This program celebrates the music of Ritchie Valens and his influence on Latino Culture and beyond. Ritchie was the first Mexican-American rock n roll star with his 1958 breakout song, ‘La Bamba’. To honor his legacy, expect a night of storytelling, multi-media, and incredible musicians. Guest vocalists include: Irene Diaz, Denise Carlos & Hector Flores (Las Cafeteras), Angie McCoy (McCharmlys), Bryan Ponce (The Altons), Joey Quiñones (Thee Sinseers), Shannon Shaw (Shannon & the Clams), Jose Varela (Cutty Flam), and Nick Waterhouse. Las Cafeteras’ Hector Flores serves as Creative Director and narrator for this program.
Angie Monroy (The McCharmlys)
Angie is the creative force behind The McCharmlys, a four-piece band from Santa Ana blending oldies-inspired rock & roll with a modern edge. Rooted in vintage warmth and driven by a fresh, contemporary energy, the band’s sound bridges nostalgia and now—pulling classic influences into something distinctly their own.
Shannon Shaw (Shannon & the Clams)
Shannon Shaw, the captivating vocalist, bassist, and founder of Shannon & the Clams, valiantly strikes out on her own, gracing us with her first solo album, [i]Shannon In Nashville. In a nod to Dusty Springfield's 1969 classic Dusty in Memphis, Shaw made her own pilgrimage down South to collaborate with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and a congregation of revered old-school session musicians who have played on notable records by Elvis, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin, Sturgill Simpson, and Nikki Lane, to name just a few.
Irene Diaz
Irene Diaz, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a singer-songwriter, whose captivating vocals and soulful melodies have garnered critical acclaim. Her voice, often described as "powerful" and "without fault in any genre," Irene blends elements of folk, soul, and Chicanxs influences, creating a sound that is both intimate and expansive.
Joey Quinones (Thee Sinseers)
As the leader of the modern Chicano soul outfit, Thee Sinseers, and releasing a string of singles as a solo artist, Quiñones and his crew have recently been ushering in a new era of modern soul. It is the type of music that shares a genesis with the birth from the soul, and R&B sounds emitted from the classic lowrider cruising down Whittier Boulevard to the sunshine-y vibes of traditional ska and dancehall reggae.
Denise Carlos
Denise Carlos, MSW is a lyricist, lead vocalist and jaranera for the East L.A. band Las Cafeteras, who have increasingly gained national recognition for their vibrant musical fusion of Afro-Mexican/ East L.A. sounds and socially-conscious message. Recently featured on Democracy Now! , Denise and Las Cafeteras utilize music as a means for marginalized communities to heal, claim space and re-tell their own stories through a power-lens.
Hector Flores
Born and raised East of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music as modern day troubadours. They are a sonic explosion of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and powerful rhymes that document stories of a community seeking to ‘build a world where many world fit.’ From Afro-Mexican to Americana, from Soul to Son Jarocho, from Roots to Rock and Hip Hop, Las Cafeteras take folk music to the future.
Bryan Ponce
Vocalist and Guitarist for The Altons.
