Every Day is Magic: Ada Limón
In her 2015 collection, Bright Dead Things, a National Book Award finalist for poetry, Ada Limón writes of moving to Kentucky: “Confession: I did not want to live here.” It’s perhaps not a surprising sentiment coming from a coastally oriented person who was raised in Northern California, attended college in Seattle, and then spent over a decade in New York City.
But Limón and her husband, Lucas, have been in Lexington for seven years now and the effects of settling into this place are noticeable in her new book, The Carrying (Milkweed, Aug.). It’s a phenomenally lively and attentive collection replete with the trappings of living a little closer to nature. While Bright Dead Things is marked by a preponderance of light, such as images of fireflies and neon signs, The Carrying features numerous appearances by various trees, birds, and beetles. Limón also demonstrates a greater willingness to be explicit in naming colors, particularly green. “It’s crazy green, the whole book,” she says. “Lexington is the greenest place I’ve ever lived.” Similarly, where in Bright Dead Things, Limón tells a lot of stories and anecdotes, in The Carrying she is very present in her thoughts and experiences.
As it turns out, these shifts in focus have another, altogether unexpected source. While putting Bright Dead Things together, Limón was diagnosed with chronic vestibular neuronitis, which can cause bouts of vertigo. “If I’m really having vertigo, it’s pretty intense and I really have to focus,”
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Student-run business Jewels by Jocy brings beaded accessories to buyers
“Through Instagram and Depop, the first-year architectural studies student sells assorted jewelry for her business, Jewels by Jocy. Having created her own jewelry for two years and drawing inspiration from beading materials such as pearls, Gonzalez said social media provided her with a community and platform to showcase her products such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. As a painter and sewer as well, she said she enjoys crafting her own accessories because the process blends the problem-solving skills of her major with creativity and self-expression…”
Mexican American superhero saves Ukrainian civilians in comic book issue
“For the better part of a decade, the Mexican American superhero created by Héctor Rodríguez has helped immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border fight Mexican cartels, corrupt officials and human traffickers.
Now Mexico’s refusal to criticize Russia or support Ukraine has prompted the comic book creator to send “El Peso Hero” to war-torn Ukraine…”
Grammys 2022: UCLA professor celebrates Afro Latin jazz in nominated album, track
“Arturo O’Farrill is saying goodbye to the past and hello to the future of Afro Latin jazz.
The global jazz studies professor as well as founder and artistic director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance is nominated for two Grammy Awards for his recent album “Virtual Birdland” and track “Dreaming in Lions” in the Best Latin Jazz Album and Best Instrumental Composition categories, respectively. “Virtual Birdland” was produced with the ALJA to allow musicians to continue performing during the pandemic while “Dreaming in Lions” is a chamber piece made in conjunction with Cuban dance company Malpaso to describe a farewell’s emotional processes. Despite having different themes and compositions, O’Farrill said his goal with both albums was to celebrate the heritage of Afro Latin jazz and continue its tradition…’
Oscars 2022: Latinos shining at the 94th Academy Awards red carpet
The most important night in the entertainment industry has finally arrived, and the Latino community stood out at the 94th Academy Awards red carpet.
Puerto Rico, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, and more countries had their representatives. Rita Moreno, Wilmer Valderrama, Stephanie Beatriz, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and more were in attendance. But not only did they have a presence on the carpet, but also within the nominations.
‘Aqux’ explores representations of home, connects identities of Latinx community
“Aqux,” a group exhibition which opened Feb. 19 at The Mistake Room, features 23 Latinx artists and their interpretations of what home means to them. Through the featured works curated by TMR’s executive and artistic director and alumnus César García-Alvarez, the group exhibition explores the connection between the artists’ Latin American roots and the places they call home. Pronounced “aquí” like the Spanish word for “here,” “Aqux’s” spelling represents the debate surrounding the term Latinx, García-Alvarez said.
“Our identity is never static – it is always situational,” García-Alvarez said. “Thinking about home in that way became an interesting mechanism to organize the exhibition, and what you see in this show are various contradicting representations of home. You don’t get a full, solid, agreed-upon perspective on how home should be defined or experienced.”
‘Theater for Social Change’
“At UC Santa Barbara, as at many universities, the early 1970s are remembered as a period of conflict and strife. But something remarkable emerged from that tumultuous time: A new theater company created by Hispanic artists, for Hispanic audiences.
