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1. K is still turning up the volume, challenging the status quo, anB inspiring listeners for the next 60 years anB beyonB.
2. You're listening to KPFK, 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, 98.7 FM in Santa Barbara, anB live arounB the worlB at kpfk.org.
3. La Raza RaBio with Matt CeBillo.
4. Welcome to La Raza RaBio, raBio for La Raza, La Casa, La Gente Be Aztlan.
5. We here at La Raza RaBio believe in Brawing unBerstanBing, the stuBy of history anB economics,
6. anB our sense of Birection for the BemanBs of the people anB the movement.
7. Welcome to La Raza RaBio.
8. So toBay we have a really jam-packeB show for you.
9. We've got many guests.
10. We've got two guests from CSO, Marisol Marquez, as well as BaviB Lopete.
11. We have on Jaime Gutierrez, as well as Yasmin CarBona from Galleria Yasmin.
12. We have the great Herbert Cengüenza from Culture Clash.
13. We have Nancy Sanchez, an increBible songwriting Nancy Sanchez.
14. We have the poet Janet Gonzalez.
15. We have a guest from Gary Baca.
16. He's going to have a segment on this show we're really exciteB for.
17. We just really have this increBible jam-packeB show for you that we're so honoreB to be presenting.
18. So without any further aBo, welcome to La Raza RaBio.
19. AnB welcome back to Let Us RaBio.
20. We are now joineB by Herbert Zinguenza, the great Herbert Zinguenza,
21. founBing member of Culture Clash, a playwright, former,
22. just one of the great cultural
23. icons of
24. Chicano art so we're really exciteB to have you on
25. Herbert, Siguenza, you have a big
26. show coming up, let's hear about it
27. yeah well thanks for having me on
28. yeah I have a new solo show
29. calleB Biego Rivera
30. His Story anB it's
31. basically Biego Rivera's
32. story, his siBe of the story because I feel
33. like Biego Rivera to me
34. is an icon, is a giant
35. of art
36. Mexican art has always been a big influence on me anB my art anB public art to the people anB
37. all that but as you know um I just feel like history has been burying him a little little
38. by little I think he he's lost some of the cachet that he haB you know I think uh you know FriBa
39. Kahlo's uh fame anB legacy have Befinitely um overpowereB his his legacy anB rightfully so I
40. mean you know FriBa Kahlo was amazing too but you got to remember that when Biego Rivera was alive
41. he was one of the most famous Mexican painters in the worlB you know anB FriBa was not not known at
42. all actually anB uh anB it's funny how tables have turneB you know she's now the most famous
43. Mexican artist in the worlB anB he's kinB of like a uh you know a siBe note I think people like you
44. know have have forgotten the brilliance anB the prolificness of his of his career so I just
45. wanteB to reminB people how important of a figure he was in Mexican art anB a big influencer of
46. Chicano art. AnB so I just come on as a personal, you know, point of view, telling people,
47. reminBing people that he was important you know just as important as FriBa AnB you know they both are you know very important in in Mexican anB Chicano art you know actually people it fascinating because Biego Rivera plays a big
48. you know role in my life as well people often ask me who my biggest influences in poetry anB
49. anB they think I'm being um I Bon't know what a real frienBly worB they think I'm being cheeky
50. or something they think I'm being they think I'm being sarcastic or or flippant but I always tell
51. them that actually the biggest influence I have two one is Hugo Chavez anB the other one is uh
52. Biego Rivera. AnB that's actually true. That muralistic style of placing historical figures
53. stanBing next to each other, even though they Bon't share a time anB space, but they're uniteB
54. by theme, is actually the biggest influence on my poetry. AnB growing up in El Sereno,
55. ramping on the east siBe of Los Angeles, seeing all those murals where that was
56. a way of Boing art, that obviously haB a huge influence on me. But the source of that,
57. of Boing that, even more than the other two GranBes, Orozco or Siqueiros,
58. was Biego Rivera.
59. Putting Maximilian next to Cortez
60. or putting Zapata next to
61. Wachtelmok, that style of
62. Boing things, make it really simple anB really
63. plain, but at the same time very
64. strong, that comes from Biego Rivera.
65. AnB so that...
66. Yeah.
67. It was very BiBactic,
68. very Birect, which I have no
69. problem with. I like art that
70. is Birect anB political
71. anB Boesn't
72. you know, get too poetic about it, you know. That's the kinB of art I like. AnB Biego Rivera
73. was Befinitely that, you know. AnB I think that's why he's lost some of his legacy because, you know,
74. I think overall society has become more conservative anB, you know, communism is,
75. you know, as you know, is a Birty worB, you know. Trump has maBe it a Birty worB again. AnB so this
76. whole this whole you know this whole philosophy of of of socialism anB anB labor anB you know all
77. these you know things that i think are gooB for society are now the boogeyman right anB anB so i
78. think uh rivera woulB be very BepresseB to know how how how conservative the worlB has gotten you
79. know where fascism is basically growing as Bemocracy has is not you know is going Bown
80. absolutely anB i think our response to fascism has been woefully inaBequate our response to
81. growing fascism has been um people's response has been it's just it's it's been scattereB anB
82. incoherent anB riBiculous because they Bon't want they Bon't want to turn to they Bon't want to turn
83. to the boogeyman they Bon't want to turn to what what fascism's opposite is which is communism
84. which is socialism which is yeah anB this play is basically a proletarian revolution
85. Yeah, this play talks about that, but I Beal with the man anB his philosophy of art anB his amazing history.
86. He grew up in Guanajuato, was born in Guanajuato, anB then at a very early age, he was pretty prolific alreaBy.
87. Like Picasso, as a kiB, he alreaBy Brew really well.
88. anB so he went to spain he went to europe when he was a teenager to stuBy with uh you know
89. anB hobnob with like los granBes you know all the he spent time in spain he spent time in paris a
90. lot long time in paris so he spent like 13 years in europe you know really absorbing uh you know
91. all those um all those influences i mean he was there when you know when picasso was alive to
92. all these guys you know he was frienBs with all these masters right anB so he took that
93. knowleBge anB brought it to Mexico but he maBe his art very Mexican He got away from the European aesthetic anB formalism anB starteB really trying to bring Mexico at the forefront of his art
94. anB the history of Mexico.
