The AFFA What's Up: May 31

AFFA UPDATES

LEARN AND SAVOR WITH AFFA!

CHOCOLATE: PATHWAY TO THE GODS

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 7:00-9:00 PM

Presentation & book signing by Mesoamerican archaeologist
Meredith L. Dreiss and co-author Sharon Edgar Greenhill with chocolate desserts by Anna Prothro and Nancy Townsend!

WHERE: Home of Sue Fairbanks, 8410 Lone Mesa Dr., 78759

COST: Members $10; Non-members $15
RSVP: by June 1 to Susan Bassion at (512) 288-6430 or s.bassion@att.net

Drawing on archaeological and ethnographic research, the authors discuss the religious, social, cultural and medicinal roles that chocolate has played in the lives of Mesoamericans for some 3500 years. This profusely illustrated book grew out of their 2005 documentary film (which comes on DVD with the book). They will share fascinating information and images, like one of a clay warrior figure clad in cacao armor (Late Classic Maya from Campeche, Mexico), reflecting the belief that chocolate energizes and strengthens us. This is sure to be an edifying and energizing couple of hours. Signed copies will be available for $30.

WANT TO LIST YOUR EVENT IN THE AFFA WHAT'S UP?

Please send all listing requests to alexandra@alumni.cmu.edu and be sure to include a graphic you'd like to use (one that looks good small, as you see throughout the e-newsletter) and a brief description of the event. Note that the next What's Up will go out on Monday, June 14. To have your event listed in the next What's Up, please send your requests to Alexandra no later than Sunday, June 13 Thank you!

BUSINESS MEMBERS NEWS

COSAS IN BOERNE

JUNE - AUGUST EVENTS

The finest works from COSAS favorite dimensional artists; Pedro Hernandez, Neftali Ayungua Suarez, Elba Leon, The Aguilar Sisters, Irma Blanco, Consuela Pena and others. Museum quality folk art fresh from the National Ceramics competition in Guadalajara. And, new furniture from David Marsh.

COSAS June and July events are on their website as well as their newly posted trip itineraries for Guadalajara in August (deadline to sign up July 1) and Day of the Dead in Patzcuaro in October/November (deadline to sign up July 15). For more information, contact (830) 249-1500 or cosasemail@yahoo.com, or visit the website at www.cosasonline.com.

MEXIC-ARTE MUESUM PRESENTS NEW EXHIBITIONRUBEN HERRERA: MASTER ARTIST AND TEACHER 1888-1933

Rubén Herrera was a significant artist and teacher, having founded the Painting Academy of Saltillo, which created a new generation of painters in Northern Mexico in the early 20th century. The exhibition, featuring 10 works of art, will premiere for the first time in the United States and is part of Mexic-Arte Museum’s year-long 2010 programming to commemorate the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution and the Bicentennial of the Mexican Independence.

The exhibition will include a special section on the Herrera Family in Austin, Texas, highlighting Rubén Herrera’s significant family lineage in this city. For more information call (512) 480-9373 or visit www.mexic-artemuseum.org. The exhibition, Imagining Mexico: Expressions in Popular Culture, featuring selections from private Austin collections (including many from members of AFFA!) will also continue through June 27.

IN THE COMMUNITY

MAIZE IS OUR LIFE (EL MAIZ ES NUESTRA VIDA)
BENEFIT DINNER
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 6:00-9:00 PM

WHERE: El Sol y La Luna, 600 East 6th St., Austin
COST: $35
HOW TO BUY: El Sol y La Luna (512-444-7770), Tesoros Trading Co. (1500 S. Congress / 512-447-7500), La Peña (227 Congress Ave. 512-477-6007), or Sharon Edgar Greenhill (477-7515 / sedgar5@archeoproductions.com)

Traditional Oaxacan cuisine by culinary artist Pilar Cabrera, owner and chef of Restaurante La Olla & La Casa de los Sabroes Cooking School in Oaxaca City, Meixco. Cash bar and door prizes!

Proceeds support the work of MAMAZ (Mujeres Artistas y el Maiz) to "Save the Maize Seed". The MAMAZ Collective is a non-profit women's arts organization that strives to raise awareness about Mexico's native maize seeds through art, food, and culture. Headquartered in Oaxaca, its members span across Mexico, United States, and Canada.

Their work, currently on exhibition at the Mexican American Cultural Center through June 5, thematically centered on maiz (maize) has been exhibited throughout the western hemisphere. This group of women strives to call the world's attention to Mexico's indigenous corn seed stock, now as of last fall, challenged by the entrance of Monsanto's genetically engineered corn seed into Mexico. For more information, contact oaxmaiz@yahoo.com or visit the MAMAZ website at http://colectivomamaz.blogspot.com.

LAS RANCHERITAS

RUG HOOKING KNOWS NO BORDERS: HOOKING TOUR

AUGUST 1- 6

WHERE: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

COST: $500 per person

Come meet the Rancheritas and have a wonderfully cool (temperature wise) vacation. At 6,500 ft. above sea level, San Miguel de Allende is wonderfully comfortable in August. Join Las Rancheritas for a week to play and work with the rug hookers from the town of Agustin Gonzales.

Tour dates are set for Sunday, August 1 through Friday, August 6, and accommodations will be at the Hotel Posada de San Francisco. The tour price includes breakfast, lunch, a double room occupancy for the week and transportation to and from Agustin Gonzales. Single rooms are available upon inquiry

For more information, contact Barbara A. Hanson at (503) 648-397 or shelley-barbara@rugartsupply.com, or visit the website at www.rugartsupply.com.