the best form, I run because I need to challenge myself.  I may not write a story as compelling as some other authors, or poems that flow as beautifully as others, but I write because I need to get the words down on paper.

The second lesson is that no matter how well I’ve prepared myself for a race: training, nutrition, hydration, sometimes my body just says “no”. So I may quit for that day, but I’ll keep trying.  Sometimes I have a story brewing for months, or years—I know the characters, the beginning, the ending, but even so my story just isn’t flowing.  But I just keep going back to it, because it just might come together perfectly the next time.

 

Juanita Salazar Lamb

 

 

XC: ¿Puedes dar algún consejo a otr@s Chican@s/Latin@s que quieran correr y competir?

JSL: If you’ve never run before, train with a group if possible like Team in Training and Marathon Makeover to name two that I’ve trained with. If no training groups are available then read and follow the advice knowledgeable coaches who have published books and articles on their preferred method like Danny Dreyer on Chi running, and Galloway on the run/walk method.  Como dicen los de Nike:  Hazlo!

 

Juanita Salazar Lamb

 

 

Juanita Salazar Lamb grew up in a bilingual, bicultural family and her heart belongs to La Cultura Latina. Her stories are grounded in the realities of growing up along the border of two countries and two cultures. Her writings have appeared in Zopilote, Latina Magazine, Border Senses, Azahares: UA Fort Smith's premier Spanish-language creative literary journal, and Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland. She served on the judging panel for 2010 Conversations Essay Contest sponsored by the Rogers Public Library Foundation.

 

In Other News

Thrilled to announce that my new book of poetry is finally here, Sílabas de viento/Syllables of Wind (Mammoth Publications, 2014)  by Xanath Caraza, translated by Sandra Kingery and cover art by Adriana Manuela.  I’ll have my book release on Monday, September 15 at 7 p.m., where I’ll discuss my work on the radio program, New Letters on the Air,hosted by Angela Elam, as part of Park University’s Ethnic Voices PoetrySeries, held at Woodneath Library Center, 8900 N. Flintlock Road, Kansas City, MO.  Then Sílabas de viento/Syllables of Wind will have its next debut at the Big Tent Reading Series at Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas on September 25 at 7 p.m.  Finalmente, here is a link to Revista Contratiempo, page 4, of a book review of Sílabas de viento/Syllables of Wind.  Viva la poesía!

 



Sílabas de viento/Syllables of Wind 

 

 

The Downtown Neon Gallery and More

Por Xánath Caraza

From Kansas City, MO, I am reporting on one of the coldest days of the year.  Qué frío for the Neon Warrior, Tomas Cobian, and his community work, including a poetry series, as well as for the anthology Indigenous Message on Water, all of which reporting is as follows. 

The Downtown Neon Gallery is one of the many galleries owned by a Latino artist.  Many of the Latino gallery owners in Kansas City are community activists, too.  I’ll be showing more of these amazing places in upcoming columns. 

In the heart of the Blues and Jazz district of Kansas City, the Downtown Neon Gallery is located at 1921 Truman Road, Kansas City, MO. 

 

This wonderful gallery is owned by Tomas Cobian, the Neon Warrior, who is known for using neon tubing in his work in addition to promoting music, art, poetry, and dance.  As well, he has collaborated with the Writers Place for several years.  As part of his promoting poetry, Tomas has had a poetry series once a month and features poets from the Writers Place. The Neon Gallery Poetry Reading Series is a monthly event hosted by Martha Gershum, the Writers Place and the Downtown Neon Gallery.  Many members of the Latino Writers Collective have been featured in this series.  For example, on Friday, January 24, 2014, Jason Sierra, aka Chico Sierra, was one of the featured poets.  Poignant lines such as “Irish whisky bled all over my American Dream” stand out from his work that he read. It is always a pleasure to spend an evening listening to poetry. 