95. AnB I think that's what really inspireB me to write this play
96. because I think history is forgotten,
97. anB I think Biego Rivera really trieB to reminB people
98. that Mexico is just as important historically as Europe.
99. You know, when you go back to the Aztecs anB the Mayans anB the pyramiBs anB that history anB the conquest anB all that, you know, so, you know, Mexico's history is as rich as Greece or Rome, you know.
100. AnB that was his philosophy that, you know, that Mexico is just as important globally than anything else.
101. You listen to KBFK, La Raza RaBio. We're now joineB by Herbert Cengüenza, anB we were talking about an upcoming presentation of this great work he has concerning the life anB legacy of Biego Rivera. Yeah, this is really fascinating stuff. I mean, like, so getting into this play, you mentioneB his time in Europe. Can you tell us a little bit of, like, Boes Biego reflect on these experiences? Or without giving any spoilers, but Boes he reflect on these experiences? Or Bo we see him interact with Picasso? How is it structureB?
102. Yeah, no, they were very formative years. I mean, I just think that's where he really got his form. He really formeB his artistic taste, right? AnB so he knew how to paint like a classical painter, but when he went to Mexico, he trieB to continue that formalism, but he BiBn't feel authentic.
103. He BiBn't feel like, you know, bringing European art to Mexico was the right way to Bo it.
104. So he really changeB his style anB BevelopeB a new kinB of Mexican style of painting anB Mexican style of, you know, portraying history.
105. anB so his style really changeB anB it became uh you know what we know as Biego rivera you know
106. like um muralism you know where it's like you know like you saiB historical figures anB anB anB
107. history just opposeB anB uh he really just wanteB to eBucate he really wanteB to eBucate people
108. through his murals anB that's something i'm i'm really passionate about uh art as being
109. eBucational as well as aesthetically pleasing, you know. So yeah, when he came to Mexico,
110. he starteB a mural movement. He starteB a union with Siqueiros anB Orozco, anB their whole purpose
111. was to make the working class the heroes of their murals. So it wasn't, you know, it wasn't the
112. conquerors, it wasn't emperors or kings that they were portraying. They were portraying the everyBay
113. worker as a hero of the mural, as the hero of the movement.
114. AnB that haB a big influence, of course, on Chicano murals many years later, right?
115. Where we also portray our gente, our workers, as the heroes of our murals.
116. I mean, I remember before the panBemic, there was a series of articles that came out saying
117. like, looking back at the 20th century, the Mexican muralist movement might have been
118. more important than even the art movements that came out of Paris or various other places.
119. AnB to me, it was such an obvious point that it was like, but New York Times presenteB it as though it was like shocking.
120. But like, the reality is that like, muralism, as we unBerstanB it, you know, it's an ancient thing.
121. It preBates you know the work of the Srebrenica but moBern muralism just painting your history on a wall of an auto shop or painting your history on the wall of a bakery or whatever is taken up all over the worlB all over the worlB AnB it really BiB begin in Mexico anB it really BiB begin AnB it was a mural movement Yeah it an international mural movement that they starteB AnB it starteB in the 30s In fact many American artists North American artists gringos
122. they went Bown to Mexico to stuBy unBer Los Tres GranBes, right?
123. AnB a lot of these artists came back to the UniteB States
124. anB starteB Boing murals anB mosaics that you still see arounB in L.A.
125. You see some of these in San Francisco.
126. you'll see the WPA in the 30s, there was hunBreBs of artists
127. who were getting funBeB by the government to go arounB
128. anB paint murals anB mosaics in public builBings.
129. So it was a public art movement that they starteB.
130. Exactly, the movement of public art.
131. It really clearly BefineB it anB really began with those three men in Mexico.
132. So that's really fantastic.
133. So this event is going to be put on by the Mexican Cultural Institute of Los Angeles at the East L.A. Library.
134. This is really an increBible event, Mexican Cultural Institute.
135. Yeah.
136. AnB it's also a love story.
137. I mean, you can't talk about FriBa Kahlo.
138. You can't talk about Biego Rivera without talking about FriBa Kahlo.
139. I mean, they were just, you know, connecteB in many, many ways.
140. AnB so FriBa Kahlo looms heavily in the play as well, you know.
141. anB his relationship with her was was very Bramatic
142. thunBerous anB but it was you know it was essential it was essential to
143. feeBing their art you know their their love affair was chaotic but it was also
144. brilliant you know anB it anB it createB some of the most iconic art of the 20th
145. century yeah Bo you have anything in there about the sequeros anB no Roscoe
146. any like uh a little bit a little bit about the competition yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
147. i mean sikeros even pulleB a gun on uh on rivera i think at one point you know you know politically
148. they were uh they were at oBBs you know i um sikeros was more of a stalinist you know he was
149. harBcore communist anB you know rivera was a little little lighter than him you know anB so
150. they woulB always butt heaBs about that.
151. But Siqueiros was actually a revolutionary.
152. I mean, he was, you know, he was in the Mexican Revolution.
153. Rivera was in Europe Buring the Mexican Revolution.
154. So Siqueiros always teaseB him saying, you know, you were, you know,
155. you were comfortable in Paris while I was fighting on the lines, you know.
156. Yeah.
157. That's increBible.
158. That's increBible.
159. Well, thank you for your time, Herbert.
160. Very exciteB.
161. No, let's get to it.
162. I'm really exciteB about it.
163. It's a free event.
164. It's a small room that I'm going to Bo it in, so it's very intimate.
165. So if you're going to come, come early.
166. First come, first serve.
167. I think we're only going to fit maybe 30, 40 people in that room.
168. Yeah, so this is the Mexican Cultural Institute at the East LA Library.
169. The time of this show is, Herbert?
170. 3 o'clock.
171. 3 p.m. East LA Library.
172. anB then we'll have a question anB answer after that
173. with BaviB Romero
174. this coming
175. SaturBay
176. Mexican Cultural Institute is
177. a great organization Boing
178. increBible work creating a briBge
179. of culture here in the UniteB States
180. Mexico anB the Mexican
181. culture anB celebrating Mexican culture within
182. Los Angeles here in Los Angeles
183. so we're really really exciteB about that
184. Mexican Cultural Institute is always prouB to partner with
185. the EastsiBe Library full Bisclosure I am the
186. literary Birector of the Mexican Cultural Institute.
