Key Events

Keynote Address by Dr. Rita M. Palacios

Dr. Rita M. Palacios holds a doctorate in Spanish with a specialization in Latin American Literature from the University of Toronto. She is a professor of languages in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario. Her research examines contemporary Maya literature from a cultural and gender studies perspective. She co-authored a book Unwriting Maya Literature: Ts’íib as Recorded Knowledge (2019, 2022) with Paul M. Worley, in which the authors privilege the Maya category ts’íib over constructions of the literary in order to reveal how Maya peoples themselves conceive of cultural production.

Staged Reading of “Mojada” written by Luis Alfaro and directed by PhD student from Theatre & Film, Haley Anisa Alvarez

Mojada: Medea and Jason have escaped the worst. After a harrowing journey across the Mexican – American border, the couple has made it safely to the States, where they can work toward a better life for their family. While Jason is convinced the future looks bright, Medea fears a darker fate as they face the challenges of living without documentation. Blending Euripides’ classic with Mexican folklore, Luis Alfaro examines the tragedy behind America’s immigration system and the destiny of one family caught in its grip.

Haley Anisa Alvarez successfully co-directed a staged reading of “Roosters” written by Milcha Sanchez-Scott at the Wolfe Centre for the Arts, Eva Marie Saint Theatre in Fall 2023.

Capoeira Art Performance by Mestre Lobinho Fabio Da Cunha, and his group Manglot Capoeira, Brazilian Michigan Cultural Center

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of movement, martial art, and music. Capoeira players form a circle at the centre of which two players engage with one another. The performance will include a portion of live music/singing with Brazilian percussion, plus a demonstration of capoeira acrobatics and movements. It will also include a portion of samba, and finally a musical/movement part with capoeira musical instruments combining the jogos (games) in the capoeira circle with live music.