Monday, March 28, 2005
Sunday Opinion
Yesterday, The Herald printed two relevant community commentaries in concern to the arts in Brownsville. One was a guest column by Brownsville art teacher Roxana Cantu who wrote about the need for more arts support from our community and the schools. She wrote of how she attended an art teacher forum at UT-Austin and spoke with future art teachers. I was among the audience that day and what she has to say is very relevant. The Herald also printed a commentary about the heydays of the El Jardin Hotel by quoting the memoirs of a bellboy who used to work there. So far I have yet to see these commentaries published online. I hope that by the end of today they are posted so I can share with you my opinions as well. Have a great day!
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Happy Easter
Happy Easter Everyone! It's turning out to be a nice, cool and sunny day here in Brownsville, so go out and enjoy the great weather with your family and friends. Even take part in a Cascarone hunt! In celebration of today I want to share with you Carmen Lomas Garza's painting Cascarones, (which are confetti filled and dyed Easter Eggs), depicting a traditional family activity here in South Texas. Enjoy!
Saturday, March 26, 2005
UT Longhorn Band in Brownsville
Friday, April 8, 7 p.m.
The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Symphonic Band in Concert
Lopez High School Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 3205 South Dakota Avenue, Brownsville, TX
Admission is Free!
Woo Hoo! The Longhorn Band is in town! I love the band! I spent so many days in the music building just hanging out around the lobbies and piano rooms just trying to absorb all the good music energy. And now some of that nostalgia is coming back home! I am quite proud of the surge of interest my university has taken in my town, especially the College of Fine Arts. Truly they know that they have a great pool of talent in Brownsville to pull from.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Blogshares?!?
When it comes to the internet, I am a much more avid googler than blogera. I love to surf the internet and I love to do research on the most random of topics than run across my mind. (For ex. "What's up with Haley Joel Osment?", "Can I find a picture of the mural located in the Renaissance Market in Austin?", "How accurate is the Farmer's Almanac?", etc..etc...) So imagine my suprise when I came across Blogshares and found that The Art of Brownsville is being traded (hypothetically ofcourse) on Blogshares.com. TAOB is currently valued at $5,672.52!!! Holy Moley! Heck, if that was real money I would be on a faster track to college loan free land! I have no idea how blogshares works...heck I have no idea how the real market works...I see little numbers on TV and in the newspaper and it might as well be Chinese to me. Other blogs that are also being traded and sold through Blogshares are:
El Chisme
The Daily Texican
El Mas Chingon
Patti and Ink
Most of the blogs I have linked to this blog are being traded. I find this all very suprising so I am going to be keeping a tab on what this is all about. I guess I am going to have to learn more about stocks and trade. If you are a beginner like me, then check out Investing Basics at the AG Edwards site. If you are still at a complete loss even with the Basic Investing guide like me, then check out the Kid's Guide. You get to choose your own cartoon guide as well! haha.
El Chisme
The Daily Texican
El Mas Chingon
Patti and Ink
Most of the blogs I have linked to this blog are being traded. I find this all very suprising so I am going to be keeping a tab on what this is all about. I guess I am going to have to learn more about stocks and trade. If you are a beginner like me, then check out Investing Basics at the AG Edwards site. If you are still at a complete loss even with the Basic Investing guide like me, then check out the Kid's Guide. You get to choose your own cartoon guide as well! haha.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Back in Brownsville
I'm back after having lived across the Valley on my own for about a week. Getting back into the single living lifestyle is like riding a bike and it felt like I was back in my own place in Austin, but I am in my own place in McAllen and I pay less rent and have more space! For the most part it has been good and I also enjoy work so much more now. Yet, it is good to be back home and I got a 4-day Easter Break so I am doubly happy!
Today at work, I also got to meet with some graffiti artists from Hidalgo County about a mural we have on the works that will be unveiled on Earth Day, April 22nd at the soon to be opened Urban Art Bar and Gallery in downtown McAllen right across Cine El Rey on 17th st. It's is going to be an awesome mural and I also enjoyed hearing their opinions on graffiti art vs. tagging and just their view of the whole RGV graffiti scene. It was so interesting to hear what they had to say and I would love for a cultural anthropologist or art historian to get their attention on the topic of RGV graffiti. There is so much potential for positive engagement from these artists, it is just a matter of mobilizing it in that direction.
I am also trying to organize an event at my job with local artists and I am excited to say that I got RGV artists Izel Vargas and Roel Flores on board! They are both great artists and some of the most active names out there in the RGV art scene. I am also working on a program with students from McAllen and Reynosa, which will lead to an exhibition in Casa de la Cultura in Reynosa and in McAllen. I went to Casa de la Cultura recently and got to see one of their alums give a piano concert to a group of school children. He had been a student their since he was five years old and now he is 21 and pretty much on his way to be an international concert pianist. It is just so amazing to hear stories like that.
Amigos Artistas is also organizing an arts fundraiser event on Saturday, April 23rd called "Arte en El Ranchito". The event will allow for artists to set up booths and sell their work at the IBC "El Ranchito" retreat. Amigos Artistas will keep a percentage of their sales to use towards funding more arts events. It is going to be a gorgeous and exciting event and artists will be coming from all over the Valley. If you are interested in participating or know of anyone who might, shoot an email my way.
Well, there is so much going on and I am very excited about many things headed our way in the Valley art wise! Things are mobilizing and more and more people are beginning to take notice. VIVA EL ARTE!
Today at work, I also got to meet with some graffiti artists from Hidalgo County about a mural we have on the works that will be unveiled on Earth Day, April 22nd at the soon to be opened Urban Art Bar and Gallery in downtown McAllen right across Cine El Rey on 17th st. It's is going to be an awesome mural and I also enjoyed hearing their opinions on graffiti art vs. tagging and just their view of the whole RGV graffiti scene. It was so interesting to hear what they had to say and I would love for a cultural anthropologist or art historian to get their attention on the topic of RGV graffiti. There is so much potential for positive engagement from these artists, it is just a matter of mobilizing it in that direction.
I am also trying to organize an event at my job with local artists and I am excited to say that I got RGV artists Izel Vargas and Roel Flores on board! They are both great artists and some of the most active names out there in the RGV art scene. I am also working on a program with students from McAllen and Reynosa, which will lead to an exhibition in Casa de la Cultura in Reynosa and in McAllen. I went to Casa de la Cultura recently and got to see one of their alums give a piano concert to a group of school children. He had been a student their since he was five years old and now he is 21 and pretty much on his way to be an international concert pianist. It is just so amazing to hear stories like that.
Amigos Artistas is also organizing an arts fundraiser event on Saturday, April 23rd called "Arte en El Ranchito". The event will allow for artists to set up booths and sell their work at the IBC "El Ranchito" retreat. Amigos Artistas will keep a percentage of their sales to use towards funding more arts events. It is going to be a gorgeous and exciting event and artists will be coming from all over the Valley. If you are interested in participating or know of anyone who might, shoot an email my way.
Well, there is so much going on and I am very excited about many things headed our way in the Valley art wise! Things are mobilizing and more and more people are beginning to take notice. VIVA EL ARTE!
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Pilgrimage to Teotihuacan
In one month I will be here, trying to reconnect with something lost. And when I will have finished climbing the mountain, I will be yelling the song of life, LA LIBERTAD!
"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,
I sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the world!"
-Walt Whitman
"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,
I sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the world!"
