October 11, 2004

Latino Cultural Center to offer soul-seducing poetry

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Two nationally known poets will take the Civic Theater stage Thursday (Oct. 14) to present their work before turning over the microphone to members of the audience.

Mayda del Valle and Guillermo Rebollo-Gil will read from their works in both English and Spanish during "Latin Soul Seduction! Two Poets – Two Worlds – United by Their Culture," which begins at 8 p.m. in the Civic Theater, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette. The performance, sponsored by Purdue University's Latino Cultural Center, is free and open to the public.

The performance will end with an "open mic" session, during which people from the audience can bring their favorite poetry or song to read or perform. Maricela Alvarado, director of the Latino Cultural Center, said the two poet-performers will have an impact when they hit the stage.

"It's an honor to be able to present performances by these two dynamic poets," Alvarado said. "They will bring great, diverse perspectives on their experiences as Puerto Ricans."

Tony Award-winning del Valle is best known for her performance on HBO's "Def Poetry Jam." She also is the reigning National Poetry Slam champion, becoming the first Latina to claim the title.

Rebollo-Gil, who is currently working on a doctorate degree in sociology at the University of Florida, has published two books of poetry. He has performed his work at several universities, coffee shops and poetry readings.

The Latino Cultural Center, established in 2003, sponsors a variety of educational and social events in addition to acting as a central facility for Latino students, faculty and staff members, and student organizations. The center also is open to all members of the Purdue and Lafayette-West Lafayette communities and is devoted to promoting cultural awareness.

CONTACT: Alvarado, (765) 494-2530, alvaradm@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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