CULTURE
10 SIGNAL TRIBUNE
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Free community-wide arts opportunities CSULB team incorporating engineering skills, Hispanic broaden throughout LB with A LOT initiative culture into its entry for Red Bull Flugtag competition
Through the A LOT inititative, a community-wide project presented by the Arts Council for Long Beach (ACLB) in collaboration with partners throughout the city, residents will have more opportunities to enjoy and engage in the arts. A LOT broadens audience and artist engagement, linking arts and culture with local neighborhoods. Through music, dance, theatre and numerous other art forms, A LOT presents free arts experiences on vacant lots in traditionally underserved areas of the city. During the weekend of Sept. 20, 21 and 22, there will be numerous arts activities throughout the city. A LOT Downtown will be located at Renaissance High School for the Arts, 235 E 8th St., with free arts experiences Friday, Sept. 20 from 6pm to 9pm and Saturday, Sept. 21 from 3pm to 10pm. “I am extremely pleased to partner with the Arts Council for Long Beach
and support A LOT’s vision to increase arts awareness in our city,” said Quentin Brown, principal at Renaissance High School for the Arts, which is the only visual- and performing-arts magnet high school in Long Beach. John Glaza, executive director at the Arts Council for Long Beach, said the partnership is a no-brainer. “We’re so lucky to have Renaissance involved as we continue to make the arts more accessible to the community,” he said. A LOT North will launch on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Artesia Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. With the work of varied community partners and artists, A LOT North will feature dance, music, nature, and a drum circle paired with local cuisine. Ample free parking will be available, and programs will run from noon to 4pm. More information is available at ALOTLongBeach.org .
With a mixture of engineering know-how and cultural pride, a group of five Hispanic engineering students will represent California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and take to the skies over Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor as part of the nationwide Red Bull Flugtag competition on Saturday, Sept. 21. As the nation faces a shortage of technical talent and seeks to gain more graduates in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, the Red Bull Flutag competition is one of numerous creative student endeavors supported by the College of Engineering designed to encourage underrepresented students to persist in college and obtain a degree in STEM fields. The Red Bull Flugtag is an event owned and operated by the popular energy drink maker that features competitors’ attempt to soar in homemade, human-powered flying machines. Photo by David J. Nelson CSULB’s student-made air structure will be Cal State Long Beach engineering students (from left) Ivan Lopez, launched by a team of members from the univer- Anthony Becarril, Marycruz Zelaya, Jesus Enriquez and Ruben sity’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Profes- Cabral pose in costume with a miniature of their “Phoenix” entry in sional Engineers. Together, they will push off, from this weekend’s Red Bull Flugtag competition. a 30-foot launching pad, their aluSource : Arts Council for LB minum-tubing-and-foam fourwheeled creation dubbed “the Phoenix,” which comes equipped with a coffin for the pilot to ride along. “The Phoenix design is used to symbolize the idea that the Phoenix rises from the ashes after death,” explained Jesus Enriquez, the project manager for the group. “We also will incorporate a skit that uses characters dressed in attire in accordance with the concept of Dia de los Muertos. We hope our project entertains and educates people simultaneously about Hispanic culture.” Aside from Enriquez, CSULB team members include pilot Marycruz Zelaya, and team members Ruben Cabral, Josh Beardsley and Ivan Lopez. The theme of Courtesy CSULB their entry is “Viaje de los Muer- Miniature version of the “Phoenix” entry that will be made by CSULB engineering tos” or “Flight of the Dead” in students and flown in the Red Bull Flugtag competition. honor of the longtime Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos also known as the Day of the Dead. resents more than a fun day at the seashore. It’s also an opporTeam members note that the key to the Phoenix’s success tunity to learn more about engineering, represent their culture is a link between the Hispanic culture and engineering. and serve as positive role models for others in their com“In the name of our organization, the Society for Hispanic munities. They are the future in many respects. Professional Engineers, the most important words are ‘His“For me, participating in this project helped me to betpanic’ and ‘Engineers,’” Enriquez said. “This event was a way ter understand time management and how to make sure for us to look into Hispanic culture. Plus, engineers are prob- that all the tasks are done in a timely fashion. I also learned lem-solvers. We like to draw things then build them. This is a to take advantage of networking opportunities,” Enriquez good experience for us.” noted. “At the same time, we feel we are representing the Hispanic students comprise 33 percent of CSULB’s total Hispanic community. So, this is a big thing for us. undergraduate engineering student population. They are the The team has already found success in part of the comNew hours now in effect: largest ethnic/racial group in the College of Engineering. petition as the group announced it had won the Flugfilm Tues.-Thurs.: 5pm to 9pm ¥ Friday: 5pm to 9:30pm “This shift in demographic landscape anticipates that His- Task of the contest. Their Flugtag film, which was ¥ Lunch Tues.-Fri.: 11:30am to Sat.:?Noon to 9:30pm panics will most likely be a driving force in California’s eco- directed by teammate Lopez, was selected for having the 3pm nomic and political future,” said Lily Gossage for the College most creativity, humor and relevance to its Flugtag entry. of Engineering’s Recruitment and Retention Center. The winning film can be found on YouTube at 2201 East Willow Suite St., G in Signal Hill From these students’ perspective, the daylong flugtag reptinyurl.com/nvq3d3l . 562.595.0210 | Sushi, Tempura, & Traditional Favorites Source: CSULB
Oktoberfest Beer Dinner Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:15pm
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