Plaza de La Raza Showcases Talented Youth : Eastern Group Publications

http://egpnews.com/2010/07/plaza-de-la-raza-showcases-talented-youth/

Plaza de La Raza Showcases Talented Youth

Free Sunday event is packed with family fun. By Marvelia Alpizar, EGP Staff Writer A cultural institution that has been at the forefront of teaching young people from Los Angeles eastside neighborhoods about music, dance, acting and art will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Sunday with a free family festival in Lincoln Heights. For four decades, Plaza de la Raza has been home to one of the areas only multidisciplinary centers where young people can both explore their cultural interests and improve their skills as artists and performers. In 1970, Margo Albert and Santo Lpez decided to create a center where East Los Angeles youth from different backgrounds and cultures could discover their talent, a mission Plaza continues to pursue today, Plazas 40th anniversary celebration is an opportunity for the nonprofit to highlight programs offered at its School of Visual and Performing Arts (SPVA), located in Lincoln Heights. Local artists, actors and musical performers, including some who were once students at Plaza, teach the classes. I started teaching here primarily because I believe in giving back to the community, said Leticia CallelaAustin, a mariachi program instructor who also started as a student at the institution. Ive seen many people when they go to find jobs elsewhere after graduating from college, who do not think of giving back, especially to those who helped open the doors for them, so I came back to give an example to young people to remember those who helped us. Students will showcase their artistic talents during Sundays festival as part of the In Our Hands exhibition that will be located in the lobby of the Margo Albert Theater. There, the public will be able to appreciate paintings, drawings, puppets and sculptures made by Plaza students during the year. Plaza de la Razas Community Ambassadors Performance Groups program, founded in 2008 and made up of folklorico dance, Latin jazz, salsa and mariachi groups that perform at Plaza and other venues, are also part of Sundays entertainment lineup. The program includes live rock, dance, Salsa and a performance by Plazas youth mariachi group. The students, ages 9-18, are in charge of the performances. Many of Plaza de la Razas instructors have taught at the center for a long time, as the case of Marvin Tunney who has been teaching dance and theater for over twenty years. For me, (La Raza) means family, collaboration, global community, he said. Everyone who comes through that door, he said, pointing to the entrance, in some way embrace this. Margo Alberts success and dream can today be found far beyond Plazas Lincoln Heights location, having spilled over to a much larger stage. A former actress, she helped train an impressive number of aspiring actors who have gone on to perform on Broadway and other famous stages across the country. Among them is East L.A. native Danny Bolero, currently appearing in the hit stage production The Heights, at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. He stars in the role of Kevin Rosario. Bolero was under Alberts tutelage until her death in 1985. He has never forgotten the tools she taught him, which he says helped him grow and become the star he is today. She gave me hope and encouraged me to write, he told EGP during a telephone interview. PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com
1 of 2

06/26/2012 1:33 PM

Plaza de La Raza Showcases Talented Youth : Eastern Group Publications

http://egpnews.com/2010/07/plaza-de-la-raza-showcases-talented-youth/

write, he told EGP during a telephone interview. In addition to its regular programs offered throughout the year, Plaza is currently holding a three-week intensive course in cooperation with the Community Alliance Program (CAP). Through the program, established in 1990, students receive training in visual and performing arts from the staff of the prestigious California Institute of Arts (CalArts). The training includes film production and on Sunday, a film produced by students in the program will be shown, Students have also been instructed on the art of puppet making, which we be another added highlight. The free family festival on Sunday is will highlight the exciting work and training that is still going on at Plaza de la Raza, 40 years after following the birth of Margo Alberts dream.

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com

2 of 2

06/26/2012 1:33 PM