Approximately 300 people mixed, mingled, and got their grove on to the rich musical and dance traditions of Cuba as Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre performed into the night. Salsa instructor Boricuas Unidos got the crowd in the mood as he (and several strategically placed instructors among the audience) demonstrated moves sure to heat even the chilliest of Massachusetts evenings. The crowd and several sponsors in attendance, gathered round to watch what can only be described as a Salsa dance-off between Unidos and several experienced and talented dancers. It is amazing what is possible with a little rhythm and practice! The event was a part of the Umass Amherst First Week offerings and was presented in collaboration with the Office of Programs and Services for ALANA. Thank you to all who participated!

Magdalen Hsu Li, internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, painter, and cultural activist, is redefining the female musician and smashing the ceiling of the American music industry. Proclaimed by The New York Times to be a "one woman dynamo of talent," her piano based rock is reminiscent of artists like Tori Amos and Ben Folds Five. Magdalen’s latest cd release, Smashing the Ceiling (Chickpop Records) displays her cool, edgy, sound while simultaneously possessing the ability to be sensitive, tender, and feminine. Prior to her most current album, Hsu Li sold over 12,000 records through her own independent label (Chickpop Records). Her previous release, "Fire" was named one of the best top 12 albums of 2002 by Performing Songwriter Magazine, and her song "As I Am" was featured in the 2003 performing songwriter editor’s choice compilation cd. This dynamic performer has also been featured in publications such as The Advocate, Curve, Out, Girlfriends, Yolk Magazine, World Pulse Magazine, Dish Magazine, Voice of America, The New York Times, LA Weekly, and Burlington Vermont’s 7 Days. Hsu Li has also been invited to headline major events with: Ani Difranco, Macy Gray, Melissa Ferrick, and Bitch and Animal, among others. As a graduate of the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, Hsu Li has a BFA in painting (cum laude) and studied jazz and classical voice, composition, and piano at Cornish College of the Arts. Along with her concert, Magdalen Hsu Li will be facilitating an Outreach Activity on Saturday, September 29. The workshop, “True Diversity Workshop: Exploring Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation and Programming” is free and open to the public. It is hosted by The at the Stonewall Center located in Crampton Hall, Southwest Campus and will take place from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Fine Arts Center has joined the modern age and will now be blogging, YouTubing, FlickR-ing and Facebooking! With these popular technological tools you can now connect, watch and comment on everything happening at the Fine Arts Center. The UMass Blog will allow you to comment on recent events, ask questions, and will provide endless amounts of information on upcoming events and summarizes the past events. YouTube provides entertaining videos of the events without written commentary. You may even see yourself in a video! FlickR is a fun slideshow of the event in slow-motion, with snapshots of moments that make you laugh and reminisce. As for Facebook, everyone who is anyone has it and as the Fine Arts Center group updates its information, our members are the first to know. With up to the minute updates and a multitude of ways to receive it, no one shall be ill-informed or disenchanted. Look us up, we’re out there and connected!