Campus Festival Will Celebrate Latino Culture

Acelebration of Latin American culture will hit the Cal Lutheran University campus in Thousand Oaks Tuesday, as Festival de Encuentros offers a plethora of activities, including live entertainment and art exhibits.

“The idea is to bring our Cal Lutheran community together with Latino culture,” said organizing committee member Donaldo Yurioste, an assistant professor at the university. “It’s a coming together of cultures--a process of learning, building awareness and celebrating.”

Festivities will begin with a Chicano art exhibit reception (5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Pearson Library).

The exhibit features works by artists from the Los Angeles-based Self-Help Graphics creative center.

Other highlights of the event, which will continue through May 6, include a Chicano film series, traditional flamenco and mariachi music, theater and a lecture by author Rudolfo Anaya (10 a.m. Friday, Preus-Brandt Forum).

“He’s probably the most widely read Chicano novelist around,” Yurioste said.

Traditional foods will be on sale and arts and crafts will be displayed Friday at Kingsman Park starting at 11:30 a.m.

All festival events are free.

For more information or a comprehensive listing of events, call 493-3302.