-Walt Whitman
One Way or the Other
Why is that when it comes to politics or life in general, it's one extreme or the other. For example, Conservatives are so intent on criticizing any Liberal agenda and defending their own without any question. Same goes for Liberals. Why don't you hear a Liberal questioning another Liberal, or a Conservative questioning another Conservative...the closest thing you often hear about is a conservative or liberal criticizing his or her own for not being liberal or not being conservative enough. Let me clarify I am talking about extremes here.
For example, Conservatives justify the war in Iraq as a War against Terrorism...but wait, didn't Bush declare "Mission Completed" a while back? If our mission is indeed completed then why do we still have soldiers coming back in coffins, dead from wounds caused by the very people they supposedly saved?? And they will justify it by saying it is patriotic and for the greater good, so don't worry if our country is trillions of dollars in debt because in the future we will live in a safer world. Far as it seems, we have more people hating us in the Middle East than loving us. How is that going to equate to a safer future?
And, why are Liberals so intent on criticizing the War in Iraq as a capitalistic agenda and then support the use of narcotics, thus supporting vicious drug lords who terrorize people in their countries. And they could argue, well if drugs would be legalized we wouldn't have that problem. I doubt it. Do you think drug lords would so gladly turn a friendly face to a free market? And even if...why would I want people to walk around stoned or high on crack? We have problems with drunk drivers as it is.
I am just disillusioned with both extremes. It seems like these days, you are hard pressed to find someone who wants to look at the facts and issues of our society as they are without bringing in their own extreme judgments. It's either one way or the other, and somewhere in the middle, we lose the answers to our problems.
For example, Conservatives justify the war in Iraq as a War against Terrorism...but wait, didn't Bush declare "Mission Completed" a while back? If our mission is indeed completed then why do we still have soldiers coming back in coffins, dead from wounds caused by the very people they supposedly saved?? And they will justify it by saying it is patriotic and for the greater good, so don't worry if our country is trillions of dollars in debt because in the future we will live in a safer world. Far as it seems, we have more people hating us in the Middle East than loving us. How is that going to equate to a safer future?
And, why are Liberals so intent on criticizing the War in Iraq as a capitalistic agenda and then support the use of narcotics, thus supporting vicious drug lords who terrorize people in their countries. And they could argue, well if drugs would be legalized we wouldn't have that problem. I doubt it. Do you think drug lords would so gladly turn a friendly face to a free market? And even if...why would I want people to walk around stoned or high on crack? We have problems with drunk drivers as it is.
I am just disillusioned with both extremes. It seems like these days, you are hard pressed to find someone who wants to look at the facts and issues of our society as they are without bringing in their own extreme judgments. It's either one way or the other, and somewhere in the middle, we lose the answers to our problems.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Moving On
I am a bit bummed but then at the same time relieved. I am temporarily moving from Brownsville to be a bit closer to work. I am not exactly happy about moving. I love my town. I love my home. I love my family! I love the work I have going on here as well. But...I also like my job and the work I have going on there and I also like having more time on my plate rather than wasting 2.5 hours of my day in a car dodging traffic, construction and the elements, wearing down my truck iChugGas and popping $13 a day on gasoline. I feel completely torn.
But I made the decision! For now, I need to be closer to work for various reasons but also foremost for my health. The commute is wearing me down mentally and physically...I loose my energy to the road thus affecting my motivation at work and I am a more reckless driver because I am either speeding (not crazy speeding but I do speed) because I don't want to be late to work or because I want to get back home as soon as possible after a long day at work. God, I am just not happy and I figure moving is the only logical thing to do because I want to do a great performance at my job. I spent five freaking years in college and now is the time to prove what I have learned. I remember a year ago, I could not wait to leave Austin so that I could get out of the drudgery of school and get out into the real world. So now I have a chance to do so...to really prove myself and I want to do my best job.
Unfortunately I was not able to find that opportunity in Brownsville and I guess in some way I am resentful of that. I love my town but it also didn't afford me the career I was looking for and I had to find it somewhere else...funny thing is my current job found me and I could not feel any luckier. And I am not the only one in my boat..I know of so many people who are also in the same predicament..they graduate from college with degrees but are not able to start their careers in Brownsville, because face it the job market isn't exactly shining here. They have to move to Dallas, Houston, Austin to find a job or commute to other cities in the Valley. Many factors are mentioned that contribute to Brownsville's less than stellar job market:
1.) Compadrismo (You'll hear the stories like how the applicant with a degree lost the $25K job with benefits to the applicant with a GED because that applicant was someone's relative.)
2.) El Norte (All the good jobs are up north)
3.) Economic Disadvantage ( Full-time Jobs just cannot be afforded at this time but you can work part-time at minimum wage with no benefits)
Oh well, I am tired about thinking about this too much. I am moving for now and hopefully in the near future I can find a career job near Brownsville. I love my home . There is no place in the world that hits close to heart like the scene of a sunset and palm trees reflected off Town Resaca. This is home and I am incredibly proud of it! But for now I am moving and I do look forward to what awaits me overthere al otro lado del Valle and just giving my job my full potential! So in effect, I am moving on. Let's see what life brings my way.
I got this picture from this website that also contains more awesome images of Bville. Check it out!
But I made the decision! For now, I need to be closer to work for various reasons but also foremost for my health. The commute is wearing me down mentally and physically...I loose my energy to the road thus affecting my motivation at work and I am a more reckless driver because I am either speeding (not crazy speeding but I do speed) because I don't want to be late to work or because I want to get back home as soon as possible after a long day at work. God, I am just not happy and I figure moving is the only logical thing to do because I want to do a great performance at my job. I spent five freaking years in college and now is the time to prove what I have learned. I remember a year ago, I could not wait to leave Austin so that I could get out of the drudgery of school and get out into the real world. So now I have a chance to do so...to really prove myself and I want to do my best job.
Unfortunately I was not able to find that opportunity in Brownsville and I guess in some way I am resentful of that. I love my town but it also didn't afford me the career I was looking for and I had to find it somewhere else...funny thing is my current job found me and I could not feel any luckier. And I am not the only one in my boat..I know of so many people who are also in the same predicament..they graduate from college with degrees but are not able to start their careers in Brownsville, because face it the job market isn't exactly shining here. They have to move to Dallas, Houston, Austin to find a job or commute to other cities in the Valley. Many factors are mentioned that contribute to Brownsville's less than stellar job market:
1.) Compadrismo (You'll hear the stories like how the applicant with a degree lost the $25K job with benefits to the applicant with a GED because that applicant was someone's relative.)
2.) El Norte (All the good jobs are up north)
3.) Economic Disadvantage ( Full-time Jobs just cannot be afforded at this time but you can work part-time at minimum wage with no benefits)
Oh well, I am tired about thinking about this too much. I am moving for now and hopefully in the near future I can find a career job near Brownsville. I love my home . There is no place in the world that hits close to heart like the scene of a sunset and palm trees reflected off Town Resaca. This is home and I am incredibly proud of it! But for now I am moving and I do look forward to what awaits me overthere al otro lado del Valle and just giving my job my full potential! So in effect, I am moving on. Let's see what life brings my way.
I got this picture from this website that also contains more awesome images of Bville. Check it out!
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Charro Days Pics!
Orale! I am finally uploading some Charro Days pics for you all! I even recorded a grito for you all thru audioblogger. It's from the song "Pachuco" by Maldita Vecindad (awesome song by the way!) and it's not the best recording but I was too shy to go through with it. And I can do a pretty decent grito but you know who is better...my sister Angie! So maybe she will grace you all with a grito later...aver si quiere.
