Published: Sept. 7, 1999

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.