LOS ANGELES (April 25, 2025) – LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, in historic downtown Los Angeles, announces an exciting lineup of events to keep Angelenos busy through the summer months. From the rhythms of salsa to hands-on cooking workshops, wine tastings, the Afro-Latino Culture Fest, LOMA Film Festival, a brand-new Milpa Series, and much more, LA Plaza offers a season of culture, music, and community.

Kicking things off, Angelenos are invited on Sunday, April 27, to explore the history behind the modern-day celebration of Cinco de Mayo as part of LA Plaza’s Family Day series. Guests can enjoy live music and dance performances, hands-on art workshops, and food and beverages available for purchase. 

On Friday, May 9, LA Plaza launches its beloved Summer of Salsa Concert Series, held one Friday a month from 6 PM to 11 PM through September. This year’s lineup includes high-energy performances by Rumbankete, The Echo Park Project, Gabrielito y La Verdad, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Conjunto Oye—each joined by one of L.A.’s favorite salsa DJs, DJ Robby. New this year: a beginner-friendly salsa class kicks off each evening. This free, all-ages event invites attendees to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a night of music, dancing, and community. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The Summer of Salsa Concert Series is presented by Mesa Pacific and El Proyecto del Barrio in partnership with Maker’s Mark and PepsiCo.

As part of its gardening experiences, LA Plaza presents the Milpa Series—a hands-on program inspired by the life cycle of the Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash. Participants will deepen their understanding of urban gardening while fostering a balanced and productive ecosystem. Each attendee receives a garden kit that includes a resource book, gloves, tools, and seeds. Led by Marlene Aguilar of Irekuarhikua, the series runs monthly on Saturdays from 1 PM to 3 PM through November. Participants may register for free for the full series or join individual sessions.

In early June, LA Plaza is proud to host the Dolores Huerta 95th Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser, presented by the Dolores Huerta Foundation. This event honors Dolores’ lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and community empowerment while supporting the Foundation’s ongoing mission. For tickets and more information, visit www.doloreshuerta.org. 

On Saturday, June 28, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes unveils its newest exhibition, A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound—a multimedia experience celebrating the rich musical legacy of East Los Angeles. The opening will feature a surprise concert, with additional details to be announced in mid-May.

Gastronomy lovers will also find plenty to enjoy at LA Cocina de Gloria Molina—LA Plaza’s teaching kitchen and event space dedicated to celebrating the flavors and traditions of Mexican and Mexican American cuisine.  

Upcoming intimate classes (20 participants max) include how to make pozole verde (green pozole), mole, sauces using a molcajete, pizza con mole, as well as a Summer Wines tasting. Sessions are led by local chefs and traditional cocineros, including Art Rodriguez, Jonathan Perez (Macheen, El Distrito, and Birote Deli), Jorge Sandoval, Josh Hernandez, Oscar Ochoa (El Machete), and Humberto Raygoza (The Chori-Man). Prices range from $40 to $65 per session.

On Saturday, July 19, LA Plaza will transform into a vibrant, free celebration of Afro-Latino(a)(x) and Caribbean cultures. Guests will enjoy live performances, community art, and a diverse selection of food vendors serving authentic dishes. Access to this festival is free.

Just two weeks later, LA Plaza will host the inaugural Negritude Fest—a six-hour celebration of Afro-diasporic culture that centers queer and femme voices through music, art, food, and community. Admission is also free.

On Saturday, August 9, film lovers will once again gather for the Latinas & Latinos of Mixed Ancestry (LOMA) Film Festival, returning to LA Plaza for a third year, spotlighting emerging voices and honoring outstanding short films that reflect the rich and complex identities at the intersection of Latinx and non-Latinx experiences. Access will be free with RSVP.  

For more information about these events and more, visit www.lapca.org. 

ABOUT LA PLAZA: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a community hub where people gather to celebrate Latinx culture through transformative exhibitions, music, dance, culinary arts, and multigenerational artmaking and storytelling experiences. An anchor cultural institution in Los Angeles County, LA Plaza centers the history of Latinx people in Los Angeles and serves as a living testament to the resilience and contributions of our communities. LA Plaza is a non-profit organization and a Smithsonian affiliate museum. 

PROGRAMMING 

• Cinco de Mayo Family Day 

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 

Sunday, April 27 | 12pm to 4pm | All ages | Free 

Did you know the modern tradition of celebrating Cinco de Mayo started with Latinos in California? Join us in exploring the history of this celebration in Los Angeles. 

• En LA Cocina with Maite Gomez-Rejón

Thursday, May 15 | 6pm to 8pm | Free with RSVP  

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina  

The National Museum of Mexican Art presents the 31st annual Sor Juana Festival, honoring one of Mexico’s greatest writers, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Join culinary historian and ArtBites founder Maite Gomez-Rejón for a delicious evening of cooking, conversation, and tastings as we celebrate one of Mexico’s most iconic figures—Sor Juana. In this unique event, chef Maite Gomez-Rejón will lead a cooking conversation, demonstration, and tasting inspired by Sor Juana's cookbook.

• Making History: Building the National Museum of the American Latino Community Night

Friday, May 16 | 6pm to 9pm | Free

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes

Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes for a FREE, fun-filled evening to celebrate community storytelling and the preservation of family histories. Learn how the National Museum of the American Latino can build a museum that honors the dreams, challenges, and triumphs of U.S. Latinos, elevating our stories within the nation’s narrative. The program will feature hands-on activities and interactive tabling with local community-based organizations. Light bites and refreshments will be available.

