On a crisp August evening under the glow of golden string lights, people of all ages gather at a small soccer field in East Los Angeles for a celebration of art, culture and connection.
The tantalizing scent of tacos de canasta weaves through rows of artisan vendor stands showcasing handmade treasures. The sound of laughter and cumbias is interrupted as poets take the mic.
“Without further ado, friends, we are going to get these poets going… I’m really excited to hear new voices, new stories, new experiences,” says the emcee, kicking off the night’s event that is known as East Los Soul.
For the people who attend weekly, East Los Soul is not just an art event— in the few months since its launch, it has become a living, breathing community and a haven for local artists.
The event is the brainchild of twin brothers Jonathan and Timothy Williams, who grew up in East L.A. The pair work with children at L.A. County schools and are also artists themselves, getting their start in theater at East Los Angeles College.
The brothers’ journey is a testimony of resilience. Their upbringing was shaped by the struggles of addiction, suicide and gang life within their family.
“We lost a lot of family members… we’ve been homeless a few times, having to live in our cars,” said Jonathan Williams. “But I think because of the strong understanding of my past, I took it upon myself to break through that, to not become a similar statistic.”
Growing up, the East L.A. Boys and Girls Club, now known as East LA Rising, became a second home for the Williams brothers. It provided opportunities their family couldn’t afford—memorable field trips, guitar and swimming lessons, and even dream-come-true moments at Disneyland and Lakers games.
Now, life has come full circle, and the place that shaped their youth is where they have hosted the art get-together every Wednesday since July 2024.
“I wanted to represent the culture of East L.A,” said Jonathan Williams. “I wanted people to believe in the message that I have to offer to my community, which is that our art is accessible, our art is rich historically, and it has a voice, so they should be able to use it on a stage that’s very close to home.”
On any given week, the family-friendly event features live art, poetry, DJs, bands, and crafts for sale, including handmade soaps, candles and jewelry. Here, local artists are encouraged to embrace the true value of their work, its founders say, not merely as private creations but as powerful contributions to the culture they represent.
Poet Citlalli Santillan says that finding opportunities to express her art authentically hasn’t always been easy. She’s been to other open mics, but not with the same level of inclusivity she feels at East Los Soul. “I’ve been allowed the space to explore my Latinidad within my work [at East Los Soul], which has not only improved and honed my poetic style but also healed my generational trauma and brought me closer to my Mexican culture,” Santillan said.
Scenes from East Los Soul. Photos courtesy of Jonathan Williams.
Conzuelo Ruiz has been coming to East Los Soul to sell traditional Zapotecan textiles. She says she likes that the event is near her home and provides a space where she can show and sell her art. “I am happy that people in the community are getting to know me. I feel proud to see that they value our work … and can access a product made by Zapotec hands,” she said in Spanish.
That’s exactly what co-founder Timothy Williams wanted to create. He says the art produced in East L.A. has long been appreciated in more affluent areas of the city. But many artists often have to leave their own neighborhoods to find a platform. For him, East Los Soul is about reclaiming that space, providing a hub for the community’s stories, heritage and talents to thrive locally and gain the respect they deserve.
“East L.A. has really brought me to realize how important my roots are. I never really understood my culture or my background because being from foster care and being very timid and quiet I never really asked a lot of questions,” Timothy Williams said in a short documentary about the event.
Although East Los Soul is still new and growing, the brothers are committed to preserving collaboration and community input. They believe it’s essential for others to feel involved and contribute ideas that shape the venue to reflect the community’s collective aspirations.
“I realized that it’s actually important to keep [the venue] as rustic as possible because … that’s what we feel comfortable around. It’s not that we’re not used to fancy things. But sometimes, when a fancy thing comes in, it scares us that we’re going to get pushed out. And I’m not trying to scare anybody away,” Jonathan Williams said.
Want to check it out?
The next East Los Soul session will be held from 8 to 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 324 N. McDonnell Avenue in East Los Angeles. The all-ages event is open to the public. Donations are welcome. For more information, visit @eastlossoul on Instagram.
