As part of its Hispanic / Latino Heritage Month events, Metropolitan Community College is presenting two in-person and online performances with Hispanic Flamenco Ballet. The events are free and open to the public in South Omaha Campus Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) building 120; visit the Hispanic / Latino Heritage Month website and scroll down to find the registration link for the event(s) you with to attend. Latin Iberian Show 10:30 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. is an immersive journey through the soul of Latin America and Spain. Commence with the captivating energy of Mexico, featuring pieces inspired by Frida Kahlo. Be enthralled by classic Spanish dances and the vibrancy of Brazilian samba. Experience the lively rhythm of Valencia’s Pasodoble and a stirring pop Latino musical medley. Feel the pulse of Spain through “Elementos”, a classic Spanish performance using abanicos (fans), manton (shawl), and castañuelas (castanets). Lose yourself in the passionate zapateado dance styles, and celebrate Puerto Rican culture with plena tambores and popular hits. The Arts & Dance Experience Noon-1:05 p.m. is an educational journey through the pulsating world of Latin and Spanish music and dance where audience members become part of the performance blending fun and education. Starting with a stirring blend of Latino-Flamenco rhythms, the performance then moves to ‘Suite Latina’, a vibrant showcase of legendary Latin songs. ‘Suite Española’ leads deeper into Spanish musical traditions, concluding with an exciting ‘Interactividad Musical’ – an opportunity to take part in a professionally choreographed dance. Standing distinct from the Latin Iberian show, ‘The Arts & Dance Experience’ places an emphasis on education, turning spectators into participants. Engage with the vibrant cultures of Latin America and Spain in an unprecedented way – learn, dance, and celebrate in a show where you become the star.
As part of its Hispanic / Latino Heritage Month events, Metropolitan Community College is presenting an in-person and online presentation with Javier Ávila. The event is free and open to the public in Elkhorn Valley Campus 114; online participation requires registration to receive a link. Standing Up is guided by the critical question, “When representation is scarce, where do we turn?” To address this question, Ávila relies on his signature style of blending storytelling with his original poetry—only this time, he offers his most personal reflection yet. Ávila recounts his journey from a boy learning to speak English in his native Puerto Rico to becoming an award-winning author, a beloved English professor, and the only Latino ever to be named Pennsylvania’s Professor of the Year. He invites audiences to consider the unlikely, overlooked elements needed to write one’s own narrative when grander, more visible alternatives seem out of reach. At its core, Standing Up is a heartwarming tribute to the power of education, family, and community. Javier Ávila is a professor of English as well as a poet, novelist, and public speaker. He writes in both English and Spanish, and his work has earned him numerous awards, including his most recent honor as the recipient of the Cultural Arts Award given by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. In 2015, he was named Pennsylvania’s Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.
