THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: MARGARET ELYSIA GARCIA’S NEW NOVEL “GRAFT,” MARGARET GARCIA ON HORROR AND LONELINESS, RICARDO ROMO’S TEJANO REPORT ON MAGO GANDARA’S EL PASO EXHIBIT MUJER MODERNA AND MARK GUERRERO’S INTERVIEW WITH MIDNITERS BASSIST BENNY LOPEZ.
Holy Moly! Literature, art and music on this week’s Latinopia!
We begin with Whittier based short story writer and poet Margaret Elysia Garcia’s new collection of short stories, Graft. Latinopia interviewed Margaret and asked why the unusual title for a book. She explains that and much more in these two interviews. The first one speaks to what the collection of short stories is all about. The second video hones in on Margaret’s interest on the themes of horror in suburbia and on loneliness. Very cool and thoughtful, be sure to check it out!
Also this week, Ricardo Romo’s Tejano Report focuses on a new exhibit, Mujer Moderna: The Life and Artwork of Mago Gándara, which opened in the fall of 2025 at El Paso’s Mexican American Cultural Center. Curated by Ramon Cardenas, the exhibition honors Margarita “Mago” Orona Gándara (1929–2018). As usual Ricardo Romo provides the insightful backstory to Mago Gándara and her art.
Also this week mark Guerrero returns with his East Los Angeles Music Stories. This week he looks at the music of Benny Lopez, bassist for the acclaimed Eastside rock group of the nineteen sixties Thee Midniters.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and tell your friends!
Tia Tenopia