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Department of

Languages and Literatures

Actividades culturales

Calendario de primavera 2013

Please use contact info to verify that event has not been canceled or moved.

Tequila Talk: Two Nations Invisible: Mexico, the U.S., and the Road Ahead

Where: UCSD: Institute of the Americas Complex, Weaver Center
When: Apr. 30
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost: Free (Registration required)
Contact: (858) 453-5560 | usmex@ucsd.edu

Please note that all guests must be over the age of 21 since alcohol will be served.

In light of the upcoming President Obama’s visit to Mexico in May, Dr. Shannon O’Neil –an expert on U.S. policy towards Mexico– will share her prospects in regards to this awaited official visit. In addition, Dr. O’Neill will introduce her latest book, Two Nations Indivisible, which tells the story of the making of modern Mexico, and what it means for the U.S. At the end of the talk she will be available for book signing.

O'Neil's expertise includes U.S.-Latin America relations, trade, energy, and immigration. She was a Fulbright scholar; a Justice, Welfare, and Economics Fellow at Harvard University; and has taught Latin American politics at Columbia University. She holds a BA from Yale University, an MA in International Relations from Yale University, and a PhD in Government from Harvard University.Special thanks to the Institute of the Americas for co-sponsoring this event.

Canada and the Americas: A Partnership for Global Competitiveness

Where: UCSD: Institute of the Americas Complex, Weaver Center
When: May 1
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: $40 students (Registration required)
Contact: (858) 453-5560 | usmex@ucsd.edu

The Institute of the Americas will hold a conference to examine how collaboration with Canada can help us to build North American competitiveness within the hemisphere, Asia, and emerging markets.  With our integrated supply chains, Canada, the United States, and Mexico manufacture together. Through our mutual strengths, resource endowments and capacities for innovation, we can re-establish North America as the leading economic engine of growth in the world.

This conference will expose Southern California business leaders and academics to the latest in Canadian business and academic thinking on North America competitiveness, as well as provide a forum for Canadian businesses to network with the San Diego-Tijuana region high tech business center.

Cajon Classic Cruise - Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Where: City of El Cajon at Main Street and Magnolia
When: May 1
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: (619) 334-3000 | mmclure@downtownelcajon.com

Downtown El Cajon Business Partners host a Cinco de Mayo celebration with entertainment from Flamenco with Roots, a display of awesome lowriders, and a flyover by the San Diego Air Group.

Attracting more than 200 cars and drawing hundreds of visitors, this event features a weekly theme for visitors to view the best theme cars on the Prescott Promenade while strolling through downtown.

Visitors can enjoy dinner and drink specials from local restaurants, bounce houses for the kids, and delights from street vendors including kettle corn and hot dogs.

Fiesta del A-Lista

Where: The Anthenaeum Music and Arts Library
When: May 2
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Members, $10; non-members, $12
Contact: (619) 334-3000 | mmclure@downtownelcajon.com

Please note that all guests must be over the age of 21 since alcohol will be served.

Kick off Cinco de Mayo early with the vivid colors, movable sculpture, and intricate jewelry of the 2012 San Diego Art Prize Recipients' vibrant art. Red Pony Clock, a 13-piece avant-garde mariachi-influenced band, will sculpt the sound in the music room, providing rich, intricate music with a Mexican tint. Spin and buy vintage vinyl in the Athenaeum's mini-vinyl shop and dance and talk the night away at the Athenaeum A List.

30th Annual Fiesta Cinco de Mayo

Where: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
When: May 3 | May 4 | May 5
Time: 5-10 p.m. | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: (619) 334-3000 | mmclure@downtownelcajon.com

The spiciest weekend of the year will be “hot, hot, hot” as Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo celebrates 30 years! Continuing the success of the 2012 celebration, this FREE festival extravaganza will once again extend from two to three days of dynamic “fiesta-ing” The 30th Annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo will be going all out in 2013 by closing down the entire Historic Old Town area and transforming the streets into the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the border.

This FREE Fiesta will feature three stages with live entertainment, over 40 bands, traditional ballet folklorico dancers, Lucha Libre performances, equestrian shows, a mercado with over 100 retail and food booths, beer garden and Lowrider Lane!

