THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: EL ZOCOTROCO ON A PUERTORICAN YEAR IN REVIEW, RICARDO ROMO ON REMEMBERING JOSÉ ESQUIVEL, MARK GUERRERO ON HANK BARRIO AND QUETZAL PERFORMS “VOCES ” (VOICES).
We start the new year with José Umpierre reflecting on the past year and its major events, beginning with his surviving open heart surgery. José also looks at political life in Puerto Rico with the debate on whether there should be another plebiscite to determine whether the island should remain a U.S. territory, seek independence as its own nation, or become the 51st state. There have been previous plebiscites with varying outcomes, none of them conclusive. The difference now is that there is a U.S. congressional effort afoot to move the plebiscite idea forward. But back home in Puerto Rico, while there seems to be a consensus in the national congress to go forward, the Puerto Rican senate seems to be uninterested. An issue that will certainly continue to come up in 2023.
Also this week, Ricardo Romo remembers the late artist José Esquivel whose memorial was held on January 3rd. Ricardo Romo reminds us of the pioneering and trail-blazing work that José accomplished in his lifetime to advance Chicano art.
Mark Guerrero returns with another chapter in his podcast series on East L.A. Stories. Mark is dong incredible work in preserving the history of accomplishments by Chicano musicians of the 1960s, 70s and 80s and the latest way is his interviews if musicians talking about East Los Angeles stories.
Last but not least, this week we feature the contemporary Eastside music group Quetzal as they perform an original piece titled “Voces” (Voices).
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and Happy New Year!
Tia Tenopia