So much has been going on this month. I find that, as my foot heals, my pace becomes increasingly hectic--and that is something I somewhat lament. Funny, before--in the first few weeks of my temporary incapacitation--I lamented not being able to be so active and productive. Oh well, humans are funny people...
The reading last week seems like it happened months ago. The folks from the Writer's Garret were sweet and supportive; co-founders-directors Thea Temple and Jack Myers seemed remarkably chill, as they sat, slung low on a couch, hearing the poets of the night. I was on second, after Carol Nace, whose near-whisper-delivered reading felt incantatory. Before the reading, she and I exchanged battle wound stories, as we both have broken our feet. I'd like to read her stuff on the page, to get a better sense of it.
Michael Grabell (writer for the Dallas Morning News) had some funny poems, pulling alot of laughs from the audience of about forty folks. Jack Myers finished up the evening with some very nice flavors--why does his name now make me think of Jack Daniels and Myer's Rum? All in all, a very nice reading experience. I sold a bunch of books, without even trying--now that's a nice way to top off the night. Got to chat w/ Beatriz Terrazas about Macondo and future lit stuff together. Special nod to Karen X, who had her own event to host at the Priya Yoga space, yet rushed upstairs to give me a quick greeting hug before rushing off to do her thing.
Note to self: "A Piece Based on Two Incidents at the Same Lake" might actually be full-complete, in its final version. That's what Thea Temple kept telling me, as she raved about this poem. I'm glad to hear this feedback, as the poem is so personal that I think I've quite lost my ability to be objective about it as a work of literature. See--this is another great reason to get out and read your stuff in public!
National Poetry Month reading - April 25, 2008, Paperbacks Plus
poems performed by Tammy M. Gomez: my set list for the event, accompanied (with stellar precision) by Ramsey Sprague
aka The Shortest Distance:
"Quetzal"
published online at: xxcommunicator.blogspot.com, posted on Thursday, November 01, 2007, Poem #305 of 365
"Donde Esta’ Adam"
published in Terra Firma (Austin: Agave Noir, 2004)
"In This Love"
published in North Texas Neruda Love: poems, essays, testimonios in tribute to Pablo Neruda
(Fort Worth: Tejana Tongue Press, 2006)
"A Piece Based on Two Incidents at the Same Lake"
(unpublished, NFS)
"Delivery of Nouns"
published online at: xxcommunicator.blogspot.com, posted on Friday, November 02, 2007, Poem #306 of 365
"Nepal Child Poem 2"
published in Terra Firma (Austin: Agave Noir, 2004)
for more info:
about Tammy - www.myspace.com/sunlitdoorway
about Ramsey - www.myspace.com/theshortestdistance
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
My two most recent publication credits: 2 poems and an essay
Read 'em online now.
Judy Gordon, based in N. Dallas, is the wife and artist-colleague of legendary Texas "outlaw poet" Roxy Gordon (R.I.P., Roxy), who is highly-lauded by many (sometimes they play recordings of Roxy's recorded readings on the Native American music show "Bows and Arrows" which airs on KNON-FM, 88.7, on Sundays at 6pm). Judy's a great organizer and late-blossoming visual artist, and in the wake of Roxy's passing, she's kept pretty busy with literary/art activities. PUTT (Pickin Up the Tempo) is her latest project, and she's been publishing it for about a year now.
Read it online here or sign up to receive each monthly issue via email. Two of my newest poems are featured in the current issue. Click on "TAMMY GOMEZ" in the sidebar to read 'em.
You may also consider submitting some of your latest scribbles and raw words to Judy for a future issue. I like the feel of what she's doing with this publication. Think of it as a literary equivalent to "No Depression," the insurgent country, alt-Americana roots music zine. I guess that might be a useful comparison, maybe not...
Hey, I also have a new essay published online for my compa Bronmin Shumway's new zine HERE THERE MAGAZINE, which just launched in March. My essay describes the history of taking my play "She: Bike/Spoke/Love" from the page to the stage. It was a very useful process for me, writing down some of the tools, steps, and decisions that were necessary to this project gettin' done. In writing the essay, I was very thankful for having taken the time to maintain a a blog that charted this seemingly (to me, at least) epic journey.
My friend, Vicki Grise, has started her own process blog, to document the creative path of her current performance project, "rasgos asiaticos, which she's developing at Cal-Arts in L.A.
Sometimes we forget to leave crumbs, helping us recognize and remember the way we got from point A to point B. If we blog about it, then maybe the mystical magic of our creative productions might actually be replicate-able. Or, at least, it could help others just starting out to know how we accomplished the minor miracles of our artistry.
Judy Gordon, based in N. Dallas, is the wife and artist-colleague of legendary Texas "outlaw poet" Roxy Gordon (R.I.P., Roxy), who is highly-lauded by many (sometimes they play recordings of Roxy's recorded readings on the Native American music show "Bows and Arrows" which airs on KNON-FM, 88.7, on Sundays at 6pm). Judy's a great organizer and late-blossoming visual artist, and in the wake of Roxy's passing, she's kept pretty busy with literary/art activities. PUTT (Pickin Up the Tempo) is her latest project, and she's been publishing it for about a year now.
Read it online here or sign up to receive each monthly issue via email. Two of my newest poems are featured in the current issue. Click on "TAMMY GOMEZ" in the sidebar to read 'em.
You may also consider submitting some of your latest scribbles and raw words to Judy for a future issue. I like the feel of what she's doing with this publication. Think of it as a literary equivalent to "No Depression," the insurgent country, alt-Americana roots music zine. I guess that might be a useful comparison, maybe not...
Hey, I also have a new essay published online for my compa Bronmin Shumway's new zine HERE THERE MAGAZINE, which just launched in March. My essay describes the history of taking my play "She: Bike/Spoke/Love" from the page to the stage. It was a very useful process for me, writing down some of the tools, steps, and decisions that were necessary to this project gettin' done. In writing the essay, I was very thankful for having taken the time to maintain a a blog that charted this seemingly (to me, at least) epic journey.
My friend, Vicki Grise, has started her own process blog, to document the creative path of her current performance project, "rasgos asiaticos, which she's developing at Cal-Arts in L.A.
Sometimes we forget to leave crumbs, helping us recognize and remember the way we got from point A to point B. If we blog about it, then maybe the mystical magic of our creative productions might actually be replicate-able. Or, at least, it could help others just starting out to know how we accomplished the minor miracles of our artistry.
I'm reading @ Paperbacks Plus in Lakewood, Dallas, on Friday, April 25th
Because it's NATIONAL POETRY MONTH--all of April, that is--poets like me get trotted out for some show-and-tell time more often than during other months. That's cool with me, as I always enjoy a good social opportunity with spoken word/poetry in the mix. The Writer's Garret has engaged my "services" at least a dozen times over the past decade, and this Dallas-based nonprofit literary organization does more for the engagement of poet/writers with a live audience than most literary orgs in Texas.
Join us on Friday, April 25th, at the Upstairs Salon - above Paperbacks Plus in the Lakewood neighborhood of Dallas.
Wine 'n' cheese reception: 6:30pm
Reading/performance: 7pm
Featuring: Jack Myers (former Poet Laureate of Texas and SMU professor), Michael Grabell, Carol Nace, and Tammy Gomez
(accompanied by musician"The Shortest Distance" aka Ramsey Sprague)
FREE and open to the public.
Join us on Friday, April 25th, at the Upstairs Salon - above Paperbacks Plus in the Lakewood neighborhood of Dallas.
Wine 'n' cheese reception: 6:30pm
Reading/performance: 7pm
Featuring: Jack Myers (former Poet Laureate of Texas and SMU professor), Michael Grabell, Carol Nace, and Tammy Gomez
(accompanied by musician"The Shortest Distance" aka Ramsey Sprague)
FREE and open to the public.
Prairie Fest 2008 - Saturday, April 26 in FW - schedule/info
first: Happy, green, productive, pro-active EARTH DAY to you !!
second: Prairie Fest is only 3 days away on April 26.
Says organizer/founder Don Young: "Come dance barefoot on the prairie--at the Tandy Hills Natural Area
in E. Fort Worth--while you help us save some of it. Our solar-powered stage makes Grammy-winning musicians Brave Combo sound way better."
Who: Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area.
What: The third annual Fort Worth Prairie Fest "Celebrating our connection to the natural world"
When: April 26, 2008. 11am - 7 pm
Where: Tandy Hills Natural Area - 3400 View Street, Fort Worth
Website: http://tandyhills. org/prairiefest. htm/
Contact: Don Young @ 817-731-2787
Prairie Fest is:
- Wildflower/Prairie tours led by master naturalists at the best place to see spring wildflowers, Tandy Hills Natural Area.
- Sustainable and green living exhibitors representing clean energy, green building, yard & garden, recycling, transportation, food & agriculture and conservation. (over 60 booths)
- A forum for all environmental organizations in the the north Texas region, with a keynote speech by Jarid Manos, founder of Great Plains Restoration Council.
- A special gathering of North Texas artists (including Alison Aldrich, Tina Bohlman, Rachel Bounds, Georgia Clarke, Sarah Green, Ginger Head Gearheart, Tom Huckabee, Carol Ivey, Debob Jacob, Sheri Jones, Sunnie LeBlanc, Victor Manuel, Chris McHenery, Rose Marie Mercado, Cecilia Robertson, Julie Wende, and Trish Wise) creating works inspired by Tandy Hills Natural Area in our "Plein Air" painting event. Take one or more of these paintings home with you by bidding on them in an auction during the festival.
- MUSIC, DANCE, POETRY and other performances for all ages.
SCHEDULE OF PERFORMERS AND /PRESENTERS:
11am – 12:15pm / The Ackermans (music)
12:15 – 12:30pm / Mimi Kayl-Vaughn (modern dance)
12:30 – 12:45pm / John Snowden |(speaker, Bluestem Farms)
12:45 – 2:00pm / "Trigger Fish" (music)
2:00 – 2:15pm / "Footprints" (dance, music, poetry with Lori Sundeen Soderbergh, Tammy Gomez, Chris Curiel)
2:15 – 3:00pm / Kerri Arista (music)
3:00 – 3:15pm / Elizabeth Samudio (speaker, Elizabeth Anna’s Old World Garden)
3:15 - 4:30pm / Blackland River Devils/Darrin Kobetich (music)
4:30 – 4:45pm / Kathleen Hicks (speaker)
4:45 – 5:00pm / "Footprints" (dance, music, poetry with Lori Sundeen Soderbergh, Tammy Gomez, Chris Curiel)
5:00 – 5:45pm / "The Walking Contradictions" (music)
5:45 – 6:00pm / Jarid Manos (speaker)
6:00 – 7:30pm / Brave Combo (music)
- Food and drink provided by Chadra Mezze and Grill; Hot Damn Tamales; New Belgian Brewing Company; Rahr Brothers Brewery; and Smokey's Barbecue.
- FREE and open to the public!
DIRECTIONS to festival site: 3400 View St. Fort Worth, TX 76103.
Go 13 blocks on Meadowbrook to Tandy Ave. Turn right on Tandy, the park is one block straight ahead.
Don't miss being a part of the greenest of the green festivals. Come to the meadow, where the therapy is always pro bono.
Tammy Gomez performing in "Footprints" at the FringeFest at the Dallas Hub Theatre in Deep Ellum, Saturday, April 12th.
second: Prairie Fest is only 3 days away on April 26.
Says organizer/founder Don Young: "Come dance barefoot on the prairie--at the Tandy Hills Natural Area
in E. Fort Worth--while you help us save some of it. Our solar-powered stage makes Grammy-winning musicians Brave Combo sound way better."
Who: Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area.
What: The third annual Fort Worth Prairie Fest "Celebrating our connection to the natural world"
When: April 26, 2008. 11am - 7 pm
Where: Tandy Hills Natural Area - 3400 View Street, Fort Worth
Website: http://tandyhills. org/prairiefest. htm/
Contact: Don Young @ 817-731-2787
Prairie Fest is:
- Wildflower/Prairie tours led by master naturalists at the best place to see spring wildflowers, Tandy Hills Natural Area.
- Sustainable and green living exhibitors representing clean energy, green building, yard & garden, recycling, transportation, food & agriculture and conservation. (over 60 booths)
- A forum for all environmental organizations in the the north Texas region, with a keynote speech by Jarid Manos, founder of Great Plains Restoration Council.
- A special gathering of North Texas artists (including Alison Aldrich, Tina Bohlman, Rachel Bounds, Georgia Clarke, Sarah Green, Ginger Head Gearheart, Tom Huckabee, Carol Ivey, Debob Jacob, Sheri Jones, Sunnie LeBlanc, Victor Manuel, Chris McHenery, Rose Marie Mercado, Cecilia Robertson, Julie Wende, and Trish Wise) creating works inspired by Tandy Hills Natural Area in our "Plein Air" painting event. Take one or more of these paintings home with you by bidding on them in an auction during the festival.
- MUSIC, DANCE, POETRY and other performances for all ages.
SCHEDULE OF PERFORMERS AND /PRESENTERS:
11am – 12:15pm / The Ackermans (music)
12:15 – 12:30pm / Mimi Kayl-Vaughn (modern dance)
12:30 – 12:45pm / John Snowden |(speaker, Bluestem Farms)
12:45 – 2:00pm / "Trigger Fish" (music)
2:00 – 2:15pm / "Footprints" (dance, music, poetry with Lori Sundeen Soderbergh, Tammy Gomez, Chris Curiel)
2:15 – 3:00pm / Kerri Arista (music)
3:00 – 3:15pm / Elizabeth Samudio (speaker, Elizabeth Anna’s Old World Garden)
3:15 - 4:30pm / Blackland River Devils/Darrin Kobetich (music)
4:30 – 4:45pm / Kathleen Hicks (speaker)
4:45 – 5:00pm / "Footprints" (dance, music, poetry with Lori Sundeen Soderbergh, Tammy Gomez, Chris Curiel)
5:00 – 5:45pm / "The Walking Contradictions" (music)
5:45 – 6:00pm / Jarid Manos (speaker)
6:00 – 7:30pm / Brave Combo (music)
- Food and drink provided by Chadra Mezze and Grill; Hot Damn Tamales; New Belgian Brewing Company; Rahr Brothers Brewery; and Smokey's Barbecue.
- FREE and open to the public!
DIRECTIONS to festival site: 3400 View St. Fort Worth, TX 76103.
Go 13 blocks on Meadowbrook to Tandy Ave. Turn right on Tandy, the park is one block straight ahead.
Don't miss being a part of the greenest of the green festivals. Come to the meadow, where the therapy is always pro bono.

Thursday, April 17, 2008
"Facing the Change: Grassroots Encounters with Global Warming" - submit yr. writing
[Thanks to friend, poet, and world traveler Lorena Caputo for sending me the following call for submissions. Please respond to the email address/mailing address provided below. ]
INVITATION TO SUBMIT TO ANTHOLOGY ON GLOBAL WARMING
"Greetings and best wishes!
Facing the Change: Grassroots Encounters with Global Warming will be a completely new kind of book about global climate change. Instead of experts talking at you, this hard-copy anthology will feature personal responses to global warming - what everyday people are feeling and thinking as well as what they are doing. Stories, essays, and poetry are welcome, from concerned citizens from all walks of life and all ages. Please go to www.facingthechange.org for more information, writing suggestions, and submission instructions (including a printable version of the full Invitation to Submit).
Submission deadline: MAY FIRST, 2008 - 5/1/08.
Please consider submitting your own writing to the project. You can also help by forwarding this invitation to anyone who may be interested - colleagues, students, friends, family, or community members. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions you might have. Your interest and assistance will be much appreciated.
The world needs your insight, strength, and concern. Join with me in Facing the Change.
Thanks, Steve"
Steven Pavlos Holmes, Ph.D.
Independent Scholar in the Environmental Humanities
21 Eldridge Rd., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 USA
steve@facingthechange.org
www.facingthechange.org
INVITATION TO SUBMIT TO ANTHOLOGY ON GLOBAL WARMING
"Greetings and best wishes!
Facing the Change: Grassroots Encounters with Global Warming will be a completely new kind of book about global climate change. Instead of experts talking at you, this hard-copy anthology will feature personal responses to global warming - what everyday people are feeling and thinking as well as what they are doing. Stories, essays, and poetry are welcome, from concerned citizens from all walks of life and all ages. Please go to www.facingthechange.org for more information, writing suggestions, and submission instructions (including a printable version of the full Invitation to Submit).
Submission deadline: MAY FIRST, 2008 - 5/1/08.
Please consider submitting your own writing to the project. You can also help by forwarding this invitation to anyone who may be interested - colleagues, students, friends, family, or community members. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions you might have. Your interest and assistance will be much appreciated.
The world needs your insight, strength, and concern. Join with me in Facing the Change.
Thanks, Steve"
Steven Pavlos Holmes, Ph.D.
Independent Scholar in the Environmental Humanities
21 Eldridge Rd., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 USA
steve@facingthechange.org
www.facingthechange.org
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
"Footprints" debuted at Barefoot Brigade show last weekend
"I step gently on the earth...You can hardly see the marks I leave behind."
"Mama, mama, look at the sky! The colors so bright at night!"
"...how i have trampled this territory."
We're onstage again this weekend to perform "Footprints", as part of the annual Dallas FringeFest in Deep Ellum. We do the piece at 4pm, and then again at 9:45pm. Come check us out if you are into seeing some experimental performance on Saturday, April 12th. The show's at the Dallas Hub Theater, which is located at 2809 Canton St.
12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, April 6, 2008
By MARGARET PUTNAM / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
msputnam@sbcglobal.net
Margaret Putnam is a Richardson-based writer who covers dance.
"I was worried there for a little while. What if no one in the Barefoot Brigade Dance Festival went weird Friday night?
I need not have worried. Footprints did the trick. Eight mannequin legs littered the floor, one leg rudely impaled with a Styrofoam cup, the rest stuffed with plastic bags.
Upside down, Lori Sundeen Soderbergh wiggled her feet. Eventually, she's was upright. The theme, or at least part of it, was to take responsibility for one's footprint that damages the Earth. But it was difficult to take seriously because of some props, such as a fish mask and a part that mocked strangulation.Next to that bit of nonsense, everything else seemed pretty straightforward from the area troupes at the dance festival."
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Ruben Salazar - collaboration for Waco art exhibit in February 2008
I've always loved working with other artists in collaboration, especially when the artists involved are working in genres other than the ones I'm usually exploring. Back in January, I got to work with Waco-based visual artist
RUBEN SALAZAR, who invited me to send him some of my political poems for possible use in some of his artwork. Ruben and I met via a phone call back in 2005, which kind of spooked me, because he 1) phoned after midnight and 2) he happened to know that I was about to board a train to travel to San Antonio for TeatroFest at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Disconcerting, for reals. I was polite but cautious, as Ruben listed off the names of some of our mutual friends. Turns out, Ruben was just super-friendly and maybe a bit lonely for Chicano/a artist kinship. He knows alot about Chicano/a art and has traveled a bit throughout the southwest to study, work, and network. I ended up on his email mailing list and began to figure--from the content of many of his forwards and messages--that he is an environmental activist and practitioner of what is often termed "advocacy art." He's really good at creating provocative "papel picado" ("cut paper") designs, a couple of which you can see here.


We've shared alot of musings online, and looked forward to the day that we might collaborate on some project together. He is trying to bring some "life" and "culture" to Waco, and I can tell that he often feels like he's waging a one-man campaign to do so.
Anyway, back in December (2007), Ruben announced that he was going to have a show of his work in McLennan Community College's art gallery. He invited me to submit a few pieces of my writing for his consideration, as he hoped to find inspiration for a couple new works from reading these poems. This, in turn, motivated me to pen a new piece, "Steps on the Earth", which Ruben included in a multimedia collage--as shown below--which he created specifically for his exhibit.
I took the train (yay, Amtrak!) on the afternoon of Friday, February 15th, so that I could check out his one-man show and also to perform at the reception. ((A long sidenote now ensues: Ramsey kindly dropped me off at the Amtrak station in time for my scheduled departure, but we didn't have time for him to swing by my bank ATM beforehand. No problem, I thought. I'll buy my ticket and then skip over to the ATM which was surely to be found in the rail station lobby. Problem: I had just received a replacement ATM card from my bank the day before and had neglected to test-drive it. Reason for getting a replacement card, in the first place, was because some bozo had been trying to do a heist using that bank's ATM system, so all customers were required to trash their old cards and pick up a new (safer) one. Okay, so I had just enough cash to purchase my one-way ticket to McGregor. Waco doesn't have a rail stop because the powers-that-were and the powers-that-be continue to resist having Amtrak service their city. Lame. Anyway--once I purchased my ticket, I was left with the equivalent of about $1.25 in coinage. Sad. I had no idea if my ATM card was going to work whatsover, in any machine. I had not the slightest clue if I'd be able to withdraw any money for my weekend journey, which would have me moving on to Austin from Waco--Cesar and Miguel were scheduled to pick me up in Waco, alongside the interstate, at one of the fast-food restaurants across from Baylor U. on Saturday morning. I realized that I had to fall back on my time-tested belief that things would all work out, and that my needs (food, drink, etc.) would be met without the safety net of money. In a pinch, I could also borrow from Cesar.))
Anyway, after my reading at the gallery on Friday night, Ruben passed around a basket for donations, and I was offered the total amount collected--which equaled almost exactly the amount I would have withdrawn from the ATM to cover my anticipated expenses for the weekend. The universe always provides a safety net; we only have to trust in it.

Ruben introducing me at his art show reception--McLennan Community College in Waco.



We've shared alot of musings online, and looked forward to the day that we might collaborate on some project together. He is trying to bring some "life" and "culture" to Waco, and I can tell that he often feels like he's waging a one-man campaign to do so.
Anyway, back in December (2007), Ruben announced that he was going to have a show of his work in McLennan Community College's art gallery. He invited me to submit a few pieces of my writing for his consideration, as he hoped to find inspiration for a couple new works from reading these poems. This, in turn, motivated me to pen a new piece, "Steps on the Earth", which Ruben included in a multimedia collage--as shown below--which he created specifically for his exhibit.

I took the train (yay, Amtrak!) on the afternoon of Friday, February 15th, so that I could check out his one-man show and also to perform at the reception. ((A long sidenote now ensues: Ramsey kindly dropped me off at the Amtrak station in time for my scheduled departure, but we didn't have time for him to swing by my bank ATM beforehand. No problem, I thought. I'll buy my ticket and then skip over to the ATM which was surely to be found in the rail station lobby. Problem: I had just received a replacement ATM card from my bank the day before and had neglected to test-drive it. Reason for getting a replacement card, in the first place, was because some bozo had been trying to do a heist using that bank's ATM system, so all customers were required to trash their old cards and pick up a new (safer) one. Okay, so I had just enough cash to purchase my one-way ticket to McGregor. Waco doesn't have a rail stop because the powers-that-were and the powers-that-be continue to resist having Amtrak service their city. Lame. Anyway--once I purchased my ticket, I was left with the equivalent of about $1.25 in coinage. Sad. I had no idea if my ATM card was going to work whatsover, in any machine. I had not the slightest clue if I'd be able to withdraw any money for my weekend journey, which would have me moving on to Austin from Waco--Cesar and Miguel were scheduled to pick me up in Waco, alongside the interstate, at one of the fast-food restaurants across from Baylor U. on Saturday morning. I realized that I had to fall back on my time-tested belief that things would all work out, and that my needs (food, drink, etc.) would be met without the safety net of money. In a pinch, I could also borrow from Cesar.))