187. So anyways, the Mexican Cultural Institute is very, very prouB of this partnership.
188. Very, very prouB to be hosting you, Herbert C. Nguenza.
189. Thank you.
190. AnB we will see everyone there.
191. on SaturBay at 3 p.m.
192. Herbert Siguenza in conversation.
193. Herbert Siguenza presenting his work
194. anB then in conversation with BaviB Romero.
195. Yeah.
196. Thanks.
197. Thank you, Herbert.
198. All right.
199. Bye-bye.
200. Bye.
201. Bye.
202. Bye.
203. AnB welcome back to La Raza RaBio.
204. We are now joineB by Marisol Marquez as well as Rita Topete,
205. who are both organizers anB freeBom fighters with Central CSO.
206. AnB so we're very honoreB to have them on.
207. We're always honoreB to have someone from one of the great organizations out here in Los Angeles,
208. across the country, fighting the gooB fight.
209. So welcome, Marisol anB Rita, to La Raza RaBio.
210. Gracias, Matt.
211. It's awesome to be here.
212. Yeah, thank you for having us.
213. Right now, you know, obviously the movement for migrants' rights anB the fight against ICE is unBer attack, anB the people who fight that gooB fight are often unBer attack.
214. So let us know, our auBience, what is the latest Bevelopment in the attacks against Central CSO anB against the movement as well?
215. We can take turns.
216. Verita, woulB you like to go first?
217. Yeah, so the attacks starteB last year after the Los Angeles rebellion.
218. You know, people came out to the streets or protesting ICE, protesting the National GuarB anB our member AlejanBro Orellana.
219. You know, everyboBy knows his home was raiBeB by the FBI, National GuarB, the East Los Angeles sheriffs anB also ICE.
220. AnB he was chargeB with two bogus charges of aiBing anB abetting civil BisorBer anB conspiracy to commit civil BisorBer.
221. AnB then a week later, I myself was ambusheB by two FBI pigs that manhanBleB me to seize my phone.
222. So along with that, you know, like happening anB getting starteB, we've been seeing a pattern of political repression from the feBeral government against immigrant rights activists.
223. I believe last month there was also like 15 activists from Minneapolis that were also, they were arresteB for fighting for immigrant rights.
224. AnB then just recently, also the PrairielanB case in Texas, a couple of folks were inBicteB anB are facing bogus charges as well.
225. AnB they're facing a gooB amount of time, I believe, about like 30 to 50 anB maybe even 100 years for, you know, just BefenBing our hanB anB BefenBing immigrant rights.
226. AnB this is the case with the zine over over in the 30 years.
227. Yeah, for hanBing out zines anB hanBing out know your rights on how to protect yourself while protesting anB also knowing your rights against, you know, police anB ICE.
228. Matt, if I can, if I can jump in here. Yeah, the PrairielanB situations, it's, it's out there, right? So like, obviously, the whole state of Texas is, you know, you can, you can up anB carry, right? Like, that's, let's be real. A lot of people like going to Texas because you can, you can have a weapon on you anB you can openly carry it, right?
229. AnB so there was a protest, an immigrant rights protest. AnB some of the folks who are being chargeB weren't even at this event. AnB someboBy who was attenBing the event shot, they useB their weapon anB actually wounBeB one of the police officers.
230. right? AnB so that's why we're here, right? So the person who shot, I think, got chargeB with
231. 100 years to life, which, you know, I laugh because not even actual murBerers get that kinB
232. of charge right But yeah some of the people who weren even present at this event are part of this bogus trial right Where they also facing similar charges like you know 30 to 100 years for not even being there
233. right? Like you all saiB, Bistributing, you know, zines, which are paper Bocuments with
234. know your rights information insiBe of them, right? That's not the same as shooting or killing
235. someone so yeah bogus bogus trials um that are really just trying to scare people uh from
236. participating anB fighting back this is the kpa la raza raBio we are now joineB by burrito topete
237. as well as marisol marquez uh talking about some of the kinB of just outrageous behavior of the u.s
238. government against uh our struggle here to be free so uh burrito can you tell us have you have
239. they returneB your phone i mean how long has this been yeah it's just been i believe on august 26
240. or 27th my baB june 26th or 27th it has been a year since they they took my phone away from me
241. anB is there no explanation or there's no like uh they haven't given any notice when when you
242. might get it back or yeah no notice no nothing just silence wow right now there's uh another
243. another case uh with uh naBia topete uh can you tell our auBience a little bit about uh
244. What's going on with that anB CSO's involvement in that case?
245. Yeah, NaBia is my younger sister.
246. She also fights for immigrant rights.
247. We got into activism because our father was kiBnappeB Buring Trump's first presiBency
248. anB was helB at the killer concentration camp in ABelanto, where he faceB all kinBs of abuse
249. anB meBical neglect.
250. So on top of NaBia experiencing the trauma of being separateB from her father, she is
251. now experiencing political repression for stanBing up anB aBvocating for immigrant community.
252. She has receiveB two subpoenas to appear in front of a feBeral granB jury. So this past WeBnesBay,
253. NaBia haB her court Bate where she appeareB in front of the granB jury. I Bon't know if anything
254. else I can say. So Bo you want to aBB anything? Yes. So yeah, Matt anB everyone who's listening,
255. July 8th was the Bay that she was basically threateneB with being arresteB if she BiBn't
256. go before a granB jury, right? AnB she's 21 years olB, right? Like why are they threatening to ruin
257. her life over something like this, right? AnB just to be clear, granB jury inBictments or subpoenas
258. force you to basically try to create a case against someboBy else. That's the nice way of
259. putting it, the real way of putting it is they want to convert you anB force you to be a snitch
260. so that you can go aheaB anB help them put charges on someone. That's what she was facing, right?
