Take It Higher Than Just Higher Education
Michael Reyes
Monday, 08 Oct 2012 at 7:00 pm – Sun Room, Memorial Union
Michael Reyes is a Chicano/Mexicano poet, actor, playwright, artist and community organizer specializing in youth development. His interactive presentations combine history, current events and performance into a fusion of education and entertainment. His talk examines the characteristics of a critical thinker and what it means to be "schooled" versus "educated." It's a call to action for college students to reinvest in building community both on and off campus. Part of the Latino Heritage Month Celebration.As a poet and spoken word artist Michael Reyes has been featured on HBO Latino�s Habla Series, on Latin Nation, and in the PBS documentary Dream Makers. He has released three books of poetry and three performance CDs.
As an actor, his credits include roles in the plays The Sun Always Shines for the Cool and Chicago Boricua, and in the feature film Nothing Like the Holidays. He worked with poet Tato Laveria on The Spark, Chupacabera and the 1977 Division Street Riots.
Currently, Reyes is touring with his play Crime Against Humanity, co-written by former Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Luis Rosa.
Additional Events with Michael Reyes
Multiculturalism as a Culture � A Workshop
Tuesday, October 8, 2012, 1:00 pm
Gallery, Memorial Union
This faculty workshop focuses on understanding the history of multiculturalism. It incorporates poetry dedicated to a wide variety of political figures and historical movements.
Mexican/Chicano Identity and History Through Spoken Word and Puerto Rican Poems of Solidarity
Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 9:00 pm
Maintenance Shop, Memorial Union
This spoken word performance examines contemporary Chicano identity, delving into such themes as immigration, globalization, and community activism. Michael Reyes creates an awareness about Mexican and Chicano identity and culture using poetry themed around such historical figures as Emilinao Zapata, Frida Kahlo, the Zapatista and Elvira Arellano.
Cosponsored By:
- College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
- English
- Latino Heritage Month Planning Committee
- Multicultural Student Affairs
- Multicultural Student Programming Advisory Council
- Recreation Services
- University Committee on Diversity
- Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)
Stay for the entire event, including the brief question-and-answer session that follows the formal presentation. Most events run 75 minutes.
Sign-ins are after the event concludes. For lectures in the Memorial Union, go to the information desk in the Main Lounge. In other academic buildings, look for signage outside the auditorium.
Lecture Etiquette
- Stay for the entire lecture and the brief audience Q&A. If a student needs to leave early, he or she should sit near the back and exit discreetly.
- Do not bring food or uncovered drinks into the lecture.
- Check with Lectures staff before taking photographs or recording any portion of the event. There are often restrictions. Cell phones, tablets and laptops may be used to take notes or for class assignments.
- Keep questions or comments brief and concise to allow as many as possible.