Celebrate Latino Heritage Month in LA

An extension of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, LA Plaza Cocina is the nation’s first museum and teaching kitchen dedicated to Mexican and Mexican American culinary arts.

Pozole, mole and flan - these are the foods of sustenance, of enjoyment, and for a tragic number of Mexican families, the foods that remind them of loved ones who have disappeared.

Now on view through November 19, Recetario para la memoria (Memory Recipe Book) is based on the favorite recipes of people who disappeared in Mexico and preserved in two cookbooks by Zahara Gómez Lucini about families dedicated to searching for and remembering their loved ones. The exhibition features 15 large-scale photographs taken by the Spanish-Argentinian photographer, along with accompanying text and graphics

Plaza de la Raza presents a special exhibition by the printmaking collective Los Siete at the Boathouse Gallery, now on view through September 29. Initiated by printmaker and Plaza de la Raza teaching artist Pavel Acevedo, the exhibition features work by Los Angeles printmakers along with work by Los Siete, a diverse collective of large-scale relief printmakers from across the country who are interested in pushing boundaries in printmaking techniques, education and community engagement.

Located on Level 2 of the ongoing Stories of Cinema exhibition, the gallery devoted to Lourdes Portillo highlights the life and career of a truly remarkable documentarian. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, Portillo’s work has focused on themes of identity and social justice in both the U.S. and Latin America. A filmmaker since 1979, her significant works include Las Madres: The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo; La Ofrenda: The Days of the Dead; The Devil Never Sleeps; and 2001’s Senorita Extraviada/Missing Young Woman, all of which are represented in this important exploration of her contribution to documentary film.

Alfredo Boulton was one of the most important intellectuals of the 20th century in Latin America and a seminal photographer of the modern period. Through his body of work, Boulton generated a new cultural definition of Venezuela.

Now on view at the Getty Center through Jan. 7, 2024, Alfredo Boulton: Looking at Venezuela, 1928–1978 explores Boulton’s photography, his relationships with modern artists, and his influence on the formalization of art history in his country.

Every Thursday during the exhibition's run (except November 23 and December 28), visitors can take a free one-hour gallery tour that provides an in-depth view of Alfredo Boulton's photography, relationships with modern artists, and influence on art history in Venezuela. Arrive 15 minutes early to secure your spot in the Research Institute lobby.

In association with East West Players, Latino Theater Co. presents the world premiere of Tacos La Brooklyn. Written by Joel Ulloa and directed by Fidel Gomez, Tacos La Brooklyn follows Chino, a young and ambitious Korean American who grew up in a foster family in LA's Eastside, as he hopes to grow his successful taco stand, “Chino’s Underground Tacos,” into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. When Yesenia Tapia, a Mexican American social media influencer, accuses Chino of cultural appropriation and pandering to a gentrifying neighborhood, he must convince the community of his cultural authenticity in a multi-faceted and complicated city. A multilingual drama, Tacos La Brooklyn asks captivating questions about cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation in contemporary multi-ethnic Los Angeles.

La Plaza de Cultura y Artes honors the fall equinox with Acorns & Oak Galls, a dye workshop that will focus on the beautiful browns and dark purples offered to us by the land here in Tovaangar. Participants will create their own altar centerpiece for use during Dia de los Muertos.

This workshop is presented by Meztli Projects, an Indigenous based arts & culture collaborative centering Indigeneity into the creative practice of Los Angeles by using arts-based strategies to support, advocate for, and organize to highlight Native and Indigenous Artists and systems-impacted youth.

Taking place at La Plaza Cocina on Saturday, September 23, Chilaquiles y Salsa Roja will be led by chef Wendy Centeno of Guayaba Kitchen, who will teach students how to prepare a traditional rancho breakfast: chilaquiles en salsa roja (red salsa) and frijoles (beans) with café de olla.

In this free cooking demo at La Plaza Cocina, learn how to make simple and easy plant-based tacos made with cauliflower and jackfruit - ideal for a quick weeknight meal, or a great way to feed plenty of friends and family for a gathering.

On Saturday, September 23, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts La Junta 10th Anniversary: A Celebration of Afro Latin Music and Culture.

La Junta resident selectors Degruvme, Yukicito, Miz HoneyP and Glenn Red – whose respective ethnic heritages begin in Mexico, Japan and the Philippines – together create a rich pastiche of tropical dance music celebrated for its unique balance of vintage and cutting edge sounds. Live performances by Nadia Calmet & Chacambo, Taller Bula and Volcan; DJ sets by La Junta Sound System and guests Que Madre (Chulita Vinyl Club), Ethos (Subsuelo) and Fresko (Listen Recovery).

This FREE evening of rhythms, food, artisan vendors and cocktails will be a night of big smiles and even bigger dance moves!

Numerous branches of the LA Public Library are hosting Latinx Heritage Month events. On Saturday, September 30, the landmark Central Library in Downtown LA presents a full day of family-friendly activities, including a Photo Booth with Center Theatre Group, Diaspora: Mapping Our Journey by John Ildefonso, Hands-on Screen Printing with Self Help Graphics, Spanish Storytime, Talavera Tile Keepsake Boxes, Music Time with Lucky Diaz, Food Demo With Ericka Sanchez, Paleta Extravaganza With LACMA, "The Exoneration of El Maestro" and much more.

