Arts and Music (Audio)

Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles prides itself on being the world's first LGBTQ mariachi band. Their tight, energetic, and intricate sound has been honed by the work they've had to do to navigate the typically hypermasculine and heteronormative world of mariachi as gay and trans musicians. The band has performed at numerous gay and transgender pride events as well as in the #SchoolsNotPrisons tour for the California Endowment. They have been featured multiple times on Univision morning shows, and in the Smithsonian Folklife magazine. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38287]

Sweden is mostly known internationally for being a pop music powerhouse, but they also have an equally vibrant folk and world music scene less well known to the outside world. Sallyswag is a 9-woman band that has taken that scene by storm, weaving together its roots in dance hall, Balkan, R&B, Swedish folk, hip-hop, and afro-beat to create an entirely original sound that's been electrifying audiences since their foundation in 2014. They took home the Newcomer of the Year award at the 2015 Swedish Folk and World Music Gala for being a "refreshing sucker punch" (approximate translation) and have been performing to rave reviews on their national circuit ever since. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38283]

These five siblings got their start playing in various bands in the Vancouver music scene before joining together to form SuddenRush. Their sound is a seamless blend of Hmong sentimental song style and epic country rock, which works so well together it's surprising more people haven't thought to do it. The band had a break-through hit with their song "Mi Noog" in 2007, and has remained popular with Hmong audiences in Canada and the US ever since. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38285]

The band La Santa Cecilia, named for the patron saint of music, is dedicated to voicing the experience of a new bicultural generation in the United States. Their music is rooted in their Mexican heritage, but also inspired by traditions of bossa nova, rumba, bolero, tango, jazz, rock, and klezmer. They have made seven albums, and their 2013 release Treinta Días won the Grammy for Best Latin Rock Album (Alternative or Urban). They have also been nominated for two Latin Grammies, and their album El Valor was named one of the best of the year by NPR's Alt Latino. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38286]

Ernie Lowe is a photographer who documented life in the Central Valley of California in the 1960s, with a focus on labor activism among farmworkers. He was mentored by Dorothea Lange and also studied under John Collier, Jr. Lowe’s archive of photos can be found at the UC Merced Library, which has made them available online through Calisphere. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38289]

LADAMA is a group of four women, virtuosic musicians, and educators— Lara Klaus, Daniela Serna, Mafer Bandola and Sara Lucas— from different countries and cultures of the Americas, who are sisters in song, rhythm and spirit. Harnessing music from their respective countries of origin, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and the United States, the group utilizes traditional and non-traditional instruments from across the Americas, but with a modern twist to produce Latin Alternative music. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38293]

Paul Espinosa, an award-winning filmmaker and producer, is the President/CEO of Espinosa Productions, specializing in films focused on the U.S.-Mexico border region. He has been involved with producing films for over 35 years and is professor emeritus in the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He has worked with public television stations in San Diego and Dallas as a Senior Producer and Executive Producer and has produced, directed, written and hosted numerous programs for PBS. Espinosa received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in Anthropology. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38288]

Ellas is a new trio that performs an exciting blend of mariachi, jazz, country, and various other styles. Series: "Critically Human" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38284]

In this episode, Michael Chemers, Chair of the Department of Performance, Play & Design, and Theater Arts professor at UC Santa Cruz, discusses his wide ranging plans for the newly formed Department of Performance, Play and Design and how it is incorporating DEI issues and concerns. Series: "The Art of Change" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38223]

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have risen like a phoenix from the ashes of war and enflamed the passion of fans across the globe with their uplifting songs of hope, faith and joy. From their humble beginnings in West African refugee camps, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and matured into one of Africa’s top touring and recording bands. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38277]