On Sept. 12, family and friends came together at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco (LJYE): a program that advances social justice and delivers world class jazz performances. The open-air concert attracted a near-capacity crowd of alumni and current members . Bursts […]
Sunny sides of Cuban and Mexican Sones, Symphony and Circus: variety Ă la SF
This past week I happily jumped into the welcoming waters of some artistic events that characterize San Francisco at its multicultural best. It started on Sept. 29 at Busch Plaza 1, high noon. There, a well-tuned quintet (“Christelle Durandy and Amigos”) applied color to the grey downtown air with the infectious chords of Cuban “sones.” […]
Our Cultura Podcast: Chris Cuadrado
On this episode of Our Cultura Podcast we speak to local artist and writer Chris Cuadrado. Chris works with a lot of youth, especially young Latino men, as the Principal Program Coordinator for the DJ Project at Horizons Unlimited in San Francisco. One of his main focuses is making sure the backwards patriarch style of […]
Latina Latino Latinx News: Living on Wheels
On this first part of a two part interview, Mabel Jimenez talks to journalist Yésica Prado about living out of her car, the struggles to do so, and how we can help.
US begins returning Haitians, warning migrants not to fall for TPS misinformation
The United States government repatriated 435 Haitian migrants from Texas via three flights that landed in Port-au-Prince on Sunday, according to Haiti’s National Office of Migrants (OMN). The landings were the first of daily flights that the U.S. says it will send to Haiti as it attempts to clear more than 12,000 Haitian migrants who […]
Rivera fresco now on view at SFMOMA
For the last few weeks of the summer, a group of conservators worked on the preservation of “Pan American Unity,” a mural completed in 1940 by Mexican artist Diego Rivera, now on view at SFMOMA. Rivera completed the mural in 1940 for the Golden Gate International Exposition held in Treasure Island. Watching Rivera—perhaps the most […]
A brush with a mission: a conversation with Ray Patlán
Recently, as I left the offices of El Tecolote, I noticed a rather imposing man sitting by a little outside table, enjoying an ice cream. He was Ray Patlán, a well-known muralist. Over the years, I have seen his works painted on the walls of various cities around the Bay Area. I also know of […]
Mission Cultural Center Celebrates SF Lowrider Council’s 40th Anniversary
Lowriders took over Mission Street from 24th to 26th Street on Sept. 18 for the 40th anniversary of the San Francisco Lowrider Council. The event revolved around a historical exhibit that was held inside the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. Featured in the exhibit was photography of classic lowriders from local car clubs and […]
Tenants rights takes center stage in social justice fashion show
The runway was set as housing advocates of the Bay Area strutted down in a housing justice fashion show that took place at the Kapwa Garden in SoMa on Sept. 5. The show celebrated the diversity of San Francisco and benefitted the San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition (ADC), a coalition of local nonprofit groups dedicated to […]
Letter: A word on Sexual Assault
In 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo joined the list of politicians, community activists, and well-recognized men to make headlines for perpetrating sexual assault. His appalling behavior towards women staffers resulted not only in a hostile work environment and long-term trauma for his victims, but increased public skepticism and anxiety at a time of political […]

