Proyecto Latina provides a platform to showcase work by Latina writers, poets, performers and artists. It is where Latinas in the arts and media intersect. We tell you about the work and impact these women have on our communities.
Reprieve,9:12 Newly married and just starting to try for a baby, Stephanie Diaz Reppen reflects on a choice she made over ten years ago--it was the repreive of her 26th summer.
Stephanie, a Guatemalan-American writer/performer is the Proyecto Latina feature for January 2010. She will be reading an excerpt from her novel-in-progress, You Can't Call the Indians Maria Anymore. She will also premiere a new performance piece entitled Dichos, featuring the mesmerizing art of Bunraku puppetry, and starring "Abuelita." Get bio and event details here.
The magic of the the Three Kings has been a part of Liza Ann Acosta's life since she was a child. As an adult she still believes in The Three Kings and relives the magic of the holiday every January 6th by making a pilgrimage to her father's town, Juana Diaz in Puerto Rico, where a grand celebration takes place. Listen to her story below.
Watch out world Wendy Mateo and Lori Diaz, the masterminds of Tall Hispanic-Short Hispanic Productions, have grand plans, "Latina comedians...we want to be the boss of it and more." With roots in New York and Florida, the pair moved to Chicago and made their Windy City debut last summer as Dominizuelans, the pen name they coined when writing their show, People in the City--a production that has earned raving reviews and is up for a second run that will open on New Years eve and run through the end of February 2010.
Proyecto Latina correspondent, Ericka Sanchez, recently caught up with Wendy and Lori and talked about their work and creative process. Listen to that conversation below
Wendy & Lori 1: The path to doing what you love. (3:50)
Wendy & Lori 2: Creative Boundries: The risks of writing about friends and family...and yourself? (2:49)
Wendy & Lori3: Smiling faces and cultural lessons (4:22)
Wendy & Lori4: Future plans: a production company and a new play (5:05)
Esther Cepeda encourages the Latina journalism student to develop her multi-media skills and to be bold. Esther leads by example; she writes and self-syndicates her column at 600words. In 2006 she became the first Latino metro columnist when she joined the Chicago Sun-Times, about the opportunity she says, "Its great to have a seat at the table."
Listen to more from our interview with Esther below:
Chicana writer Ana Castillo wants to fuel the tradition of reading and writing in the Latino community, through the memoir writing workshops she teaches. Ana says she hopes that she can help establish posterity of culture and most importantly the family stories of the participants. Literature, Ana reminds us, comes from all walks of life--writing is not just for the privileged. Our Proyecto Latina contributor, Yolanda Cardenas also asks about spirituality's place in writing, listen to their complete conversation below.
Ana Castillo: Spirituality's place in writing? (4:17)
Ana Castillo: Can you teach someone to write? (5:48)
Ana Castillo's memoir writing workshops are cross-cultural and generational and open to everyone over 18 years-old. Details available here.
Local Actor Sandra Delgado stars in the new play El Grito del Bronx by Migdalia Cruz. In this interview she talks to Diana Pando about her new role as Lulu in the play and how the role has impacted her as an actor along with a few tips for emerging Latina actors. We want to hear from you if you like this interview let us know!
Part I: Sandra Delgado on El Grito del Bronx, 5:49
Part II: Sandra Delgado on El Grito del Bronx, 6:39
Part III: Sandra Delgado on El Grito del Bronx, 5:08
Listen to two Chicago queer Latinas honor their history and identities by paving the path to create more visibility for the triumphs and struggles of their communities.
Tania Unzueta shares history and thoughts on the move of the Chicago Dyke March to Pilsen and what it meant personally that the march was arriving to the community she lives and works in.
Proyecto Latina interviews Zulema Ortiz, the 2009 Young Visionary award recipient for the 2009 Sor Juana Achievement award. A 20 year-old college-student, Zulema patriotically refers to the only country she ever remembers living in as,“the land of opportunity, where anything is possible.” That's the attitude that Zulema adopted although she lacked the nine essential digits of a social security number, and found creative ways to finance college and pursue a higher education. She's paving the way towards her dreams and with confidence declares that, "the Dream Act will be passed."
"Never wait for anyone to give you an opportunity, make it happen for yourself ..." --Josefina Lopez
During a recent visit to the windy city Josefina Lopez, author of Real Women Have Curves, and most recently the novel Hungry woman in Paris sits down to talk to Proyecto Latina co-producer Diana Pando.
Josefina Lopez talks to us about the decision to move to Paris, her latest novel and other upcoming projects. Josefina also advises Latinas on creating their own opportunities, handling rejection and ownership of our own stories.
Proyecto Latina is a big fan of the Chicago based group Alla. And if you are familiar with their music and you ever tune into our Sunday afternoon show you will know that our show intro features a snippet of one of Alla's songs from their first CD Es Tiempo.
