El Semanario - Periodico para Hispanos en Denver y Colorado - Bilingual Latino newspaper:Chispa

Denver celebrates Día de los Niños

Día de los Niños, or Children�s Day, is an annual celebration recognizing children and their importance in society. Recognized by many countries throughout the world, it is celebrated at various days in many places around the globe. In partnership with the Consulate General of México and the

Young mothers share literary inspirations

The roots of Día de los Niños (April 30th) began in Latin América as a holiday honoring children and has been adopted by the United States with a variety of festivities that highlight the beauty of children Through The Weekly Issue/El Semanario�s Student Writing Project, we highlight the literary

César Chávez: Passion for human and civil rights

�I believe in the mission of the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver and the spirit of the people who coordinate this event every year. The event and the committee keep in line with Chávez� social justice ideals and the work he did during his lifetime. This is a way of life, not just

The 2012 Latino vote: Reshaping the electoral map

A collaboration of organizations -- League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Mi Familia Vota Education Fund, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) -- announced strategies to increase the Latino voter registration and turnout; as well as the efforts to defend the rights of

Will Migrants matter in the Mexican election?

The clock is ticking as the registration deadline fast approaches for Mexican expatriates to vote in their country of origin�s presidential election this year. Although Mexican election officials are confident a late rush of applications will mean greater absentee participation than in the 2006

Regis University opens new dual language campus

The first university-level accelerated dual language programs in the western United States designed for developing student skills in English and Spanish became a reality when Regis University opened its dual language campus with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 25th at the Thornton campus. The

Film Festival offers extraordinary insight

Along with the Office of P-20 Education Initiatives and Anchutz Medical Center Office of Inclusion and Diversity, the Center for Culturally Responsive Urban Education is hosting a two-day film festival on September 16-17. The Festival�s guest speaker is Dr. Dr. Antwi Akom is a leading expert on the

Restored artwork by Carlota EspinoZa on display

In 1975, local artist Carlota EspinoZa was commissioned by the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation to create a mural for the Byers Branch Library. The awe-inspiring 20-foot mural, Pasado, Presente, Futuro, was recently restored by EspinoZa and will be showcased at a celebration at the Byers

Migrants as targets of US security policies

On Friday, June 23 a group of Central American migrants crossing México by freight train en route to the United States were kidnapped at gunpoint in Medias Aguas, Veracruz. The kidnapping took place the day after the dialogue between members of the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity and

Denver County Fair offers family fun, nostalgia

The first-ever Denver County Fair is doing things a bit different than other county fairs; and will be held indoors at the National Western Complex, I-70 at Brighton Blvd., just east of I-25. The Fair will include nearly 300,000 sq ft of adjoining indoor areas, including the Animal Pavilion,

Program seeking Latino scriptwriters

The NLMC Writers Program, coordinated and run by National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), is a highly competitive and prestigious 5-week intensive training program. The writers are trained by former NBC V.P of Script Development, Geoff Harris, and are given the opportunity to meet with and be

Fernández: Contributing to education by way of music

The Vicente Fernández 2011 U.S. tour will stop in Denver on Saturday. That means good news for local students in the 20 cities on the singing legend's much-anticipated 24-concert tour. The Anheuser Busch Foundation will donate university a scholarship at each venue. Just before each concert the

Denver Botanic Gardens honors Indigenous artistry

It stands like a pillar. Grandpa was the first to lay eyes on it. As we rounded the corner he was immediately taken by the bronze behemoth titled �Cancionde Oracion� � an Allan Houser sculpture nestled in the brush. �It�s�touching,� he said speaking slowly. �It has an impact � one telling of days

Economic inequities continue to affect youth

Formal analysis of the racial and ethnic data provided by the 2010 Census survey gives substantial weight to what we already knew was happening in communities across the country: The United States continues to grow rich with diversity�and it�s happening at a faster pace than anybody could have

What were French troops doing in Mexico?

On May 5, 1862, Mexican troops defeated an invading French army in the outskirts of Puebla, a city around 60 miles east of Mexico City. How did events come to this point; what were French troops doing in Mexico and why? On September 15, 1810, a priest, Miguel Hidalgo, sounded the church bells to

Chilean miner Edison Peña stars in Viva Elvis

Edison Peña, the Chilean miner who became popular worldwide as a major Elvis fan, visited Las Vegas January 10-12 to experience Viva Elvis by Cirque du Soleil and ARIA Resort&Casino at CityCenter. Peña was offered a guest appearance in the show Tuesday, Jan. 11 and received VIP treatment during

Tell Me a Story

Enchanting Latin-American tales come to life through story-telling and music in a delightful bilingual afternoon for the entire family. Modern Muse Theatre Company in a collaboration with Stories on Stage present �Cuéntame un Cuentito / Tell Me a Story� on Saturday, January 29 at 2pm. at Su Teatro

Spectacular blossoms cover the Botanic Gardens

Over one million colorful lights draped in elegant designs highlight the York Street Denver Botanic Gardens winter beauty featured in their annual Blossoms of Light display. Intricate ice sculptures further highlighting the Gardens as a winter wonderland will be placed throughout the gardens path.