It was called El Teatro de la Esperanza — the Theater of Hope — and for more than a quarter-century, it promoted justice and inclusion through storytelling and music.,,”
Austin: Design Team for City’s Mexican American Cultural Center Provides Update
“…Austin (Travis County) — The Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) recently held a meeting, in which they detailed the expansion that will nearly double the footprint for Phase II of the city’s Emma S. Barrientos-MACC improvement project…
…Juan Miro said that they envision extending the semicircular cultural center with more classrooms for children and adults, a new gallery and performance space, along with other improvements…”
Doctor turns his photos of S.F. homeless residents into huge street-facing exhibit
“On his walk home from work, Dr. Eduardo Peña Dolhun passes people living on the sidewalk along Polk Street and Broadway. He’d made that walk hundreds of times before one evening when on a whim he stopped at a man resting on the sidewalk and said, “Hello sir, I’m a community doctor. Are you homeless?”…
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Latin Grammy Awards 2021: Complete Winners List
“The 22nd annual Latin Grammy Awards were held in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Thursday night. The ceremony honored Latin music released between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021.
Roselyn Sánchez, Ana Brenda Contreras and Carlos Rivera hosted; Gloria Estefan, Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Rubén Blades and C. Tangana were among the many performers…”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/18/arts/music/latin-grammys-winners-list.html
UCLA student takes dance moves to national level in commercial
“Alejandra Rodríguez has found her rhythm.
The third-year dance and political science student performed in a commercial for Fox Deportes, a division of Fox Sports broadcast in Spanish, that aired Oct. 26. The commercial celebrates the 25th anniversary of the network with newscasters and dancers moving to the song “Fuego” by Bomba Estéreo. This was her first appearance on a large national network and one of her first dance jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
“There was a time where we couldn’t do what we love the most,” Rodríguez said. “To get work off of something that you love and is your passion – it’s a complete blessing.”…”https://dailybruin.com/2021/11/10/ucla-student-takes-dance-moves-to-national-level-in-commercial
Shining a Light on U.S. Latinx Art and Artists
“If you go the website for pretty much any museum and search for art by Latinx artists from the United States—well, good luck finding it. More often than not, if you put in the search terms Latino, Chicano, Latinx, Hispanic, Nuyorican—nothing comes up.
It’s that kind of lack of visibility for Latinx artists in the U.S. that Adriana Zavala is working to overcome. Zavala is a professor in the Department of the History of Art and Architecture, and though her academic work has long focused on Mexican art, she has expanded it to include Latinx art in the U.S…
https://now.tufts.edu/articles/shining-light-us-latinx-art-and-artists
Happening Today: Mayor Turner to honor Hispanic Heritage Award Winners
“…Ana Maria Martinez is the 2021 Mayor’s Hispanic Arts in the Community Award winner. The Grammy Award-winning soprano was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Martinez has 24 albums and an international career that spans the world’s most prestigious opera houses and concert halls. Ana Maria is also the first ever Artistic Advisor for the Houston Grand Opera and was recently designated Artist in Residence at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music…”
Latinx Writers Couldn’t Get Hollywood’s Attention. So They Came Up With Another Way
“During last year’s Latinx Heritage Month, Nuyorican actor and filmmaker Dominique Nieves launched a mentorship initiative for up-and-coming Latinx television writers having a harder-than-normal time getting their foot in the door. Using the hashtag #ReadLatinxWriters, Nieves issued a call on Twitter for established industry professionals willing to read scripts from Latinx writers and provide feedback. Then, she deployed the hashtag to encourage aspiring writers to sign up for mentorships…”
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/09/10641181/latinx-authors-writers-representation-in-media
Six Latino artists break through in the acting categories with 2021 Emmy nominations
“The 2021 Emmy Award nominations were announced Tuesday, and across all acting categories, six Latino performers were recognized by the Television Academy: Anthony Ramos, Anya Taylor-Joy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mj Rodriguez, Rosie Perez and Alexis Blede
“…“Gilmore Girls” star Bledel, who is Argentine on her father’s side and Mexican on her mother’s side, was nominated for guest actress in a drama series for “The Handmaid’s Tale.”…”
SC campaign highlights culture, traditions of Hispanic Heritage
“Every day during Hispanic Heritage Month, an SC agency is sharing details about food, music, historical figures, and yearly festivities from Latin American countries…”
