LA Plaza to Open ‘A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound’ Exhibition

LOS ANGELES (May 27, 2025) — LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will open a new multimedia exhibition, A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound, on June 28. The exhibition explores the dynamic musical influences and rich history of East Los Angeles artists. It will be on view through Aug. 23, 2026.

The exhibition features portraits by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Piero F. Giunti, who spent more than a decade collaborating with musician Mark Guerrero to document the region’s musical icons. Together, they captured the stories and sounds of multigenerational artists whose work defined the Eastside Sound — a genre that grew from the streets of East L.A. and made a global impact.

The exhibition highlights the intersection of music, politics and culture in East L.A., shedding light on often-overlooked stories of creativity, resistance and identity.

More than 500 rare and original objects are featured, including photographs, musical instruments, albums, posters, stage costumes, band T-shirts, fan memorabilia, handwritten lyrics, music awards and archival ephemera. Highlights include rare photos of Ritchie Valens, a presidential medal awarded to Lalo Guerrero, and the original film script for La Bamba, which featured Los Lobos — perhaps East L.A.'s most recognized band.

“From the pioneers who created these historic moments to the music lovers discovering them today, everyone will find something extraordinary in A Great Day in East L.A.,” said Leticia Rhi Buckley, LA Plaza CEO. “This exhibition preserves our musical legacy, bringing East L.A.'s vibrant culture to life for new generations.”

The exhibition is co-curated by Giunti; Guerrero; Jorge N. Leal, Ph.D., a cultural and urban historian at UC Riverside; and LA Plaza’s curatorial team: Karen Crews Hendon, director of exhibitions and senior curator; Esperanza Sanchez, associate curator; Carolyn Lopez, assistant curator and registrar; and Thomas Rosenquist, senior preparator.

“Music, like food, is at the root of cultural expression and celebration,” said Crews Hendon. “The Eastside Sound amplified identity, catalyzed change, and forever influenced the music world, bringing generations together.”

An opening celebration will be held June 28, featuring a free concert from 6 to 10 p.m. co-presented with KCRW Summer Nights. The event will include performances by The Altons, DJ duo Ruben Molina + Soulera5150, and Chulita Vinyl Club. Galleries will be open from 6 to 8 p.m.

Earlier that day, from noon to 4 p.m., visitors can explore the exhibition, participate in art activities and attend a curators’ tour from 2 to 3 p.m. (RSVP required). The museum will close from 4 to 6 p.m. to prepare for the evening event.

The exhibition features six themed galleries: The Venue, El Rockero Store, The Garage, Radio Rebelde, From East Los to the World, and Come On, Let’s Go! — dedicated to Los Lobos. Interactive elements include a listening room, hands-on instrument stations and opportunities to build community playlists.

Visitors are greeted by an introductory wall collage from Giunti’s photography series A Great Day in East L.A., featuring more than 350 portraits that capture the essence of East L.A.’s music scene.

“This is a love letter to the soul, sweat and sound of the East Side — and an act of resistance against cultural erasure,” said Giunti. “Each portrait captures the spirit, struggle and rhythm of musicians who shaped a culture and reclaimed space through their art.”

Guerrero added: “For too long, the soulful, genre-defying music of East L.A. has been overlooked. This exhibition shines a spotlight on legends both known and unsung. It’s a tribute to a community that turned struggle into sound and identity into art.”

“We created a conceptually organized, intergenerational survey of the Eastside Sound,” said Leal. “This music scene, born against the odds, is grounded in rich cultural traditions and committed to social consciousness — with influence far beyond Los Angeles.”

For more information, visit www.lapca.org.

PROGRAMMING

EXHIBITION OPENING DAY

Immerse yourself in the fascinating music history and the influence of East L.A. during the opening celebration of A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound, LA Plaza’s newest exhibition! Explore the galleries, enjoy a curator-led tour, engage in self-guided experiences, design your own album cover, and more!

Saturday, June 28 | 12pm to 4pm | All ages | Free

COMMUNITY CONCERT FEATURING KCRW SUMMER NIGHTS: A GREAT DAY IN EAST L.A.: CELEBRANDO THE EASTSIDE SOUND WITH THE ALTONS

Join KCRW and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes to celebrate the opening of the highly anticipated exhibit, A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound, highlighting the rich history of East LA. We’re thrilled to welcome The Altons as the headliner for the night, bookended by guest sets by DJ duo Ruben Molina + Soulera5150, and DJ collective Chulita Vinyl Club. Get ready to delve into the artists who built the East LA music scene, both through the meticulously curated multimedia exhibit presented by LA Plaza and experientially in the courtyard where the sounds come alive! Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Saturday, June 28 | 6pm to 10pm | Free with RSVP

DOCS @ LA PLAZA - LALO GUERRERO: THE ORIGINAL CHICANO (2006)

This special screening will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano. The film is an hour-long documentary that celebrates the life and career of Lalo Guerrero, while documenting the contemporary history of Mexican Americans through his music. Taped interviews with Linda Ronstadt, Paul Rodriguez, Edward James Olmos, Ry Cooder, UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, Cheech Marin, and others pay testament to the influence and impact of Lalo’s music from a personal and professional point of view. Guest speakers include producers Dan Guerrero and Nancy De los Santos.

Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 6pm to 9pm | Free with RSVP