Frances Miera-Montez: 105 times a Lady

Frances Miera-Montez will celebrate 105 years of life on December 3rd, and every day of her life, Frances has been a Lady. Now, there are ladies and, there are ladies. Frances comes from the period in time when women wore dresses, hats and gloves, as well as, dress shoes with nylon stockings. As a

Spirit of Guadalupe reins in community support

As the story goes, she appeared miraculously centuries ago offering hope to a campesino named Juan Diego. And now hundreds of years later her essence continues to extend strength, love, hope, and compassion. She is La Virgen de Guadalupe. She is looked upon as the go-to entity for everything from

Veterans: Surviving war, but not the peace

In the six years after Reuben Paul Santos returned to Daly City from a combat tour in Iraq, he battled depression with poetry, violent video games and, finally, psychiatric treatment. His struggle ended last October, when he hung himself from a stairwell. He was 27. The high suicide rate among

Akwid tour benefits Denver Inner City Parish

Akwids Clasificado R Tour has begun. The group is touring across the U.S and México promoting their newly released album Clasificado R being their first album under Machete Music. Latenite Entertainment brings the tour to Denver, for a good cause. Guests are encouraged to bring a canned food

Straight From My Heart ~ My Halloween ghost

In my younger days, I loved parties and was good at planning and getting people excited about going to these parties. I was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and a group of friends from the parish decided to have a once-a-month birthday party. The monthly celebrations went over real

Family fun at Elitch�s Boo Gardens

Elitch Gardens will present Boo Gardens this weekend, Oct. 23-24, from Noon-5pm, in Elitch Gardens� Startoon Studios. Children are encouraged to dress up in costume for safe, fun trick-or-treating. $15 admission tickets are available for children and adults at all Denver-area Arc Thrift Stores.

Open enrollment for head start preschool

Jefferson County Head Start Preschool Program is open for enrollment. Head Start is a no cost child-focused and family-centered preschool program. The program provides a range of individualized services in the areas of education, early childhood development, medical, dental, mental health,

El Louie and Other Post Pachuco Dreams

Denver�s famed El Centro Su Teatro recently announced their schedule for the 2010- 2011 theatrical season. This onth, Su Teatro takes the stage in their first complete season at their new home; the Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center @ the Denver Civic Theatre. Returning to the roots of

Annual pumpkin fest inspires family fun

Thousands of pumpkins will be ripe for the picking in the 10-acre pumpkin patch at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield on Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 10, from 9am-5pm. Many activities will surround the search for that perfect jack o� lantern or pumpkin pie gourd, including free amusement

New generation artist blends culture, ingenuity

Somewhere between post-bop, Latin jazz, free jazz and the continuation of the Denver Chicano Movement from the 60�s is Denver native Asia Fajardo-Wright. The 26-year-old Latina composer/saxophonist and Aztec dancer, composed and directed an avant-garde tribute to the divine feminine Omecihuatl

Exhibit honors the Spirit of Perú

In partnership with the Consulate of Perú, The Spirit of Perú (through October 27) exhibit will feature the work of Peruvian guest artist Carlos Palma, whose newest paintings focus on issues of immigration; a Peruvian-American painter and Art Students League member, Maria Elena Kaplan; Hover Montes,

A touch of Mexico highlights Colorado Symphony

The Colorado Symphony celebrates the 2010 Biennial of the Américas with a concert featuring guest conductor Enrique Barrios on July 24, 7:30pm at the Boettcher Concert Hall (14th St. and Curtis). This concert is free to the public and presented in partnership by the Colorado Symphony, the Mexican

Filmmakers pursue justice in new documentary

It�s no wonder the Mexican police detectives in the explosive new documentary Presumed Guilty stare at the camera during the dramatic retrial for murder of Antonio Zúñiga and accuse the filmmakers of threatening them by the mere act of filming. The cameras are there as part of an unprecedented

