East Valley Voices OUT LOUD - a photographic sampler...

QUICK PHOTO TOUR OF

EAST VALLEY VOICES OUT LOUD

MAY 9TH

RANCHO TENOCHITLAN, COACHELLA, CA

PRODUCED BY 

CRISALIDA COMMUNITY ARTS 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Culturas Music and Art
The East Valley Rep

 All photos by Christian Mendez, except AMFM portrait (photog unknown as of today)

This album is only a tiny sampling from the vast feast of performances, music, djs, visual artists, actors, rappers, cooks, and community art-consumers who made the event unforgettable.  More images and video coming soon!

The Crisalida Van made its debut at Rancho Tenochitlan on May 9th -- lots of guided tours, info sessions, and Q&A's about the project and how the vehicle can be used in the community!

Danzantes del Sol mezmerized the crowd with their authentic Aztec dances, music and gorgeous costumes  Bravo!

Talk about color!

Crisalida workshop leader/poet Maria Galaviz spoke about her work in Mecca, and read her own heartfelt poetry.

One of the aspiring poets from the Crisalida-sponsored workshops, Senora Garza, read an original piece.

Local singer-songwriter Giselle Woo wowed the crowd with her original songs.

Poet Francisco Rodriguez presented a "praise poem" commissioned by Crisalida to celebrate the life's work of Leonardo Espinoza, a Mecca resident who we interviewed.  Next step, bring Francisco to Leonardos' home so he can hear the poem for himself.

AMFM, the Coachella Valley's home team of hip-hop.  Left to right (myself) AZ, Verz, Rolo, Skyhigh, Giant.  AMFM tore it up and lifted the crowd onto their feet!

The beautiful, funky cafe at the Rancho where great conversation and dollar tacos were consumed.

Spoken word artists Arturo Castellanos performed three original poems with with and humor.

The East Valley Voices OUT LOUD event was a huge success with about 100 people swinging by.  Big thank you to Yaya Ortiz, Ruben Gonzalez, Culturas Music and Art, Carlos Garcia, SDC Sound and Eddie Ruiz, Miles and Monroe Productions, all the performers and support personnel, and volunteers --  It was a huge job, and we DID IT!

Crisalida brings their storytelling project to the Galilee Center in Mecca, Calif.

Crisalida brings their storytelling project to the Galilee Center in Mecca, Calif.
By, Lenin Silva

Residents of Mecca, Ca lining up at a food distribution event at The Galilee Center on the morning of January 8th, 2014

On the morning of January 8, 2015 the team at Crisalida set up their second Storycorps inspired project at The Galilee Center in the city of Mecca, Ca. One of the head directors of the facility Claudia Castorena allowed the Crisalida team to set up a listening booth during a food drive at the center.

Lupe Torres (left) representative from The Galilee Center and Gina Chapa (right) discussing the event before people arrived

 The team showed up at 11:00AM to set up and get acquainted with the setting. Around noon people from the surrounding community began to show up and receive a ticket for the food drive that was about to take place.

Crisalida team members (left) listening to Mecca residents (right) experiences and stories at The Galilee Center

There were many people present at The Galilee Center who spoke with us and shared some of their stories and experiences. Unlike the team's similar endeavor at the Synergy Festival, which took place earlier during the concluding months of 2014, most people at The Galilee Center did not consent to having the audio and/or video devices on while they shared their stories. Between the waiting period when people showed up and when the food was actually distributed the Crisalida team did however have the opportunity to talk with residents from the community of Mecca.


Special thanks to Claudia Castorena, Lupe Torres, and all the kind folks at The Galilee Center who allowed the Crisalida Community Arts Project into their facility.