El Zarape Press
~Established 2004~
"Fresh Voices In Literature"
McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: (956) 358-7211
We bring fresh voices . . .
. . . to the literary conversation.
[Description]
[Author]
[Student Comments]
[Readings]
Through the colorful and literary use of language, this poet speaks about the human experience through lyrics rangings from the humorous to the serious, from the academic to the silly, giving readers a familiarity with the sensual language around them and, for some, a sudden urge to run out and find some great Mexican food!
Second half of book is especially an excellent source for bi-lingual teachers: Code switching between English and Spanish.
You Know What I'm Sayin'? (Second Edition)
by Daniel García Ordaz
With and introduction by Fulbright Scholar Debbie Cole, a linguistic anthropologist.
ISBN 13: 978-0-9789954-1-6
ISBN: 0-9789954-1-4
80 pages
$9
El Zarape Press proudly presents its first collection of poetry by the eclectic Daniel García Ordaz, The Poet Mariachi. You Know What I'm Sayin'? (Second Edition) is a celebration of the common experience of language and culture, transfiguring time and place and juxtaposing the politics of urban hip-hop America with the sociology of rural deep South Texas, a retelling of ancient history sung by a contemporary voice.
[About the Author] [Student Comments] [Top]
Daniel García Ordaz, a.k.a. The Poet Mariachi, was born in Houston, Texas in 1971 and raised in Mission, Texas. He is a teacher, former journalist, songwriter, photographicationisticator and word maker-upper. He is a founder of Art That Heals, Inc. an arts-minded nonprofit organization that also serves people with HIV & AIDS and he's also one of the founders of the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival.As a newspaper reporter, Daniel's work was widely distributed by Freedom News Service, the Associated Press, and other news services. His poetry has been taught in universities across the country and even as far as Indonesia. Daniel served in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves as a Hospital Corpsman. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The University of Texas-Pan American. He lives in McAllen in the Rio Grande Valley of deep South Texas with his wife, Gina, and their children and continues to write poetry and short stories, sing, and spend time in front of a crowd as often as he can.
Sample of Past Readings (in alphabetical order) Austin International Poetry Festival, 2007 Barnes & Noble Booksellers (McAllen), 2006, 2007 Dallas International Book Fair, 2009 FESTIBA Book Festival (UT-Pan American), 2007, 2008 Hastings Entertainment Bookstore, 2006, 2007 Latino Voices Project Reading, Beaumont Public Library, 2009 Letra y Musica Festival, Dallas, 2009 Lopez Bar, San Benito, 2001, 2002, 2003 Narciso Martínez Cultural Arts Center, San Benito, 2004, 2006 Poetry Pachanga, 2007, 2008 (founder) Resistencia Bookstore (Austin), 2007 Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival (founder), 2007, 2008, 2009 Texas Association of Bilingual Educators Regional Conference, 2008 (keynote speaker) Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading, 2005 UT-Pan American Summer Creative Writing Institute, 2007
[Description] [Student Comments] [Readings] [Top]
"I loved it because when you spoke . . . I began to remember my life with my mother and grandmother. It made me get back to the root of my culture. How powerful words can be.
"Your writings were things about every one of us. We could all connect because, as insignificant as it may have seemed, like the limones [lemons] in the grocery store and the pretty girl, we've all had similar doubts, wishes, and experiences."
"To be frank, at first I was rather skeptical to hear a poet. I had said, 'Here we go again, another typical Mexican poet. He's probably gonna talk about oppression and racism.' You totally proved me wrong!
"You had an informal way of presenting very formal and deeper things. Thank you for having your writngs celebrate the culture and raza . . . ."
" . . . Because of you I have started writing in my journal again. Thought are gone very quickly if not cared for, so I take my thoughts much more seriously now that they may appeal to someone else who shares in some ideas. All in all that is what I got out of your visit the most--the ability not to fear individuality and embrace the things that make you different."
[Author] [Description] [Readings] [Top]
Dec. 12, 2009: Open Mic Night
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
Location: Jitterz Coffee Bar
1625 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas
Open Mic featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz and Vanessa Brown, author of the poetry collection, "Twiffler"
Free and open to the public. Books available.