Gómez-Peña: Strange Democracy

In partnership with El Centro Su Teatro, the Museo de las Américas presented internationally renowned performance artist Guillermo Gomez-Peña this week as part of the Bienniel of the Américas program. In his new solo-performance, post-Mexican writer and performance artist Gómez-Peña deals with the

Ry Cooder music sales support MALDEF

In response to the immigration battle currently raging in the United States, six-time Grammy winner Ry Cooder wrote Quicksand, a slow-burning rocker that tells the story of six would-be immigrants making their way from México to the Arizona border. The track, available exclusively on iTunes,

Almada film highlights El General

The past and the present collide as filmmaker Natalia Almada brings to life audio recordings about her great-grandfather Plutarco Elias Calles, a revolutionary general who became president of Mexico in 1924. In the documentary El General, premieres on PBS on July 20, and online July 21 through

Biennial: Notable speakers at Roundtable sessions

Throughout the month of July, Denver will welcome national and international visitors for the Biennial of the Americas for a cross-cultural experience bridging and unifying the artistic, intellectual and political progress of the hemisphere's 35 nations. The Roundtable is the Biennial�s primary

Arizona: Effects are being felt at all levels

"It's ironic that the most prestigious university in the world has accepted me, but the state I call home criminalizes me." That's how Silvia Rodríguez, a 23-year-old student who was brought from México to Phoenix by her parents at the age of two, describes the effects of Arizona law SB 1070 and

Exhibit brings together work by 24 artists

The Nature of Things will be the central art exhibition of the 2010 Biennial of the Américas, an international event celebrating the culture, ideas and people of the Western Hemisphere hosted by the City of Denver from July 1-31. Featuring 24 artists from countries throughout North, Central and

Vicente Fernández: A musical treasure

Vicente Fernández, the undisputed King of Ranchera music and one of the most revered and successful singers in the world, includes Denver in his 2010 tour. Fernández, is one of Mexico's most recognizable and influential cultural icons, known as the undisputed king of Ranchera music with more

Museo de las Américas: Liberators Project

A common link for all the Américas is the legacy of Liberators, the visionaries who dared challenge Old World paradigms in pursuit of a New World. Museo de las Américas Liberators Project, curated by Maruca Salazar will bring together artists, historians, activists and diplomats to honor and

Mexia expresses fear, dismay over SB1070

Recording artist Mexia, the American-born eldest son of Hernán Hernández, co-founder and singer of legendary Mexican group, Los Tigres Del Norte, has written and recorded Todos Somos Arizona in response to his fear and frustration over Arizona’s SB1070, the new law which allows for the detention

Fiesta de La Alma honors community victory

Denver’s La Alma Recreation Center is an iconic symbolism for the community it serves. Over the past year, residents have fiercely guarded the Center against the City’s attempts to privatize the facility.

To celebrate and honor the efforts of the west Denver residents, a community celebration

Escuela raises the bar in fundraising efforts

Denver’s Ninth Street Historic Park on Auraria Campus was the backdrop for this year’s Escuela Tlatelolco Centro de Estudios’ Annual Flor y Canto Festival and Champions of Change awards ceremony.

Hundreds gathered last Sunday to celebrate the honorees and to raise funds for the school. The

King of the Chicanos: Preserving history

Chicano history was revived last week, at the East Colfax Tattered Cover bookstore. Denver author Manuel Ramos held a book signing promoting his latest novel, King of the Chicanos, as well as offering insight on his recent work. Though fiction, King of the Chicanos is a brilliant reminder to the

Teatro Pregones brings the tropics to Denver

Su Teatro is pleased to announce that El Teatro Pregones from the Bronx, New York will be in residence and offer performances June 10-12, at Su Teatro at the Denver Civic Theatre on 7th Ave. and Santa Fe Dr. Pregones is an award winning theater company celebrating its 30th anniversary with

King of the Chicanos reigns in Denver

Denver’s beloved author Manuel Ramos is back with his latest novel, King of the Chicanos. He will read and sign his latest work on Thursday, May 20, 7:30pm, Tattered Cover, 2526 East Colfax Ave., Denver.

Both heroic and tragic, this superb novel captures the spirit, energy, and imagination of

Andale, ven conmigo to the Heights of NYC…

After taking Broadway by storm and reigning as a must see over the past two years, now In the Heights has made its way to Denver. This incredible mezcla of Latino cultura takes the audience to the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, where the gente share their stories of life, love,

Estado de Vergüenza / State of Shame

San Pablo, California folk group Los Cenzontles compose a corrido about the new immigration law in Arizona. The corrido is the time honored version of Breaking News in Mexico. This corrido expressed the outrage of our community in response the the new Arizona law.

