Best Selling Caribbean Children's Book author to visit Barbados for re-opening of National Library.

 

A Very Smart (Bilingual) New York Cat Returns from Hollywood

After spending time among stars and under the sun, A Very Smart Cat is ready for a cat nap.

November 30, 2008- The Best Friends animal Society Lint Roller Party held at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California was a huge success for everyone involved. There was quite a turnout, some were animal loving celebrities others long time friends and Best Friends supporters. There were even some Celebs with their furry friends in tow, film star Rene Russo, comic actor Arte Johnson of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, TV star Robert Culp, Without a Trace’s Linda Hunt, and M*A*S*H’s Loretta Swit. Also attending, but without pooches were Jodie Sweetin, a former child star on Full House, Emmy Rossum, who starred in Poseidon, The O.C.’s Autumn Reeser, How I Met Your Mother star Alyson Hannigan and her husband, actor Alexis Denisof, and Cold Case star Thom Barry.

Longtime Best Friends supporter Lisa Edelstein, from the hit TV series House, and veteran actress Cloris Leachman, most recently known for her performance on Dancing with the Stars, helped Francis emcee a silent auction of donated collector memorabilia. The money raised through the silent auction and an online auction supports Los Angeles programs like Pup My Ride, Catnippers, the Best Friends Brigade, the Puppy-Store-Free L.A. campaign, Date with a Dog, and biweekly mobile adoptions. Click here to learn more about these programs.

At the party, about 700 attendees were served a vegan gourmet meal provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering.
Paradigm Shift, a worldwide event and marketing firm, generously supplied the champagne for the Founders' Reception, where many founders of Best Friends and the stars of the National Geographic Channel’s hit series “DogTown” mingled with guests and celebrities prior to the party.

At the end of the night everyone left with a gift bag that had some great products but the one that stood out the most was the children’s book A Very Smart Cat, written by Mario Picayo and illustrated by Yolanda Fundora. Mario attended the party with his wife Carla and ballpoint pen to personalize copies of the book before people left. It’s a big step for a kitty to make it all the way to Hollywood and into so many homes in one night. She certainly is A Very Smart Cat.

While A Very Smart Cat was visiting Hollywood CA, for the Best Friends Lint Roller Party she was able to party with the best, she managed to sneak on stage for a duet with Emmylou Harris, caught up with Alyson Hannigan and husband Alexis Denisof for a little slaying, she even managed to get a check up with House doctor Lisa Edelstein, and share a dance with Cloris Leachman. Of course everyone who attended the event went home with a copy of her book so she has a permanent place in homes everywhere from celebrities to Best Friends founders and of course the many animal lovers that were in attendance, she sure does get around- what a smart kitty
.
Since she was already in California she decided to do some sightseeing. First off she had to leave her signature on the Hollywood sign, that was quite a feat but now she knows everyone will know she visited. After all that work she was tired so she jumped on some poor women’s balcony to take a cat nap on her table. Well rested and ready for a little action she took to the road, Carlsbad was her first stop, she went to the beach and hitched a ride on a jogging stroller what a cozy way to stroll. From there she took off trying to capture a picture of a coyote in the Mojave desert, and ended up at a beautiful oasis where she spent the night at the 29 Palms Inn. The other guests were less than thrilled with her all night harmonica jamming but it didn’t seem to bother her one bit, she just kept on going, I believe there were reports that some local coyotes joined in for a little late night howling.

 

A Caribbean Journey from A to Y in thousands of little hands.

First Lady of the United States Virgin Islands, Cecile de Jongh, helps Santa hand out presents to the children of the Terriotory.

Dec. 10, 2008- Thousands of copies of Campanita Book's A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (read and discover what happened to the Z)were distributed to the children of the United States Virgin Islands this week by the First Lady of the Territory, Cecile de Jongh, by Santa Claus himself, and by many helping elves. "Read, Recycle and Reuse” was the theme of this year’s holiday festivities where recyclable green bags with many “goodies” were handed out to the children in the three main islands of St Croix, St John, and St Thomas.

Photo: Courtesy of St. Thomas Source First Lady of the United States Virgin Islands, Cecile de Jongh, helps Santa hand out presents to the children of the Terriotory. INSIDE THE BAG: Healthy and educational goodies, including A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (Read and Discover what happened to the Z).

