Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, May 19th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina welcomes Liza Ann Acosta as our June feature. Liza Ann enjoys teaching courses in ethnic literatures and creative non-fiction, and is studying Finnish in preparation for a trip to Helsinki in search of her favorite band HIM--she will be sharing from her collection of short fiction--tales of sexy debaucharies that shy people sometimes take.

As a young girl, Liza Ann Acosta (a.k.a. Analisa) was rescued one snowy March evening in the jungle of Brooklyn by renegade Benedictine gypsies who practiced tattoo making and studied the collected works of Thomas Merton. They kindly dropped her off at the southern coast of Puerto Rico. This explains, in part, her current passion for Korean soaps and boybands, her focus on literary works exploring complicated cultural identities, and her coffee-drinking samurai cat, which she has named Mimisan.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, May 19th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina welcomes Teatro Americano as our May feature. Teatro Americano presents Bien Educada, with Adriana M. Cardona and Mayra Almaraz. Directed by Ricardo Gamboa.

About Bien Educada
Immersed in the city's educational system in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, Mayra Almaraz & Adriana Maria Cardona work as an educator and youth worker respectively and navigate their experiences on the job as well as reflect upon their own personal encounters with that institution of education.  From Colombian nuns and pointing Polish fingers to the heart of Chicago's inner city classrooms and youth, Almaraz and Cardona touch upon a range of issues ranging from race and class to adolescent development and culture clash in that little place we all know too well: school.

About Adriana Maria Cardona A Colombian immigrant who has been living in the United States since 1997. Back in Colombia, Adriana performed for El Pequeño Teatro, a small theater company in the city of Medellín. During her childhood years, she performed Zarzuelas at El Colegio El Carmelo from 1988-1990. After 8 years of living in Iowa with little involvement in theater, Adriana joined the Gateway Dance Theater in the city of Des Moines. Currently, Adriana works at Big Picture High School in Back of the Yards and is really exited to be in Chicago pursuing her passion for theater through Teatro Americano.

About Mayra Almaraz An educator born and raised in Chicago's Northwest side, is a product of the parochial school system from kindergarten through college. As the youngest of ten children of Mexican immigrants, her experiences in a pre-dominantly white school system influenced her development as an educator in the Chicago Public Schools. In this piece for Proyecto Latina, she shares her insights both as a student and teacher.

We are thrilled to be taking part of this book fair, we invite you to look for the Tianguis booth on Saturday, May 17th and check out the most recent titles by Momotombo Press. The fair will be from Thurs., May 15th to Sun, May 18th but we will only be there one day. Held at University of Illinois at Chicago, Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted. This event is free and open to the public. Details here.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, April 21st @ 7 p.m.

The April feature for Proyecto Latina is Marcy Rae Henry author of The CTA Chronicles and forthcoming novel Cumbia Therapy. Friendly reminder to join us at the studios at Radio Arte, 1401 W. 18th Street, on the corner of 18th and Blue Island for this event.

Tianguis will be hosting the next Chicago area comadrazo, we hope you can join us this Friday, April 11th from 6 to 8 p.m.

The comadrazos take place in Chicago and across the country and are events we truly look forward to. There are no dues, no officers, just comadres getting together to meet, have great conversations and find ways to support each other in many ways. Las Comadres started in Austin, TX in 2000. Since April, 2003, 50 cities have been launched and about 5,000 comadres added to the lists. For details about this movement: www.lascomadres.org.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, March 17th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina moves to a new venue this March, Josephine Gasca, our next feature a writer and bellydancer will surely welcome the space. So make sure to join us at Radio Arte, 1401 W. 18th Street, on the corner of 18th and Blue Island.

Josephina Gasca graduated from Columbia College with an MFA in Creative Writing. In Chicago, she helped run the family drywall business, raised an amazing daughter, taught in Columbia's Fiction Department and gathered enough material for several novels. She moved to the East Coast a little over four years ago to devote more time to her writing and artistic pursuits. Her teaching repertoire now includes dance. She writes and bookkeeps by day and belly dances by night.

New Title by Momotombo
Author reading with Aaron Michael Morales
Saturday, February 23rd @ 2 p.m.

