Express artistic diversity
To celebrate female musicians and artists, CU is hosting the second annual Miramontes Music and Arts Festival beginning March 8 to March 15.
The festival consists of a variety of events including: concerts, workshops, discussions and films, which will be offered to students all week. The festival will be held in honor of Ofelia Miramontes, an associate vice chancellor of diversity and equity at CU.
Whether students have 15 minutes or a few hours, there are many different events encouraging and supporting diverse artistic expression.
Concert – Strangers Die Every Day with Varlet and Girl Named Kyle
8 p.m. Old Main Theatre
The headlining band, Strangers Die Every Day, is one of Boulder’s own; the band members met while attending Naropa University. Their sound has been described as “Wilco meets Mozart” and their band contains drums, cello, bass and violin. Tickets are $5 or free for Program Council VIP members.
Comedy with Kira Soltanovich
7 p.m. UMC Aspen Rooms
Kira Soltanovich is a comedian who has performed at Comedy Central’s Laugh Riots and has appeared on shows such as “Girls Behaving Badly,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” After the show, there will be a question and answer session where Soltanovich will talk about being a woman comedian.
Soundbite: Beth Amsel
12-1 p.m. UMC North Dining Room
CU alumna and singer songwriter Beth Amsel will be performing for free. Amsel currently has three albums and is a hit folk music artist.
Women in the Culinary Arts
5:30 p.m. UMC Kitchen
Participate in a cooking class while learning what it’s like to be a woman in the culinary arts. Space is limited so e-mail dscc@colorado.edu to reserve a spot.
Semana de la Chicana Opening Ceremony
7-9 p.m. CU recreation center conference rooms 1-4
This is a great chance to see some Azteca Danzantes dance.
Soundbite: Step Show
12-1 p.m. UMC Atrium
Pi Lambda Chi and other multicultural sororities will perform entertaining and empowering dances.
How to: Draw and Watercolor
3-5 p.m. Dennis Small Cultural Center, UMC 457
Learn drawing and watercolor techniques with easy, step-by-step instructions. This workshop aims to help people improve their basic artistic skills.
What is Women’s Work? Discussion and Panel
7 p.m. Old Main Theatre
Local female artists will discuss what it’s like to experience the world as professional women. The panel includes artists in the Boulder Chamber Orchestra, CU’s Interactive Theater and a local musician.
Spirituality Workshop
7-9 p.m. CHEM 142
Professor Elisa Facio of the Ethnic Studies Department and Alicia Cardenas will speak on several topics including tattoos and piercings. Cardenas is the co-owner of Twisted Sol in Denver and is the president of the Association of Professional Piercers.
Soundbite: Open Mic Reading
12-1 p.m. UMC dining area
Happen to have a poem or short piece of literature that celebrates women? Bring it to the open microphone and read it to fellow CU students. E-mail dscc@colorado.edu to sign up.
Semana de la Chicana: Writing Chicana Lit
7-9 p.m. UMC 235
This event is hosted by professor Emma Perez of CU’s Ethnic Studies Department.
Culture Sip: Slide Jam
4-5:30 p.m. Dennis Small Cultural Center, UMC 457
A panel of CU female student artists will have the opportunity to show their work in the visual arts. They will also discuss what it is like being a woman in the field.
Performances by Cihuatl-Ce and Guerilla Queenz
7-10 p.m. UMC 235
Los Angeles based Cihuatl-Ce mixes hip hop with indigenous sounds, creating music that aims to spur social change while Guerilla Queenz’s music focuses on hip hop and reggae. This will be a great opportunity to hear some music with a mission to make change.
Women, Art and Social Justice
3-5 p.m. Dennis Small Cultural Center, UMC 457
Women in theater, art and music will display their work and talk about how they are increasing awareness and making a difference in the world through artistic mediums.
Free Film Screening: “Frida”
9 p.m. CHEM 140
Salma Hayak plays Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, in this dramatic and artistic movie that won two Oscars. The screening is a part of the CU Late Night Friday Night Film Series, the screening will include free popcorn, drinks and prizes.
Songwriting Workshop and Performance with Moira Smiley
Workshop: 4 p.m. Old Main
Performance: 8 p.m. Old Main
Join Moira Smiley, acclaimed vocalist and composer, in a songwriting workshop that requires no prior experience. Smiley will also perform her solo works as well as ones from the workshop later that evening.
To see a complete list of events, visit the Miramontes Music and Arts Festival Web site.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Morgan Keys at morgan.keys@colorado.edu.
