Grand Rapidians gathered at Mexicains Sans Frontieres on Thursday, March 25 for a concert by Caribbean musical group, Akaray, and a reading by activist, journalist and Beat poet, John Ross.  Ross passionately discussed the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, performed several of his poems written from his experiences in both Mexico and Iraq, and read excerpts from his new book, El Monstruo: Dread and Redemption in Mexico City.  The book illustrates the daily struggles of Mexico City inhabitants, Chilangos, during an era of globalization.  In reflection on his poem, The Revolution is Not Like a Faucet, Ross asserted that “the revolution leaks all the time” in the monster that is Mexico City.

John Ross is a native of New York City, and has lived in Mexico City since the 1985 earthquake. He is a recipient of the American Book Award (1995) and the Upton Sinclair prize (2005).

Mexicains Sans Frontieres is an alternative art space located at 120 S. Division Ave. #226.  Run by Latino artist and musician Hugo Claudin, the studio is a lively venue for artists, musicians, performers, and writers.  Upcoming events include a release party for Bacchus' Bachelorette, a book by Grand Rapids poet Keleigh Wolf, and concerts by Cotton Jones, Ribbons of Song, White Pines, Mara Rosenbloom Quartet, Adam Rudolph, The Subjects, Petals Rang the Bell, and more.