SANTA BARBARA — The 20th annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N Milpas St., Santa Barbara. Performing at this year’s milestone festival will be Ballet Folklorico de Los…
Category: Entertainment
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! awarded California Arts Council Local Impact Grant
SANTA BARBARA — The California Arts Council announced it plans to award ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! $8,040 as part of its Local Impact program, the organization reported in a media release. The Local Impact program fosters equity, access,…
July cover story: Cultural events heating up summer in 805 region
From performances by Teatro de las Américas to the Oxnard Salsa Festival and Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, events filling up summer season By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 From theatrical performances to moving to the salsa beat and…
Bilingual report: Tickets now on sale for 20th annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival
SANTA BARBARA — Tickets are now on sale for the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival, which returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl on Saturday Aug. 8 to celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary. Performing at this year’s milestone Festival will be: Ballet Folklorico de…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! awarded NEA grant for presenting performances, sharing cultures
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! has received a grant of $20,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to further its program of performances and educational outreach in 2015-2016, the organization reported in a media release.…
The UCSB Library acquires major Chicano/Latino graphic art collection from San Francisco’s Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
By Andrea Estrada / UCSB The UC Santa Barbara Library has acquired two individual art collections from the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA) in San Francisco’s Mission District, university officials reported in a media release. Together they consist…
El Concilio profile: Many Mansions and One Step a la Vez
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Services’ 2015 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for…
Museum of Ventura County to present gallery talk, tour on ‘We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back’ on June 3
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County will present the Gallery Talk & Tour on “We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back” at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at 11 E. Main St., Ventura. Led by co-curators Anna Bermudez,…
Sergio Arau, film director of ‘A Day Without a Mexican,’ to be keynote speaker at Social Justice Fund for Ventura County’s 6th annual Currents of Change fundraiser on May 31 at Camarillo Ranch
CAMARILLO — Sergio Arau, film director of “A Day Without a Mexican,” will be the keynote speaker at Social Justice Fund for Ventura County’s 6th annual Currents of Change fundraiser on from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at Camarillo…
11th annual Rebozo Festival to be held in Camarillo on May 17
CAMARILLO — The Rebozo Festival will celebrate its “10-year Diamond Anniversary” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. The event will honor the “1st Annual Honorary Madrina of the Year” — the…
Oxnard College’s Latino Thought Makers Series to present ‘Create Option C’ on May 13
OXNARD — Oxnard College’s Latino Thought Makers Series will present “Create Option C” — with special guest Esai Morales at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 at 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The documentary by Morales takes the audience through the painful and raw…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present the discussion ‘Dreaming of Selena Twenty Years Later’ on May 11
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the discussion “Dreaming of Selena Twenty Years Later” with Deborah Paredez at 6 p.m. Monday, May 11 at the MCC Lounge. 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of Selena Quintanilla…
Oxnard College Performing Arts Center to present Teatro de las Américas’ ‘Pedro Infante y la Suegra Triunfante / Pedro Infante and the Triumphant Mother-in-law’ May 7 through 10
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Performing Arts Center will present Teatro de las Américas’ “Pedro Infante y la Suegra Triunfante / Pedro Infante and the Triumphant Mother-in-law” at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays, May 5 through 170at the Black…
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria to present eighth annual Mariachi Encuentro featuring Mariachi Diva on May 9
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria will present its eighth annual Mariachi Encuentro featuring Mariachi Divas from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Girls Inc. of Carpinteria campus, 5315 Foothill Road, Carpinteria. Coinciding with Mother’s Day, Mariachi Encuentro is…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present the film screening of “Pelo Malo (Bad Hair) on May 6
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the film screening of “Pelo Malo (Bad Hair)” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 at the MCC Theater. Junior is nine years old and has curly hair, or “bad hair.” He wants to…
