Category: Cultural

Feb. 11 — 2017 Arcade Poetry Series — Alicia Morris Soto and Nancy-Jean Pement at the Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard

OXNARD — 2017 Arcade Poetry Series — Alicia Morris Soto and Nancy-Jean Pement at the Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard on Saturday, Feb. 11. Upcoming events: March 18 Christopher Buckley and Sara Borjas April  8  Lauren Henley & Jonathan Maule with Zayan…

Jan. 21 — Acuña Art Gallery and Cultural Center/ Cafe on A to hold free community art workshop

The Acuña Art Gallery and Cultural Center/ Cafe on A will be hosting a free community art workshop on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of building healthy communities through the…

Jan. 26 — Spoken Word Performances by Undocumented and UndocuQueer Poets at UCSB

SANTA BARBARA — A UCSB Reads & Immigration Awareness Week event, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 at the UCSB Multicultural Center Lounge. Part of the UCSB READS 2017 program. Co-sponsored with Undocumented Student Services, Resource Center for Gender &…

CSUCI Assistant Professor wins national award for dissertation on representing undocumented immigrants

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) Assistant Professor of Political Science Matthew Mendez, Ph.D., has earned national recognition for his dissertation on when and how well state lawmakers represent the interests of undocumented immigrants. “Invisible Constituents: The Representation of Undocumented Immigrants” earned…

Oxnard RDA’s Successor Agency: A Christmas Story

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor As…

CSU Channel Islands senior’s award-winning research compares success of immigrant Latinos to U.S.-born Latinos

CAMARILLO — Educating immigrants will strengthen a labor force in the long run by providing them with better skills and higher incomes. Further, Latino immigrants who arrived as children seem to fare even better with an education than children born in…

Bilingual commentary: The Sound of Freedom

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Jan. 5-8 — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. New York’s Ballet Hispanico to perform (Feb. 6-12), Mariachi Femenil Nuevo Tecalitán (April 27-30)

CENTRAL COAST — From cowboy traditions of Colombia and Venezuela, to the Latin dance scene of New York, and many rich cultural traditions between, ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! announces its twelfth season of free family performances in neighborhood venues…

Jan. 7 — Day of Mindfulness: Renewal for the New Year

VENTURA — A day to quiet the mind and open the heart. A day of healing, with the Venerable Kusala, an American born Buddhist monk, ordained in the Zen tradition of Vietnam. Date, time: January 7, 2017, 10am to 4pm Location of event: Unitarian Universalist…

Through Jan. 24 — Art Exhibit ‘Brings Art’ of late John Schlesinger to Hospice of Santa Barbara continues

SANTA BARBARA —Hospice of Santa Barbara is honored to have the artwork of the late John Schlesinger on display at the Leigh Block Gallery — located within Hospice of Santa Barbara, 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite #100, Santa Barbara —…

Through Jan. 29 — De Colores Art Show continues at the Santa Paula Art Museum

SANTA PAULA — The annual De Colores Art Show continues through Jan. 29 the Santa Paula Art Museum. The group exhibition features art by 30 contemporary artists whose vibrant works are inspired by Latino culture. The premiere party will include live music…

UCSB Professor Francisco Lomelí is elected to the prestigious North American Academy of the Spanish Language

By Jim Logan / UCSB Francisco Lomelí had no idea he was being considered for membership in a prestigious organization of Spanish language scholars. And then out of the blue word came that he was in. A professor of Spanish and Portuguese and…

Guest commentary: An Immigrant’s Birthday Reflection

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor I…

Perspectives: Election 2016

Editor’s note: Every now and again, the fates conspire to create situations that are unexpected, shocking and challenging. The results of the 2016 presidential election are a perfect example. The protests each night in the nation’s cities since election day, never…

New book by UCSB scholar examines the impact of globalization on an indigenous group in Mexico

By Amy Bentley / UCSB Many miles away from the popular Mexican seaside resort towns of Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas lie the poor, rural villages of Mexico’s Mixtec people, also known as “the People of the Land of…

Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard announces new CAM studio guest artist: Antonio Arredondo Juarez

OXNARD — The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard has announced its new CAM studio guest artist: Antonio Arredondo Juarez. Antonio Arredondo Juarez was born in Villa Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico. A graduate of California State University, Channel Islands, he received a Bachelor’s degree…

