Carlos Castro Arias Interview by Joel Duran

February 18, 2024 Joel Duran

Carlos Castro Arias in front of his The Awaken King tapestry

Hi. We are in downtown Los Angeles, California at LA Art Show 2024 in booth 1362 for Mythstories by Carlos Castro Arias. The project is curated by Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bogota Gustavo Ortiz in collaboration with DIVERSEartLA. Would you please introduce yourself?

Hello. My name is Carlos Castro and I am from Colombia. I am currently living in San Diego, California. I am an artist. We are having a show here at the LA Art Show curated by Gustavo Ortiz. He is the director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Bogota.

http://www.carloscastroarias.com/projects/en/

LA Art Show 2024: DIVERSEartLA

January 24, 2024 Joel Duran

LA Art Show’s non-commercial platform, DIVERSEartLA, returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from February 14–18. The program, which began in 2015 and is curated by Marisa Caichiolo, connects with local and international art institutions to generate thoughtful dialogue through art. The 2024 program will showcase solo projects from seven top international art institutions, exploring the intersection of memory, humanity, and AI. Caichiolo says “The works invite us to consider the opportunities and challenges presented by AI while also raising ethical questions and the social implications of relying on AI as a tool for memory and identity.”

DIVERSEartLA will also present the second edition of the Museum Acquisition Award for an Emerging Artist - created by AAL Museum & AAL Magazine (Chile) - who will have the opportunity to be part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

Sueños Music Festival 2024 Lineup

January 24, 2024 Joel Duran

(Chicago, IL – January 23, 2024) - Sueños Music Festival unites the city of Chicago under the banner of incredible Reggaeton and Latin Music. Today, El Festival Latino announces the lineup for its third annual fest, bringing unprecedented star power to the banks of Lake Michigan in May 2024. Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro, and Maluma are set to headline with a special performance from Ivan Cornejo, topping a bill filled with some of the most exciting names in Latin Music like Mora, Young Miko, Manuel Turizo, Jowell Y Randy, and more. Sueños returns to Grant Park in the Heart of Downtown Chicago on May 25th & 26th, 2024. Remaining passes for Sueños are available starting January 25th at SuenosMusicFestival.com

2023 MLS Cup Western Conference Final: LAFC vs Houston Dynamo by Joel Duran

December 3, 2023 Joel Duran

LAFC are MLS Western Conference Champions

On Saturday December 2nd, 2023 LAFC defeated Houston Dynamo by a score of 2-0 at BMO Stadium in downtown Los Angeles, California. LAFC appeared to be in control most of the game because they consistently created the more promising scoring opportunities despite Houston Dynamo retaining ball possession for significantly longer time. LAFC was led by Carlos Vela and his friend and previous teammate from the Mexican National team Hector Herrera led the Houston Dynamo. This might have been Carlos Vela’s last game at BMO Stadium as a player for LAFC.

ComplexCon 2023 by Joel Duran and Roger Martinez

November 28, 2023 Joel Duran

Javi Bandera cofounder of PAISABOYS by Roger Martinez

According to its website, “ComplexCon is an expertly-curated festival of the future, bringing together the world’s most influential brands and artists for an immersive and unforgettable weekend of style, sneakers, art, design, food, music, inspiration, and more. We invite you to join our community and experience the future of pop culture this November 18-19 in Long Beach, CA.” We covered the 2023 festival in search of Latino creatives. We spoke with of Javi Bandera of PAISABOYS and Brenda Equihua of EQUIHUA on Sunday, November 19th, 2023 at ComplexCon.

Suenos Festival 2023 Official Aftermovie

November 11, 2023 Joel Duran

Suenos Festival 2023 Official Aftermovie

LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps by Joel Duran

October 29, 2023 Joel Duran

On Saturday October 28th, 2023 LAFC beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-2 at BMO Stadium in downtown Los Angeles, California. The final score did not seem to reflect the competitive first half of the game or the scares the LAFC and their fans experienced. We must begin by celebrating LAFC’s return to playoff soccer in this first first round of 2023.

https://www.lafc.com/

LAFC vs Inter Miami 2023 by Joel Duran and Roger Martinez

September 4, 2023 Joel Duran

On Sunday, September 23rd, 2023, Inter Miami beat 2022 league champions LAFC by a score of 3-1 at BMO Stadium in downtown Los Angeles, California. Inter Miami was ahead 3-0 at 84 minutes of play with goals from Facundo Farias, Jordi Alba, and Leonardo Campana. The Argentine superstar Lionel Messi assisted his Inter Miami teammates for their latter two goals. His team might have been up another goal had LAFC keeper John McCarthy not made an impressive block on his shot at the 38th minute of play. LAFC made the game a little more interesting with a header goal by Ryan Hollingshead during the concluding minutes of play. That goal was assisted by the Mexican LAFC captain Carlos Vela. Inter Miami ultimately played better by capitalizing on their scoring opportunities.

