Spring events showcase Hispanic, Latino cultures

2:53 p.m., Feb. 27, 2004--A look at dictatorship in the Caribbean, an examination of the Latina experience in America and a celebration of the rich heritage of music from Mexico are among the events scheduled for spring semester by UD’s Office of Hispanic and Latin American Concerns.

Events include:

“La Fiesta del Chivo,” Saturday, March 6, bus trip to the Spanish Repertory Theatre in New York City to see the critically acclaimed production of the story of Rafael Leonidas Truijillo, the general who subdued the Dominican Republic in a cruel dictatorship that lasted from 1930-61. The story is told by Urania, whose father was part of the Trujillo administration and who is returning to the island after 35 years. The bus will leave the Trabant University Center at 8:30 a.m. and will arrive in New York for shopping and lunch before the 3 p.m. matinee. Tickets, which may be purchased in 326 Smith Hall, are $25 for students and $40 for faculty. The event is sponsored by the UD’s Latin American Studies Program.

“Masters of Mexican Music,” 3 p.m., Sunday, March 14, Mitchell Hall. The performers, through lively music, song and dance, performers give audiences a rare opportunity to experience the rich diversity of style and sound from four distinct regional Mexican musical traditions. The group combines the sounds of the guitar-infused mariachi of Jalisco, the harp-inspired jarocho of Veracruz, the accordion-based conjunto of the Texas-Mexican border and the xylophone-founded marimba of southern Mexico. The concert is presented by UD’s Performing Arts Series. For more information and tickets, call 831-2204.

“Yo Soy Latina,” at a time to be announced, Tuesday, March 30, Mitchell Hall. Featuring six Latina characters, the hit play has something to offer for Latina women who have felt that they could never measure up to the finely airbrushed images that the media offers them. Through stories flavored with the Latina experience, they are encouraged to think about how they identify themselves as Latin women living in America.

“Te Conozco Bacalao,” 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, at a place to be announced. A workshop led by lecturer William Cruz, who earned two bachelor’s degrees at Rutgers University and a master's degree in electrical engineering at Cornell University. In the workshop, Cruz addresses the differences in nonverbal and verbal communication styles between Latinos and European Americans, and how these differences can cause misperceptions and misinterpretation, leading to misunderstanding in the workplace.

“Latino Students of Distinction,” 7-9 p.m., Friday, May 7, Clayton Hall. The event honors outstanding achievement among Hispanic and Latin-American students at UD and is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs.

HOLA (Hispanic Organization for Latino Americans) meetings, 5 p.m., Wednesdays, 209/211 Trabant University Center. HOLA is looking for students to assist the organization in its mission to improve the quality of life for Latino/Hispanic students at UD.

For more information, call 831-2991 or 831-0229. To request disability accommodations call at least 10 business days in advance of the program or event.

Article by Jerry Rhodes

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