Bueno...here are the pics. They are all from the Friday, Feb. 25th night parade. The crowd was pretty low and there were so many empty chairs along Elizabeth street. I even left work early so that I can try to arrive early to reserve seats. Then the next day it rained and the International Parade was canceled, which has only happened twice in the long history of Charro Days. I missed that parade because of work but as I was filling mycar with gas that morning I saw so many floats at the HEB parking lot that were soaked. Their papier mache float installations were drooping and pretty much past repair. I don't blame them for canceling the parade. Well here you go and enjoy the pics! Let me know what you all think.
I was having trouble with the shutter speed..but I got this effect on these flag charros. Pretty chido I think.
You have to love how enthusiastically seniors celebrate Charro Days. I love how adult day cares and assisted living homes crown a charro days court. I think kids and seniors are the ones who have the most fun on Charro Days.
This was one of the nicer floats and I love how all the little girls look so cordial and pretty. There were quite a few bump and grind floats..one of the them was playing "Dame Mas Gasolina" and this little 9 nine year old girl was pretty much dancing with the balance beam on the float like it was a strip pole. I am not kidding, she was dipping it low ala Cristina Milian. Somehow, I just don't think "Dame Mas Gasolina" is the message of Charro Days.
You cannot have a Charro Days parade without a mariachi band! Guepa!
And last but no least...Captain Bob's float brought a new suprise! Seems like after Mr. Shrimp got his head back in order he decided to take a wife...introducing Mrs. Shrimp! I could not stop cracking up! I wonder if by next parade they will have a family?
I will try to soon have some more pics for you all of Bville snow and stuff. Have a good weekend and hasta luego!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Not So Quickie Update
Hi Folks!
Still here and doing well. I am so pleased because my students from Tercera Cultura had their opening reception this past Sunday and it went very well. About 90 people showed up and the show will be up until April 6th, so try to go by the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center to catch the show. The show came out even better than planned because of the initiative some of the students took to make an installation that was not even required or asked for. I even managed to sneak a piece in from my student's used painting palettes in a very Jackson Pollock/Marcel Duchamp style..hehe. In all, the experience was so inspiring and l really enjoyed being there with them every step of the way the past nine weeks. I am so proud of them and I hope I can do it again soon. Thank you so much to those who supported this initiative!
But for now I am getting some down time. I am flushed and my colleague at work even recommended that I go home early from work today. I took her advice, drove home early thus avoiding traffic, took a short nap and then took my car to the mechanic because my car's brakes are in such bad condition. With the construction and crazy drivers out there (me sometimes being one of them I'll admitt), my commute and life depends on having a safer car. My car has also been guzzling gas like there is no tommorrow so I am having the mechanic look into it. Hopefully in two days I will have a better driving vehicle! Yay!
I have some Charro Days pics for you all (thanks Angie for sending me the files), but I have yet to find time to sit down and photoshop them into smaller jpeg files for web viewing and then upload them and make comments (that would be a whole evening of worl..yes I am a slow and contemplative artist type of worker). I should be able to by the end of this week. Julietta Venegas is also having a concert in McAllen as we speak. I am a bit bummed to be missing out but a concert is the last place to be right now. I would have been super exhausted for work tommorrow and I really want to focus and give my best there now that I have some more time on my plate. I am no longer pulled so much by the Tercera Cultura Project...but I am hoping that within the next few months I can be pulled to start it up again. We will see how that goes.
I do have some vaction time coming up in April! YAY! I don't know where to go...I could go to NYC or Atlanta or just visit around Texas but if I had a choice I would be somewhere not in the United States or Mexico...just somewhere different because my international culture cravings have been stirring. Maybe Italy? Maybe Costa Rica? I don't know if I could afford it, so I just may end up visiting my old UT International Office haunts. I have been missing Austin a bit and the Spring is always so beautiful there.
Well, I am off to bed now! I am going to get 8 hours of sleep tonight! YAY!!! :) I will be back with Charro Days pics and some upcoming info on art. I know Amigos Artistas has a major Valley artist event coming this April in Brownsville. If you want more information just shoot an email my way. Alright..buenas noches and take care!
Still here and doing well. I am so pleased because my students from Tercera Cultura had their opening reception this past Sunday and it went very well. About 90 people showed up and the show will be up until April 6th, so try to go by the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center to catch the show. The show came out even better than planned because of the initiative some of the students took to make an installation that was not even required or asked for. I even managed to sneak a piece in from my student's used painting palettes in a very Jackson Pollock/Marcel Duchamp style..hehe. In all, the experience was so inspiring and l really enjoyed being there with them every step of the way the past nine weeks. I am so proud of them and I hope I can do it again soon. Thank you so much to those who supported this initiative!
But for now I am getting some down time. I am flushed and my colleague at work even recommended that I go home early from work today. I took her advice, drove home early thus avoiding traffic, took a short nap and then took my car to the mechanic because my car's brakes are in such bad condition. With the construction and crazy drivers out there (me sometimes being one of them I'll admitt), my commute and life depends on having a safer car. My car has also been guzzling gas like there is no tommorrow so I am having the mechanic look into it. Hopefully in two days I will have a better driving vehicle! Yay!
I have some Charro Days pics for you all (thanks Angie for sending me the files), but I have yet to find time to sit down and photoshop them into smaller jpeg files for web viewing and then upload them and make comments (that would be a whole evening of worl..yes I am a slow and contemplative artist type of worker). I should be able to by the end of this week. Julietta Venegas is also having a concert in McAllen as we speak. I am a bit bummed to be missing out but a concert is the last place to be right now. I would have been super exhausted for work tommorrow and I really want to focus and give my best there now that I have some more time on my plate. I am no longer pulled so much by the Tercera Cultura Project...but I am hoping that within the next few months I can be pulled to start it up again. We will see how that goes.
I do have some vaction time coming up in April! YAY! I don't know where to go...I could go to NYC or Atlanta or just visit around Texas but if I had a choice I would be somewhere not in the United States or Mexico...just somewhere different because my international culture cravings have been stirring. Maybe Italy? Maybe Costa Rica? I don't know if I could afford it, so I just may end up visiting my old UT International Office haunts. I have been missing Austin a bit and the Spring is always so beautiful there.
Well, I am off to bed now! I am going to get 8 hours of sleep tonight! YAY!!! :) I will be back with Charro Days pics and some upcoming info on art. I know Amigos Artistas has a major Valley artist event coming this April in Brownsville. If you want more information just shoot an email my way. Alright..buenas noches and take care!
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Intolerance and Bigotry Alive and Well
Just got word that this will be happening at UT-Austin. Then I read more about it on the Daily Texican. I am so saddened and angered by this. Even though Brownsville is my true home...Austin was my 2nd home for 5 years and I still feel very close to it in heart. My university... I am very proud of my university but I am disgusted at the thought that I walked among such ignorant people who are willing to dehumanize people! How could the University allow for this happen?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Immigrant Hunt," this Wednesday, March 2nd on the
West Mall.
The YCT (Young Conservatives of Texas) have organized
an "Immigrant Hunt" for this Wednesday, March 2nd on
the West Mall on campus-- they have reserved the space
from 11:00am-1:00pm.