Picayo's book, released in October 2007, has been a huge hit in the Caribbean and in the United States.  The Midwest Book Review wrote: "A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (Read and Discover What Happened to the Z) is an ABC picture book that leads the reader through the Caribbean islands as well as through the alphabet . . Simple, color illustrations  . . . enliven this wonderfully educational picture book."  And renowned Caribbean author Silvio Torres-Saillant (Caribbean Poetics and An Intellectual History of the Caribbean) commented: “ (the book) describes insular portions of the Caribbean region in a manner that truly teaches and delights the child reader for whom the book is intended... Picayo delivers historical details throughout with beautiful simplicity, as in the explanation of ‘what happened to Z,’ which alerts readers to the slavery period and the presence of Africans in the cultures of the region. With equal command of well chosen details, Griswold’s visual side of the story depicts the rural, the urban, the past, the present, tradition, and change while giving women their due at the center of life in the Caribbean, and suggesting the region’s racial and cultural diversity. The images and the words combine to disrupt many of the visual stereotypes that often recur in representations of the Caribbean.  I can think of no better book for children to begin the life-long adventure of knowing the Caribbean”. The gift is extra significant, since it is a Special Edition made exclusively for the United States Virgin Islands’ Office of the Governor. Among the features that make it a Special Edition are, a Preface from First Lady de Jongh, and a map of the US Virgin Islands. The preface by de Jongh reads: It is my great honor as First Lady of the United States Virgin Islands to join Mario Picayo and his many readers worldwide in celebrating the proud cultures of the Caribbean. A Caribbean Journey from A to Y is a wonderful expression of the diversity of the Caribbean peoples and their lifestyles. It takes us on a journey through the islands of the region and shares important and interesting facts about each location. As you turn the pages, you will discover the many special places, foods, and experiences of the Caribbean. Truly a treasure all on its own, this delightful book is a journey to places near and far that we can all enjoy. It is a reminder of our shared ancestry and celebrates the similarities and differences of each of the islands and their people. Perhaps what we learn the most from this wonderful book is that we are all God’s children, each of us brothers and sisters in paradise. As a Virgin Islander and as a passionate advocate for children and literacy, I am proud to join you on this educational journey through the Caribbean. Enjoy! To get your own copy, or for more information about A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (read and discover what happened to the Z) and other titles by Campanita Books, please visit us at editorialcampana.com. Our books are available at your favorite books seller, and online at Amazon.com and many other virtual bookstores.

View the article written by Molly Morris for the St. Thomas Souce: Click here

 

A Very Smart (Bilingual)New York Cat Goes to Hollywood With a Little Help from her (Best) Friends.

Author Mario Picayo accompanies the Smart Cat to the animal party of the year... Best Friend's Lint Roller Party.

New York- Best Friends, the largest animal rescue organization in the country, and home to National Geographic's hit television series, Dogtown, has decided to adopt a cat that lives in New York, two thousand miles from their headquarters in Utah, but what a cat she is! She can make phone calls, eats her dinner with chopsticks and even plays the harmonica. She also has a tendency to create havoc and mischief with her unusual behavior. This very special kitty will be introduce to the West Coast on November 13th, at the Hollywood Palladium, during the 15th edition of Best Friends' star-studded fundraising extravaganza, Lint Roller Party.

Forewarned of her antics, Hollywood Palladium's management has insisted to the organizers that she be kept inside a bag. But we are sure that she won't stay confined for long. Not when the eight hundred guests at this fabulous event peek into their Goodie Bags and find the smiling, innocent face of the "tuxedo" kitty, looking back at them from the cover of the gorgeously illustrated, hardcover book featuring her adventures. The book is appropriately titled, A Very Smart Cat.

According to her "biographer" Mario Picayo (who will be flying from New York, to attend the event) the adventures depicted in the book, were inspired by the (mis)behavior of one of his daughter's adopted felines.

"It is all about an extremely smart cat that will not leave the dining room table, and the owner that has to deal with her antics. Nothing can be left on the table since the smart cat will use it for her own amusement, or needs. She cuts her favorite pictures from magazines, drinks coffee, changes the tv channel, and makes long distance calls to her friends. It is, of course, an exaggeration of the real cat's behaviour, but people are writing to us and sending pictures of some amazing things that their cats can do, and it is quite amusing how clever real cats can be."

