Javier Gomez, founder of the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center in Oxnard
Javier Gomez of the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center in Oxnard and late community advocate Avie Guerra will be recognized at the 17th annual “La Raza Alumni Association Scholarship Recognition Dinner,” starting at 6 p.m. with a reception on Saturday, April 30 at CSU Northridge at the University Student Union Grand Salon, Xavier “Big X” Montes reported this week.
“This coming Saturday I’ve been asked to say a few words and present Javier Gomez, a long-time friend, with an award” at the dinner, Montes said.
“I was deeply honored when the association asked me to do this. I’ve known Javier for about 36 years and along with him have promoted Chicano/Mexicano Culture with a focus on the arts (music, teatro, dance, and even comedy), Montes said. “About a year ago Javier asked me to teach harp to a few of his Mariachi Inlakech students and so now we have a side group called ‘Angels on Harps’ which consist of about 7 harps (lady Angels), a few guitars and a guitarron. It’s a blast making music with them not to mention how “pretty” they look when they’re all dressed up and ready to perform.”
This year, the association will celebrate “Social Justice, Cultura y Baile.”
The late community advocate Avie Guerra, will be remembered at "La Raza Alumni Association Scholarship Recognition Dinner."
David Rodriquez will serve as moderator for the event which includes the Ballet Folklórico Aztlán de CSUN slideshow; a welcome by Gabriel Gutierrez; dinner entertainment by “Trio Chepicarrí;” remembering Avie Guerra, Roberto Sifuentes and Dr. Karin Duran – Mary Pardo, David Rodriguez and Jennie Quiñónez-Skinner; a performance by Ballet Folklórico Aztlán de CSUN; acknowledgement of honorees including Gomez, Lizbeth Mateo and Ballet Folklórico Aztlán de CSUN, with Montez performing with ‘Angels on Harps;’ and recognition of the scholarship awardees for the Rudy Acuña Scholarship, the Frank Del Olmo Scholarship and the Chicana/o Studies Foundation.
For more information, call Cindy Padilla at 818.677.7642 or send an email to cindy.padilla.52@csun.edu
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Xavier “Big X” Montes will also be performing from 11:30 to 12:10 p.m. Sunday May 1 at the Autry National Center’s Earth Day celebration, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles next to the Los Angeles Zoo. Click here for more information.
De Colores Arts Festival founder Xavier "Big X" Montes will be performing at "La Raza Alumni Association Scholarship Recognition Dinner" with the Inlakech Cultural Arts group "Angels on Harps."