Events

Events in April 2024

  • - Panel Discussion and Book Launch of Cafe Stories: Riverside’s Zacatecas by William Medina
    Panel Discussion and Book Launch of Cafe Stories: Riverside’s Zacatecas by William Medina

    Panel Discussion and Book Launch of Cafe Stories: Riverside’s Zacatecas by William Medina


    April 4, 2024

    First Thursdays Arts Walk: Panel Discussion and Book Launch of Cafe Stories: Riverside’s Zacatecas by William Medina

    Thursday, April 4, 2024

    7:00-8:00 PM

    Riverside Main Library Community Room Riverside Public Library Community Room

    3900 Mission Inn Avenue

    Riverside, CA 92501

    Free and open to the public.

    With William Medina, Carlos Cortés, Judith Auth, and Suzanna Medina

    7:00-8:00 PM, doors open at 6:30

    Inlandia Institute presents the launch of Cafe Stories: Riverside’s Zacatecas by William Medina, Riverside historian and educator. The author will be joined by a distinguished panel to discuss his novel and the Medina family’s renowned Cafe. The panel consists of Judith Auth, Carlos Cortés, and Suzanna Medina.

    William Medina’s novel, Cafe Stories: Riverside’s Zacatecas is based on stories inspired by events and characters who frequented his parent’s eatery in Riverside. He masterfully re-imagines and chronicles “… curious bits and pieces of real events that I have reassembled to weave fictional stories,” states Medina.

    William and his siblings grew up helping their parents Oscar and Josefina Medina at the cafe. Over the years he and his siblings managed the eatery. The original cafe was located in a shopping center in Riverside’s multicultural Eastside. Located nearby was the iconic Nosotros Fine Arts Workshop directed by acclaimed artist Leer Larkin — who was integral to the Medina family.

    Cafe Stories: Riverside’s Zacatecas will be available for sale and signing. The event is free and open to the public.

    The library will also provide an array of books on local history available for check out. Don’t have a library card? You can get one on the spot!

    Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Please join us.

  • - Zoom launch for Guajira, the cuba girl by Zita Arocha
    Zoom launch for Guajira, the cuba girl by Zita Arocha

    Zoom launch for Guajira, the cuba girl by Zita Arocha


    April 6, 2024

    Saturday, April 6, 2024

    2:00-3:00 PM PT, on ZOOM

    Launch of Guajira – the Cuba girl by Zita Arocha

    Winner of the 2021 Eliud Martínez Prize

    Free and open to the public. Registration is required. TO REGISTER:

    http://tinyurl.com/GuajiraLaunch

    After you register, we will send you a Zoom meeting link prior to the event.

    Inlandia Institute is proud to announce the publication of the inaugural Eliud Martínez Prize for literature, Zita Arocha, for Guajira – the Cuba girl, a memoir. This annual prize is awarded to a first book author in fiction or creative nonfiction who identifies as Hispanic, Latino/a/x, or Chicana/o/x.

  • - “Stories of Love from the Empires We Call Home” at the Culver
    “Stories of Love from the Empires We Call Home” at the Culver

    “Stories of Love from the Empires We Call Home” at the Culver


    April 24, 2024

    Conversations at the Culver

    7:00 PM, doors open at 6:30

    “Stories of Love from the Empires We Call Home” with Perris, California author Rachel Stark in conversation with Susan Straight and Alex Espinoza

    Barbara and Art Culver Center for the Arts

    3824 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501

    Free and open to the public.

    Please join us at the Culver Center of the Arts on Wednesday, April 26, to celebrate the launch of Rachel Stark’s debut novel, Perris, California.  Rachel will be in conversation with authors Susan Straight and Alex Espinoza beginning at 7:00 PM; doors open at 6:30.

    Perris, California is published by Penguin Press, New York. Copies will be available for sale and signing at the event.