Contact: Gabe de la Garza--owner, (956) 581-4147; Open Mic--sign upDaniel
For directions to the best darn coffee bar in South Texas: visit Jitterz Coffee Bar.Nov. 21, 2009: Meet The Author/A Night With The Poet Mariachi
Time: 7 p.m.
Fundraiser: $5 suggested donation for this nonprofit, tuition-free school
Location: Guadalupe Regional Middle School
1214 Lincoln Ave., Brownsville, Texas
Meet the Author/Reading/Book Signing: Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Donation Encouraged/Open to the public. Books available.
Contact: Development Director Ms. Pilon, Development Director GRMS
For info, visit GRMS or (956) 504-5568.Nov. 14, 2009: Open Mic Night
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
Location: Jitterz Coffee Bar
1625 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas
Open Mic featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz and Vanessa Brown, author of the poetry collection, "Twiffler"
Free and open to the public. Books available.
Contact: Gabe de la Garza--owner, (956) 581-4147; Open Mic--sign upDaniel
For directions to the best darn coffee bar in South Texas: visit Jitterz Coffee Bar.Nov. 7, 2009: Meet The Author/Dia De Los Muertos Reading
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Location: Heights Books-Libros
502 E. 20th, #D, Houston, Texas
Meet the Author/Reading/Book Signing: Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Free and open to the public. Books available.
Contact: Blanca Alanis, owner of Heights Books-LibrosBlanca A. Alanis, Heights Books-Libros
For info, visit Heights Books-Libros or (713) 869-9966.Oct. 29--31, 2009: Dallas International Book Fair
Location details TBA
Dallas, Texas
featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, among others
Free and open to the public. Books available.
Contact: Miriam Rodriguez, Dallas Public Library
For info, visit About the Author.Oct. 10, 2009: Beaumont Public Library presents Texas Latino Voices, a project of the Texas Center For The Book, funded by Humanities Texas
Central Park Community Center
2925 Fanin Street, Beaumont, Texas
2 p.m.: "Border Experiences" featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz and Irene Hernandez
Free and open to the public. Books available.
Contact: Geri Roberts, Library Manager, Beaumont Public Library System
For info, visit About the Author.September 19, 2009: Children's Art & Literary Festival 2009, sponsored by the Junior League of McAllen
IMAS: International Museum of Arts & Sciences
McAllen, Texas
12--5 p.m.
Featuring local authors, storytellers, puppetmasters, etc., including Daniel Garcia Ordaz; children's activities, prizes, arts & crafts, local storytellers, books, and live music.
Free admission to musuem; open to the public.
Contact: 956-682-0071 (Junior League of McAllen)
For info, visit About the Author.Sept. 5, 2009: Open Mic Night
Location: Jitterz Coffee Bar
1625 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas
Open Mic featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz and Vanessa Brown, author of the poetry collection, "Twiffler"
Free and open to the public. Books available.
Contact: Gabe de la Garza--owner, (956) 581-4147; Open Mic--sign upDaniel
For directions to the best darn coffee bar in South Texas: visit Jitterz Coffee Bar.August 3, 2009: Class Lecture On Mexican American Authors/Reading, South Texas College
Building G, Room G268, Weslaco Campus
Weslaco, Texas
1 p.m.
Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Class reading, but public is welcome. Books available.
Contact: Evashisa Masilamony, South Texas College
For info, visit About the Author.July 24, 2009: Chicano Student Generation Event, South Texas College
Pecan Campus Cafeteria
McAllen, Texas
2--6 p.m.
Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, Lady Mariposa, Erika Garza-Johnson, Rob Johnson
Public reading. Books available.
Contact: Rosa Gutierrez, South Texas College
For info, visit About the Author.July 6, 2009: On Bilingual Education, UT-Pan American
College of Education, Room 2.112A
Edinburg, Texas
Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Private reading. Books available.
