MDC Professors Roca, Hettich Release New Books

Miami Dade College professor, Michael Hettich, will be reading from his new book Like Happiness on Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., in Coral Gables.

The book, a collection of poems, is Hettich’s 13th book. His first collection of poetry was published in 1981.

Critics have described the book as “lyrical dreams” and “gifts.” But Hettich, a creative writing professor at the Wolfson Campus, doesn’t let the accolades get to his head.

“I like it, but I don’t take it too seriously,” he said.

Hettich believes that writing is important.

“I write every day,” Hettich said. “Some days I’m inspired, other days I’m not.”

Hettich already has plans for his next book The Animals Beyond Us. It’s scheduled for release in 2011.

Octavio Roca, the interim chair of the Arts and Philosophy Department at the North Campus, was exposed to dance at an early age.

Roca’s mom danced for the “Ballet de Pro-Arte Musical” in Cuba. At age five, he watched his first ballet, Giselle.

Now, Roca whose music and dance critiques have appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Miami New Times, The Washington Post and The Washington Times, are expounding on his passion for the ballerina art form.

His book Cuban Ballet, which delves into the history of ballet on the Caribbean island, was released on Sept. 2.

Among Roca’s subjects in the book are the famed dance company Alicia Alonso’s Ballet Nacional de Cuba and respected international balleerinas, the Feijóo sisters, Lorena and Lorna. The sisters grace the cover of Cuban Ballet.

There is some politics involved in the book, partly because it deals with Cuba, however, the book does not revolve around it.

“This book should read like a novel that happens to be true,” Roca said. “You are poor when you don’t take advantage of the arts; when you embrace the arts, it makes life better.” Roca said.