https://www.lafc.com/

Soccer Champions Tour 2023: Barcelona vs Arsenal by Roger Martinez

August 1, 2023 Joel Duran

On Wednesday July 26th, 2023 Arsenal defeated FC Barcelona 5-3 for a contentious friendly match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Roger Martinez documented the night with a photographic essay.

https://www.soccerchampionstour.com/en/

Soccer Champions Tour 2023: Real Madrid vs AC Milan

July 26, 2023 Joel Duran

Real Madrid earned a 3-2 victory over AC Milan on Sunday July 23rd, 2023 at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Christian Pulisic, United States Men’s National Team captain, helped AC Milan take an early lead with a corner kick assist to his teammate Fikayo Tomori. AC Milan doubled their lead with a beautiful shot from outside the box by the Argentine Luka Romero. The game had quick turnaround in the second half following numerous substitutions by Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti. Federico Valverde tied the game with goals in the 57th and 59th minutes of the game. Later, Vinicius Junior would give Real Madrid the lead and eventual win with his fast break shot in the 83rd minute.

https://www.soccerchampionstour.com/en/

Mister Cartoon's "Just My Imagination" by Joel Duran

June 18, 2023 Joel Duran

Chicano artist Mister Cartoon in collaboration with Beyond the Streets is exhibiting his “Just My Imagination” show at Control Gallery in Los Angeles, California through July 16th, 2023. He “began his career as a graffiti artist before branching into murals, album covers, logos, and now most famously known for his tattoos (mistercartoon.com).” He has tattooed a long list of celebrities that includes Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Travis Barker, Dr. Dre, Christina Aguilera, and 50 Cent. His current show highlights his airbrushing and drawing abilities on a variety of surfaces, including a unique classic car.

https://control.gallery/

Concacaf Champions League Final 2023 by Joel Duran

June 7, 2023 Joel Duran

Leon representing Mexico’s Liga MX beat LAFC of Major League Soccer 1-0 at BMO Stadium on the cool evening of Sunday June 4th, 2023 in downtown Los Angeles, California. That score combined with Leon’s first leg 2-1 victory in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico earned Leon the title of Concacaf Champions League 2023.

https://www.lafc.com/

Sueños Music Festival 2023 by Joel Duran and Roger Martinez

June 5, 2023 Joel Duran

Sueños Music Festival on the Memorial Day weekend of May 27th to May 28th, 2023 at Grant Park in downtown Chicago, Illinois was a joyous celebration of Latino music. Attendees were welcomed by the city’s 57th mayor Brandon Johnson, a former Chicago Teachers Union member. He promised that Chicago would continue hosting the festival as long as he was mayor. The crowd accepted the extended invitation responding with loud chants, claps, and screams.

https://www.suenosmusicfestival.com/

CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal: LAFC vs Club Leon by Joel Duran

May 10, 2023 Joel Duran

Los Angeles Football Club defeated Philadelphia Union 3-0 on Tuesday evening of May 2nd, 2023 at BMO Stadium in downtown Los Angeles, California. That victory for LAFC combined with the first leg 1-1 tie between the two Major League Soccer teams on April 26th, 2023 secured the Los Angeles team a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League Final against Club Leon of the Mexican Liga BBVA MX. Leon beat Tigres UANL in the other leg of the tournament’s semifinal round by an aggregate score of 4-3.

https://www.lafc.com/

Sueños Music Festival 2022 After-movie

April 22, 2023 Joel Duran

https://www.suenosmusicfestival.com/

Cam & China Rolling Loud Los Angeles 2023 Interview by Joel Duran

March 20, 2023 Joel Duran

I interviewed Cam & China following their Rolling Loud Los Angeles 2023 performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vifs_AVBVI8

Esteban Escobedo Interview by Joel Duran

March 13, 2023 Joel Duran

We interviewed Esteban Escobedo after Professional Bull Riders’ UNLEASH THE BEAST: SOCAL SHOWDOWN 2023 at Crypto Arena in downtown Los Angeles, California.

https://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=20-1575

https://www.westernjustice.info/

https://www.change.org/p/la-city-council-save-rodeo-in-los-angeles

LA Art Show 2023 by Joel Duran and Roger Martinez

February 28, 2023 Joel Duran

Friend, Isaac Pelayo, and Antonio Pelayo by Roger Martinez

Roger Martinez and I attended the LA Art Show’s Opening Night Premiere on Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. We have covered the show several years and each time enjoy learning of new artists, galleries, and participants. We make an effort to focus our coverage on Latino participants.

https://www.laartshow.com/

San Diego International Film Festival 2022 by Alexis Duran

November 29, 2022 Joel Duran

I started my San Diego International Film Festival experience in La Jolla, California on October 20th, 2022 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. This was the second day of the festival and its 21st anniversary. The event I covered that night was Night of the Stars Tribute which was dedicated to celebrating some of Hollywood's most accomplished filmmakers and fan favorites. The night began with excitement as some of the cast and directors of this year's film submissions walked the red carpet.

https://sdfilmfest.com/

LAFC vs Austin FC, MLS Western Conference Final 2022 by Roger Martinez

November 1, 2022 Joel Duran

LAFC defeated Austin FC 3 - 0 at home in Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California.