guest column by Pocho Joe
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez was born in 1942 to Mexican parents who immigrated to the United States in or about the 1920’s. Sixto and his siblings were hijos and hijas of the immigration history de la frontera.
His parents settled in Detroit, Michigan, only to secure permanent work in the foundries and auto factories in the post World War II victory boom. Sixto had to learn English and assimilate as a child in order to belong to the Detroit Public School system, but more importantly, not to be viewed as an alien presence in Motown. Sixto is a genius. During the 1960’s and ‘70’s his talents were invisible, ignored and devalued.
A 2012 documentary, Searching for Sugarman was released, telling his story. This is a tale that William Shakespeare, the Bible nor Beowulf could have imagined! Beyond the fantastic Sixto biography, this documentary represents how our gente’s talents, genius and contributions to culture are silenced, denied and just plain disregarded. Sixto should be both a Chicano noble as well as an American icon.
Tal vez, do yourself a favor and check out this superbly presented bio-doc. Ójala que you will agree not only with his perspective, but with the perspective that ought to be.
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| Malinche by De La Ventana |
Hispanic Art Exhibit, Pueblo, Colo.
By coincidence(?), La Bloga also received the following from a reader:
The art of De La Ventana (aka Pocho Joe and Darold Vigil) will be part of the 2012 Colorado State Fair’s Hispanic Art Exhibit, Aug. 23 – Sept. 3, 2012.
A reception will be held on Sat., September 1 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Cultural Heritage Center on the fair grounds. There is a charge for admission to the Fair but this exhibit is free.
Sincerely,
De La Ventana
Hispanic Art Exhibit – 11am–10pm
The Hispanic Art Exhibit will celebrate its 12th anniversary this year at the Colorado State Fair. Coordinated by El Escritorio Publishing, the exhibit will showcase Hispanic art and culture through an art exhibit at the Cultural Heritage Center in Triangle Park. This year’s theme is “Tradition, Imagination and Innovation” in Hispanic art.
This year’s artists will be John Mendoza and his beautiful watercolor paintings, David Ocelotl Garcia, a Denver muralist, Brian Palomar, Sofia Hernandez, Trisha Hernandez, Marcos Polito, Inez Sanchez, Claudia Perez, De La Ventana,Robert Martinez, Philip Salazar, Anita Rodriguez, Evelyn Martinez and more. Don’t miss this colorful exhibit.
Colorado State Fair, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, Colo., 10am - 11pm
General Admission, Friday thru Sunday–$10
Children 5 and under free (accompanied by an adult)
From the Fair website: "The pseudonym, De La Ventana was selected because of the artist's belief that the focus of art in any form should be about the art and not a subjective spotlight on the art maker. Art should stimulate and evoke a range of emotions from the viewer as well as push their perceptual and cognitive boundaries. Ventana (window) is also a metaphor for the view from one’s opening mind. He uses a myriad of subject matter to explore his Chicano-Mestizo historical and cultural roots with pride.
"Currently he is an on-air radio host in Denver at public radio station KUVO, 89.3. He uses yet another pseudonym, Pocho Joe, during his radio program called La Raza Rocks heard Sundays from 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. He believes, as in his art, the radio show’s focus should be about the musical artists, their stories and messages in the music rather than the DJ. You can stream KUVO on-line here."
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RudyG: So today's two cultural news pieces are by the same person, only under two (are there more?) pseudonyms, but his real name is not included. I wasn't able to locate a photo for either pseudonym. Go to the Fair to see one of his pseudonym faces or to KUVO to hear his voice.
I'll put in my own recommendation on De La Ventana'sartwork, because I'm one of the lucky handful with one. They are distinctive, chicanada fine art and wonderful to behold. Plus, Cheech Marin has nothing like them. Oh, and his radio selections are suave.
Es todo, hoy,
RudyG
VOICES FOR JUSTICE
The following is from Acción Latina:
"Voices for Justice is a project to acknowledge and honor the 200-year legacy of Latino journalism in the United States. The story begins on September 7, 1808, with the founding of El Misisipi in New Orleans. It was the first newspaper by and for Spanish-speaking people in the U.S. El Misisipi set the stage for the thousands of publications, broadcast, and Internet news outlets currently serving Latinos. Yet, the story of Latino journalism - and the countless innovative publishing pioneers and courageous journalists - is little known. The Voices for Justice project will make their story known through a one-year national bicentennial campaign, a documentary film, a companion book, and an interactive website.
"Voices for Justice is a project of Acción Latina that chronicles the history and evolution of the Latino press in the U.S. The project will result in a documentary film, a companion book, and an interactive website based at the University of Houston’s Arte Público Press. The website will provide greater detail and updated information on the Spanish-language press, teachers’ guides and serve as a discussion forum for the public. We are also orchestrating a one-year national bicentennial campaign to celebrate 200 years of Latino press in the U.S. The bicentennial will begin with a kick-off event in New Orleans commemorating the birthplace of El Misisipí, the first Spanish-language newspaper founded on September 7, 1808.
"For more information on the Voices for Justice project, contact: Juan Gonzales, [email protected] Eva Martinez, [email protected] (415) 648-1045
Voices for Justice c/o Acción Latina 2958-24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
"
Acción Latina is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization founded in 1987 to promote social change and cultural pride in the Latino community. We produce a bilingual newspaper (El Tecolote), an annual Latino music festival (Encuentro del Canto Popular), and coordinate a journalism project for community youth (Fuerza Joven) Our projects are a training ground for young people educating them on cultural traditions, increasing their social awareness, and inspiring them to serve the community. We are a volunteer-based collective committed to excellence in Latino education, art and culture. Our office is located in the Mission district, San Francisco's Latino community
."
