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Bienvenidos!
It’s April, spring break is upon us, the birds are singing, the Dodgers are back in town and the Easter Bunny is on his way. If he is on his way to Olvera Street, he might want to arrive a week early and join all the other rabbits, cats, dogs, pigs, snakes, iguanas, goats, wooly mammoths (one can only dream) and varmits and critters of every stripe for the pomp and circumstance of Olvera Street’s annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, April 15. We hope you will join us in celebrating this beautiful event!
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What’s Happening!
Olvera Street
Blessing of the Animals
Saturday, April 15th
12 PM - 5 PM
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(Painting by Leo Politi at the Mexican Culural Institute on Olvera Street)
Olvera Street has celebrated the Blessing of the Animals each year since 1930. It is a celebration of all that the animal world provides to humanity with entertainment and a parade of house pets and exotic animals, displays and exhibits. Free Admission!
Event information: 213. 625-5045
The blessing begins at 2 p.m.
To learn about the history of the Blessing of the Animals, click here!
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Continuing Exhibition
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“César E. Chávez: A Reflection”
An Exhibition of Photographs by
George Rodriguez
March 31 – April 28, 2006
Mexican Cultural Institute
Downstairs Art Gallery
Plaza Olvera
125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 624-3660
This collection of enthralling black and white photographs, captured by acclaimed photographer George Rodriguez and many of them never-before-seen, illustrate the important legacy of César E. Chávez and the people’s movement he inspired.
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Events In Our
Community
Sunday, April 9
8 AM
Emilio Zapata (1879-1919)
a leading figure in the
Mexican Revolution
(Painting by Diego Rivera)
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A march and a rally to honor Gen. Emiliano Zapata will be held on Sunday, April 9.
It’s not on Olvera Street, but it is near by: the march will begin at Cinco Puntos (Ave. C. Chavez y Lorena in East Los Angeles, meet at 8 a.m.) and it will end at Parque de Mexico (corner of Main St., Valley Blvd., and Mission Rd) adjacent to Lincoln Park. Speakers, musicians, dancers, poets and vendors with food and artcrafts will be present. It is sponsored in part by FUPA (Frente Unidos de los Pueblos Americanos).
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Events In Our
Community
April 30, 2006
2pm - 5pm
Legacy & Legend Symposium:
The Legend of Siqueiros:
The Chicano
Mural Movement
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David Alfaro Siqueiros created "Tropical America,"
("La América Tropical") mural on Olvera Street.
“America Tropical,” a mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros, one of the three famed Mexican muralists, graces a wall on Olvera Street, above the Italian Hall. Siqueiros, with Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco, is an internationally renown and a controversial artist. When “America Tropical” was unveiled in 1932, his politics did not sit well with many of the established powers, and the entire mural was white-washed.
Cooler heads eventually prevailed, and the mural was reborn in its entirety. Today, the Getty Conservation Institute is working with Olvera Street to conserve the mural, and is raising funds to construct a protective structure and an interpretive center to explain the work in its artistic and historical context.
To help with the fundraising project, contact Rushmore D. Cervantes, Interim General Manager of El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument Authority, at (213) 485-6855 or e-mail him directly.
To learn more about David Alfaro Siqueiros and his mural "Tropical America," click here!
Legacy & Legend Symposium:
The Legend of Siqueiros: The Chicano Mural Movement
Venue: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
Address: 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027
A discussion on how Siqueiros' work served as an early inspiration for the Chicano mural movement and how Siqeurios' legacy still continues today. Moderated by Oscar Garza of Tu Ciudad Magazine with nationally recognized authorities on Chicano art and history including Judith F. Baca of SPARC (Social & Public Art Resource Center); Holly Barnet-Sanchez of University of New Mexico-Albuquerque, and artist Harry Gamboa, Jr.
Tickets: Limited seating, advance reservations recommended at (213) 972-0884 or melissa@causeconnect.com. $5 donation per person at the door.
To learn more about Siqueiros and his mural, visit click here!
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In Loving Memory of
Allen Herion Sr.
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Allen Herion Sr., the father of Al Herion, a dear friend of Olvera Street supporter and fine arts co-producer, recently passed away after a long illness.
“Allen Herion Sr. was a man who lived by his own rules, and was admired by all for that. He made his children hamburgers better than McDonalds, he brought home a pony in the back seat of his new Lincoln Continental, and he navigated 30 foot seas by the Channel Islands with a beer in each hand. But, most importantly he stood for what he believed in and never compromised that. He loved his family and friends and although he carried a hardened persona through much. of his life, he always lent a helping hand to others in need.
He was the manager of the first rock radio station in Los Angeles (KPPC-FM), rubbing elbows with Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. He introduced us to the greatest music and changed our lives forever. He sold weapons to law enforcement personnel, did concert promotion, and raised horses and dogs. He had a great sense of humor and so many people loved him. He was always there for us. He loved his wife and all his family members and friends with all his heart. He was their safety net, their rock, their friend, their confidant, and most importantly... their hero.” said his son.
He will be missed, but his spirit will live forever! We wish his family and friends well.
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A Méxican Holiday
in April
Semana Santa
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Semana Santa is the holy week that ends the 40-day period of Lent prior to Easter. The week runs from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday. It is a custom in Mexico to break confetti-filled eggs (cascarones) over (or on) the heads of family and friends.
Mexico is nearly 90 percent Roman Catholic, so this religious holiday takes on a special meaning throughout the land. Although Semana Santa is celebrated throughout Mexico, many cities and villages go all-out for the event, reenacting the last supper and the torturous walk of Jesus leading up to his crucifixion on the cross.
In addition to attending Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, many Mexicans also vacation during Semana Santa. If you're planning to visit Mexico during the week, check on the availability of transportation and accommodations in advance.
