Category Archives: DC Chicanos

Somos Tejanos’ SXSW Message: Respect Our Music!

Posted on March 1, 2012 | 1 Comment

Somos Tejanos, that nonprofit on whose board I sit (and do a little blogging for), is hosting their first “unofficial” SXSW Showcase at Jovita’s on South First in Austin, TX on March 10, 2012. Executive Director Amaury Nora and a great team of event planners has put together what will be a special celebration of music, culture, and an important message.

We are billing this showcase, Dos Centavos, to send a message to National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). It is important for people to realize how hard it is to “make it” in the music industry. Now that the NARAS has eliminated 31 categories of music from the GRAMMY Awards, people must realize that 70% of those abolished categories affected ethnic- and color-based genres, including Tejano music. This is an opportunity for Tejanos/as to state their dos centavos (two cents) to NARAS and others who attempt to minimize our music and culture, while supporting the very musicians who add to Texas’ cultural palette.

Come out and enjoy an afternoon of fabulous local artists at Jovitas for the first Somos Tejanos SXSW showcase. All Ages. $8 at the door.

And the line-up is pretty awesome, which includes the awesomely talented Gina Chavez:

Mike Z: 12pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Radio-Valley
http://www.youtube.com/user/MusicRadioValley

Dereck and Erich: 1pm

Only Beast: 2pm
http://www.facebook.com/OnlyBeast
http://www.myspace.com/onlybeast

http://www.youtube.com/onlybeasthouston

Shand Walton & The All Amigos Club: 3pm
Shand Walton and the All Amigos Club play edgy Americana music, uniquely blending rock, folk, country, mariachi and blues. The group includes Shand Walton on guitar and vocals and various amigos on violin, accordion, and other instruments. The fall of 2008 brought acclaim for the band as they were warmly welcomed during their tour of Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. In April 2008, the group released the EP album, Rancho Motel Sessions, on the Toil & Trouble record label in Austin, Texas. In the spring of 2010, Shand Walton recorded and produced a full-length album with RPM Challenge.

http://www.facebook.com/allamigosclub

Son De Rey: 4pm
Son de Rey is one of Austin’s premiere Latin groups and has been cultivating a style that combines Cumbia and Salsa with Tejano roots creating a contemporary and powerful original sound. Son de Rey attracts diverse audiences with their modern arrangements and blend of musical styles. Their high energy performances are filled with memorable melodies & danceable grooves driven by jammin’ percussion breakdowns.

http://www.facebook.com/sonderey
http://www.sonderey.com/

Danny Meeker: 5pm

Steven Baranowski: 6pm
Steve Baranowski is not your typical singer-songwriter. As a guitarist his unusual mixture of rock, pop, jazz, folk and classical is miles away from (and above) the typical three-chord strummer. As a writer, the memorable songs range from absurd to sublime, populated with madmen, superheroes, mystics, zombies and cats. No whiskey and trains to be found. A unique addition to the Austin scene.

Cilantro Boombox: 7pm
Cilantro Boombox’s dance and Afro-Latin based sound organically integrates elements of hip-hop, funk, electronica and traditional Venezuelan music. Danceable percussive beats, infectious bass lines and vibrant horns and synths are some of the hallmarks of Cilantro Boombox’s distinctive fusion of styles.

http://www.facebook.com/cilantroboombox
http://soundcloud.com/cilantroboombox

 

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Posted in Cultura Chicana, DC Chicanos, Reviews, Somos Tejanos

Tomas Q. Morin – Remember That Name

Posted on January 31, 2012 | Comments Off

Back when I was working at the (SW) Texas State University Athletic Academic Center, we hired this young student to serve as an English tutor. Let me tell you, he changed many students’ way of thinking when it came to English composition.

I also remember how he would always write. Yes, I knew he was a poet, but I especially remember how he would write notions, ideas, who knows, maybe even a stanza, on any piece of paper he could find. I had never known someone so committed to his writing. So, when I saw the press release from Texas State University-San Marcos announcing Tomas Morin had won the American Poetry Review prize, I wasn’t surprised, but I’m definitely beaming with pride to see a fellow South Texan accomplish so much. Here’s the story:

By Ann Friou
University News Service
January 31, 2012

Tomás Q. Morín, senior lecturer in English at Texas State University-San Marcos, has been awarded the 2012 American Poetry Review/Honickman First Book Prize for Poetry, for his manuscript A Larger Country.

His book was chosen by this year’s guest judge, poet Tom Sleigh, who will also write an introduction for the book.

The annual American Poetry Review/Honickman First Book Prize in Poetry offers publication of a book of poems, a $3,000 award, and distribution by Copper Canyon Press through Consortium. The purpose of the prize is to encourage excellence in poetry and to provide a wide readership for a deserving first book of poems.