The book, released this past September 21st, has been quite a hit in New York, where Mario has been reading at bookstores, and especially at animal shelters and sanctuaries during FREE ADOPTION days and weekends. Fifty percent of the proceeds are always donated to the host organization. For the upcoming year the goal is to participate in 109 events to promote adoption of cats and dogs, "109 in 2009".

Even though the story is a funny romp, the book contains a full page addressing the importance of adopting cats, of neutering and spaying, and of taking good care of this furry ally and friend that has kept us company for over ten thousand years.

"We are very happy to contribute, in our small way to Best Friends' work and to the work of other organizations that do so much for so many animals in need" Picayo expressed.

For Best Friends the book is especially appropriate since the cat in the story is a rescued feline, and because the owner, Cristina, the author's daughter, has been involved with Best Friends since 2001. As a matter of fact, Best Friends is partially responsible for the Picayo's ownership of the Very Smart Cat.

Back in 2001, Cristina and her mom, Carla, visited Best Friends when they attended the How To Start An Animal Sanctuary Workshop. They ended up coming home with lots of ideas and with a dog named Inka. They also fell in love with Best Friends' mission and began adopting animals and promoting adoption with local rescues. Cristina lives with her husband Andrés, and their two children on a 300 acre hay farm in upstate New York, that they share with their extended family: 7 dogs, 12 cats, 6 horses, 2 miniature donkeys, 10 sheep, 4 goats, 5 rabbits, 3 pot bellied pigs, 12 chickens, 10 guinea fowl, and 1 chinchilla. Her parents, "only" have 16 rescued cats and 2 dogs.

A Very Smart Cat is written in English and Spanish. Alicia Castaneda, Managing Editor of Campanita Books adds that "bookstores are realizing what an asset it is to have children books in multiple languages, and are beginning to display them prominently. The response to Mario's book has been phenomenal".

This kitty's adventures will make a great Christmas gift, and a percentage of the proceeds from all sales will go to animal welfare organizations. A Very Smart Cat is available at your favorite bookstore, including Barnes & Noble, and at many virtual booksellers like Amazon.com. It can also be purchased directly from the publisher

This is Mario Picayo's second children's book. His first title, A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (Read and Discover What Happened to the Z) has sold over 10,000 copies since its release in October 2007.

 

Paquita Suarez Coalla will read from So I Won't Forget and chat with the audience.

 

Editorial Campana to present their latest book, Se vende, se alquila o se regala: Antología de dramaturgia latina en Nueva York at a Barnes & Noble/LART (Latino Artists Round Table) event.

 

Authors Sonia Rivera Valdés (Historias de mujeres grandes y chiquitas) and Mario Picayo ( A Very Smart Cat/Una gata muy inteligente, and A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (Read and Discover What Happened to the Z), will speak to students and read from their latest books.

 

A Very Successful weekend for A Very Smart Cat.

Free adoption days at Animalkind.

October 20, 2008- It was FREE ADOPTION weekend at the famous cathouse (the only cathouse in Hudson, as they like to remind us) and A Very Smart Cat author Mario Picayo joined the good cause. The event was a success with many kittens and cats finding families to love them, and many children taking home the cat-in-the-book as well. Campanita Books shared half the proceeds of the sales with the host organization, Animalkind, Inc. (www..animalkind.info). Katrin Hecker, director of Animalkind, invited Mario when they met at the Cat’s Meow Gala in Catskill, NY, where the book was released (September 21st). A Very Smart Cat is a perfect match for Animalkind, since it is a story inspired by the antics of a real cat that was adopted, and lives just a few miles away. The author was a bit late and by the time he got there, a small crowd waited for him. Carla (Picayo) was in charge of the camera, and of carrying books from the car to the table on the second floor of the facility, while Mario signed away (so glad she is in great aerobic shape. Thanks Carla). Animalkind’s staff did a wonderful job covering Warren Street with flyers for the book signing (rumor has it that volunteer staff member, Chip, was very active in that department). The highlight of Saturday’s event was supposed to be Mario’s book signing, but the Very Smart Cat (VSC) made a quick visit and stole the show. How do we know? Well, none of us saw the VSC, but volunteers Patty, Pam and

Tina knew there was something odd when one of their cats was caught trying to turn Chip’s camera on, while two other cats posed. A definite sign that the VSC had given them a lesson in picture taking. Later, a young man named Jamie and his mom took a very interesting picture, which proves that the VSC was in Hudson on Saturday (see photo album below).