They recently organized a similar event at the
University of North Texas
http://www.yct.org/illegal.htm
This time around they plan to wear color-coded
anti-immigrant shirts and "hunt for immigrants" who
will be YCT-ers dressed in brown for Latina/os, yellow
for Asians, etc. and offer rewards.
A counter-demonstration is planned by a multi-ethnic
coalition of student organizations in response at the
same time. Folks are asking for a huge turnout, and
that people wear black shirts and white bandanas if
possible, and bring signs and chants-- some folks will
be linking hands in silent protest, others will be
vocal and hold signs and pass out flyers outlining a
progressive position on immigration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you are in the Austin Metro Area, please participate in the counter-demonstartions. The blog Terribly Happy reported that the YCT demonstartion may be a hoax..but even if it turns out to be a hoax...we should all show up to show our stand against intolerance and bigotry. This is truly a time for the might of soul force. It is also Texas Independence Day tommorrow and I am sure it will be an interesting day on campus by the West Mall.
UPDATE
I have been googling to see what happened and this is the best update I could find, which states that about 500-600 people showed up for a counter protest. Wow! If that's is true I am so glad to know that such a high number of people showed up to voice their concern. UT may house a few bigots...like I am sure all schools do...but I am so glad there are a greater number who oppose bigotry. I am glad the better people there acted so proactively and for that I am proud that I went to UT-Austin.
p.s.
Before I stated that I could not believe that UT would allow for the immigrant hunt to be held...which did not happen after all...but I can also understand how the University must respect students' freedom of speech...for God sake's people were trading bibles for porn and sititng on a golden toilet a few years back...but still..sitting on a golden toilet passing out bibles for porn is a more civilized act than dehumanizing people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Immigrant Hunt," this Wednesday, March 2nd on the
West Mall.
The YCT (Young Conservatives of Texas) have organized
an "Immigrant Hunt" for this Wednesday, March 2nd on
the West Mall on campus-- they have reserved the space
from 11:00am-1:00pm.
They recently organized a similar event at the
University of North Texas
http://www.yct.org/illegal.htm
This time around they plan to wear color-coded
anti-immigrant shirts and "hunt for immigrants" who
will be YCT-ers dressed in brown for Latina/os, yellow
for Asians, etc. and offer rewards.
A counter-demonstration is planned by a multi-ethnic
coalition of student organizations in response at the
same time. Folks are asking for a huge turnout, and
that people wear black shirts and white bandanas if
possible, and bring signs and chants-- some folks will
be linking hands in silent protest, others will be
vocal and hold signs and pass out flyers outlining a
progressive position on immigration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you are in the Austin Metro Area, please participate in the counter-demonstartions. The blog Terribly Happy reported that the YCT demonstartion may be a hoax..but even if it turns out to be a hoax...we should all show up to show our stand against intolerance and bigotry. This is truly a time for the might of soul force. It is also Texas Independence Day tommorrow and I am sure it will be an interesting day on campus by the West Mall.
UPDATE
I have been googling to see what happened and this is the best update I could find, which states that about 500-600 people showed up for a counter protest. Wow! If that's is true I am so glad to know that such a high number of people showed up to voice their concern. UT may house a few bigots...like I am sure all schools do...but I am so glad there are a greater number who oppose bigotry. I am glad the better people there acted so proactively and for that I am proud that I went to UT-Austin.
p.s.
Before I stated that I could not believe that UT would allow for the immigrant hunt to be held...which did not happen after all...but I can also understand how the University must respect students' freedom of speech...for God sake's people were trading bibles for porn and sititng on a golden toilet a few years back...but still..sitting on a golden toilet passing out bibles for porn is a more civilized act than dehumanizing people.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
The Gates
Two of my favorite artists', Jeanne Claude and Christo, installation "The Gates" at NYC Central Park was recently vandalized with graffiti. The graffiti was not destructive but it did pose an important question, "Art?"...Now I do appreciate contemporary graffiti art for its socio-political commentary, aesthetic innovation and cultural roots....but I also do not appreciate the vandalizing of property much less the vandalizing of artworks. Taggers should at least respect other art forms (be it murals, architecture and public art). Now it's probably not a big deal...the graffiti on the gates were simple marker tags that came off with acetone cleaner...but it's just disrespectful. I think art needs to be respected....you don't have to like it...but do respect it.
Also, it's not like this argument has not occurred before, so really the graffiti tagging was not reinforcing a critical argument but rather reiterating the question, "Is this art?", which was already pretty obvious. I believe there is more to the intentions of the taggers than just reiterating an obvious argument. Were they perhaps trying to parallel the challenges of graffiti art to be seen as a credible art form to the challenges of Jeanne Claude and Christo? Or were they reacting to the art as a territorial or spatial invader? The second doesn't make much sense, but then again it does since NYC is where the urban graffiti movement emerged in the 70’s and 80’s giving rise to artists like Basquait and Haring.
I am not an expert on Public Art or Graffiti Art so I may completely out of context, but I feel that this may be an interesting example of both art forms coming at a crossroads…not necessarily at odds but rather at a point of interaction and it is going to be interesting to see what art develops over time. And that is what is especially wonderful about art…when different styles come into contact…there isn’t a “West Side Story” kind of tragic clash…but usually a merger and evolution of a whole new style. How exciting and inspiring!
Also, for those at a lost of what the art of Christo and Jeanne Claude is about...to me their artwork is about taking a simple aesthetic element…like the ruffle of a textile in the wind or the curve of a line through a natural landscape…and amplifying it to monumental and dynamic interaction with its audience and its environment. I find it all fascinating because I can relate and I am sure many of you could as well.
For example, when I was younger we used to live across the street from the Police Station in Brownsville and there were three metal flag poles situated in front of the station. One some days when there wasn’t much traffic and the wind was particularly rough, the pulleys on the flag pole ropes would swing around metal poles clanking to movement of the wind…”clank…clank clank…clank….clank clank clink…clink clank…” Sometimes it would clank all day non-stop. I never found it annoying but rather comforting and song-like. It was the song of my home, and in a retrospective sense…a song of my childhood…where the simple elements of my environment were the business of life and there was no better or no worse to experience in life. So when I see Christo and Jeanne Claude’s work, I am taken back to that simple and pure sentiment towards life and from there I appreciate their art. It's not beautiful because it's nice-looking...it is beautiful because it is moving.
Here is a picture of Christo and Jeanne Claude’s “The Gates” at Central Park with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
Also, it's not like this argument has not occurred before, so really the graffiti tagging was not reinforcing a critical argument but rather reiterating the question, "Is this art?", which was already pretty obvious. I believe there is more to the intentions of the taggers than just reiterating an obvious argument. Were they perhaps trying to parallel the challenges of graffiti art to be seen as a credible art form to the challenges of Jeanne Claude and Christo? Or were they reacting to the art as a territorial or spatial invader? The second doesn't make much sense, but then again it does since NYC is where the urban graffiti movement emerged in the 70’s and 80’s giving rise to artists like Basquait and Haring.
I am not an expert on Public Art or Graffiti Art so I may completely out of context, but I feel that this may be an interesting example of both art forms coming at a crossroads…not necessarily at odds but rather at a point of interaction and it is going to be interesting to see what art develops over time. And that is what is especially wonderful about art…when different styles come into contact…there isn’t a “West Side Story” kind of tragic clash…but usually a merger and evolution of a whole new style. How exciting and inspiring!