Morín is a Texas native. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Texas State, and a Master of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University. He is the recipient of scholarships from the Fine Arts Work Center, Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference and the New York State Summer Writers Institute, and he was a fellow at the Idyllwild Summer Arts Program.

His poems have appeared in New England Review, Narrative, Boulevard, Slate, Threepenny Review, Best New Poets and elsewhere.

The American Poetry Review is considered the nation’s preeminent poetry publication, and it is the most highly circulated poetry magazine in the world.

The Honickman Foundation and its affiliate, the Honickman Charitable Trust, are dedicated to supporting projects that promote the arts, education, health, social change and heritage.

I still have a Tomas Q. Morin-autographed Persona from TXST where a couple of his poems were published. I cannot wait for the book to be published. Here’s one of my favorite pics (circa ’97?) of us when we had lunch with Arizona-banned author Dagoberto Gilb.

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Posted in DC Chicanos, DC Ojo, Higher Education

Get Your Doomsday Calendar!

Posted on December 23, 2011 | Comments Off

Just a shameless plug for my friend and cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz. My 2012 Doomsday Cartoon Calendar came in today and I just had to show it off and tell you all to buy yours, as well as a few New Year’s gifts for your friends. So, along with that “Virgen de Guadalupe” calendar from your local funeral home,  you should have this one right next to it–because we all gotta laugh.

Order yours online here, or:

Send $20 for one calendar, $35 for two, $50 for three, $65 for four, $75 for five, and $10 more for each one above that.

Make checks payable to EDUARDO LOPEZ and mail to:

LALO ALCARAZ STUDIO, 6745 S. Washington #156, Whittier, CA 90601

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Posted in DC Chicanos, DC Ojo, Your Wallet

Redistricting on the Radio on Tuesday

Posted on November 14, 2011 | Comments Off

Internet radio, that is.

While “The Commish” tends to the redistricting case regarding the Harris County Commissioner’s Court re-draw this week, I will be the “stand-in” on “This Week With Sylvia Garcia” on Tuesday, November 15 at 10 A.M on UCTCRadio.com.

We’ll have the usual cast of VIPs, including State Rep. Ana Hernandez-Luna with the State Report; Congressman Gene Green with the Federal Report; and the Chisme of the Week with Yolanda Black Navarro. The feature segment will be all about the challenges to Republican redistricting–Congressional, State Senate, State Rep., SBOE. Also, we are hoping for a call from The Commish with an update about the local case from the Courthouse.

Of course, because of all of the shenanigans on redistricting, there have been some changes to Primary filing periods, so we’ll have a special guest calling in, Demetria Nelson-McNaulty, who will be providing a clearer picture. If you’re interested in running for office in 2012, this will be a good time to listen to some great information.

Again, 10AM on UCTCRadio.com.

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Posted in Chicano Politics, DC Chicanos, Harris County, Houston Politica, HoustonVotes '11, LatinoVote '11, LatinoVote '12, Redistricting '11

Tagged

Occupy Wall Street by Lalo Alcaraz

Posted on October 13, 2011 | Comments Off

Nationally syndicated cartoonist and activist Lalo Alcaraz just posted his latest creation. He sure is a wizard with the symbolism, huh? Please share.

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Posted in Consumer Affairs, Cultura Chicana, DC Chicanos, Viva La Union, Your Wallet

San Anto: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Gregg Barrios

Posted on September 20, 2011 | Comments Off

My friend, Gregg Barrios, will be appearing in San Antonio this weekend. And I’m not just promoting this because Gregg gives Dos Centavos a mention in his more recent collection of poems, La Causa. It’s a really good read that I open up every day at the office to give me a pick-me-up in these days of rhetoric and madness.

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Posted in Chicano Politics, Cultura Chicana, DC Chicanos, DC Ojo, History Lessons

Over 200 Attend Screening of Longoria Affair at LSC-Kingwood

Posted on November 15, 2010 | Comments Off

Thanks to folks like Professor Raul Reyes and the Student Activities office at Lone Star College-Kingwood, programs like Monday night’s screening of The Longoria Affair are bring offered to suburban communities in North Harris county. And Monday night attracted over 230 students, faculty, and members of the community.

The Longoria Affair, a documentary produced by John Valadez, takes us back to the days of WWII when a Three Rivers, TX soldier by the name of Felix Longoria died in the field of battle. When his widow was making funeral arrangements and requested a wake at the funeral chapel, the funeral home owner did not allow the wake because his white patrons would not like that.