From Here You Can Almost See the End of the Desert
by Aaron Michael Morales
with an introduction by Luis Alberto Urrea

Now available @ Tianguis and for online purchase.

"Morales seduces then abducts and we are carried away by the torrents of his endless sentences until we come up for air, gasping and astonished. This is not to say that these stories […] are prettified tales. Indeed, violence is the skin of these stories. Yet, we understand and we ache and that’s the best argument for reading fiction. So hear me and pay attention: Aaron Michael Morales is poised to startle." — Helena María Viramontes

"[Aaron Michael Morales] is a genius at putting the reader in a narrative bind before anyone knows what happened. This is subversive and sly work, as knowing in its effect as it is exciting to read. For all its thrilling nature, and for all his hard-edge style, this is a deeply moral effort. Morales wrestles with nothing less than the parameters of the human soul. Community, responsibility, even love are here, while eros, violence, fear, dread and a dark exultation fly through the nightscapes of these pieces."
— Luis Alberto Urrea

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, February 18th @ 7 p.m.

UPDATE:
Due to significant street closings along 18th street we will be holding February's Proyecto Latina at Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen.

Proyecto Latina celebrated its second anniversary this past January, and we will be kicking off our third year by featuring, Elizabeth Sandoval. UPDATE:
Due to significant street closings along 18th street we will be holding February's Proyecto Latina at Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen.We do want to make sure that you take note that we are moving Proyecto Latina to a more spacious venue to better accommodate everyone. We will be meeting at Radio Arte, 1401 W. 18th Street, on the corner of 18th and Blue Island.

Elizabeth Sandoval is a Chicago-born writer/performer who's lived most of her life in Los Angeles--and has made her way back home to Chicago! She is a credentialed schoolteacher, having taught elementary school students in a bilingual classroom setting in Los Angeles. She has studied acting, improv, and music in L.A. and Chicago-- and her favorite alma mater thus far is Second City Chicago! Her original comedic musical, "The Not-So-Young and the Very Restless", was performed in 2007 in Chicago, and she is looking to re-mount it this year. Elizabeth's writing has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, USA Today, Los Angeles Daily News and other L.A.-area papers, on Batanga.com, Commonties.com, and Chitowndailynews.org. She is a regular contributor to Chicago Public Radio. Love and thanks to family and friends, who are her most precious treasures in life.

Sunday Feb. 10th @ 1 p.m.
Kreative Souls Healing Jewelry Show

Proyecto Latina: Special Anniversary event

Its a night to put your pen and papelitos away, and instead whip out your dancing shoes, and open up to inspiration. Proyecto Latina invites you to join us and celebrate our 2nd Anniversary on Saturday, January 19th 2008 at Junior's Sports Bar, 2058 W. Cermak Rd. (In Pilsen and a couple of blocks away from Tianguis.) We're bringing back highlights--crowd favorites of course--from our past features list to help us mark this wonderful occassion with amazing words, music and dancing. And we are super excited to cap the night off with two Proyecto Latina newcomers our two featured DJ's to put more groove in our night: La Primitiva and Spacerwoman.*

We get started at 7 p.m. Free admission and antojitos (while they last).

Silvia Rivera	Amanda Torres
Wendy (Gwen) Vargas	The Luna Blues Machine
La Primitiva	Spacerwoman

We owe a very BIG thanks to Radio Arte and Junior's Sports Bar.

*No open mic for this January event. We will be bring back the open mic with the February edition of Proyecto Latina.

Elevation by Krista Franklin

Exhibit through January 7th, 2008

Held at Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen

This December our walls will be decked out with the poetic and thought provoking collage artwork of Krista Franklin. Swing by to see one of Krista's seven original art pieces, as well as her lovely trademark journals.