Also, for those at a lost of what the art of Christo and Jeanne Claude is about...to me their artwork is about taking a simple aesthetic element…like the ruffle of a textile in the wind or the curve of a line through a natural landscape…and amplifying it to monumental and dynamic interaction with its audience and its environment. I find it all fascinating because I can relate and I am sure many of you could as well.
For example, when I was younger we used to live across the street from the Police Station in Brownsville and there were three metal flag poles situated in front of the station. One some days when there wasn’t much traffic and the wind was particularly rough, the pulleys on the flag pole ropes would swing around metal poles clanking to movement of the wind…”clank…clank clank…clank….clank clank clink…clink clank…” Sometimes it would clank all day non-stop. I never found it annoying but rather comforting and song-like. It was the song of my home, and in a retrospective sense…a song of my childhood…where the simple elements of my environment were the business of life and there was no better or no worse to experience in life. So when I see Christo and Jeanne Claude’s work, I am taken back to that simple and pure sentiment towards life and from there I appreciate their art. It's not beautiful because it's nice-looking...it is beautiful because it is moving.
Here is a picture of Christo and Jeanne Claude’s “The Gates” at Central Park with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Tercera Cultura Exhibition Press Release
For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2005
Contact: Mayra Cruz
Tercera Cultura Program Coordinator
Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
(956) 361-0110
Email: contact@mayracruz.net
NMCAC Announces “Tercera Cultura” Student Exhibition
SAN BENITO, TX - The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center announces the student exhibition for the visual arts education program entitled “Tercera Cultura”, which means “third culture” in Spanish. This program was created to provide Rio Grande Valley high school art students with an opportunity to participate in an intensive studio art course, provide meaningful exposure to the Rio Grande Valley art and cultural community and to prepare their own exhibition. The exhibition will be on display at the center from March 6th to April 6th and the opening reception will be on Sunday, March 6th from 3pm-5pm.
The concept of a third culture refers to the culture that is created when two mainstream cultures merge. The premise of the Tercera Cultura program is a fundamental belief that the Rio Grande Valley’s heritage and history is a wellspring of artistic inspiration because of the constant intercultural exchange between Mexico and the United States. The students will exhibit the paintings and photographs they have created during their course of study at the center. “Their work reflects on the culture of this region and how it has come to influence the formation of their cultural and personal identities, which will make for a very eclectic and interesting exhibition,” says Mayra Cruz, instructor and program coordinator.
The student exhibition will be the culmination of a nine-week guest-speaker and studio intensive program scheduled from January 8th to March 5th. Classes have been held each Saturday at the center in San Benito from 10am to 5pm and have included lessons on Rio Grande Valley heritage, a photography expedition, special quest speakers and seven intensive studios in drawing and painting.
Thirteen students from San Benito High School, Harlingen High School and Lopez High School in Brownsville are active participants of the program and were admitted through a selective application process. The students whose artwork will be on exhibit are: Enrique Lozano of Harlingen High School, Raul Izaquirre, Benjamin Mora and Rachael Rudnik of Lopez High School and Carmen Arias, Brenda Gonzalez, Cassandra Lopez, Hector “Rudy” Golina, Relleny Mungia, Bobbie Sue Naranjo, Jacqueline Ortiz, Monica Rodriguez and Briana Taylor of San Benito High School.
The guest speakers who have graciously volunteered their time to the program are: Cristina Balli, Director of the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, musicians and cultural activists Joe and Rosa Perez of Rumbo al’ Anacua, Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center founders Rogelio Nuñez and Dr. Ramon de Leon, musicians Rigoberto Garza and Jose Moreno of Los Patrulleros, artist Frank Diaz of Brownsville, art collector Bitty Truan of Brownsville, Michelle Wibblesman of Texas Folklife Resources, artist Izel Vargas of Alamo, artist Carl Vestweber of McAllen, photographer and artist Noe Truan of Brownsville, Rey Avila of the South Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame, artist Daniel Govea of San Benito, artist Roel Flores of Weslaco, Dr. Manuel Medrano, social sciences professor at The University of Texas at Brownsville, artist Ted Estrada of Houston, artist and poet Nephtali De Leon of San Antonio, Carmen Zacarias, Director of the Brownsville Heritage Complex, Daniel Tyx, Education Director of the International Museum of Art and Science, Priscilla Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations and Programming at International Museum of Art and Science and Jeannie Floyd, features reporter for The Brownsville Herald.
Sponsors who have graciously funded the student’s lunches are: Jason’s Deli of Harlingen, Alberto Gonzalez, Executive Director of the San Benito Community Economic Development Corporation, Bitty Truan, owner of Bitty Truan State Farm Insurance of Brownsville, Esiquiel Padilla, Manager of the San Benito Chamber of Commerce. Special supporters of the program are Sue Tarrant and Linda McGonigle of the Lopez High School Fine Arts Academy in Brownsville, Image Formula Creative and Marketing Services of Brownsville and the online literary magazine The Backword.com based in Austin, Texas.
The Tercera Cultura Program is an extension of “Fronteras Cruzadas,” an arts outreach program implemented by Mayra Cruz and Frank Diaz in Brownsville in the Spring of 2004. Supported by the College of Fine Arts of the University of Texas at Austin, “Fronteras Cruzadas” served 15 high school art students in Brownsville. Due to its success, the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center has adopted the program. “This is a very important program for local art students,” says Cristina BallÃ, NMCAC director. “Currently there are few opportunities for Rio Grande Valley students to enhance their art skills outside of regular school instruction, and few opportunities to exhibit their work. The Tercera Cultura program has provided them with added instruction and solid experience to use in college applications.”
The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center preserves, promotes and develops the rich cultural heritage of the "Mexicano" community through programs in the visual arts, music, theater, dance, literature and media arts. NMCAC is located at 225 E. Stenger Street in San Benito. For information, interviews and inquiries concerning the Tercera Cultura program contact Mayra Cruz at (956) 361-0110.
# # #
Cristina Balli
Director of Programming & Development
Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
P.O. Box 471
225 Stenger Street
San Benito, Texas 78586
(956) 361-0110
February 24, 2005
Contact: Mayra Cruz
Tercera Cultura Program Coordinator
Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
(956) 361-0110
Email: contact@mayracruz.net
NMCAC Announces “Tercera Cultura” Student Exhibition
SAN BENITO, TX - The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center announces the student exhibition for the visual arts education program entitled “Tercera Cultura”, which means “third culture” in Spanish. This program was created to provide Rio Grande Valley high school art students with an opportunity to participate in an intensive studio art course, provide meaningful exposure to the Rio Grande Valley art and cultural community and to prepare their own exhibition. The exhibition will be on display at the center from March 6th to April 6th and the opening reception will be on Sunday, March 6th from 3pm-5pm.
The concept of a third culture refers to the culture that is created when two mainstream cultures merge. The premise of the Tercera Cultura program is a fundamental belief that the Rio Grande Valley’s heritage and history is a wellspring of artistic inspiration because of the constant intercultural exchange between Mexico and the United States. The students will exhibit the paintings and photographs they have created during their course of study at the center. “Their work reflects on the culture of this region and how it has come to influence the formation of their cultural and personal identities, which will make for a very eclectic and interesting exhibition,” says Mayra Cruz, instructor and program coordinator.
The student exhibition will be the culmination of a nine-week guest-speaker and studio intensive program scheduled from January 8th to March 5th. Classes have been held each Saturday at the center in San Benito from 10am to 5pm and have included lessons on Rio Grande Valley heritage, a photography expedition, special quest speakers and seven intensive studios in drawing and painting.
