> From: Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
> Re: scholarship applications for student activists
>
> The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund has applications
> available for student activists who are building the


> progressive movement and will be enrolled in school
> during the 2009-10 academic year. If you know of
> students working for peace and justice, or if you have
> a list of activist contacts, please refer them to our


> website. Grantees are both graduates and
> undergraduates and citizenship is not a consideration
> although all applicants must be building the movement
> in the US and plan to enroll in an accredited program


> in the United States. Applications and the supporting
> documents -- transcripts, a personal statement, two
> letters of recommendation, a photograph, financial aid
> reports -- must be postmarked by April 1. The maximum


> grant is $8,000 but the size will depend on the
> applicant?s circumstances and the funding available.
> Those selected will be notified in July. Applications
> and instructions are available at www.davisputter.org.


>

......>Elisha Miranda's Facebook profile..>

After an amazing day working with Lillian Jimenez, (the current Executive Director of Chica Luna Productions and a film director/producer of a documentary entitled "Antonia Pantoja: Presente!) I say to myself, "Elisha it's Friday, treat yourself to a pedicure."

Being a woman who works a lot, I've really been trying to treat myself to those small pleasures this summer that balance your life amidst all the multitasking that I must do to keep from becoming bored. Or in all honesty, multitasking is a must for all independent business owners, emerging novelists, filmmakers and authors. Believe me it's never just a 9 to 5 job!

Finally, after a month of no manicure or pedicure (which is a very long time for me, despite how busy I am --nails and feet are a must!) I make it to the nail salon. But not my normal salon,iI decide to stop in Ridgewood, New Jersey on route home. First mistake. The diversity ratio: There is none, except for the Korean women who work in the salon and me who begins to feel like a Puerto Rican in exile.

My alter ego, says, "Elisha back step and go to the salon you've gone to for years in Ridgefield Park."

But, no, being tired I just want to rest my feet. Of course, it's 6PM on a friday, but I get a call from one of my business partners. I answer as we're negotiating a web series at the moment. We talk for all of five minutes, of course I was not loud and spoke very softly. I'm not one to ever disturb someone else's peace. I'm just happy to take the call while finally doing something for myself. It's Elisha time.

Ms. Botox with her Prada purse then yells, "I've been timing you and you've been on the phone for twenty minutes." Please note, she's sitting right next tome.

Mind you, I've been in the salon all of ten minutes. I give her an if looks could kill look. Then I reply, "There is no sign in this salon that says--Silence Only! Or No Cel Phones! You're not the owner, leave me alone."

Then I go back to my call. And she's lucky I like dogs because her Paris Hilton dog was sitting on her lap.

Then she opens her Prada bag and pulls out her too red for her pale skin lipstick which she applies while responding to me, "If you want noise go live in a ghetto like New York." Then Ms. Botox with her expressionless face barks at the Korean woman massaging her feet, "Uh, give it to me if you want it done right." And she grabs the lotion bottle from the pedicurist's hands and proceeds to open the bottle herself. Which she does unsuccessfully, so I laugh.

Until then, I was in full composure, but I have to admit I let the barrio girl bounce, and unfortunately it wasn't on her stiff face. "Maybe, you should spend less time concerned about other people... and instead, find a better purpose for your life than barking orders at your pedicurist or eavesdropping on my personal conversations. In my opinion, the botox isn't working girlie and you should consider getting a real job. One that doesn't involve being an elitist busy body. "

Chuckles bounce throughout the salon. Of course, no one else speaks or confronts her about her treatment of the employees or her toy dog either. Ms. Botox attempts to conjure a sour faced grin which is easy when one is almost collagen free, then says, "I think you should leave now! They don't want disrespectful customers." She then looks over at the owner, who then looks the other way. Ignoring her. Ms. Botox let's out a HUGE sigh of frustration then to the owner, "So much for big tips!"

"You're tuffet is at home wherever that may be. This salon is not a monarchy. For your information I would prefer New York any day over the passive aggressive Jersey "burbs. And no one is listening to you..."

And then yes, I say it, "So just shut the F Up! And go back to Upper Saddle River." I know I don't usually resort to profanity in public. I also said WAY more than I quoted above. But sometimes, if the word fits, it feels great to use it!

