Editors: Photo opportunity at the University Memorial Center, room 305, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13. Huitzilopochtli Aztec Dancers will perform to kick off Chicano History Week.
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.
If the name doesnÂ’t ring a bell, perhaps a visit to some of the upcoming events during Chicano History Week at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder is in order.
United Mexican American Students (UMAS), an organization of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder students of Chicano heritage, is presenting Chicano History Week (Sept. 13- 17) as a tool to learn about a culture that is often overlooked in mainstream society today, according to UMAS chairwoman Theresa Casados.
"Chicano history week is an annual event thatÂ’s really important because a lot of people donÂ’t get to learn about Chicano history in high school," Casados said.
The week-long event is centered around Mexican Independence Day — Diez y Seis de Septiembre or Sept. 16 — a day to commemorate the struggle of people like Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who in 1810 made a plea from his church in Dolores, Mexico, for Mexican independence from Spain.
"This week of events is a great way for people to learn about Chicano
history, our position today and where we are going in the future," Casados said.
The week-long experience includes a reception with the Huitzilopochtli Aztec Dancers, a play, a presentation about migrant farmworkers, as well as a speech by Alurista — Chicano Poet.
Alurista, a renowned Chicano poet and teacher who has written and spoken about Chicano culture and the Chicano movement since the late 1960s, will give a lecture on Sept. 16 in Old Main Chapel at 6 p.m.
UMAS was created in 1968 to recruit Chicano students to the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder. In fall 1998, 1,331 Hispanic-Latino students were enrolled at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder.
Following is a schedule of events for Chicano History Week.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday Sept. 13 Reception & Huitzilopochtli Aztec Dancers
7:30 p.m. in UMC 305
Tuesday Sept. 14 El Centro Su TeatroÂ’s La Carpa Aztlan
Presents: I DonÂ’t Speak English Only (a play)
7 p.m. in Old Main
Wednesday Sept. 15 Migrant Farmworker Presentation
6 p.m. in UMC 305
Thursday Sept. 16 Keynote Speaker: Alurista, Chicano Poet
6 p.m. in Old Main
Friday Sept. 17 Dance/Baile — DJ: Danjaruss
7 p.m. – Midnight in UMC 305
All events are free and open to the public.