Get some Hispanic culture during evening of 'expression'

How's this for culture? Ballet and poetry all in the same night.

The Nevada State Museum is planning just such a culture shot for Tuesday night, as a short exploration of Hispanic culture.

The International Folkloric Ballet Co., a Mexican-region dance troupe from Reno, and Peruvian-born poet Roy Chavez-Alvarado will combine for an evening of "expression" - Alvarado's reading is titled "Expressions of the Soul" and the ballet's work "Expressions of the Dance."

The museum has been working lately with Nevada Hispanic Services to recognize the fast-growing Hispanic community by offering museum tours in Spanish as well as English.

"We're trying to create an awareness that it's a community museum for all cultures," said museum spokeswoman Deborah Stevenson.

Tuesday's show, however, is being put on as much to cater to Spanish speakers as it is to show others some of the excitement and depth of another, nearby but often unexplored culture.

Dance is one of a few universal languages and Alvarado will be reading in both Spanish and English.

Chavez-Alvarado, who emigrated to the United States in 1982 and now lives in Carson City, views poetry as a way for people - maybe people who think they're very different - to connect.

"Maybe those looking for a soul, perhaps like their own, can feel that there is some kind of solidarity going around the world and maybe this is the way we don't feel so alone in life," he said.

Chavez-Alvarado, an engineering designer as well as a poet, has been published in several Spanish-language publications and local newspapers. Some of his work is also part of the anthology, "New Century North American Poets."

He will also be holding a free small-group writing workshop on July 16 for budding writers. To register for the workshop, which has limited space, call Deborah Stevenson at 775-687-4810, ext. 237.

The museum's reading and ballet event, which is co-sponsored by the Nevada Arts Council's Folklife Program, is free to the public. The show will be on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Nevada State Museum on Carson Street. For more information on the program call the museum at 687-4810 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

n Contact reporter Cory McConnell at cmcconnell@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

Evening of 'expression'

What: International Folkloric Ballet and Roy Chavez

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St.

CALL: 687-4810