Volunteer opportunities available for Pandora's a Broadway Multimedia theater production. Volunteer today and network with industry professionals, gain valuable experience and get free tickets to an amazing show. You can volunteer during the day, evenings and weekends. If interested, email julia@sisteroutsider.biz. More information below.

* * * MEDIA ALERT * * *
PANDORA'S
Ten Monologues Open the Box of Queer Latino Identities
_______________________________________________

WHO: Sister Outsider Entertainment, www. sisteroutsider. biz, presents Pandora's, a new multimedia production that gives voice to the Latina/o queer experience.

WHAT: Pandora's ten diverse monologues, cinematic vignettes and music productions represent different queer identities with an array of different backgrounds. Its debut marks a breakthrough in visibility and expression in the Latina/o queer community.

WHEN: July 2nd– July 6th, 2008

Evening Shows
Wednesday, July 2nd – Friday, July 5th at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 6th at 8pm

Matinee Shows
Saturday, July 5th at 2pm
Sunday, July 6th at 2pm

WHERE: Theater Row
410 West 42ndStreet
New York City
To purchase tickets please go to www. pandorashow. com or www. ticketcentral. com

WHY: During the show, the Ending Homo-Hatred Outreach Toolkit will be distributed to audience members. The Toolkit will contain strategies and resources for combating internal and external homophobia, such as a directory of organizations that conduct outreach and education on issues of sexuality.

HOW: The commissioned writers and diverse cast use music, videos and theater to narrate the experience of the Latino/o queer community.

Press Contact: Melissa Quinones, HYPERLINK "mailto:Melissaq3@gmail.com" Melissaq3@gmail.com, 917-853-2052

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8xVREhBKBg

PANDORA'S is a multi media theater show that integrates theater and film vignettes to create a series of ten dramatized monologues that provide voice to the Latina/o LGBTQI experience

PANDORA'S seeks to stage one lens on the queer Latina/o experience which is not represented in popular culture. In order to reach a broad audience, we have expanded our show to even include a Filipino, bringing our shared colonial history with Spain to the stage. Artists have been commissioned from both coasts (New York and California) who wrote about their various Latino identities (Chicano, Afro-Caribbean, South American, Central American, light-skinned Latinas, being a Filipino that is always confused for Latina, ages, Latinas across socio-economic and national boundaries, etc.). Each monologue deals with a specific queer identity such as Bisexual, Lesbian, Questioning, Intersex and Transgender (Male to Female and Female to Male).

PANDORA'S will premiere on July 2-July 6, 2008 at Theatre Row on 42nd Street, at the heart of New York's theater district. Each night we will be entertaining 100 audience members— over 600 people will see this show. And we are organizing an exhaustive media and outreach campaign for this show that will travel this show across the country.

Along with the theater project, an Ending Homo-Hatred Outreach Toolkit will be distributed to audience members during the show. The Toolkit will be in the form of a booklet and will consist of methodologies for combating internal and external homophobia, organizations that can be excellent resources for outreach and other information, a list of articles/essays, books, etc., and workshops that can be attended in order to gain more information. Everyday people and organizations will be able to use this toolkit to create a space for artistic freedom and justice for LGBTQI communities of color.
THE MONOLOGUE

BE ALL YOU CAN BE Written by Deya García and Sofía Quintero
Performed by Julia Ahumada Grob
On the eve before she is to report for a second tour in Iraq, a Dominican army sergeant decides to go AWOL.

CHEWY - n-- JOCELYN 4EVA Written by Lissette J. Norman
Performed by Dominique Andriese
A runaway teen must choose between the homophobia of her Dominican homeland or that of the streets of New York City.

CIORA Written by Sandra Alvarez and Aurora Guerrero
Performed by Desiree Cobb
A Colombian woman struggles to redefine familia as she prepares her body for motherhood.

CONFIDENTIALITY Written by Jasmine Colón
Performed by Sherette Gregg
When the parents of a teenage patient threaten to send her to "ex-gay" reparative therapy, her counselor finds herself caught between her professional code of ethics and the truth of her own experience.