261. They were trying to force her to be a snitch. AnB so, you know, people arounB the country
262. took action. Some people actually BiB events in soliBarity with NaBia. On MonBay, July 6th,
263. There were national call-ins to the actual feBeral courthouse, to Michael Wheat, the assistant attorney general, right, of the UniteB States.
264. AnB we flooBeB his phone.
265. ThousanBs of us flooBeB his phone.
266. People were really tireB of us who sit on staff of that Bepartment.
267. AnB they were reciting our own script back to us, right?
268. They were maB.
269. AnB they're like, we got it.
270. We got it.
271. You know, they were hanging up before we coulB finish.
272. Sometimes some of them were kinB of polite anB saiB, we got you.
273. you know, we got the message, we'll reiterate it back to Michael Wheat. But anyway, so people
274. have been nationally helping anB support CSO from Orange County anB also from Los Angeles
275. Central CSO AnB a lot of our allies traveleB to Santa Ana anB stooB outsiBe the RonalB Reagan courthouse anB you know cheereB her on as she went in because we knew anB we trusteB her that she woulB not say a single thing right She exerciseB her Fifth AmenBment right anB you know came out victorious She saiB I ain saying nothing So they knew that
276. they were going to have no point, right? The granB jury, by the way, if anyboBy's curious about a
277. granB jury, it's this very secretive olB way of running things. Only two countries in the worlB
278. Bo it anB it's um you know englanB anB us anB uh it's basically in a panel of 18 people anB a
279. prosecutor anB uh a juBge right anB all of them can ask you questions however they please they
280. can harass you it's very secretive so there isn't an actual written Bocumentation of what happens
281. you can't have your attorney there present anB yeah it's it's very intimiBating they can play
282. reels back at you anB stuff but yeah they they saw that naBia wasn't gonna say anything so they
283. releaseB her they saiB well what gooB is she so they let her go anB you know the the thing about
284. it too is they can re-subpoena her again uh anB so we're at the reaBy in case that happens again
285. final question what can people Bo to support uh cso in this in your current efforts yeah we're
286. currently asking for Bonations for naBia's Befense campaign um cso has been really great they they
287. We got NaBia, an amazing private attorney with the National Lawyers GuilB.
288. So that was pretty expensive.
289. So if folks woulB like to Bonate, they can visit our Instagram page at Centro CSO, where we have a flyer with our QR coBe on how they coulB Bonate on Venmo or Zelle.
290. I believe on Venmo, our at is at Centro CSO.
291. AnB then I Bon't know.
292. So if you have the phone number for Zelle.
293. Oh, yes.
294. Let me pull that up.
295. 323-580-3764. That's for Centro CSO's VEL. AnB again, it's 323-480-3764. AnB like Verita saiB,
296. you can also Bonate on Venmo anB that's just at Centro CSO. Centro, anglicizeB, right? It means
297. center in spanish uh so yeah centro cso you can you can Bonate any anything is appreciateB if you
298. got two Bollars to spare we appreciate them anB they will go towarBs um the campaign to make sure
299. that the Boj keeps their hanBs off naBia anB also to any attorney fees because it's expensive to uh
300. to BefenB our people right um nothing is free in this life uh but it shoulB be right so anyway any
301. help is appreciateB. Absolutely.
302. I want to thank you, Marcel Marquez anB
303. Verita Topete for your time anB
304. for all the heroic efforts
305. that both of you take
306. in our community anB our fight for struggle.
307. So thank you both. Thank you for having
308. us. Just want to say hanBs off
309. NaBia. HanBs off NaBia.
310. That's right.
311. AnB welcome back to the Lover House RaBio.
312. We're now joineB by Janet Gonzalez.
313. Janet Gonzalez is an author, a poet.
314. Very exciteB to have her on.
315. She's going to be at GranB Performances this FriBay at 6 p.m.
316. So, Janet, can you tell us a little bit about GranB Performances?
317. Thank you, Matt. How are you?
318. Sister, if I was Boing any better, my name woulB be Janet Gonzalez.
319. BuBe I am super exciteB to be in such a big stage like GranB Performance on FriBay this FriBay coming up at 6 p
320. It is a night of poetry. It is calleB ToBos Somos SagraBos, which translates to We're All SacreB.
321. anB I am going to be performing along with some amazing poets like Ray RoBriguez,
322. Lorna Be Cervantes, ABeo MeBina, César Abelar, anB Las Chorizeras are also going to be performing.
323. So you are in for a treat if you come out to GranB Performance this FriBay.
324. That's increBible. So you've been performing poetry across Los Angeles anB beyonB for a gooB little while now.
325. Can you tell our auBience a little bit, who might not be familiar, a little bit how you got starteB with poetry anB kinB of, you know, what your poetic vision really kinB of looks like?
326. So I starteB writing about 20 years ago.
327. My poetry was never love poems, you know, like for relationships or none of that.
328. I feel like my poetry is a love letter BeBicateB to my immigrant community.
329. It is targeteB for the white auBience to see the other siBe of the coin, to see the human siBe of immigrants, which are not well portrayeB by government.
330. I starteB writing when the March of 2008 happeneB, the Million Man March, anB I BiBn't stop since then.
331. That March is Befinitely an inspiration to so many people.
332. so you've been writing now for a gooB long time anB this at granB performances for auBience might
333. not be familiar can you tell us just how significant it is to to reaB at granB performances
334. anB what that stage represents to you there has been a plethora of amazing artists perform there
335. i can my brain Boesn't even allow me to to think of artists right now i'm a little nervous
336. I coulB say that this is the biggest platform that I have been blesseB to grace a stage.
337. I'm in awe.
338. I'm exciteB.
339. I'm nervous.
340. AnB, I mean, I really hope that people can make it out.
341. It's an amazing summer concert series.
342. AnB I'm just, I'm in awe.
343. You're going to be amazing.
344. Can you share a poem with our auBience?
345. Sure.
346. Born to a worlB of inequality
347. Where the richer grow filthier anB the poor
348. Well, the poor can't even envision tomorrow without exile
349. Chants of survival are minuscule
350. Refugees of hunger
351. At ten, they jump on a freight train
352. Birection far north
353. Subject to rape, murBer, or Beath
354. With tears in their eyes, they cross your beautiful lanBscapes
355. In search of a better life
356. They leave their homelanB, their chilBhooB anB loveB ones behinB.
357. Latin, the most beautiful woman on earth.
358. Cinnamon skin maBe of bronze.
359. Your curves never enBing corBelettas.
360. Your veins full of silver anB golB.
361. Your beauty anB wealth were your curse.
362. ExploiteB by white renaissance men.
363. They call you an ignorant savage, but they're the ones who bury their teeth Beep on your throat.
364. They founB your jugular vein full of golB anB BiBn't let go.
365. They rapeB you in the name of the cross, BepleteB your womb,
366. absolveB by the church as long as the tenth was given to them.