Contact: Luz A. Murillo, UT-Pan American
For info, visit About the Author.Friday Feb. 6, 2009: Ofrendas del Corazon II
Texas Theatre @ 115 E. Park
Pharr, Texas
Event 6--9 p.m.: Several readers featuring Vanessa Brown and Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Free and open to the public. Artwork and books for sale. Silent art auction to benefit the Michael M. Rutledge Legacy Award, which awards students in a bilingual program; named for young man whose organs were donated by his family after his untimely death at a young age. Artwork is by myself and many others who've donated works, including Los Lonely Boys, Sandra Cisneros, etc.
Contact: Ernesto Duenas @ 956-784-2121
For info, visit ArtsRGV.com.Oct. 15, 2008: South Texas College Presents 2nd Annual South Texas Author’s Panel as part of Reading Week
South Texas College Mid-Valley Campus
400 N. Border, Weslaco, Texas 78582
Room G-191
1 p.m.: Panel Discussion featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, among other writers
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: co-chairs Dr. Jerry Freeman or Nick Braune at 956-447-6683 or Kristina Wilson @ 956-872-6486
For info, visit About the Author.Oct. 16, 2008: UT-Pan American: Lecture/Reading
The University of Texas-Pan American
1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg, Texas 78539
College of Arts & Humanities
4:30 p.m., featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Private Class visit.
Contact: Dr. Debbie Cole, linguistic anthropologist at UTPA
For info, visit About the Author.Nov. 22, 2008: McAllen Memorial High School Book Fair
Barnes & Noble @ N. 10th, McAllen
N. 10th & Nolana Ave., McAllen, Texas 78501
8 p.m.: featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Librarians @ 956-632-5201
For info, visit About the Author.[Author] [Description] [Student Comments] [Top]
RECENT PAST READINGS July 15, 2008: South Texas College Presents Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Valleywide
STC's Starr County Campus Library
142 FM 3167, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582
7--7:30 p.m.: Open Mic
7:30--9 p.m.: Daniel's Reading
Free and open to the public. Book for sale.
Contact: Kristina Wilson @ 956-872-6486
Notes: Sign up for Open Mic beforehand.
For info, visit About the Author.July 16, 2008: South Texas College Presents Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Valleywide
STC's MidValley Campus Library
400 N. Border, Weslaco, Texas 78582
7--7:30 p.m.: Open Mic
7:30--9 p.m.: Daniel's Reading
Free and open to the public. Book for sale.
Contact: Kristina Wilson @ 956-872-6486
Notes: Free and open to the public. Sign up for Open Mic beforehand.
For info, visit About the Author.July 17, 2008: South Texas College Presents Daniel Garcia Ordaz
Valleywide
STC's Pecan Campus Library
2nd Floor--Rainbow Room
McAllen, Texas 78501
7--7:30 p.m.: Open Mic
7:30--9 p.m.: Daniel's Reading
Free and open to the public. Book for sale.
Contact: Kristina Wilson @ 956-872-6486
Notes: Sign up for Open Mic beforehand.
For info, visit About the Author.March 29, 2008: FESTIBA Festival
UT-Pan American
1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg, TX 78539
1 to 3 p.m. @ the Student Union
3:30 to 4 at QUAD: Storytellers Tent
12 to 6 p.m. at Authors Book Table (as available) Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Daniel @956-358-7211
Info: FESTIBA: Festival of International Books & Arts
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, Emmy Perez, and La Erika Garza-Johnson; Carmen Tafolla, Viola Canales, Tato Laveira, et. al.April 2, 2008: Poets In the Schools
Nikki Rowe High School
McAllen, Texas
School Hours br> Closed to the public
Contact: n/a (Private Reading)
Notes: Daniel will be speaking with students and doing a reading/poetry presentation.April 24--27, 2008: Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival (VIPF)
Valleywide
Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Hours will vary.
Free and open to the public. Books, t-shirts, etc. for sale.
Contact: Daniel @ 956-358-7211
Notes: Featuring Def Poet Amalia Ortiz, Ricardo Garza, Daniel Garcia Ordaz, and many others
For info, visit VIPF online.July 31, 2007: McAllen ISD Principals Kickoff Retreat (Private Reading)
De Leon Middle School
McAllen, Texas
10 a.m.
By invitation of the Superintendent of Schools
Aug. 3, 2007: Valley Heat/Valle Caliente Art Exhibit and Literary Reading
Mi Taller! Pottery Studio
400 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas 78572
7:30 p.m. (Readings at around 8 p.m.) to 11:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books and art for sale.
