LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is pleased to continue our tradition of presenting the best of Los Angeles Latinx history, art and culture with En Casa con LA Plaza. Register on Zoom using the links below. Guests can also view live-streamed Sessions on our Facebook page.
View past sessions: 2022 | 2021 | 2020
Dan Guerrero Holiday Happy Hour with guest Leticia Rhi Buckley, LA Plaza CEO
Thursday, December 15 | 7pm PT
Register to view on Zoom | Watch on Facebook Live
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes CEO Leticia Rhi Buckley joins Dan Guerrero on our special Holiday Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The daughter of Mexican immigrants is described by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis as “steeped in community, equity and arts.” Indeed, the East LA native has more than 30 years’ experience with local cultural, arts, communications and entertainment organizations. Buckley will be joined by La Plaza staff members for a behind-the-scenes look at the museum and cultural center that may surprise you. And all will be done up in a bright red ribbon of holiday cheer and merriment.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with guest Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx,
Artistic Director, Los Angeles LGBT Center
Thursday, January 19 | 7pm PT
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The new Artistic Director of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center in Hollywood joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live-streamed conversations. Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx was most recently Director of Cultural Programming at A Noise Within Theatre in Pasadena and is also a highly acclaimed stage director. The millennial arts leader has served on the Latinx Theatre Commons National Advisory Committee and on grant panels for the California Arts Council and the LA County Department of Arts and Culture.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Father Gregory Boyle,
Jesuit priest and founder, Homeboy Industries
Thursday, February 9 | 7pm PT
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Father Gregory Boyle guests with Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The Jesuit priest is much admired for the work he has done for homeboys and homegirls since arriving at the Dolores Mission in the late 80s. A native Angeleno, he witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence on his Boyle Heights community and eventually founded Homeboy Industries. It has grown to employ and train former gang members in a vast range of social enterprises providing critical services to thousands of men and women seeking a better life. He wraps it up simply, “We’re in the business of second chances.”
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Susie Garcia, Women-in-Mariachi Pioneer
Thursday, February 23 | 7pm
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Mariachi Mistress Susie Garcia joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of streamed conversations. An early pioneer of the modern all-female mariachi movement in the 90s, Garcia eventually founded Las Colibrí in 2009. The all-string female ensemble continues its mission to preserve the cultural values, heritage and traditions of the Mexican and Mexican-American/Chicano people. When not performing at the Hollywood Bowl or the Anson Ford Theater, the mother of two small children uses her maternal skills working with the next generation of mariachi women through an education program she founded.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Anthony Crespo, Youth Orchestra
of Los Angeles at Torres Program Manager
Thursday, March 9 | 7pm
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Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at Torres Program Manager Anthony Crespo joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live-streamed conversations. The Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles is the music education program of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, serving 1,700 young musicians across five sites in the city. YOLA was inspired by LA Phil’s Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel’s experience with Venezuela’s El Sistema, a youth orchestra movement founded in 1975. YOLA at Torres is nestled on the campus of Esteban E. Torres High School, a performing arts magnet school in East LA. Crespo. Though young in years, he already has an impressive background as an arts administrator having earned an MA in Music Industry Administration from Cal State Northridge in 2018.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Luis C. Garza,
Photojournalist and Curator
Thursday, March 23 | 7pm
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Renown photojournalist and curator Luis C. Garza joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of streamed conversations. Garza has a distinguished career dating back to the early days of the Chicano movement in Los Angeles documenting that tumultuous time for “La Raza” magazine. He later captured Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros in an iconic photograph during an historic meeting in Budapest during a World Peace Conference, a meeting that proved transformational for the Bronx-born Chicano. This platicais not to be missed.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with guest Roberta H. Martinez,
Educator, Historian and Artivist
Thursday, April 6 | 7pm
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Educator, historian and artivist Roberta H. Martinez joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of streamed conversations. Martinez is an expert on the history of the Latino community in Pasadena and serves as Executive Director of Latino Heritage and Chair of the Arts Commission for the City of Pasadena, her long-time home. The Los Angeles native is also a published author, educator and performing artist.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Joey Terrill,
Chicano Queer Artivist
Thursday, April 20 | 7pm
