Transitando Mundos

 

Transitando Mundos was a performance by SPAN 480 students at the University of Hawai'i and Manoa. Professor Aranzazu "Arantxa" Ascunce, director Frances Mammana and assistant director Ivonne Chambi guided the performers in giving the UH community a glimpse into Spanish literature and history.

 

The artistic performance featured Spanish students from México, Puerto Rico, Peru and Hawaii. The diversity added a strong and meaningful element to the audience, bringing the essence of Spain to Hawaii.

 

This was truly an amazing performance, it brought out and highlighted the creative side of some of my colleagues and friends Tyson Umberger, Rubén Cruz, Olivia Sanchez and Miguel Vieira. Bravo! 

For more photos, click here.

Guamanian poet Craig Santos Perez to read his work at Mercury Bar this Wednesday

Guamanian poet Craig Santos Perez will be reading his work this Wednesday at the Mercury Bar. Tinfish Press, headed by University of Hawaii at Manoa professor Susan Schultz, coordinated his Honolulu appearance as part of the UHM English department's M.I.A. Art & Literary Series monthly event. "We teach his poetry here at UH Manoa, this would be a great opportunity for students to meet the actual poet who wrote the poems they read in class," said Schultz.

Schultz gave LR the opportunity to "peek" into her class, where Perez surprised her students and read some of his comedic essays. Stay tuned for a Q&A session with the established poet. Till then, check him out at the Mercury Bar this Wednesday, May 12th at 7:30 p.m.

If These Walls Could Talk

Last week was full of community Latin events! At the University of Hawaii, we had an art tour led by Laura Ruby, lectures and workshops in which students were enlightened by Barcelona muralist Dr. Josep Minguell and California spray can artist and activist Refa One. 

Dr. Josep Minguell was instantly inspired by Spanish graduate assistant Olulaniokamanu Bicoy and her graceful hula performance. After digesting the island's beaches, strong winds and friendly people, he brought Hawaii full circle with his Hawaiian inspirations by using Mediterranean pigments from a volcano, using elements such as his signature "eyes." 

Refa One enlightened students on how spray can art can be implemented into education systems and produce a positive income. Controversial issues on "grafitti" aside, Refa One explained that spray can art is his method of keeping kids off the street in his neighborhood. 

On Friday, professor Aranzazu "Arantxa" Ascunce closed the week with an unveiling of murals produced by both artists. Students were also entertained by latin DJ and bachata guru Alberto Papi (look for him on Facebook!) and had the opportunity to create a mural of their own. 

Here's LR with her pals hula musa Olu Bicoy & medium brown girl Jessica de la Paz, enjoying the night and celebrating another great week of Hispanic events at UH Manoa! 

SHOUTOUTS TO: Alberto Papi, Jessica from Latinflava and Ka Lamakua. Good networking with all of you. 

If These Walls Could Talk

Here's a peek at what to look forward to next week: IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK. My professor, Aranzazu "Arantxa" Ascunce organized a weekful of art events: an art tour, lecture, bilingual dialogue, workshop and a mural unveiling event at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Ascunce, along with the help of the UH Manoa Spanish Department and Spanish undergraduate students, worked hard to bring these artists to the islands and organize events for the entire UH and Honolulu community to not only enjoy but learn about how two different art styles can fuse into one. 

These events feature muralist Dr. Josep Minguell from Barcelona and urban graffiti artist Refa One from Oakland, California. These educational events will conclude with a mural in which both artists combine classical and revolutionary artistic styles.

If you haven't spotted it yet...(FLIER ART: LATINRAMEN.COM)...Ms. LATINRAMEN designed the flier so it's guaranteed to be LATIN and fun! I'll definitely be covering the events so lots of posts coming up!

For more information, contact Aranzazu "Arantxa" Ascunce at aranzazu@hawaii.edu.

Taking it back to the old school - really old school!

Rapping Spanish poetry from Brandi Nohealani Salas on Vimeo.

There's nothing I love more than putting a new spin on some old material.

Es una estrategia ingenioso para gozar las obras de los Siglos de Oro. ¡Especialmente cuando hay dos mujeres graciosos! Esto es una actuación de el Romance XI: Al buen empleo del tiempo que fue escrito por Sor Marcela de San Félix. Las cantantes de rap son: Marsha Cordes y Rebekah Garrison. Las dos cantantes han terminado sus examenes de maestría y parecen que decidieron a gozar su clase de poesía (después de meses de estudiando).

Chicharrones Choke Chicana Child to Death (in Chino)

She's poet, writer, social commentator and a former producer for the George Lopez show, her name is Michele Serros, a blunt Chicana (falsa) from Oxnard, California. As part of Hispanic Heritage Week, one of my classmates Marsha Cordes, arranged for Serros to speak and share her writing with students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Serros read her obras, or poetry and short stories, with a raspy Chicana accent gently poking fun at her own culture through flashbacks of her choking on chicharrones and analyzing frozen veggies at the grocery store. Memories all tracing back to her vivid childhood made us laugh and sometimes snicker at how strangely familiar they were to our own childhood. The way she delivered her experiences of naiveté and fitting in sparked a little mini-Serros in all of us.

"I was told my work was not universal enough," Serros said, explaining how difficult it was to find a voice that suited mainstream society. It was a good thing she didn't change her voice, although influenced by Judy Blume novels, Serros' has such a tight grasp on capturing an audience and delivering her works with an original yet somewhat familiar style.

This is the real Michele Serros, who made her way down to Honolulu to share what some may not have known about being "Chicana."

Haute Fiber

I personally designate this gallery "Haute Fiber," not only because it proudly boasts the word "innovative," but also because it is one of the sassiest exhibits I've seen throughout my years at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. It's satisfying to know that we are among creative and innovative people that can create such beautiful objects and concepts that stem from a certain inspiration.

The Commons Gallery at the UH Manoa Art Building room 141 caught my eye today. This is an awesome exhibit for students to display their work, this theme was more like a fashion challenge in which they had to use different fibers to construct a decent yet artistic garment.

Here we have Courtney Baughman's "Ballgown," which is made of yellow and white softball covers stitched together with red ribbon. On the card, she's quoted saying, "This piece is made of softballs which has been a big part of my life. The style of the dress reflects more about my personality (girly, flirty, light-hearted and fun)."

This ensemble is one of my favorites in the gallery. The shape and volume of the skirt takes my breath away.

This playful piece was created by Ida Kawailani Leonardi and is called "Hula pa'u." She describes the piece, "Inspired by Hula dancers and Hula Kahiko or Ancient/Traditional Hula. Kapa was a fiber sometimes used for clothing and hula pa'u (skirts) in ancient Hawaii."

There's a lot more to see in this gallery, check it out at the UH Manoa Art Building Commons Gallery 141.

Tamales Workshop

As part of Hispanic Heritage Week, UH Manoa's Sigma Delta Pi and Spanish Club hosted a culinary workshop featuring tamales! Giovanni Torres, one of the chefs at La Mariachi in Kaneohe drove down to Manoa to show us how he makes authentic tamales. Some ingredients that are used for tamales are seasoned meat (pollo, carnitas, etc.), queso, masa y maíz.

As you can see, the students had fun making their own tamales and modifying it according to their preferences.

Our next event will be a Zumba fitness class at UH Manoa's Hemenway Hall 208 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Come and break a sweat with a fusion of international music and latin dance moves. Meanwhile, here's a peek at what the ideal Zumba workout entails: