Fairs And Festivals

LéaLA, the premier Spanish Book Fair & Literary Festival, returns from September 19-22, 2024, at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes located at 501 N. Main Street in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, this year’s event, themed Building Peace Together, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the rich traditions, language, and culture of the Latino community through literature, art, and intellectual dialogue.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, LéaLA will highlight the profound influence of Latino heritage on global literature and culture. The event will feature a wide range of activities for all ages, including author discussions, poetry readings, film screenings, and children’s workshops. Highlights include the opening event, El Mariachi, where Juan Villoro will read his story of the same name, and a special screening celebrating the 20th anniversary of A Day Without a Mexican, with filmmakers Yareli Arizmendi and Sergio Arau in attendance. Guests will also enjoy comedy, gastronomy, and thought-provoking discussions on literature and contemporary issues.

“We invite you to join LéaLA in celebrating our Latin roots, which form a bond stronger than nationalities and unite us under a shared identity: the Spanish language,” said Marisol Schulz Manaut, Executive Director of LéaLA. “This year, as we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re proud to showcase the cultural wealth and literary talent of the Spanish-speaking world.” Notable participants include Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Cristina Rivera Garza, cartoonists Jis & Trino, and writers Rosa Beltrán, Évolet Aceves, Benito Taibo, and Élmer Mendoza. This year, LéaLA will host over 40
publishers offering a wide selection of Spanish-language titles, further enriching the festival’s offerings.

Join us in this vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month through Spanish literature and culture! All activities are FREE and open to the public.

La Feria del Libro en Español y Festival Literario de Los Ángeles

La Feria del Libro en Español y Festival Literario LéaLA 2024 regresa este verano en uno de los lugares más emblemáticos de Los Ángeles, LA Plaza de la Cultura y las Artes. Durante cuatro días tendremos a las voces más importantes de nuestro idioma en diálogos abiertos a todo público.

Con el objetivo de continuar y fortalecer sus programas de difusión de la cultura y las artes para la comunidad de origen latino en la ciudad de Los Ángeles, California, la Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara USA realizará durante cuatro días en septiembre un festival literario a manera de foro abierto a las ideas y la reflexión.

LéaLA 2024 tiene como propósito la promoción de la lectura y el libro en español, así como el reconocimiento a la cultura y costumbres de la comunidad latina en Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, una población que cada vez adquiere más importancia a nivel cultural, político y económico.

Asimismo, habrá sesiones de lectura de poesía, sesiones de discusión académica y talleres infantiles a cargo del programa Letras para volar de la Universidad de Guadalajara.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, en el corazón histórico de Los Ángeles, será la sede de todas las actividades que se realizarán del 19 al 22 de septiembre, con acceso gratuito.

Los libros de los autores participantes y una selección de títulos de interés en español para todas las edades estarán a disposición del público gracias a la participación de la Librería Carlos Fuentes de la Universidad de Guadalajara.

LéaLA 2024 es organizado por la Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara USA, con el apoyo del Legado Grodman y la colaboración del Consulado General de México en Los Ángeles, la Asociación de Egresados de la Universidad de Guadalajara en Los Ángeles, así como varias instituciones públicas y privadas de ambos lados de la frontera.

Celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival, and the 47th anniversary of the Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival at the Watts Towers Arts Center Campus. The music-centered festival welcomes residents and families from across Los Angeles to unite in the sounds and expressions of local and internationally recognized jazz artists, and cross-cultural percussionists and dancers. In addition to enjoying and dancing to over a dozen performances, visitors can explore the historic Watts Towers Arts Center Campus, which will be activated with art and crafts and local food vendors, family arts workshops, and visual art exhibitions, including the opening weekend of A Woman in Charge, Robin Strayhorn. Activities on both Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29 are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A Woman in Charge, Robin Strayhorn, curated by Rosie Lee Hooks, is a one-woman exhibitionon view in the Noah Purifoy Gallery. A Woman in Charge highlights the cumulative work of the multidisciplinary artist featuring graphite, collage, acrylic, and monoprints. The exhibition spans her 40 years residing in Los Angeles up to her most recent work reflecting time spent living and studying in India. On view from September 28, 2024 to March 8, 2025.

