THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: DIANE RODRIGUEZ ON LATINO THEATER, JERRY VELASCO ON NOSOTROS2, DON FELIPE ON HOW WE ARE CHICANO CAME ABOUT, BURUNDANGA BORICUA IN ENGLISH AND, WITHOUT FAIL, ANGELA ORTIZ’S “DOWNTOWN AT DUSK.”
Our two videos this week feature actress, stage director and theater administrator Diane Rodriguez. Diane’s been involved with Chicano and Latino theater since her days as a member of the famed El Teatro Campesino in the 1970s. Latinopia asked Diane to compare the current vibrant Latino theater scene with the fledgling Latino theater movement of the 1970s spearheaded by the TENAZ (Teatro Nacioanl de Aztlán) movement. Check out her cool reply.
Also this week we have the second part of our interview with Jerry Velasco who was President of Nosotros for many years. He informs us of two of the many major accomplishments Nosotros accomplished in its many years of activism on behalf of Latino screen actors. Your Tia Tenopia has to say that people like Diane and Jerry are true pioneers for our Latino community. Bravo to their life work!
Don Felípe returns with his monthly blog, Bravo Road, this time giving us the background of a ground breaking book that put Latino authors on the map in the United States. At 89 Don Felipe is still active and contributing to our community. What a legend!
Many of you have asked about Jose Umpierre’s blog, Burundanga Boricua del Zocotroco, and why it is not in English. Up to now it has been printed only in Spanish. Beginning today we will begin posting translated versions of his blog in English. Check out his Motive and Principles and the first of his blogs in English.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia!
Tia Tenopia