Mona AlvaradoFrazier
By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor
“Our history defines and strengthens us,” said Alejandro Fernandez, the famous Mexican singer, when narrating the recent four-hour mini-series on the History Channel. It is important to know that the designation for Hispanic Heritage Month is symbolic. It begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico declared its independence on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept.18. The month ends on Oct. 15 each year.
Several community activities have occurred during September to commemorate Latino heritage: festivals, parades, art shows, and speaker presentations. In addition, schedule these ‘not to be missed’ literary and historical activities for yourself and/or your children during October.
Sandra Cisneros new book, “Have You Seen Marie?” debuts on Oct. 2, 2012. She writes, “I wanted to write a book that would help heal other people who are in pain from a death. I was living through that pain myself, and writing the story helped me to feel transformed by my mother’s death, to feel her presence rather than her absence. And I wanted to write about that so that other people who were suffering would understand that, when you have a loss, your heart is broken open but it’s also open to things of the spirit and to things of beauty, if you pay attention.”
An Evening with Sandra Cisneros in conversation with Hector Tobar (LA Times Columnist and author of “The Barbarian Nurseries “discusses her new book, Have You Seen Marie? They will be in Santa Monica, Bergamot Station, Track 16, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Bldg C-1 Santa Monica, CA 90404 on Oct. 10, 2012 Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, 8 p.m.
Bless Me, Ultima, a novel by Rudolfo Anaya, has recently released as a movie. His young protagonist, Antonio Márez y Luna tells the story of his coming-of-age with the guidance of his curandera, mentor, and protector, Ultima. The novel became the most widely read and critically acclaimed novel in the Chicano literary canon since its first publication in 1972.
Cal Lutheran University celebrates with a Dia de la Raza festival on Oct. 10, 2012 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Pulitzer Prize recipient, Junot Diaz, author of ‘The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao’ (one of my favorites) presents at CSU Channel Islands on Oct. 11, 2012. If you haven’t made your reservations yet do so now at http://www.csuci.edu/crc/
“Ulama: The Game of Life and Death” will be at the Museum of Ventura County on Oct. 13, 2012. This is an English subtitled documentary of one of the oldest Pre-Columbian recreational activities.
“An Afternoon with Gustavo Arellano,” author of TACO USA, to be presented at the Museum of Ventura County on Oct. 14, 2012. Lecture followed by book signing by OC Weekly editor and nationally syndicated “Ask A Mexican” columnist Gustavo Arellano.
— Mona AlvaradoFrazier is a writer. To see more of her work, visit http://www.alvaradofrazier.com