Events By Quarter
The Maverick Poetics of Juan Felipe Herrera: A Conversation and Reading
Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera
MCC Theater
Join us in an engaging panel with Professor Prof. Juan Casillas-Núñez, Prof. Jorge Omar Ramírez-Pimienta, and Prof. Francisco Lomelí, and Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera at the MCC theater. Some examples of Herrera's books will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
In 2015-2017, Juan Felipe Herrera served as the 21st U.S. Poet Laureate, the first Latino appointed to that most distinguished position. In 2012-2014 he also served as the California Poet Laureate. He has produced 37 books, exhibiting a penchant for creative experimentations through language, themes, and styles in the broadest sense of the word. His trajectory spans over half a century with numerous landmark works on mixed media and a dogged avant-garde poetics, ranging from memoirs, travelogues, unofficial epics, manifestoes of resistance, theatrical pieces, neo-indigenist incantations, (im)migration treatises, chronicles or documentaries, ethno-biographies, visual renditions (i.e. "mud drawings"), transborder crossings, "undocuments", revolutionary discourse, calligraphy, poetry interfaced with collages and murals, barrio-centric profiles, young adult novels, children's literature, linguistic rendezvous, intertextual soirees, justice re-articulated, and of course multiple incursions into mixing or remixing aesthetic forms--a kind of literary synthesizer, including transgeneric writings. Some of his writings echo Whitman-esque lyrics, Allen Ginsberg's unconventional poetics, Dylan Thomas' sentiments, Alurista's Spanglish, Pablo Neruda's artful politics, Federico Garcia Lorca's rural imagery, Antonin Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty, the Beat Generation's anarchism, Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialism, Gloria Anzaldua's border consciousness, Teatro Campesino's agitprop representations, and of course many others. He can adeptly meander between philosophical riddles and sardonic commentaries, cathartic tongue-in-cheek humor and syllogisms, uplifting children's books and the role of (im)migration. He has a way of transcending his humble migrant roots as a "people's poet" by also capturing the big picture of transnational social movements. He is both personal and universal. He has won most of the major awards and recognitions that an American can receive: the PEN/Beyond Margins award, the American Book Award from Before Columbus Foundation, America's Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, and MacArthur "Genius" Award, among others.
Co-Sponsors: Chicana/o Studies Department, Chicano Studies Institute, Comparative Literature Department, Dean of Social Sciences, English Department, Global Latinidades Center, Luis Leal Endowed Chair, MultiCultural Center, Spanish & Portuguese Department, and Vice Chancellor of DEI
QTBIPOC Cultural Showcase
MCC Theater and Lounge
Celebrate culture, community, and creativity at our QTBIPOC Cultural Showcase! We will have delicious food, a fun friendship speed dating activity, and an exciting cultural showcase to end the night. Come dressed in your traditional wear or be ready to change into cultural wear that represents where you are from, showcasing the beauty and resilience of your heritage. Even if you don’t participate, come out and enjoy an uplifting community space! We will have polaroids for you to take photos! This space is intentionally created for and centered on the voices, experiences, and joy of QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community members. ALL are welcome to come and celebrate!
Collaborators: RCSGD, OBSD
Disability Joy: From drowning to dreaming: redefining disability in athletics
Jamal Hill
MCC Theater and Lounge
Join us in redefining disability athletics with paralympic swimmer, Jamal Hill, and UCSB students, Emily Libal, Yao Yao Xiao, and Ashlyn Shelton. During this panel, Jamal will uncover his personal journey on confronting and overcoming the shame associated with his disability. Swimming became a pathway to self-acceptance, mental well-being, and empowerment. Through his resilience, Jamal hopes to inspire audiences to face their insecurities and embrace their full potential. Additionally, Yao Yao, Emily, and Ashyln will talk about how their disabilities have shaped their identities as student athletes. The panel will be followed by a reception in the MCC Lounge where guests can interact and share a meal with our guest speakers.
Free food from Kyle's Kitchen!
Guest Bios:
Jamal Hill is a paralympic athlete, social entrepreneur, and global advocate for accessibility, innovation, and inclusion. He is the founder of the Swim Up Hill Foundation, he is on a mission to teach one million people how to swim annually, breaking barriers in sports, education, and technology. He is committed to creating equitable opportunities worldwide by challenging industries to rethink the power of perseverance.
Yao Yao Xiao was born deaf with sensorineural hearing loss. She grew up playing many sports, including soccer, cross country, basketball, and track.
Emily Libal was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age 4 and has been an athlete her whole life. Additionally, she has been on UCSB’s cheer team for two years.
Ashlyn Shelton is on the UCSB Club Swim. She has pulmonary and muscular dysfunction, and has been swimming for 6 years.
Co-sponsors: A.S. CODE and Disabled Students Program
Bazaar 2025
MCC Lounge
Experience the vibrant flavors, sounds, and traditions of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia at this year's Bazaar, hosted by the UCSB MultiCultural Center and EOP’s MENASARC! Join us on - April 21 from 5–7 PM - for an evening filled with cultural festivities, engaging activities, talented creatives from the campus community, organizations, and mouthwatering cuisine. Enjoy FREE self-care goodies, prizes, and much more as we come together to celebrate the heritage of the MENASA region. This April, we invite you to honor the Arab community as we spotlight their rich and influential culture in recognition of National Arab American Heritage Month! All are welcome!
Co-Sponsors: EOP MENASARC