Bilingual commentary: American Culture Shock

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Oxnard College Literature, Arts & Lecture Series Fall 2016 continues through Nov. 30

OXNARD — The Oxnard College Literature, Arts & Lecture Series will begin its 2016 Fall Series on September 28th, featuring Actress Antoinette Abbamonte presenting “Breaking Down Barriers in Hollywood.” Other events include: “Old and New Worlds of Flamenco” on October…

Bilingual commentary: Seeking A Savior

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

UC Santa Barbara undergraduate one of only 10 college students nationwide selected as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow

By Shelly Leachman / UCSB It’s a long way from Wilmington to London. But Georgina Aguilar will soon make the trek from her home city of nine square miles and 57,000 people to 600-square-mile London, nine million people strong. And…

Guest commentary: The Bourgeois’ Dilemma

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Rodolfo F. Acuña / Guest contributor The…

Guest commentary: Doing the Zombie Dance In Oxnard

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor In…

Bilingual commentary: Women Banned Forever

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Marco Quintanar wins ‘Our Hero’ contest sponsored by Entravision Communications

SANTA BARBARA — The votes are in and counted, and the winner is Marco Quintanar, manager of Family Service Agency’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Entravision Communications launched “Nuestros Héroes” (Our Heroes) campaign and focused…

U.S. Dept. of Education awards CSU Channel Islands $6 million grant to promote STEM education

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for nearly $6 million to help Hispanic and low income students gain greater access to a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The grant is…

Guest commentary: History of Professors — Stories to Connect with Students, especially First Gens. Part 1

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. Frank P. Barajas. Courtesy photo.…

El Concilio Family Services announces nominations now open for 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards

OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services has announced that nominations are now open for 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards. We are asking for award nominations of individuals or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution in enhancing the educational experience of…

Renowned International Ballet Star Joins Ventura County Ballet for Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker through Dec. 11

OXNARD — Australian dancer, Aaron Smyth will once again reprising his role of the “Nutcracker Prince” in the Ventura County Ballet’s (VCB) 18th annual production of The Nutcracker at Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. & 7…

The Blackboard Gallery at Studio Channel Islands to present exhibit ‘Street/Urban’ by Charles Magallanes and sculpture work by William Solomon through 23

CAMARILLO — The new exhibition “Street/Urban” opening at the Blackboard Gallery at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo, is an exhibit showcasing Charles Magallanes, along with a sculptural piece by William Solomon. Each artist will bring his own creative flair to the…

Studio Channel Islands to present Holiday Art Market on Dec. 3

CAMARILO — More than 40 working artists’ studios and guest artists display paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photographs, jewelry, prints, mixed media, weavings and more at Studio Channel Islands’ Holiday Art Market. The 6th annual event is from 10 am-5 pm at Studio…

Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Holiday Special Comes to Oxnard College, Dec. 7

Nationally Recognized Stage Show to Feature Broadway Star Bianca Marroquin, Last Comic Standing’s Francisco Ramos, Inspirational Comedian Ernie G and award-winning host Rick Najera OXNARD —  In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Holiday Special will take…

Museum of Ventura County to present community outreach meeting on Nov. 10 at the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard

OXNARD — The next Community Outreach Meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Mexican Consulate, 3151 W. Fifth St., Suite E 100. “We have been getting valuable feedback from you, our Museum family, at our Community Outreach Meetings–thank…

UCSB’s Mario Garcia being honored in separate events for distinguished contributions to the history of Latino activists

By Jim Logan / UCSB Few scholars have done more to document the lives and activism of Mexican-Americans than Mario García. For more than four decades the professor of Chicano and Chicana studies and of history  at UC Santa Barbara has given voice to the…

Bilingual commentary: Walls, Gates and Velvet Ropes

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Travel: Taking the low, slow ride

Two exhibits bring the world of the lowrider alive at the New Mexico History Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 So here I am, walking through a pair of…

Bilingual commentary: A Visit to Mom and Dad

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Awarded $11,000 to Support their Continued Leadership in Community Health Care

Foundation recognizes health center as vital member of California’s safety net SANTA BARBARA — Blue Shield of California Foundation has just awarded a grant of $11,000 in unrestricted funds to the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics in recognition of their critical role in…

Bilingual commentary: The Rose Bush

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Hispanic Heritage Month: One month is not enough