Thirteen students from San Benito High School, Harlingen High School and Lopez High School in Brownsville are active participants of the program and were admitted through a selective application process. The students whose artwork will be on exhibit are: Enrique Lozano of Harlingen High School, Raul Izaquirre, Benjamin Mora and Rachael Rudnik of Lopez High School and Carmen Arias, Brenda Gonzalez, Cassandra Lopez, Hector “Rudy” Golina, Relleny Mungia, Bobbie Sue Naranjo, Jacqueline Ortiz, Monica Rodriguez and Briana Taylor of San Benito High School.
The guest speakers who have graciously volunteered their time to the program are: Cristina Balli, Director of the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, musicians and cultural activists Joe and Rosa Perez of Rumbo al’ Anacua, Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center founders Rogelio Nuñez and Dr. Ramon de Leon, musicians Rigoberto Garza and Jose Moreno of Los Patrulleros, artist Frank Diaz of Brownsville, art collector Bitty Truan of Brownsville, Michelle Wibblesman of Texas Folklife Resources, artist Izel Vargas of Alamo, artist Carl Vestweber of McAllen, photographer and artist Noe Truan of Brownsville, Rey Avila of the South Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame, artist Daniel Govea of San Benito, artist Roel Flores of Weslaco, Dr. Manuel Medrano, social sciences professor at The University of Texas at Brownsville, artist Ted Estrada of Houston, artist and poet Nephtali De Leon of San Antonio, Carmen Zacarias, Director of the Brownsville Heritage Complex, Daniel Tyx, Education Director of the International Museum of Art and Science, Priscilla Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations and Programming at International Museum of Art and Science and Jeannie Floyd, features reporter for The Brownsville Herald.
Sponsors who have graciously funded the student’s lunches are: Jason’s Deli of Harlingen, Alberto Gonzalez, Executive Director of the San Benito Community Economic Development Corporation, Bitty Truan, owner of Bitty Truan State Farm Insurance of Brownsville, Esiquiel Padilla, Manager of the San Benito Chamber of Commerce. Special supporters of the program are Sue Tarrant and Linda McGonigle of the Lopez High School Fine Arts Academy in Brownsville, Image Formula Creative and Marketing Services of Brownsville and the online literary magazine The Backword.com based in Austin, Texas.
The Tercera Cultura Program is an extension of “Fronteras Cruzadas,” an arts outreach program implemented by Mayra Cruz and Frank Diaz in Brownsville in the Spring of 2004. Supported by the College of Fine Arts of the University of Texas at Austin, “Fronteras Cruzadas” served 15 high school art students in Brownsville. Due to its success, the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center has adopted the program. “This is a very important program for local art students,” says Cristina BallÃ, NMCAC director. “Currently there are few opportunities for Rio Grande Valley students to enhance their art skills outside of regular school instruction, and few opportunities to exhibit their work. The Tercera Cultura program has provided them with added instruction and solid experience to use in college applications.”
The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center preserves, promotes and develops the rich cultural heritage of the "Mexicano" community through programs in the visual arts, music, theater, dance, literature and media arts. NMCAC is located at 225 E. Stenger Street in San Benito. For information, interviews and inquiries concerning the Tercera Cultura program contact Mayra Cruz at (956) 361-0110.
# # #
Cristina Balli
Director of Programming & Development
Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
P.O. Box 471
225 Stenger Street
San Benito, Texas 78586
(956) 361-0110
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Yup Yup Yuppers
I wrote a pretty decent post last night and then I erased it. Sometimes I am not sure how personal I want to get with the blog, but then I figure how can I be a good blogger without getting personal to some point? This blog is about Brownsville and to a good extent about the Valley and Mexican Border, and its my home so sometimes I can't help but be personal. ack. I juggle between making this blog an informative resource and a reflective resource...sometimes I like it being both..and many other times I decry a personal post I wrote at late hours by erasing it first thing in the morning. You see folks, I am not an open book, so when expressing my personal thoughts and opnions I tend to get nervous or regretful. Just a habit from my shy days. I am still shy by the way but pretend to be extroverted because I like working with people. Does that even make sense??? I think all I have accomplished with that is to be shy and socially awkward. Oh well.
Anyways...enough about that!
Here is a quickie update.
- The White Ribbon campaign is still underway. Thanks to Daily Texican about the suggestion for media coverage. I am not too sure about it yet...I am wondering if this campaign should be more of a grass roots effort and then work its way up, and then to get media coverage from its own accord. My sister and I went to buy the materials last week and she helped me make some ribbons (Thanks Angie!), and we should have some 200 to pass within the next couple of weeks. I want to add some quotes to the ribbons by great figures of the past and present on the topics of peace, understanding and civic enagement. I also want to include quotes in Spanish. So it may be a while before the ribbons get out because I am pretty busy these days. I was also thinking of making it like a "Pay it Forward" kind of thing (man I loved and hated that movie because you are so happy towards the end and then they go off and kill Haley Joel Osment! I came out of the theatre bawling like a baby!)...like if you get one ribbon...you should pass another three...but I am not too sure how happy people will be with that...hmmm...I have more to think about in concern to this campaign.
- My Tercera Cultura students will be having their exhibtion at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center in San Benito from March 6th to April 6th. The opening reception will be Sunday, March 6th from 3pm - 6pm. Go and check it out! The center is located in San Benito near the intersection of Stenger and Sam Houston right across the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. It's going to be an interesting and eclectic show so don't miss out!
- Charro Days has begun! I am so happy about it. I can't wait to take part in the fun. I had a horrid dream last night that Sombrero Fest was charging $15 to get in. I bet they wish! Some years the $3 fee was too much even for my family and I...right now it is at $5. I can do $5 so I am going this year...I didn't last year because I was a poor student...but this year I can so I will let you all know how it goes. I will also look into recording some sounds. I really like how the Venice blog uses audio recordings and webcams to capture the sights and sounds of Venice...something that would make this blog especially nice...but for now I am hoping I can atleast get a grito for you all.
- Yay! I finally have good amount of money where I can finally develop like 30 rolls of film that have been waiting for my attention. Included among that stash of undeveloped film are my pictures of Brownsville Snow. But...it will take me about 2-3 weeks to get them up. I have a pretty full plate right now...but that too is pending for this blog so I will get it up by towards the end of March...maybe they wil still be appreciated 4 months after the fact...who knows!
Ok. Gotta go! I have to get ready and drive to work! Bye-bye folks and have a nice Charro Days weekend!
Anyways...enough about that!
Here is a quickie update.
- The White Ribbon campaign is still underway. Thanks to Daily Texican about the suggestion for media coverage. I am not too sure about it yet...I am wondering if this campaign should be more of a grass roots effort and then work its way up, and then to get media coverage from its own accord. My sister and I went to buy the materials last week and she helped me make some ribbons (Thanks Angie!), and we should have some 200 to pass within the next couple of weeks. I want to add some quotes to the ribbons by great figures of the past and present on the topics of peace, understanding and civic enagement. I also want to include quotes in Spanish. So it may be a while before the ribbons get out because I am pretty busy these days. I was also thinking of making it like a "Pay it Forward" kind of thing (man I loved and hated that movie because you are so happy towards the end and then they go off and kill Haley Joel Osment! I came out of the theatre bawling like a baby!)...like if you get one ribbon...you should pass another three...but I am not too sure how happy people will be with that...hmmm...I have more to think about in concern to this campaign.