DON'T KNOCK IT 'TIL YOU TRY IT Written by Desi Moreno Penson
Performed by Desi Moreno Penson
A conservative woman in her 40s finally gives in to her husband's demand for a threesome.

ID, Please! Written by Tina Bartolome
Performed by Daphne Lopez
An underage Filipina always confused for Chicana tries to enter the nightclub only to discover that her closeted aunt is working the door.

PASSING Written by Janis Astor del Valle
Performed by Janis Astor del Valle
A Puerto Rican transgender male in transition has second thoughts about going through sex reassignment surgery.

PATRíA Written by Julia Carias and Elisha Miranda
Performed by Karen J. Robles
Stuck between two worlds, Patria is given an ultimatum either get married or be deported.

THE BORDER MADE ME GAY Written by Fernanda Coppel
Performed by Carina Gregorio
On her 21st birthday, a college student yearns for the mother who returned to Mexico without her.

TWENTY-FOUR Written by Aurora Guerrero
Performed by Claudia Acosta
Just as she is set to marry her boyfriend of thirteen years, Chela reflects on her life prior to him.

-PANDORA'S AUDITIONS-

Sister Outsider Entertainment is seeking Latina/Filipino actors with stage experience for our production of Pandora's. PANDORA'S, is a multi-media theater production that gives voice to the Latina/o LGBTQI experience. The show features ten diverse monologues that will promote greater understanding of what it means to be Latina and queer for audiences of all sexual identities. PANDORA'S will premiere on June 30TH - July 6TH, 2008 at the Theatre Row 410 West 42nd Street, at the heart of New York's theater district.

We're holding auditions on MAY 6TH & 7TH, 2008 from 3 to 8PM. To schedule an appointment to audition, please email us your resume/headshot by MAY 7th at 1PM EST to fernanda.coppel@sisteroutsider.biz. In the subject line of the email, please put: PANDORA'S AUDITIONS. We will call you to schedule an appointment. You should be available during the times listed above and be prepared with a dramatic monologue.

For more information go to www.sisteroutsider.biz.


The following roles are open for casting:

CIORA
A Colombian woman struggles with redefining familia as
she prepares her body for motherhood. Colombian,
Bilingual, indigenous looking, 30s, loves to dance.

BE ALL YOU CAN BE
On the eve before she is to report for a second tour in Iraq, a Dominican army sergeant decides to go AWOL. Dominican, 20's

ID, Please!
An underage Filipina always confused for Chicana tries to enter the nightclub only to discover that her closeted aunt is working the door. Late teens, Filipina

CONFIDENTIALITY
When the parents of a teenage patient threaten to send her to "ex-gay" reparative therapy, her counselor finds herself caught between her professional code of ethics and the truth of her own experience. Puerto Rican, mid 20's.

THE BORDER MADE ME GAY
On her 21st birthday, a college student yearns for the mother who returned to Mexico without her. Chicana, early 20's/late teens.

TWENTY-FOUR
Just as she is set to marry her boyfriend of thirteen years, a Chicana finally reveals her love for her best friend. 30's, Chicana, Indigenous.

BODY HUNGER
A happily married bisexual Puerto Rican woman confesses her hunger for the touch and love of a woman while someone confuses her for White. 30's, Light-Skinned Puerto Rican. 30's. light-skinned, Latina

MANGO BREAD
A Puerto Rican/Chicano (FTM) man grapples with feminism and male privilege as he seduces his lover with his culinary talents. Mid to late 20's, Chicana/Puerto Rican, Transgender.


TECHNICAL CREW

Sister Outsider Entertainment, LLC, introduces PANDORA'S, a multi-media theater production that gives voice to the Latina/o LGBTQI experience. The show features ten diverse monologues from that will promote greater understanding of what it means to be Latina and queer for audiences of all sexual identities. PANDORA'S will premiere on June 30-July 6, 2008 at the Theatre Row 410 West 42nd Street, at the heart of New York's theater district.

We are looking to hire the following positions. If interested, please email by May 1, 2008 --a resume/cover letter to fernanda.coppel@sisteroutsider.biz. In the subject line of the email, please put: PANDORA CREW. For more information go to www.sisteroutsider.biz .