Krista Franklin is a poet, visual artist and educator from Dayton, OH who currently lives and works in Chicago, IL. Her poems and visual art have appeared in several print and web literary journals including Clam, Callaloo, Warpland, Obsidian III, nocturnes 2: (re)view of the literary arts, MiPOesias.com, and in the anthologies Bum Rush The Page: a def poetry jam and Gathering Ground. Her artwork has been published on the covers of several books; Leadbelly by Tyehimba Jess (Wave Books, 2005), Gravity U.S.A. by Jacqueline Jones LaMon (Quercus Review Press, 2006), and most recently What Yellow Sounds Like by Linda Susan Jackson (Tia Chucha Press, 2007). She has exhibited nationally in solo and group exhibitions in Chicago, Minneapolis and Iowa, and was awarded a Community Arts Assistance Programs Grant in 2007 for Seed (The Book of Eve), her Artist Book inspired by the novels of science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler. Franklin has also performed her poetry internationally in featured readings at The Guild Complex, The Hothouse, the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Elastic Arts Foundation’s 3030, the ETA Performing Arts Center, Speakeasy in London and Manchester, UK, Book Jam, and Alphabet Soup in London, UK.

Sunday, December 23, 2007
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jewelry Trunk Show with E&J Designs
The perfect way to add the final touch to your holiday shopping, whether your picking up some final gifts or treating yourself to something special.  Join mother and daughter team, Jolie and Eva--the jewelry designers and Pilsen natives behind E&J Designs. They will be at Tianguis this Sunday, December 23rd with a lovely and sparkling spread of their  popular handcrafted jewelry.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, November 19th @ 7 p.m.

The next Proyecto Latina, and final 2007 open mic, is Monday, November 19th @ 7 p.m. Our feature is the wonderful writer and performer, Amanda Torres who has given us previews to her magnificient and touching prose during past open mics. We can't wait to hear what she will have in store for us. Also, remember that the Chisme box and open-mic is not to be missed. Free. Join us at Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen.

Amanda Torres is a singer, teacher, filmmaker, writer, and slam champion. She has performed in cities around the world, including London, L.A, and San Francisco and is deeply committed to the word and the development of young people’s artistic as well as leadership skills. She is currently attending Columbia College Chicago.

Tianguis: books.tea.cultura is excited to be participating in Pilsen Open Studios, we will be featuring the artwork of Naomi Martinez and Jose Arceo. Mark your calendars and make sure to look for our number on the map, join us in celebrating our second anniversary with birthday cake. More details forthcoming.

José Armando Arceo (b. Chicago) and raised in the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago. At a young age he was influenced by artist Rene Hugo Arceo. While
a teenager, Jose took on his own graffiti and its influences. Later he joined the Yollocalli Youth Museum where he learned different printmaking techniques, basic drawing & painting, and curating. After Yollocali, he began experimenting with his own approach to mural painting, airbrushing and graffiti. Today he continues to experiment with silkscreen printing, stenciling and tattooing.

Naomi Martinez born in 1977, is an all-natural Chicago grown Xicana artist. Her interest in art began in high school with her discovery of her local graffiti art scene and the Mexican social muralist movement of her father’s native land. She learned painting and pottery skills as an Apprentice Artist at Gallery 37 with the Marwen Foundation. She later enrolled at Columbia College Chicago for acting and photography but with no major in mind soon dropped out. After her college experience she became a road trip enthusiast and even had a brief stint as a poet and Rock en Espanol band singer. She revisited painting and aerosol art in 2000. More recently she has designed and hand sewn Monstrochika pouches and stuffed monstros while completing volume one of Monstrochika Comix. She has also collaborated with other local women graffiti artists on various murals around the Chicago. Naomi is inspired by both nature and metropolis, graffiti, comics, her childhood in the city and her pets. She is currently a legal secretary by day and Monstro Factory worker by night.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, October 15th @ 7 p.m.

The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, October 15th @ 7 p.m. In honor of Teatro Luna's new Machos production, Proyecto Latina will present our first ever male feature, the wonderful Paul Martinez Pompa. Make sure to join us, because our third Proyecto Latina collaborator, the fabulous Diana Pando will be mistress of ceremonies for the evening.

And well you know that el Chisme box and open-mic is not to be missed. Free. Join us at Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen.