It was this flash point in South Texas history that began a civil rights battle in which South Texas civil rights activist and physician Dr. Hector P. Garcia took on. As the film navigates through the history, which includes the involvement of then-Senator Lyndon Johnson who worked to have Longoria buried at Arlington National Cemetery, one learns but one piece of Mexican American civil rights history, but one that provided what one faculty member at LSC-Kingwood called, “a Rosa Parks moment.”

One part of the film that I found sobering was how Dr. Garcia formed a relationship with LBJ that took almost 20 years to foment some sort of action. From JFK ignoring the fact that the Viva Kennedy clubs were a major reason for winning Texas to constantly sitting on civil rights legislation, it was not until LBJ became President that the Voting Rights Act provided for a real voice for Mexican Americans, as well as Johnson’s  appointment of Latinos to positions of importance in his administration.

If there are some folks locally (Latinos included) who want to learn about the road Texas Latinos have taken to where we are now, then this is a must-see. One may view it on PBS right now. Or you can go to the website and try to work out your own screening including the producer himself, John Valadez.

I met Valadez and one can honestly see that as an independent filmmaker, he has put in some laborious hours of love into this film. The fact that it made it to PBS and he is just finishing up a 40+ city tour in less than two months shows he has achieved much, thus far. And those of us in the activist community must continue to help him spread those pesky truths that our elected officials and a few educators attempt to avoid, and thus repeat the past.

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Posted in Chicanos on Screen, Cultura Chicana, DC Chicanos, History Lessons, LatinoVote '10, Para La Gente

Dia de los Muertos Poetry Reading in the Heights

Posted on October 28, 2010 | Comments Off

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Posted in DC Chicanos, DC Ojo, La Familia, Oportunidades, Para La Gente, Wise Latinas

Carlos Guerra Day in SA – Dinner on 9-24

Posted on September 12, 2010 | 1 Comment

My friends, this is one event and fundraiser worthy of your financial support. Can you give $10, $50, $100? And if you can give more, even better! Carlos Guerra has committed to endowing a scholarship in his name for the Texas A&M Kingsville Communications/Theatre Arts Department to help South Texas kids get their start at a top-notch South Texas university. Carlos is committed to creating the next generation of media talent and this endeavor is just the beginning.  Buy your tickets here.

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Posted in DC Chicanos, DC Ojo, Higher Education, Your Wallet

Cheech Takes 3rd on Celebrity Jeopardy; Donates Winnings to HSF

Posted on May 7, 2010 | Comments Off

Thanks to the folks at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund for the heads up.  This is awesome news.

ACTOR/COMEDIAN CHEECH MARIN FINISHES THIRD IN
‘JEOPARDY!’  MILLION DOLLAR CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL

WINS TOTAL $150,000 FOR THE HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (MAY 7, 2010) –– Today, actor/comedian Cheech Marin (“Cheech & Chong” and “Lost”) placed third in the “Jeopardy!” Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament, winning $100,000 for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) for this final round.

HSF is the nation’s leading Hispanic scholarship organization and provides support to Hispanic families and students through education workshops, scholarships, college retention and career opportunities. Frank Alvarez, president and CEO of HSF, said, “Cheech has long believed in the importance of Latino college completion.  By choosing us as his nonprofit partner, he is helping low income, academically qualified Latinos realize their dreams.”

Marin’s total “Jeopardy’ wins of $150,000 will help fund students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in performing arts and entertainment.  A longtime advocate of HSF and board member, Marin said, “This generous donation will have such an enormous impact on the American landscape.  HSF empowers and educates so many worthy Latinos.”

Marin faced off in the finals against actress/comedienne Jane Curtin (“SNL,” “3rd Rock from the Sun” and “Kate & Allie”) and actor Michael McKean (“Laverne and Shirley” and star of Broadway’s “Superior Donuts”).  McKean placed first and won the $1 million grand prize on behalf of the International Myeloma Foundation, and Curtin came in second and received a quarter million dollars for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.  These earnings are in addition to the $50,000 each received during the quarterfinals.

Host Alex Trebek said, “I think it’s really remarkable that Cheech Marin, who won our very first Celebrity “Jeopardy!” competition 18 years ago, hasn’t lost a step.  In fact, he not only made the finals of the Celebrity Invitational, but he is the only player who came up with the correct Final “Jeopardy!” response in the deciding game.  He should be congratulated on his fine performance.”

Since its September kick-off, the tournament has hosted 27 celebrity contestants who competed in a series of monthly quarterfinal matches.  A total of over $2.5 million has been donated to local and national charities selected by the stars.

“Jeopardy!,” the winner of 28 Emmy awards since its debut in 1984, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with nearly 9 million daily viewers. “Jeopardy!” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp.

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Posted in DC Chicanos, DC Ojo, El Mundo