Frida Kahlo: TREE of HOPE

09/12/2025

https://youtu.be/M8-h0eqiUfA?si=KtvKrm7CrVZIM9dR
Discover the spirit of Alta California!

Join me on Thursday, Sept 18 at 4 PM at the Cypress Park Branch Library for an afternoon of music, history, and stories about the Californios — a culture born from Native, European, and African roots.

Here’s a clip of a Californio song, preserved over 100 years ago by historian Charles Fletcher Lummis.

📍 Free & open to the public!

In 1903 Charles Lummis purchased an Edison wax cylinder recording machine to record the disappearing songs of the Californios and Native Americans. Lummis re...

08/07/2025

🎉 One more presentation added!

📅 Monday, September 22nd, 4PM
📍 John C. Fremont Branch #12 Library
🎨 Harmony in Canvas: Music in the Visual Work of Frida Kahlo

In this multimedia program, I explore the popular songs Frida Kahlo directly or indirectly referenced in her self-portraits. I’ll also perform these songs live, bringing another layer of meaning to her powerful imagery.

Free and open to all—join us for an evening where art and music meet!

07/06/2025

https://youtu.be/5LvT5AqCJjI
🎶✨ Make your event unforgettable! ✨🎶
Experience the romance and nostalgia of Sabor a Bolero. From classic boleros and bossa nova to vibrant Mexican corridos, we perform in Spanish, Portuguese, and English to create a beautiful atmosphere for any occasion.
💫 Serving all of Southern California with flexible options to fit your budget.
🎵 Let’s make memories together.
📲 Contact us today to reserve your date: [email protected]

Bring the magic of live music to your next event with Sabor a Bolero, a versatile trio serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego ...

07/04/2025

It is interesting how history repeats itself. Just as we see today so-called “bounty hunters”—a practice that dates back to the Middle Ages and that is currently only legal in the United States—operating without professional training beyond brute force and motivated solely by their rewards, the same tactics were used in 1848 when the United States annexed what was then called Alta California (which included present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico).

During and after the Gold Rush, these armed posses and bounty hunters—like the brutal Harry Love, the founder of the California Rangers—targeted and terrorized Mexican communities and other non-white residents. Love is infamous for pursuing the legendary Joaquín Murrieta, whose story became a symbol of resistance to violence and dispossession.

This pattern echoes disturbingly in the current experiences of many Mexicans and other brown-skinned immigrants in the U.S., who face aggressive enforcement tactics from ICE. Once again, individuals and families are tracked, detained, and separated—sometimes by poorly trained contractors or private security companies profiting from their vulnerability. The tools may look more modern, but the mindset of conquest, racial targeting, and profit-driven persecution has changed very little.

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