From Sept. 15 through October New York City threw itself into Hispanic Heritage Month, a commemoration of the culture and history of the largest minority in the US. On Nov.1, as the month closed, author and performer Michele Carlo joined forces with alternative bookstore Bluestockings, in the East Village, and put together “Funny Fierce Fearless Latinas”: a celebration of the Latino way of life, through the unique voice and point of view of Hispanic women.
Author Jenny Saldaña reads for the audience among the bookshelves in Bluestockings, on 172 Allen St, East Village (NYCity News Service/Patricia Rey Mallén)
Five storytellers were invited to tell their own stories on love, loss and everything in between. Comedian Daisy Rosario remembered the day she met her father for the first time in over a decade. Writer Jenny L. Saldaña told two stories on her fight against cancer. Graphic designer Cristy C. Road pulled a multimedia show and read from her latest graphic novel. Writer and theater entrepreneur Linda Nieves-Powell taught the audience how to handle a night of child rebellion.
Here are some of their words on life and the bumps along the way, as seen from their own side of the census.
Michele Carlo explains the need for an event like “Fearless Latinas.”
Michele Carlo read an excerpt from her memoir "Fish Out of Agua," published by Citadel Press in 2010. (NYCity News Service/Patricia Rey Mallén)
Cristy C. Road experiences the glitches of live performance.
Cristy C. Road spiced up her show with a slideshow from her upcoming graphic novel, "Spit & Passion" (NYCity News Service/Patricia Rey Mallén)
Daisy Rosario remembers the “bumpy” train ride from Manhattan to East New York to visit her father.
Daisy Rosario's story is the first in her five-part series "Child of Trouble" (NYCity News Services/Patricia Rey Mallén)
Michele Carlo wraps up the event with a thank you shout to the authors and some warm words for the hosts.
From left to right, Cristy C. Road, Linda Nieves-Powell, Jenny L. Saldaña, Michele Carlo and Daisy Rosario. (NYCity News Service/Patricia Rey Mallén)