Martín Espada believes that the pursuit of social and political justice can and must be joined to the quest for art. These ideals are for him inseparable. He is a Latino poet who takes a cue from Whitman -- "Vivas to those who have failed!" -- and dreams of an inclusive democracy. He stands up for what Whitman calls "the rights of them the others are down upon" and writes a fiery, impure, earth-tinged, human-centered poetry. --The Washington Post On Wednesday, April 15th, at 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema, Amherst's own luminary writer Martín Espada will read from recent work. Praised as "the Latino poet of his generation" and "the Pablo Neruda of North American authors," Espada has published sixteen books in all as a poet, editor, essayist and translator, including two collections of poems last year: Crucifixion in the Plaza de Armas (Smokestack, 2008), released in England, and La Tumba de Buenaventura Roig (Terranova, 2008), a bilingual edition published in Puerto Rico. Food for Thought Books will be on site that evening with books for purchase and signed by the poet. A reception for Espada will follow at Tabella Restaurant with a cash bar and complimentary appetizers. The event is free and there are no advance tickets. Seating is limited and available to first come, first served the evening of the event. Theater capacity is 186 seats. For a complete schedule and more information about the Amherst Lit Series, visit www.fineartscenter.com/amherstlit. The reading is presented in commemoration of Amherst's 250th Anniversary by the UMass Fine Arts Center, the UMass MFA Program for Poets and Writers, and the Juniper Literary Festival and is part of the Amherst Lit Series, a month-long series of events celebrating Amherst's rich literary history. This event is sponsored in part by Amherst Cinema and Tabella Retsaurant. For more information about Amherst's 250th Celebration visit www.amherst250.org.

FAC board member Lee Hines coordinated the organization of a forum, "Voices of the Double V Campaign," in which stories of African Americans' struggles during World War II were shared and the meaning of the Double V Campaign, victory over fascism abroad and racism at home, were illuminated. Lee worked with the Veteran's Education Project, the Springfield Armory Museum, and cosponsors Dunbar Community Center and Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.

On Wednesday, April 22nd from 4 PM to 7 PM, the UMass Fine Arts Center will host an Earth Day/Día de la Tierra Festival on the plaza celebrating all the Pioneer Valley community has done to conserve its natural resources, improve community development, and raise environmental awareness. This area of Massachusetts has a long history of sustainable agricultural and community development and this festival will celebrate that history. The afternoon will include music, dancing, food, local sustainable energy groups, poetry, and fun. At 6:00 PM members of Toumani Diabaté's Symmetric orchestra, who hail from all over the African Diaspora, will lead the crowd in a drum circle. Everyone is welcome and is encouraged to bring a percussion instrument and join in the fun. And it's free and open to all. The Fine Arts Center's Earth Day/Día de la Tierra Celebration on the plaza is the perfect event for families, students, children, and anyone who knows how to party for a cause. We hope to see people from all walks there. Also, don't forget to purchase tickets for the world class West African kora player, Toumani Diabaté and his Symmetric Orchestra who are playing the following night, April 23rd in the Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Center. Diabaté is in the vanguard of multiple generations of Malian griots and, as a musician, he is constantly looking for ways to modernize West African music while still honoring the traditions of his region.

Dr. Frederick Tillis, Professor Emeritus and former director of the Fine Arts Center at UMass Amherst offers a reading of his poetry that celebrates those meaningful moments in life. The reading and performance (Dr. Tillis will play his saxophone as well) is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 21 at the Augusta Savage Gallery. Interspersed with his poetry, Dr. Tillis will also speak in his musical voice, through the saxophone. He will talk about the spirit of his alter ego, Nduma Eagleview. After the performance, there will be a brief Question and Answer period, allowing the audience to learn more about the path that brought Dr. Tillis to UMass Amherst.

Composed of Russia's leading symphonic virtuosos and led by the electrifying conductor and violinist Vladimir Spivakov, the National Philharmonic of Russia will present a thrilling all-Russian program at the UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on Sunday, April 19 at 7:00 PM. As its name suggests, the National Philharmonic of Russia (NPR) is not only a major musical institution, but also a cultural ambassador for post-reconstruction Russia. The orchestra will be joined by guest pianist Valentina Lisitsa. The NPR has performed in Europe and Japan, toured throughout Russia, recorded works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, premiered H. Shore's "Lord of the Rings" Symphony in Moscow and Tokyo, and presented A.Rybnikov's Fifth Symphony in Moscow. Tickets are available from the Fine Arts Center Box Office at 413-545-2511 or 800-999-UMAS, or online at www.fineartscenter.com. Seats are $45, $35, or $15, with tickets for young people 17 and under and Five Colleges/GCC students at $15. The appearance of the NPR will be complemented by a Global Gourmet dinner. The University Club and Restaurant will offer a pre-show dinner of grilled Sockeye salmon with Stolichnaya vodka, tomato and cream reduction or the vegetarian option of artichoke, potato and leek gratin. Dinner also includes tossed baby greens with dressing, warm rolls, a special selection of deserts, and coffee or tea. All for the prix fixe of $25.00. Seating begins at 5:00 P.M. More information is available through the box office.

UMass Fine Arts Center ORCHESTRA CIRCLE---For the LOVE of Classical Music. Join the Orchestra Circle -- a growing community of individuals committed to the nurturing and support of classical music at the Fine Arts Center. To find out more about becoming a member and the Orchestra Circle benefits contact the Friends of the Fine Arts Center 413-545-4253 or arobbins@admin.umass.edu.