Contact: Daniel @ 956-358-7211
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, Lady Mariposa, Dr. Hilda Serna, Luna Lopez, La Erika Garza-Johnson, Vanessa Brown and others!Sept. 7, 2007: Art Walk Fall 2007
Douglas Clark Gallery
McAllen, Texas 78501
7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books and art for sale.
Contact: Daniel @ 956-358-7211
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz and Cassandra GarciaSept. 20, 2007: Teen Poetry Night Reading
Speer Memorial Public Library
Corner or 12th and Kika de la Garza Loop, Mission, Texas 78572
6 to 8 p.m.
Free Admission. Books for sale.
Contact: Lisa Rivera @ 956-580-8753
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, a.k.a. The Poet Mariachi; open mic for teens only.
Visit www.mission.lib.tx.us for more info.Sept. 27, 2007: National Hispanic Heritage Month Poetry Reading
Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Public Library
1906 S. Closner, Edinburg, Texas 78539
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Free Admission. Books for sale.
Contact: Letty Leija, Director @ 956-383-6246
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, a.k.a. The Poet Mariachi; other poets/writers welcome.
Visit http://www.edinburg.lib.tx.us/ for more info.Oct. 27, 2007: Meet The Author Night
Hastings Entertainment Music & Books
4500 N. 10th, McAllen, Texas 78501
8 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Nereida, Book Manager @ 956-972-1276
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, a.k.a. The Poet MariachiNov. 15, 2007: 75th Anniversary of McAllen Public Library
McAllen Memorial Public Library
601 N. Main St., McAllen, Texas 78501
7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Library @ 956-688-3300
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, other readersNov. 17, 2007: Meet The Author Night
Barnes & Noble
4005 N. 10th, McAllen, Texas 78501
8 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Vicki Stroud Library @ McAllen Memorial High School Librarians @ 956-632-8847 or Barnes & Noble at 956-683-7773
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, a.k.a. The Poet MariachiJanuary 12, 2008: Texas Association of Bilingual Educators Conference (KEYNOTE; Private Reading)
South Padre Island Convention Centre
South Padre Island, Texas
11:45 a.m. (luncheon)
Notes: Conference Participants and Guests
Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz
For info, visit TABE online.Feb. 29, 2008: National Association for Chicana/Chicano Studies (NACCS)
McAllen Convention Center @ Ware Road and Exp. 83.
McAllen, Texas 78501
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Daniel @ 956-358-7211
Notes: Featuring Rodolfo Acuna (keynote speaker @ 5:30 p.m.)I'll be at the book tables until the Gloria Anzaldua Reading at about 9 p.m.
Victor Gomez for info on the conference (956) 566-9067.March 7, 2008: Art Walk @ McAllen Public Library
McAllen Memorial Public Library
601 N. Main St., McAllen, Texas 78501
7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Library @ 956-688-3300
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, other readersApril 19, 2007: Meet the Author
Palm View Branch Library
3401 Jordan Ave., McAllen, Texas
7 to 9 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Kimberly Solis @ 956-688-3322April 21, 2007: "Poetry Pachanga"
The University of Texas-Pan American LRC Media Theater
1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg, Texas
6-7 (Student Readings); 7 to 10:30 p.m. (Featured Readers)
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Daniel @ 956-358-7211
Notes: Featuring Daniel Garcia Ordaz, Kate Lohnes, Noemi 'Revolucion' Martinez, Emmy Perez, Jesse Herrera, Dr. Steven P. Schneider and many others!April 26, 2007: Remembering Gloria Anzaldua
Palm View Branch Library
3401 Jordan Ave., McAllen, Texas
7 to 9 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Open Mic.
Contact: Kimberly Solis @ 956-688-3322
Notes: Daniel will be Master of Ceremonies for readings inspired and/or written by Anzaldua, the noted Chicana writer.May 4, 2007: Spoken Word Night
Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum
2425 Boxwood Ave., Harlingen, Texas
7 to 9 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Books for sale.
Contact: Hostess Robin Cate may be reached at 956-216-4301.[Author] [Description] [Student Comments] [Top]