Anyway, after my reading at the gallery on Friday night, Ruben passed around a basket for donations, and I was offered the total amount collected--which equaled almost exactly the amount I would have withdrawn from the ATM to cover my anticipated expenses for the weekend. The universe always provides a safety net; we only have to trust in it.

Ruben introducing me at his art show reception--McLennan Community College in Waco.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Premiere of new work "Footprints" in Barefoot Brigade showcase this weekend
Lori, Chris, and I have been developing this new performance piece--"Footprints", about the impact of our carbon footprint on the planet--since late January. It's been an easeful process, as Lori has coordinated this project in a way that has allowed us rehearsal studio time (at the Margo Dean Ballet Studios--thanks to Margo Dean!) for jamming on our ideas in a thoughtful and deliberate manner, moving towards precision. I met Lori--as I like to honor my collaborators with a memory of our meeting--at the "Save the Trees" rally last September. She heard and appreciated my poetry performance at the mic, and expressed her desire to get together on a project at some point. Lori also came out to see my bicycle play ("She: Bike/Spoke/Love") and was totally impressed. Now, we're premiering our first collaborative effort tonight (at the Bath House Cultural Center--see details below), and I must say, I'm pretty stoked about our conceptual and performative achievements in this work. Chris Curiel (co-founder, with his wife Tamitha, of the experimental musical project SWIRVE), as usual, is a 100% pleasure to work with--he's always spot-on with his musical accent choices. (I enlisted him as musical coordinator/composer/performer in last year's "365 Days, 365 Plays" project that I produced at the Jubilee Theater of one week's worth of plays from the Suzan Lori-Parks epic cycle.)
"Footprints" is part of the Spring 2008 Barefoot Brigade program, which showcases dance/movement and performance art works being created by some of DFW's most active (and sometimes prolific) artists. My personal favorites being performed alongside our work are the dances performed by MUSCLE MEMORY DANCE THEATER and the DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATER companies. A very provocative program.
Also need to mention: "Footprints" will be performed multiple times in the Metroplex this month. Check it out next Saturday (details below) at the upcoming DALLAS FRINGE FESTIVAL, and again at the annual PRAIRIE FEST in Fort Worth towards the end of the month. Hope you can join us at one of these performances!

FOOTPRINTS
D/FW premiere performances in April
"What is our footprint on this planet? Is it time to get mad or get moving? Are we too late?"
"Footprints" is a new dance/music/poetry collaboration by choreographer Lori Sundeen Soderbergh (FW); musician/composer Chris Curiel (Dallas); and performance artist Tammy Gomez (FW).
Barefoot Brigade Dance Festival
Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas
Friday, April 4 at 8pm and Saturday, April 5 at 3pm
For more information: www.cdfw.org/programs
3rd Annual DFW Fringe Festival
hosted by Dallas Hub Theater
Saturday, April 12 at 4pm and 9:45pm
For more information: www.dallashubtheater.org
3rd Annual Fort Worth PrairieFest
Tandy Hills in Fort Worth
Saturday, April 26 -at 2:30pm and 5pm
FREE admission!
For more information: www.tandyhills.org/prairiefest contact:
"Footprints" is part of the Spring 2008 Barefoot Brigade program, which showcases dance/movement and performance art works being created by some of DFW's most active (and sometimes prolific) artists. My personal favorites being performed alongside our work are the dances performed by MUSCLE MEMORY DANCE THEATER and the DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATER companies. A very provocative program.
Also need to mention: "Footprints" will be performed multiple times in the Metroplex this month. Check it out next Saturday (details below) at the upcoming DALLAS FRINGE FESTIVAL, and again at the annual PRAIRIE FEST in Fort Worth towards the end of the month. Hope you can join us at one of these performances!

FOOTPRINTS
D/FW premiere performances in April
"What is our footprint on this planet? Is it time to get mad or get moving? Are we too late?"
"Footprints" is a new dance/music/poetry collaboration by choreographer Lori Sundeen Soderbergh (FW); musician/composer Chris Curiel (Dallas); and performance artist Tammy Gomez (FW).
Barefoot Brigade Dance Festival
Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas
Friday, April 4 at 8pm and Saturday, April 5 at 3pm
For more information: www.cdfw.org/programs
3rd Annual DFW Fringe Festival
hosted by Dallas Hub Theater
Saturday, April 12 at 4pm and 9:45pm
For more information: www.dallashubtheater.org
3rd Annual Fort Worth PrairieFest
Tandy Hills in Fort Worth
Saturday, April 26 -at 2:30pm and 5pm
FREE admission!
For more information: www.tandyhills.org/prairiefest contact:
Friday, March 21, 2008
Tonight, March 21st: UN TRIBUTO A MUJERES / a Tribute to Women - Rose Marine Theater & Gallery - 7:30pm

http://www. rosemarinetheater. com/
Arrive early (5:30 on) to shop at the Women's Mercado (market of handcrafted items by women - in the Gallery)
THE PROGRAM -- in the Theater -- begins at 7:30pm.
FIRST half: panel discussion on culture, literature, and art
INTERMISSION: enjoy art in the Gallery as well as the Women's Mercado
SECOND half: tributes to women w/ performances by:
ANGELIQUE (with Carla Ayala) - "The Labyrinth Ladybrainth"
TAMMY GOMEZ (accompanied by guitarist Ramsey Sprague and assisted by Breanna Herrera) - "Donde Esta Adam?", "Quetzal Dream", and "Mujeres Fuertes"
GABRIELA LOMONACO - tribute poem to her grandmother
AND
after the show: check out the art, the Women's Mercado,
and LOTERIA CARD READINGS by Tammy Gomez!
Un Tributo a Las Mujeres / A Tribute to Women
March 21, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
This celebration of influential women in Latin American society is told through music, art and dance.
Join us for a tribute to our mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters as we explore the beauty, strength and resilience of women!
Special tribute to visual artist CELIA ALVAREZ MUNOZ, who was recently honored by the CAA’s Committee on Women in the Arts (CWA). Celia has created art books, installations, and other works for many exhibits, galleries, and events across the United States. She showed work in the Whitney Biennial in 1991, and has been awarded two NEA fellowships. Currently based in Arlington, Texas, we should be proud to have an artist of Celia's talent and stature in our midst.
$12 General, $7 Students / Seniors
For more information: 817.624.8333
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Talent Round-Up on Saturday - audition for over a dozen production companies @ once!
[Adam Dietrich, artistic director of The Butterfly Connection--based in Fort Worth--sent along the following announcement. I don't know that auditioning artists would take very graciously to being alluded to as "cattle", but I guess the Butterfly folks were taking a stab at alliteration. I might stop by, as I am looking to recast a few roles for my play "She: Bike/Spoke/Love.]
COWTOWN CATTLECALL
Date: March 15th, 2008
Location: Rose Marine Theatre at 1440 N. Main Street in Fort Worth
Time: 10am-4pm with 5 minute appointments
Requirements: 1 Minute Monologue, 1 Minute Acapella Song, 1 Minute Dance Routine with CD Accompaniment, and 2 minutes of improvisation and auditors questions. (If talent does not sing or dance, no song or routine is required.)
Reps and talent scouts from such notable Metroplex theaters as Casa Manana, Circle Theater, Hip Pocket, Kitchen Dog, Teatro de la Rosa, and Pantagleize will be in the house, taking notes and names.
They're considering all performing artists/talent, whether Equity or Non-Equity.
Bring headshots, resumes, and the usual sell-yourself materials.
