Reviving the World of Ballet

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Classical ballet originated in European courts and for many years was dominated by European countries. Europeans introduced ballet to the states at the turn of the century, and up until the 1980s most ballet stars in America were either from the Soviet Union or England. Today, Latin American dancers are reviving the art of ballet all over the country as it takes on a new demographic and brings in new audiences.

LaGente.org’s Winter 2010 Poetry Contest

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Thanks for your submissions!! Check out the winners in our upcoming Winter 2010 issue of La Gente; they'll be posted online once the newsmag hits the stands.

The End of Public Education

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Early last summer, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) proposed the Public School Choice plan which will relinquish LAUSD administrative and financial control of over 200 schools. Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines released a statement on Jan. 15 in which he stressed that LAUSD is "encouraging input from all community members who support [their] public schools including parents, guardians, students, teachers and other LAUSD employees."

Obama Takes Step Backward on Cuba

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The Obama administration took a step backward on U.S. relations with Cuba when it included it on a terrorist list. We urge the administration to reconsider this decision.

My Imagined Rendezvous With Julian Casablancas

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Julian Casablancas is the lead singer of The Strokes. He released his solo album "Phrazes for the Young" in Novemeber of 2009. "Rolling Stone" released the list of the decade’s top 100 albums with The Stroke’s debut album "Is this it" (2001) as second best album of the decade.

NY Dominicans feel Haiti’s Pain

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While two-thirds of Haiti's capital was being destroyed by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, people felt a tremor throughout the Dominican Republic as well and took to the streets in panic, reports El Diario, which spoke to family members in Manhattan's Dominican community.

Jesuit Massacre Still Haunts Salvadorans After 20 Years

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Twenty years ago, three colleagues and I were the first reporters on the scene of the murders here of six Jesuit priests, their cook and her daughter, a turning point in the civil war that cost 75,000 other Salvadoran lives. As gatherings the world over commemorate the special anniversary, I remember details of that morning I do not want to forget.

Estimates of up to 100,000 Dead in Haiti’s 7.0 Earthquake

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Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake yesterday, Jan. 12. There has been a worldwide response with nations and organizations alike sending aid. Haiti must clean up and rebuild their infrastructure; as of yet such necessities as water and electricity are unavailable.

Nortec Collective: Revitalizing Musical Art

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Since La Gente newsmagazine printed a review of Nortec Collective’s "Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3" in spring of 2006, the group has entered into new territory receiving the 2009 Grammy nominations for Best Alternative Album and Best Recording Package. The five-member group has since become four and has has opted to split their act into smaller collaborations instead of performing together. Here is a quick recap.

In Response to the UC Fee Increase

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From his cell, Ibarra recognizes the UC Regents poor choices and California's misaligned priorities in spending, encouraging us to continue taking action against legislators with our power as a voting block. His letter demonstrates a reaction sought by students involved in the protest against UC fee hikes.