Paul Martinez Pompa studied at the University of Chicago and at Indiana University, where he served as a poetry editor for Indiana Review. His chapbook, Pepper Spray, was published by Momotombo Press in 2006. His work has also appeared in the journals Borderlands and Barrow Street and the anthologies The Wind Shifts and Telling Tongues. He currently teaches at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, September 17th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina in September:

The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, September 17 th @ 7 p.m. Our September feature is the vibrant work of Gwen Vargas, who will be sharing with us some of her gems including a collaborative presentation with Yadi Jade.

As always there will also be Chisme box and open-mic . Free. Join us at Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen.

Wendy Vargas, or Gwen, as she is also known as, has married the arts in all
its forms. A Latina poet/lyricist who has been part of the Hip Hop culture
and lifestyle since she was a little girl, breakin', graffin' and rhyming
every chance she got. She has hosted and been part of the line up for local
events such as Hot Sh*t at the Hot House and Ladies Love Hip Hop, however,
her strong passion for the arts doesn't end there. She is an aspiring
actress, proud to be currently working with Teatro Luna. Previously seen
performing improv on Second City Theater's main stage, Gwen has been a cast
member of UIC's production of The Vagina Monologues for the past 4 years,
helping raise thousands of dollars for battered and sexually abused women
and girls. An advocate, ally, and feminist, Gwen plays an important role as
an activist in many communities and organizations, helping raise awareness
and unveil social injustices in every form. Having worked side by side with
Orgullo En Accion, she has helped put together The Chicago Dyke March and
Chicago's first ever Latino Pride Picnic, having also co-hosted this years
event. Gwen La Roka, Ms. Jaqueline of all trades.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, August 20th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina in August:

Join us for the next Proyecto Latina on Monday, August 20th @ 7 p.m. Our August feature is Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez , she shares from her collection of poems. As always there will also be Chisme box and open-mic . Free.

Join us at Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen. For event details.

Raul Niño: Reading and Booksigning
Thur. July 26, 2007@ 7 p.m.

Raúl Niño's exquisite chapbook Book Of Mornings is now available through March Abrazo Press. Niño has taken time to meditate over and perfect these gems, and has also designed the cover.

Raúl Niño is the winner of the Sister Cities Award in 1992, an award that took him to Mexico City on a reading tour to help foster stronger culture ties between Chicago and Mexico City. Niño was the recipient of the Significant Illinois Writers award in 1993, presented by Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet Laureate of Illinois. His poems have appeared in anthologies such as Power Lines, published by Tia Chucha Press, and New Chicano/Chicana Writers, published by the University of Arizona Press. Rough Sutra, his next manuscript is scheduled to be published by MARCH/Abrazo Press in 2008. Raúl Niño lives in Chicago.

Final Book Club Discussion on The Devil's Highway
Wednesday, July 11th @ 7 p.m.

If you've been thinking about joining us, this is the final book club discussion on, the award winning, and Pulitzer Prize finalist:

The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea

The book is a true story about a 2004 account of a group of Mexican immigrants lost in the Arizona desert on a deadly stretch known as The Devil's Highway or La Carretera del Diablo.

Held @ Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, July 16th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina in July:
Freedom Show, open mic, & chismes...

The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, July 16th @ 7 p.m. Our July feature is Dionna Griffin-Irons, she shares excerpts from her solo work, "The Freedom Show: A Solo Act," which has received two year support from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and coverage on Chicago Public Radio and Fox TV's: A Closer Look. As always there will also be Chisme box and open-mic . Free.

Dionna Griffin-Irons is an alumna of The Second City Detroit mainstage
with five revues to her credit. She has performed with The Chicago
Second City e.t.c. and mainstage resident companies along with Theatre
on the Lake, Black Orchid and Improv All Stars. In her current role as
Director of Outreach & Diversity at The Second City, she produces and
identifies new diverse voices in sketch comedy and improvisation. An
avid writer, educator, performer and producer, Dionna enjoys working
both sides of the stage. Her writing will also be featured in an upcoming anthology "WORD by WORD: Women, Writing and Incarceration." The Freedom show will mount at Theatre Building Chicago in February 2008 after the birth of her first child due in September. Celebrate women and freedom! Email
dionna@dmgfreedom.org for more info.

