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Cover of Empanadas, Pupusas and Greens on the Side
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Empanadas, Pupusas and Greens on the Side

Author Amelia Tseng in Conversation with Canek Aguirre

Join Alexandria Library and Tenants and Workers United to hear from author Amelia Tseng on her recent book "Empanadas, Pupusas and Greens on the Side: Language and Latinidad in the Nation's Capital."

In the 1980s, Washington, DC—a predominantly African American, racially and economically segregated city with a strong local Black culture—became a hub of Latin American immigration. As the city's communities interacted, an identity both unique to DC and reflective of diverse Latin American cultures was born.

Empanadas, Pupusas, and Greens on the Side is the first linguistics book to explore how the Latinx community forged a new sense of home and identity in Washington. Using original ethnographic research—including interviews, narratives, and surveys—Tseng develops a new framework for understanding the relationship between race, identity, language, and culture, and she explains what happens when communities interact.

Readers interested in the cultural history of Washington, Latinx history, and language and society will enjoy this rich study of language as a cross-cultural current in ever-evolving America.

Books may be purchased from Georgetown University Press. Enter code: TGUF to receive 30% off the list price.  https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Empanadas-Pupusas-and-Greens-on-the-Side

Amelia Tseng

Dr. Amelia Tseng is Assistant Professor in Spanish and Linguistics. Her research addresses how language shapes and is shaped by identity across immigrant generations in Latinx diasporic contexts, focusing on multilingualism, dialect variation, discourse, and the construction of ethnoracial and cultural identity.

Canek Aguirre

Canek Aguirre was first elected to the Alexandria City Council in November 2018 and re-elected to a third term in November 2024. Born and raised in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrants, Canek is the first Latino to ever serve on the City Council.

Tenants and Workers United

For nearly 40 years, Tenants and Workers United has been organizing low-income communities of color to build power through community-led campaigns for affordable housing, health equity, education justice, police accountability, immigrants' rights, and more. TWU centers education and leadership development to help people become change agents, and we practice civic engagement to secure sustainable systemic changes that advance racial, economic, and social justice across Northern Virginia.

Local History/Special Collections

Local History/Special Collections houses many resources for those interested in Alexandria and Virginia history and genealogy and the Civil War. Major activities include generating online exhibits, collection guides and genealogy indexes. 

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library

jcahill@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1703
Fax: 703.746.1708
Branch manager
James Cahill

Hours
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Mon, Oct 20 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Oct 21 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 22 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Oct 23 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Oct 24 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Oct 25 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 26 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Parking: No library parking lot.  Street parking is available.  A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street. 

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles). 
  • Metrobus: A11, A12, F19
  • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
  • King Street Trolley:  King & Columbus

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

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Sat, Oct 25, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Bring items from home that are broken, torn or not quite working correctly. Our Fixit Coaches and Volunteers will try to get them up and running. Check-in at the Welcome Table to begin your visit.
Registration is now closed

Mon, Oct 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Do you like scary movies, books, tv shows, or video games? Do you enjoy making horror themed DIY projects? This is the event for you!

Tue, Oct 28, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Costumes encouraged, but not required! Seasonal songs and games for little pumpkins ages 0-23 months. .

Tue, Oct 28, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Looking for a space to talk about climate change and the things affected that we love? Join us for a monthly discussion focused on a relevant topic. Register to receive the materials suggestions.

Wed, Oct 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Youth Services Area
Trick or Treat! Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Thu, Oct 30, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Get help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Thu, Oct 30, 11:00am - 11:40am
Get in the holiday spirit with Halloween stories, songs, movement and more. For ages 2+

Thu, Oct 30, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Second Floor
Join this 3-part series with certified educator Byul Yim to learn Korean in a fun, small-group setting.
Registration is now closed

Rescheduled
Sat, Nov 01, 10:30am - 11:30am
New date Saturday, November 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ages 12-18. Make a difference in your library and community by sharing your opinions, volunteering, and more!

Sat, Nov 01, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages 14+. Develop and exercise your spanish conversation skills.

Mon, Nov 03, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Second Floor
The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) invites you to stop by, connect with the DASH team, and learn how to get the most out of Alexandria’s fare-free public transit.

Tue, Nov 04, 10:00am - 11:30am
Outdoors
Let's get some fresh air, explore Old Town, and talk about the latest books we've been reading!

Tue, Nov 04, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!

Tue, Nov 04, 11:00am - 11:35am
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Wed, Nov 05, 11:00am - 11:30am
Youth Services Area
A lapsit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months.and their grownups.

Rescheduled
Wed, Nov 05, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
New date Monday, November 24, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Join this 3-part series with certified educator Byul Yim to learn Korean in a fun, small-group setting.

Thu, Nov 06, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Get help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Thu, Nov 06, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5

Thu, Nov 06, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s fiber arts group making items to donate.

Thu, Nov 06, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!

Sat, Nov 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Youth Services Area
Ages 12-18. Make a difference in your library and community by sharing your opinions, volunteering, and more!

Sat, Nov 08, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Second Floor
Visualize your life aspirations and how you want to be remembered by making a vision board. All supplies will be provided along with instructions and ideas for how to begin.

Sat, Nov 08, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Second Floor
AWLA's Behavior and Training Manager will provide tips for living harmoniously with your dog or cat at home, answer specific questions about your pet, and chat about AWLA's Alexandria Animal Academy.

Wed, Nov 12, 11:00am - 11:30am
Youth Services Area
A lapsit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months.and their grownups.

Thu, Nov 13, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Get help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Thu, Nov 13, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5

Thu, Nov 13, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Space is available for up to 12 players, so it's first come first served as game tables fill.

Thu, Nov 13, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full