San Diego Museum of Art | Latin American Art: An Eclectic View of Nationally Recognized Artists

Where: 707 Broadway, 18th floor, downtown San Diego
When: May 4
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $20
Contact: (619) 232-7931

Join the Latin American Arts Council for a viewing of a personal collection of artwork. The pieces were acquired from 1980-2008 and includes works from Mexico, Argentina, and many other countries.

Sponsored by the Latin American Arts Council.

Short Films from the Latino Film Festival

Where: Balboa Park (1649 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101)
When: May 5
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $1
Contact: (619) 238-7559

A collection of fun, vivacious, and short films perfect for children and adults alike.

Avientate (The Big Jump) (2012, 3 min., Mexico)
Bajo la Almohanda (2012, 8 min, Basque Country)
Cardboard Camera (2012, 19 min., USA)
Condenados (2011, 11 min, Spain)
Defective (2012, 8 min., Mexico)
Facundo the Great (2012, 2 min., USA)
How Jimmy Got Leverage (2012, 12 min, USA)
Me Llamo Haiti (2012, 28 min, Haiti)

San Diego Museum of Art | Coronado Library Tour

Where: Coronado Library
When: May 6
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: (619) 232-7931

Tour of the Coronado Library's art collection and private viewing of the Ramos Martínez murals. Alfredo Ramos Martínez (November 12, 1871 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico – November 8, 1946 in Los Angeles) was a painter, muralist, and educator, who lived and worked in Mexico, Paris, and Los Angeles. Considered by many to be the "Father of Mexican Modernism," Ramos Martínez is best known for his serene and empathetic paintings of traditional Mexican people and scenes. As the renowned Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío wrote, "Ramos Martínez is one of those who paints poems; he does not copy, he interprets; he understands how to express the sorrow of the fisherman and the melancholy of the village.”

Sponsored by the East County Chapter.

17th Annual Sr. Sally Furay Lecture: Keynote Speaker, Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan
The Road Ahead: Putting U.S.-Mexico Relations on a Strategic Footing

Where: Kroc IPJ Theatre
When: May 9
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free (Registration required)
Contact: (619) 260-4166 | transborder@sandiego.edu

Every spring, the Trans-Border Institute (TBI) pays tribute to Sister Sally Furay, whose vision and leadership inspired its creation, as well as the creation of the Center for Community Service-Learning. The Annual Sr. Sally Furay Lecture is a celebration of her extraordinary accomplishments. As part of this event, TBI has hosted a variety of keynote speakers such as former Mexican president Vicente Fox, renowned political analyst Denise Dresser, and Assemblywoman Hon. Lori Saldaña.

The lecture this year will feature keynote speaker Arturo Sarukhan, the former Mexican Ambassador to the United States under President Felipe Calderón's administration. Ambassador Sarukhan will speak on the current state of U.S.-Mexican relations, including a look at how its evolved, what has been achieved over time, and milestones that have been reached in recent years. As well, Ambassador Sarukhan will address the impending challenges and opportunities that arise with the deepening of bilateral ties and relations between the countries.

About Ambassador Sarukhan: The grandson of conflict refugees in Mexico, Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan is a career diplomat; he received the rank of Career Ambassador in 2006. He first served in the Foreign Ministry as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs. He was posted to the Mexican Embassy in the United States in 1993, where he served as Chief of Staff and then as head of the Counternarcotics office. In 2000, he was designated Chief of Policy Planning at the Foreign Ministry, and in 2003 was appointed by the President as Mexican Consul-General to New York City. In 2006, after requesting a leave of absence from the Foreign Service, he joined the Presidential Campaign of Felipe Calderón as Foreign Policy Advisor and International Spokesperson. He then became coordinator of the foreign policy Transition Team for then President-elect Calderón. He served as Mexican Ambassador to the United States for half a dozen years, from 2007 to 2013. During his tenure he became the Dean of the Group of Latin American Ambassadors (GRULA) to the US. Ambassador Sarukhan holds a B.A. in International Relations from El Colegio de México and an M.A. in U.S. Foreign Policy from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University, where he was a Fulbright Scholar and Ford Foundation Fellow. He has been decorated by the governments of Spain and Sweden, and has received several awards in recognition for his diplomatic achievements. Ambassador Sarukhan sits and participates on several boards and task forces with NGO’s, think-tanks and academic institutions. He was the first Ambassador accredited to Washington to use Twitter, is a music junkie, and a rabid soccer player and fan. Ambassador Sarukhan is married and has two young daughters. He lives in Washington, DC.

