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 this spooky season.
Check out the latest from your local news source!
Mendez seeking new principal months after controversial Bautista removal
Following months of uncertainty, the Mendez High School community was informed this week that LAUSD was seeking a new principal. The announcement comes after former principal Maruo Bautista was removed from campus last April, sparking a series of demonstrations by students and staff calling for transparency. At a meeting with staff, district officials said Bautista had resigned but gave no information regarding his resignation or his past removal.
Boyle Heights and Latinos play central role in Ysabel Jurado’s bid for CD 14 seat
If elected, Ysabel Jurado – who is queer and was raised in Highland Park – will be the first person of Filipino descent on the council, as well as the first woman to represent CD 14. She is running against Kevin de León to represent the area, which encompasses downtown, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights and Northeast L.A. neighborhoods. If elected, her presence would mark a shift in a district represented by male Latino leadership since Richard Alatorre won the seat in 1985.
How this El Sereno educator teaches students about decolonizing art
Jose Luis Gutierrez, 44, teaches art to students at Anawakalmekak International University Preparatory of North America, the only Indigenous school in L.A. County. The school teaches its students in English, Spanish and Nawatl. Here, he teaches about decolonizing art by incorporating Indigenous values including connection with nature and working toward its protection.
Immigrant and eldest daughter shares her experience as a 1st time voter
On a random Tuesday in 2023, Carmen González recalls her immigration lawyer calling her with life-changing news: her petition for U.S. citizenship had finally been approved after a distressing and emotional yearslong wait. As the Nov. 5 election quickly approaches, she’s got more to worry than about voting for the 1st time – as the eldest daughter in her family, there’s a huge weight on her shoulders to help her family members vote too.
As always, make sure to keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more of the latest from your local news source.
Happenings in the Heights
Friday, Oct. 18
Boyle Heights Beat is collaborating with LAist and CalMatters to break down the ballot in the quickly approaching general election. Reporters from all three newsrooms will be available at our 1st Street office from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to answer any election questions you might have. You can RSVP to attend here. Food and drinks will be provided.
Re/Arte is hosting a free movie screening of “Bitter Cane,” an award-winning documentary about the colonial exploitation of the Haitian people. The event is a collaboration between the local bookstore and community organizations Legalization for All (L4A) and Centro CSO. The 6 p.m. screening will be followed by a discussion led by Chris Bernadel and Jordan Peña.
The Paramount is having a night of East Coast Soul and R&B featuring The Jack Moves, Rudy De Anda, Junior Scaife, Loser Lemon and Cold Cut. Tickets for the all-ages show are available online for about $25. Doors open at 8 p.m.
The Boyle Heights 5K is back, featuring a route that starts and ends at Mariachi Plaza and includes the neighborhood’s iconic 6th Street Bridge. The 8:30 a.m. race coincides with a free Classic Muscle Car Show, as well as a community festival featuring local live music, performers, food, drinks and more to enjoy. Tickets for the race are available online for $40.
It’s the third Saturday of the month, which means the Queer Mercado is back at the East L.A. Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features LGBTQ+ artists, vendors, entrepreneurs, performers, creators as well as a farmers market for the Eastside community. It’s October, so you know the event will have a spooky vibe this time around.
LA Plaza is hosting a papel picado and cempasúchil workshop at noon for those looking to create beautiful decorations for altars – and parties – this Día de Muertos season. All materials will be provided, and entry into the event is donation-based.
Continuing with its Día de Los Muertos series, Self Help Graphics is hosting a calaca magnet workshop at East L.A. County Library from 3 to 5 p.m. All materials will be provided for participants. Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP as soon as you can. For decades, SHG has been organizing events around the holiday so check out their website for more happening soon.
It’s going to be a night of haunted pool at 1st Street Pool & Billiards featuring music from the bands Los Changos, The Almighty Majestics, The Green Expression and Los Lonely Stars, as well as local food and vendors. Attendees are encouraged to pull up with costumes to compete in a contest. Tickets are available for $5-10 online and in-person. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Don Quixote is bringing back its spooky preciosa night party this weekend, featuring queer Latina DJs, custom drinks, food, Halloween maze, costume contest and more to enjoy. Doors for this 21 and over queer reggaeton party open at 9 p.m. Tickets are only available online for about $27 and will not be sold at the door.
Sunday, Oct. 20
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is hosting a free community art market where you can shop from more than 20 local and international artisans, enjoy food, live music, performances and workshops centered around Indigenous ingenuity and splendor. The market opens at noon with more to do throughout the day until 7 p.m. You can see the full schedule here.
Over at East Los Tacos Restaurant, local artist Andrea Ramirez (Mextica) will be hosting a Día de Muertos paint night from 4 to 6 p.m. Thanks to a sponsorship by the Eastside food spot, tickets are available for $25 and all art supplies will be provided. You can grab your ticket online.
As always, please let us know what you think of this newsletter and send us your events to include in future editions. Hope you have an amazing weekend!