Oxnard College to present its 6th annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 5
OXNARD — Oxnard College will present its 6th annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 at the Oxnard College Outdoor Amphitheater, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The event will feature Mariachi Alma de Mexico, Rio Mesa High…
May cover story: Helping youth make the right lifestyle choices
Santa Barbara Healthy Futures program seeks to improve health options for Latino, other youth in the region By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 One in five children between the ages of 6 and 17 is now considered overweight in the…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present ‘Challenging the Borders of Education: Undocumented Students …’ on April 30
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the Race Matters discussion of “ Challenging the Borders of Education: Undocumented Students and Public Pedagogy – Jennifer Nájera” at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at the MCC Lounge. Who are our teachers? A critical…
Oxnard College Theatre Club to present ‘A Stand-Up Comedy Fundraiser’ on May 1
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Theatre Club presents “A Stand-Up Comedy Fundraiser” at 8 p.m. Friday, May 1 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The event features comics Jason Love, Frank Lucero, Mary Patterson Broome and Dwayne…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present film screening of ‘Cesar’s Last Fast’ on April 29
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the film screening of “Cesar’s Last Fast” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 at the MCC Theater. In 1988, César Chávez embarked on what would be the final act of protest in his…
Ballet Folklórico Mestizo Spring 2015 to be held April 24, 25
OXNARD — Ballet Folklórico Mestizo Spring 2015 will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The event will feature a special performance by the Oxnard…
Teatro de las Américas to present ‘The Truth Can’t Be Trusted / La verdad sospechos’ through April 19
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present “The Truth Can’t Be Trusted / La verdad sospechosa” at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays, April 9 through 19 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose…
Oxnard College Performing Arts Center to present ’53 Million & 1′ on April 15
OXNARD — The Oxnard College Performing Arts Center will present the Latino Thought Makers Series program — ’53 Million & 1? at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) brings to Oxnard…
Santa Paula Museum of Art to present Gallery Talk: ‘How Coming from Uruguay Influenced My Work’ with Sylvia Raz on April 9
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Museum of Art will present its next Gallery Talk: “How Coming from Uruguay Influenced My Work” with Sylvia Raz at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 9 at 117 N. 10th St., Santa Paula. Artist Sylvia Raz…
Literary Quinceañera for author’s ‘My Very Own Room / Mi propio cuartito’ to be held in Ventura on April 12
VENTURA — In honor of Dia del Niño/Dia del Libro (Day of the Child/Day of the Book) the community of Ventura County is invited to a literary Quinceañera, a special birthday party for Amada Irma Perez’s (Ventura) first picture book, My…
Oxnard College to present César Chávez Celebration on March 31
OXNARD — Oxnard College will present a free César Chávez Day Celebration and documentary screening from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Part of the Latinologues / Rick Najera…
Video Watch Party for the ‘Arriba Con Hillary’ video to be held in Oxnard on March 27
OXNARD — A video watch party for “¡Arriba Con Hillary!” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 27 at Downtown Sol, 328 W. Third St., in the Lopez building in downtown Oxnard, organizers reported in a media release. The…
Café on A to present ‘La Cosecha / The Harvest’ photo exhibit, film screening on March 21
OXNARD — The Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña Art Gallery & Cultural Center at Café on A will present “La Cosecha / The Harvest” photo exhibit and film screening from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at 438 S. A St.,…
12th annual Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnaval ‘Cultural’ to begin March 14
SANTA BARBARA — The 12th Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnaval “Cultural” will kick off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14 with the “Feijoada Sabor Carnaval” and the open house at the Brazil Arts Café, 1230 State St, Santa Barbara, event organizers…
Guest commentary: Oxnard — The Arts City of Ventura County
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 The city…
Local news briefs
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria has announced that Arianna Lopez, an 18-year-old senior and a long-time Girls Inc. of Carpinteria participant, has been selected as a 2015 scholarship winner in the competitive Girls Inc. National Scholar Program. She was…
Bilingual report: Teatro de las Américas to present ‘A Night of Boleros — Our Parents’ Songs’ at Oxnard College on March 5