• Dolores Huerta 95th Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser 

Friday, June 6 | 7pm to 9pm | Ticketed 

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 

* This is a lease event organized by the Dolores Huerta Foundation  

• Hecho con Amor: Pozole Verde 

Saturday June 7, 2025 | 10am to 12pm | $55 | Ages 18+ 

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina 

In this class, students will explore the green version of green pozole from Guerrero that uses tomatillos, pepitas, and various green herbs. Guest Chef, Art Rodriguez.  

• ¡Jotería! A Cultural Event 

Saturday, June 1 | 2pm to 7pm | Free | All ages 

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 

Join us as we kick-off Pride month with our annual cultural event, Jotería celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Latinx community with DJs, live performances, vendors, food, arts & crafts, resource booths, giveaways, beer garden and more!  

• Sabor a Molcajete y Salsas (Taste to Molcajete and Sauces)   

Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 7pm to 9pm | $55 | Ages 18+ 

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina 

Participants will learn about the origin of the molcajete, how to season it, and how to prepare three authentic salsas using tomatillos, tomatoes, chile de arbol, cascabel and more. Guest Speaker: Sauce-maker, Oscar, from El Machete. 

• "A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound" Exhibition Opening

Saturday, June 28, 2025 | All day 

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 

Enjoy a surprise concert.

• Sabor a Mole (Taste to Mole) | $55 

Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 7pm to 9pm | $55 | Ages 18+ 

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina 

Students will learn tips, techniques, and will be walked through step-by-step in this hands-on mole class. Guest Chef, Jonathan Perez of Macheen and El Distrito and Birote Deli.

• Plática y Prueba: Summer Wines 

Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 7pm to 9pm | $40 | Ages 21+ 

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina 

In this class we will discover what qualities to consider when selecting whites, rose, sparkling and light red wines for your summer celebrations. 

• Afro-Latino Culture Fest 

Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 1pm to 8pm | All ages | Free 

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Afro-Latino(a)(x) and Caribbean cultures with an array of food vendors serving up authentic and delicious dishes. 

• Négritude Fest 

Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 2pm to 8pm | Free | All ages 

Negritude Festival is a six-hour celebration of Afro-diasporic culture, centering queer and femme voices through music, art, food, and community. 

• LOMA Film Festival 

Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 7pm to 9pm | Free | All ages 

The Latinas & Latinos of Mixed Ancestry (LOMA) Film Festival shares the stories of people that embody the intersection of Latinos and non-Latinos.  

• Hecho con Amor – Humberto Raygoza: The Chori-Man 

Thursday, August 14, 2025 | 7pm to 9pm | $65 | Ages 18+ 

Learn all about making artisan chorizo from Chef Humberto Raygoza, a fourth-generation chorizo maker. His hands-on class explores his family’s culinary legacy from Zacatecas, Mexico.  Special guest, Humberto Raygoza: The Chori-Man 

• Hecho con Amor: Mole Pizza with Brooklyn Ave Pizza Company 

Thursday, August 21 | 7pm to 9pm| $55 | Ages 18+ 

In this class, students will learn to make their own dough and create the unique tastes of Mexico using ingredients such as Oaxacan cheese, pickled red onions y más. Guest chefs, Jorge Sandoval and Josh Hernandez. 

MILPA SERIES 

• Milpa 101 Series: Class #3: Growing Phases/Maintenance 

LA Plaza Garden 

Sunday, May 18 | 1pm to 3pm | Free with RSVP | All ages  

• Cooking Class: Milpa to the Table 

Sunday, June 22, 2025 | 1pm to 3pm | Free with RSVP 

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina 

• Milpa Cooking Class: Elote Season 

Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 1pm to 3pm | Free with RSVP 

LA Plaza Garden  

• Milpa Cooking Class: Ripening Urban Milpa 

Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 1pm to 3pm | Free with RSVP 

LA Plaza Garden 

• Milpa Cooking Class: Harvest Celebration 

Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 1pm to 3pm | Free with RSVP 

LA Plaza Garden 

SUMMER OF SALSA CONCERT SERIES 

Free salsa dance class takes place from 6pm to 7pm by Dancing 101 with Roberto. Bring your own chair. Food available for sale. 

• Summer of Salsa: Rumbankete featuring Super DJ Robby  

Friday, May 9 | 6pm to 11pm | Free | All ages 

• Summer of Salsa: The Echo Park Project featuring Super DJ Robby 

Friday, June 13 | 6pm to 11pm | Free | All ages 

• Summer of Salsa: Gabrielito y La Verdad featuring Super DJ Robby 

Friday, July 11 | 6pm to 11pm | Free | All ages 

• Summer of Salsa: Arsenio Rodriguez Project featuring Super DJ Robby 

Friday, August 8 | 6pm to 11pm | Free | All ages 

• Summer of Salsa:  Conjunto Oye featuring Super DJ Robby 

Friday, September 12 | 6pm to 11pm | Free | All ages 

* Summer of Salsa is presented by Mesa Pacific, El Proyecto del Barrio, in partnership with Maker’s Mark and PepsiCo