Palabra Pura cast–photo from Guild Literary Complex website guildplex.org
A tribute to mothers curated by the Chicago Latino Writers Initiative
Regardless of whether great poets are born or made, they wouldn’t be here without their mothers. In this March’s installment of Palabra Pura, two local writers—Arturo “Tootie” Alvarez and Brian Martin—pay tribute to the women who raised them. The event will take place at La Bruquena Restaurant (2726 West Division Street), from 7:30-9 p.m., on Wednesday, March 18, and will begin with an open mic reading. Anyone is welcome to attend—all “mother” tongues are welcome—and the entrance fee is pay-what-you-can ($5 suggested donation).
Curated by the Chicago Latino Writers Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering upcoming and established Latina/o authors, the reading will cover subjects ranging from mothers’ always-sensible advice—like the admonition to always use condoms—to the struggles they face in living up to exacting beauty standards. Their warmth and resilience will be celebrated.
Arturo “Tootie” Alvarez, a native of Los Angeles, is a seasoned poet and musician who has performed at venues including Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip and other locations throughout California and Chicago. Brian Martin, originally from Tijuana, is a Columbia College Chicago student and activist who studied at the Jack Kerouac School for Disembodied Poetics.
In 2015, Palabra Pura celebrates 10 years of monthly Spanish/English readings by Latino and Chicano authors from Chicago and all the Americas—making it the longest running program of its kind in the city. A Toda Madre is the second curated program of 2015. Other guest curators for 2015 include Daniel Borzutzky (April); Ana Castillo (May); Elizabeth Marino (June); Ruben Quesada (July); Stephanie Díaz Reppen (September); Cynthia Pelayo (October); and Patrícia Anzini (November).