Canciones del San Joaquín

The California Traditional Arts Alliance and Radio Bilingüe are seeking to make the sounds of the San Joaquin Valley known and expand, and have organized a musical concert in the “Sounds of California: San Joaquin Valley” series.

This new event, called “Songs of the San Joaquin,” is going to be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 p. m. (doors open at 4:00 p. m.) at the Fresno Memorial Auditorium, 2425 Fresno St, Fresno, CA.

This event will bring together renowned folk singers and songwriters from the San Joaquin Valley, leaders in the creation of songs of celebration, resistance and survival in genres such as mariachi, conjunto norteño, traditional chilenas, son jarocho, nuevo canto, Latin rock, Afro-Latin jazz and even Mixtec rap.

This is the song of Agustin Lira, one of the voices of the San Joaquin Valley, who with his lyrics of great social relevance were the essence of El Teatro Campesino and consolidated him as the most outstanding musical voice of the Chicano Movement in its beginnings. The song is called Qiubo raza….

So warm up and get ready to attend Songs of the San Joaquin on Saturday, June 7, at Fresno Memorial Auditorium 2425 Fresno Street, from 5 to 8 p.m.

As part of ACTA’s Sounds of California: San Joaquin Valley initiative, Songs of the San Joaquin will premiere ten newly commissioned works by a diverse group of local composers and singers, representing a broad spectrum of regional and diasporic genres, in fact a recorded compilation will be available after the concert.

Dr. Leticia Soto Flores, Ethnomusicologist, Deputy Director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts-ACTA, Los Angeles, explains the relevance of this event Canciones de San Joaquin.

Dr. Leticia Soto Flores, Ethnomusicologist, Deputy Director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts-ACTA, Los Angeles, recalls that this type of event seeks to honor our culture and the legacy of characters such as Medico Paredes, a great folklorist of the region.

She says that there are Mixtec rap others that through music unite our stories, let’s listen to Leticia Soto.

Dr. Leticia Soto Flores, Ethnomusicologist, Deputy Director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts-ACTA, Los Angeles comments that there are several groups in the program like the Damas del Valle, norteño music that has been performed by men, but now they are the ones who interpret it with some fusions.

Dr. Leticia Soto, emphasizes that the curated music represents the traditions and shows the voice of this region of California.

Dr. Leticia Soto Flores, Ethnomusicologist, Deputy Director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts-ACTA, Los Angeles assures that it is also a tribute to the lives of the immigrants, they are new compositions that are not only creative but show the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, there will even be 9 songs that have not been heard and you can hear them for the first time.

So don’t forget, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) and Radio Bilingüe are proud to present Songs of the San Joaquin, a one-night-only concert celebrating the rich culture and music of the San Joaquin Valley. The event will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:00 p.m.) at the Fresno Memorial Auditorium, 2425 Fresno St, Fresno, CA.

Tickets are $10. 18 and under get in free.

Don’t Miss