U.S. Intercultural Perspectives Cultural Events

Cultural events have been among the most popular assignments in this class. Students usually comment on how valuable the experience outside the classroom is; many of them talk about how the events help to make some of the readings come alive and how some of the class readings and discussions affect their experiences of the events. During the course of the semester you will have the opportunity to attend two cultural events and then report on those events in a short paper. The event you choose must reflect one of the cultures we study and it must be performed by members of that culture. Each event must come from a different culture out of the three we study in this class; in other words, you can attend a Native American event and an Asian American event, but not two Asian American events. This web page will contain an ongoing list of events which will count. If you notice any possible events, announce them in class and post them on the class list, and we will decide as a class if the event is appropriate. If you're on a tight budget, free and low-cost events will be available. And for those of you who take 18 units and hold down two jobs, there will also be appropriate events available.

This semester I'm proposing a change in the definition of cultural event to include cultural organizations. This means that one of your papers must be on a cultural event (play, gallery showing, concert, dance), but for your second paper, you may choose either a second cultural event or an organization based in that culture. The organization must be in Tucson or its environs and must in some way advance and support the culture in which it is based. Some examples of possible organizations on campus are APACR, the Asian Pacific American Cultural/Resource Center; TPU, Tribal People United; and MEChA, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. Again,a list of possibilities will be posted here. If you decide to report on an organization, you will need contact people. Remember that this may take more time and planning than just showing up at an event.

If you want to see what the University of Arizona is doing to support multiculturalism, then check out the web site for the Diversity Action Council.

Paper Requirements - three type-written double-spaced pages. Be sure to include all of the following components:

1) Write a paragraph or two describing the event/organization. Assume the role of journalist; you're trying to give your reader a clear summary that is both detailed and concise.

2)  Discuss your reactions to the event through your own analysis and critique. In other words, don't just tell me you liked what you saw or were bored.Include some kind of research and cite your sources. Aim for approximately three sources. Your research doesn't necessarily have to be in this part of the paper, but please include it somewhere. If you go to see the Ballet Folklorico, find out more about one of the stories performed, find out more about the history of the ballet.

3) Finally, write about how this particular event has affected your understanding of the culture and how the event relates to the readings and discussions in class.

Here are some questions designed to jumpstart your thoughts:
1. Why did you choose this particular event? What interested/intrigued you?
2. What did you expect? Were you pleasantly surprised or somewhat disappointed? Why?
3. What further questions about the culture did this event spark?

The first paper is due Wednesday, 15 October. The second is due Wednesday, 12 November. For an example of a well-written paper, just click right here.

Heard Museum in Phoenix. This museum is one of the best in the nation for Native American art. You'll find museum hours and admission (free on Wednesdays from 5-8pm), directions, a calendar of events, descriptions of permanent and changing exhibits and much much more at the museum web site.

Arizona State Museum on campus, east of University Boulevard at Park Avenue, 621-6302. Museum hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Sunday, and admission is free.
We will be visiting the "Paths of Life: American Indians of the Southwest" exhibit as a class, so this does not qualify as one of the events. "Paths of Live" combines historic and contemporary art and artifacts with high-tech displays depicting the origins and history of Indians native to Arizona and Sonora.
"Mexican Masks: Faces of the Fiesta," includes 350 colorful Mexican folk masks.
"Ancient Images: Plants and Animals of the Prehistoric Southwest," a long-term temporary exhibit, is now on display.

San Xavier del Bac Mission south of Tucson. Visit this centuries old mission for a look at the combination of Spanish and native Tohono O'odham art work. Read background information at the library's site on Mission Churches of the Sonoran Desert. And be sure to read about The Restoration of Mission San Xavier del Bac. It's a good time to visit, since the restoration was completed just this year, 200 years after the original mission was finished.

Aug. 30, Sat., check for time at Centennial Hall (621-3341). Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, U.S. Premiere of "Guelaguetza"

Sept. 12, Ofelia Zepeda booksigning and reading of Earth Movements, 6.30-8pm, Arizona Historical Society. Free.

