Click here to read Ramon Vasquez’s bio and poetry “Seasons of Love/Temporadas De Amor.”
Ramon Vasquez Reading at Luminaria
You had mentioned at the event that you filled out an application to participate. Will you go into a little more detail about the application process? How did you first hear of the event? From where did you get the application? How soon after you had submitted the application did you receive a response? And what were the requirements for participation?
A friend of mine Gabriel Velasquez had been working on the committee to organize Luminarias. We would talk about all the different venues and possibilities that we as members of CALO (Contemporary Arts and Literature Organization) could contribute to the event. Gabriel provided me with the application. It didn’t take that long [to receive a response] maybe two or three weeks at the most. I don’t know how many artists submitted applications, but only 130 or so were going to get approved. I suppose it was the ones that seemed more innovative.
Poet Eduardo Garza
There was a very small stipend provided to each event participant; only about $200, I believe. So, money certainly wasn't the motivation for organizing this event, especially considering the number of people involved. What was your motivation for applying and helping to gather poets and writers for this event?
I saw this as an opportunity for poetry to be taken to the streets of San Antonio. I knew that it would be a challenge. We, as poets, are accustomed to having an audience. This was a festival, and if there was going to be an audience it would be up to the poets to keep people there. A few of us had worked on a show last year together. It was fantastic working with them on that show. As a community organizer, I felt that we could pull this off but only if the right people were at the table. So upon hearing that we were selected, I reached out to my friend and fellow poet Santiago Garcia; and we began to organize. We had a great team for the planning of Writers Block. Members included Victoria Garcia, Eduardo Garza, Andrea Griemel, Anthony Flores and Amanda Flores, Nephtali De Leon, Fernando Flores, Jesus Cardona, Santiago Garcia, and myself. Then the call for poets went out and they responded like troopers.
Poet Amanda Flores
Poet Santiago Garcia
Poet Andrea Griemel
Altar Tribute for Poets Who Are No Longer with Us
Do you feel that your goals were achieved at the Luminaria poetry reading and tribute?
We rocked San Antonio that night. For that night, poets owned the corner of Broadway and Houston.
What were some of the highlights of the event, from your perspective?
The response of the audiences. They wanted more, even getting involved in the poetry itself. We had books there that people could pick a poem from and read to a crowd. For that moment, they were poets. How cool. On our tribute stage, we had the photos and DVD of mentors of the many poets that read that night. So it was like they were there with us. The two stages were opposite of each other and it was as if we were reading to them as well, and they were reading to us. Also, one of the workers of the beer booth next to us sent over a poem he wrote. He couldn’t leave the booth and asked if one of us could read it for him.
You are also the Executive Director for the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions. Will you provide a little further information for our readers about your role and goals in this organization?
I have served as the Executive Director since 1998. The American Indians in Texas-Spanish Colonial Missions was established in 1994 by members of the Mission Indian Community of San Antonio. We currently have ongoing projects in the San Antonio area and co-founded the National Urban Indian Family Coalition. Through our work, we hope to educate and create awareness of the contributions to San Antonio and south Texas by the Native American. We are working toward establishing a WellnessCenter and CulturalCenter that would not only serve the Native American Community but the entire San Antonio Community.
Literary Editor of Invasive Thoughts and Writers Block Reader Nicole Marie
The Poets' Stage at Luminaria
Will you explain your own personal relationship with writing and how it has developed?
I grew up around poetry and poets; listening to Jose Montalvo, Ricardo Sanchez, Angela DeHoyos, Nephtali Deleon, and many others. My father was the Arts Director for Centro Cultural Aztlan and I was at all the functions. I had always played with the notion of writing. Even wrote some cheesy stuff. However, three years ago I began to write and was being mentored by Trinidad Sanchez Jr. He was very supportive about my new writings. Then one day he said “Now you have to read them publicly.” There was no way that I was going to expose my inner self publicly. He laughed, and a year later he had me read for the first time at an art exhibit; and so I wouldn’t be too nervous, included 3 other people who had never read publicly. When he passed away I felt I was alone in the poets’ world. However, I was embraced by other poets and am writing more.
A Poet Reader
Nicholas the Accordianist and Eduardo Garza
Do you believe San Antonio provides much opportunity for the expression of poetry and writing?
I think it’s getting better. I do believe that we, as poets, need to continue to create opportunities. Writers Block is a good example of what we can do.
What upcoming events will you be participating in?
Currently, I don’t have anything scheduled. However, I am excited about working with the poets from Writers Block to create venues for young poets to express themselves alongside experienced and seasoned poets, through quality shows.