For more info, please phone 817 333 4028 or email Adam Dietrich at adamjdietrich@gmail.com.
COWTOWN CATTLECALL
Date: March 15th, 2008
Location: Rose Marine Theatre at 1440 N. Main Street in Fort Worth
Time: 10am-4pm with 5 minute appointments
Requirements: 1 Minute Monologue, 1 Minute Acapella Song, 1 Minute Dance Routine with CD Accompaniment, and 2 minutes of improvisation and auditors questions. (If talent does not sing or dance, no song or routine is required.)
Reps and talent scouts from such notable Metroplex theaters as Casa Manana, Circle Theater, Hip Pocket, Kitchen Dog, Teatro de la Rosa, and Pantagleize will be in the house, taking notes and names.
They're considering all performing artists/talent, whether Equity or Non-Equity.
Bring headshots, resumes, and the usual sell-yourself materials.
For more info, please phone 817 333 4028 or email Adam Dietrich at adamjdietrich@gmail.com.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Firehouse Gallery presents annual "eVeryDAY a Woman" art & performance showcase - Saturday, March 15th

It's almost time for the annual theatrical performance of Eve Ensler's powerful work "The Vagina Monologues" in Fort Worth.
So, how do we get ready for this?
How do we raise a little awareness to the ongoing struggle to end violence against women & girls?
How do we help raise a little $$ to stage the play and contribute to the V-Day Fund?
Well, what we do is attend and support the annual
"eVeryDAY a Woman ARTS AND PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE" !
Open to the public - free admission, but DONATIONS accepted.
When: MARCH 15 - SATURDAY
Time: 6 to 10pm
Where: Firehouse Gallery, 4147 Meadowbrook Drive (corner of Meadowbrook & Oakland Streets)
(Phone 817.534.3620 for more information.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
...and don't miss this year's production of "The Vagina Monologues" (hilarious, poignant, and performed by all women):
March 29th -- Fort Worth Vagina Monologues -- Texas Wesleyan University, Martin Hall, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
You can find more info here.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MY FORT WORTH: three shows in the 76104 of 817 tonight
It's a virtual FXFW (fall by fort worth) in one night tonight, cuz there're three shows happening in the Fairmount neighborhood aka Hospital District aka coolest neighb in the city. I'm on a broken foot, so I'll be glad if I can get a spot on the Chat Room patio, within earshot of Birds and Batteries' early night (before midnight) set. I'd recommend this SF (San Francisco) band for the more mellow audience; head out to the Cri Crow-hosted bash at 1919 Hemphill, with headliner Prizzy Prizzy Please if you have two stable ankles, opposable thumbs, and feisty fists to raise. Then there's an underground punk show at an undisclosed (sometimes this helps preserve the spot, on the d.l.) venue, with Florida favorites This Bike is a Pipe Bomb. Whatever you do, get out and check out the bands falling by Fort Worth tonight--on their way to SXSW in Austin.

Monday, March 10, 2008
PETRA'S PECADO opens (finally) in Dallas on Thursday, March 13th
[ Omigod, the setbacks that PETRA'S PECADO ("Petra's Sin") has encountered since the Cara Mia Theatre first tried to stage this Rupert Reyes-scripted comedy late last year. First, there were problems with securing their venues, and then their lead actress fell ill and could not be immediately replaced--the director tried to yank me into it, but my schedule would not allow, sorry Rodney. The shows were cancelled and the whole production was put on hold until just now. Still more casting dilemmas arose, but lo & behold, the magical miracle of all miracles has seen to it that the SHOW WILL--FINALLY--GO ON!! If anybody deserves a "courageous stamina in the face of adversity award", it would be Rodney Garza & the whole Cara Mia Theatre gang. Y'all break a leg on Thursday! ]
Cara Mia Theatre
presents
the Dallas premiere of
the original Spanglish comedy
by Rupert Reyes
PETRA'S PECADO
(highly recommended ! )

PETRA'S PECADO (Petra’s Sin), is a unique script that beautifully blends language so that it is enjoyed by English- and Spanish-speaking audiences alike. PETRA'S PECADO is a hilarious comedy that has touched people’s hearts by reminding us of life’s everyday miracles.
For this revamped production, Guest Director Rodney Garza ("El Chuco y La Che" & "Martin"), has assembled a mini-reunion of the world premiere cast of PETRA'S PECADO. He brings award-winning actress Irene Gonzales from Austin, who played the original Petra Dominguez in the first sold-out runs in San Antonio and Austin. Ms. Gonzales was nominated for an Austin Critic’s Circle Award for her portrayal of Petra. Also joining this Dallas cast is Maria Elena Salcedo ("Las Nuevas Tamaleras") from San Antonio. Ms. Salcedo will be reprising her role as Clara Ramirez, Petra’s co-worker and feisty friend.
Garza, Gonzales, and Salcedo have worked together on various productions, including the world premiere of "Petra’s Cuento", the second installment of Reyes’ Petra’s Trilogy. Garza is elated that the schedules worked out. Says Garza, “Everytime I work with these ladies I feel like the luckiest director. They’re so natural in their roles that they make my job easier. The DFW area is in for a treat.”
Cara Mia Theatre also introduces some new talent to the DFW theatre community. The role of Lupita Montana will be shared on alternating weekends by Valeria Perdomo and Eleonor Hernandez. Also new to the cast of PETRA'S PECADO is Helen Lozano, who will be portraying the role of Petra’s cranky friend Tacha Alvarez. All three actors have taken on their parts with refreshing enthusiasm and zeal.
Returning cast members from the production that was supposed to run last winter include: Liza Marie Gonzalez as the conniving business rival Tina Tamayo; Cesar Hernandez as the high school drama teacher Rudy Diaz; Hector Bernal as the new priest in town Father Johnson; Jaime Lopez in the role of the cantankerous Chano Orozco; and Fred Cizek playing the role of Petra’s unwitting husband Rafael Dominguez.
When: March 13, 14
Where: Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St., Dallas
When: March 20 & 22
Where: Rose Marine Theater
1440 N. Main St., Fort Worth
**All Shows at 8 PM**
Ticket prices: Adults-$12 Students & Seniors-$10
Special Discount: 2 for 1 Thursdays
Buy tickets online for $2 off.
For more information contact: 214-946-9499 or www.caramiatheatre.com
Cara Mia Theatre
presents
the Dallas premiere of
the original Spanglish comedy
by Rupert Reyes
PETRA'S PECADO
(highly recommended ! )

PETRA'S PECADO (Petra’s Sin), is a unique script that beautifully blends language so that it is enjoyed by English- and Spanish-speaking audiences alike. PETRA'S PECADO is a hilarious comedy that has touched people’s hearts by reminding us of life’s everyday miracles.
For this revamped production, Guest Director Rodney Garza ("El Chuco y La Che" & "Martin"), has assembled a mini-reunion of the world premiere cast of PETRA'S PECADO. He brings award-winning actress Irene Gonzales from Austin, who played the original Petra Dominguez in the first sold-out runs in San Antonio and Austin. Ms. Gonzales was nominated for an Austin Critic’s Circle Award for her portrayal of Petra. Also joining this Dallas cast is Maria Elena Salcedo ("Las Nuevas Tamaleras") from San Antonio. Ms. Salcedo will be reprising her role as Clara Ramirez, Petra’s co-worker and feisty friend.
Garza, Gonzales, and Salcedo have worked together on various productions, including the world premiere of "Petra’s Cuento", the second installment of Reyes’ Petra’s Trilogy. Garza is elated that the schedules worked out. Says Garza, “Everytime I work with these ladies I feel like the luckiest director. They’re so natural in their roles that they make my job easier. The DFW area is in for a treat.”
Cara Mia Theatre also introduces some new talent to the DFW theatre community. The role of Lupita Montana will be shared on alternating weekends by Valeria Perdomo and Eleonor Hernandez. Also new to the cast of PETRA'S PECADO is Helen Lozano, who will be portraying the role of Petra’s cranky friend Tacha Alvarez. All three actors have taken on their parts with refreshing enthusiasm and zeal.