Ongoing

poster of elements of the exhibition: photos and various types of basketsExhibition:  Kumeyaay: Native Californians

Where: Balboa Park: San Diego Museum of Man
Hours: Daily, 10-4:30
Cost: Students with ID: $7.50
Phone: (619) 239-2001

The Kumeyaay, or Diegueño (as they were later called by the Spanish), are the Native American people of present-day Southern California (San Diego and western Imperial Counties) and Northern Baja. For many generations before the arrival of the Spanish, they occupied the deserts, mountains, and coasts, developing sophisticated means of adapting to the diverse environments. With the arrival of Spanish settlers in the mid-1700s, Kumeyaay lifeways had to change and adapt, often by force.

The exhibit explores traditional Kumeyaay lifeways, featuring the art of pottery and basket making, food procurement, dress and adornment, traditional medicine, games, and ceremonies. Artifacts and photographs from the museum’s collection highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Kumeyaay, offering a glimpse of the life of the ancestors of today’s present day people. The exhibit remains popular with school groups from throughout the county.

 

Flamenco Dinner Shows

Where: Café Sevilla
Hours: Saturdays, 7 p.m. (through 2/1/14)
Cost: $47.50
Phone: (619) 239-2001

Café Sevilla is home to the longest running Flamenco Dinner Show in Southern California. A high intensity Flamenco dance performance is coupled with a three course authentic Spanish dinner. Perfect for Saturday date night.

Sevilla is best known for combining three distinct environments under one roof: the authentic Tapas Bar, the casually elegant dining room featuring award-winning Spanish cuisine, and the lively nightclub with live music and dancing seven nights a week.

Permanent

areito borincano logo Dance Workshop

Where: Queen Bee Art and Cultural Center
When: Every Saturday
Time: 11 a.m.
Cost: $5
Contact: Edwin Monclova, 619 987 6653 | areitoborincano@yahoo.com

Areito Borincano is dedicated to the promotion, education, research, and conservation of the Afro-Puerto Rican tradition (Bomba). It is a non-profit organization offering weekly dance and music workshops, stage performances, collaborations with other Afro-centric groups and yearly workshops with selected Master Teachers.

The organization is an ensemble of talented artists, musicians, young professionals, and university students who have poured their hearts and souls into sharing their passion for Puerto Rican traditional Culture.

 

Mayan statuette Exhibition:  Maya: Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth

Where: Balboa Park: San Diego Museum of Man
Hours: Daily, 10-4:30
Cost: Students with ID: $7.50
Phone: (619) 239-2001

The ancient Maya tamed time. They could reckon dates far into the past and into the future by using cycles of the moon, the sun, and the planet Venus. More than a thousand years ago, they carved important dates, names of their rulers, and ceremonial events in their hieroglyphic writing on stone monuments in southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.

The huge Maya monuments displayed in the Rotunda Gallery are casts of the originals from Quirigua, a site in Guatemala. The casts were made for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and have been on display since then, except during World War II, when the Navy turned the Museum into a hospital. Today these casts are studied by researchers who are tracing the history of the Maya through their hieroglyphic writing. The Museum’s casts are in better condition than the originals, which have suffered some weathering and erosion in the 95 years since the casts were made.

The current exhibition includes a 42-foot-wide mural of a rainforest set in the time after the Maya Classic Period (C.E. 250-900), when the great ceremonial centers became overgrown by the jungle. In the center of the mural is the lofty ceiba tree, the sacred model for the Maya cosmos. Brilliant birds, and animals such as monkeys and jaguars, are represented, as well as elements from many Maya sites.

A frequent misconception is that the Maya no longer exist. Not so—their descendants continue to carry on many of the traditions and cultural traits of their ancestors through their weaving, woodcarving, and ceramics. The Museum’s conservation of the monumental casts offers us an opportunity to present the Maya as a cultural continuum.

In the Future