Monday, October 24, 2011

Understanding Afro-Puerto Rican and Other Afro-Latin@ Cultures

Community calendar Understanding Afro-Puerto Rican and Other Afro-Latin@ Cultures Winner of the 2011 American Book Award Presenters: Miriam Jiménez Román and Juan Flores Book signing by Editors of The Afro-Latin@ Reader Discussants: Karen-Juanita Carillo and Natasha Gordon-Chipembere Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m. Faculty Dining Room West Building, 8th Floor Hunter College, NYC Events are subject to change. For update information visit us at centropr.hunter.cuny.edu or call (212) 396-6545. Centro Events are free of charge.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Serrano Urges Inclusion of All Puerto Ricans in Status Plebiscite

Politics Says the Serrano Amendment Must Be Included as in the Past Washington, DC – Congressman José E. Serrano has urged the inclusion of all Puerto Rican-born people in a status plebiscite, regardless of where they now reside. This plebiscite condition, known as the Serrano Amendment, has been attached to virtually every consensus status bill since the 1990s. Serrano said “excluding people who left the island for economic or social reasons in the past silences a segment of the Puerto Rican family which deserves to weigh in on a final status arrangement.” “From the time I came to Congress and began to work on the status issue, I have always said that those Puerto Ricans who are now living off the island must be included in any decision on the final permanent status,” said Serrano. “I reached out to the political leaders in Puerto Rico today to remind them that this provision has been part of every consensus bill over the past decade, and has been agreed to by all political parties. “The inclusion of all native-born Puerto Ricans is not about loading the vote for one option or another, but rather about fairness and justice. Many of us left the island not because we wanted to, but rather because our families had to make difficult economic choices. We do not now ask to be part of local political decisions, but this final status question transcends normal political questions and deserves our input as part of the Puerto Rican diaspora. “The political parties in Puerto Rico, which are so divided on so many things, have historically agreed on the Serrano Amendment. I fail to see what has changed in this current situation that prevents the Serrano Amendment from being part of the plan for the plebiscite. Some have mentioned the White House Task Force; to them I say, let Puerto Ricans choose their plan for this plebiscite and not make decisions that exclude anyone from the process. “It is long past time for the Puerto Rican people to say to the federal government with one united voice that it is time for a change. Besides the Serrano Amendment, this is something that all the parties agree on: the current situation cannot continue. Let’s begin the process of changing the status to one of respect and dignity, whatever form that may take. We must unite around the idea that our people, both on and off the island, deserve the right to determine our own future. Whatever their decision is, it deserves to be taken seriously by the federal government. Surely we all agree both on and off the island, that Puerto Rico has been in limbo too long and it’s time for a change. ### source: press release from Serrano's office Editor's note: What do you think? Should Puerto Rican-born people who moved out the island be allowed to participate in a status plebiscite?

Monday, October 03, 2011

'Re-Imaginings'

Community calendar “Re-Imaginings” Photographic Art Exhibit in conjunction with the HOLAfestival Series of Staged Play Readings as official event of the NYC Latin Media & Entertainment Week The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA), the nation’s longest running active arts advocacy organization for Latino actors, is proud to present "Re-imaginings," a photographic art exhibit, in conjunction with the HOLAfestival series of staged play readings. Both the photographic exhibit and the staged play readings feature and showcase the talent of HOLA members and both will take place at the Abrazo Interno Gallery located at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (CSV), 107 Suffolk Street (between Rivington and Delancey streets) in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center Inc. is a Puerto Rican/Latino cultural institution whose mission is focused on the cultivation, presentation, and preservation of Puerto Rican and Latino culture. "Re-imaginings" in conjunction with the HOLAfestival is an official event of the NYC Latin Media & Entertainment Week (October 3-9). The opening reception for the photo exhibit and staged play readings will take place on Monday, October 3 at 6 pm. The gallery is open to the public from 3:30-10 pm daily and admission to both the photo exhibit and staged readings is free, although reservations for the staged readings are preferred. For more information, or to RSVP, call HOLA at (212) 253-1015 or go to www.hellohola.org. The HOLAfestival was originally created in 1983 and ran until 1990 as a series of theatrical productions and musical evenings featuring HOLA members. In 2011, HOLA decided to revive the HOLAfestival as a series of staged play readings by HOLA member-playwrights and featuring HOLA members in each cast. The playwrights for the 2011 HOLAfestival, curated by HOLA Associate Director A.B. Lugo (http://about.me/ablugo), include Lina Gallegos, Mel Nieves, Tere Martínez, Anthony Ruiz, A.B. Lugo and Oscar A. Colón. "Re-imaginings" is a photographic exhibit that takes iconic television cast images and "re-imagines" them showing Latino actors from HOLA’s ranks as part of the re-imagined cast. The exhibit’s unifying theme is that of visualizing a world where Latino actors were already more fully integrated into the mainstream entertainment culture, as they have been into the nation’s population. The duplication of iconic cast images for such shows as “Seinfeld,” “Friends,” “All in the Family,” and “Sex and the City,” among others, strikes a visual chord of familiarity while also serving to show how seamlessly a Latino actor could be integrated into the various shows' universal themes of the human experience. "Re-imaginings" was conceived by multi-media writer and producer Maria Nieto (http://about.me/MariaFernandaNieto) and is jointly curated by Ms. Nieto along with the exhibit’s photographer Luis Carle (www.LuisCarle.com) and HOLA (www.HelloHola.org). "Re-Imaginings" Photo Exhibit Abrazo Interno Gallery, 107 Suffolk Street, 2nd Floor, NYC On view from 3:30-10 pm Free admission source: HOLA

Friday, September 30, 2011

Enter book giveaway: 'The Rising Moon' by Nilsa Rodriguez

The Reading Corner Nilsa Rodriguez is a member of the PRSUN online network. She is also the author of "The Rising Moon," a young adult paranormal romance novel, published by Black Dove Publishing. Her debut novel was released on Sept 12th. Enter new giveaway to get an autographed copy of Nilsa's book and more. To get a taste, view the book trailer: Book summary: How many lives must you live to realize that love is stronger than time and death? Orphaned at the age of five, Angelia (Lia) Lafosse was left with questions about whom and what she truly was. One thing was clear. Lia was different…some might even say cursed. With the help of her best friend, Ryan Woodruff, she begins to unlock the secrets of her family's past and discover answers that prove more startling than she ever imagined. Not only was she a werewolf, but a reincarnation of the immortal werewolf, a werewolf with immense powers beyond any of her kind. A werewolf that if discovered by the Lobison’s to have returned, can jeopardize both Lia and those she love. Torn between Lyle Ulric, the charming werewolf whose bloodline is as ancient and powerful as her own. And Adam Ambrose, the mysterious and alluring vampire who’s determined not to allow fate or anyone tear their love apart again. Lia has to make a choice… Destiny or Love…Run or Fight…Live or Die About the author: Born and raised in New Jersey, Nilsa Rodriguez now lives in beautiful and sunny Florida along with her husband and son where you can find her writing well into the night on her next novel. Being an author is quite literally a dream come true for a girl who spent every childhood moment escaping to far away lands and wondering into enchanted forests through the many books she’s read growing up and still enjoy to this very day. To enter giveaway, email clarisel(at)puertoricosun.com. Send your name and mailing address. Giveaway winner will get a signed copy with book swag as well as bookmark, postcard, button and stickers. First come first served. To order Nilsa's book, the title has been added to the PRSUN aStore too. The PRSUN aStore features books, music and more that highlight Puerto Rican and Latino writers and artists. Congratulations to Nilsa. Thanks for being part of our network.