She Likes to Watch

This month, HopeDance Magazine offers two perspectives on Latino life.
On Tuesday night, the magazine will screen “Cuba: An Accidental Revolution” at the San Luis Obispo Library.
The documentary shows Cuba making strides in education, health care, agriculture and free enterprise toward an independent, sustainable economy.
It’s narrated by David Suzuki, the scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster most recently featured in enviro-doc “The 11th Hour.”
Catch the two-part “Cuba: An Accidental Revolution” Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the library, 995 Palm Street in San Luis Obispo.
A donation of $5 is suggested.

HopeDance offers another documentary about social change next week.
“Made in L.A” follows three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles’ garment sweatshops. The film chronicles their struggle to win basic labor protections from a trendy clothing retailer.
According to the online Internet Movie Database, director Almudena Carracedo co-wrote the documentary and did extra duty as the 2007 film’s cinematographer, producer and editor.
“Made in L.A.” will be screened at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, at the San Luis Obispo library. Donations of $5 are encouraged.

For more information on both events, visit www.hopedance.org.

– Sarah L.

Another month, another slew of socially progressive movies from HopeDance Magazine.
This September, HopeDance FiLMs focuses on subjects like crop circles, hallucinogens and Mexican factory workers. Central Coast cinephiles can expect movies with a conscience and a message.
The monthly film series starts Friday with “Hacking Democracy,” a documentary about vote-tampering and the flawed vote-counting machines used in the American electoral process.
The film will be shown at sunset in the parking lot of Utopia Bakery, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. Bring a chair and warm clothes and blankets.
Donations are encouraged.

The following is a brief rundown of this month’s HopeDance FiLMs:

Sept. 10
“Zeitgeist: Beyond 9/11”
A humorous look at God, money and the truth behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 7 p.m. San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. $5 suggested donation.

Sept. 14
“The 11th Hour”
Leonardo DiCaprio narrates this documentary about the state of the global environment, and practical solutions for restoring our planet’s ecosystems. This HopeDance fundraiser includes a raffle. 7 p.m. Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St., SLO. $10.

Sept. 17
“Star Dreams”
A look at the art and mystery of crop circles. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

Sept. 21
“Peace One Day”
Peace activist Jeremy Gilley works with the United Nations, world and religious leaders and ordinary citizens to declare a global Day of Peace. Sunset. Utopia Bakery. Donation suggested.

Sept. 22
“Maquilapolis”
Works struggle for survival in the massive sweatshops just across the Mexican border known as maquiladoras, often owned by the world’s largest corporations. 7 p.m. Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St., SLO. Free.

Sept. 28
“Entheogen: Awakening the Divine Within”
Documentary director Rod Mann will be on hand to speak about hallucinogens and the modern world. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

For more information, visit HopeDance’s Web site.

– Sarah L.