Monthly Archives: February 2011

Dolores Porras Documentary Film by Michael Peed Premieres in Oaxaca

Posted on Friday, February 18, 2011 | 1 comment

Legendary folk art potter Dolores Porras

Dolores Porras, legendary potter from Santa Maria Atzompa, died in November 2010 as a result of Parkinson’s disease.  For years, potter and university faculty member Michael Peed visited Porras, videotaped and photographed her work. He has assembled a 31-minute documentary film that will premier on Saturday, February 19, 2011, at La Jicara Restaurant in Oaxaca.  You can contact him at imdeep@earthlink.net to find out how you can get a copy of the movie.

1 Comment

Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Pottery, Travel & Tourism

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Woven Lives/Vidas Entretejidas Movie Trailer — Public Premiere Coming April 23, 2011

Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 | Comments Off on Woven Lives/Vidas Entretejidas Movie Trailer — Public Premiere Coming April 23, 2011

Spools of naturally-dyed wool wait for the loom

Carolyn Kallenborn wrote to me today about the progress she is making to distribute the final cut of her film about Oaxaca weavers, “Woven Lives/Vidas Entretejidos.”  I want to share her update with you and provide the link to the movie trailer on YouTube.  The film features six weavers, one of whom is our dear friend Federico Chavez Sosa (Galeria Fe y Lola, Av. 5 de Mayo #408, Centro Historico, Oaxaca).

“So.. it is all getting very very close – the graphics for the DVD jacket went out for printing today, final proofreading of the subtitles have to happen before I go to bed tonight, the final video files are in Indiana being prepped for duplication… in two weeks I should have 2000 copies of the 1 hour and 16 minute movie – with both Spanish and English soundtrack and amazingly beautiful visuals and music to accompany it.

I hope you can take two minutes to watch the movie trailer on  You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxFtx0eSPqI
Its best if it is viewed on a full screen.  Feel free to pass it along to others.

Many thanks to the whole crew who worked on this project. It is amazing to see it coming to life!!  I hope you enjoy it!”

Carolyn Kallenborn
www.wovenlivesoaxaca.com
www.vidasentretejidas.com

Upcoming Events:

Cast and Crew Sneak Preview
Sunday March 6th

In Spanish with English subtitles, Cardinal Bar, 6:30 p.m., Madison, Wisconsin, food and dance to follow

Public Premier
Saturday April 23rd

In English with Spanish subtitles, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Union South, 6:30 p.m., dance and cash bar to follow

Comments Off on Woven Lives/Vidas Entretejidas Movie Trailer — Public Premiere Coming April 23, 2011

Posted in Books & Resources, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Oaxaca rug weaving and natural dyes, Textiles, Tapestries & Weaving, Travel & Tourism

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oaxaca Lending Library — Making Connections for Gringos

Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 | Comments Off on Oaxaca Lending Library — Making Connections for Gringos

A year ago my friend Shannon Pixley Sheppard left Mill Valley, California, to settle in Oaxaca.  She took an early retirement from her career as a librarian and decided to make her way south where life is vibrant and a retirement income can stretch considerably.  She volunteers at the Oaxaca Lending Library which is a cultural center for transplanted norteamericanos (canadienses and estadounidenses).  The OLL also provides important educational support for community libraries that are dedicated to local populations.

I want to share this link with you.  Shannon has just written about some upcoming events that showcase the vibrancy of social and cultural life in Oaxaca.  If you are considering a vacation or an extended stay or even contemplating a move to Oaxaca, this is an excellent reference point for you.

Shannon lives perched on a hillside off Calle Crespo where she has annointed her apartment Casita Colibri.  You can read her posts here!

http://casitacolibri.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/classes-tours-book-talks-spas-you-name-it/

Comments Off on Oaxaca Lending Library — Making Connections for Gringos

Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Travel & Tourism

Tagged , , , , ,

HOT Mango Salsa Paint Job for the Kitchen Wall

Posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 | Comments Off on HOT Mango Salsa Paint Job for the Kitchen Wall

Juicy Oaxaca Colors: Hot Mango Salsa for the Kitchen Wall

Stephen is in Oaxaca. The last time he went to Oaxaca solo I painted the kitchen back splash terra cotta. I have a yearning in this dreary intersection between winter and spring for the big, bold, juicy, deliciousness of Oaxaca colors — ripe mango, intense papaya, luscious pomegranate, limeade green, sweet melon, and tangy pink grapefruit.

At 8 a.m. on Sunday morning I found myself in the paint department of Lowe’s Home Store looking at samples. While the rest of the world was immersed in Super Bowl Sunday, I was atop an eight foot ladder with brush in hand making my own part of Oaxaca come alive in my North Carolina kitchen hallway.

Hot Mango Salsa Paint Job! Yummy.

P.S. I don’t think Valspar quite captured the essence of this color by naming it “Roasted Chestnut” (3002-3A).

Comments Off on HOT Mango Salsa Paint Job for the Kitchen Wall

Posted in Cultural Commentary

Tagged , , , , , ,

Gallery

DSLR Camera Shopping for Novices: Oaxaca Summer 2011 Photo Expedition

Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2011

Yesterday, I had a question from a novice photographer interested in attending the Summer 2011 Oaxaca Photography Expedition: Market Towns and Artisan Villages. This would be his first trip outside the United States and he does not own a DSLR … Continue reading →

2 Comments