According to mexonline.com, the central colonial cities are generally the most festive for the events, with the best known presentations taking place in Ixtapalapa (Mexico City), Pátzcuaro, San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapaz), and Taxco. Smaller and silent torch lit processions, Processión del Silencio, also take place in Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí.
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Announcements:
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We are proud to announce that Olvera Street’s Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) “Altar of the Iraq War,” created by Ginette Rondeau, Juliane Backmann, Al Herion, Gabriela Quintero and Bonjunnie Comostiles, is featured in a new children’s book available in bookstores, schools and libraries. Prominently presented is a photograph of the 2004 “Altar of the Iraq War,” by Juliane Backmann, and the Dia De Los Muertos Bride in a procession on Olvera Street by Ginette Rondeau.
“Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life And Death” explains the history and significance of Day of the Dead, targeting an audience of four to eight year olds.
The artists are delighted and honored that their altar was selected as they wish to share the beautiful tradition of honoring our beloved ones and are a part of understanding and healing.
The book is available at Amazon.com
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News About
Our World
Updates:
At Olvera-Street.com,
the spirit of giving,
understanding, and
support goes far
beyond our doors.
Altar of Iraq War
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 As of April 6, 2006, according to a CNN count: “There have been 2,551 coalition deaths, 2,344 Americans, one Australian, 103 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, three Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq. The CNN site list the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. At least 17,269 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.
That is 49 more deaths since last month and 1357 more deaths since the original 1250 deaths we had honored at Olvera Street for the 2004 Dia De Los Muertos.
You can view casualties in the war in Afghanistan and examine U.S. war casualties dating back to the Revolutionary War.” at the CNN web site.
 The “Altar of the Iraq War” was created on October 28, 2004 to honor and respect the memories and lives of all those who have died. NOTE: It does not count the estimated 100,000-200,000 Iraqi deaths, including women and children. To learn more about the altar, click here!
We would like to pay our respect and send our love to them, their families, and dear friends. This altar is dedicated to their memories so they won’t be forgotten, true to the meaning and spirit of íDa De Los Muertos!
To write a letter to a beloved one, visit:
www.MailboxToHeaven.com
* (The "Altar of the Iraq War" was created by six artists and does not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Olvera Street merchants or El Pueblo Historic Monument.)
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Continuing Exhibition
COCINA CONNECTION:
Art, Culture, and Food
The Tamale Museum
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Celebrate the history and traditions of the tamale and its culinary counterparts.
 Preparing and consuming food is a common activity among all cultures. Other than the taco, no other dish in Mexican cuisine is better known than the tamale. In this new four-part series, celebrate the cultural, culinary, and historical traditions of the tamale and its culinary counterparts.
The Tamale Museum, the temporary exhibit used to be in San Juan Capistrano, but is now in the Pico House. It is located in the first floor of the Pico House until mid-April, 2006.
FREE ADMISSION Limited seating. Reservations recommended at programs@lapca.org or (323) 932-5849
To visit Abuelita’s Kitchen, which features family recipes, click here!.
If you would like to submit one of your favorite family recipes, send it to webmaster@Olvera-Street.com. We look forward to sharing our culture and delicious traditions with everyone!
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Recent History
MCI and the Mexican
Cultural Institute
“CESAR E. CHAVEZ DAY”
on Olvera Street
Friday, March 31, 2006
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The only Latino to have a state holiday declared in his name, labor leader Cesar Chavez’s influence went well beyond the lettuce and grape fields of Central California to Cesar Chavez Boulevard on Olvera Street’s northern border. Cesar E. Chavez’s birthday was celebrated on Olvera Street on Saturday, April 1. Chavez founded and led the first successful farm workers' union in U.S. history and was the recipient of the highest medals citizens can be awarded by both the presidents of the United States and México.
Cesar Chavez’s birthday was celebrated in a march that began on Olvera Street. Thousands of supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa assembled for the eighth annual Cesar Chavez Walk, sponsored by Chavez’s United Farm Workers.
The celebration included a keynote speaker from UCLA, a film about Chavez, activities for children, live entertainment, workshops, and a children’s parade around the plaza.
(Photos of the Cesar Chavez event by © Ginette Rondeau)
To view more photographs of the march, click here
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The 8th Annual
Cesar Chavez Walk
on Olvera Street
Saturday, April 1, 2006
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The 8th Annual Cesar Chavez Walk
will be on Olvera Street on April 1, 2006:
Hosted By: United Farm Workers & UFW Foundation
www.ufw.org/la.htm
To learn more about Cesar Chavez, click here!
“We can choose to use our lives for others to bring about a better and more just world for our children.”
Cesar Chavez
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Olvera Street,
Film
Friday, March 10, 2006
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 Plaza de Cultura y Artes is opening in 2007 in the Brunswick building (across street from Pico House) and have already had some collaborative programs at El Pueblo.
In March local Mexican American film producer Nancy De Los Santos (The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood, Selena, and My Family, Mi Familia) screened and discussed clips from popular films with a food focus, including Tortilla Soup and Like Water for Chocolate.
To learn more about The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood DVD, click here!
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Thank You
for visiting!
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Bookmark Olvera-Street.com and visit us often to find out about the latest arts, fundraisers, business mixers, screenings and much more. We hope you will visit us often in April and throughout 2006.
Please e-mail this page to anyone you think may be interested.
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Quote
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"It is better to die on your feet,
then to live on your knees."
Emilio Zapata
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May all your wishes and dreams come true.
John Trausch, Editor & Ginette Rondeau, Director
For more information about www.Olvera-Street.com
comments or suggestions, contact our webmaster@ ibiz360.com
Olvera-Street.com is created by
www.ibiz360.com
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