Sept. 19, John Trudell (Santee Sioux poet), 7pm, Leo Rich Theater, Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., $10.75.

Sept. 21 - Nov. 16, "Tseng Kwong Chi: Citizen of the World," Center for Creative Photography, U of A, 11a-5p M-F, 12-5 Saturdays.

Sept. 26 & 27, "Tales of Arizona...Then & Now" - Southern Arizona's Annual Storytelling Festival and Conference" at the Arizona State Museum and The Arizona Historical Society Museum in The Marshall Foundation's new Main Gate Cultural District, corner of Park Ave. and University Blvd. Schedule: Fri., 26 Sept., 7-10.15 pm, CESL Auditorium, "A Concert of Stories". Other events are offered; see handout or call 326-8966.

Sept. 27, "Musica Para Todos," Roberto Diaz, UA librarian, will present a program on Latin music: Musica Ranchera, Tex-Mex, Salsa, Topical. 2pm, Sam Lena-South Tucson Library, 1607 S. Sixth Ave., 791-4791.

Sept. 29, "Stereotypes of Asians in America: The Clash of Perceptions of East and West," Cecilia Lou, Dean for Asian Pacific American Student Affairs, U of A. 5.30pm, Center for Creative Photography, Gallery.

Sept. 30, Ondekoza, Demon Drummers from Japan (see UA Presents below)

Oct. 3, R. Carlos Nakai Quartet, 8pm, Pima Community College Center for the Arts, 2202 West Anklam Road, 206-6988, $12 students

Oct. 3-5, T.H.E. Festival - Tucson Heritage Experience (formerly "Tucson Meet Yourself," organized by the Cultural Exchange Council), theme for this year is "Communities Building Community." Free, downtown Presidio Park, located west of the Pima County Courthouse at Stone Ave. and Council St. For more details, call 795-0834. If you choose this event, then be sure to include two of the short performances that are ongoing. Again, the two performances have to be from either Native American, Mexican American or Asian American cultures, and you must choose performances from two different cultures.

Oct. 11, Tango (see UA Presents below)

Oct. 12 National Geographic Explorer show on TV, episode called "Looters" on two Navajo historic preservation officers and their attempts to prevent people from robbing graves in the Four Corners area. Also deals with the underworld trade of Native American artifacts.

Oct. 17, Makoche, American Indian Music, Stories and Dance, with Kevin Locke (whose traditional flute playing you heard during the presentation on Native American music), Andrew Vasquez, Gary Stroutsos, and Ulali. 8 pm, Leo Rich Theater, Tucson Convention Center, tickets available at Hear's, Antigone's, or charge by phone 881-3947. "Makoche - 1. Lakota word describing what's all around us, where we live and what's in our hearts 2. represents the interdependency and relationship between all living things."

Oct. 30, Pat Mora, Chicana poet and essayist, will read from her new book, Aunt Carmen's Book of Practical Saints, at Antigone's Books (411 N. 4th Ave, 792-3715), 7pm, free.

Nov. 14, La Fiesta de los Dias de los Muertos (see UA Presents below)

Nov. 21, Friday, Border Beat, The Border Arts Journal celebrates The First Year at the Jose Galvez Gallery, 743 N. Fourth Ave. at 8 pm. Readings by Demetria Martinez, Tom Miller, Brian Laird, Patricia Preciado Martin, Elaine Romero, Susan de la Pena, and Gayle Jandry. Call 321-0928 for tickets and information.

Nov. 21, Friday, 7 pm. Readings by Barbara Kingsolver, Gary Paul Nabhan, Richard Nelson, and Ofelia Zepeda at the Berger Center for the Performing Arts, 1200 W. Speedway. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Voices of the Land benefits Seeds/SEARCH, a regional conservation organization. This cultural event counts if you focus on Zepeda's reading and check out her work. Call 622-5561 for more information.

