- In The Time of the Butterflies
In the Time of the Butterflies is a gripping story of courage in the face of unjust actions and repression based on the historical novel by Julia Alvarez. It examines how four sisters make the hard decisions whether they believe they feel strongly enough in a cause to risk their lives, what’s holding them and the people from rebelling against the dictatorship and the difficulties they faced in everyday life as revolutionaries. They are harassed, persecuted and imprisoned. It shows each sister’s political awakening throughout the years.
The four sisters, Patria, Dede, Minerva and Maria Teresa, each narrate a section of the story, which helps us to become equally attached and identify with their circumstances and actions. The play shows each woman’s strength as well as their vulnerabilities. The sisters are distinctive personalities, each engaged in the struggle for independence. They face various struggles from their once-idolized leader throughout childhood and youth to their adulthood where they began participating in an underground resistance movement. They are known as “Las Mariposas” or “The Butterflies”.
The real Mirabal sisters came to be known as heroines and martyrs in the Dominican Republic. Their deaths in 1960 inspired many to publicly denounce the cruel regime, which signaled the beginning of the end of Trujillo’s reign. Their story inspired us, and we hope it will you, to fiercely uphold what is just and right in our world and to appreciate the strength of women in all forms and circumstances.
In the Time of the Butterflies is a lyrical and engaging play of the historical legacy of these extraordinary women. The production will be onstage through Jan. 2. For info: http://sdrep.org/
- SDSU Student Union
| PHOTO: ANA PINES
All Peoples Celebration
We attended the 26th All Peoples Celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Ana as guest and Kim as part of the Alliance San Diego staff). Emmy and Peabody winning journalist Alison Stewart was the keynote presenter. There were performances by Jesse Mills, Brisa Johnson and Miesha “Ocean” Rice-Wilson. Rabbi Laurie Coskey asked everyone to hold hands during the invocation. Multimedia presentations included scenes from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 reminding everyone that the struggle Dr. King fought was not that long ago. We’ve come a long way but we still need to keep working, as the struggles are not over. The Ashley L. Walker Social Justice Award was given to Carolina Ramos from The San Diego LGBT Center for her work in the community. She gave an inspiring speech that emphasized that it doesn’t matter where you come from, everyone can be active in the move to change. The program concluded with everyone singing, “We Shall Overcome”. A community space provided free access for the public and featured local social justice organizations. This year they also introduced a National Day of Service Project – Community Mural Project that was led by artist, Pose 2 aka Maxx Moses. It was created in moveable panels and will be displayed throughout the community.
For info: http://www.alliancesd.org
San Diego State University’s new student union
- All Peoples Breakfast
| PHOTO: ANA PINES
San Diego State University unveiled their new student union building Jan. 22. President Elliot Hirshman gave a speech that was followed by breakfast in the courtyard.
The Grand Dedication Week to the LEED platinum designed structure will be March 3 through 8 featuring daily themed celebrations including a Taste of the Union Day, Recreation and Wellness Day and Arts and Culture Day. LEED is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction with three levels of certification: silver, gold and platinum. The building is 206,000 square feet and includes a fitness center, bowling and games center, dining, lounges and student programming and service offices. Daily-guided tours will be offered at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For info: http://as.sdsu.edu/