Set Designer (1)
Ideal person will have a great deal of expertise in set building and designing. Designer must be able to build and execute and elaborate on a design concept we already have. We are looking for a professional, organized person who takes direction well.

Set Asst./ Construction Assistants (3)

Lighting Designer (1)

Stage Hands (2)

Prop Master (1)
Seeking enthusiastic trainee with some knowledge of theater. Position is excellent for college students. NO PAY, but an opportunity to gain theatrical experience and work with field professionals.

Stage Manager (1)

Asst. Stage Manager (1)

Production Interns (2)
Interns must have some knowledge of theater, be available to work all shows and to meet for several meetings prior to festival. NO PAY, but an opportunity to gain theatrical experience and work with field professionals.

Ushers (4)
Seeking individuals with a love for theater to work at least a minimum of four shows in June. NO PAY but an opportunity to gain theatrical experience and work with field

Sister Outsider Entertainment and the GLBT Center of NYC invite you to support and enjoy a preview of a theater show like no other.

Mark your calendar! WEDNESDAY, April 30th, please join us for a night of fundraising, artist performances, hors d'oeurves, drinks, raffles and goodies, all to support, celebrate and ensure the successful debut run of Pandora's, a new play that gives a voice to the Latina/o queer experience.

A collection of ten diverse monologues, Pandora's is a multimedia show that was commissioned for and written by Latina/o authors representing an array of different backgrounds, different borders and homes, and different queer identities (including a Filipina writer as we share a colonial history with Spain.) Its debut marks a breakthrough in visibility and expression in the Latina/o queer community.

Please come celebrate your support!

WHAT: Fundraiser Cabaret for Pandora's

WHERE: GLBT Center, 208 W 13th St. (between 7th & 8th Avenues)

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, April 30th. Doors open at 7:30pm, performances begin at 8pm.

WHY YOU SHOULD BE THERE... to enjoy a sneak peek of Pandora's and enjoy performances from poets, dancers and other artists.
to network over hor d'oeurves and an open bar!
to get gift-bag goodies and a chance at raffles.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY....
to show your solidarity with the community and support a new Latina theatrical venture!

Admission is $15. Further donations and sponsorships will be accepted at the event.
Please RSVP to rsvp@sisteroutsider.biz.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sister Outsider Entertainment seeks to create urban and edgy multimedia. Its Co-Founders are Elisha Miranda and Sofia Quintero, both published authors and filmmakers, who are also the Co-Founders of Chica Luna Productions. In April of 2008, they were joined by their newest business partner, Julia Carias, who has been working as the Director of Operations at Sister Outsider since 2007. Julia brings to Sister Outsider years of management and production experience.

Pandora's (formerly Jotaria) is being produced by Sister Outsider Entertainment, and the team at SOE is excited by the slated talent that will participate in this important theatrical event. Pandora's was incubated at Chica Luna Productions, and everyone who worked on the endeavor wishes to extend a special thank you to the Latino Educational Media Center, Lillian Jimenez and Courtney Young.

Pandora's Writers:
Janis Astor del Valle
Deya Garcia
Sofia Quintero
Lissette Norman
Aurora Guerrero
Tina Bartolome
Elisha Miranda
L.L. Gimeno
Jasmine Colon
Fernanda Coppel
Sandra Alvarez

Pandora's Creative Team:
Creative/Theater Director: Elisha Miranda
Dramaturge: Sofia Quintero
Film Shorts Director: Aurora Guerrero
Operations: Julia Carias
Film Shorts Editor/Project Manger: Jasmine Colon
Assistant Project Manager: Fernanda Coppel
Set Designer: CeCe Carpio
Publicist: Melissa Quinones
Outreach: Carolina Korth


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pandora's is proud to be sponsored by Here! Television and all of the sponsors included below.

Nothing like spending time with your grandmother to make you appreciate every moment in your life. Sitting with my grandma who has been very sick the past few years makes me appreciate every day I have to enjoy life. She spent her youth raising five children. Her adulthood working and when she retired, she got sick. She never married after she divorced my grandfather at the age of 28. She has remained alone in many aspects, never really ever finding that REAL LOVE that make your heart flutter and your wings soar. I’m not saying you have to be in love to really experience life. But, my grandmother has always lived for someone else, even if she’s been alone. She’s never been able to feel free. Frankly, how can any colonized person ever feel free?