Nov.20-Dec.12 works by Navajo painter Glory Tacheenie-Campoy at Thunderbird Museum Gallery, 300 E. Broadway, 795-0086. Artist's reception from 5-7.30pm Saturday, November 21. (This is what the paper printed, so call the gallery if you want to go to the reception, and they'll let you know if it's Friday or Saturday.) Gallery hours, 10-6, Mon-Sat.

Nov.22-March 31 El Nacimiento by Maria Luisa Tena, at the Tucson Museum of Art Casa Cordova. Elaborate and varied scenes of the nativity made of countless terra cotta figures. Call 624-2333 for info. Check out a description at Tucson Weekly's City Week.

Nov. 23, 2-4 pm, Art of China. The U.S.-China People's Friendship Association presents an exhibit and sale of Chinese art. Grace St. Paul Episcopacl Church Parish Hall, 2331 E. Adams St. For details, call 298-0570.

Nov. 25, Tuesday, 5.30 pm. Los Olvidados, a film by the great Spanish director Luis Bunuel. The film looks at poverty and juvenile delinquency in mid-century Mexico City. Marco Bravo, specialist in Latin American Cinema, gives an introduction. You can also catch the gallery showing, "Mexico City 1941: Photographs by Helen Levitt." Center for Creative Photography (CCP) at the University of Arizona, 621-7968.

through Nov. 29 Galvez Gallery 4th annual Dia de los muertos group exhibit. 743 N. 4th Ave, 624-6878. Gallery hours: 10-4 Wed-Fr; 11-3 Sat. If you check this out, there's lots of information on Dia de los muertos on the web.

continuing through Dec. 12 Dia de los Muertos. Continuing: Geronimo and the Chiracahua Apache Experience. Both at Arizona Historical Society, 949 E. Second St., 628-5774.

Nov. 28, La Capilla Teatro presents "Le Leyenda de el Tiradito/ The Tiradito Legend", 7 pm, Tucson Center for the Performing Arts, 408 S. 6th Ave.,

Nov. 28, 29, 30, Social Powwow and Indian Craft Market, Rillito Park, First Ave. and River Rd. Nov. 28 from 4-10pm, Nov. 29 from 12-10pm, and Nov. 30 from 12-6pm. Admission is $4 plus a Christmas toy. Call 622-4900 for information.

Nov. 29, 7.30pm and Nov. 30, 2pm, "Feliz Navidad with Lalo Guerrero," known as the godfather of Chicano music. Historical Society, 949 E. Second St. Advance tickets $12, $13 at the door.

Dec. 1 through Jan. 24, works by Grace Iturbide at the Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave., 624-7370. The Weekly says, "From the displacement of a rural campesino to the cholos of East L.A., Grace Iturbide's vision is a mixture of cultural landscape, poetic lyricism and the psychological presence of portraiture."

Dec. 3, 4pm, Prof. Vicki Ruiz from Arizona State University, "Una Mujer sin Fronteras: Luisa Moreno and Latina Labor Activism," Economics Building 104. Prof. Ruiz is author of Cannery Women, Cannery Lives: Mexican Women, Unionization, and the California Food Processing Industry, 1930-1950.

through Jan. 4, Emmi Whitehorse: Contemporary Southwest Images XII, Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., free on Tuesday. Check out some info on the artist in the Tucson Weekly's article Mixed-Media Memories by Margaret Regan.

The following events are organized through UA Presents, and all the information you need is at their web site. The Student Rush option is no longer available; instead, all student tickets are half-price. Prices quoted below are full prices.

Sept. 30, Tues., 7.30pm.Ondekoza - Demon Drummers of Japan ($24, $19, $15)

Oct. 11, Sat., 8pm and Oct. 12, Sun., 7.30pm. Tango X 2, Latin Dance Extravaganza ($33, $26, $21)

Oct. 17, Fri., 8pm ($24, $19, $15) and Oct. 19, Sun., 2pm (1-hr family matinee, $20, $14, $10). Inti-Illimani - The Music of Chile.

Nov. 14, Fri., 8pm ($33, $26, $21) and Nov. 15, Sat., 2pm ($29, $23, $18).La Fiesta de los Dias de los Muertos, created and danced by Ballet Arizona.

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