Open mic Also, remember that we love to open up the stage to everyone but can only allow 8 participants. Come prepared for the open mic. We're a super friendly audience and we wanna hear your work. And if you're super shy, that's okay, just bring the good energy, sit back and enjoy.

¡Ask a Mexican!: Reading and Booksigning
Wed. July 18, 2007

Reading @ 7 p.m. RSVP required. Space is limited. Booksigning @ 8 p.m. Open to all.

Gustavo Arellano, author of the hilarious book, ¡Ask a Mexican!, returns to Chicago and will be invading Tianguis, Wednesday, July 18th to do a reading and booksigning. ¡Ask a Mexican! explores the clichés of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins. Gustavo Arellano's book is a compilation of his award winning column, ¡Ask a Mexican!

Gustavo Arellano is a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times, has appeared on Today, Nightline,NPR's on the Media, The Situation with Tucker Carlson, and the Colbert Report.

To RSVP please call 312.492.8350 or email: info@tianguis.biz.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, June 18th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina in June:
Lisa Alvarado, open mic, & chismes...

The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, June 18th @ 7 p.m. Our June feature is Lisa Alvarado, author of Sister Chicas, and The Housekeepers Diary. She will be sharing with us from her new body of work including her new poetry manuscript And we'll also be divulging your favorite gossip tid-bits from the chisme box and as always there will be an open-mic for interested participants. Free. Event details.

Lisa Alvarado is a poet, performer, and installation artist, focusing on identity, spirit, and the body. She is the founder of La Onda Negra Press, and is author of Reclamo and The Housekeeper's Diary, originally a book of poetry and now a one-woman performance, and is the recipient of grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs, The NEA, and the Ragdale Foundation. The Housekeeper's Diary, which dealt with her experiences as a domestic for one of Chicago's wealthiest families, premiered nationally in Washington, D.C. in 2001, as a co-production with Sol y Soul and Gala Hispanic Theater. In 2002, The Housekeeper's Diary was performed to sold-out audiences and critical acclaim in Chicago. She has performed throughout the U.S. and in Mexico. Lisa and her work has been featured in the Reader, The Chicago Tribune, Latino USA/National Public Radio, and Public Radio International. In 2006, her first novel was released, Sister Chicas (written with Ann Hagman Cardinal and Jane Alberdeston). Sister Chicas is a coming of age story concerning the lives of three young Latinas living in Chicago.

Lisa is the Thursday columnist for La Bloga. You can read more about Lisa and her work at www.lisaalvarado.net.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, May 21st @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina in May:
Paloma, open mic, & chismes...

...not necessarily in that order, but its starting to feel like Telenovela hour at Proyecto Latina and believe me, that's okay. The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, May 21st, 7 p.m. @ Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen. Our May feature is Paloma Martinez-Cruz and we can't wait to hear "Ganda," a short story about a woman's isolation in a troubled marriage and the choices she makes when a married man begins to notice her.

Paloma Martinez-Cruz, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of North Central College in Illinois. Originally from California, she received her Ph.D. in Latin American Literature from Columbia University in New York . Her areas of specialization include U.S. Latino/a writing and performance, Mexican fiction, and Brazilian literature, film, and popular culture. Paloma endeavors to include hemispheric perspectives in her teaching and research, publishing and presenting on topics such as shamanism and globalization, East Los Angeles low riders, Brazilian cordel literature, Cinema Novo, and hemispheric questions of gender and colonization. She is currently at work on a book-length study on mestiza wise women. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

Open mic Also, remember that we love to open up the stage to everyone but can only allow 8 participants. Come prepared for the open mic. We're a super friendly audience and we wanna hear your work. And if you're super shy, that's okay, just bring the good energy, sit back and enjoy.

crafty calendar dates @ Tianguis

The Cornhusk: Beyond Tamales
Saturday, May 12th

Patricia Carlos Dominguez will provide a brief history and instructions on how to make a cornhusk alcatraz (calla lily)--just in time for mother's day. Bilingual workshop, limited to ten participants, rsvp required. 2 to 4 p.m. Cost: $10, includes supplies.

Hooks & Needles: Stitching Circle
Thur. May 10th @ 7 p.m.