Mario & Carla stayed after the book signing and chatted with Katrin and several staff members about the superb job that this organization does and their dedication to the neediest felines. The place needs to be described with that over-used word, AMAZING, which in this case is totally appropriate. The dedication of everyone involved in caring for these animals is admirable. We urge you to visit their website: www.animalkind.info (make sure you go to .info), and make a donation. Mario left a few signed copies of A Very Smart Cat for future kitty parents, with half the proceeds staying at Animalkind.

Before leaving Hudson, Katrin had a final request. It had been a very busy day for everybody, especially for the cats, Could Mario read the story to the tired, sleepy kitties? Our cat-loving author (and owner of 16 adopted cats himself) happily obliged, and found them to be a great audience, even if none had money to buy books. A great way to close the day. Our thanks to Katrin for the invitation, and to everyone who makes Animalkind possible.

View photo album

 

Diseminado la cultura hispana a travès del libro "Una Gata Muy Inteligente."

Martes 7 de octubre de 2008, Por Antonio Flores-Lobos

KINGSTON - Dicen que los gatos tienen siete vidas, número que tal vez se compare con el número de ocupaciones que tiene el cubano Mario Picayo, autor del libro bilingüe "Una Gata Muy Inteligente", que recientemente salió al mercado.

Y es que Picacyo, quien reside en Saugerties, ha sido y/o sigue siendo es activista cultural, artista audiovisual, cineasta, productor, editor, empresario y otras cosas más, se reinventa como lo amerita la ocasión para continuar promoviendo su literatura, arte y la cultura hispana en los Estados Unidos.

A mediados de septiembre, se le vio por Catskill, la comunidad que tapizó el pueblo con esculturas de gatos y que, al final del verano, las subastó para repartir las ganancias entre artistas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro.

En el día de la subasta, que es todo evento de gala, y que se llevó a cabo a mediados de septiembre, estaba Picayo con su mesa repleta de libros y marcador en mano para autografiar sus obras al que así lo pidiera. Al lado estaba, también con marcador en mano para estampar su firma, la ilustradora de la obra, la cubana Yolanda Fundora.

Y muchas fueron las firmas que los dos artistas tuvieron que estampar y gatitos que dibujar (porque los artistas no sólo

firman). Es que "Una Gata Muy Inteligente" tuvo una buena aceptación entre los asistentes, quienes estaban ahí, para variar, por ser amantes de las mascotas felinas.

Uno de compradores agradecidos fue Dot Rosenthal quién salió del evento con su libro bajo el brazo. En realidad, esta era un regalo para su nieta, pero cuando Rosenthal lo leyó (risa a risa) se dio cuenta que, al que le gustan los gatos, sin lugar a duda le va a gustar el libro y sus ilustraciones. Pero Rosenthal no paró ahí, sino que se fue al Internet y le dio a "Una Gata Muy Inteligente" una "crítica" de 5 estrellas.

Y es que el libro narra la historia de una gata bastante inteligente ... que, de hecho esta basada en "la vida real" de una de las gatas de la hija del autor.

La famosa gata, aparentemente sabe dibujar, llamar por teléfono, sacar fotos, y tocar instrumentos musicales. La bribona gata finalmente cansa a su dueño y este trata de hacerse de ella haciendo un sinnúmero de cosas, entre ellas poner un clasificado en un periódico.

Acerca del Autor: Mario Picayo es activista cultural, artista audiovisual y productor. Ha trabajado para instituciones culturales nacionales como Smithsonian Institution, el Instituto de Folklore de República Dominicana, entre otras instituciones en Estados Unidos y el Caribe. Su trabajo como fotógrafo ha sido presentado en exhibiciones individuales en Nueva York, España, Paraguay, República Dominicana, Argentina, Cuba, y las Islas Vírgenes.--En el campo de la literatura infantil, Mario trabajó como editor para Sesame Workshop (Sesame Street).--En estos momentos divide su tiempo entre su trabajo como editor de Editorial Campana, una compañía independiente de publicación, como productor del programa de televisión Gente y cultura, el cual ha ganado premios en televisión pública, y como director ejecutivo de LART (Latino Artists Round Table), una organización sin fines de lucro fundada en 1999.--La Asamblea del Estado de Nueva York reconoció públicamente su carrera artística y su trabajo como defensor y promotor de la cultura latina en 2004.