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With PBS Wisconsin
“Every year since 1988, Congress has recognized Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting the impact of Hispanic Americans on our nation and recognizing five of our Central American neighbors who celebrate their independence in September.PBS Wisconsin pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have enriched American society and culture with these programs airing in September and October on PBS Wisconsin and on the PBS App on your phone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, other digital TV devices and many Smart TVs…”
https://pbswisconsin.org/article/celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month-with-pbs-wisconsin/
National Media Coalition Announces 10 Latino Screenwriter Program Cohort – Deadline
“…Exclusive: National Hispanic Media Coalition We welcome 10 new Latino writers to the 2021 series screenwriter program. Linzy Beltran, April M. Sanchez, Diego Moreno, Michel Lichand, Eli Vazquez, Ana Defillo, Rolando Gomez, Desiree Carcamo, Samantha Renee Cordero, Linda Dillon Moya
Civil rights nonprofits offer writers at various stages of their careers the opportunity to network with industry professionals with the goal of finding recruitment opportunities and learning how to sell scripts to top studios and networks. doing. The program is part of NHMC’s commitment to making Hollywood a more comprehensive industry by supporting Latino creatives navigating in highly competitive markets.
“NHMC is proud to develop the next generation of storytellers. We are always delighted to see a new group of writers launching this program. They are the future of the industry. Next From staff writers to showrunners on their favorite shows, “said Brenda Victoria Castillo, president and chief executive officer of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “We’ve been doing that for nearly 20 years, and we’re still moving Latin writers forward in an industry that hasn’t fully exploited the rich and diverse talents of the community. The NHMC fills the gap and is real. We are here to connect the entertainment industry with well-equipped writers who are ready to tell the story of. “…”
Academy Gold Rising program helping boost diversity in Hollywood
“..A total of 100 young people selected from among more than 9,000 applicants took part in the 2021 edition of Academy Gold Rising, which was held virtually for the second straight year and will hold its graduation ceremony on Saturday.That group has spent the past eight weeks participating in panel discussions on filmmaking and networking with industry professionals and receiving support and guidance from the Academy, best known for organizing the annual Oscars ceremony.Christine Simmons, the Academy’s chief operating officer, told Efe that her organization is excited to see the positive impact Gold Rising has had on the careers of program participants from the United States and abroad.One of the participants in Gold Rising 2021, Sofia Ayerdi, said she was thrilled to learn she had been selected for the program, whose partner companies include AMC Networks, The Walt Disney Company, Paramount Pictures and WarnerMedia.“It was something I simply couldn’t believe. I said, ‘there has to be some mistake. This is really happening to me? The Academy?’ It’s something truly incredible.”A Texas-born woman of Mexican descent who studies film production at California State University, Northridge, Ayerdi said the Academy Gold Rising program is introducing younger generations to the inner workings of Hollywood…”
https://www.laprensalatina.com/academy-gold-rising-program-helping-boost-diversity-in-hollywood/
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César Millán Hires Three Six Zero as His Global Management Team (EXCLUSIVE)
“César Millán, aka the “Dog Whisperer,” has hired Three Six Zero as his global management team. The Mexican American celebrity dog behaviorist, three-time Emmy nominee and New York Times bestselling author is one of the world’s most renowned authorities in the field of canine rehabilitation. The longtime television personality’s shows are broadcast and streamed in more than 120 countries…”
Eva Longoria Teams With Grace Parra Janney, Josh Bycel to Develop Mexican American Comedy at ABC
“Eva Longoria will direct and executive produce a single-cam comedy in the works at ABC that hails from Grace Parra Janney and Josh Bycel.
The untitled series is inspired by Janney’s own large Mexican American family in Texas. It is described as a multi-generational comedy about an upper middle class family handling grief, identity, and a reevaluation of their roles following the death of the family’s patriarch.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Josh’s work since our time together on ‘Telenovela’ and Grace and I share similar ‘Texican’ backgrounds,” Longoria said. “At UnbeliEVAble we are always pushing to tell real and authentic stories so I’m particularly proud to share one that is not unlike my own family’s experience.”…”