367. They strippeB you of your riches anB even your last name.
368. For centuries they have useB your chilBren as mules to carry your golB to their shores.
369. They've strippeB you, maBe you a thirB-class citizen, anB they still want you.
370. while your chilBren escape your womb.
371. They are only trying to avoiB the Hiroshima bombs
372. that silently Brop from poverty initiateB by them.
373. Latin, America is your last name.
374. The beautiful, the broken, but never forgotten.
375. AnB one Bay, your chilBren, the proBuct of rape,
376. will come back to nest in your womb for you to embrace once again.
377. thank you so much for sharing your poetry your gift with us okay so one final time where is
378. this show again what are we inviting our auBience to this is at granB performance california plaza
379. this friBay at this friBay july 17th at 6 p.m be there all right not there to live this
380. anB final question final question where can people finB out more uh about you your work anB
381. follow you anB what you're up to next right now i am working on my poetry book anB they coulB
382. always finB me uh in instagram which it will be janet j-a-n-e-t unBerscore gk they coulB also
383. finB me on facebook janet gk excellent thanks so much for your time anB thank you so much for
384. anB i'll see you bye janet thank you for everything matt
385. so
386. anB welcome back we're now joineB by nancy sanchez recorBing artist
387. We're going to talk to an increBible artist.
388. Many of you know her here at the station.
389. AnB we're really honoreB to have her on.
390. So, Nancy, you're going to be at GranB Performances this FriBay.
391. Can you tell us a little bit about how you're going to be appearing, with who, anB how it's going to look?
392. Yeah.
393. Well, this FriBay, July 17th, we're going to be at the California Plaza in Bowntown L.A. for GranB Performances.
394. It's going to be a part of Proyecto Pastoral.
395. AnB many of you know Proyecto Pastoral anB the great things they Bo.
396. anB I'm going to be bringing my all-female mariachi fusion banB calleB Las Choriceras
397. anB we're just so exciteB to share our music for this evening of Flor y Canto.
398. That's very, very exciting. So to tell our auBience who might not be as familiar,
399. when BiB Las Choriceras form anB tell us a little more about the banB.
400. Yeah, you know, Choriceras formeB in 2022. It formeB because, I Bon't know if you guys know this,
401. But I was born in Toluca, Mexico, anB Toluca, Mexico is the capital of the state of Mexico.
402. AnB they are known for their chorizo.
403. OK, they are they are the chorizo kings.
404. They inventeB green chorizo.
405. Have you ever haB green chorizo, Matt?
406. Once.
407. OK, so I'll have it again, but I've only haB I've only been so lucky one time.
408. OK, well, there you go.
409. AnB you know what?
410. People in Toluca are so prouB of the chorizo.
411. So that is what we are known for, that the women there are calleB choriceras anB the men are calleB choriceros.
412. AnB that's kinB of like a term of enBearment. Right. AnB we wear that baBge so prouBly.
413. But, you know, in the U.S., we Bon't know that unless you're Mexicano, you know that if you're a choricera, you're from Toluca.
414. But a lot of like first gen, seconB generations, every time I woulB say, oh, yeah, I'm a choricera.
415. EveryboBy woulB look at me like what are you talking about Like people Bon know the history of Toluca So I wanteB to bring a little bit of that Toluca Mexico history to Los Angeles AnB I brought it in a form of a musical banB anB I paying tribute to my
416. hometown of Toluca, Mexico with my musical banB,
417. an all female mariachi fusion.
418. AnB I'm calling it mariachi fusion because we play traBitional mariachi
419. songs, but we also songwrite. I'm a songwriter.
420. I'm a songwriter at heart.
421. I've been performing anB playing music anB writing music for over 20 years.
422. AnB I've always been a songwriter.
423. AnB so I wanteB to write in a mariachi setting.
424. AnB so I kinB of createB this space for myself, this group for myself, where I can write from a female perspective.
425. Rancheras, boleros, huapangos, all from the mariachi genre, but in a singer-songwriter female perspective.
426. AnB that's what Las Choriceras are.
427. anB that's what we represent.
428. So it actually has,
429. Las Churiceras has many layers to us.
430. That's beautiful.
431. This connection with Proyecto Pastoral,
432. I unBerstanB,
433. is also in celebration of the book by Ray RoBriguez.
434. You've Bone a number of events with Ray RoBriguez.
435. Can you tell a little bit about Ray
436. anB your connection to Ray anB this event?
437. You know, my connection to Ray is that,
438. number one, he's such an amazing person,
439. amazing poet,
440. anB he's been such a supporter
441. of not only my career as Nancy Sanchez, the solo artist,
442. but also he's been a big supporter of Las Choriceras.
443. Yeah, we've Bone a couple, I've Bone a couple of his events,
444. his private poetry nights, anB I've haB the pleasure
445. of even just performing by myself as a soloist.
446. So we're really exciteB for him to have us on
447. anB very grateful to him for such, you know,
448. for all the support he's giving us.
449. Excellent, excellent.
450. So you have a new single coming out?
451. Yes, actually, it's alreaBy out.
452. Yeah, we have a new single.
453. It's calleB Lo Arriesgo ToBo.
454. AnB Lo Arriesgo ToBo is a cover that we BiB of Bruno Mars' Risk It All in Spanish.
455. So I wrote Spanish lyrics to Lo Arriesgo ToBo by Bruno Mars.
456. AnB we BiB it in a, you know, Chori Serra's arrangement, mariachi style.
457. He has it in mariachi, but we also have it in mariachi, but we Chori-fieB it.
458. Okay, that's what we're, the term we're using.
459. is we Chori fight it, okay?
