La Vida Yaya

La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin I had the pleasure of seeing this wonderful play at the LATC last year and I can't wait to see it again. The performances are powerful, spoken and sung in Nahuatl and Spanish, it is the tale of Juan Diego and the Virgen de Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. The play is directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela and the amazing cast includes mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzmán, Sal Lopez, and dear friend and singer Gabriel Gonzalez. La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin, the simple story of an indian peasant’s vision of the Virgin Mary that has become a theatrical c...ornerstone at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral for years. This profoundly moving show taps into our universal foundation of faith, love, and perseverance. Join the tens of thousands who have become transfixed by the story of Juan Diego-a simple peasant from Tepeyac. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels General Admission Free! (Suggested Donation $5/person) VIP Seating $35/person More in

It's that time of year again when we stuff our bellies with tons of triptophan-laced turkey, stuffing, cranberry, rolls, papas and gravy. We get two days off of work and school to spend time with our friends and family and have few drinks, kick-back and relax. Yet, for those of us that know the history of this holiday, it is difficult to embrace the spirit of it with images of happy pilgrims and Indians permeating the grocery stores, office workspaces, and schools. During my hard-core activist days, we were angry at the Hollywood and Disney images of perfection that made anyone that didn't look that way feel like 2nd class citizens. Yet, now that we are parents, we're not so uptight about things. Even though my curly-haired, caramel, sun-kissed skin-toned daughter loves to watch the blonde, stick-thin Disney princesses I know that she can still enjoy watching those films and still have confidence in her own looks because, well, I'm her mom, and I won't let her think

Northeast LA ’s Winter Solstice Festival is an inclusive celebration bringing together unifying and cultivating the awareness and power of all people through art, music, peace and social action. This celebration is a catalyst for creating and supporting a world in which all individuals, families, and communities are valued and can live in a society where freedom, justice, respect, dignity, peace and sustainable ways of living are its guiding principles. Northeast LA ’s Winter Solstice  Celebration Saturday, December 19, 2009, Noon Tierra de la Culebra Park 240 S. Avenue 57, Highland Park, CA 90042 Featuring Mexica, Aztlan Underground, Rudo Movimiento, Andrew Serra (Flamenco), Soul Conference, Guerrilla Queenz, Cihuatl-Ce, The Hashishans, and Wolfrobe. More info here: myspace.com/peacethroughculture

Boyle Heights Block Party and Mariachi Festival Sunday, November 15, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. First Street (between Boyle Ave. and State St.)   Celebrate the opening of the $898 million Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension.  Featuring: Tierra, Quinto Sol, Domingo Siete, UmoVerde, Dirty Hands, Jahny Wallz, Mariachi Sol del Mexico, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, Mariachi Mexicapan, Mariachi Voz de America, Mariachi Santa Cecelia and Mariachi Conservatory.   Enjoy free giveaways, live entertainment, and informational resource booths.Bring your children and participate in a free kids corner with oversized bouncers, arts and crafts, Chivas USA soccer kick, and a rock climbing wall. Also featured will be a photo exhibit about the now-defunct Bracero Program and the men and women who participated in it.  

Giving Thanks An expression of gratitude for all our moments. Music, dance of Brazil, India, Hawaii Featuring 45 musicians & dancers from: Halau Keali'i O Nalani Artistic Director-Keali'i Ceballos Shakti Dance Company Artistic Director-Viji Prakash Viver Brasil Artistic Director-Linda Yudin & Luiz Badaro Concert Info: On the islands of Hawaii, in the temples of India, and on the sacred shores of Brazil, music and dance are offerings of gratitude. Whether offered to Gods or Ancestral creators - they are an integral part of everyday life. Join us as 45 artists from 3 of LA's most creative dance companies share the stage for the first time. The results are a dramatic journey representing different lives, memories and legends from the sacred traditions of BRAZIL, INDIA and HAWAII through an exquisite synthesis of music, dance and chant. See Postcard Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 8pm Aratani/Japan America Theatre 244 S. San Pedro St. Los Angeles CA 90012