The festivals take place at the DCA’s Watts Towers Arts Center Campus at 1727 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002. Free admission and complimentary valet parking. For more information, please call 213.847.4646 or visit www.wattstowers.org. 

Festival Schedules:

42nd Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival
Saturday, September 28, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Master of Ceremonies: James Janisse and Torrence Brannon Reese

10:00 a.m. Danza Azteca Xochipilli
Aztec traditional dancing with Huehuetl and Teponaxtle drums

11:00 a.m. Hemant Kulkarni
Tabla solo accompanied by Makheer Singh on Dilruba

12:00 p.m. Afro Peruvian Experience
Presenting African Ancestors from Peru

1:00 p.m. TAIKOPROJECT
Based in Little Tokyo, one of LA’s leading Taiko groups
2:00 p.m. IGABA
Ron Powell’s journey through Brazil and the Diaspora

3:00 p.m. Jaz Sawyer Drum Summit
Jaz Sawyer teams with Emi Desiré & Aisha Gaillard, two young exciting percussionists

4:00 p.m. Leon Mobley – DA LION
Traditional African American Drum Music

46th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival
Sunday, September 29, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Master of Ceremonies: James Janisse and Torrence Brannon Reese

10:00 a.m. Alaadun
Yoruba ground blessing uniting all cultures based on common themes and principles

11:00 a.m. Kevin Flournoy
Inspirational music with contemporary R&B influence

12:00 p.m. The Jasmine Tommaso Group
Italian Jazz and West Coast Soul

1:00 p.m. Kirk Andrés Wilson
Delta-Chicago Jazz and Blues with a touch of R&B

1:45 p.m. Tai Chi Chuan
School of Healing Martial Arts

2:00 p.m. Community Presentations

2:30 p.m. Nedra Wheeler & Friends
Honoring our Jazz Legends while celebrating our Young Prodigies

3:30 p.m. MEDUSA Tha Gangsta Goddess
The Godmother of West Coast Hip Hop

4:30 p.m. Munyungo’s Jungle Jazz
Jungle grove music you cannot help but move to

All Day Activities at the Festivals:

Watts Towers Amphitheatre

Drum Pavilion: Universal Drum Circle Led by Matt Gibson II
Food Court

Watts Towers Arts Center

A Woman in Charge by Robin Strayhorn and curated by Rosie Lee Hooks in the Noah Purifoy Gallery
International Musical Instruments inside the Dr. Joseph & Bootsie Howard Gallery

Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center

Fertile Ground  exhibition at the Charles Mingus Gallery
Children’s Activities: 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Garden Studio Gallery

Tiling and Gardening Activities 

Directions:

Watts Towers Arts Center Campus
1727 East 107th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90002
213.847.4646

wattstowers.org

The Campus is easily accessible from:

1. the 105 East Freeway at Wilmington Avenue by taking Exit #10;
2. via the 108th Street Bus Stop, 55 Route (North/South);
3. via the 103rd Street / Graham Bus Stop, 117 Route (East/West);
4. the 103rd Street / Watts Towers Station via Metro A Line (Blue);
5. the 110 Freeway, Century Boulevard exit (Southbound) Imperial Highway exit (Northbound). Self-parking and valet parking are free. 

ADA:

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request.

Celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival, and the 47th anniversary of the Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival at the Watts Towers Arts Center Campus. The music-centered festival welcomes residents and families from across Los Angeles to unite in the sounds and expressions of local and internationally recognized jazz artists, and cross-cultural percussionists and dancers. In addition to enjoying and dancing to over a dozen performances, visitors can explore the historic Watts Towers Arts Center Campus, which will be activated with art and crafts and local food vendors, family arts workshops, and visual art exhibitions, including the opening weekend of A Woman in Charge, Robin Strayhorn. Activities on both Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29 are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A Woman in Charge, Robin Strayhorn, curated by Rosie Lee Hooks, is a one-woman exhibitionon view in the Noah Purifoy Gallery. A Woman in Charge highlights the cumulative work of the multidisciplinary artist featuring graphite, collage, acrylic, and monoprints. The exhibition spans her 40 years residing in Los Angeles up to her most recent work reflecting time spent living and studying in India. On view from September 28, 2024 to March 8, 2025.

