Film Festival celebrates Mexican cinema
WATSONVILLE — In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, the Watsonville Film Festival will offer a screening of “Miradas Múltiples / Multiple Visions,” an award-winning documentary film that pays homage to Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, who worked on more than 200 films during the 1930s-60s Golden Era of Mexican Cinema.
The film screens Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Appleton Grill & Event Lounge, 410 Rodriguez St. in downtown Watsonville.
“Gabriel Figueroa’s striking images have created a powerful iconography of Mexican culture that is recognized around the world,” said Consuelo Alba, director of the Watsonville Film Festival. “Miradas Múltiples is not only a great movie with beautiful and iconic images of Mexico, it’s a master class in cinematography.”
The documentary includes clips from dozens of these classic Mexican films, and interviews with world-renowned filmmakers describing how Figueroa inspired their work. The film is in several languages with subtitles in English.
General admission is $8, youth 18 and under are free.
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Health program underway at library
WATSONVILLE — A program designed to help people with chronic health conditions will take place weekly at the Watsonville Public Library.
“Better Choices Better Health” is a self-management program offered for two-and-a-half hours, once a week, for six weeks by two trained leaders. This program is for anyone dealing with a chronic health condition such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease, depression or high cholesterol.
Some of the topics include:
• Getting a good night’s sleep
• Pain and fatigue management
• Dealing with depression
• Setting small goals that can be accomplished
• Working with your healthcare team
• Relaxation and better breathing
• Medication management
The program is held at the Watsonville Public Library Meeting Room, 275 Main St., Suite 100, from 5-7:30 p.m. It takes place Mondays through June 12.
To register or for information, call (408) 961-9877 or email bc**@he*********.org.
“Better Choices Better Health” is provided by the Health Trust, in partnership with the Watsonville Public Library.
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Udon Feed returns
WATSONVILLE — The annual “All-You-Can-Eat” Udon Feed will be held on Saturday at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St.
Udon will be served from 4-7 p.m. The cost for udon is $10 per person. Chirashi (Japanese rice dish), desserts and beverages will also be available at an additional cost.
For information, call the Temple office at 724-7860.
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Church holding Mother’s Day dinner
WATSONVILLE — Lutheran Community Church, 95 Alta Vista Ave. in Watsonville, is holding its Mother’s Day Celebration Dinner and Vintage Sale on May 12 from 5-8 p.m.
The meal, which includes a cheese enchilada plate, chips, salsa, dessert and beverage, will be provided by D’La Colmena Catering.
Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
For ticket sales, call Lupe Rivas at 247-2418. For donations to the Vintage Sale, call Wendy Hess at 345-4347.
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Renowned Japanese musician to perform in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL Senior Center will welcome Master Shamisen player Baisho Matsumoto for the second straight year in Watsonville.
Matsumoto, who is from Japan, travels to the United States to perform at the annual Hakone Gardens Festival in Los Gatos. A professional musician for more than 40 years, Matsumoto is a renowned master of Tsugaru Shamisen, Akita Shamisen and other styles of folk music.
His performance will include Shakuhachi, a Japanese end-blown flute.
The free concert will be held at Kizuka Hall, 150 Blackburn St. in Watsonville, at 2:30 p.m.