Too many issues and events to squeeze into one month of reflection and celebration By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Many folks wonder why Hispanic Heritage Month is divided between September and October. Yes, at least we get a month,…

Bilingual commentary: The Specter of Demonization

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

LULAC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by Urging Latinos to Register to Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when our nation reflects on the contributions Hispanics have made to our history and culture. For the third year, LULAC joins the Hispanic Heritage Month of Action campaign in an effort to encourage the…

Rebozo Festival announces 2017 grant application now open

CAMARILLO — Rebozo Festival, Inc. is pleased to announce that awards of up to $20,000 will be granted to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community. The application process will close…

Ventura College Puts Chicano Art on Display through Nov. 17

Featured artists from the private collection of VC professor SANTA PAULA — Ventura College presents a Chicano Art Exhibit, “The Imagery of Chicano: a Perspective of Chicanismo in Contemporary Art” through Nov. 17 at the Ventura College Santa Paula site, 957…

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents Yolotecuani in Free Community Workshop in Music and Dance of Guerrero, Mexico on Oct. 20

Thursday / Jueves, OCT 20, 7:00 PM Casa de la Guerra, 15 E. De La Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA FREE workshop / Entrada gratuita Free community workshop in music and dance of Guerrero, Mexico with Yolotecuani. Students and observers…

Spanish-language presentation on farmworkers labor rights to be held Oct. 20 in Oxnard

VENTURA COUNTY — The California Rural Legal Assistance invites farmworker community members to join us for the following Spanish presentations on labor rights in Santa Paula and Oxnard. Santa Paula Date: October 11, 2016 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Police StoreFront, 431 N.…

Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Series Returns to Oxnard College Performing Arts Center for Fourth Season on Oct. 12

2016-2017 Season Kicks Off October 12 with Hollywood & Politics featuring Award-winning Actor Emilio Rivera, Columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. & Radio HostWendy Carrillo OXNARD —  In collaboration with the Ventura County Community College District and Oxnard College, Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers Live Series will return…

California Rural Legal Assistance to present information sessions on renters, workers rights on Oct. 28

OXNARD — The California Rural Legal Assistance will present: INFORMATION SESSIONS / PRESENTACIONES DE INFORMACION SECOND AND LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH / SEGUNDO Y ULTIMO VIERNES DE CADA MES   Friday-Viernes October 14 and October 28 14 de Octubre y 28 de…

¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! to present Yolotecuani through Oct. 23 in free concerts

SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents the local premier of Yolotecuani, music and dance of Tixtla, from the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Yolotecuani offer free family concerts on Friday, October 21, 7 pm at Isla Vista School;…

The Blackboard Gallery – Studio Channel Islands to present ‘In the Dark-a pop-up exhibit’ on Oct. 29

CAMARILLO —  Something new and exciting is brewing at the Blackboard Gallery at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo.  For one night only there will be an exhibit like never before, a pop-up spectacle for only the bravest artists and their victims.…

Oxnard native who helped animate Disney’s “Zootopia” to speak at CSU Channel Islands on Oct. 19

CAMARILLO — An Oxnard native who went on to become the first female Head of Story for Walt Disney Animation Studios on the film “Zootopia” will speak at CSU Channel Islands (CI) on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Josie Trinidad is currently Head of Story…

Central City Swing – Fall Concert on Nov. 1

ORCUTT — The Central City Swing Band will perform their annual Fall Concert on Tuesday evening, November 1st, 2016 at 7:30PM. The concert will feature music arranged in a traditional or vintage swing style as well as arrangements in a…

Marjorie Luke Theater announces Yolotecuani to perform on Oct. 23

SANTA BARBARA — The Marjorie Luke Theater has announced the Oct. 23 performance of Yolotecuani at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. From Tixtla, Guerrero, Mexico, an area rich in traditions, public celebrations and fiestas, comes Yolotecuani. With a 30-year career sharing the traditional…

Day of the dead Guatemalan celebration Fundraiser for El Lustrador Foundation to be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 1

By Lea Spicker LOS ANGELES — Gran Venta de Fiambre, a beneficio de “El Lustrador Foundation,” 1 de noviembre, 5:30 a 7:30pm, 1 de noviembre, 2003W 8th St., Los Angeles. The centennial Guatemalan specialty dish, Fiambre blanco or rojo. It’s a…