Returning cast members from the production that was supposed to run last winter include: Liza Marie Gonzalez as the conniving business rival Tina Tamayo; Cesar Hernandez as the high school drama teacher Rudy Diaz; Hector Bernal as the new priest in town Father Johnson; Jaime Lopez in the role of the cantankerous Chano Orozco; and Fred Cizek playing the role of Petra’s unwitting husband Rafael Dominguez.
When: March 13, 14
Where: Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St., Dallas
When: March 20 & 22
Where: Rose Marine Theater
1440 N. Main St., Fort Worth
**All Shows at 8 PM**
Ticket prices: Adults-$12 Students & Seniors-$10
Special Discount: 2 for 1 Thursdays
Buy tickets online for $2 off.
For more information contact: 214-946-9499 or www.caramiatheatre.com
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Carl Stone, audio sampler extraordinaire, at the Cliburn Recital Hall -- one more night!
I got to hear Carl Stone's set last night, as presented by local producing outfit OTHER ARTS. It was awesome fabulous, and I was jettisoned to other worlds/words as I sat listening to Stone's electronic aural improvisations. Highly recommended.
[Thanks to producer, Herb Levy, for daring and caring to offer some great music events here in Cowtown, which probably would never be presented otherwise. Here's the promo blurb that Herb sent out via email this week. Get on this man's email list today...]
Just a quick reminder that Other Arts is presenting two concerts by live computer music pioneer, Carl Stone this weekend.
Using a MacBookPro running the software suite Max/MSP, Carl creates his music by cutting, splicing, layering, distorting, and otherwise digitally altering samples of music by popular, classical and world music artists. He's presented his work on every continent except Antarctica and these are Carl's first performances in North Texas. You won't want to miss this chance to hear him.
[ALREADY HAPPENED: IT WAS SO COOL !!!! Friday, March 7th - a program of recent short works, including pieces
from his recently released CD /Al-Noor]
TONIGHT * TONIGHT * TONIGHT
Saturday, March 8th - /Guelaguetza, /an hour-long work for digital sound and images
8:00 PM at Cliburn Recital Hall, 330 4th Street in downtown Fort Worth.
Tickets are $25, $15 for students and seniors; combined ticket packages
for both shows are $40, $25 for students and seniors. Tickets are
available from Bass Tickets 817 212-4280; online at www.basshall.org, or
at the door on the evening of the performances.
[Thanks to producer, Herb Levy, for daring and caring to offer some great music events here in Cowtown, which probably would never be presented otherwise. Here's the promo blurb that Herb sent out via email this week. Get on this man's email list today...]
Just a quick reminder that Other Arts is presenting two concerts by live computer music pioneer, Carl Stone this weekend.
Using a MacBookPro running the software suite Max/MSP, Carl creates his music by cutting, splicing, layering, distorting, and otherwise digitally altering samples of music by popular, classical and world music artists. He's presented his work on every continent except Antarctica and these are Carl's first performances in North Texas. You won't want to miss this chance to hear him.
[ALREADY HAPPENED: IT WAS SO COOL !!!! Friday, March 7th - a program of recent short works, including pieces
from his recently released CD /Al-Noor]
TONIGHT * TONIGHT * TONIGHT
Saturday, March 8th - /Guelaguetza, /an hour-long work for digital sound and images
8:00 PM at Cliburn Recital Hall, 330 4th Street in downtown Fort Worth.
Tickets are $25, $15 for students and seniors; combined ticket packages
for both shows are $40, $25 for students and seniors. Tickets are
available from Bass Tickets 817 212-4280; online at www.basshall.org, or
at the door on the evening of the performances.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Book review of HECHO EN TEJAS
Wow, this anthology, HECHO EN TEJAS, was released over a year ago, yet the reviews keep a-coming. This latest assessment appeared in the Sunday magazine of the Santa Fe New Mexican this week.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Some of my upcoming public performances
Just wanted to let you know when you might be able to see/hear/read me in the next few months.
(As I have broken my foot and am in the recovery process, I'm not getting out too much beyond scheduled performance commitments.)
Thanks, as always, for your support of and interest in my work!
abrazos,
Tammy
________________________
FEBRUARY 25 - 8pm - I'll be performing a set of spoken word (and a few poems accompanied by The Shortest Distance a.k.a. Ramsey Sprague) - 1919 Hemphill, FW, TX (in conjunction with the RNC Welcoming Committee Resistance Workshop.
++++++++++
MARCH 1 - all day - I'll be facilitating the "VALUES session" at the TEXAS COMMUNITY MEDIA SUMMIT - Texas Union Building on-campus at the University of Texas at Austin - free and open to all (especially if you're into creating grassroots media) !
++++++++++
MARCH 1 - my article "For the Love of Bicycles--One Poet and Playwright's Wild Ride" is the FEATURED THEATRE ARTICLE in the debut issue of "HERE AND THERE: A Resource for Creative Professionals Everywhere", a new online zine which launches on March 1st - Read my article here on March 1st.
The purpose of the e-zine is to support, encourage and inform artists of all kinds as they work to get where it is they want to go in life and in art.
++++++++++
MARCH 25 - all day, performances and workshop, FESTIBA arts and literature festival, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN-AM at Edinburg.
++++++++++
APRIL 4-5 - the debut performance of "Footprints" a new collaboration with dancer/choreographer Lori Soderbergh and musician Chris Curiel (of SWIRVE) - as part of the 2008 BAREFOOT BRIGADE showcases - BATH HOUSE CULTURAL CENTER - at White Rock Lake, Dallas.
++++++++++
APRIL 11-12 - performance of "Footprints" as part of the 3rd Annual DFW Fringe Festival - hosted by the Dallas Hub Theater in Deep Ellum, Dallas. ( t e n t a t i v e )
++++++++++
APRIL 26 - performance of "Footprints" as part of the 2008 Prairie Fest - Tandy Hills Natural Area, Fort Worth. ( t e n t a t i v e )
(As I have broken my foot and am in the recovery process, I'm not getting out too much beyond scheduled performance commitments.)
Thanks, as always, for your support of and interest in my work!
abrazos,
Tammy
________________________
FEBRUARY 25 - 8pm - I'll be performing a set of spoken word (and a few poems accompanied by The Shortest Distance a.k.a. Ramsey Sprague) - 1919 Hemphill, FW, TX (in conjunction with the RNC Welcoming Committee Resistance Workshop.
++++++++++
MARCH 1 - all day - I'll be facilitating the "VALUES session" at the TEXAS COMMUNITY MEDIA SUMMIT - Texas Union Building on-campus at the University of Texas at Austin - free and open to all (especially if you're into creating grassroots media) !
++++++++++
MARCH 1 - my article "For the Love of Bicycles--One Poet and Playwright's Wild Ride" is the FEATURED THEATRE ARTICLE in the debut issue of "HERE AND THERE: A Resource for Creative Professionals Everywhere", a new online zine which launches on March 1st - Read my article here on March 1st.
The purpose of the e-zine is to support, encourage and inform artists of all kinds as they work to get where it is they want to go in life and in art.
++++++++++
MARCH 25 - all day, performances and workshop, FESTIBA arts and literature festival, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN-AM at Edinburg.
++++++++++
APRIL 4-5 - the debut performance of "Footprints" a new collaboration with dancer/choreographer Lori Soderbergh and musician Chris Curiel (of SWIRVE) - as part of the 2008 BAREFOOT BRIGADE showcases - BATH HOUSE CULTURAL CENTER - at White Rock Lake, Dallas.
