La raNa profile picture

La raNa

I am here for Friends and Networking

About Me

Born and raised in the Lower Valley of El Paso, TX., La RaNa, Griselda Liz Munoz has taken the Southwest Spoken Word Scene by storm, debuting as first place winner of the Texas Street Rasquache Festival Slam in 2005, judged by Bruce George, co-founder of HBO's Def Poetry Jam and Various Def Poets from all over the country. This led to opening for nationally touring hip hop group, The Visionaries, as well as performing Chuco-Style for Dolores Huerta, famed mujer civil rights activist. I am La RaNa because I croak the injustice", she says. She was recently published in the current issue of Mujeres de Maiz, a once yearly publication of female artists and poets out of Los Angeles, and featured in a short documentary chronicling El Paso’s social justice struggles through the arts. Griselda has performed countless times for city events, marches, art shows and for students from all over the Southwest and was recently commissioned by the City of El Paso Arts and Culture Department as the resident Spoken Word Artist in a collaboration of six local artists and mediums in “Expresion Creativa”, a series of public workshops at various locations all over the city. Griselda will be presenting the workshop, “Modern Callings, Ancient Voices”, The Art of Spoken Word and its Indigenous Origins, at this year’s Border Book Festival in Mesilla, NM.“La RaNa’s performance poetry celebrates what it’s to be Latina, and what it’s to be human. Her words weave a tapestry of her history, her struggle, her hopes and self-determination into one Urban Vernacular. She’s a healer of lost souls.”-Bruce George, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam

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My Interests

I enjoy creative philosophy, ancient religious theory, meeting artists and learning about herbal remedies. I like it when my home is alive with candles and chatter, music and great food. Discada and Tecate with Lime while we play oldies on a Sunday afternoon...sigh...Putting together art shows, performing poetry and wearing my feather earrings.

I'd like to meet:

Other Artists, Art lovers. Philosophers and Crafty Cholas.

Music:

I love me some live Radio La Chusma, huge fan of Mexicans at Night. Native music, Oldies, Mana and The Cure. I can cry at the sound of some really good Mariachis, add some tequila and forget it.

Movies:

not really a movie buff. It's always the same people.

Television:

Stuck on tried and true classics. Simpsons, Seinfeld reruns...

Books:

The Bible, Books on Folk Healing, History, Neruda. Poems and Bum Rush the Page. Rumi .

Heroes:

Jesus. My parents. Frida. Pablo Neruda. Confucious. Lalo Guerrero, Rosa Guerrero. My amazing community here in Sunset Heights. My amazing and talented fiance' who gives me love every day.

My Blog

Belen Xochicoatl

The night is still in sunset heights, El Paso, TX.  I've been quiet for almost a year, haven't been posting blogs or new poems or even any cheesy little notes. I  had a baby girl almost...
Posted by La raNa on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:30:00 PST

In The Sun

In the Sun 35 cents to cross, the sign says. I walk knowing that at one time, one time, maybe many many years ago, my grandmother stood and paid as she searched in her little fringed leather coin pur...
Posted by La raNa on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:26:00 PST

Burning Phoenix, for Frida Kahlo

Burning Pheonix Heard your name first time at thirteen clumsily winged and courage yet unseen Searching for identity way too skinny in half-off JC Penney jeans that always shrank to one inch above bon...
Posted by La raNa on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:56:00 PST

Dirty Politics ?! in El Paso, TX

                 It is with love and respect that I speak.  Hope , at times, seems lost in this dusty town.  El Paso...
Posted by La raNa on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:03:00 PST

The Movement

Tonight I am thinking about the Grandmothers.  All of our ancestors that watch us, help guide us through this life.  I am thinking of my city, it's hard edges and rounded smiles.  I am ...
Posted by La raNa on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:21:00 PST

Woman, No Apologies...

Woman, No Apologies I walk these cracking streets a pauper laced with royal ease... shape shifting and playing I am the smallest grain I am an ear on tree, I am a woman of natural means. Mis feathers...
Posted by La raNa on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:06:00 PST

American Values part 1

American Values What are they? How are they implemented in society? Regarding the current outpouring of violence in the media the crying faces the shootings the sadness the pedophiles What are these A...
Posted by La raNa on Mon, 07 May 2007 11:13:00 PST

Proclamacion

Proclamacion Pura Mexicana y que, I say I proclaim with a devilish grin on my olive-skinned face Im not ashamed not ashamed anymore Although outside of me my culture is being displaced not here, I say...
Posted by La raNa on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 08:55:00 PST