A microphone, a podium and the poetic voices of four Latino authors breathed life into the monthly Campfire Stories event at Modern Hotel and Bar to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. As the sun set behind the stage, golden hues painted over audience members as authors infused the space with their stories.
Boise-based author and director of Boise State’s Advising and Academic Support Center, Tomás Baiza, hosted and participated in the event with the purpose of uplifting Latino literature and community in Boise through storytelling.
Originally from San José, California, Baiza echoes the stories of his childhood, including his mother’s experiences of alienation and racism in an American society, through his writing.
Author of novels “Delivery”, “A Purpose To Our Savagery” and “Mexican Teeth”, Baiza reflected on the importance of spotlighting Latino authors.
“I’m excited to be able to help other Latinos get their words out in a supportive environment,” Baiza said. “I’ve seen a lot of people who read at Campfire Stories approach the event with a lot of anxiety, so I’m really excited for these artists to be able to read in such a supportive place.”
Baiza kicked the event off by expressing his gratitude for the audience’s attendance and appreciation for Latino culture and literature.
“There are so many other things to do out there, like watch YouTube videos, consume Twitter reels, like Instagram memes,” Baiza said, addressing the crowd. “Instead, you chose to come out and listen to some stories from Latino authors.”
Writers from across Idaho read stories detailing their experiences as Latinos in the United States.
The Campfire Stories event highlighted different voices in literature and uplifted short stories of all genres. From haunting narratives to inspiring messages, the readings captured the essence of Latino voices.
Queer Chicano writer Eric Amador from Twin Falls, Idaho, shared an abridged version of an untitled fiction novella from the perspective of a young girl, Lupe. The excerpt kept the audience on the edge of their seats as Amador guided viewers through the haunting tales of folklore and spiritual sightings.
“Fiction in general has been a way for me to understand being [Latino] in America and what it means in the context of these supernatural legends that you [hear about] being Mexican-American, or Latino in general,” Amador said. “When you get told these stories so often as a child, you’re kind of obsessed with them — I thought it’d be cool to provide context of my experiences combined with these strange legends.”
Through the lens of her childhood memories, writer and radio show host Daphne Stanford read various poems that reflected on the essence of folklore, generational differences and prophecy.
Reflecting on her mother’s experience in an American society, Stanford reflected wisdom and adoration for her Hispanic ancestry through poetry.
“My mother and grandmother were seminal figures for me growing up,” Stanford said. “As I [came] of age and as I’ve gotten older, I lean on them so much for wisdom. They became a part of my writing lately and want to understand more, especially about my grandmother’s life.”
As the stars freckled the darkness above, Baiza concluded the readings with a fictional parable, “One Hundred and Twenty-Four Details on the Curious and Likely Inevitable Transformation of Martín Ojeda”. The piece explores the meaning of art when an artist has lost “everything”.
Baiza’s piece follows the grief and hopelessness of Martín and his sudden hallucinations of an oddly well-versed hummingbird. Inspired by his family’s perspective of the fast-paced bird being messengers, Baiza connected cultural beliefs to psychological rebirth and healing.
“I’m writing a story about somebody who lost his son,” Baiza said. “I wanted to try to impart the hopelessness that can be introduced to your life, and how difficult it is to pull out of that.”
The event attracted a diverse audience of curious listeners. By the end of the readings, the audience found themselves practically glued to their seats — applause echoing through the venue.
“I like that we’re hearing different voices,” Boise State alumnus and audience member London Talbot said. “Intentionally listening to diverse writers is really important and getting their perspectives.”
