Join Nevada Humanities on Saturday, November 2, from 6-8 pm at the Sierra Arts Foundation in Reno for an evening of poetry and conversation as we honor and celebrate the Day of the Dead  (Día de los Muertos). Jesse James Ziegler, the 2024-2025 City of Reno Poet Laureate, will moderate the program, with introductory remarks by Dr. Daniel Enrique Pérez, one of the humanities advisors for the Latino Poetry initiative and anthology, and an associate professor of Chicanx and Latinx literature at the University of Nevada, Reno. Local poets Mojo Montelongo, Nohemy Velasco, Genevy Machuca, and Gabriella Detrick will share original poems and readings from the anthology in English, Spanish, and Spanglish, as we explore topics of ancestry and identity, heritage, language, and family and community. A Q&A and conversation will follow.

Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public, but we ask that you RSVP in advance.

This program is presented by Nevada Humanities as part of Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home, a major public humanities initiative taking place across the nation in 2024 and 2025, directed by Library of America and funded with generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Emerson Collective. Places We Call Home seeks to foster nationwide conversation through a new anthology edited by Rigoberto González, events around the country, an online media archive, and a wealth of library resources meant to spur in-depth reflection and discussion on key figures and themes.

Jesse James Ziegler

Jesse James Ziegler is currently serving as Poet Laureate for the City of Reno. He is the creator and manager of Monday Night Poetry and vice president for Spoken Views Collective. He is a member of the Sierra Literary Cooperative and the Spoken Word/Poetry contributor to Reno Arts News. He runs a twice monthly all ages poetry group/open mic True Colors in collaboration with Our Center. He was the first ever Poet in Residence for the Bruka Theatre and held that position for three consecutive seasons. His first collection of poetry, FIVE (2019), was published and brought to life through their annual new Works Festival.

Dr. Daniel Enrique Pérez

Dr. Daniel Enrique Pérez is an Associate Professor of Chicanx and Latinx Studies in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Nevada Reno. His research and teaching center on the intersections of gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality. His books include: Rethinking Chicana/o and Latina/o Popular Culture, an edited collection of plays entitled Latina/o Heritage on Stage: Dramatizing Heroes and Legends, and a collection of poems entitled Things You See in the Dark.

Mojo Montelongo

Mojo Montelongo is proud to be a Queer Latine artist, inspired by the B-movie beasts and bombshells of the 90’s. Earlier this year, this self-imposed pop culture icon debuted an autobiographical play at Good Luck Macbeth Theatre called Sorry I'm Late and Other Lies and has also lent their writing talents to GLM parodies such as SHARK!, Die Difficult, and The Land Before Dinosaur Park. Mojo's digital footprint includes several shorts with the Reno Film Collective including their original short film Surprise!, several productions through Ghost Light TV such as the Dead Weight Survival Guide, and a Halloween horror anthology, A Few Good Scares.

Nohemy Velasco

Nohemy Velasco is a first-generation Mexican with a profound commitment to arts and cultural advocacy. Having spent nearly six months each year in Mexico during their school years, including attending school there during March and over school breaks, they have maintained a deep connection to their heritage. With degrees in Theater and Spanish culture/literature, they have worked with local organizations like Reno Little Theater, where they focus on strengthening relationships with the Latino community. At the Sierra Arts Foundation, they manage the bookstore and work closely with local authors and literary artists, further nurturing their engagement with the literary world. Their volunteer work with the Latino Arte & Cultura group in Reno, their internship with indigenous artisans in Mexico, and their service as a translator and community service assistant at Catholic Charities Immigration Services all reflect their dedication to cultural expression and community support. Through their participation in Latino/a Poetry Night, they aim to honor and celebrate their cultural traditions while contributing to the vibrant literary arts scene.

Genevy Machuca

Genevy Machuca is a second-year student at the University of Nevada, Reno pursuing a dual degree in journalism and Spanish with an emphasis in broadcasting. She hopes to break the barriers that language sometimes creates, and instead build bridges. In her free time she enjoys writing and staying active.

Gabriella Detrick

Gabriella Detrick is a second-year political science major at the University of Nevada, Reno where she serves as Director of Executive Affairs in student government and engages in undergraduate research. Originally from Las Vegas, Gabriella has a deep appreciation for arts and culture, which greatly influences her poetry. Her work is evocative, blending detailed imagery and emotional resonance to capture social issues and complexities of the human experience. Gabriella performs regularly at Brushfire Literature and Arts Journal Poetry Nights, and has been featured in their Artist Spotlights. As a multiracial artist, she is dedicated to connecting people through communication, driven by the belief that sharing perspective is key to conversation.