Proyecto Latina's music director, Yolanda Cardenas sat down with Alla earlier this month to talk about their music and uncovered some interesting stuff about the intensity and drive that moves them. The Mexican-American band and it’s unconventional and sophisticated sound is formed by: Lupe Martinez (vocalist/guitarist) and the Ledezma brothers, Jorge (producer/guitarist) and Angel (drums). Allá's debut album” Es Tiempo “ was produced by Jorge Ledezma over a four-year period, using no less than 8 studios. Most recently they released Digs, a new mini-album where the band pays tribute to a diverse list of artist and songs that helped bring their unique musical vision into focus. Catch Alla with us this Saturday, May 16th, they will be performing an acoustic set at the National Museum of Mexican Art as part of the Sor Juana festival and the Letras, Palabras y Cantos event. Details below.
This past March Dolores Huerta received the 2009 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award for a Pioneer in Women’s Rights at the Chicago Foundation for Women Impact Awards. Dolores Huerta's life story revolves around activism, compassion and leadership. She is a leading advocate for the human rights of workers, immigrants and women. Proyecto Latina Co-producer, Diana Pando had the opportunity to speak to Dolores and she emerged from her interview with one very important message for young Latinas everwhere. Its regarding the si se puede slogan Dolores coined and a picture she didn't take: make sure you take credit for your accomplishments or someone else will do it .
The multi-talented Cervantes sisters have roots in Back of the Yards and Chicago's Southside but their music casts a much wider net and draws inspiration from a very diverse mix of music genres.
The Luna Blues Machine fuses acoustic hip-hop with soul, folk, latin and any other genre that moves them. Fronted by sisters Belinda and Maritza Cervantes (mandolin and guitar), LBM stands out as one of the most experimental acoustic music acts working in Chicago today. With the accompaniment of bass and drums, their feel-good rhythms, engaging stories, tight harmonies and charismatic hooks will make you want to getcha self a little luna love.
Part I: Luna Blues Machine, 8:21
Part II: Luna Blues Machine, 8:17
Part III: Luna Blues Machine, 5:14
Catch The Luna Blues Machine, this Thursday, April 30th @ 10pm @ Silvie's Lounge, 1902 W. Irving Park Road. $5 cover. Say you're there to see LBM. You can learn more about them and their new cd at www.thelunabluesmachine.com
Proyecto Latina had the pleasure of featuring Michelle Otero, author of Malinche's Daughter this past February. Before Michelle boarded a plane back home to the Southwest, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to her about life as an author and her approach to her craft.
Part I: Writing journey and the universal story, 9:37
Part II: Writing a book that heals and opening our heart when creating, 9:59
That's Jorge Valdivia with Sandra Cisneros in the photograph above, it was taken moments before I got to sit down and interview her last Wednesday. Jorge is the Director of Performing arts at the National Museum of Mexican Art and we will be posting an interview with him later this week, so make sure to come back and check for it, he talks to us about the 15th annual Sor Juana Festival.
I owe Jorge, Annie Tully, and Diana Pando, a HUGE shout out and THANK YOU in getting this interview done. It was such an amazing opportunity, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Part I: Interview with Sandra Cisneros, 3:50
Part II: Interview with Sandra Cisneros, 9:10
Part III: Interview with Minerva who writes poems, 2:53
Proyecto Latina speaks to the two leading women behind the making of the play Our Lady of the Underpass, which was presented earlier this year by Teatro Vista. Learn about the art process behind each of these women: Sandra Marquez, director, tells us about the required discipline when working in theater and Tanya Saracho, playwright, tells us where to find the power in theatre that will insure that more plays by and for Latin@s are produced.
Proyecto Latina interviews Giselle Mercier, an artist and arts educator with a culturally rich and multi-disciplinary approach to curriculum development in youth arts. Giselle is also an installation artist who draws inspiration from her Panamanian roots and the immigrant experience in an effort to create universal art. Earlier this year Giselle became the executive director for Pro’s Arts Studios in Pilsen, in this interview she also shares thoughts with us on that transition.
Erika Sanchez, our correspondent for Proyecto Latina Radio show is spending her spring break in Ireland and we hope she's enjoying herself and drinking a Guiness or two. As she was packing to leave for her big trip, she dashed out to Berwyn's 16th Street Theater to interview Yadira Correa and Dana Cruz--its a directorial debut for both ladies with the production of S-e-x-oh! the remix. Listen to Ericka's interview with both ladies.
Part I: Interview with Yadira Correa and Dana Cruz, 3:47
Part II: Interview with Yadira Correa and Dana Cruz, 2:22
Part III: Interview with Yadira Correa and Dana Cruz, 3:07
Part IV: Interview with Yadira Correa and Dana Cruz, 4:17
Part V: Interview with Yadira Correa and Dana Cruz, 4:33
S-e-x-oh! the remix runs through March 29th. You can get ticket and show details here.
For Proyecto Latina the third Monday of every month is an evening of celebrating the creativity of a select Latina artist, the chisme box and providing a platform for everyone through our open mic. In our fourth year, we bring you the next wave of Latinas in the arts.
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