Lo interesante para los residentes del Valle del Hudson es que cuando el dueño no puede más con el felino, salen a relucir las raíces locales del libro. Es decir, en los clasificados, que están maravillosamente dibujados por Fundora, aparecen verdaderos anuncios, de verdaderos negocios como La Oaxaqueña 1 de Kingston y La Oaxaqueña 2 de Saugerties. Arriba del supuesto clasificado está un bolígrafo (pluma) que anuncia Sawyer Chevrolet de Saugerties. Entre los clasificados verdaderos aparecen, y grabados para siempre, anuncios de establecimientos ubicados en Rhinebeck, Athens, Woodstock y Catskill.

Esta idiosincrasia en realidad representa la experiencia empresarial del autor. Según comenta Picacyo, cuando andaba buscando fondos para financiar "Una Gata Muy Inteligente", fue a los diferentes negocios del valle y les pidió apoyo económico, pero de una manera en el que todos salían ganadores. Los negociantes iban a comprometerse a darle dinero a Picayo, pero no para publicar el libro, sino pagar por los libros que se comprometían a comprar de la editorial.

Al final de cuentas, el anuncio del establecimiento iba a estar imprento en el libro de manera gratuita. Picayo sólo requería que compraran unos libros, y el dinero no tenían que dárselo al momento, sin hasta cuando el autor regresase con el libro impreso.

El plan funcionó y hoy algunos de los negociantes les leen a sus hijos los libros por las noches y/o se los dan de cortesía a sus clientes.

Mientras tanto ... la muy inteligente gata anda suelta por el valle, la nación y el mundo, sacando sonrisas, en inglés y en español, de cuanto niño y adulto se atreve a leer sus aventuras.

Acerca de la Editorial Campana publica la literatura en español e inglès escrita en por latin@s que se arriesgan a desafiar e canon literario. el pensmiento social convencional y que creen en la cultura como patrimonio de todos. "Una Gata Muy Inteligente" puede conseguirse pidièndolo en cualquier liberìa o visitando la pàgina cibernètica "www.editorialcampana.com."

 

A Very Smart Cat joins the "Paint a Story" club @ "Imagine That"

 

The Cat's Meow Gala, Sunday September 21st, 2008, Catskill, NY

The cat is out of the bag. A Very Smart Cat is officially released at Cat's Meow Auction and Gala.

With hundreds of people in attendance eating and drinking the afternoon away (from cat decorated wine glasses, of course) the new children's book A Very Smart Cat was introduced to a very feline obsessed crowd.

The event was the Cat's Meow Auction and Gala where, beside the release of A Very Smart Cat, 62 beautiful cat sculptures were auctioned. The proud owners, collectively, spent over $75,000 for the privilege of adopting the full litter and taking the colorful kitties to their new homes. Linda Overbaugh, director of the Heart of Catskill/Catskill Chamber of Commerce could not give us an accurate tally yet, but as of our last conversation, the above number could be dwarfed by the time the final figures are revealed . "I am still counting" she told us, with what sounded over the phone as a large Cheshire Cat smile.

The event was an overwhelming success with every item on the block, including the "flat cats" which had their own silent auction, finding an owner.

Author Mario Picayo, and illustrator Yolanda Fundora signed books and talk to the never ending line of people stopping by their table. The Very Smart Cat also brought a very cute team of young ladies who smiled and worked the room, books in hand, making it easy, and pleasant for those standing at the food line, or sitting, waiting for the auction to begin, to buy a book. "We would write their names down, and take the books back to Mario and Yolanda who would sign them", explained Mckinley Matteson, one of the cute and smart "cats" mentioned before. Jessie Churchill, another "smart cat" finished the story: "once signed by both, the author and the illustrator, we brought the book or books back to the buyer. They loved the convenience of shopping from their seats."

Many of the advierstisers whose real ads appear in the fictitious newspaper depicted in A Very Smart Cat
where seeing chatting with Mario and Yolanda. Larry Siracusano president of Sawyer Chevrolet, Tina Gagliardy owner of Mahalo and Wayne from Imagine That among them.

The food was great, the wine delicious, and we would have called the catering of the event perfect if it wasn't for the absence of anything to drink beside water for those too young to enjoy the wines, or that simply don't drink alcohol (no sodas or juices at all), and the early dissapearance of the coffee and desserts. It would have been nice to have a sobering cup and a sweet something after spending a couple of thousand (or $5,800- the record for the evening), on one of the precious felines.