Seeing her reminded me of the poem PUERTO RICAN OBITUARY by the late Pedro Pietri. It’s also reminded me that her life will never be in vein if I continue to reach as high as possible. And that also means slowing down, ’cause I’m also going full steam ahead. It’s time to smell the flowers, spread the wings and let the breeze take me where she will. I love my grandmother, she’s my second mother. She’s taught me about being independent, self-sufficient. She taught me about feminism before I ever read about it in a college text book. Ironic how I just finished the book proposal for my next SISTA HOOD BOOK. And I’m working on my first adult novel proposal, LOVELINES which was inspired by the women in my family— especially my grandmother and mother.

I’m here in Northern California embracing seasons, that’s the cycle of life. Sharing time with my family that I often times miss living 3000 miles away in New York. My grandmother is in the hospital at the moment, and I feel grateful to be here and share.

I’ve posted the Puerto Rican Obituary below in honor of anyone that has ever worked and never lived.

Puerto Rican Obituary

They worked
They were always on time
They were never late
They never spoke back
when they were insulted
They worked
They never took days off
that were not on the calendar
They never went on strike
without permission
They worked
ten days a week
and were only paid for five
They worked
They worked
They worked
and they died
They died broke
They died owing
They died never knowing
what the front entrance
of the first national city bank looks like

Juan
Miguel
Milagros
Olga
Manuel
All died yesterday today
and will die again tomorrow
passing their bill collectors
on to the next of kin
All died
waiting for the garden of eden
to open up again
under a new management
All died
dreaming about america
waking them up in the middle of the night
screaming: Mira Mira
your name is on the winning lottery ticket
for one hundred thousand dollars
All died
hating the grocery stores
that sold them make-believe steak
and bullet-proof rice and beans
All died waiting dreaming and hating

Dead Puerto Ricans
Who never knew they were Puerto Ricans
Who never took a coffee break
from the ten commandments
to KILL KILL KILL
the landlords of their cracked skulls
and communicate with their latino souls

Juan
Miguel
Milagros
Olga
Manuel
From the nervous breakdown streets
where the mice live like millionaires
and the people do not live at all
are dead and were never alive

Juan
died waiting for his number to hit
Miguel
died waiting for the welfare check
to come and go and come again
Milagros
died waiting for her ten children
to grow up and work
so she could quit working
Olga
died waiting for a five dollar raise
Manuel
died waiting for his supervisor to drop dead
so he could get a promotion

Is a long ride
from Spanish Harlem
to long island cemetery
where they were buried
First the train
and then the bus
and the cold cuts for lunch
and the flowers
that will be stolen
when visiting hours are over
Is very expensive
Is very expensive
But they understand
Their parents understood
Is a long non-profit ride
from Spanish Harlem
to long~sland cemetery

Juan
Miguel
Milagros
Olga
Manuel
All died yesterday today
and will die again tomorrow
Dreaming
Dreaming about queens
Clean-cut lily-white neighborhood
Puerto Ricanless scene
Thirty-thousand-dollar home
The first spics on the block
Proud to belong to a community
of gringos who want them lynched
Proud to be a long distance away
from the sacred phrase: Que Pasa

These dreams
These empty dreams
from the make-believe bedrooms
their parents left them
are the after-effects
of television programs
about the ideal
white american family
with black maids
and latino janitors
who are well train
to make everyone
and their bill collectors
laugh at them
and the people they represent

Juan
died dreaming about a new car
Miguel
died dreaming about new anti-poverty programs
Milagros
died dreaming about a trip to Puerto Rico
Olga
died dreaming about real jewelry
Manuel
died dreaming about the irish sweepstakes

They all died
like a hero sandwich dies
in the garment district
at twelve o’clock in the afternoon
social security number to ashes
union dues to dust

They knew
they were born to weep
and keep the morticians employed
as long as they pledge allegiance
to the flag that wants them destroyed
They saw their names listed
in the telephone directory of destruction
They were train to turn
the other cheek by newspapers
that mispelled mispronounced
and misunderstood their names
and celebrated when death came
and stole their final laundry ticket

