What happens when you combine Lansing’s very own Tejano Sound Band (TSB), the Latin IS America group, the Michigan State University College of Music, the Chicano Latino Studies Department, Mark Sullivan, Veronica Reyes and then sprinkle in local favorite Aldaco’s Taco Bar food? You get an evening full of information, candid conversation between a panel discussing the health of Tejano Music, some great food by Aldaco’s, and the Tejano Sound Band along with well known saxophone player Diego Rivera joining in. Saturday, April 19, 2014, in front of about 75 people in a building with a capacity of 400, don’t let the photos fool you. There was plenty to discuss when the panel, which consisted of Rolando Revilla, Sheila Contreras, Johnny Vasquez, Baldemar Velasquez and Diego Rivera shared their ideas of Tejano Music past and present. As the panel finished, Aldaco’s set up as people continued to stream in. After all, no one likes to be the first one to a dance right? Their pulled pork was great and everything was freshly prepared. Definitely a treat to enjoy the baile and get fed by one of Lansing’s most popular restaurants. Santos Gutierrez even provided dance lessons right before TSB started and several folks took advantage of this. With about 175 people in attendance, Tejano Sound Band and Diego Rivera started playing and it was obvious that the extra room that MSU provided came in handy. With no alcohol allowed, there were several kids under 10 years old on the dance floor. No one complained about the no alcohol rule as most people were enjoying the music and with the added sounds of Diego Rivera and friends, it was a fun night the way los bailes were always intended to be. In this day and age of dwindling spots for Tejano Music in the Lansing area, it was refreshing to see such a family friendly venue for all to enjoy. Much props go to Mark Sullivan and Ricardo Lorenz for pushing forward with the “Latin IS America” Series and including Tejano Music in this years 10 day Fest. Although I mention about one night, there were a total of 6 nights which brought in different talents showcasing many different types of artists. Latin IS America strengthens the perspective that Latin American and U.S. cultures are increasingly intertwined, and examines arts and cultural connections through this event series. Definitely something to remember as they look forward to the 2015 Series. To keep informed on the 2015 Latin IS America Series please go to: https://www.facebook.com/MSUlatinisamerica For more information on the Chicano Latino Studies Department at Michigan State University: https://www.msu.edu/~cls/ Aldaco’s Taco Bar can be found at: http://www.aldacosauthenticmexican.com/
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Michigan State University
15 Photos · Updated 4 years ago
WKAR routinely holds what they call “Community Cinema” outside of their MSU Studio and decided to show a free preview of the film “Las Marthas” at Cristo Rey Church. Las Marthas dates back to the aftermath of the U.S.-Mexico War, the annual debutante ball in Laredo, Texas. Las Marthas follows two Mexican-American girls carrying this gilded tradition on their young shoulders during a time of economic uncertainty and political tension over immigration. After about 30 minutes of watching the film, Mary Delgado and Veronica Madrid served as panelists to offer thoughts and answer questions from the 25 people in attendance. Also during the discussion, Cristo Rey Church member Veronica Garza displayed her dress and reflected on her very own Quinceanera and what it meant to her going forward in life. Although the film had nothing to do with Quinceanera’s as most of us watching had previously thought, it was interesting as it went thru the preparation of two young ladies who did not know each other and they appear to share openly what they went thru to get to that day. Many in attendance never heard of Las Marthas, but with over 100 years of tradition and with the average cost of one dress estimated at $15,000, can you imagine the stress they went thru to get everything right? Some clips from the film can be seen at: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/las-marthas/ Las Marthas airs tonight, Monday, Feb. 17, 10 p.m. on WKAR-TV/PBS. Also, it will be available online at some point and if you check back to this same posting, I will try to embed it here. You can also go to the following link to access the film in its entirety (when available) as well as several other films that PBS has broadcast. http://video.pbs.org/program/independent-lens/
5th Annual Latinos2College Day at MSU
written by seinpaul65
The 5th Annual Latinos2College Day was by all accounts a huge success! With about 150 students in attendance, Latinos2College Day was hosted by Michigan State University on Friday, November 22, 2014. This years version of Latinos2College Day was coordinated by Chicano/Latino Studies Program Director Dr. Sheila Contreras and several of her grad students from the CLS Program. Dr. Contreras kept the day moving by highlighting different departments on Campus like MSU Admissions and Financial Assistant Director Lucinda Briones; Diann Cosme who is the Associate Director for MSU Student Services and Outreach; and Leo Savala, Director of Undergraduate Diversity MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and also for Summer Pre-College Planning.Professor Miguel Cabanas from the Department of Romance and Classical Studies, gave students a taste of a college course by giving them “Latino/Americans in Popular Culture: Narcoculture in Music and Telenovelas, A Short Introduction.” While some of the students admitted it was hard to sit there and listen to the lecture, they admitted it was good to see what they would be facing once they enter college. Definitely an eye opener for many of these High School students!
