Cafe Cultura, the popular poetry, hip hop and rap "open mic" program for local high school students is coming to Metro State for two events along with four written word workshops.

The program was founded in 2004 by local artists Bobby LeFebre (a Metro State alumnus), and Ara Cruz after the death of internationally acclaimed poet Abelardo "Lalo" Delgado. Delgado had been an adjunct faculty member in Metro State's Department of Chicana/o Studies for 20 years prior to his death in July 2004.

According to LeFebre, Cafe Cultura has evolved into a community event that hosts more than 100 performance artists each month at the Denver Inner City Parish, 1212 Mariposa St.

Chicana/o Studies Chair and Associate Professor Ramon Del Castillo, a member of the College's Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force, conceived of the idea to bring Cafe Cultura to Metro State to encourage local high school students from the Latino and Native American communities to express themselves through the written word and expose them to the higher education culture. Del Castillo believes that as an outreach program it will strengthen ties with these communities as well. Four workshops on writing are planned to increase the literacy--reading, writing and recitation skills--of the students.

The first Metro State Cafe Cultura will be held Jan. 25, 6:30-10:30 p.m.in the King Center. The event starts with a reception with refreshments in the main hall. The program begins at 7:30 in the Recital Hall. Anyone who is interested is invited to attend.