The Neon Warrior

Listening to poetry and music is typically the focus at the Downtown Neon Gallery.  What is more, there is opportunity for a convivial community to gather.  At the Gallery, I fortunately ran into other members of the Latino Writers Collective and we shared about our individual projects and caught up. So, that’s how I found out that Chico Sierra, who is also an artist, is working on a collection of short stories and Gustavo Aybar, a Cave Cavem member, is working on a translation project.  All the best for your projects Gustavo and Chico, it’s always great to see you.  

Next time you’re in Kansas City, be sure to visit the Downtown Neon Gallery and hang out with the Neon Warrior.

Jason, Daniel and Gustavo

 Indigenous Message on Water

Por Juan Guillermo Sánchez

The Indigenous Message on Water is part of an international initiative, the Indigenous World Forum on Water and Peace 2014, a coalition of Indigenous leaders, Indigenous organizations, academics and like-minded people globally who wish to protect water for future generations. It is a vision from the Elders, and has the support of 60 organizations globally (at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues) => http://waterandpeace.wordpress.com/

This multilingual anthology (English/Spanish/Native language/s) has gathered wisdom, thoughts, verses, short-stories, poems, and general reflections on the various local issues pertaining to Water, written by East/West/North/South indigenous elders, activists and poets: Pinay, Maori, Hau'ula and Chamoru friends from the Pacific; Sakha from Russia; Cree, Tsalagi, Cherokee, Yoeme, Anishinaabe, Lakota, Lipan Apache, Metis, Lōh and Gitxan friends from North America; K'iche', Kaqchikel, and Q'anjob'al friends from Guatemala; Maya and Nahuatl friends from Mexico; Wayuu, Palenque and Guna friends from the Caribe; Uitoto, Okaina and Tikuna from the Amazonia; Camëntá from Putumayo; Yanakuna and Mapuche-Huilliche friends from the Andes and the farthest lands of the Deep South.

If you would like to have this unique compilation, you can get the e-book through Payhip =>   https://payhip.com/b/5H0g Also, if you want to help us in the organization of Indigenous World Forum on Water and Peace 2014, please share this link with all your contacts.

In peace and friendship.

                        ~~~~~~

El Mensaje Indígena de Agua es parte de una iniciativa global, el Foro Indígena Mundial sobre el Agua y la Paz 2014, una coalición global de líderes y organizaciones indígenas, académicos y voluntarios en general, interesados en proteger el agua para las futuras generaciones. Es una visión desde los mayores, la cual tiene el patrocinio de más de 60 organizaciones internacionales y cuenta con la ayuda del Foro Permanente de Asuntos Indígenas de las Naciones Unidas => http://waterandpeace.wordpress.com/

Esta antología multilingüe (español/inglés/lenguas nativas) reúne consejas, pensamientos, versos, cuentos, poemas y reflexiones sobre problemáticas locales relacionadas con el agua, donados para el proyecto por activistas y escritores del Este, Norte, Oeste y Sur: amigos Chamoru, Pinay, Maori y Hau'ula del Pacífico; Sakha de Russia; amigos Cree, Tsalagi, Cherokee, Yoeme, Anishinaabe, Lakota, Lipan Apache, Metis, Lōh y Gitxan de Norteamérica; K'iche', Kaqchikel, y Q'anjob'al de Guatemala; Maya y Nahuatl de México; Wayuu, Palenque y Guna del Caribe; Uitoto, Okaina y Tikuna de la Amazonía; Camëntá del Putumayo; Yanakuna y Mapuche-Huilliche de los Andes y de las tierras últimas del Sur Profundo.

Si quieres conseguir un ejemplar de esta compilación, puedes ir al sitio en Payhip y adquirir el e-book => https://payhip.com/b/5H0g También, si quieres colaborar en la organización del Foro Indígena Mundial Sobre el Agua y la Paz 2014, por favor comparte este link de arriba con todos sus conocid@s.

Paz y amistad.