CALÓ Cultura: Highlights from Latino L.A.

Latino culture runs rampant in L.A., and we’ve got you covered in this new column, CALÓ Cultura! From art to music, TV and film, food and drink, and a whole lot of special events, we’ll curate the best that our community has to offer, including the gente who make it happen. Got a hot tip you’d like to share? Send your info, including an image or two, to abelardo@latinomedia.org. We can’t wait to share! 

L.A.-based bilingual singer-songwriter Nancy Sanchez has released her fourth full-length album “Mexican American Novio,” showcasing her powerhouse vocals and songwriting. In the album, she reimagines some of her most popular songs, including the title track, and giving listeners a glimpse at her new live band sound. Mexican American Novio’s seamless fusion of genres includes cumbia, jazz and mariachi, keeping listeners bopping from beginning to end. Five of the album’s six songs were written by Sanchez herself, and each song includes music videos available on YouTube.  They can also be streamed on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Born in Toluca, Mexico and later making her home in the United States as a young girl, her music reflects two cultures, with Mexican folkloric, Latin Alternative, pop and jazz elements in her live set. She’s toured with Los Lobos, Ozomatli, and others, and her songs have been featured on TV soundtracks.  

L.A.-native Diego Godoy began this week as associate curator of the California and Hispanic collections at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (The Huntington). He’ll work with researchers, advise on new acquisitions, present public talks, develop special publications and digital content, and collaborate with other curators on various projects. “While I have been very closely focused on Hispanic materials in my other roles, I now get to work with California materials, something I’ve been quite eager to do,” said Godoy. “I am particularly interested in L.A. history and, more specifically, Mexican American media history and print culture.” Currently, The Huntington features two Latino artists, Sandy Rodriguez and Enrique Martínez Celaya, in the “Borderlands” exhibition, which focuses on themes of place and migration. The Huntington also holds the papers of the late Gloria Molina, a trove of 1,300 boxes documenting the legacy of a woman who broke political and social barriers. 

Proudly Mexican American-owned craft beer brand Norwalk Brew House, co-founded by Ray Ricky Rivery, announces its plans to open a flagship brewery and taproom in its hometown. The new brewery and taproom will serve as a hub for the community, embodying the brand's commitment to being hyperlocal and fostering community support under its motto, "Make Good Beer, Do Good Things." The brewery will feature a variety of craft beers, including some of Norwalk Brew House’s signature styles like Bidi Bidi Blonde Blonde, a Mexican American Blond Ale; La Mano, a Mexican-style lager; El Mundo hazy IPA; and Agua de Oro, a Mexican-American blonde ale. The brewhouse has also collaborated with other craft breweries and artist Lalo Alcaraz on such products as Los Carwasheros and Los Vendors, supporting migrant workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Norwalk Brew House has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to bring this venture to life. 

Hispanic and Latino culture is featured in a series of new PBS documentaries and programs showcasing in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, with new episodes of “Alma’s Way,” PBS’s second primetime Spanish-language drama “Velvet,” new documentaries from American Masters and VOCES, a musical celebration with “Next at the Kennedy Center” and the broadcast of the 37th Hispanic Heritage Awards. Featured documentaries include “Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined,” “American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos,” a three-part series hosted by John Leguizamo; “Mambo Legends: The Music Never Ends” and “Latino Vote” which explores the range of issues that matter most to the politically diverse Latino communities. For a complete listing of streaming and digital programming, click here. 

The LA Tequila Fest is back, celebrating the essence of tequila and mezcal culture and heritage. Taking place on September 7 at the LA Center Studios from 1:30 to 6:30 pm, the fest will feature more than 85 premium tequila and mezcal brands and over 300 different tastings from such tequileros as Milagro, Casa Azul, LALO, Mandala and El Tesoro. Supporting the  Andrés and María Cárdenas Family Foundation (AMCFF) scholarship program for underrepresented youth in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, the event will also feature food trucks, live DJ sets, a boutique marketplace and other fun activities. Selected brands will be on sale at special Tequila Fest pricing. The 21 and over, no cash event is rain or shine, with special pricing available for designated drivers. More info here.

The inaugural East Los Book Festival will arrive at the East L.A. Civic Center on Saturday, September 14 from 10 am to 4 pm. It will feature a gathering of up-and-coming authors, poets, and storytellers. A collaboration between The Libros Lincoln Heights, Legacy Publications, and The Goddess Mercado, the festival includes a main stage featuring authors throughout the day, as well as booths featuring various bookstores, vendors, and publishers. Confirmed authors include Chris Marmolejo (“Red Tarot: A Decolonial Guide to Divinatory Literacy”), Sandra Gonzalez-Mora (“Mommy, Tell Me Why I Am Radiant”) and Mike Madrid (“The Latino Century”). Musical guests and food vendors will also be featured during the festival. Entrance to the family-friendly, all-ages fest is free. 10 x 10 vendor spaces are available for authors, publishers and bookstores at this link. 

The largest Mexican film festival outside of Mexico, Hola México Film Festival, founded by Samuel Douek, returns for its 16th annual edition on September 20 – 27, 2024. This year’s selections include a diverse range of exciting films, including comedy, horror, social-political interest, LGBTQ+ themes and more. Screenings will take place at the Egyptian Theatre (Opening Night), Regal LA Live, and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (Closing Night celebration featuring a live band). Showcase films include “Un Actor Malo / Bad Actor,” “TransMéxico,” “Todas Menos Tú/ Anyone But Her,” and “Párvulos: Hijos del Apocalipsis.” The nonprofit Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today (TFT), dedicated to fostering the growth of emerging Latine filmmakers, continues its annual partnership with Hola Mexico, with 20 talented filmmakers participating in an intensive 10-day program, culminating with individual short films screened during the festival. Watch the 2024 festival preview here. More info and tickets are available here.