Avalos Is Open

Tia Chucha’s, the San Fernando Valley bookstore and cultural center co-founded by writer Luis Rodriguez recently changed locations and had a gala grand opening to celebrate. In addition to the new location itself, there was food, vendors, poetry, dance and music.

I got there to see the latter part of the music, just in time to see the 3 piece electro-Reggae ensemble Fosforo. I was happy to hear a very creative, different take on Los Angeles Reggae, with the band able to effectively mix the organic and electronic aspects of their music. Obviously, these guys have been at it for a while since the spare parking lot setting of the gig had no bearing on their ability to have an excellent set. Because of the time constraints, their set was too short, but as I listen to their music on MySpace right now, I really hope to be able to catch a full set in the future.

Next up, my former band mate Olmeca leading a quartet, including Gomez Comes Alive!, but on bass instead of the keyboards that he plays in Monte Carlo 76. Olmeca led his group through a short set of his revolutionary hip-hop with the world premieres of a couple of new pieces that included Marisoul from La Santa Cecilia on vocals. With his years of community activism and hard-hitting music Olmeca showed exactly why a place like Tia Chucha’s is so vital to the social, creative, and political life of the Los Angeles area.

Last on the bill was a group that I’d heard a lot about but had not seen yet, La Santa Cecilia. This group did not disappoint either, managing yet another individual take on all that the musical life of Los Angeles has to offer. I could list the styles and influences that I heard in this music, but I won’t, as this is a group that is better heard than read about (but really, what group isn’t?). Suffice it to say that La Santa Cecilia continues in the tradition of LA groups like Quetzal, Ozomatli, etc. who manage to distill all that is going on around them into something new, fun and beautiful.

With a kickoff event like this, Tia Chucha’s should have a very successful future in it’s new location. With the world the way it is right now, this kind of community organization is more necessary than ever.

Tia Chucha’s
Luis Rodriguez
Fosforo
Gomez Comes Alive!
Monte Carlo 76
Olmeca
Marisoul
La Santa Cecilia