¡Viva la Causa! ¡Huelga! ¡Lucha! Learn about the fight for farm labor rights through a celebration of activist and labor leader, César Chávez. Enjoy music and dance, along with art and garden workshops. Guest performers include Folklorico Y Arriba, Folklorico Tierra Blanca and more. Food and beverages will be available for sale.
PROGRAM:
12pm – 4pm: Dj Ani y Sol, workshops and food for sale.
1pm – Speaker Erik Romero, Director of Archives and Exhibits at the National Chavez Center, Grupo Folklorico Y Arriba Mexico
2pm – The Mini Mariachis, The dA Center for the Arts, “The Boy From Mexico…” Storytime & Drawing with Edward Dennis
3pm – Tierra Blanca
4pm – Program ends
WORKSHOPS:
¡Viva la Causa!: Changemaker Posters
Did you know strikes, marches, protests, and boycotts were ways that the United Farm Workers (UFW) made change for farm worker rights? You can be a changemaker, too! Share your message with the world using symbols and stencils to make a poster to share your voice with others.
Sounds of Resilience: Activist Noisemaker
Civil rights activist, Dolores Huerta, is known for her dedication to fighting for justice! “¡Sí, Se Puede! (Yes, We Can!)” is one of the many chants she used to rally farmworkers together and bring attention to the issues that impacted farm workers. Just like Dolores Huerta, you can also bring attention to your fight for change by creating a noise-maker to symbolize your voice! Write your chant on a paper megaphone and make noise for justice!
Sembrando la Causa: Seed Starters
Farmworkers care for and harvest the foods we eat. Learn how to care for your own semillas (seeds) by creating a seed starter in the shape of the United Farm Workers (UFW) eagle symbol. This workshop is facilitated by Urban Gardener and Cocinera, Marlene Aguilar.
Hands-on Cooking Demo: Cactus Salad
In honor of all farmworkers, LA Plaza Cocina de Gloria Molina will host hands-on cooking demos highlighting plant forward recipes. These 30-minute demonstrations are family and budget friendly and will inspire you to get creative en la cocina. Participants will be making their own cactus salad! This workshop will take place at LA Cocina de Gloria Molina.
STORYTIME
“The Boy From Mexico… Storytime & Drawing with Edward Dennis
Join us for an immersive storytime and animation activity led by author and illustrator Edward Dennis. Explore his family history and artistic career as he shares from his recent book “The Boy From Mexico Becomes a Farmworker: Grown Up Luz and His Friends Feed America” (2024).
ACTIVITY BOOKLET – GIVEAWAY
Join us for hands-on workshops and activities throughout the day. Students (Grades TK-12) can pick up an activity booklet at the welcome table and collect a stamp at each workshop and activity area. Collect all stamps and receive a special giveaway!
Giveaway for Youth
“The Boy From Mexico Becomes a Farmworker: Grown up Luz and his Friends Feed America” (2024)
Author & Illustrator: Edward Andres Dennis. Publisher: Mango Publishing.
Synopsis
An agricultural experience, with a special focus on the avocado crop, this book serves a dual purpose: to immerse early readers in a vibrant narrative and illuminate farmworkers’ dedicated efforts in bringing fresh produce to American tables. This book offers a narrative that transcends cultural boundaries and encourages a broader understanding of the diverse contributions to our food industry.
Author
At an early age Edward Andres Dennis always knew he wanted to be an artist. His fondest memories are of his mother reading books to him and watching Reading Rainbow. Day and night Edward was creating something, a doodle, some craft or writing a story in hopes of one day creating a book for children like himself to read. Edward created art through his teenage to adult life working for some of the most prestigious companies. His favorite times have been spent as a Special Education teacher in inner city Phoenix. Edward currently lives between Los Angeles, California and Phoenix, Arizona where he works as a freelance artist. His 2 life goals are to inspire children that look like him and that his children’s books have an impact on youth and how they view the world.
ENTERTAINMENT:
DJ Ani & DJ Sol
Meet DJ Ani & DJ Sol, the Father and “Sun” team that’s turning beats into family traditions. This performances reflect their family language translated into beats. The dance floor becomes an extension of their home, where everyone is welcomed into a celebration of familia, música, and the universal language of beats.
The Mini Mariachis
The dA Center for the Arts, Pomona, participates in the Cesar Chávez Family Day with The Mini Mariachis. The center is a diverse, multidisciplinary, non-profit organization, aiming to enhance the quality of life for the greater Pomona community by educating about and providing opportunities to experience, appreciate, and support the arts through inclusive and healthy community activities.
Y Arriba Mexico
This group was formed in 1999 under the direction of Delia Cortés-Hanlon. Their main objective is to promote one of the many riches that Mexico has, such as our folk dancing. “Y Arriba Mexico” strives to provide all members opportunity to dance with self-confidence and discipline; to honor, respect and celebrate the beauty of Mexican culture through the art of dance.
Tierra Blanca
Tierra Blanca is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the art of music, dance, and theater to the greater Los Angeles area. Serving the community since 2003, TBAC was founded under the firm conviction that arts and culture have the power to break down the invisible barriers that often keep our multicultural community from truly living in harmony. Our mission is to instill in our community a sense of pride, identity, and unity.
SPEAKER:
Erik Romero
As the Director of Archives and Exhibits at the National Chavez Center, Erik Romero is guiding the organization’s effort to preserve and make accessible the primary sources of Cesar and Helen Chavez’s lives.
RESOURCES:
Los Angeles County Registrar
The Wellness Center
ALMA Backyard Farm
FOOD FOR SALE:
Taco Montes
This program is co-presented by the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past Initiative, as part of their National Conversation on Race series.
