Tag Archives: Art

Latino Outdoors: José González on Representation in the Outdoors

Latino Outdoors: José González on Representation in the Outdoors

 
 
00:00 / 1:03:08
 
1X
 

“None of us are well, until all of us are well.” 

José González returns to his alma mater, University of Michigan’s School for the Environment and Sustainability (formerly School for Natural Resources and Environment) to speak on Wayfinding Cultural Connections: From Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to Decolonizing.
Photo credit: SEAS Office of DEI

José González, award winning outdoor educator, Founder and Director of Latino Outdoors, and University of Michigan alum joins the It’s Hot in Here team this week to discuss his work with host Prachiti Dhamankar. Join us as José discusses underrepresentation in the outdoors, the Green 2.0 report, art, community, and identity. 

Latino Outdoors was founded in 2013 to address the lack of Latinx representation in the outdoor, conservation, and environmental education fields. Now, Latino Outdoors is a Latinx-led community and organization (in that order) that is focused on building family and celebrating culture and heritage in the outdoors. Latino Outdoors has grown to operate around the country and is open to all people who wish to celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Discussing his personal experiences growing up in México and the central valley of California, José shares his take on engaging with diverse audiences, access to natural spaces, and building senses of community and belonging. In exploring his own identities and experiences, José addresses the cultural gaps regarding the use of natural spaces. 

The ideas and mission of José and the Latino Outdoors team seem particularly salient in the wake of reports such as Green 2.0 which have pinpointed discrepancies of representation in the outdoors. Discussing the ideas laid out in this report, José eloquently navigates the concepts of unconscious bias, lackluster effort, and the Green Ceiling and how we might address them. 

José presents storytelling and art as means by which to connect to histories and cultures, celebrate diversity, and explore self-identities. As an accomplished artist himself, José examines his inspirations (from Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera to modern comic illustrators like Paul Pope) and speaks about expression in a world of social media and trolls. In envisioning the future, José discusses how his ideas may be both radical and revolutionary, and how Latino Outdoors continues to build bridges, empower local leadership, and promote equal access. Finally, José discusses how we may lean into discomfort and grow via challenging conversations. 

Examples of José González’s artwork examining indigeneity , identity, and culture.
Art credit: José González

If you’d like to learn more or get involved with Latino Outdoors, see more of José González’s artwork and writings, or explore the Green 2.0 report, check out the links below!

Latino Outdoors

José González

Green 2.0 Report

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris: Feelings that Connect Us All

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris: Feelings that Connect Us All

 
 

00:00 / 55:20
 

1X

 

Remember that edgy “out there” episode of Its Hot in Here where talented artists sang live tunes from the Tony Award winning musical Urinetown, while talented scientists talked to us about  research  on “peecycling” (or the recovery on nutrients from urine for use in agricultural fertilization?)  Along the way we considered infrastructure (including urinals!) in our greenways and parks, and how more art and science can be showcased in our public spaces.

Well,  they’re back. For the dead of winter spring break in our studios we welcomed the talent behind the  Penny Seats Theatre Company’s recent cabaret style show  Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.  Fresh from their sold out, critically acclaimed performances at the downtown pub Connor O Neill’s, we head from guests including cast members Lauren London and Roy Sexton, show director Laura Sagolla, and musical director Richard Alder.

Jacques Brel is a famous Belgian singer-songwriter who wrote his songs in French during the 1960s. Through his art he became extremely well-known in France, to the degree that the French recognize Brel the way Americans know Bob Dylan or JoniJacques_Brel_Is_Alive_Cast_Recording Mitchell. The show, originally produced in 1968 off broadway, is a revue of Jacques Brel’s music and explores the universal emotions of love, loss, fear, obsession, and hope. Brel’s work is laden with pathos, yet also lighthearted. Continue reading Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris: Feelings that Connect Us All

Dance & Divest for Mother Earth

Dance & Divest for Mother Earth

 
 

00:00 /
 

1X

 

Picture

To many Native Americans, the spring and summer months are known as powwow season–celebratory gatherings in which people come together to dance, sing, socialize, and honor Native cultures. Brittany Anstead and Hayden Hedman, two SNRE students and active members of the Native American Students Association at the University of Michigan, helped organize the 42nd Annual Dance for Mother Earth Pow Wow, taking place April 5th and 6th at Skyline High School. Brittany and Hayden offer up a delightful overview of what the event will entail, including dance contests, a fashion show, and lots of fry bread! Continue reading Dance & Divest for Mother Earth

It’s Hot in Here’s Lovefest 2K14!

It’s Hot in Here’s Lovefest 2K14!

 
 

00:00 /
 

1X

 

Picture

February 14th marks the most celebrated (albeit, corporatized) day for lovebirds everywhere AND one of the final days of WCBN’s Annual FUNdraiser.

In celebration of this delicate confluence – where love and money intertwine and beget more love and money –  we invited friends (and friendly lovers) of It’s Hot in Here to join our exxxtra special Lovefest 2K14 Fundraiser edition. We featured the loveliest of tunes and the hottest of our It’s Hot in Here Family for an exxtra-special hour of heart-warming, purse string-loosening news|views|grooves. Continue reading It’s Hot in Here’s Lovefest 2K14!