Community Heroes to be honored at free concert series
LOS ANGELES- The Covarrubias Family of Davis Blue Print and Pastor Randy Carrillo will be the first of 10 community heroes recognized for their role in improving the lives of residents of North East Los Angeles.
Davis Blue Print has been in the community of Lincoln Heights for more than 50 years. With a strong belief in the community, every year, the Covarrubias Family donates thousands of dollars in in-kind printing to local groups like the Boys and Girls Club, East Los Angeles Youth Center, Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Heights Tutorial Program, Lincoln High School, LA’s Best afterschool program, Heritage Square Museum and many more.
Pastor Randy Carrillo has spent his life dedicated to working to unite Notheast LA residents to reject violence. In 2008, “Pastor Randy”, as he is known by most, brought together more than 50 leaders to organize the ” Peace in the Northeast” peace march that drew 2500 participants and such notable participants as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The Concerts at the Square free music series begins July 16th with Grammy award winning Mariachi Divas. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Join us as we present great musical acts, local food vendors and costumed docents in a venue that brings you out of the present and into Southern California’s past. No need to drive – take the Gold Line to the nearby Heritage Square station. Concerts are made possible thanks to the support of 790 KABC, 100.3 The Sound, the Arroyo Seco Journal, Supervisor Gloria Inflatable Water Slide Molina / LA County Arts Commission, the Recording Industries Music Performance Fund, the Highland Park Neighborhood Council, and Wedbush Bank. The series runs July 16, 23rd, 30th and August 9th.
Founded and directed by trumpet player Cindy Shea in 1999, the all-female Mariachi Divas are making big waves on the national music scene. In 2009, the group won the American Grammy award for Regional Mexican Album for their latest CD, Canciones De Amor. Mariachi Divas are a unique, multi-cultural ensemble imbued with the true flavor of Los Angeles and have been represented by women of Mexican, Cuban, Samoan, Argentinian, Colombian, Panamanian, Puerto Rican, Swiss, Japanese, Honduran, Peruvian, Tongan and Anglo descents. Cindy Shea states, “Music is a way of uniting our cultural backgrounds.” Mariachi Divas have appeared at Southern California venues such as the Arrowhead Pond, Universal Amphitheater, Staples Center, the Greek Theatre, the Santa Barbara Bowl, the House of Blues, the LA Forum for the 2005 Premio La Gente live TV awards show and the Shrine Auditorium for the 2006 Alma Awards. They have also accompanied Grammy- winning artists including Joan Sebastian, Jenny Rivera, Marco Antonio Solis, Pablo Montero, Graciela Beltran and Paulina Rubio and Mariachi Vargas.
On July 23, Dennis Kay will lead the Pasadena City College Swing Band, who will play big-band standards, swing favorites, and ballroom classics from the likes of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and many more. Don’t let the name fool you – the Pasadena City College Swing Band consists of extraordinary students, faculty and professionals who come together to present a rockin good time!
Not to be outdone, on July 30th, the ever-popular Susie Hansen Latin Band returns to us for what promises to be an unforgettable performance. Electric violinist Susie Hansen plays fiery Latin Jazz and Salsa, creating music that brings audiences to their feet, dancing in the aisles. Susie and her Los Angeles-based band have been acclaimed by many critics, such as Phil Elwood from the San Francisco Examiner who describes them this way: “It’s a sizzling, swinging Salsa band. Hansen can solo as if her bow was afire. The whole room was jumpin’ for joy.” Mark Holston wrote in JAZZIZ Magazine that Susie Hansen’s “violin speaks the language of Latin Jazz with total fluency.” A long-time favorite in Los Angeles, Susie and her band play 175-200 live performances per year, including such events as the Playboy Jazz Festival, Fiesta Broadway, San Jose Jazz Festival, LA Salsa Festival and Newport Beach Jazz Festival. She has toured nationally with her band, and has appeared with such big names as Tito Puente.
On August 9, join us as we present the combination rhythms of Salsa & Rumba to give you SalSumba, a group of multitalented musicians from all parts of the world. The combined talents of these musical artists creates a contagious energy that is sure to bring you to your feet & on the dance floor with their Afro/Caribbean rhythms of Salsa, Rumba, & Latin Jazz.
Founded in 1969, Heritage Square is a living history museum dedicated to telling the story of the development of Los Angeles. At the museum, eight historic structures, saved from demolition and moved to the site, provide a glimpse of Southern California as it looked 100 years ago. The Museum is located at 3800 Homer Street, off the 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway (110/Pasadena Freeway) at Avenue 43, just north of downtown Los Angeles. For further information, please visit our website at www.heritagesquare.org or our blog at http://heritagesquare.blogspot.com
Unlock the key to the history of Los Angeles at Heritage Square Museum.
Brian Sheridan
Director of Development and Communications
Heritage Square Museum
(323) 225-2700 ext. 221
3800 Homer Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031
