“La Fe Welcomes Artist, Author Martin Bencomo”
? In honor of National Children’s Month, Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe (La Fe) proudly welcomes renowned El Paso artist, musician, and children’s book author Martin Bencomo as its special guest for April’s Café Quetzalcoatl — a monthly community celebration of poetry, literature, live music, and culture.
? Bencomo, one of the region’s best-known graphic artists and the bassist for the popular El Paso Chicano Rock and Blues band Aztec Zodiac, will debut his first children’s book, “Paloma Padilla.” The book will be available in area bookstores in May 2009.
? “Paloma Padilla” is the illustrated tale of an imaginative, brave little girl and the magical quilt given to her by her abuelita. “Each time Paloma wraps herself in the warmth of her grandmother’s quilt, she dreams of fantastic adventures and helps those around her,” Bencomo said of his latest work. “I like to think of her as a Chicanita Pippi Longstocking,” Bencomo says, remembering the fearless and funny classic children’s literature character.
? In addition to the free book reading and preview by Bencomo, April’s Café Quetzalcoatl will feature live music, family entertainment, and a bilingual poets’ open-mic. Anyone interested in participating in the Poetry Open-Mic must sign-up upon arrival. Admission is free. Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit La Fe’s arts and education programming.
? Café Quetzalcoatl is a production of the La Fe Cultural and Technology Center, located in the heart of El Paso’s historic Segundo Barrio. The free monthly arts and culture series is named in honor of Quetzalcoatl, the mythical Aztec deity who was said to be a defender of warriors, families, and the inspiration of poets.
WHEN & WHERE: Café Quetzalcoatl Presents Author Martin Bencomo
7 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2009
La Fe Cultural & Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa- Rear Bldg. EPTX 79901
Admission is free. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe, Inc. (www.lafe-ep.org) is an award-winning and nationally recognized health-care and social-justice non-profit serving the US-Mexico Border since 1967. La Fe’s growing family of 22 medical and social-service sites is located throughout the entire El Paso County region. The La Fe network includes nine primary health-care centers; West Texas’ largest comprehensive HIV/AIDS services facility; the La Fe Child & Adolescent Wellness Center; the La Fe Cultural & Technology Center; the San Antonio-based La Fe Policy and Education Center, the La Fe Preparatory School; and numerous social-justice and community programs benefiting El Paso families. Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe, Inc. is a proud affiliate of the National Council of La Raza.
