Frida Kahlo: TREE of HOPE

04/17/2025

https://youtu.be/4GTFZjwXky0
Lotería, música y buena vibra—laughing over Lotería, singing heartfelt canciones, and creating memories with an incredible community. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us, to my friend Abril Magana for capturing this moment, and to the wonderful Bell Gardens Library team for their support. In a world that can feel so divided, nights like this remind us how powerful togetherness truly is. 💛

Last night wasn’t just about playing Lotería or singing traditional music with uplifting messages—we built community. Deep thanks to all my friends who came ...

04/16/2025

This afternoon, free interdisciplinary talk on the history of the Mexican Bingo. Bell Gardens library 6 PM Hola Adriana, a ver si puedes acompañarnos mañana a esta plática interactiva sobre La lotería! 6 PM Bell Gardens Library!

Join us as Dr. Gloria Arjona, accompanied by Javier Arjona, explores the origins of La Lotería and how it is traditionally played, incorporating music and offering a taste of the traditional gameplay. For ages 18 and up.

04/11/2025

🌹✨ Remembering Selena Quintanilla on Her Birthday – April 16 This April 16, we celebrate what would have been Selena Quintanilla’s 54th birthday—a day to honor a star whose light continues to shine in our hearts. Taken from us too soon, Selena left behind a legacy of music, love, and inspiration that still resonates across generations.
To share her story with the youngest fans, I created "The Story of Selena Quintanilla," a beautifully illustrated children’s biography that captures the spirit, determination, and joy of the Queen of Tejano music. From her humble beginnings to becoming a cultural icon, this book introduces children to the power of dreams, family, and staying true to yourself.
📚 Available on Amazon and where books are sold.
🔗 https://www.amazon.com/Story-Selena-Quintanilla-Biography-Readers/dp/1638782342

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11/05/2024

Check out this illustration by my talented friend Arturo Martinez for my children's book about Yanga—the first enslaved person to establish a free territory in Veracruz in the early 1600s.

Join me on Saturday, November 9, from 5–9 PM at CALB’s Multimedia Cultural Fundraiser in Long Beach, CA. I’ll be presenting an interactive exploration of African heritage in Mexico.

Event Highlights:

Food: American, Mexican & Lebanese
Entertainment: Trova music, poetry by Nata Negrovinchi, live dance by Guerreras en Acción, DJ, and community dancing
Art: Live art by Diego “Yeyo” Aguirre and an exhibition by CALB members. Tickets: $30 (includes dinner)
TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/calbs-multimedia-cultural-fundraiser-tickets-1044410699517?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

11/02/2024

Tomorrow, free event of Dia de Los Mu***os Los Angeles Central Public Library!

The Central Library celebrates Day of the Dead with stories, music and art, in Spanish and English, at this fun event for the entire family. This event is free and open to all.

10/26/2024

🎉 Join Us for the 10th Annual Día de los Mu***os Festival!🎉
📅 Today! Saturday, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
📍 Mainplace Mall, Santa Ana💸 Free Entry for All Ages!
Celebrate the spirit of Día de los Mu***os with family and friends at our vibrant festival! Immerse yourself in this rich cultural experience featuring mariachi music, lively games, and fantastic prizes— all free for the community. I’ll be hosting interactive **Lotería game sessions**, so don’t miss the chance to play, learn, and win! 🎶 Live Mariachi Performances
🎲 Traditional Lotería with Prizes
✨ Fun, Culture, and Celebration for All Ages!
Come honor this beautiful tradition with us and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of music, games, and community! ***os

10/19/2024

This afternoon: 🎶 Songs & Stories of Day of the Dead @ La Mirada Library 2PM Free family program. https://visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/11515336

10/12/2024

Tomorrow Saturday October 12, 3PM Park Branch Library

10/02/2024

https://visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/11670424
This coming Thursday, 6PM Free lecture

A musical and visual lecture on the muralist Diego Rivera's illustrations for the Mayan-Quiché culture's great book of creation, the Popol Vuh

09/26/2024

Thanks to the French Valley Library for giving me the opportunity to share my program "De Colores: Celebrating Diversity through Music & Songs", where I explore the many layers of Hispanic history—especially the experiences of Hispanics and Latinos in the U.S.—through traditional songs and sing-alongs. The song that gives my presentation its name, "De Colores", was brought to the Americas from Spain in the 16th century. Although it's often seen as a children's song due to its simple lyrics and melody, it has been widely used over the centuries in various religious and social engagement activities, such as the United Farm Workers' march led by César Chávez, where it became an anthem.

09/24/2024

Musical presentation and storytelling about the cultural richness of Hispanic America, tomorrow, Wednesday at 3:30 PM at the French Valley Library. Fun for the whole family! Come sing with us popular songs like "De Colores," "Cielito Lindo," and many more.

09/24/2024

Thanks to Cerritos Library for inviting me to give a talk with music about my book Lotería: Origins and Practices of the Mexican Bingo. In this lecture, I explain how both, bingo and lotería, share a common ancestor from medieval Italy called "Il Giocco de Lotto de Italia". This game originally began as a form of gambling (still connected to the official lottery today). However, due to multiple bans imposed by the Church, a small, portable version of the game emerged, allowing gamblers to play secretly in closed spaces. The song I'm performing, "A qué le tiras cuando sueñas mexicano", explores the addiction many Mexicans (and non-Mexicans) have to dreaming about winning the lottery, yet procrastinate on other important matters, often saying 'tomorrow,' a day that never seems to come.

09/23/2024

🎶🔥 ¡El Diablito!, ¡La Chalupa!… Sound familiar? Ever played Lotería? Did you know it shares roots with Bingo, tracing back to a common Italian ancestor? Join us TODAY, 6 PM at the Cerritos Library for a fun-filled talk on the fascinating history of Lotería, with live music to set the mood! 🎶🎉 Plus, you’ll get to play a round of this iconic game! Free & open to all – bring your friends and family for an afternoon of culture, music, and tradition! Don't miss out!