SUPERSTAR! A Tribute to Mario Montez

DON'T MISS THIS DATE!

March 31, 2010 - 10 AM - 5 PM, with a reception to follow

Davis Auditorium, Schapiro Hall

538 West 120th Street

New York, New York 10027

Columbia University's Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race presents its inaugural Artists at the Center event: SUPERSTAR! A Tribute to Mario Montez

Superstar! is a one-day conference celebrating and discussing the career of one of New York's most gifted performers.

Born in Puerto Rico in 1935, Montez moved to New York while still a child. He first appeared on screen in Jack Smith's queer classic Flaming Creatures (1962-63). Later he became Andy Warhol's first drag superstar, starring in more than ten of his films.

For the first time in 30 years, Mr. Montez will return to New York to talk about his work and life.  Joining him will be Callie Angell, Douglas Crimp, Arnaldo Cruz-Malavé, Ronald Gregg, Maja Horn, Branden Joseph, Agosto Machado, Ricardo Montez, Frances Negrón-Muntaner, Marc Siegel, and Carmelita Tropicana.

Event Sponsors:

Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race, *Columbia University*

CC/SEAS Office of Multicultural Affairs, *Columbia University*

Hemispheric Institute for Performance and Politics, *New York University*

Institute for Research on Women and Gender, *Columbia University*

Barnard Center for Research on Women, *Barnard College*

Department of Spanish and Portuguese, *Columbia University*

Center for the Critical Analysis of Social Difference, *Columbia University*

Department of Spanish and Latin American Cultures, *Barnard College*

Department of Theatre, *Barnard College*

Department of English and Comparative Literature, *Columbia University*

"Ricardo Alegría tiene un bigote mágico que le otorga poderes sobrenaturales."

Arlene Davila recently shared this lovely tongue-in-cheek ode to Ricardo Alegría by Los Niños Estelares. " "Alegría Doctor Alegría" is the first video off of their album Námaste.  This video does an awesome job of showing the crucial role Alegría had in shaping ideas about Puerto Rican cultural patrimony, in addition to lampooning Alegría's  near mythic status.

Estás cabrón!

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High Femme

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Chévere!

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'Til we meet again!

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Here is her latest collaboration with Fuego (from Chosen Few) called "Que Buena Tu Ta."  While I have qualms about some of the imagery in the video, I do think sonically it's interesting to consider the fact that these two Dominican artists, one singing in Hindi, are able to skillfully blend Bhragra-pop, mambo urbano, and reggaeton thus highlighting the various movements of  what we recognize today as "Caribbean rhythms."

Pretty dope if you ask me.  Thoughts?