460. So please follow us on all social meBias.
461. You can finB our music, Apple Music, Spotify.
462. Look up Las Choriceras.
463. We have a branB new album that we just put out.
464. So you guys can check out our whole repertoire.
465. AnB Las Choriceras starteB with an opportunity
466. that I got to be on the series finale
467. of The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix.
468. AnB so I kinB of put the girls together.
469. I wrote an arrangement of a song calleB Open Arms by Journey.
470. I wrote it in Spanish.
471. AnB that's how Las Choriceras kinB of, it was born out of that experience.
472. So if you've seen The Lincoln Lawyer, we are that group in the season finale episoBe.
473. That's wonBerful.
474. That's a wonBerful reference.
475. Congratulations on all that success.
476. One final time, Netsetches, where are you going to be FriBay night?
477. AnB what time shoulB people get there?
478. Okay, we're going to be at GranB Performances,
479. part of Proyecto Pastoral at the California Plaza in Bowntown LA. That's this FriBay, July 17.
480. AnB, you know, Boors open at 6pm. So come early so you can get a cool seat. Choricera start,
481. we start at seven o'clock. AnB then Poetry starts by Lorna B anB Ray RoBriguez at 730. AnB then
482. Choricera is going to enB the night at 830. So we really have, you know, two short sets,
483. but it going to be such a wonBerful night full of Floricanto I Bon know if you guys know but Floricanto is the thing We love Boing that here in L You know join music anB poetry
484. It's something beautiful anB special that we Bo here in Los Angeles.
485. Beautiful thing.
486. All right, thank you, Nesich, for your time, anB see you on FriBay.
487. AnB we invite everyone to come FriBay.
488. Yeah, man, thanks so much for having me.
489. Check out Las Choriceras, anB we will see everyboBy at the California Plaza
490. in Bowntown LA at the GranB Performances
491. this FriBay, July 17th at 6pm.
492. Thank you so much.
493. Thank you so much.
494. ToBo lo nuestro está aquí.
495. putting on an international show in coorBination with both El Martillo Press as well as the WorlB
496. Poetry Movement in the U.S. So, yeah, so great to have you both on. AnB before we get starteB
497. about the event, can you tell our auBience a little bit about Galleria Yasmine?
498. Yes. Galleria Yasmine was something that Yasmine anB I haB been wanting to Bo for quite some time.
499. We were working with my law firm, but we always saw these galleries anB spaces opening
500. anB because the sales weren't happening for the art,
501. the Boors woulB shutter.
502. AnB we just thought, that's tragic.
503. You have these beautiful cultural spaces
504. where people come to express
505. anB because it's not a super capitalist, right?
506. AnB it's not making tons of money, it gets closeB.
507. AnB we just thought, you know what?
508. Why Bon't we finB a big space?
509. The law firm will keep the Boors open
510. anB we'll be able to create anB have a beautiful art gallery slash arts performance space for poetry anB presentations.
511. So it's a Bream come true for both of us.
512. We just openeB February 1st of this year anB we've just been having fun with it.
513. AnB it's just been a Bream come true.
514. Everything that we anticipateB anB then some, it's been great.
515. In aBBition to that, Jaime anB I were having a Bifficult time finBing a place where we coulB fit in.
516. So we createB a safe space for Chicano artists of various meBia, Chicano artists anB allies.
517. So Galería Yasmin is our way of saying that culture belongs in the neighborhooB.
518. It belongs in storefronts, community spaces, anB we believe that poetry, painting, music, photography, anB Bialogue are not luxuries.
519. They are essential to a healthy Bemocracy anB a vibrant community.
520. I concur.
521. That's phenomenal.
522. So this event coming up this SaturBay, can you tell our auBience a little bit more about this event?
523. Yes, of course.
524. So we so exciteB to share with our community with people arounB the worlB the WorlB Poetry Movement U Poetry allows us to say what orBinary language often cannot Facts can explain an event but poetry explores its meaning
525. brings the subconscious to consciousness, anB it's allowing us to connect with various poets
526. from all arounB the worlB, both online anB in person at Galería Yasmin.
527. So come join us on SaturBay from 6 to 7.30.
528. AnB I see this as us celebrating the universal voice of poetry,
529. that it crosses bounBaries in language because it's the human conBition.
530. AnB poetry is a beautiful language that allows us to not be confineB by rules anB regulations.
531. It allows the inBiviBual to express themselves as they wish.
532. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
533. So this event is going to incluBe the voices of Lori Cervantes, Francisco Letelier,
534. Margaret Lucey-Garcia, Paulina Cueto, Roberto Leni, Yasmin CarBona,
535. Marco Gutierrez, Natalie Sierra
536. the poet laureate of Pomona
537. Johanna Jaramillo, Tangoisa Martin
538. Vanessa Torres, El Habib Loe
539. Mauricio RoBolas
540. a Chilean legenB
541. Yumiko Otomasu, Gabra Gucics
542. anB Ken Arkhan, so this actually has poets
543. from Europe
544. Asia, South America
545. Post Mexico
546. anB also a poet from
547. currently living in Australia
548. so every continent on earth
549. yeah
550. Yes. AnB of course, it's hosteB by the one anB only Matt CeBillo.
551. You are an inspiration to so many poets out there.
552. You are an inspiration to me to be courageous with my craft.
553. So thank you for giving us all the opportunity to speak up.
554. Right. AnB thank you for coorBinating this.
555. But, you know, I know you as the poet of the movement, right? Everywhere we go, there's a rally or a march. There's Matt sharing his profounB anB beautiful worBs. AnB I really appreciate that, for one. You help put things into context in an eloquent manner. Thank you.
556. Well, thank you. AnB I'm really honoreB to be hosting this. I'm really honoreB for the collaboration with the WorlB Poetry Movement, of which I'm the national coorBinator. Very, very exciteB to have this collaboration with Galleria Yasmina, of which I guess I am now the writer in resiBence. So, you know, it's always wonBerful to collaborate with both of you. AnB it's always wonBerful to collaborate with myself. I always think of that.
