Thursday, December 9, 2010

Call for Contributions: Collection in Memory of Rane Arroyo



Volume Editor: Betsy Sandlin (Sewanee, University of the South)

Submissions of any genre are invited for an edited collection in memory of poet and playwright Rane Arroyo (1954-2010). His 11 books of poetry, collection of short stories, and numerous plays and performances blazed new trails in Puerto Rican / American literature in their blending of so-called “high” and “low” cultures, their frank reflections on homosexuality, ethnicity, and social class, and their experimentation and self-reflexivity. Rane won numerous accolades during his lifetime and was respected and loved by many, particularly those students and authors whom he influenced and inspired.

Rane was unafraid to push and blur boundaries, and this collection seeks to honor him and his courage by doing the same. To that end, I welcome any sort of contribution in any genre and from any perspective that you feel appropriate to the occasion and to the memory of Rane Arroyo. This may include, but is certainly not limited to, “traditional” (or not-so-traditional) literary criticism, poems or other creative works, personal essays, reflections on teaching Rane’s work, and more.

Essays of literary criticism should be approximately 6,000-8,000 words in length, including end notes and a list of works cited that follows the norms of the Modern Language Association. Other submissions may be in any format. Please feel free to include images, especially if you own them and can grant copyright permission. Images of Rane are certainly welcomed, as are any other images that might be pertinent to your submission.

Interest in submitting should be expressed via email to Betsy A. Sandlin , Ph.D. Associate Professor, Sewanee: The University of the South, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37383, no later than March 31, 2011. Please indicate what you plan to submit and, if appropriate, a title and brief abstract. Final submissions will be due no later than May 31, 2011. Contact Betsy A. Sandlin at bsandlin@sewanee.edu with questions.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Cooking with Drag Queens: How to Make Tostones!



The long awaited Feast of Fun tostones video is finally here! Hope you have fun! ¡Ojalá que lo disfruten!

If you just can't get enough, here is my "Behind the Scenes" video:



And how to forget our zany "How to Make Tostones" preview video!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

La Literatura Latina III (Santa Cruz, California)



¡Saludos desde California! I am thoroughly enjoying my visit to Santa Cruz, where I am participating in the Latino Literature/La literatura latina III Bilingual Conference at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Yesterday I read on a panel with Helena María Viramontes and Manuel Muñoz. ¡Muchísimas gracias a Kirsten Silva Gruesz y a tod@s l@s organizadores de este magnífico evento!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Puerto Rican Literature of Migration



Puerto Rican Literature of Migration
Panelists: Yolanda Martinez San Miguel, Laura Lomas, Vanessa Pérez Rosario
Moderator: Arnaldo Cruz Malavé
Tues., Oct. 26, 2010 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Centro Conference Room East Bldg. 1442
Hunter College (corner 68th & Lexington Avenue)
New York City, NY
Directions: 6 Train to 68th Street
R.S.V.P.: Rosalie Roman or call 212.772.5714

Thursday, September 30, 2010

In Solidarity with MSA President Chris Armstrong



I oppose the harassment that Chris Armstrong, the elected student leader of the University of Michigan Student Assembly, is being subjected to by a state official.

I fully subscribe to the University of Michigan statement of support on his behalf.

I applaud Anderson Cooper's reporting on this topic and his open confrontation of Chris Armstrong's harasser.



Support Chris Armstrong by signing an online petition here. Let Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox know that Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell's behavior is unacceptable.

Also, please consider donating to the Spectrum Center, the University of Michigan's LGBT Student Center on campus. You can give by accessing an electronic donation link on the Spectrum Center home page. No amount is too small.

You can also give to the Spectrum Center's DOUBLE THE IMPACT Campaign at:
http://www.crowdrise.com/spectrumcenter

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Lola Does Saugatuck, Michigan, with the Feast of Fun!



Lola von Miramar had the most wonderful time with her friends Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion of the Feast of Fun last weekend in Saugatuck, Michigan! Listen to this podcast in which we talk about our exploits, particularly our experience attending a cabaret show by the extraordinary Miss Coco Peru! (See my review here.)

Here's a photo of me with the lovely Miss Coco!



For more photos go here!

We also recorded some videos:


Greetings from Saugatuck


Monarch Butterfly Feeding from a Flower


Larry Is Mad at Himself