They were born dead
and they died dead

Is time
to visit sister lopez again
the number one healer
and fortune card dealer
in Spanish Harlem
She can communicate
with your late relatives
for a reasonable fee
Good news is guaranteed

Rise Table Rise Table
death is not dumb and disable
Those who love you want to know
the correct number to play
Let them know this right away
Rise Table Rise Table
death is not dumb and disable
Now that your problems are over
and the world is off your shoulders
help those who you left behind
find financial peace of mind

Rise Table Rise Table
death is not dumb and disable
If the right number we hit
all our problems will split
and we will visit your grave
on every legal holiday
Those who love you want to know
the correct number to play
Let them know this right away
We know your spirit is able
Death is not dumb and disable
RISE TABLE RISE TABLE

Juan
Miguel
Milagros
Olga
Manuel
All died yesterday today
and will die again tomorrow
Hating fighting and stealing
broken windows from each other
Practicing a religion without a roof
The old testament
The new testament
according to the gospel
of the internal revenue
the judge and jury and executioner
protector and eternal bill collector

Secondhand shit for sale
Learn how to say Como Esta Usted
and you will make a fortune
They are dead
They are dead
and will not return from the dead
until they stop neglecting
the art of their dialogue
for broken english lessons
to impress the mister goldsteins
who keep them employed
as lavaplatos porters messenger boys
factory workers maids stock clerks
shipping clerks assistant mailroom
assistant, assisant assistant
to the assistant’s assistant
assistant lavaplatos and automatic
artificial smiling doormen
for the lowest wages of the ages
and rages when you demand a raise
because is against the company policy
to promote SPICS SPICS SPICS

Juan
died hating Miguel because Miguel’s
used car was in better running condition
than his used car
Miguel
died hating Milagros because Milagros
had a color television set
and he could not afford one yet
Milagros
died hating Olga because Olga
made five dollars more on the same job
Olga
died hating Manuel because Manuel
had hit the numbers more times
than she had hit the numbers
Manuel
died hating all of them
Juan
Miguel
Milagros
and Olga
because they all spoke broken english
more fluently than he did

And now they are together
in the main lobby of the void
Addicted to silence
Off limits to the wind
Confine to worm supremacy
in long island cemetery
This is the groovy hereafter
the protestant collection box
was talking so loud and proud about

Here lies Juan
Here lies Miguel
Here lies Milagros
Here lies Olga
Here lies Manuel
who died yesterday today
and will die again tomorrow
Always broke
Always owing
Never knowing
that they are beautiful people
Never knowing
the geography of their complexion

PUERTO RICO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE
PUERTORRIQUENOS ARE A BEAUTIFUL RACE

If only they
had turned off the television
and tune into their own imaginations
If only they
had used the white supremacy bibles
for toilet paper purpose
and make their latino souls
the only religion of their race
If only they
had return to the definition of the sun
after the first mental snowstorm
on the summer of their senses
If only they
had kept their eyes open
at the funeral of their fellow employees
who came to this country to make a fortune
and were buried without underwears

Juan
Miguel
Milagros
Olga
Manuel
will right now be doing their own thing
where beautiful people sing
and dance and work together
where the wind is a stranger
to miserable weather conditions
where you do not need a dictionary
to communicate with your people
Aqui Se Habla Espanol all the time
Aqui you salute your flag first
Aqui there are no dial soap commericals
Aqui everybody smells good
Aqui tv dinners do not have a future
Aqui the men and women admire desire
and never get tired of each other
Aqui Que Paso Power is what’s happening
Aqui to be called negrito
means to be called LOVE

Pedro Pietri, Monthy Review Press (1973)

Yes, this is one Boricua/Latina thated voted for Obama in the East Coast Primary. Latinos didn't get behind him the force that we did with Hillary. So, I'm really proud to say that some folks did this video. Made me proud. However, this doesn't mean that Latinos still don't need to have discussion about race and our own "blackness" which sometimes I feel my gente avoids. For the presidential election, I'll volunteer to do a salsafied Obama video.