Estado de Vergüenza was

Aztec Stories: Ancient Knowledge with Michael Heralda

The Colorado Folk Arts Council is offering Metro residents a special Cinco de Mayo event. Michael Heralda, a Los Angeles based nationally renowned musician and storyteller will tour Colorado through May 12th with his award winning Aztec Stories presentation. This week long day tour includes four

Notable names added to DPL hall of fame

Adding to the annual César Chávez commemorations, the Denver Public Library recently honored Florence “Flo” Hernández-Ramos, Denise Maes and Bernard “Bernie” Valdez (posthumously) to the Library’s César E. Chávez Leadership Hall of Fame.

The newly remodeled Woodbury Library in

The Perfect Game – A remarkable hit

In 1957, the Monterrey Industrials, a poor Little League team from a dusty, industrial corner of Mexico, made national headlines. They began their journey dreaming of playing just one genuine Little League game in The United States. The team’s bus unable to enter the country dropped the scrawny

Sacred Passions exhibit enlighten art enthusiasts

The Chicano Humanities Arts Council’s (CHAC) Gallery announces the opening of Sacred Passions a traditional and contemporary art exhibit, on Friday, April 16th, 6-9pm, and runs through May 1st. The traditional art work will focus on the creation of “Santos” or “Saints” for homes and

México Celebrates Bicentennial of Independence at XicanIndie FilmFest

Mexican cinema will be back in town with five films included in the 12th XicanIndie Film Festival, to take place in Denver from April 8th to 11th. The 1942 movie “The virgin who built a country” (“La virgen que forjó una patria”), from director Julio Bracho and acclaimed photographer

Star power highlights XicanIndie FilmFest

Highlighting the numerous Latino film industry talents, El Centro Su Teatro presents the Twelfth Annual XicanIndie FilmFest at Su Teatro’s new location 721 Santa Fe Dr., the former Denver Civic Theater, beginning April 8th through April 11th featuring a stellar line up of films and celebrity

Why I had to write about women and war

I began writing about soldiers after attending a vigil for the war dead in March 2004, the first anniversary of the Iraq War. I and my daughter, who was then 12, stood with a motley crowd at Columbus Circle in New York, holding candles while we took turns reading the names of those who had been

BugaRhythm: Music, dance, bug education

Boogie on down to the Butterfly Pavilion on Feb. 6 to sing and dance with Radio Disney at the annual BugaRhythm party. The event is sure to put that swing in your hips and the tap in your toes as classic Disney tunes fill the invertebrate zoo. Learn how butterflies dance, why crickets sing, and how

Zapatistas: In the language of love

It is popular now for writers to try and explain the Zapatistas with intellectual rhetoric. But when we rode with the Zapatistas, it was in the language of love, it was in the spirit of resistance, and we were all prepared to die.

When the Zapatistas spoke of autonomous governments and dignity,

Victory comes, but still much work to do

The phones were buzzing, email blasts were sent and text messages offered a hint last week to an ‘exciting announcement’ by El Centro Su Teatro -- and the chisme began.

Last week Su Teatro made a surprise announcement that the theatre company will be returning to Denver’s Westside

Mastering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 67

Boulder resident Ricardo “Rick” Martínez, who set out last year to find a way to spend quality time with his grandson, has suddenly found himself on the verge of a remarkable achievement.

The 67-year old grandfather, who started training at Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu last year in the same

Westside Oratorio honors displaced Aurarians

Su Teatro will present the musical tribute, The Westside Oratorio, December 12 – 20 at the King Center Concert Hall (855 Lawrence Way) on the Auraria campus. The piece was created in 2004 through the collaboration of Su Teatro Executive Artistic Director Anthony J. García and world-renowned

Día de los Muertos Celebrations 2009

Oct. 30 -- The Museo de las Americas (861 Santa Fe Dr.) will host the Calacas Ball and begins with dedication of the Día de los Muertos altar at 8pm. and spotlights traditional Calacas dancers, a costume contest, music by DJ

Gardens offers great Fall adventures

Search for the perfect pumpkin at the Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG) at Chatfield’s 10-acre pumpkin patch. The weekend (Oct. 10-11, 9am-5pm) will be filled with exciting children’s activities and vendors selling handcrafted gifts.

Additionally, guests can discover the 750 acres of native

Share a butterfly’s journey from South América

Take flight this while exploring the Butterfly Pavilion’s new premier exhibit, Tropical Odyssey, where visitors will experience an incredible journey in conservation as they follow the life of a butterfly from South América to the Butterfly Pavilion.

