Claremont Colleges Celebrate Cesar Chavez With Series of Events

Posted on: March 11th, 2008
Filed Under: [ Hispanic News ] [ Higher Education ] [ California ]
Tags: activist, aztec, border, cesar chavez, Chicano, Doctor, Film, jalapeno, Mariachi, Mexico, Professor, restaurant, Tejano, Theater
Knowledge is Power!

The Claremont Colleges are celebrating the work and legacy of labor leader and human rights activist Cesar Chavez with a range of activities, featuring the 30th anniversary production of the award-winning play “Zoot Suit,” from March 24 through April 24, 2008. All of the events are open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, are free of charge. For a list of the entire Claremont Colleges Cesar Chavez Month Series calendar, visit http://theatre.pomona.edu/cesarchavez .

Monday, March 24

Cesar Chavez Month Kick-Off Events:

- Dr. Loco and the Rockin Jalapeno Band Concert, 5 - 8 p.m.. The San Francisco-based band celebrates the musical heritage of the U.S.-Mexican borderlands by playing a blend of Tejano roots and soul with Califas rock and funk flavored with Latino jazz and Chicano blues since 1989

- Exhibit Opening: “LA in the Zoot Suit Era,” poster signing with special guest artist Ignacio Gomez, 4:30-6:30 p.m., regular exhibit hours: Wed-Sun, 12 noon-7 p.m. through April 13th. Pomona College, Smith Campus Center (170 E. Sixth St., Claremont). Contact: 909-621-8044

Tuesday, March 25

Exhibit Opening: “Ignacio Gomez: A 30 year Retrospective.” 4:30-6:30 p.m., Pitzer College, McConnell Center Salathe Gallery (1050 N. Mills Ave., Claremont). Exhibit Open: daily, 12 noon-5 p.m. through April 11th. Contact: 909-621-8044

Wednesday, March 26

Barbara Carrasco, artist, community activist and educator “Labor of Art: Barbara Carrasco, Artist for the United Farm Workers Union.” 12-1:30 p.m., Scripps College, Malott Commons Hampton Room (Columbia at 9th St., Claremont). Contact: 909-607-8508

Wednesday, March 26

Scripps Tea with Performance of Danzantes del Sol, Azteca Dancers 3:30-4:30 p.m., Scripps College, Malott Commons Hampton Room (Columbia at 9th St., Claremont)

Thursday, March 27

Cesar Chavez Breakfast with Dolores Huerta. Tickets are required for this free event 8 a.m., El Molcajete Restaurant, 305 East Holt, Pomona, CA. Contact: 909-607-2852 or email jose_calderon@pitzer.edu

Friday, March 28

Cesar Chavez Day Observed

Saturday, March 29

Latino Rockabilly Festival. Featuring three bands: Bad Luck Bandits, Gambler’s Mark and Moonlight Cruisers; and a classic car display of 10 vehicles, most from the 1950s, which embody a fusion of low-riding and hot-rodding cultures. Vendors with Latino rockabilly items will also be present. 5-9 p.m., Pitzer College, Pellissier Mall (The Mounds, 1050 North Mills Ave., Claremont). Contact: 909-607-0485

Monday, March 31

Panel: “Pachucos Yesterday, Vatos Loco Today: 50 Years of Choloization.” Discussion will focus on 1940s gang culture, Zoot Suit Riots and Sleepy Lagoon Trial 11:30 a.m., Pomona College, Frank Dining Hall (260 E. Bonita Ave., Claremont), Blue Room. Contact: 909-621-8044

Monday, March 31

Musical Tea with Mariachi Serrano. 3:00-4:30 p.m., Claremont McKenna College, Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum Courtyard (385 E. 8th St., Claremont). Contact: 909-621-8244

Wednesday, April 2

Yen Le Espiritu Lecture: “Border Crossers: A Critical Perspective on Asian Immigration to the United States.” 4:15 p.m., Pomona College, Smith Campus Center (170 E. Sixth St., Claremont), Rose Hills Theater. This event is part of the Pomona College Working for Responsible Dialogue Series (WORD). Contact: 909-621-8514

Wednesday, April 2

Ignacio Gomez: Meet the Artist Reception and Poster Signing. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Claremont McKenna College, Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum Lobby (385 E. 8th St., Claremont) Exhibit: March 31-April 4, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact: 909-621-8244

April 3-6 and April 10-13

30th Anniversary Production of “Zoot Suit” by Luis Valdez. Directed by Alma Martinez, Pomona College Theatre Department. This highly acclaimed musical play debuted in 1979 and was the first Chicano play on Broadway. The story weaves around the real life events of the Sleepy Lagoon trial and Zoot Suit Riots. It was written by Luis Valdez, who also directed the 1981 film version of the play. April 3-4, 8 p.m.; April 5, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; April 10, 8 p.m.; April 11-12, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; April 13, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Pomona College, Seaver Theatre (300 E. Bonita St., Claremont). Ticket price and performance information: 909-621-8186 or http://www.theatre.pomona.edu/zootsuit

Saturday, April 12

Coro Hispano de San Francisco Performance of Early California Music. 8 p.m., Pomona College, Bridges Hall of Music (Littler Bridges, 150 E. Fourth St., Claremont). Contact: 909-607-2916 or email: tfss@pomona.edu

Tuesday, April 15

Lecture: Raul Delgado Wise, Director of Doctoral Program in Migration Studies and Professor of Development Studies, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Mexico. 7 p.m., Pomona College, Smith Campus Center (170 E. Sixth St., Claremont), Rose Hills Theater. This event is part of the Pomona College Working for Responsible Dialogue Series (WORD). Contact: 909-621-8514

Thursday, April 24

Lecture: Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo, professor of sociology at the University of Southern California. “Ten Facts about Mexican Immigration and Why We Need to Recast the Debate.” 7 p.m., Pomona College, Pearsons Hall (551 N. College Ave., Claremont), Room 101. This event is part of the Pomona College Working for Responsible Dialogue Series (WORD). Contact: 909-621-8514

Pomona College is the coordinating host of this year’s Cesar Chavez Month celebration at The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate autonomous institutions, located on adjacent campuses with one exception. The group includes Pomona College (established in 1887), Claremont Graduate University (1925), Scripps College (1926), Claremont McKenna College (1946), Harvey Mudd College (1955) and Pitzer College (1963). The seventh member of the consortium, the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences (1997), is located nearby.

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CONTACT: Cynthia Peters, Pomona College Public Affairs, 909-621-8515

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