Join us for the Big Read Kick-off. Experience the magical reality of Bless Me, Ultima directed by Liz Chavez in a Vortex theatre and KiMo Theatre co-production with music and dance. LIVE AT THE KIMO -one night only. For tickets visit www.kimotickets.com The kick-off event will feature a Vortex Theatre production of Rudolfo Anaya’s classic tale, Bless Me, Ultima, returning for one night only. The theatre show that packed houses in eight New Mexican cities during 2010 has been redirected by Liz Chavez in a new version with many of the original players. Nearly forty years after publishing his great novel, Rudolfo Anaya finished a dramatic adaptation capturing the magical reality of Bless Me, Ultima. Stage director Valli Rivera and her large cast of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians brought the world of an older New Mexico to life for today’s audiences. Bless Me, Ultima is a coming-of-age story set on the llano of eastern New Mexico in the 1940s. A boy named Tony meets a curandera named Ultima and learns about people, nature, and the battle between good and evil. The adult Tony narrates his own story which includes witches, kids, the colorful characters plus the songs and dances of his community. The October 19, 2012 performance is a slightly condensed version of the script in a new staging directed by Liz Chavez, choreographer of the 2010 production. Much of the original cast will re-inhabit the rich major roles that gave this dramatization such vivid life. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest.
Event Location: KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Avenue Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102
The Botanic Garden’s weekly Story Time program will feature a read-aloud of sections of Bless Me, Ultima during the weeks of the Big Read. Special guests including Tonita Gonzales and others will be invited to bring in interactive elements to the Story Time hour. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 19, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: ABQ BioPark, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Enjoy a guided walk through the bosque during which we´ll talk about the plants of the bosque and how our ancestors used them to prepare food, beverages and medicine. In the book, Bless Me Ultima, one side of the family is ranchers and the other side is farmers. Ultima, the central figure, is a curandera who harvests wild plants to use as medicine for the community. Everyone depends on what the earth provides. Caution: Not all plants are edible and some are poisonous. Do not taste any plant unless you are certain that it is safe to eat. Meet at the trailhead at the West end of the parking lot. The walk will be about 1.5 hours; the trail is flat and sandy and less than one mile roundtrip. Adults and children are welcome. We recommend that participants wear a hat and sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Call 505-344-7240 for more information. The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is located at 2901 Candelaria Road NW in Albuquerque. There is a day-use fee of $3.00 per vehicle which may be paid with exact change or a check at the self-pay station. (Friends of the RGNC who have their parking permits and persons who have NMSP annual day-use or camping permits enter free with valid permits displayed.) The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest.
Event Location: Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
ABQ BioPark Education and the Botanic Garden celebrate Rudolpho Anaya’s Ultima with an engaging and interactive event in the Jardin de la Curandera exhibit. Against the backdrop of the bas relief sculpture “La Curandera y su Jardin” by Reynoldo Rivera, visitors can join Tonita Gonzales, Amber Anastasion, and Maria Thomas in a day of celebrating plants that heal. Learn more about the character Ultima, discover traditional and contemporary uses of (local) plants, join in sharing experiences and tour the garden to learn more about its plants. Bless Me, Ultima introduces the traditional healer to a far reaching audience; its themes are richly represented here in the Rio Grande valley. Join three fascinating women at the Botanic Garden to celebrate the stories of healing plants in our own community. Presenters: Antoinette Tonita Gonzales, Traditional Healing in Albuquerque, New Mexico Tonita is a Traditional Healer, Curandera, Sobadora, Yerbera, Temazcalera in Albuquerque. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics, and Bachelors of Arts in Graphic Design from The American University in Washington DC. She recently completed her studies of Traditional Medicine at the University of Mexico, Morelos, at Centro de Desarollo Humano Hacia La Comunidad. She completed her diplomados in Acupuncture, Medicinal Plants, Massage (Sobadas), and Temazcal. Amber Anastasion Amber began her formal training in 2001 at the New Mexico School of Natural Healing in Silver City, NM where they focused on plants of the Southwest and their traditional uses. She has woven herbs into her daily life and uses them almost exclusively with herself and children. She currently attends the East West School of Herbology, studies with the bio regional herbalist Kiva Rose of New Mexico, and is mentored by herbalist/ethnobotanist Dr. Tomas Enos and acupuncturist/herbalist Robert Campbell. She works at Milagro Herbs in Santa Fe and teaches classes on herbs, herbal medicine making and remedies. Maria Thomas, Curator of the Curandera Garden Exhibit at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden Maria Thomas graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in Cultural Anthropology and a minor in Asian Art History. She has been an archaeologist in the southwest and has worked as a landscape designer in Northern New Mexico. Maria is an Assistant Curator at the ABQ BioPark where she curates the Japanese and Curandera gardens and other seasonal shows and exhibits. Maria is currently working on a project to collect seed, propagate, and grow native medicinal orchids at the Botanic Garden. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest.