Last month was our first crochet, knit and chisme session. Pattern ideas, and techniques were exchanged and there was plenty of stitchin' and bitchin' going on. We invite you to join us once again this month. Bring your own hooks or needles, the yarn and project of your choice. Always wanted to learn? Join us and I'm sure we can help get you started. Free.

Tianguis Book Club Discussion
Wednesday, April 25th @ 7 p.m.

We're finishing up Achy Obejas' lovely and inspiring book, Days of Awe, about Alejandra San Jose's journey through family and Cuban history, and the balance of identity as she struggles with being Cuban, Jewish and American. Its hard to sum up this book briefly, but a few words do easily come to mind: lyrical, sexy, poetic.

We invite you to read along with us. If you have already read it, we encourage you to revisit it and join us.

On New Year's Day, 1959, Alejandra San Jose was born in Havana entering the world through the heart of the revolution. Fearing turmoil in Cuba, her parents decide to flee to the U.S. ending up in Chicago. As an adult, Ale returns to her homeland and begins exploring identity, as she uncovers family history. Days of Awe is also on sale at Tianguis.

Proyecto Latina: More than Poetry, open mic
Monday, April 16th @ 7 p.m.

Proyecto Latina April feature:
Silvia Manrique brings a touch of Brazil

The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, April 16th, 7 p.m. @ Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen. We are excited to have Silvia Manrique as our April feature, she will be playing bossa nova for us. We can't wait!

Silvia Manrique is a Chicago-based musician. Currently a vocalist/percussionist with Barioca, a band that specializes in the sounds of Brazil. Silvia has had a passion for Brazilian music since she stumbled on an Astrud Gilberto recording at the Chicago Public Library when she was 10. Her father, a music aficionado and fan of the 1960's Brazilian pop movement in America, frequently played Sergio Mendes and Stan Getz, piquing Silvia's interest from an early age. It was in college that she met a Brazilian guitarist that introduced her to the art of performing bossa nova and from then on, it was her musical focus. Learn more about Silvia here.

Open mic Also, remember that we love to open up the stage to everyone but can only allow 8 participants. Come prepared for the open mic. We're a super friendly audience and we wanna hear your work. And if you're super shy, that's okay, just bring the good energy, sit back and enjoy.

Chicas, remember that April is National Poetry Month, we especially encourage you to come out and share a poem during our open mic.

Proyecto Latina is a collaborative between Teatro Luna, Tianguis, and Mariposa Atomica Ink. Go here for the complete scoop.

MONSTROCHIKAS HAVE ARRIVED!

Monstrochikas are the super hip brainchildren of Naomi Martinez. According to their creator, these adorable characters are forest dwellers and are usually accompanied by monstritos and cats. Maybe you're one of the lucky few who adopted a monstrito in the last year. Now there are three postcards to pick from, take some home, keep them around for when you need to write a special friend, or to frame and enjoy as art.

To celebrate--Naomi and her monstritos are scheduled to take Tianguis by storm--we will be hosting a special presentation of Naomi's art work. Make sure to join us for the opening reception:

Friday, April 13th, 2007 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Naomi Martinez was born in 1977 and is an all-natural Chicago grown Xicana artist. Her interest in art began in high school with her discovery of her local graffiti art scene and the Mexican social muralist movement of her father’s native land. She learned painting and pottery skills as an Apprentice Artist at Gallery 37 with the Marwen Foundation. She later enrolled at Columbia College Chicago for acting and photography but with no major in mind soon dropped out. After her college experience she became a road trip enthusiast and even had a brief stint as a poet and Rock en Espanol band singer. She revisited painting and aerosol art in 2000. More recently she has designed and hand sewn Monstrochika pouches and stuffed monstros while completing volume one of Monstrochika Comix. She has also collaborated with other local women graffiti artists on various murals around the Chicago. Naomi is inspired by both nature and metropolis, graffiti, comics, her childhood in the city and her pets. She is currently a legal secretary by day and Monstro Factory worker by night. Visit Naomi's myspace.

Hooks & Needles: Tianguis Stitching Circle
Thursday, April 12th @ 7 p.m.

