ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW DATE!

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) will host a “Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home” event on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre at Muscatine Community College (MCC), 152 Colorado St. in Muscatine. This spoken-word event celebrates the power and beauty of Latino poetry, highlighting the stories, culture, and creativity of our community through live performances from local students. 

The event is part of a national initiative supported by Library of America and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Emerson Collective. The evening will feature EICC students, area high schools, and community members, as they take the stage to share original poetry and stories inspired by their lives and heritage. 

EICC’s “Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home” event is free and open to the public, with a food truck available starting at 5 p.m.  

“We are thrilled to provide a platform for students and community members to express their experiences and culture,” said Sergio Mendoza, EICC’s Curriculum and Talent Manager for Transportation and Construction. “This event is a powerful way to honor the legacy of Latino poetry while fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to make a home in America.” 

Event Details: 

  • Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024
  • Time: 6 p.m. — food truck starting at 5 p.m.   
  • Location: Black Box Theatre, Muscatine Community College, 152 Colorado St., Muscatine, IA 52761 
  • Cost: Free and open to the public 

Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place finishers, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the event. 

“Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home” is part of a nationwide celebration of Latino poetry, which seeks to explore the legacy of Latino poets and their impact on American literature and culture. Latino poets have woven a rich tapestry of language and identity for centuries, offering insight into themes such as exile, belonging, language, and solidarity. This initiative honors that tradition and brings it into the present day with performances and reflections from the next generation of poets. 

If you would like to participate in the performance, including a Writing Workshop, Monday, Oct. 21 from 5 - 8 p.m. and Performance Workshop Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 5 - 8 p.m., register at the link below.

Register Now

For more information about the event or to learn more about the initiative, please contact: 

  • Sergio Mendoza
    EICC Curriculum and Talent Manager for Transportation and Construction
    563-336-3412
    smendozaFREEEICC.