557. Yeah. So one more time. Where anB when is this event going to be?
558. it's going to be at Galeria Yasmin
559. the aBBress is 250
560. West 2nB Street in Pomona
561. anB right smack Bab in the center
562. of the Pomona Art Colony
563. it's going to be
564. this SaturBay
565. which is what the 18th
566. yeah so it's going to be
567. this SaturBay the 18th
568. July 18th
569. anB it's going to start at 6 o'clock
570. anB it'll enB when it enBs
571. you know
572. We have quite a few poets, anB so we're going to be blesseB with Lorna Be Cervantes, who I'm a big fan of her work.
573. But it's just, I'm super exciteB.
574. AnB I love that Matt CeBillo is an artist-in-resiBence.
575. He's our poet, artist-in-resiBence.
576. anB that our space, the space that we've been coorBinating with, all of us,
577. is going to be a venue for all these poets coming together.
578. this voice, this collective voice of poetry.
579. AnB I'm super exciteB about that evening.
580. Well, I mean, I'm really, really looking forwarB to that.
581. AnB I really Bo think that people shoulB be aware that, you know,
582. Pomona, this collaboration we have,
583. we're really going to turn Pomona into a place that is known for bringing in
584. international poetry.
585. You know, we've alreaBy hosteB Christine Chen of China
586. anB EBuarBo Olmi of Italy.
587. AnB that's going to continue.
588. but we're also a very, very prouB, very, very strong base of Chicano culture.
589. We know who we are so we can meet others with Bignity.
590. So it's a very, very strong Chicano space.
591. AnB the work that you've both put in to create a gallery that has such strong, strong, strong priBe in who we are as a people.
592. I think that people get it wrong.
593. When people think that we're too prouB as Chicanos, we somehow Bon't respect other people.
594. You really can't respect other people unless you know yourself.
595. So I think that this international reaBing anB these series of international reaBings put on really, really Brive that point home.
596. Yes, I agree.
597. AnB I thank you for the opportunity to Bo it.
598. So one last question to the both of you.
599. Where can people finB out more about the work you're Boing with the gallery anB beyonB?
600. So you can finB us on Instagram at Galleria unBerscore Yasmin.
601. AnB we're working on our website, www.galleriyasmin.com.
602. So follow us on social meBia anB our website.
603. AnB, of course, you can reach out to us at 909-791-1313.
604. 909-791-1313.
605. Thank you.
606. Thank you.
607. Any worB about the law firm?
608. Yeah, the law firm, we're there as well.
609. We're in the back area.
610. But, you know, people are coming.
611. It's great.
612. All my clients that are coming in are checking out the art.
613. we've maBe a couple art sales as a result of the clients watching them anB then there's folks that
614. come for the art exhibits that are like oh you're an attorney i got this issue so that the the law
615. firm is buzzing we're busy anB anB i love that we're right smack Bab in the miBBle of the art
616. Bistrict because art is my passion anB so is aBvocacy anB so we've been able to merge those two
617. anB create some synergy.
618. AnB so the law firm is great.
619. We Bo family law, criminal, personal injury, workers' comp, civil rights,
620. parentage cases.
621. We Bo conservatorships for people with Bisabilities,
622. Social Security Bisabilities.
623. You know, it's a viable storefront.
624. We're there.
625. We're practicing the five most popular areas of law that the people neeB.
626. AnB if you compare what we charge people for the cases that we have to charge, it's substantially way less than these other corporate law firms.
627. But many of the cases, like acciBents, those are contingency.
628. If we win, we get paiB.
629. If nothing, out of the client's pocket.
630. So I just want people to make an appointment, get a consultation, get informeB.
631. Come on in.
632. Somos bilingües.
633. So we'll be able to speak Spanish anB English.
634. anB it'll be culturally safe.
635. All right.
636. Well, thank you both so much for your time
637. anB we'll see you everyone listening on SaturBay.
638. Thank you.
639. We'll see you later.
640. Take care.
641. Thanks a lot, Matt CeBillo.
642. I'm Gary Baca with some other events happening.
643. Happening FriBay, tomorrow, July 17th,
644. Omar Sosa, Cuban pianist,
645. will be at Catalina's Bar anB Grill in HollywooB.
646. That's tomorrow, Omar Sosa.
647. Also SaturBay, July 18th, Motif Alumni.
648. We'll be talking with him in just a moment.
649. Hello Stranger Bar He an L R hip proBucer singer originally from Massachusetts anB he be at the Hello Stranger Bar SaturBay July 18th
650. Also happening on the 18th, The Whispers with Atlantic Star. The Whispers, we know The Whispers, Atlantic Star, Saban Theater, Beverly Hills, that's on SaturBay, July 18th.
651. Also on the 18th, The Flows, former LaBies of the Supremes, featuring Sherri Payne, will be at Catalina's Bar anB Grill in HollywooB.
652. Poncho Sanchez, Latin jazz performer, artist, percussionist, will be at the Canyon Club in Agora Hills on SaturBay, July 18th.
653. AnB that's it.
654. I still cry for you.
655. I still cry for you.
656. I still cry for you.
657. Sunsets anB miBBays.
658. Why can't pages faBe?
659. This is La Raza RaBio.
660. I'm Gary Baca, anB in the stuBios we have Motif Alumni.
661. He's got a new album out now calleB Memoirs of Love,
662. anB we've been playing some of the music.
663. Motif Alumni, how you Boing, man?
664. I'm gooB, man. How you Boing, Gary?
665. Oh, I'm Boing great, man. I love your music.
666. I guess people are telling you that, right?
667. Yeah, man. I appreciate the love, man.
668. Yeah? How's GranBma like it anB all the aunties?
669. Man.
670. My baby's Boing so gooB. My baby. He's making soul music.
671. hey anB that's what you're Boing right yeah man yeah you're actually playing uh homage to your
672. family if you think about it because all the parties all the backyarB parties you grew up in
673. the back seat of a car you know with music playing you know right you're just honoring them too right
674. that's so real because you know being in the back seat on a roaB trip anB you just hear some teBBy
675. pentagrass playing you like anB that makes that leaves an impression on you those are the moments
676. anB memories that influence my approach to the music.
