Latin America Week at TAMIU Jan. 24 - 28

Texas A&M International University will celebrate Latin America Week, beginning Monday, Jan. 24 through Friday, Jan. 28, with song, dance, movies and presentations.

Dr. Randall Parish, assistant professor and organizer of the campus-wide event, said all on-campus events were free and open to the public.

He said some highlights of scheduled events include a showing of the Brazilian movie "The Middle of the Road" as well as dance performances by the TAMIU Classical Spanish Ballet and a lecture on Ernesto Lecuona, presented by TAMIU professor emeritus, Dr. Rafael Lecuona. The TAMIU Art Club will be recreating murals of Latin American artists on the Student Center Patio.

"We're very excited to bring a wide variety of events to the campus, and to the Laredo public. Latin America Week is a chance to explore our heritage as well as new cultures. We want to drape the entire campus with the colors of Latin American culture and we hope everyone will have the opportunity to attend at least one event," said Dr. Parish.

The week-long event will conclude with Latin American Night at Espumas, a coffee house located at 119 Guadalupe Street.

"We will have live music from Joel Escalona and the Latin Jazz Project, as well as complimentary Latin American appetizers and coffees and teas. Students can get in for free with I.D. It should be a great night," said Parish.

The full schedule is as follows:

All week: Latin American Display - Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

Guanajuato Study Abroad Projects Poster Display - Student Center Rotunda.

Latin American Muralists - Student Center Patio.

Monday, January 24: 12 p.m. Music in the Student Center Rotunda: Trio Brasileiro.

1 p.m. Movie: "The Middle of the Road" - A family's 2000-mile bicycle journey across Brazil in search of work and a better life. Brazilian, in Portuguese with English subtitles. Student Center Theater, room 236.

Tuesday, January 25: 12 p.m. Dance in the Student Center Rotunda: TAMIU Classical Spanish Ballet.

1 p.m. "?Eñe punto com: Por qué y para que estudiar español?" Presentation by the TAMIU Spanish Club. Student Center, room 230.

3 p.m. "Los Pequeños Guías Turísticos de Guanajuato" Presentation by Marcela Ramos on child tour guides. Student Center, room 230.

7:30 p.m. "Integration is Inevitable" Presentation by United States Consul Michael Yoder. Part of the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade's Keynote Speaker Series. Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111.

Wednesday, January 26: 11 a.m. "Ernesto Lecuona: the Genius and His Music" Presentation by TAMIU professor emeritus Dr. Rafael Lecuona on the life and music of this Cuban composer. Student Center Rotunda.

12 p.m. Music in the Student Center Rotunda: TAMIU Guitar Ensemble.

1 p.m. "Careers in Latin America" Panel discussion with representatives from the Foreign Services, Peace Corps, journalism, finance, business and non-profits. Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 103.

Thursday, January 27: 11:45 a.m. Music in the Student Center Rotunda: Silver Wind Flute Ensemble.

12:30 p.m. "Study Abroad in Guanajuato" Presentation by Dr. Christy Teranishi. Student Center Rotunda.

Friday, January 28: 12 p.m. Music in the Student Center Rotunda: Joel Escalona and the Latin Jazz Project.

12 p.m. Study Abroad video. Student Center Food Court.

1 p.m. Movie: "Carol's Journey" - A Spanish-American girl travels to Spain at the height of the Spanish Civil War. Spanish, in Spanish with English subtitles. Student Center Theater, room 236.

8 p.m. Latin American Night at Espumas (119 Guadalupe Street) Music by Joel Escalona and the Latin Jazz Project. Complimentary Latin American appetizers, coffee and tea. Students admitted free with I.D.

All events are subject to change. For current event information, please contact Dr. Randall Parish at 326.2528, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 434A or e-mail rparish@tamiu.edu.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.