KEEP READING! Details on these exciting evenings follows!
History & Perspective,The Importance of the Day of the Dead Celebration in the community
Discussion Guide: Consuelo Flores
Thursday, November 6th, 2008
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
What is Dia De Los Muertos? Where did it come from and when did it begin?
Why is it so important to the Chicano/a community? Why is it growing in
popularity?
Consuelo Flores will guide attendees through an engaging cultural discussion
with Sybil Venegas, art historian, writer and educator at East Los Angeles College;
Karen Mary Davalos, Associate Professor of Chicano/a Studies at Loyola Marymount;
and Reyes Rodriguez, artist and owner of Tropico De Nopal Gallery.
Through this discussion, the audience will visit historical and contemporary markers in the development and celebration of the Day of the Dead from Mictlan to Tenochtitlan to present-day Aztlan.
Don’t miss your opportunity to know the origins, become aware and fully celebrate the festivities!
Pan de muerto will be served.
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20th Anniversary screening of “La Ofrenda” by Lourdes Portillo, In
collaboration with Cine Sin Fin
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
“La Ofrenda: The Days of the Dead” by Lourdes Portillo and Susana Munoz
will be shown. Tracing the roots and cultural significance of the Days of the Dead, both in Mexico’s ancient Indian temples to present day celebrations in the United States.
This evening also features a premier screening of John Jota Leanos “Imperial Silence: Una Opera Muerta” This animated opera of sorts extends the Mexican and Chicano tradition of the Days of the Dead to musical, animation and cinematic forms. The work is presented in four animated acts.
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Inspiration House Poetry Choir: Days of the Dead Edition
Curated by Peter J. Harris
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Event Description:
In celebration of Self-Help Graphics thirty-five year tradition of Days of the Dead in Los Angeles, Peter J. Harris, former producer/host of “Inspiration House: VoiceMusic for Whole Living,” which aired from 1999 to 2004 on KPFK-FM, Pacifica Radio for southern California, brings together vibrant poets and improvisational musicians for an evening of Inspiration House Poetry Choir.
This performance will feature “Chola con Cello” – Maria Elena Gaitan, who has been working with Harris in Black/Brown Dialogue performances at Avenue 50 Studio during 2008.
Featured poets for the evening are Gloria Enedina Alvarez, Michael Datcher Abel Salas, and Peter J. Harris, accompanied by acclaimed musicians Maria Elena Gaitan, Jason Luckett and vocalist Nailah.
We invite audiences to witness this dynamic exchange of poets and musicians listening and responding, poems-on-poems, musicians interlaced with spoken word, leading to both powerful communion and virtuoso solos. In the tradition of call and response, audiences at PoetryChoir performances are encouraged to respond spontaneously – with shouts of encouragement, amens and affirmation – to the skill of the poets and musicians, stitching their voices into the dialogue, and helping to produce a testament to whole living.
ALL EVENTS AT:
Self Help Graphics & Art
3802 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90063
http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com/events/diadelosmuertos.php
323.881.6444
El Centro Del Pueblo is also having a“Día De Los Muertos” event this Sunday, November 1st, 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Echo Park at 1157 Lemoyne Street, behind Masa of Echo Park which is at 1800 W. Sunset Blvd.
This free family event will feature altars, music, and culture, entertainment including Ollin, 5Senti2, Plaza de la Raza Salsa Performing Group, Slow Parade, face painting, arts and crafts workshops, lotería, food and refreshments. Community members can set up their own free altar to remember their loved ones or participate as a vendor for $50. For info. contact conradoterrazas@roadrunner.com or 213-200-6161 or 213-483-6335.