A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound is a multi-media exhibition that explores the dynamic musical influences of East Los Angeles artists who developed an eclectic musical identity and history. Against all odds, East L.A. artists created a rich musical tradition that became well known all over the world in the twentieth century and into the present. The exhibition centers on the portraits and oral histories of musicians taken by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Piero F. Giunti. For over a decade, Giunti in partnership with musician Mark Guerrero located, photographed, and recorded the testimonies of iconic multigenerational musicians and genres that defined Eastside sound and extended well beyond the streets of Los Angeles. The exhibition is co-curated by Piero F. Giunti, award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Dr. Jorge N. Leal, Professor of History, UC Riverside (UCR), and curatorial advisor Mark Guerrero, in collaboration with LA Plaza’s Curatorial Department: Karen Crews Hendon, Esperanza Sanchez, Carolyn Lopez, and Thomas Rosenquist.
Giunti’s portraits are accompanied with over 500 one-of-a-kind objects that include photography, musical albums and instruments, music flyers, music posters, stage costumes, fan-wear, manuscripts and lyrics, band t-shirts, music awards, publications, art, and videos. Other ephemera will display rare photos of Ritchie Valens, a presidential medal given to Lalo Guerrero, and La Bamba’s first film script, which featured songs and appearances by Los Lobos, arguably the most prominent band that emerged from East L. A.
Website: https://pierofgiunti.portfoliobox.net/agreatdayineastla
Top Image:
Row 1: Mickey Lespron – El Chicano, Teresa Covarrubias –The Brat, Brenton Wood.
Row 2: Cesar Castro – Cambalache, Mezklah, Alice Bag – The Bags
Row 3: Ollin, Olmeca, Stars at Night
Bottom Image:
Row 1: Mickey Stevenson, Los Lobos, Los Illegals
Row 2: Linda Ronstadt, Aztlan Underground, Trini Lopez
Row 3: Maseo Hernandez, La Santa Cecilia, NK Riot