- My Tercera Cultura students will be having their exhibtion at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center in San Benito from March 6th to April 6th. The opening reception will be Sunday, March 6th from 3pm - 6pm. Go and check it out! The center is located in San Benito near the intersection of Stenger and Sam Houston right across the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. It's going to be an interesting and eclectic show so don't miss out!
- Charro Days has begun! I am so happy about it. I can't wait to take part in the fun. I had a horrid dream last night that Sombrero Fest was charging $15 to get in. I bet they wish! Some years the $3 fee was too much even for my family and I...right now it is at $5. I can do $5 so I am going this year...I didn't last year because I was a poor student...but this year I can so I will let you all know how it goes. I will also look into recording some sounds. I really like how the Venice blog uses audio recordings and webcams to capture the sights and sounds of Venice...something that would make this blog especially nice...but for now I am hoping I can atleast get a grito for you all.
- Yay! I finally have good amount of money where I can finally develop like 30 rolls of film that have been waiting for my attention. Included among that stash of undeveloped film are my pictures of Brownsville Snow. But...it will take me about 2-3 weeks to get them up. I have a pretty full plate right now...but that too is pending for this blog so I will get it up by towards the end of March...maybe they wil still be appreciated 4 months after the fact...who knows!
Ok. Gotta go! I have to get ready and drive to work! Bye-bye folks and have a nice Charro Days weekend!
Friday, February 18, 2005
!!!Charro Days!!!
I love Charro Days! This year it will take place Feb. 24-26...and for future reference it is always held the last weekend in February...so if you cannot make it this year...make it next year!
YAY!!! Once a year...all Brownsville residents and visitors unite to celebrate the Mexican heritage of the city. Those who attend the parades will hear the familiar "Coooookes! FIFTY CENTS! Coooookes FIFTY CENTS!"..."CANDY APPLES!"...devour leche and tamarindo raspas after a winter long hiatus...watch the frijolympics and jalapeño eating contest and hear the air filled with long gritos from Sombrero Fest.. AAAAAAaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooohhhoooyyyyy!!!!!! El grito mas largo y alto gana! Watch your siblings and cousins particpate in the downtown parades and try to get a picture with Mr. Amigo....Mr. Amigo Association I would like to nominate Gael Garcia Bernal for Charro Days 2006! lol. Ride the zipper and Kamakozee at the carnival until you puke. There is just so much fun to be had during Charro Days!
Some of my earliest memories are of my mom dressing my sister and for the event each year. My mom even sewed us our own costumes for a while! I remember my earliest memory of charro days...I was in day care and I remember being at the Jacob Brown Auditorium wearning my charra costume waiting in line with my dance partner...I even remember his name! It was Ivan and I think he was my little boyfriend and I remember being all nervous when he got to see me in my costume for the first time and he said I looked pretty...awwww....so cute! I must have been four or five years old!
So yes, I always look forward to Charro Days because the whole city gets into a fun tizzy...yes fun tizzy...and everything is alive 5-fold! I would suggest you try to catch Sombrero Fest (try to catch the grito contest, it is by far one of the most fun activities), The Elizabeth Street Parades (The Saturday parade is the best because schools from Matamoros participate and their bands dance along to the music), the carnival and ofcourse to the Amigos Artistas Art Exhibition to be held at the Historic Brownsville Museum on Madison and 7th street. Here is some more info:
Amigos Artistas will open their annual exhibit at the Brownsville Historic Museum on Friday February18, 2005. This year the exhibit will feature an art, sculpture and jewelry show by artists Oscar Zamarripa and his daughter Alejandra Zamarripa of Guadalajara, Mexico. The exhibit will run through March 31, 2005.
So get your costume ready y celebra nuestra cultura! Arriba!
YAY!!! Once a year...all Brownsville residents and visitors unite to celebrate the Mexican heritage of the city. Those who attend the parades will hear the familiar "Coooookes! FIFTY CENTS! Coooookes FIFTY CENTS!"..."CANDY APPLES!"...devour leche and tamarindo raspas after a winter long hiatus...watch the frijolympics and jalapeño eating contest and hear the air filled with long gritos from Sombrero Fest.. AAAAAAaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooohhhoooyyyyy!!!!!! El grito mas largo y alto gana! Watch your siblings and cousins particpate in the downtown parades and try to get a picture with Mr. Amigo....Mr. Amigo Association I would like to nominate Gael Garcia Bernal for Charro Days 2006! lol. Ride the zipper and Kamakozee at the carnival until you puke. There is just so much fun to be had during Charro Days!
Some of my earliest memories are of my mom dressing my sister and for the event each year. My mom even sewed us our own costumes for a while! I remember my earliest memory of charro days...I was in day care and I remember being at the Jacob Brown Auditorium wearning my charra costume waiting in line with my dance partner...I even remember his name! It was Ivan and I think he was my little boyfriend and I remember being all nervous when he got to see me in my costume for the first time and he said I looked pretty...awwww....so cute! I must have been four or five years old!
So yes, I always look forward to Charro Days because the whole city gets into a fun tizzy...yes fun tizzy...and everything is alive 5-fold! I would suggest you try to catch Sombrero Fest (try to catch the grito contest, it is by far one of the most fun activities), The Elizabeth Street Parades (The Saturday parade is the best because schools from Matamoros participate and their bands dance along to the music), the carnival and ofcourse to the Amigos Artistas Art Exhibition to be held at the Historic Brownsville Museum on Madison and 7th street. Here is some more info:
Amigos Artistas will open their annual exhibit at the Brownsville Historic Museum on Friday February18, 2005. This year the exhibit will feature an art, sculpture and jewelry show by artists Oscar Zamarripa and his daughter Alejandra Zamarripa of Guadalajara, Mexico. The exhibit will run through March 31, 2005.
So get your costume ready y celebra nuestra cultura! Arriba!
Monday, February 14, 2005
Idealism Not Shunned
I have gotten some interesting responses to yesterday's post. I understand that my request for change is very idealistic and almost too big to handle, but none the less I believe and strive to keep hope, despite the pessimism and fear. The biggest hurdle is not changing society...but overcoming the fear in your own heart...once that is dealt with...all is possible!
In concern to yesterday's post let me know what you think in the comments section. I know it's a pretty big issue to tackle...but you don't even have to give an opinion...maybe you have a link or experience you want to share on the matter. I look forward to reading some of your responses.
In concern to yesterday's post let me know what you think in the comments section. I know it's a pretty big issue to tackle...but you don't even have to give an opinion...maybe you have a link or experience you want to share on the matter. I look forward to reading some of your responses.
Calling on Soul Force
There has been a recent surge of violent acts in this region. Most of them have been attributed to drug smuggling and the most atrocious acts have occurred to women. A Brownsville woman was strangled to death by her husband and one young girl from Reynosa was found dead in a plastic trash bag and another woman was found alive but with her hands severed.
Those a just a few samples of recent acts and there are many more domestic acts that occur that often go neglected and ignored. I am not trying to put a bad light on La Frontera, because I love where I am from...but I won't sugar coat it either...life here it seems is a bit more dangerous in some aspects. And with recent events, it is hard not to be afraid, especially when crossing the border is a common activity in your life. It is is also scary to wonder if similar occurances will occur in Reynosa as they have in Juarez, where about 300 women have been murdered most horrendously and mysteriously. Is this something we need to be afraid about?
