Read Tacos. Eat Poetry.
By Brent E. Beltrán
Has it already been twenty years since a band of guerrilla word slingers thought to share poetry with taco shop patrons? Apparently so, as the Taco Shop Poets are back in poetic motion for a gig at The Front in San Ysidro.
Founding Taco Shop Poets member Adolfo Guzman Lopez told me “it’s been 20 years since the idea for taco shop poetry was put in motion. We’re presenting the group’s 2011 book Sugarskull Sueños at the Tijuana book fair and what better place to reflect on our personal journeys as Mexican Americans, Chicanos, Latinos, cuarentones, border vatos, and fathers than a homegrown community space in San Ysidro.”
Originally started as a large, loose knit group of mostly Chicano and Latino raconteurs the Taco Shop Poets almost singlehandedly helped recreate the California spoken word poetry scene. They eventually whittled themselves down into a tight collective of border bards that have toured the nation and beyond. Their influence on the Chicano poetry world can still be felt today even though they’ve been relatively dormant the past few years.
In a past life I had the honor of helping them design the second edition of their debut book, Chorizo Tonguefire, and co-produced, as Calaca Press, their spoken word CD of the same name. Since then they’ve produced a couple other CD’s, chapbooks and the 2011 release, Sugarskull Sueños. In addition, two of their members, Tomás Riley and Adrian Arancibia, had their solo books published by Calaca Press and City Works Press.
Other key members of the group included Miguel-Angel Soria, Bennie Herron, ThaiMex and earlier contributors such as alurista, Zopilote, the late Lin Romero, Pat Payne, Jahsun Edmonds and lots of others including my wife Olympia Beltrán (Rodriguez at the time). Music was also a big part of the Taco Shop Poets. Some of the musicians that contributed their sounds included Mikey Figgins, Kevin P. Green, Lenon Honor, the late Skip Howlette, Nick Carvajal, Cameron Jasper and Bourbon LeMond among many others.
I also had the privilege of being asked by them to become a board member of their newly created non-profit, The Voz Alta Project. Shortly thereafter, in March 2002, we opened up Voz Alta on E St. Downtown. Voz Alta served as a rehearsal space for them and as a performance space for the rest of San Diego’s art and culture underground. Voz Alta originally showcased art exhibitions, poetry readings, open mics and live music. It continues to live on today under the care of Carlos Beltran in Barrio Logan.
Their origins began at the Centro Cultural de la Raza with the first Taco Shop Poetry series in 1994 hosted by Guzman Lopez. They eventually gravitated to El Campo Ruse in the East Village. After its demise, they helped create the aforementioned Voz Alta and worked out of there until their eventual hiatus.
The Taqueros never quite reached the literary fame that they deserved. No reviews in the New York Times or invitations to read at presidential inaugurations. But they did have a large impact on their mostly youthful audiences and on the next generation of multicultural poets.
If you’ve never seen them perform live, and if you’re under thirty you probably haven’t, then now is time. They have regrouped for a special performance on Saturday, June 8 at 6:30pm at Casa Familiar’s The Front in San Ysidro. For only $5, the cost of a burrito, you can see them read tacos and eat poetry.
For more info on the Taco Shop Poets visit their website and check out this video interview with Adolfo Guzman Lopez.
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Here is my Las Monthly Ondas event list, in chronological order, of some of the ondas that are taking place in San Diego in June. By no means is it a complete list (for more events click on the Calendar tab at the top of the page). These are events that I’ve personally chosen to highlight because they take place in Barrio Logan and surrounding communities or have some personal significance to me. My selection is totally biased. Enjoy.
June 1 from 10am-4pm – $5
Battlegroundz
Check out some of San Diego’s hottest graf artists as they bomb on the walls of the MAAC Charter School. Featuring over three dozen artists and live musical performances.
MAAC Charter School
1385 Third Ave. in Chula Vista
June 1 from 4-7pm
Hip Hop and Critical Pedagogy
Check out this lecture, spoken word set and question and answer session featuring Bocafloja and Cambio.
The Roots Factory
1878 Main St
June 1 from 6:30-10:30pm
Dos Caras Swimwear and URT! Summer Git Down
Check out this summer fashion show from two local designers: Dos Caras Swimwear and URT! With music by Saul Q, Kid Wonder and V-Rock. Plus, cotton candy, snow cones, summer cocktails and grog by Coronado Brewing Company.
The Spot Barrio Logan
1835 Main St. in Barrio Logan
For more info visit.
June 1-23
Melinda Lopez’s Becoming Cuba
Commissioned by North Coast Rep, this World Premiere drama set in 1890s Cuba, introduces a family coping with a changing landscape of their country as it struggles for independence.
North Coast Rep
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D in Solana Beach
For more info visit.
June 7-9 from 12-8pm
La Onda Arte Latino/Art Gallery and Gifts Grand Opening
Art curator Andy Gonzalez has opened up his own gallery at Liberty Station. Check out the opening weekend festivities with artwork by Emilia Garcia and Gerardo.
La Onda Arte Latino/Art Gallery and Gifts
2690 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 19, Studio 101
For more info visit.
June 8 @ 6:30pm – $5
Taco Shop Poetry & Open Mic
Members of the San Diego poetry collective, Taco Shop Poets, celebrate their newest book Sugarskull Sueños.
Casa Familiar’s The Front
147 W. San Ysidro Dr.
For more info visit.
June 11 @ 7:30pm
Steal Heaven
Culture Clash’s Herbert Siguenza channels Yippee activist Abbie Hoffman in this staged reading of his play Steal Heaven.
North Coast Rep
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D in Solana Beach
For more info visit.
June 13 from 6-9pm – $20/$25 at door
Media Arts Center Summer Carnival Fundraiser
There will be a silent auction, comedian, magician, carnival games, food, and drinks. All funds raised go towards allowing youth to attend the Media Arts Center’s summer programs for free.
Media Arts Center
2921 El Cajon Blvd.
For more info visit.
June 15 from 11am -4pm
15th Annual Conference on Raza Prisoners and Colonialism
Join the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project as they present their 15th annual conference on prisoners.
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd in Balboa Park
For more info visit.
June 29 from 11am-5pm
17th Annual San Diego Latino Music Festival
This FREE event will feature live music by local artists, food, art, unique hand-crafted items, and a Fun Zone with activities for kids.
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave.
For more info visit.
Regular barrio happenings:
San Diego Public Market
Buy organic fruits, vegetables and other goodies every Wednesday and Sunday from 9am-2pm at the San Diego Public Market, 1735 National Ave., Barrio Logan. For more info visit.
Latin Jazz Jam
Check out one of San Diego’s finest musical treasures, Bill Caballero, as he hosts his weekly Latin jazz jam every Thursday from 7-10pm at Voz Alta Project, 1754 National Ave., Barrio Logan
Sobreruedas en el Barrio: A Neighborhood Market
Micro-businesses and community vendors have come together for this every other Sunday afternoon neighborhood mercado. June 2, 16 & 30 from 10am-2pm on 30th St. and Imperial Ave. in Sherman Heights.
If you want your event to be considered for a future Desde la Logan listing send an email with event info to desdelalogan@gmail.com.
Brent E. Beltrán
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