Raíces Taller Art Exhibit

Raíces Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop is Tucson's only Latino-based non-profit contemporary arts cooperative and is committed to providing workshops and outreach to children and adults in the community.

Enjoy the art of this nationally recognized cooperative, awarded by the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) and named the outstanding emerging arts organization last year by the Tucson Pima Arts Council (TPAC).

Also look for authentic Mexican-style fashion on display in the first floor window of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. The clothing was provided by Irma Juanita Moreno, a fourth-generation Tucsonan and living historian.

Tuesday, February 17 through Tuesday, March 10

Joel D. Valdez Main Library

A Conversation with Luis Alberto Urrea

Join us for a conversation with Luis Alberto Urrea at the Tucson Festival of Books. Admission is free. A book signing will follow the presentation. Books by Luis Alberto Urrea will be available for purchase from Festival of Books vendors.

This program is made possible by the Pima County Public Library's Nuestras Raíces Literary Arts Festival, an annual celebration of Mexican-American authors, arts and culture.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

2:30pm

Gallagher Theater, University of Arizona, across from the food court on the main floor of the Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd.

Nuestras Raíces Film Festival

The film festival will be held at The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Reception 7:00pm-8:00pm
Join filmmaker Edgar Ybarra, along with cast and crew, in a celebration of the world premier of his film, La Última Playa. This reception will be immediately followed by the film screening.

World Premier Film Screening 8:00pm-10:00pm
Join filmmaker Edgar Ybarra, along with cast and crew, for the world premier of his film, La Última Playa. La Última Playa is a full-length dramatic thriller filmed on the streets of Tucson on a budget of less than $500. Question and answer session to follow. Free. Come early, seating is limited.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Short Film Festival 7:00pm-8:00pm
Join us for an hour of short films focusing on immigration. A judging panel will award the best film with a small prize. Following the shorts is a screening of the popular film, Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna (2007).

Feature Film Screening 8:00pm-10:00pm
Join us for a screening of the popular film, Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna (2007). Through the story of a young boy trying to cross the U.S./Mexico border to reunite with his mother, the film highlights some of the difficulties and choices faced by undocumented immigrants when making the decision to leave their homes. La Misma Luna has won critical acclaim and was screened at several noted film festivals before being put into wide release.
Approximate running time 1hr 46min. Spanish/English.

Nuestras Raíces Mercado

Bring your friends and family to the Jácome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave., for an all-day event filled with free entertainment, stories, music and dance representing Mexican-American culture.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

10:00am-4:00pm

Nuestras Raíces Mercado
Support local businesses and local artisans, who will sell authentic art, crafts and foods.

10:30am

Ballet San Juan Folklórico
Experience a live performance by this international touring Mexican folklórico dance group. These world renowned young dancers, ages 4 to 18, have performed for Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day, at the Degollado Theater (Mexico's version of Carnegie Hall), and in such movies as, Young Guns II, Tombstone and Geronimo.

11:15am

Bilingual Puppet Show
Families with children ages 3 and older are invited to a bilingual puppet show performed by library puppeteers. The program will also include stories, songs and a cascarones craft project. Don't miss your chance to meet Maya & Miguel characters on the Jácome Plaza.

12:30pm

Youth Mariachi Festival
Be entertained by local youth mariachi groups while enjoying authentic foods of the Old Pueblo. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges from the Tucson Mariachi Board and a local radio station.

4:00pm

What's In a Name?
Silviana Wood, local writer and artist, will present an interactive program on personal names and nicknames of people who grew up in Tucson's barrios. Origins of nicknames like Güero, Chapa and Chito will be explored. How were these names and nicknames chosen? What is the story behind your name or nickname? Join us for this exploration of names from our barrios.