Visual artist Tres Taylor gave a lecture on Mexican art from the Oaxaca as part of the Alys Stephens Center’s annual GlobalFest. Photo by Ian Keel.Destiny Hosmer - Staff Writerdrhosmer@uab.edu
The Alys Stephens Center’s annual GlobalFest offered the public a taste of Latin art, culture and dance on Oct. 3-5 as part of a month long celebration of the Latino community.
This year, GlobalFest was part of Celebración which is a collaboration among the ASC, UAB and other Birmingham art partners to offer one month of events honoring the Latino community in Birmingham.
Amy Miller, ASC director of engagement, said that GlobalFest is a way to celebrate other cultures.
“Something that we are working on building is the local and global connection here in Birmingham and here at the Alys Stephens Center,” Miller said.
“UAB is a very international hub of studies, and we want the Alys Stephens Center to reflect that.”
GlobalFest consisted of three lunchtime lectures, each free to the public and approximately one hour long.
On Monday, Oct. 3, visual artist Tres Taylor and designer and visual artist Lillis Taylor, a UAB artist-in-residence, shared their passion for Mexican art.
Their lecture focused on the folk art of the Oaxaca region and the works of Frida Kahlo.
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, a lecture on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain was given by John K. Moore, Ph.D, an associate professor of Spanish in UAB’s Department of Foreign Languages and Literature.
During his lecture, Moore shared stories from his own pilgrimages and highlighted the hospitality he and his groups received on their journeys.
On the final day of GlobalFest, Oct. 5, the Dancing Doctors gave a live demonstration and lecture on the history of the Argentine tango.
Samantha McDonald, a foreign languages major, attended the Argentine tango demonstration and said that she found the lecture both interesting and informative.
“It was interesting learning about the culture behind it and the dances, and knowing that it’s a part of not just the language, but the whole culture,” McDonald said. “I learned that their movements actually have meaning just like a literal conversation.”
Celebración will continue through Wednesday, Oct. 26, and there are several events remaining for those interested in learning more about the Latino community.
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra will present “The Five Senses: A Tango Celebration” with Raul Jaurena at 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, Oct. 25, the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama Jr. Board will host a meet and greet/interest meeting at Cahaba Brewing Company at 5 p.m.
For students who would like to get involved with the ASC, Miller said that she is currently working on establishing an ASC Student Advisory Council to attract more students to the venue.
“The whole idea is to have a committee that will advise us on what students want, what various generations are looking for, and trying to really invite UAB students into this space, because it’s their space,” she said.
For more information on these events and Celebración, visit alysstephens.org/events/celebracion/.
Those who are interested can contact Amy Miller at acmill@uab.edu.