OXNARD — Teatro de las Américas will present “A Night of Boleros — Our Parents’ Songs” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Teatro de las Américas and Oxnard College inaugurate their 2015…
Art exhibit reception for ‘Isabel Martínez: Un diálogo en arte y cultura’ to be held at CSU Channel Islands on March 5
CAMARILLO — The art exhibit “Isabel Martínez: Un diálogo en arte y cultura” will open with a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at CSU Channel Islands. The exhibit, continuing from March 5 through April 4, celebrates everyday women…
‘Expectation’ exhibit to be presented at Tool Room Gallery in Ventura on March 6
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County will present “Expectation,” a new series by Women’s History Month artist Marissa Magdalena Sykes and photographer Marie Gregorio-Oviedo, at the Tool Room Gallery at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura.…
Oxnard College to present Tinto Tango in concert on March 4
OXNARD — The 2015 Oxnard College Spring Literature, Arts and Lecture Series will present Tinto Tango in concert and dance performance from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present the Cup of Culture film screening of ‘La Mission’ on March 4
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the Cup of Culture film screening of “La Mission” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at the MCC Theater. Growing up in the Mission District of San Francisco, Che Rivera has always had…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present film screening, discussion of ‘No Más Bebés Por Vida / No More Babies for Life’ on Feb. 25
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center will present the Cup of Culture film screening and discussion of “No Más Bebés Por Vida / No More Babies for Life,” the story of Mexican-American women who were sterilized at the Los Angeles County-USC…
Santa Barbara’s Casa Dolores — Center for the Study of Popular Arts of Mexico presenting ‘Banderaware — Colores of a Republic’ through May 31
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara’s Casa Dolores — Center for the Study of Popular Arts of Mexico is presenting “Banderaware — Colores of a Republic” through May 31 at 1023 Bath St., Santa Barbara. The exhibit opened Feb. 24. “Banderaware” pottery…
M.A.K.U. SoundSystem to perform during Oxnard World Music and Art Series on Feb. 23
OXNARD — M.A.K.U. SoundSystem will perform during the Oxnard World Music and Arts Series from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at La Fonda del Rey, 455 S. A St., Oxnard. M.A.K.U. SoundSystem is an immigrant band from New York City…
Dolores Huerta to speak in Oxnard on Latino Interactive Voter Education Project on Feb. 22
OXNARD — Dolores Huerta will speak on the new Latino Interactive Voter Education Project from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at the home of Dr. Manuel and Irma Lopez, 1911 Cascades Court, Oxnard. Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm…
Suzanne Vega to perform folk music at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Feb. 20
THOUSAND OAKS — Suzanne Vega will perform folk music at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., in the Scherr Forum. Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! to present M.A.K.U. SoundSystem Feb. 20 through 22
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! will present M.A.K.U. SoundSystem at 7 p.m. Friday at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St.; and at 7 p.m. Sunday at…
‘Sonido Sabor Latino,’ celebrating ‘El Día del Amor y Amistad / The Day of Love and Friendship,’ to be held Feb. 14 in Oxnard
OXNARD — “Sonido Sabor Latino,” a dinner and dance celebrating “El Día del Amor y Amistad / The Day of Love and Friendship,” will be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.…
Pacific Mambo Orchestra to perform at Ventura Theater on Feb. 14
VENTURA — The Pacific Mambo Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Tickets are $25 to $50. The 20-piece, San Francisco-based musical group is leading the rebirth of the Latin…
Author of ‘Solidarity Politics for Millennials’ to speak at CLU on Feb. 10
THOUSAND OAKS — CLU to present the free discussion “Intersectionality and Deep Political Solidarity: The Wonder Twin Powers of Social Justice” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks in Ullman 100/101. There are…
Camerata Amistad to perform free concert featuring Hispanic-influenced music at CLU on Feb. 4
THOUSAND OAKS — Camerata Amistad will perform a free concert featuring Hispanic-influenced music at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, in the Samuelson Chapel. The chamber ensemble of orchestral musicians performs a variety…
Latino Thought Maker Series to present ‘It Gets Better’ free musical at Oxnard College on Feb. 4
OXNARD — The Latino Thought Maker Series will present “It Gets Better,” a free musical performance, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. SPEAK Theater Arts, the Gay Men’s Chorus…
Del Pueblo Cafe, Santa Barbara Arts Alliance to present ‘Living Culture’ on Feb. 5
SANTA BARBARA — Del Pueblo Cafe and the Santa Barbara Arts Alliance will present “Living Culture,” an evening of art and music featuring the works of local artists Huicho Mata, Danny Meza and Rafa Ruiz at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at…
