UCLA’s Latin World Music Ensemble – made up of graduates and professors from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music – is performing a special show at Daikanyama’s Mame Romantic on March 20. The action-packed full-day event is being hosted by record distributor Music Camp Entertainment Inc, which has been promoting Chicano culture in Japan for many years, and Shin Miyata, president of the label Barrio Gold Records.
Divided into two parts, the proceedings start with a lecture on Chicano music by Steven Loza, a professor of ethnomusicology at UCLA and the author of publications including Barrio Rhythm: Mexican American Music in Los Angeles, Tito Puente and the Making of Latin Music and more. His class will provide wide-ranging and in-depth insight on the history of Chicano music as it began from pachuco, made its way to lowrider culture and eventually hip hop.
In the evening, the UCLA Latin World Music Ensemble, alongside percussionist Willie Nagasaki and keyboardist Ryuta Abiru from Japan, will perform numbers loved by the Chicano community. Behind the decks, DJ Holiday and DJs from Shimotakaido vinyl legends Trasmundo will take turns spinning. Hachioji taco shop Taqueria Abefusai and Barrio Gold Records will also be setting up shop.
One drink order is required per entry; two drinks are required for the all-day ticket.