The festivals take place at the DCA’s Watts Towers Arts Center Campus at 1727 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002. Free admission and complimentary valet parking. For more information, please call 213.847.4646 or visit www.wattstowers.org. 

Festival Schedules:

42nd Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival
Saturday, September 28, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Master of Ceremonies: James Janisse and Torrence Brannon Reese

10:00 a.m. Danza Azteca Xochipilli
Aztec traditional dancing with Huehuetl and Teponaxtle drums

11:00 a.m. Hemant Kulkarni
Tabla solo accompanied by Makheer Singh on Dilruba

12:00 p.m. Afro Peruvian Experience
Presenting African Ancestors from Peru

1:00 p.m. TAIKOPROJECT
Based in Little Tokyo, one of LA’s leading Taiko groups
2:00 p.m. IGABA
Ron Powell’s journey through Brazil and the Diaspora

3:00 p.m. Jaz Sawyer Drum Summit
Jaz Sawyer teams with Emi Desiré & Aisha Gaillard, two young exciting percussionists

4:00 p.m. Leon Mobley – DA LION
Traditional African American Drum Music

46th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival
Sunday, September 29, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Master of Ceremonies: James Janisse and Torrence Brannon Reese

10:00 a.m. Alaadun
Yoruba ground blessing uniting all cultures based on common themes and principles

11:00 a.m. Kevin Flournoy
Inspirational music with contemporary R&B influence

12:00 p.m. The Jasmine Tommaso Group
Italian Jazz and West Coast Soul

1:00 p.m. Kirk Andrés Wilson
Delta-Chicago Jazz and Blues with a touch of R&B

1:45 p.m. Tai Chi Chuan
School of Healing Martial Arts

2:00 p.m. Community Presentations

2:30 p.m. Nedra Wheeler & Friends
Honoring our Jazz Legends while celebrating our Young Prodigies

3:30 p.m. MEDUSA Tha Gangsta Goddess
The Godmother of West Coast Hip Hop

4:30 p.m. Munyungo’s Jungle Jazz
Jungle grove music you cannot help but move to

All Day Activities at the Festivals:

Watts Towers Amphitheatre

Drum Pavilion: Universal Drum Circle Led by Matt Gibson II
Food Court

Watts Towers Arts Center

A Woman in Charge by Robin Strayhorn and curated by Rosie Lee Hooks in the Noah Purifoy Gallery
International Musical Instruments inside the Dr. Joseph & Bootsie Howard Gallery

Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center

Fertile Ground  exhibition at the Charles Mingus Gallery
Children’s Activities: 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Garden Studio Gallery

Tiling and Gardening Activities 

Directions:

Watts Towers Arts Center Campus
1727 East 107th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90002
213.847.4646

wattstowers.org

The Campus is easily accessible from:

1. the 105 East Freeway at Wilmington Avenue by taking Exit #10;
2. via the 108th Street Bus Stop, 55 Route (North/South);
3. via the 103rd Street / Graham Bus Stop, 117 Route (East/West);
4. the 103rd Street / Watts Towers Station via Metro A Line (Blue);
5. the 110 Freeway, Century Boulevard exit (Southbound) Imperial Highway exit (Northbound). Self-parking and valet parking are free. 

ADA:

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request.

There are family-oriented activities, live music, and street and food vendors every Sunday. Bring your drum for the outdoor Drum Circle Workshop and the jam session at the World Stage. You’ll find fresh-made ice cream, jewelry, clothing, art classes, free entertainment, and fun.