‘Por El Amor de la Cultura / For the Love of Culture’ to be presented at CSU Channel Islands on Feb. 7
CAMARILLO — “Por El Amor de la Cultura / For the Love of Culture” will be presented from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at CSU Channel Islands in Broome Library 1320. Join New Mexican artist Al Na’ir Lara and…
Make the most of your night out this Valentine’s Day
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Chocolates and flowers may be staples of Valentine’s Day, but many couples take it one step further and dine out on February 14. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions…
UCSB Multicultural Center to present Cup of Culture film screening of ‘Who is Dayani Cristal?’ on Jan. 21
SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center to present Cup of Culture film screening of ‘Who is Dayani Cristal?’ at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the MCC Theater. Following a team of dedicated staff from the Pima County Morgue in…
Comedian Cristela Alonzo to perform in Oxnard on Jan. 16
OXNARD — Comedian Cristela Alonzo, star of ABC’s “Cristela” sitcom, will appear at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Oxnard PACC…
Undefeated Saul Rodriguez added to TV portion of ‘Boxing by the Beach’ at Oceanview Pavilion on Jan. 17
PORT HUENEME — Undefeated Saul “Kid Dinamita” Rodriguez has been added to the TV portion of ‘Boxing by the Beach’ on Ja. 17 at Oceanview Pavilion, 575 E. Surfside Drive, Port Hueneme, the Pavilion reported in a media release. The prized undefeated prospect…
Mariachi Flor de Toloache to perform at La Fonda De Rey in Oxnard on Jan. 13
OXNARD — Mariachi Flor de Toloache will hold a special performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 at La Fonda De Rey, 455 S. A St., Oxnard. Admission is free but donations will be accepted. CDs, t-shirts and other collectables…
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! to present Mariachi Flor de Toloache Jan. 9 through 11
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara! will present Mariachi Flor de Toloache at 7 p.m. Friday at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road; at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo St.; and at…
Armando Durón to discuss the art of Gilbert ‘Magu’ Lujan at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on Jan. 8
SANTA PAULA — Chicano art collector and expert Armando Durón will discuss his relationship with the late artist Gilbert “Magu” Lujan over the course of several decades, as well as interpreting the artwork of Magu currently on view from the…
Director Jesus Trevino to present film screening at Santa Paula Art Museum on Jan. 8
SANTA PAULA — Award-winning film and television director Jesus Trevino will present a film screening of “Talkin’ Bout My Generation” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th St., Santa Paula. Trevino will…
Latin Legends War, Tierra and Malo to perform in Oxnard on Dec. 27
OXNARD — Latin legends War, Tierra and Malo will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, $33 to $83, are available at http://oxnardpacc.com, by…
MICOP to present ‘Pasatono Orquesta’ at Oxnard College on Dec. 15
OXNARD — The Mixteco / Indígena Community Organizing Project, the Latino Performing Arts Institute at Oxnard College and the Oxnard College Arts Collaborative will present “Pasatono Orquesta” at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building,…
CSU Channel Islands Choir holiday concert gives Latin classics a modern makeover on Dec. 8
CAMARILLO — The CSU Channel Islands Choir invites the public to a holiday concert that will present traditional Latin mass songs with a modern twist. A concert will be held on the CI campus at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 in…
Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard to present opening reception for ‘Monumentum: Drawings + Paintings by Ramon Ramirez’ on Dec. 13
OXNARD — The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard will present “Monumentum: Drawings + Paintings by Ramon Ramirez,” with the opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at 424 S. C. St., Oxnard. The exhibit will open Dec. 14…
December cover story: Holiday charity event ready to hit the streets
Santa to the Sea Half-Marathon on Dec. 14 to benefit numerous charities in the region By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It’s beginning to look a lot like — breathing hard, wheezing, thirst and aching muscles. Yes, ’tis the season…
Commentary: Holiday celebrations keep on growing in the 805 region
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 The mystery and the magic of the holiday season is upon us with groups planning celebrations up and down the coast. The first weekend in December typically marks the beginning of holiday celebrations in…
Guest commentary: Make original art your gift for sharing the holiday season at Acuña Gallery @ Café on A
To supporters of the Cafe on A: I am Jaime Casillas, a long-time supporter of the Cafe on A in Oxnard. This letter is unsolicited. My wife (Helen) and I have been Chicano/a Art Collectors for over ten years. The…
Oxnard College’s Latino Thought Maker Series to present ‘Sweet 15’ on Dec. 4
OXNARD — Oxnard College will present the next Latino Thought Makers Series event “Sweet 15” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The free special presentation of Rick Najera’s…