Poet to Give Reading at College

Local poet and performer Michele Serros will return to the county today for a free reading at Ventura College.

In her latest book, “How to Be a Chicana Role Model,” Serros offers readers a work of fiction detailing the outrageous adventures of a Latina writer on a mission, said Angelica Ramos-Navarro, a spokeswoman for Ventura College.

“The book is funny, poignant and undeniably original. [It] brings to vivid life the power and humor behind one woman’s dip into the American melting pot,” Ramos-Navarro said.

Born in Oxnard, Serros was a UCLA undergraduate when her first book of poetry and short stories, “Chicana Falsa,” was published. The title refers to Mexicanas who are neither assimilated nor close to their Mexican roots.

When Lalo Press, the original publisher of her first book, went out of business, Serros sold copies of the book from her garage. Since then, “Chicana Falsa” has become required reading in numerous high schools and universities.

An award-winning and nationally acclaimed poet and commentator for National Public Radio, Serros has toured with the Lollapalooza rock music festival as one of its “road poets.”

Serros’ poetry reading is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. in the student dining room at Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road.

For more information, call Maya De la Rocha at 654-6400, Ext. 1267, or El Concilio at 486-9777.