La Plaza Cocina presents K’orundas Tamales with Salsa y Crema, a hands-on class about making K’orundas, a traditional tamal-like dish made in Michoacan, Mexico.

During this 2.5-hour session, participants will learn how to season and prepare masa dough for K’orundas; how to use the leaf blade of the corn plant to wrap the star-shaped tamal; and how to make a tomato-based salsa that is commonly paired with them.

The class will be led by Marlene Aguilar, founder of IREKUARHIKUA, the food project that aims to offer seasonally-inspired, affordable plant-based meals while highlighting the resilience of indigenous foods.

Released in 1987, Linda Ronstadt’s GRAMMY Award winning Mariachi album, Canciones de Mi Padre led to a renaissance of Mariachi music in the United States. The album has since become the biggest selling non-English language album in American record history, and has been inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame.

On Saturday, September 30, a stellar lineup of LA-grown Ranchera artists will reimagine Ronstadt’s landmark album at The Ford, including: Lupita Infante, granddaughter of beloved artist Pedro Infante; singer-songwriter Doris Anahí, founder of Solidarity for Sanctuary; Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas and El Gallo Dez.

LA native Lorely Rodriguez, best known as Empress Of, is a Honduran American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. Empress Of is genre-transcendent, collaborating with Top 40 pop artists like Khalid, cultural icons like Blood Orange, psychedelic Lewis OfMan, DJ legend Boyz Noise and many more.

She is currently on tour in support of her latest EP, Save Me and will be performing at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever on Wednesday, October 4. Tickets on sale at TicketWeb.

The origins of the flour tortilla come with the arrival of wheat with the Spanish. Wheat easily grew plentiful in northern Mexico and eventually became the tortilla of choice for the region. Led by chef and historian, Maite Gomez-Rejón, Sabor Al Norte: Flour Tortillas will teach attendees how to make flour tortillas - once you make them from scratch, you’ll never buy store-bought tortillas again!

Al Sur de la Frontera brings together traditional music from the Sierra Zapoteca of Oaxaca with experimental electronica and performance art. The concert features the Oaxacan LA-based Maqueos Music youth philharmonic band, multidisciplinary artist Dorian Wood, indigenous trilingual Mixtec rapper Una Isu, Latina coloratura Soprano Maria Elena Altany, Chicano “futuristic laser gangster bass” electronic musician Baseck, multi-instrumentalist and conductor Yulissa Maqueos, and the Mexican extreme vocalist and interdisciplinary artist Carmina Escobar.

The Academy Museum’s Drop-In Tours are public drop-in style gallery conversations that happen 1–3pm on Friday afternoons. Created by the Education and Public Engagement team, they offer free-admission opportunities to explore the Museum’s ongoing Stories of Cinema core exhibition that presents diverse, international, and complex stories of significant moviemakers and their works.

In October, Drop-In Tours will spotlight Latinx voices in film, with Museum educators exploring films and filmmakers such as documentarian Lourdes Portillo (see above) and the scripts of Aurora Guerrero’s award-winning Mosquita y Mari.

Now in its 8th year, the Olvera Street Muertos Artwalk will feature more than 30 local artists selling original artwork, clothing, jewelry, face painting and more. Taking place on Saturday, October 7 from 10am to 7pm, the Muertos Art Walk will bring together artists from the greater Los Angeles community and create awareness for the work being done by the Olvera Street Merchants Association Foundation (OSMAF) to keep cultural traditions alive in Los Angeles.

Calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) are used during Día de los Muertos as decorative and edible offerings for those who have passed away. Led by pastry chef Norma Salazar, Hecho con Amor: Sugar Skulls will teach students about these traditional treats and then decorate them with icing y mas (and more)!

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC) presents Qué lo Qué, a celebration of Dominican art, heritage and culture. Enjoy an exclusive pop-up art exhibition and discussion with artists on how their heritage connects with their art. Moderator and panelists TBA.

Taking place at Plaza de la Raza, the 13th annual El Velorio celebrates the cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos, featuring an art exhibition, live music, an altar Installation and much more. Centered on the theme "Tribute to Fallen Female Icons," El Velorio features headlining performances by La Diabla and DeCalifornia; El Meneaito DJ crew, DJ OSKR, Viclasos motorcycle show, fashion show by Loretta Vampz and Aztec dancers by El General Lazaro Arvizu. 21 and over, tickets on sale at Eventbrite.

Founded by Jose Vences in September 2003, Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company commemorates its 20th anniversary by celebrating the splendor of Mexican folk dance. The program will feature a variety of works like La Marimba del Sureste - a collage of pieces from the regions of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tabasco - as well as the Los Angeles premiere of the Dia de Muertos suite. Come and be part of the festivities as they return to The Ford for an incredible night filled with fan favorites from the last 20 years and the debut of new pieces, showcasing Mexico's grandeur - La Grandeza Mexicana.

Time travel through the different eras of Argentine Tango from its origins to the present. In this stunning new production by Fabrizio Mocata and GD Tango, Tango music and dance are mixed with humor, parodies, and heartfelt performances from a multidisciplinary cast. Audiences will be thrilled at the charm and charisma of the ensemble’s movements and the intensity of its music.

NOTE: This event is part of the family-friendly LA Soundscapes series, which includes a pre-concert activity and participatory artmaking. Gate time is 9am, don't forget your sunscreen and sun hats!