Órale Boyle Heights

My guest this episode is Marlon Marinero. I met up with Marlon at their study to get to know more about their art, their journey into ceramics, how they became a ceramics teacher, and growing up in LA as a skater. You can follow their work on Instagram at marlonmarinero_studio and book a ceramics class through his website, at www.marlonmarinero.com.

* Cover art picture by Jeanne Heo.

My guest this episode are Metzli and Lydia. Both Metzli and Lydia are returning guests of the show, so it was a lot of fun to have them on again, seven years later! Our discussion touched on the different aspects of gentrification, Metzli's own experience as a young person, the back yard punk scene, we defined what a Xicano Hipster is aka a Xipster, and hopefully made some people uncomfortable along the way. 

You can listen to Lydia and Metzli's first interview by searching for episode five of the show, but you you can also listen to the interview here.  

My guest this episode is Steve Campos. I caught up with Steve at their studio to talk about their journey of being a self-taught creative metal designer and artist, building community in various spaces, and his experience contributing to and moving on from the bicycle co-op, the Bike Oven. To learn more about Steve's work and art, visit his website Steel Fabricated Arts or check out his Instagram account of the same name. You can also follow Steve on Instagram at @steve_campos. 

My guest this episode is one of the co-owners of Cruzita's Deli & Cafe, Celina Lopez. I had a great time chopping it up with Celina, reflecting on Cruzita's 10 year anniversary, their plans to expand the space, and learning about their journey to bring healthy and delicious food options to the Huntington Park community. Follow Cruzita's on Instagram at @cruzitasdeliandcafe and stop by for a sandwich next time you are in the neighborhood. Visit their website to check out their full menu.  

I'm back! The two year hiatus is over, I am officially bring back the show. Listen as I share how a break of a few weeks turned into two years. Looking forward to getting back into the flow things and bringing y'all new episodes at least once a month. 

Sponsor an episode by sending some coin my way via Venmo (@Erick-Huerta-1) or via Zelle ([email protected]). Any amount is appreciated. Don't forget to include a message or shout out that I will include in the next episode I record.

My guest this episode is Oscar Rodriguez Zapata. I met up with Oscar to learn about their love for photography and their work documenting Virgen de Guadalupe murals in different communities. We talk about their journey into photography, their experience growing up in South East LA, and how they began documenting murals. Versos pa la Lupita, featuring photographs by Oscar and poetry by Xitlalic Guijosa-Osuna opens on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Espacio 1839. You can follow Oscar on Instagram @rodrioscr and you can see his pictures of Virgen Mary murals at @_lavirgencita. 

My guest this episode is Christopher Cruz. I sat down with Chris to talk about their work in documenting their grandfather's, Manuel Gomez Cruz' contributions to the culture back in the day with their murals and activism. We also talked about Chris' own journey growing up on the Eastside, becoming politicized, and how their passion for photography continues to evolve with various projects. You can follow Chris on Instagram at @EastLosHeart and you can read the essay the wrote about their grandfather here. 

My guest this episode is Jessica Perez. I caught up with Jessica to talk about how they got their start as a journalist, starting the community blog MisNeighbors, mentoring youth as part of their work with the Boyle Heights Beat, to working in the L.A. Times. You can follow Jessica on Twitter at @JessicaPerezLA2. You can check out old neighborhood blog post on www.MisNeighbors.wordpress.com.   

My guest on this episode is Lena Williams. They are the Programs Director at People for Mobility Justice, owner of Lena's Puppy Love, and owner/worker at Ride On! Bike Co-Op. We talked about their love for riding their bike, being profiled by the police while riding in South L.A., the connection/love they have with the animals they look after and their owners, and reminiscing about growing up in Orangeburg South Carolina. You can follow Lena on Instagram at @soulluvher. Picture of Lena for the episode art by @yungpainkiller. 

My guest this episode is Ely of Earthy Corazon. I met up with them at their shop in City Terrace to talk about their journey into becoming a small business owner, the intention that goes into everything they make, and the support she has received from her community to make the shop a reality. You can follow them on Instagram at @earthycorazon. Visit their website at www.earthycorazon.com. The shop is located at 4015 City Terrace Drive.