Event Location: BioPark Botanic Gardens, 2601 Central Avenue Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Introduction to Curanderismo Join us for a 3 week Workshop on Curanderismo with Veronica Iglesias. Registration required $10 call 505-246-2261, ext 16. National Hispanic Cultural Center—1701 4th St SW The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 19, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Join us at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History for a Big Read Family Day. Events include an art workshop, folk tales, a scavenger hunt & book talk. Museum of art & History—2000 Mountain Rd NW The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest.
Event Location: Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Road Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Un paseo por el bosque – plantas comestibles y no comestibles Español - bilingüe Disfrute de una caminata guiada por el bosque – hablaremos sobre las plantas del bosque que usaron nuestros antepasados para preparar comida, bebida y medicina. En el libro, Bless Me Ultima, un lado de la familia principal se dedica a la ganadería y el otro lado a la agricultura. Ultima, una figura central, es una curandera quien cosechaba plantas silvestres para el uso medicinal de toda la comunidad. Todos dependen de lo que provee la tierra. [Precaución: no todas las plantas son comestibles y algunos son venenosas. No pruebe ninguna planta sin saber que no es venenoso.] Encuéntrese con su guía al oeste de la zona de estacionamiento en la banca debajo del álamo grande. El paseo dura aproximadamente una hora y media; el camino es casi todo plano y de arena fina y es aproximadamente de un kilometro y medio. Adultos y niños son bienvenidos. Les recomendamos que traigan una cachucha o sombrero, loción protectora con filtro solar y una botella de agua. Llame 505-344-7240 y hable con Karen para más información. El Parque Estatal Rio Grande Nature Center está en Albuquerque a 2901 Candelaria Rd NW. El costo de la entrada es $3.00 por vehículo. Puede pagar usando cheque o tres dólares exactos. (Los Amigos del RGNC que tienen sus permisos y las personas que tienen permisos anuales para visitar los parques estatales entran gratis con su permiso valido puesto en un lugar visible en su vehículo.) Presentación estará en español pero están invitados los hispanohablantes de cualquier nivel, desde los principiantes hasta los hablantes-nativos. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest.
Event Location: Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
These book discussions are made available to the Off-Center Arts community, a non-profit that gives art space and resources to low-income community members. All participants receive a book.
Event Location: 808 Park Avenue Southwest Albuquerque, NM 87102, Albuquerque, NM 87102
ovember's Book Group will celebrate Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me Ultima. Participants will recieve free Books while supplies last. Bless Me, Ultima is a coming-of-age story set on the llano of eastern New Mexico in the 1940s. A boy named Tony meets a curandera named Ultima and learns about people, nature, and the battle between good and evil. The adult Tony narrates his own story which includes witches, kids, the colorful characters plus the songs and dances of his community. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 17, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: Cherry Hills Library, 6901 Barstow Street Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Poets Celebrate Bless me Ultima New Mexico poets of all ages share poetry inspired by the characters, themes and story of Bless Me, Ultima. This event is curated and hosted by Levi Romero, NM Centennial Poet. For reservations, 505-246-2261, x167 National Hispanic Cultural Center—1701 4th St SW The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 19, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Teen Writing Workshop Writing Engagement: Censorship, Civic Literacy, and Youth Empowerment. This panel will discuss the banning of Bless Me Ultima and other texts in the Tucson Area School District, as well as how texts and our understanding of them allow us to engage in dialogue about our communities, our government, the history we share, and the future we'd like to see. The workshop portion of the panel will focus on the genres and rhetoric that can be used effectively to engage community leaders in this conversation such as letters to the editor, letters to community and government leaders, fact sheets, and effective flyer/poster design. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 19, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit www.abclibrary.org.
