Hola lovers of Latino theater and art! Yes, mis queridos, your Tia Tenopia here welcoming you to this week’s Latinopia videos. And this week its all about landmark Latino theater and  profound Latino art ideas.

In teatro, we visit with Rose Portillo who starred in the stage and motion picture versions of the highly acclaimed and successful play Zoot Suit. Rose is an amazing talent. She has guest starred in numerous television shows, written and performed in her own one-woman and in many ensemble stage productions and is currently a director for the About Productions theater company which she co-founded.  She portrayed the pivotal role of Della in the play Zoot Suit. Rose tells us about how, in collaboration with dramatist and director Luis Valdez, she  honed the character of Della for the stage production and later the motion picture.

Has anyone ever called you rasquachi? Or do you, yourself,  use the term to denote people or places that you consider below par or just simply weird? Well, rasquachi is a term that has been battered about the barrio for generations. But what does it really mean?  Noted art and literary critic Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto has written a landmark article titled “Rasquachismo: A Chicano Sensibility” in which he explains how this unique aesthetic sensibility has informed and shaped Chicano culture and art. Hay tan intellectual, pues!

Oh, and this last week, Liz Colunga, a muy firme filmmaker graduated with her Master of Fine Arts  in Film Production from North Texas University.  Tia Tenopia congratulates Liz and we are highlighting her moving documentary about Latinos in in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars,  “They Are Still There.”

So check out our videos and don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter! Abrazos y besos from your Tia Tenopia!