In honor of Cesar Chavez week, the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead welcomes award-winning artist Joaquin Zihuatanejo to the University of Iowa campus for a celebration of diversity and the power of words.

Zihuatanejo will perform Wednesday, April 2, at Shambaugh Auditorium in the Main Library from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public.

Hailed by critics as "one of the most dynamic and passionate performance poets in the country,” Zihuatenejo melds “equal parts comedy, poetry, and dramatic monologue into a crowd-pleasing display of verbal fireworks.”

“Always thrilling, Joaquín's hilariously manic presentation is full of compassion and nuance, never sacrificing substance for style, leading many to call him poetry slam's answer to John Leguizamo," according to a reviewer.

Zihuatanejo competed as part of the 2004 Dallas Poetry Slam team and placed third in the national poetry slam competition. He is a Grand Slam Spoken Word champion, and has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry. Zihuatanejo previously taught English and creative writing in his hometown of Dallas.

This event is made possible by the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead, the UI Student Government, the Center for Diversity and Enrichment in the Chief Diversity Office, and the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership in the UI Division of Student Life.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to attend this event, contact the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead at tienesalma@googlegroups.com in advance.