Hola Boyle Heights! Your community reporter, Alex Medina, is here to share some happenings in and around the neighborhood to get you out and about!
Check out the latest from the Beat
It’s good to be back! I hope you’re all doing well and getting through this summer’s heat wave. Taking care of your mental well-being in whatever way works best for you is just as important. It’s also a message the Mindful Gardeners from Griffith Middle School have been spreading sharing valuable mental health resources for the East L.A. community since 2020. You can read more about this student-led organization in this article by yours truly.
In case you missed it, President Joe Biden announced an executive order in June granting legal protection for undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens. Our reporter Ricky Rodas sat down with one East L.A. couple who say this change could prove life-changing for them and many others across the country. You can check out that story here.
For folks looking for free and low-cost activities to keep you busy this summer, our intern Carol Martinez has you covered. You can check out her guide here.
We’ve covered a lot of other stories recently, from L.A. City reducing permit prices for street vendors to Metro’s annual ‘State of the Agency’ address. You can check out those stories and more of the latest happening in and around the neighborhood on our website.
Happenings in the Heights
Friday, July 12th
As the new school year approaches, the Community Resource Center in East L.A. (4801 Whittier Boulevard) is hosting a free back-to-school event open to everyone in the neighborhood. There will be free backpacks, school supplies, refreshments, food- while supplies last. No RSVP is required, just walk in anytime from 12 – 4 p.m.
It’s the second Friday of the month, and that means Caminarte is back on 1st Street just outside of Espacio 1839 (1839 E. 1st Street). The local business is hosting a 5 p.m. opening ceremony of Por La Lucha Palestina, a showcase of over 20 artists featuring unique artworks, poetry and performances. Outside on the sidewalk you’ll find an artisan marketplace open until 10 p.m.
In collaboration with Kali Arte Collective, InnerCity Struggle (3467 Whittier Boulevard) is hosting the poster collaging workshop Arte y Visiones. The gathering runs from 5 – 7 p.m. with giveaways, music, refreshments and food on top of the hands-on art experience. You can RSVP for the free event online.
Over at The Paramount (2708 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue), the iconic venue is hosting La Nueva Olga along with Spaghetti Cumbia and Milagro Verde. You can get a ticket for the all-ages show online for about $20. Doors are set to open right at 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 13th
The Goddess Mercado is back at the East L.A. Civic Center (4801 E. 3rd Street). In addition to the regular farmer’s market, there will be dozens of vendors, live music, local organizations, food trucks and more to keep you busy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking for the event is located at the county courthouse parking structure (4849 Civic Center Way).
Also in the area, Self Help Graphics is hosting a family workshop at the East Los Angeles County Library (4837 E. 3rd Street). The local nonprofit is collaborating with People’s Yoga for a free class from 1 – 2:30 p.m. You can RSVP for the event online, though walk-ins are also welcome.
Latinx with Plants (2208 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue) is partnering with Bar Nuda Los Angeles for Poesía y Plantas, a poetry night full of creative expression, mocktails, a potluck and more from 2 – 6 p.m. Donation-based tickets are available online.
1st Street Pool and Billiard (1906 E. 1st Street) is hosting Summer Babies 7, a local event with live bands, all-vinyl DJs, food and craft vendors, raffles and lots of fun activities to keep you vibing from 3 p.m. until 1 a.m. You can grab a ticket ahead of the event for $10 online, or $15 at the door.
Tonalli Studio (4539 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue) is hosting an opening reception for Alas Pa’ Volar Como Frida. Curated by Rosanna Esparza Ahrens and Andrea Ramirez, this group art show focuses on the diary of the one and only Frida Kahlo. The event runs from 5 – 9 p.m.
Near the end of June, a fire caused thousands of dollars in damage to El Sereno’s Artemisia Nursery (5068 Valley Boulevard). In an effort to support the business, rock band Sage Against the Machine is performing a fundraiser show to support the shop’s recovery. The event runs from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available onlineranging from $25-150. Those who are unable to attend but would still like to support can do so through GoFundMe.
Sunday, July 14th
Over at Don Quixote (2811 E. Olympic Boulevard), this weekend’s all about lucha libre wrestling. Vito Fratelli, Doble Cara, Jordan Cruz and Ryan Kidd are some of the many masked wrestlers set to battle it out at the venue’s ring from 5 – 8 p.m. You can grab a ticket for Lucha Hangover II online for $25-50.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming community meeting!
What are the major environmental issues affecting Boyle Heights? That question’s at the center of our upcoming community meeting set to take place at the Beat’s office (2026 E. 1st Street) on Saturday, July 20th from 10 a.m. through 12 p.m. Following a Q&A panel, we’ll also have a screen printing workshop in collaboration with Self Help Graphics & Art from noon to 2 p.m. You can RSVP for our free event here. I hope to see you there!
As always, let us know what you think of the newsletter and send us events to include in future editions. Have an amazing weekend!
