Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural

Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural is a non-profit cultural center and bookstore in Lake View Terrace, California. It was founded in 2003 by noted Chicano author Luis J. Rodriguez, his wife Trini Rodriguez, Angelica Loa, and Victor Mendoza (Victor E) of El Vuh. Tia Chucha's provides arts and music workshops and events to the culturally underserved Northeastern San Fernando Valley.

History

Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural was founded in 2003 next door to Tia Chucha's Cafe Cultural, a coffee shop and bookstore also owned by Luis and Trini Rodriguez, in Sylmar, CA. The Centro began offering workshops in writing, painting, music, dance, film, reiki healing, and indigenous studies. A resident Danza Azteca group, Temachtia Quetzalcoa, was formed, as well as natural healing circles for both men and women.

In 2005, the Centro took over operations of Tia Chucha Press and continues to produce poetry books.

In January 2007, both the Centro and Tia Chucha's Cafe were forced out of their facility to make way for a laundromat. Given the state of the real estate market at the time, the Centro had to move into a much smaller facility in nearby Lake View Terrace, and the Cafe was closed. The Centro took over the bookstore operation from the Cafe.

Projects

Tia Chucha Press

Originally founded in Chicago in 1989 by Luis Rodriguez, Tia Chucha Press has published over 40 poetry collections by a wide range of poets including Ariel Robello and Patricia Spears-Jones. In 1991, the Press became a project of the Guild Literary Complex, a literary center in Chicago. Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural took over operations of the Press in 2005.

Dos Manos Records

Founded by Luis Rodriguez in 2002, Dos Manos Records has released two CDs: "From Earth To Sky," a showcase of musicians and spoken word artists from the Northeast San Fernando Valley, and "My Name's Not Rodriguez," featuring Rodriguez reading his poetry accompanied by music.

Young Warriors

Founded in 2007, Young Warriors is the Centro's ongoing youth empowerment group.

Major Events

Celebrating Words: Written, Spoken and Sung

Celebrating Words is Tia Chucha's annual outdoor community festival, held each summer in Sylmar. The only literacy festival in Los Angeles' City Council District 7, it features local musicians, bands, spoken word artists, and dance troupes, as well as an array of local vendors.

Tia Chucha's Celebration of Community and Culture

Starting in 2007, Tia Chucha's has produced an annual benefit concert at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. The 2007 concert featured John Densmore (of The Doors) and Tierra, among others. The 2008 show included Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and Cheech Marin.

upporters

Tia Chucha's and its various projects is supported financially by several government agencies, private foundations, and individuals, including:
*Bruce Springsteen
*John Densmore
*The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
*Los Angeles County Arts Commission
*California Arts Council
*National Endowment for the Arts
*The Middleton Foundation
*Panta Rhea Foundation
*The Thrill Hill Foundation

External links

* [http://www.tiachucha.com Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural website]
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58113287 Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural site at myspace]
* [http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/tia-chucha-s-centro-cultural articles] about Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural by the Los Angeles Times