It's worthwhile to browse El Tecolote's website for a variety of reasons, one of which is the Timeline that quickly traces the history of Latino journalism in the U.S. Click here.
The National Steinbeck Center celebrates the 28th Steinbeck Festival with a tribute to the writer's persistent and frequent references to Mexico and the Mexican people. Steinbeck provided a voice for the forgotten and disenfranchised, and a festival centered on his work seems only right. From the website:
"Steinbeck Festival 2008 will explore Steinbeck’s regard for Mexico in broad cultural contexts. The Mexico that so inspired Steinbeck’s work will come to life at Festival 2008 through presentations on Mexican and Mexican American culture and heritage.
"Over a third of John Steinbeck's work is either set in Mexico or features characters of Mexican descent. From 1932 until the mid 1950s, he wrote often about the environment, history, culture and politics of Mexico. This is some of his best work:
Sea of Cortez, an environmental classic written with
Edward F. Ricketts;
The Pearl, a novella about aspirations of poor fishermen;
Viva Zapata!, a film about Mexican revolutionary hero
Emiliano Zapata, directed by
Elia Kazan. Mexican American characters appear in
Tortilla Flat, Sweet Thursday, The Wayward Bus."
Speakers include author Francisco Jiménez, actors, playwrights and experts on Steinbeck and Mexican art and culture.
- Mercado Marketplace Friday, Saturday and Sunday with regional food for sale and cultural demonstrations
- Fiesta at the Fox & mini-film festival at Maya Cinemas
- Children's Art Activities
- Community FREE DAY with dance, art, and music on Sunday, August 10th.
CLICK for a full schedule.
Events held at National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St. Salinas and at selected locations in Monterey. Call (831) 775-4721 for tickets and information. Individual event tickets, day passes or Steinbeck Festival Passports available.
NOTE: admission is charged for most of the events, but Sunday is a free day for Monterey County residents. The
program looks great - if you are in the area and have any affinity for Steinbeck's writing and his impact on Twentieth Century literature, this might be the place where you want to be in what remains of the weekend.
POCHO JOE AT POETRY Y MASDenver radio personality
Pocho Joe will be the center of attention at the
2nd Saturday Poetry y Mas celebration at
CHAC, 772 Santa Fe, Denver, at 2:00 PM, August 9. Pocho Joe and
Gabe host
La Raza Rocks every Sunday on
KUVO radio (89.3 FM).
Suzanna Vega, poet and artist, will host the celebration while Pocho will discuss the history behind the radio program. Suzanna will read
KUVO Radio Rocks My Soul and field questions and discussion from the audience. For those not familiar with La Raza Rocks, you should listen on Sunday, 1 - 2 PM. Here's the station's brief programming note about what happens in that magic hour:
La Raza Rocks became part of jazz89 KUVO's Sunday diverse program line-up in September of 2002. Playing the best of Latino rock, new and old, from Sunny & the Sunliners to Santana to Los Lobos and Dr. Loco and his Rockin' Jalapeno Band. Interviews and information are part of the show's presentation.
There's a lot more to this program than oldies, although that would be good enough for me. Pocho has an incredible wealth of knowledge about Chicano music, culture, and politics. And Gabe is developing his own expertise. These two radio voices dig into the vaults but also showcase the up-and-coming, all the while providing tidbits of info about musicians, songs, shows, and social context. If you can't make it to the CHAC event, at least listen to the program, radio-wise or online.
NEW FROM DANIEL OLIVASLa Bloga's exceedingly prolific writing comrade,
Daniel Olivas, has a new story at the esteemed literary blog,
Exquisite Corpse. Daniel's story is entitled
How To Date A Flying Mexican. Not only is it a choice slice of life portrait of a woman who finds love late, but it also has handy rules for interacting with one of those Mexicans who has learned how to manipulate the law of gravity. You know the kind. Daniel informs that the story is a chapter from his novel-in-waiting,
The Book of Want. Check it out.
CHICANO MUSIC FESTIVAL
A reminder that the
12th Annual Chicano Music Festival and Auction continues all weekend at
El Centro Su Teatro's Outdoor Performance Space, 4725 High Street, Denver. Musical guests include
Fuga, Izcalli, Nueva Sangre, Zydematics, Mariachi Vasquez, and many more, plus art auctions, food, and puro party under the Summer stars, as they say. I'll see you there, and meanwhile you can see the
schedule here.Later.
"Currently he is an on-air radio host in Denver at public radio station KUVO, 89.3. He uses yet another pseudonym, Pocho Joe, during his radio program called La Raza Rocks heard Sundays from 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. He believes, as in his art, the radio show’s focus should be about the musical artists, their stories and messages in the music rather than the DJ. You can stream KUVO on-line here."
I salute all of my people and specially that one's that knows how to survive, I was looking for an editor for my short story I think that I have to write about our heritages and experiences, for me It was not always easy, because of the English barriers, but, some how I communicate with others and Then
I wrote a book, I hope that some day I can publisher my book I live in Sacramento Ca. But come to Lodi for church.