Event Location: Cherry Hills Library, 6901 Barstow Street Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Celebrate the Big Read and listen to Rudolfo Anaya's stories for children Ages 3 and up. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 17, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: Tony Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache Avenue Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Rudolfo Anaya – Bless Me, Ultima Landscape Park - Route 66, Santa Rosa, NM. Talk by Dianne R. Layden, Ph.D. In March 2008, the City of Santa Rosa dedicated a remarkable work of public art as a tribute to a living author and his classic coming-of-age novel: the Rudolfo Anaya – Bless Me, Ultima Landscape Park on Route 66 near Park Lake. The Santa Rosa area is the setting for the novel; Anaya was born in nearby Pastura. Sculptor Reynaldo “Sonny” Rivera created in bronze the statue of Anaya; a bas relief map of New Mexico with images from the novel and the region; “ojas” or pages with quotations from the novel set into the sidewalk; and plaques for the monument and the statue. The monument also includes a natural stone fountain and a pool with the image of the golden carp from the novel at the bottom in Japanese tile. Dr. Layden is a semi-retired college professor who teaches at CNM. Her field is American Studies. She will show slides of the Anaya monument and discuss the monument as a work of public art.
Event Location: Special Collections Library, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Special Book Talk - The Magic of Words in Bless Me, Ultima Join Felipe de Ortego y Gasca at the Special Collections Library on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 10:30 for a special talk on Rudy Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima: The Magic of Words in Bless Me, Ultima. Bless Me, Ultima is a remarkable work amongst a string of literary works that have enshrined Rudolfo Anaya as the “Grandfather of Chicano Literature.” Since its publication in 1972 the novel has been beset with criticism about its content and its characters, namely that its content is vulgar resulting in the book being banned and burned. Why would anyone want to burn a book about a seven year-old boy growing up in the llanos of New Mexico whose father wants him to be a rancher and whose mother wants him to be a priest? Some critics say that the main character Ultima and other story components comprise gross depictions of witchcraft and Satanism. More distressingly, however, is that those who want to burn the book are Americans. Despite the barrage of adverse criticism, Bless Me, Ultima has become an American classic and a “family favorite of Laura Bush, one of her 25 Books to Read.” Dr. Felipe de Ortego y Gasca is currently Scholar in Residence & Past Chair of the Department of Chicana/o & Hemispheric Studies at Western New Mexico University, and Professor Emeritus of English with the Texas State University System. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of “ABC-CLIO Greenwood Encyclopedia of Latino Issues Today.” He is considered the principal scholar of the Chicano Renaissance and founder of Chicano literary history “with Backgrounds of Mexican American Literature”, first study in the field. His essay on “The Chicano Renaissance” is a landmark text in the Chicano literary movement. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: Special Collections Library, 423 Central Avenue Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
In honor of the Big Read's Bless Me Ultima and the Centennial of the the State of New Mexico, join us as we write letters to our great state. We'll recall memories of growing up in the desert, our favorite things about the state, or any creative meditation on what it means to be New Mexican. Before we send on the letters to the New Mexico History Museum, we'll display our collective offerings for everyone to see and celebrate! Drop by the library any time between November 9-11 and write your history!
Event Location: Taylor Ranch Library, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Tertulia literaria—Bendiceme Ultima Lee Bendiceme Ultima, y luego ven a participar en nuestra discusión. CNM Main Campus Library, Student Resource Center The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 17, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: CNM Main Campus Library, Student Resource Center, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Book Discussions—Bless Me Ultima Read Bless Me, Ultima, and then join us for our discussion! Nov. 14 @ CNM Westside Campus Library, MJG Bldg, Room 108; Nov. 15 @ CNM Montoyra Campus Library—4700 Morris SE,, rm J-123 The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 17, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: CNM Westside Campus Library, MJG Bldg, Room 108, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6657
Writing Home: Creating a Legacy through Memoir and Place-based Writing. A UNM professor once explained that Bless Me Ultima has a greater bearing on students’ lives than an entire shelf of standard “classics” generally required by introductory literature courses. This panel will discuss memoir and regional writing, the style that makes Bless Me Ultima so powerful and poignant for many New Mexicans, as a way to maintain and define identity. The workshop will discuss best practices for turning personal and regional experiences into the kind of writing that can make an impression on readers inside and outside the community. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County is one of 78 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2012-June 2013. From October 19 to November 17, 2012, our community will celebrate Bless Me Ultima with a full calendar of events including writing and book workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, academic lectures, and Curanderismo. For a full calendar of events for The Big Read, visit library.cabq.gov.
Event Location: Main Library , 501 Copper Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