++++++++++
APRIL 11-12 - performance of "Footprints" as part of the 3rd Annual DFW Fringe Festival - hosted by the Dallas Hub Theater in Deep Ellum, Dallas. ( t e n t a t i v e )
++++++++++
APRIL 26 - performance of "Footprints" as part of the 2008 Prairie Fest - Tandy Hills Natural Area, Fort Worth. ( t e n t a t i v e )
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Early Voting ends Friday, February 29th - get out & do it
EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS AND TIMES
Vote for your favorite prospective national super-hero...
Tarrant County early voting locations for the Republican and Democratic primaries are open Feb. 19-29:
7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Feb. 25-29
There are 32 early voting locations:
Tarrant County Elections Center, 2700 Premier St., Fort Worth. This is the main early voting site. Emergency and limited ballots are available here.
Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.
Azle Public Library, 609 Southeast Parkway
Benbrook Community Center/YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road
Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center St., Arlington
Como Elementary School, 4000 Horne St., Fort Worth
Crowley Community Center, 900 E. Glendale St.
Diamond Hill/Jarvis Branch Library, 1300 N.E. 35th St., Fort Worth
Euless Public Library, 201 N. Ector Drive
Elzie Odom Recreation Center, 1601 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington
Fire Training Center, 5501 Ron McAndrew Drive, Arlington
Grapevine Community Activities Center, 1175 Municipal Way
Griffin Subcourthouse, 3212 Miller Ave., Fort Worth
Haltom City Recreation Center, 4839 Broadway Ave.
Handley/Meadowbrook Community Center, 6201 Beaty St., Fort Worth
Hurst Recreation Center, 700 Mary Drive
Keller Town Hall, 1100 Bear Creek Parkway
Mahaney Community Center, 6800 Forest Hill Drive, Forest Hill
Mansfield Subcourthouse, 1100 E. Broad St.
Northeast Subcourthouse, 645 Grapevine Highway, Hurst
North Richland Hills Recreation Center, 6720 N.E. Loop 820
Northwest sheriff's patrol building, 6651 Lake Worth Blvd., Lake Worth
Sonny and Allegra Nance Elementary, 701 Tierra Vista Way, Fort Worth
Southlake Subcourthouse, 1400 Main St.
South Service Center, 1100 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington
Southside Community Center, 959 E. Rosedale St., Fort Worth
Southwest Community Center, 6300 Welch Ave., Fort Worth
Southwest Subcourthouse, 6551 Granbury Road, Fort Worth
Starrett Elementary School, 2675 Fairmont Drive, Grand Prairie
Tarrant County Plaza Building, 200 N. Taylor St., Fort Worth (entrance off Burnett Street)
White Settlement Recreation Center, 8213 White Settlement Road
Worth Heights Community Center, 3551 New York Ave., Fort Worth
Vote for your favorite prospective national super-hero...
Tarrant County early voting locations for the Republican and Democratic primaries are open Feb. 19-29:
7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Feb. 25-29
There are 32 early voting locations:
Tarrant County Elections Center, 2700 Premier St., Fort Worth. This is the main early voting site. Emergency and limited ballots are available here.
Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.
Azle Public Library, 609 Southeast Parkway
Benbrook Community Center/YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road
Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center St., Arlington
Como Elementary School, 4000 Horne St., Fort Worth
Crowley Community Center, 900 E. Glendale St.
Diamond Hill/Jarvis Branch Library, 1300 N.E. 35th St., Fort Worth
Euless Public Library, 201 N. Ector Drive
Elzie Odom Recreation Center, 1601 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington
Fire Training Center, 5501 Ron McAndrew Drive, Arlington
Grapevine Community Activities Center, 1175 Municipal Way
Griffin Subcourthouse, 3212 Miller Ave., Fort Worth
Haltom City Recreation Center, 4839 Broadway Ave.
Handley/Meadowbrook Community Center, 6201 Beaty St., Fort Worth
Hurst Recreation Center, 700 Mary Drive
Keller Town Hall, 1100 Bear Creek Parkway
Mahaney Community Center, 6800 Forest Hill Drive, Forest Hill
Mansfield Subcourthouse, 1100 E. Broad St.
Northeast Subcourthouse, 645 Grapevine Highway, Hurst
North Richland Hills Recreation Center, 6720 N.E. Loop 820
Northwest sheriff's patrol building, 6651 Lake Worth Blvd., Lake Worth
Sonny and Allegra Nance Elementary, 701 Tierra Vista Way, Fort Worth
Southlake Subcourthouse, 1400 Main St.
South Service Center, 1100 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington
Southside Community Center, 959 E. Rosedale St., Fort Worth
Southwest Community Center, 6300 Welch Ave., Fort Worth
Southwest Subcourthouse, 6551 Granbury Road, Fort Worth
Starrett Elementary School, 2675 Fairmont Drive, Grand Prairie
Tarrant County Plaza Building, 200 N. Taylor St., Fort Worth (entrance off Burnett Street)
White Settlement Recreation Center, 8213 White Settlement Road
Worth Heights Community Center, 3551 New York Ave., Fort Worth
All-day Saturday, March 1st in Austin : TX COMMUNITY MEDIA SUMMIT
[I'll be facilitating the morning and afternoon sessions on VALUE. What are our VALUES, in terms of community media access, production, and distribution?]
Texas Community Media Summit Promo
"Help Shape The Future Of Media" ------- FREE and OPEN to ALL! Register online or on-site on Saturday.
Join us March 1 in Austin for the Texas Community Media Summit.
Community media makers, storytellers, stakeholders, activists, and advocates will come together for a one day summit to discover who we are and how we can work together to transform the Texas media landscape.
For details and to register for the summit go to www.texascommunitymedia.org
channelaustin (PACT)
Houston Media Source
Dallas iMedia Network
Texas Media Empowerment Project
Texas Community Media Summit Promo
"Help Shape The Future Of Media" ------- FREE and OPEN to ALL! Register online or on-site on Saturday.
Join us March 1 in Austin for the Texas Community Media Summit.
Community media makers, storytellers, stakeholders, activists, and advocates will come together for a one day summit to discover who we are and how we can work together to transform the Texas media landscape.
For details and to register for the summit go to www.texascommunitymedia.org
channelaustin (PACT)
Houston Media Source
Dallas iMedia Network
Texas Media Empowerment Project
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Free International Films/Food tonight @ TCU !
[thanks to John Singleton of TCU's International Office for the following announcement. this sounds great! ]
*** 4 FOOD FILMS ****
TCU International / TASTE OF THE WORLD FOOD & FILM FESTIVAL
Film & food pairings:
6:00 pm
"Tampopo" and Piranha Sushi:
"Big Night" and Mellow Mushroom:
8:30 pm
"Like Water for Chocolate" and Red Cactus:
"The God of Cookery" and Sapristi!:
film reviews - by John Singleton
TAMPOPO is the story of a Japanese Noodle house. Not so funny, huh! Not until you realize that the film director is in love with Clint Eastwood, and has adapted all the cultural variations of the great Hollywood Western to this Japanese film, right down to the black cowboy hat and a damsel in distress. Every Top Ten List I’ve read includes John Ford’s The Searchers. Personally, I’d rather go with Director Juzo Itami and his search for a perfect Noodle House any day, and if you were to put “The Searchers” in a blender with “Babette’s Feast” and “Shaolin Soccer,” this is what you’d have. Tampopo is paired with Kenzo Tran’s Piranha Sushi, a unique, trendy downtown restaurant that serves both sushi and style, and will be providing plenty of both tonight for film goers. Don’t miss the 6:00 pm start time!
BIG NIGHT is a uniquely Italian-American version of the “Coming to America” dream, as two brothers struggle with the identity of their cuisine on both a real and metaphorical level, while looming over them and just down the street is an “American-style” Italian restaurant with designs on the culinary skills of one brother. This film never makes anyone’s top ten list except mine, but I swear its beautiful, its simple and it is sublime. Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini’s part is small, but I’ll watch Italian advertisements for polenta if she’s selling. Mellow Mushroom is about as Italian as I am, but when Sapristi! Chef/Owner Carlos Cavasos passed up on both Latin American and Italian cuisine in order to do Chinese for us, well I could hardly walk away from that. Anyway, I like their pizzas and I’m ordering some strange ones tonight!