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Visual artist Joey Terrill guests on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The second-generation Angeleno has been painting and making art for more than 35 years. His images are largely autobiographical drawing from his love of pop art, Mexican retablos and cartoons. A brief move to New York triggered feelings of the loss of his queer and Chicano activist communities resulting in his 1981 Chicanos Invade New York Series. Fast forward to 2022 with the series on exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Terrill’s work is currently on view in the “Together in Time: Selections from the Hammer Contemporary Collection” through June.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Gilbert Márquez,
The Art of Making Hats
Thursday, May 4 | 7pm
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Custom hatmaker Gilbert Márquez guests on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. His handmade designs of many styles have adorned heads from London to Mexico City, Japan, and Italy. After years of honing his craft and selling hats out of his garage, the Pachuco Supply Co. studio in Boyle Heights was opened in 2022 by Márquez, his wife Cinthya and his primo Danny Robles. Thanks to the internet, it has established itself as a global force reflecting artistry, craftmanship and Chicano pride through hat making and more.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Alba Franco-Cancel,
Rising Opera Star
Thursday, May 18 | 7pm
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Opera’s rising star Alba Franco-Cancel guests with Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of streamed conversations. Acclaimed for her soaring and bell-like soprano voice, she tours extensively including the 2022 OperaMaya International Music Festival where she performed throughout the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. A native of Puerto Rico, she may be best known locally for her leading role in the mariachi opera Cruzar la Cara de la Luna at the Soraya in Northridge and as resident artist at Opera San Luis Obispo.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with guest Yolanda González,
Chicana Multimedia Artist
Thursday, June 15 | 7pm
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Chicana multimedia artist Yolanda Gonzalez joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. Painting, drawing, printmaking and ceramics all spring from her like a gushing waterfall. It’s all in her DNA. Gonzalez is descended from a family of artists dating back to 1877 as seen in the exhibition Sueño de Familia/Dream of Family at the Vincent Price Art Museum in 2020. It was her artist grandmother that got the eight year-old Gonzalez painting, keeping the family tradition alive.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times Columnist
Thursday, June 29 | 7pm
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Los Angeles Times columnist and wit Gustavo Arellano joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The one-time reporter and editor for the OC Weekly first gained prominence with his popular column ¡Ask a Mexican! and his book “Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America.” The son of Mexican immigrants has garnered numerous awards including the President’s Award from the Los Angeles Press Club and an Impacto Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition. And if you don’t already follow his weekly online newsletter, you will.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Gema Sandoval,
Founder & Artistic Director
of Danza Floricanto/USA
Thursday, July 13 | 7pm
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Founder and artistic director of Danza Floricanto/USA Gema Sandoval joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The Mexican-born and Los Angeles raised artist has devoted her life and career to illuminating her heritage through dance. Sandoval founded her company nearly fifty years ago and has staged works based on the Chicano experience, as well as the traditional regional dances of Mexico. But her company is more than a Mexican folk-dance company. The Boyle Heights-based Floricanto Center for the Performing Arts is an educator of our youth and a much-admired community resource.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Monica Rodriguez,
East LA Weekly Editor with
cameo appearance by Jesus Sanchez,
The Eastsider Publisher
Thursday, July 27 | 7pm
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Veteran journalist and editor of the online newsletter East LA Weekly Monica Rodriguez joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live-streamed conversations. This will be a rare opportunity to learn about the pioneer Latina newswoman who confesses, “I’ve made a point of covering the news and have avoided becoming the news.” The Cal State Long Beach grad has enjoyed a long career in print journalism sitting at news desks from San Diego to Stockton and Pennsylvania before moving online to cover East LA. Cameo appearance by Jesus Sanchez, The Eastsider Publisher
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Laura Diaz,
Award-winning TV Anchor
Thursday, August 10 | 7pm
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Legendary Los Angeles television news journalist, anchor and producer Laura Diaz joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The fourteen-time Emmy Award winner is a true pioneer for women in the industry. Diaz was the only person of color at her first TV news gig in San Luis Obispo fresh out of college at a time when women never did a lead story nor given hard news assignments. She eventually broke barriers becoming the firstLatinato hold a lead anchor position at a Southern California English-language television station. Diaz has seen it all and earned her legendary status.
Encore: Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Father Gregory Boyle,
Jesuit Priest and Founder,
Homeboy Industries
Thursday, August 31 | 7pm
Register to view on Zoom | Watch on Facebook Live
Father Gregory Boyle guests with Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live-streamed conversations. The Jesuit priest is much admired for the work he has done for homeboys and homegirls since arriving at the Dolores Mission in the late 80s. A native Angeleno, he witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence on his Boyle Heights community and eventually founded Homeboy Industries. It has grown to employ and train former gang members in a vast range of social enterprises providing critical services to thousands of men and women seeking a better life. He wraps it up simply, “We’re in the business of second chances.”