Following lunch at the student favorite Brody Cafe, Dr. Contreras brought in a late surprise guest in the form of Professor Diego Rivera who teaches Jazz Studies at MSU in the Music Department. Before a question and answer session, Mr. Rivera treated the students to a wonderful Jazz concert as three undergrad students from the Jazz Program backed him up. Professionally, Mr. Rivera’s latest album hit 8th on the “Jazz Week” Chart in the country.
Much props to Dr. Sheila Contreras for taking the lead on Latinos2College Day, her grad students Erin Alvarez, Christian Ramirez, Jose Martinez and Sam Saldivar III; Linda Sanchez-Gazella who coordinated the Lansing School District side; and Paulo Gordillo who has supported this event since the beginning. As the author of Cafecito and the person who planted the seed for Latinos2College Day a few years ago, words really can’t express my appreciation for all who played a role in making all of this happen. Much love and respect to you all~ Sein Paul Benavides
You all have heard of the Rose Bowl in sunny California? What about the Sugar Bowl which is usually held with temperatures in the 80′s in Florida? Quite a few future NFL stars have played on those turfs. Well right here in Mid-Michigan we have to settle for the Menudo Bowl indoors with members of the Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity lining up on each side of the ball. On Saturday, November 2, 2013 Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. Alumni held a Charity flag football game with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lansing and Children Cancer Research. Coordinated by Santos Gutierrez, 18 dedicated souls came out to the Summit in Dimondale, Michigan including 3 members coming all the way up from Toledo, Ohio just for the game. In what turned out to be a fun reunion among different chapters of the Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, it was fun for everyone and of course profitable for the two charities it supported. Afterward several people met up at the Old Marshall Armory in Lansing for some Menudo and Pozole, and then to watch the Michigan State and University of Michigan game. After watching both games, the Menudo Bowl was more competitive to say the least.
The 5th Annual Salute to Latinas: Fuerza de la Mujer with a theme of “Breaking the Silence” was filled with emotion, inspiration and wonderful stories of perseverance. Held in the Union Ballroom on the Campus of Michigan State University on Friday, November 1, 2013, The Salute to Latinas was created to honor the accomplishments and strengths of all Latina women from around Michigan State University and the Greater Lansing Area. The evening was filled with free food, entertainment and real life stories of Latinas who have overcome many obstacles to not only further their education, but have also positioned themselves to help those around them. Several awards were handed out on this night. Adriana Carreon, currently a Grand Valley State student, received the Undergraduate Award and tearfully recalled her struggle to make it to the States from Mexico, to overcoming hurdle after hurdle to make it into a college that financially, she could not afford. Award winners offered a glimpse of their heartaches, their triumphs, and encouragement for the audience. Patty Joly made it clear with the words: “Although education costs money, you do it, because ignorance will cost you more”. Delta Tau Lambda purpose: is a community oriented sorority. Our main objectives are academic excellence, community service, and professionalism. We strive to bring about change in the Latino community as well as in other communities of color. A great deal of our work involves the youth for we believe that they are our future, and we, their role models. We believe that through hard work, we will empower others to achieve for themselves and lead one another to greatness. Delta Tau Lambda: “Women by Chance, Sisters by Choice, Phenomenal by Nature”
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