Yes, but the relevant question should not be if we are afraid, because fear would be the obvious reaction to this. The question should then be..What are we going to do about it?
We as a frontera community need to stand up against acts of violence and say no more! No longer shall allow for such acts of violence to go ignored! No longer should we allow our frontera community (Mexican and US) wallow in fear. No longer should we carry fear in our hearts! No longer should we allow for our home to be a breeding ground for violence, poverty, corruption, ignorance and terrorism! We as a community have the power to make a positive change and we already possess the most effective tool against fear and oppression: SOUL FORCE.
"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must ever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force." Martin Luther King, Jr.
The other day, I was a bit scared during a trip to Reynosa. I thought over and over why I couldn't shake my fear and why I had to feel it in the first place? What could I do about it? Immediately I though about Dr. Martin Luther King and seeked some peace in his wisdom. I wanted to do something not only to cleanse my fear but to make an ultimate change...to make my home feel safe because it is safe..not because I make myself safer by putting bars on my window or rolling up my car window and locking my door as soon as I drive into Mexico or go into the more runned down parts of town.
But making this happen is something that cannot do alone. Such a social change like this would require the most powerful tool upon which the great civil rights movements of the past century were fueled by, SOUL FORCE. So I am asking you, would you answer this call for Soul Force and take a stand against violence and fear in Tamaulipas and the Rio Grande Valley?
One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
So how can you take stand? Let’s begin a white ribbon campaign for Soul Force and Peace in our frontera community. By using white ribbons, we can get the message out that we will no longer allow for fear, violence and oppression to breed in our home communities.
Rather than spread a message of fear, retaliation and anger, we should spread a message of love. To our hurting communities in Tamaulipas and the Valley, let us comfort and embrace them rather than live in hesitation with them. Let us show them our support and care.
So I encourage you within the next week to obtain white ribbons and decorate your cars, offices, mailbox, palm tree, pinky finger...what ever you can tie a knot too...but get those white ribbons out to spread a message of love, a stand for peace and call for Soul Force.
"If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. ", -Martin Luther King
So the ultimate question then is, what will you do?
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
Those a just a few samples of recent acts and there are many more domestic acts that occur that often go neglected and ignored. I am not trying to put a bad light on La Frontera, because I love where I am from...but I won't sugar coat it either...life here it seems is a bit more dangerous in some aspects. And with recent events, it is hard not to be afraid, especially when crossing the border is a common activity in your life. It is is also scary to wonder if similar occurances will occur in Reynosa as they have in Juarez, where about 300 women have been murdered most horrendously and mysteriously. Is this something we need to be afraid about?
Yes, but the relevant question should not be if we are afraid, because fear would be the obvious reaction to this. The question should then be..What are we going to do about it?
We as a frontera community need to stand up against acts of violence and say no more! No longer shall allow for such acts of violence to go ignored! No longer should we allow our frontera community (Mexican and US) wallow in fear. No longer should we carry fear in our hearts! No longer should we allow for our home to be a breeding ground for violence, poverty, corruption, ignorance and terrorism! We as a community have the power to make a positive change and we already possess the most effective tool against fear and oppression: SOUL FORCE.
"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must ever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force." Martin Luther King, Jr.
The other day, I was a bit scared during a trip to Reynosa. I thought over and over why I couldn't shake my fear and why I had to feel it in the first place? What could I do about it? Immediately I though about Dr. Martin Luther King and seeked some peace in his wisdom. I wanted to do something not only to cleanse my fear but to make an ultimate change...to make my home feel safe because it is safe..not because I make myself safer by putting bars on my window or rolling up my car window and locking my door as soon as I drive into Mexico or go into the more runned down parts of town.
But making this happen is something that cannot do alone. Such a social change like this would require the most powerful tool upon which the great civil rights movements of the past century were fueled by, SOUL FORCE. So I am asking you, would you answer this call for Soul Force and take a stand against violence and fear in Tamaulipas and the Rio Grande Valley?
One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
So how can you take stand? Let’s begin a white ribbon campaign for Soul Force and Peace in our frontera community. By using white ribbons, we can get the message out that we will no longer allow for fear, violence and oppression to breed in our home communities.
Rather than spread a message of fear, retaliation and anger, we should spread a message of love. To our hurting communities in Tamaulipas and the Valley, let us comfort and embrace them rather than live in hesitation with them. Let us show them our support and care.
So I encourage you within the next week to obtain white ribbons and decorate your cars, offices, mailbox, palm tree, pinky finger...what ever you can tie a knot too...but get those white ribbons out to spread a message of love, a stand for peace and call for Soul Force.
"If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. ", -Martin Luther King
So the ultimate question then is, what will you do?
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
Friday, February 11, 2005
Squeezed for time
I have been squeezed for time these past few weeks..and its not so much that I am consistently busy...but more that I have a full plate and need to get an established time management strategy going for me. There are so many arts activities going on but I just have not had time to get it all listed together for this blog. I will try to do so this Sunday. (The only day I really have to myself)
For now...please go to the online literary magazine The Backword. I recently had an artcile published about Tercera Cultura and a writer who grew up in Mission, TX also had an interesting article about life as a "reformed Gringo". The folks over at The Backword have been so great and dedicated...so go an visit their site and support their efforts as much as you can. Thanks and have a good weekend!
For now...please go to the online literary magazine The Backword. I recently had an artcile published about Tercera Cultura and a writer who grew up in Mission, TX also had an interesting article about life as a "reformed Gringo". The folks over at The Backword have been so great and dedicated...so go an visit their site and support their efforts as much as you can. Thanks and have a good weekend!
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Last Minute Call
Just heard about this exhibition this morning.
Artist Kirk Mangus Exhibit
at UTB-TSC Richardson Art Gallery.
Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m.,
Exhibit closes March 3.
Patron Art Show exhibit prices
$3 for faculty and student shows
$5 for visiting artist shows
This exhibition is part of the Patron of the Arts series, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Here is more info on them.
Artist Kirk Mangus Exhibit
at UTB-TSC Richardson Art Gallery.
Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m.,
Exhibit closes March 3.
Patron Art Show exhibit prices
$3 for faculty and student shows
$5 for visiting artist shows
This exhibition is part of the Patron of the Arts series, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Here is more info on them.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Quickie Update
So sorry folks, I really have been busy and it's not all talk. Most of my time is consumed in commuting and I get home from work drained mostly from driving. I will try to write a juicy post later this week. Today, I watched Everwood and tommorrow Scrubs, and it's straight to bed for this blogger after that. Those are the only shows I ever make time for, so after Tuesdays, my evenings are much more flexible for writing.
My cousin and 2nd cousin are also in town this week from Mexico D.F. They are such nice people. I'll have to plan on making a trip to Mexico City, or simply known as "Mexico" throughout Mexico (you don't even have to add D.F.) or as "Chilangolandia" by the folks at NaCo." Got some trips in mind as well to Buffalo, New York City and Atlanta...hopefully this year I can try them all.
Bueno, me voy a la cama but I'll be back! Hasta pronto!
My cousin and 2nd cousin are also in town this week from Mexico D.F. They are such nice people. I'll have to plan on making a trip to Mexico City, or simply known as "Mexico" throughout Mexico (you don't even have to add D.F.) or as "Chilangolandia" by the folks at NaCo." Got some trips in mind as well to Buffalo, New York City and Atlanta...hopefully this year I can try them all.
Bueno, me voy a la cama but I'll be back! Hasta pronto!
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