Crocheting has come a long way since your abuelita was making bright color doilies for your mami's vitrina--the same can be said for knitting. The selection in yarns these days is a far cry from the limited choices that Woolworth's once offered. We will be hosting our first crochet and knitting circle. Bring your own hook or needles, the yarn and project of your choice. Always wanted to learn? Join us and I'm sure we can help get you started.

Proyecto Latina in March features:
Silvia Rivera's shoebox poems, and the Chisme Box

The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, March 19th, 7 p.m. @ Tianguis, 2003 S. Damen. We are excited to have Silvia Rivera as our March feature and we're also anxiously anticipating the introduction of the chisme box.

Silvia Rivera was born the year of the monkey, and as such can sometimes display characteristics of being imaginative, responsible, humorous, witty, curious, clever, and sneaky. These traits have gotten her in a lot of trouble over the years, both good and bad, but have most recently aided her in the pursuit of her ultimate dream-being a featured poeta at Tianguis. When she’s not scribbling thoughts on scratch paper, Silvia manages 90.5fm Radio Arte and dreams of world peace, or at least peace of mind.

Also, remember that we love to open up the stage to everyone but can only allow 8 participants. Come prepared for the open mic. We're a super friendly audience and we wanna hear your work. If your super shy, that's okay, just bring the good energy, sit back and enjoy.

Its official, we have a book club now! And we've made our first selection.

The Alchemist, Paulo Coehlo's bestselling book, is a fable about following one's dreams, listening to one's heart, and reading life's omens.

We invite you to read along with us. This is an inspiring and beautiful book. If you have already read it, consider revisiting it.

We will be meeting to discuss the book on
Thursday, Feb. 22nd @ 7 p.m.

The Alchemist is also on sale at Tianguis. Available en español, El Alquimista.

The Luna Blues Machine @ the next P.L.

The next Proyecto Latina is on Monday, February 19th, 7 p.m. @ Tianguis. Remember our new location is at 2003 S. Damen. Make sure to save the date and join us.

We're sooo excited to be bringing back The Luna Blues Machine. Can you believe that they were our February act last year? And we can't rave enough about the creativity and talent that Maritza and Belinda Cervantes possess. Music, check, acting, check, craftiness, check. In January 2006 Luna Blues Machine won the 8th Annual Talent search at the Underground Wonder Bar, both Cervantes sisters have appeared in Teatro Luna productions, and their innovative corduroy creations (bags, blouses, skirts) are currently available for purchase at Tianguis.

Also, remember that we love to open up the stage to everyone but can only allow 8 participants. So come prepared for the open mic. We're a super friendly audience and we wanna hear your work and we're still anxiously anticipating a knock knock joke. And if your super shy, that's okay, just bring the good energy, sit back and enjoy.

Proyecto Latina is a collaborative between Teatro Luna, Tianguis, and Mariposa Atomica Ink. We are excited about showcasing Latina talent and are always seeking outgoing Latina poets and performers for our monthly open mic series. Proyecto Latina takes place the third Monday of every month. Its an open mic so everything's game: Poetry, spoken word, music, monologues, shorts y en el idioma que prefieras.

Proyecto Latina finally home!

Proyecto Latina will once again be moving, this time to its permanent home, the new Tianguis location at 2003 S. Damen. Make sure to save the date and join us.

Come prepared for the open mic. We only allow 8 participants and this is your chance get a great creative start on the new year.

Our first featured act of 2007 is Diane Herrera. Diane's work as a writer and performer includes several ensemble projects with Teatro Luna as well as ¡Salsation! Her newest project is the sketch comedy troupe Midtown, which will perform at the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival 2007 this January. Her first solo play, “The Dress”, was performed in Chicago as part of Teatro Luna’s production of Solo Latinas, and her second solo play “The Job” premiered at Sola Voce Estrogenius 2005 at manhattansourcetheatre in New York. L.A. credits include writing and performing in the sketch comedy show Barrio Speedwagon at IO West and The Comedy Store. Diane is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory, and has a BFA in Playwriting from The Theatre School at DePaul University (formerly the Goodman School of Drama).