"THE GOD OF COOKERY" is the funniest movie I’ve ever seen!” Liz Branch and Dr. Carrie Currie both told me that before I ever saw Stephen Chow’s hilarious film. Ok, I know I sound like a broken record, but the point can’t be over done…Chow knows exactly what you expect from Hong Kong cinema, and he gives it you with both barrels, but... in 100 years they will say of Chow: “He clearly understood the expected stereotypes and used them both to fill his theaters but also to give the audience a deeper appreciation of their origins.” In the God of Cookery, an abominable, defrocked chef must battle all the demons of material gain, then their loss, in order to find his way back to culinary glory. Sapristi! remains one of the hottest and hippest, all-the-while keeping the southside’s finest happy with an atmosphere that is half crème de New York and half Eurotrash…but not-to-be overlooked is what emerges nightly from that amazing kitchen and the minds of Carlos and Brandon.
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE is the staple of Latin American Food films, and for good reason. Beyond a good retelling of Laura Esquivel’s opus, the film tries religiously to honor the role of food—primary to the novel—in the film. In Spanish, “Como Agua Para Chocolate” is slang for a woman who is “beautifully-inspired” and waiting for her love. The film rarely loses that sense of fire throughout, but is there anyone who hasn’t seen it? The film is destined for the kind of classic status that “The Wizard of Oz” has, and though you think I exaggerate, trust me that virtually everyone I’ve known across the planet has seen that film. Red Cactus will be providing an array of hand-foods or “entremeses,” and before you simply say, “what, fast food,” slow down. I, dubiously dubbed by my friends as El Rey de los Tacos (following Amy Culbertson’s article), absolutely swear by their simple, unpretentious and delicious stuff.
film country restaurant time space
1. Tampopo Japan Piranha Sushi 6:00 pm SRH #2
2. Big Night US/Italy Mellow Mushroom 6:00 pm srh #4
3. Like Water For chocolate Mexico RED CACTUS 8:30 pm SRh #2
4. The god of cookery China Sapristi 8:30 pm SRH #4
Directions: I-30 exit to University and take University South. When you pass through the light at juncture with W. Cantey you are close. Now there are only streets off University on your left. Take the second street past W. Cantey, which is W. Bowie . The huge building on your left is the Sid Richardson Complex, shaped as a huge hour glass with an opening in the center. In the second half of the structure, on a level lower than the street but closest to W. Bowie , you will find glass doors that open and immediately to your left are lecture halls 2 and 4. After 5 you may park on campus in spots that are not posted as reserved and/or are not listed as handicapped.
*** 4 FOOD FILMS ****
TCU International / TASTE OF THE WORLD FOOD & FILM FESTIVAL
Film & food pairings:
6:00 pm
"Tampopo" and Piranha Sushi:
"Big Night" and Mellow Mushroom:
8:30 pm
"Like Water for Chocolate" and Red Cactus:
"The God of Cookery" and Sapristi!:
film reviews - by John Singleton
TAMPOPO is the story of a Japanese Noodle house. Not so funny, huh! Not until you realize that the film director is in love with Clint Eastwood, and has adapted all the cultural variations of the great Hollywood Western to this Japanese film, right down to the black cowboy hat and a damsel in distress. Every Top Ten List I’ve read includes John Ford’s The Searchers. Personally, I’d rather go with Director Juzo Itami and his search for a perfect Noodle House any day, and if you were to put “The Searchers” in a blender with “Babette’s Feast” and “Shaolin Soccer,” this is what you’d have. Tampopo is paired with Kenzo Tran’s Piranha Sushi, a unique, trendy downtown restaurant that serves both sushi and style, and will be providing plenty of both tonight for film goers. Don’t miss the 6:00 pm start time!
BIG NIGHT is a uniquely Italian-American version of the “Coming to America” dream, as two brothers struggle with the identity of their cuisine on both a real and metaphorical level, while looming over them and just down the street is an “American-style” Italian restaurant with designs on the culinary skills of one brother. This film never makes anyone’s top ten list except mine, but I swear its beautiful, its simple and it is sublime. Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini’s part is small, but I’ll watch Italian advertisements for polenta if she’s selling. Mellow Mushroom is about as Italian as I am, but when Sapristi! Chef/Owner Carlos Cavasos passed up on both Latin American and Italian cuisine in order to do Chinese for us, well I could hardly walk away from that. Anyway, I like their pizzas and I’m ordering some strange ones tonight!
"THE GOD OF COOKERY" is the funniest movie I’ve ever seen!” Liz Branch and Dr. Carrie Currie both told me that before I ever saw Stephen Chow’s hilarious film. Ok, I know I sound like a broken record, but the point can’t be over done…Chow knows exactly what you expect from Hong Kong cinema, and he gives it you with both barrels, but... in 100 years they will say of Chow: “He clearly understood the expected stereotypes and used them both to fill his theaters but also to give the audience a deeper appreciation of their origins.” In the God of Cookery, an abominable, defrocked chef must battle all the demons of material gain, then their loss, in order to find his way back to culinary glory. Sapristi! remains one of the hottest and hippest, all-the-while keeping the southside’s finest happy with an atmosphere that is half crème de New York and half Eurotrash…but not-to-be overlooked is what emerges nightly from that amazing kitchen and the minds of Carlos and Brandon.
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE is the staple of Latin American Food films, and for good reason. Beyond a good retelling of Laura Esquivel’s opus, the film tries religiously to honor the role of food—primary to the novel—in the film. In Spanish, “Como Agua Para Chocolate” is slang for a woman who is “beautifully-inspired” and waiting for her love. The film rarely loses that sense of fire throughout, but is there anyone who hasn’t seen it? The film is destined for the kind of classic status that “The Wizard of Oz” has, and though you think I exaggerate, trust me that virtually everyone I’ve known across the planet has seen that film. Red Cactus will be providing an array of hand-foods or “entremeses,” and before you simply say, “what, fast food,” slow down. I, dubiously dubbed by my friends as El Rey de los Tacos (following Amy Culbertson’s article), absolutely swear by their simple, unpretentious and delicious stuff.
film country restaurant time space
1. Tampopo Japan Piranha Sushi 6:00 pm SRH #2
2. Big Night US/Italy Mellow Mushroom 6:00 pm srh #4
3. Like Water For chocolate Mexico RED CACTUS 8:30 pm SRh #2
4. The god of cookery China Sapristi 8:30 pm SRH #4
Directions: I-30 exit to University and take University South. When you pass through the light at juncture with W. Cantey you are close. Now there are only streets off University on your left. Take the second street past W. Cantey, which is W. Bowie . The huge building on your left is the Sid Richardson Complex, shaped as a huge hour glass with an opening in the center. In the second half of the structure, on a level lower than the street but closest to W. Bowie , you will find glass doors that open and immediately to your left are lecture halls 2 and 4. After 5 you may park on campus in spots that are not posted as reserved and/or are not listed as handicapped.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Friday, February 15th: Ruben Salazar art show opening party
Ruben, a comrade since 2005, is based in Waco, and we somehow managed to sidestep each other when we both lived in Austin in the 1990s. We also have more than a few mutual friends and he feels sometimes the way I do living in Fort Worth. Fish out of water. He invited me, back in 2007, to consider collaborating with him for a future art exhibit. Ruben specializes in papel picado (cut paper) design, but has done alot of different things in visual art over the years. He's worked with the folks at the Peace House in Crawford, Texas, and used to teach ballet folklorico in the past. I'm pleased that he has elected to include my brand-new poema, "Steps on the Earth", for one of his installation pieces at this new, environmentally-themed show in Waco. I'll be traveling down there on Friday (woo-hoo Amtrak!) to perform at the exhibit reception party. Exciting!

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