If you have followed the news about the book, then you know by now that the book has been adopted by Ulster and Greene counties (especially by Catskill/Athens/Saugerties and Woodstock) and that there are several events planned for the next couple of weeks with the very clever, and extremely mischivious pussygata (that's cat in Spanish) as the star of the show.

On September 27 (that's next Saturday) at 2 PM, as part of the Read A Story series, our dear friend Lillian from Imagine That Ceramics shop, in Catskill will unveil four collector's plates depicting illustrations from A Very Smart Cat. Guests to the event will be invited to paint the plates, and create their own masterpieces. Lillian glazes and fires the plates and a week later you take home your creation. Author Mario Picayo will join the event and read the very funny children's book to those attending. For more information, visit imaginethatceramics.com

We don't want to flood you with too much information, so we will leave the rest of the announcements for next time. Enjoy the pictures.

View photo album

Author Margarita Drago will present her book Memory Tracks: Fragments from Prison (1975-1980) and speak to students and faculty

 

Children's Author, Mario Picayo, to Speak at V.I. Council on the Arts Gallery

As part of Campanita author Mario Picayo's visit to the Virgin Islands, the Department ofCultural Education has donated one copy of A Caribbean Journey from A to Y(Read and Discover What Happened to the Z) to each elementary school library in the Territory.

My Brain Won't Float Away author to appear in popular morning show Despierta America (Univision)

When: Thursday, January 31st., 2008. Despierta America from 7 to 10 AM
(UNIVISION) Check local listing for cable or dish channel

Despierta América, one of the most popular Spanish language morning television programs, will present a segment about Annette Pérez, author of the bilingual children's book My Brain Won't Float Away/Mi cerebro no va a sair flotando (Campanita Books, New York). The segment will recognize the merits both of the book and its author, who has suffered from hydrocephalus since early childhood. In My Brain
Won't Float Away, Annette narrates her true story of growing up with hydrocephalus with humor, honesty, and compassion, and proves with her story that even the simplest act can change one's life forever.

This is the second honor bestowed on Annette and her book during the month of January. On January 6, Puerto Rico's First Lady, Luisa Gándara, selected My Brain Won't Float Away as one of the presents to
give to thousands of children during the traditional Three Kings Day celebration.

Annette Pérez was born in New York City to a family of Puerto Rican origin. She was diagnosed with hydrocephalus as an infant.She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and works for the Department of Education of the City of New York.

 

The Three Kings Give Away Campanita Books in Puerto Rico

Thousands of families attended the Fiesta de Reyes at the Luis Muñoz Rivera Park, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to celebrate this traditional holiday. Agencies and organizations dedicated to education and family participated in the event. The Three Kings gave away children's books, traditional toys and young trees. Activities promoting books and reading took place under tents throughout the park.

   

Among the books selected by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Luisa Gándara, and the Puerto Rico Department of Education to give to the children was our own Mi cerebro no va a salir flotando/My Brain Won't Float Away, written by Annette Pérez and illustrated by Yolanda Fundora. In the first photo, a girl receives My Brain Won't Float Away as a gift.

The Secretary of Education, Dr. Rafael Aragunde, enjoys the book My Brain Won't Float Away, by Annette Pérez.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration 2007

The Spanish Discipline of the Department of Foreign Languages, ESL, and Humanities at York College cordially invites you to attend the events dedicated to the celebration of the Hispanic Heritage.

Monday, November 19th
“What’s happening in 2007 with Latinos in the Media: Television, Movies, Books, Radio, and Press.” Presenters include cultural activist and producer Mario Picayo, Colombian journalist Diana Vargas, Argentinean journalist Rodolfo Quebleen, and Albor Ruiz Editor in Chief of El Daily News, Executive Director of MAS Magazine, as well as Editor at La Familia de Hoy and Chief Editorial Writer, Columnist, and News Editor at New York’s El Diario-La Prensa.
6:00PM – 8:30PM Room 2D01

ALBOR RUIZ is a columnist for the New York Daily News. A former National Association of Hispanic Journalists' Region II Director and member of its National Board, he has had a long career as writer an editor. He was hired at the Daily News as an Editorial Writer and was the first Latino member of that paper's Editorial Board. He has also worked as an Opinion Page Editor for The News. Ruiz, a lecturer for NYU's Center of Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), was the Editor-in-Chief of El Daily News, the first bilingual newspaper in the country, as well as Executive Editor of Mas magazine, Editor at La Familia de Hoy and Chief Editorial Writer, Columnist and News Editor at New York 's El Diario-La Prensa. He has also written opinion columns for Newsday and published extensively in English and Spanish in several national and international publications. In 2003 he was inducted into the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame. Before becoming a journalist he was a Humanities, Philosophy and Spanish professor in Miami , Puerto Rico and New York . Born in Cuba , he has lived in New York City since 1980.

