On
Tuesday, May 3, 2011, Epsilon Kappa, the St. John’s University
Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Hispanic Honor Society,
will launch the twentieth issue of its literary journal
Entre Rascacielos, and hold its Induction
Ceremony to honor the most gifted students in creative and
scholarly writing.The journal, under the direction of Dr.
Marie-Lise Gazarian, Director of the Graduate Program in Spanish
and Moderator of the Chapter, and Mónica S. Christopher, an alumna
and former President of the Chapter, has brought together some of
the most outstanding voices from St. John’s University, both alumni
and present members.
The Entre Rascacielos book jackets
have been designed by Katerina Damskiy, a talented St. John’s
alumna in graphic design. This journal, created in 2001, has served
as a forum and an incentive for creative writing for both St.
John’s students and alumni, as well as the Hispanic community. In
the course of the evening, students and alumni will read from their
own works. The present issue is also a tribute to Lidia Falcón
O’Neill, the famous feminist writer from Spain, on her 75th
birthday. It also stands as a memorial to Japan in its time of
crisis brought about by the earthquake and the tsunami.
Ana Irala Stafford, a first-time published author, whose novel
El día que perdí
lavergüenza was inspired by David
Bismal, the well-known Spanish singer, will be interviewed by Dr.
Gazarian. As Stafford points out, “Writing the novel has
served as a therapy, as it gave me an amazing inner strength to
fight back cancer.” This extraordinary story is written with
passion, as the protagonist seeks to get in touch with the
singer.
During the music and dance interlude, Laura P. Kelly will dance the
tango and bolero with Larry E. Kligman. Ninah Beliavsky will also
give a tango performance with Sidney B. Grant, Founder/Artistic
Director, Ballroom Basix. Two St. John’s students, Ever Uriel and
Theodore Lemle, will also entertain with songs and music.
The event, which is open to the public, will take place on May 3,
2011 in Bent Hall, Room 277 A & B, at 6:30 p.m., St. John’s
University, Queens Campus. Refreshments will be served.
Media inquiries can be directed to Dominic Scianna, Assistant
Vice President for Media Relations, at (718) 990-6185, or at sciannad@stjohns.edu. You
may also contact Dr. Marie-Lise Gazarian at (718) 990-5209, or at
gazariam@stjohns.edu.