Tropical Odyssey is an immersion,

The Beatles reincarnated

Aahhh!!! OMG! It’s the Beatles – oops! I mean…Rain, but who could tell the difference?

Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles, now playing at the DCPA, is nothing short of a phenomenal show. Rain follows the success and musical genius of the Beatles through their numerous classic hits such as

Artists release experimental music project

Asia Jazz Project and Hip-Hop fusion duo Molina Soleil&Aju have joined together to release a unique blend of music experimental jazz musicianship paired with male and female spoken word vocals.

Titled Sacred Paths, the 55-minute project explores themes of life rituals and transformation, love

Annual El Grito 5k offers challenging course

Put on your running shoes! It’s time for the 16th Annual El Grito 5kRun/Walk (3.1 miles) scheduled for this Sunday, September 13, with a 9am start at the historic Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant at 10th Ave. and Osage. Help raise scholarship dollars for high school graduating seniors who have

Chile Fest highlights arts, delectable cuisine

The end of the summer brings freshly harvested chiles to Colorado, and with them, the aromas of chile roasting and authentic Chicano cuisine. Last weekend, a Colorado tradition, the Chile Harvest Festival, found a new home at Lakewood’s Heritage Center. The Chile Harvest Festival, hosted by the

Hahtinu Niish: Connecting earth and people

Hahtinu Niish (Red Moon) is a powerfully emotional exhibition is a collaborative effort celebrating the connection of the earth and its people of Native American, Non Native, Hispanic and Indigenous cultures. These artist have come together to demonstrate the strength and power in diversity.

The

Made in L.A.

An encore presentation of the Emmy Award-winning feature documentary Made in L.A. will air on Colorado’s Rocky Mountain PBS (Channel 6) “POV” series on Sept.4, 7:30am, 1:30pm, Sept 5, 12:30am. At a time when leaders are working on a major overhaul of the immigration system, Made in L.A. offers

CHAC, City of Lakewood Celebrate Chile Harvest

This summer, a Colorado tradition will bring people to Lakewood’s Heritage Center to celebrate traditional Spanish Colonial and contemporary art, music, food and chiles, chiles, chiles. Thanks to a partnership between the City of Lakewood and the Chicano Humanities&Arts Council, the Chile

Let the drama unfold in Osage County

What’s the perfect recipe for a late summer family reunion in Osage County? Simple, just add a handful of overbearing pill-popping matriarch, a sprinkle of a vanishing alcoholic father, three daughters with dirty little secrets, and a dash of good old family dysfunction. Placed in the spotlight

CHAC honors Frida Kahlo

"I paint self portraits because I am the person I know best." - Frida Kahlo

Last weekend, The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC) hosted an inspirational evening in honor of world renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) celebrating the late artists’ birthday on July 18th. The

All star line up for Chicano Music Fest

El Centro Su Teatro recently announced the lineup for the 13th Annual Chicano Music Festival and Auction beginning August 6th, from 7-9pm, El Centro’s North playground, 4725 High St., and continues through Sunday, August 9th.

The Chicano Music Festival offers the best Mexico-influenced sounds

CHAC honors Frida Kahlo

"I paint self portraits because I am the person I know best." - Frida Kahlo

Pet a cockroach, eat a bug at annual Insectival

Experience the strange, the unexplainable, and the unspeakable world of insects at the Butterfly Pavilion’s Annual Insectival on July 11-12, 10am-4pm (last entrance at 3:15pm).

Reminiscent of a traditional circus sideshow, the event will feature more than two dozen activities including

CHAC celebrates Freedom, Frida, y Fun

As part of the First Fridays Art Walk, the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC) will host a reception on Friday, July 3rd, 6-10pm, featuring their latest exhibit, Freedom of Expression and runs through August 1st. Highlighted artists include, Benita Olivas, José Mares, Bob Luna, James

Family Celebrates Exhibit of Patriarch

Hundreds gathered last Thursday to celebrate the opening of an extraordinary exhibit highlighting the life and times of Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales at the Central Denver Public Library on display through September 20th at the Library’s Western History Gallery on Level 5.

The evening reception

Back in the Bronx

“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” After hearing those words I was automatically rapt. I swallowed my dubious notions, shifted gears and repositioned my seat so I could focus. I was compelled by this virtue. Sure, I already had a taste of this mafioso, bravado filled narrative (from

Alejandro Escovedo: Musical Incarnations

Joining musical artists Ricki Lee Jones on June 8th at the Denver Botanic Gardens concert – Alejandro Escovedo will unleash his musical incarnations from punk rock to string quintets. His music represents the primitive aspect of Escovedo’s music - the instinct, the urgency and a survivor