MARIO PICAYO is a cultural activist, audiovisual artist and producer. He has worked for the Smithsonian Institution, the Dominican Republic 's Institute of Folklore and other cultural institutions in the United States and the Caribbean . As a photographer, Mario Picayo’ solo exhibitions have been presented in New York, Spain, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Cuba, and the Virgin Islands. In the past he has worked as editor for Sesame Workshop ( Sesame Street ). He currently divides his time between duties as Editor in Chief of Editorial Campana, an independent publishing house, as Producer of Gente y cultura, the award winning public television program, and as Executive Director of LART (Latino Artist Round Table), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1999. The New York State Assembly made public recognition to his artistic career and his work as defender and promoter of Latino culture in 2004.
DIANA VARGAS (Colombia-US) Trabajó durante 7 años en la dirección general del espacio documental Rostros y Rastros, programa semanal de televisión ganador de varios premios internacionales. Actualmente reside en Nueva York en donde organiza y promueve eventos culturales. Es consultora de medios y jefe de prensa para organizaciones culturales y artísticas en Estados Unidos; especializándose en el área de cine, literatura y música. En el área de programación de cine coordina, desde hace 4 años, la sección latinoamericana del Havana Film Festival in New York y es, además, directora y fundadora del Festival de Cortos Latinoamericanos Corto Circuito que realiza en asocio con el Centro King Juan Carlos I de New York University. En el 2004 fue programadora del programa de cine del tercer congreso de LART Ficciones y realidades. Como periodista escribe para varias publicaciones entre ellas Hoy, periódico del consorcio Tribune y La Opinión de Los Angeles.

RODOLFO C. QUEBLEEN (Rosario, Argentina, 1938) escribe teatro, cuento y poesía (Premio C.E.P.I., Nueva York). Fue corresponsal de Televisa en Nueva York y trabajó en El Diario-La Prensa, que dirigió en 1990. Actualmente trabaja para Daily News y dirige el semanario en español Hora Hispana.

Thursday, November 29th
“Books Presentation: Historias de mujeres grandes y chiquitas (Sonia Rivera-Valdés), Para que no se me olvide (Paquita Suárez-Coalla), Fragmentos de la memoria. Recuerdos de una experiencia carcelaria (1975-1980) (Margarita Drago).” (Spanish)
5:00 – 7:00PM
Room 4M06

Wednesday, December 5th
Books Presentation: My Brain Won’t Flow Away and Caribbean Journey from A to Y (Published by Campanita Books). With the participation of Annette Pérez (YC Graduate) and Mario Picayo, cultural activist, audiovisual artist and producer.

For more information, contact Dr. Margarita Drago (coordinator) at 718-262-2430

 

Musica, arte y literatura en Terraza Café

El miércoles 21 de noviembre, comenzando a las 6:30 p.m. Margarita Drago (Argentina) presentará su libro: Fragmentos de la memoria: recuerdos de una experiencia carcelaria (1975-1980)

 

 

 

At Teatro IATI

PRESENTATION OF AQUÍ ME TOCÓ ESCRIBIR
On February 22, 2007, at 8:00 p.m., Paquita Suárez Coalla will present her book Aquí me tocó escribir at Calíope Bookstore. Calíope is located at 183 Dyckman Street. Tel: (212) 567-3511.

CONFERENCE
21st Conference on Spanish in the U.S. & 6th International Conference on Spanish in Contact with Other Languages
March 15-18, 2007
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Cohosted by University of Maryland & George Mason University.
For more information about this event, visit: http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/conferences.html

33rd International Book Fair of Buenos Aires: "Books Without Frontiers"
April 16 to May 7, 2007
La Rural, Buenos Aires

The International Book Fair of Buenos Aires is both a nationally and internationally acclaimed catalog for the publishing industry–as well as a cultural feast. It is the most important book fair in Latin America, attracting more than one million visitors.
For more information, visit: http://www.el-libro.com.ar/