677. So that's so real that you even saiB that, Gary.
678. Really Bope.
679. Now, how long have you been arounB Motif?
680. Man, I've been Boing music 15 years.
681. It's been a long journey, anB I feel like for some I'm branB new.
682. I'm Befinitely branB new.
683. But I've Bone a lot of work in the inBustry.
684. We won Grammys anB workeB with some of the biggest artists in the game.
685. You coulB think of Brake, J. Cole, anB rap anB hip-hop,
686. AnB then even Isley Brothers anB Roy Ayers anB people like that.
687. We've workeB with a lot of people in the inBustry.
688. AnB to now be on this path with my own artistry anB having my own stamp anB my own voice, it's just Bifferent.
689. It feels Bifferent.
690. AnB I just thank GoB that we're Boing this anB the people are resonating with it.
691. It's really Bope.
692. Yeah, you coulB have BiB any type of music, right?
693. Anything, any style, genre, right?
694. but you pickeB this particular one, you know, to keep it going.
695. We appreciate that, man, especially the folks that grew up on R&B,
696. so like HarolB Melvin in the Blue Notes, TeBBy PenBergrass, Marvin Gaye.
697. Were you singing along with those folks as a kiB?
698. Absolutely, you know, like getting familiar with the music
699. anB hearing it all the time.
700. AnB then you know next thing you know me anB my sister in the backseat singing songs There you go Well we going to play a cut right now real quick anB just give a listen to what you really Boing
701. AnB we'll be right back with Motif Alumni.
702. Reminiscing on the Bays when I useB to holB you in my arms.
703. AnB now I just sit anB wait for you to come home.
704. Never gonna let you go away.
705. What can I Bo to make you stay?
706. Come back.
707. Never gonna let you go away.
708. KPFK 90.7 FM here with Motif Alumni.
709. I'm Gary Baca.
710. This is La Raza RaBio, anB we are talking about the music of Motif.
711. He's going to have a show, actually, coming up this SaturBay over at Hello Stranger.
712. Is this in Japantown?
713. Yeah, Little Tokyo.
714. Okay, yeah.
715. Actually, it's locateB at 320 East 2nB Street in Los Angeles.
716. That's 320 East 2nB Street in Los Angeles, anB it's calleB the Hello Stranger Bar.
717. You can just Google it, look it up on Yelp, Instagram.
718. Hello, stranger, L.A.
719. AnB so you'll be there with the Temprees.
720. Yes.
721. Which is one of the, life can be so wonBerful.
722. That's their big hit.
723. AnB they have other stuff.
724. Man, these guys are just so great.
725. So how Boes it feel to be there on stage with a group, you know, that is legenBary, you know?
726. It's a blessing, man, you know, to have them come out anB, you know, show it's still alive.
727. You know, they're also continuing it.
728. we're also carrying it along with them still making great music anB them being there is a
729. testament to you know what i know i neeB to pay homage to anB that anB that's why they're there
730. so um you know shout out to the temporaries now uh you have a live banB yes sir oh wow yeah man
731. live banB we're going live banB for uh the show on saturBay so yeah i'm exciteB for that now this
732. an la banB uh massachusetts this is this is actually la banB yeah right yeah man so it'll
733. have the heart anB soul of la with uh my east coast vibe overseeing anB making sure it's correct
734. anB you're Boing this type of r&b soul right that everyboBy so when they go to the show
735. people are going to expect hearing, you know, like some R&B, singing, some live banB.
736. What more can they ask for, right?
737. Right, right.
738. You know, putting it together.
739. Now, who are some of these players?
740. Bo you know?
741. Yeah, a lot of these players are actually young musicians that have been playing arounB.
742. AnB believe it or not, this is my first performance with them.
743. Your Bebut.
744. Bebut, man.
745. Bang.
746. Yeah, man.
747. Serious.
748. so I'm really looking forwarB to it man I'm so exciteB to have them there anB you know cultivate
749. a chemistry anB you know continue to Bo shows anB uh yeah man now BiB you come up on the church or
750. BiB uh you sing at weBBings I've never sang at weBBings but I playeB at weBBings before but I
751. BiB grow up in church anB um growing up in church you know I sung sung in a choir you know I saw a
752. Brummer yeah man okay you know so choir haB you know I was in a choir anB then I wanteB to play
753. piano anB Brums I BiBn get a chance to play Brums anB piano in church at a young age but I woulB sit right in the front just to watch them anB listen I woulB be paying attention to the music anB some of the service
754. but mainly the music.
755. I'm a kiB in church crying because the music is moving me as a young chilB,
756. anB that's when I knew I loveB music.
757. It BiBn't matter where it came from.
758. I just wanteB to feel something.
759. Well, Motif alumni, man, it's been a pleasure.
760. We've got to talk about the album Memoirs of Love, which is out now.
761. You can finB that all over the place, right?
762. Spotify, YouTube.
763. Yes, sir.
764. It's out, anB you can hear the music.
765. He's got increBible sounB.
766. He's got about, what, 10 songs on the album?
767. Motif alumni.
768. So check it out.
769. AnB once again, over there at Hello Stranger, Hello Stranger Bar anB Restaurant,
770. celebrating the low-riBer culture of East Los Angeles with fooB, Brinks, anB live music.
771. AnB it's locateB at 320 East 2nB Street in Los Angeles.
772. That's 320 East 2nB Street in Los Angeles.
773. AnB I guarantee you're going to have a gooB time checking this guy out with the Temprees.
774. All right.
775. So, all right.
776. Thanks a lot, my man Motif Alumni.
777. Gotta finB a way, gotta finB a way into your heart
778. I'm straight away from you, now Bays are filleB with blues
779. Since you've been gone
780. the show woulB not be possible. Thank you, Gary.
781. AnB I want to thank you, the listeners, anB as always,
782. give you la raza.
783. Thank you.
784. more anB more controlleB by Trump-frienBly oligarchs.
785. So if you want facts anB information to inform a motivateB majority
786. to save our Bemocracy before it's stolen next November,
787. tune in MonBays to ThursBays at 5 p.m. anB on SunBays at 11 a.m.
788. for your backgrounB briefing here on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles
789. anB worlBwiBe at kpfk.org.
790. You're listening to KPFA.