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Betto Arcos, Music Journalist
Thursday, September 14 | 7pm
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Music journalist, radio personality and author Betto Arcos joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The native of Veracruz, Mexico is an expert on global music with a strong focus on Latin America. A popular radio voice over the years from KPFK to NPR and BBC Radio 3, he shares his favorite music with a serving of great story telling and his book “Music Stories from the Cosmic Barrio” has become a must-read for music fans.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Sandra Valls, Comic,
Actor and Badass
Thursday, October 19 | 7pm
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Comic, actor, singer, writer, and self-proclaimed badass Sandra Valls joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of streamed conversations. She has guested on every major TV stand-up show and stars annually on stage in The Latina Christmas Special both locally at LATC and in a successful New York run. When not performing or writing, the Laredo, Texas native is a passionate Human Rights Activist.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Marisa Ronstadt,
Singer and Songwriter
Thursday, December 7 | 7pm
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Singer, songwriter and music producer Marisa Ronstadt guests on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The Arizona native has made her own mark in the entertainment world through talent and tenacity while continuing the legacy of her famous family name. No surprise Marisa grew up with music ranging from R&B/soul, rock and mariachi while being influenced by The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Pedro Infante and Lola Beltran. She was singing and performing by age seven and has never stopped. The lady has captured audiences everywhere from the legendary Teatro Metropolitano in Mexico City to the John Anson Ford theatre here in Los Angeles working with everyone from Quetzal Flores and Martha Gonzalez to Los Lobos.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with guests Louie Perez
and Linda Ronstadt
Thursday, December 21 | 7pm
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Music Man Louie Perez joins Dan Guerrero for a very special Holiday Happy Hour. One of the founding members of Los Lobos is still front and center rocking it with the legendary group from East LA. Ah, the tour stories. But when away from the glare of the spotlight, Louie enjoys the quiet time painting and being a family man. And joining the conversation that is sure to include favorite Christmas memories, the great Linda Ronstadt, who will share one of her own. Kick off the holidays with Louie, Linda and Dan. First broadcast on December 18, 2020.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Debi Gutierrez, Funny Lady
Thursday, January 11 | 7pm
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Funny lady Debi Gutierrez joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The self-described “mommy comic” started her stand-career later than most but wasted no time in headlining in Vegas and piling up TV guest appearances. Audiences wanted more Debi so she added Blogger to her resume. Not even the pandemic could not stop her. The laugh-maker and ex-marine hubby produced a popular web series Cooking with Debi streamed from their real home kitchen. Don’t miss the Unstoppable Debi Gutierrez.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Carlos Avila, Veterano Filmmaker
and Miguel Najera, Veterano Actor
Thursday, January 18 | 7pm
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Veteran film director Carlos Avila joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The award-winning filmmaker made his directing debut with the 2000 release of “Price of Glory” starring Jimmy Smits, Clifton Collins, Jr., and Ron Perlman. Avila later created the PBS series “Foto-Novelas” that earned a Humanitas Prize nomination and is part of the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Television and Radio. The Echo Park native is currently hitting the Film Festival circuit with “The Kill Floor” that features Miguel Najera in a leading role.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Sabina Zuniga Varela,
Award-winning Actress
Thursday, February 8 | 7pm
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Award-winning actress Sabina Zuniga Varela guests with Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The New Mexico-native moves easily from the stage to TV series including American Crime on Netflix, Snowfall on FX and the final season of the long-running CBS drama series Madam Secretary. Stage work is rich in variety from Off-Broadway in Luis Alfaro’s Mojada: A Medea to Culture Clash’s Bordertown Now at the Pasadena Playhouse. And when not playing leading roles in the country’s most prestigious regional theaters, she teaches for the USC School for Dramatic Arts. Varela’s claim of being raised on red and green chile and elk meat must have something to do with her artistic drive.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Joseph Julian Gonzalez,
Celebrated Composer
Thursday, February 22 | 7pm
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Celebrated composer Joseph Julian Gonzalez joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of live streamed conversations. The son of former farm worker parents has seen his works performed at the world’s most prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Basilica of St. Denis in Paris and Disney Hall here in Los Angeles. His Misa Azteca was widely acclaimed when it debuted at the Centro Cultural de Tijuana and the Gloria from Misa Azteca was later performed at the Sydney Opera House in Australia. TV and film credits include the Luis Valdez “La Pastorela” for PBS, Quentin Tarantino’s “Jackie Brown” and “Price of Glory “starring Jimmy Smits.
Dan Guerrero Happy Hour
with Jesus Treviño,
Renowned Filmmaker and Activist
Thursday, March 7 | 7pm
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Renowned writer, filmmaker and Chicano activist Jesus Treviño joins Dan Guerrero on the next Happy Hour of streamed conversations. His TV episodic directing credits include American Playhouse, Law and Order, NYPD Blue and Star Trek: Voyager. The El Paso native was also Co-Executive producer of the PBS documentary series ¡Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement and the acclaimed Showtime series Resurrection Blvd. He wrote and directed Raices de Sangre (Roots of Blood) that was included as one of the 25 most significant films of Latin American Cinema at the International Film Festival of Valladolid, Spain. The multi-award winning Treviño is also a published author and remains active with Latinopia, a video-oriented website on Chicano/Latino history, arts and culture.
Sponsor for En Casa con LA Plaza in December 2022 is Union Pacific Foundation
This project was made possible in part by Kaiser Permanente