I'm hung-over, feet sting from hundreds of steps back and forth across the Colo. Convention Center and downtown Denver. Workshops, readings, panels, lit journal tables, accompanying literary tipos, Chicano and otherwise. Someone else can provide an organized report on AWP. These bits are what float my mind from the past two days:
Sudden Fiction Latino panel. Bloguero Daniel Olivas leads Lisa Alvarez, Stephen D. Gutierrez, Pedro Ponce, Alicita Rodriguez and Edmundo Paz Soldán. The readings are way too short; the authors and audience have come such a long way. I want to hear more, about Bisbee, climbing staircases, instructions on singing, the Chinese wall and more. I'll only get to do that from the book.
The panel moves fast to a fine discussion about Raymond Chandler's words:
I wonder if Chandler knew he was anticipating the New Latino 21st Century author. Or what all Chicanos have to be to live where we do?
Con Tinta Celebration honoring Alicia Gaspar de Alba, with a tribute to Lalo Delgado. Lalo's family fills half the room. A Chicano gathering of family, Chicanitos animados running the aisles, beer glasses tapping toasts. Not the best place for a reading. I'm remembering Lalo read Stupid America, decades ago; still seems apropos.
Today, platefuls of comida mexicana and hearing bloguero Jesse Tijerina tell of his daily dealings with cholos, gangs at the Colorado middle school where he works as principal. His kids clearly have an Advocate; Jes, a block, building our gente's future. So where's he find time to do La Bloga posts, I wonder?Bloguera
where's dan? and olga, liz--she's in puerto rico, me, i'm getting 2010 festival de flor y canto into shape. spread the word. grand report, fotos.
mvs
Great time at the conference. We weren't discussing German philosophy so much as we were listening to Sergio the philosopher.
Yeah, fine report. It was all you said, and more. Quite a buzz. The One Poem event was a genuine thrill - so many great poets in one room, loving one another with their words. And I have to say that listening to my fellow Aztlan panelists was a high point. One thing - I think the Raymond Chandler discussion happened in the Hit List panel - but it is a blur. Thanks for posting this, Rudy.
I should have mentioned the participants in the Re-mapping Aztlan panel: Stella Pope Duarte, Michelle Otero, Alex Espinosa, and Rich Yañez (who put the panel together.) All excellent -
By looking at the specifications it is really looking good and hopefully it will >
My head is still swimming from the great time I had at AWP with all of you gente. Such talent to be around! On to AWP in D.C. 2011!
Rudy G, Thank you so much for your kind words about Mexican Jesus and for including me in your discussion about One Poem. I'm glad you enjoyed your time at AWP.
It was all good. So nice to meet so many. So good to get home (we drove! two days!) and find this fine report that brought it all back - and more.