The heated debate over oil privatization in Mexico has arrived in Los Angeles. In addition to political discussion, there is also now artistic reflection, by the well-known cross-border artist, Marcos Ramírez ERRE. The exhibit is titled “A Game of Deceptioon: Of Oil, Soccer, and other Bets” and is being shown at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. Our correspondent in Los Angeles, Rubén Tapia, has more on the exhibit and the artist. This feature is part of the series Raíces: Stories About Grassroots Artists.

Richly ornamented lion heads jump and move with energetic waving movements during the parades to celebrate Chinese New Year, in late January or early February. With the lion dance, young dancers from California are keeping a tradition alive, dancing in the streets with colorful lion costumes, to the rhythm of a drum. The ancient Chinese tradition has its roots in kung fu and other martial arts, and it is supposed to scare away bad spirits and bring good luck. Our reporter, Farida Jhabvala Romero, attended a lion dance in Newark, in Northern California, where she was surrounded by dozens of smiling children and families enjoying the show. This feature story is part of our series Raíces: Stories about Grassroots Artists.

More than 1,000 people filled a theater in downtown Sacramento, the capital of California, to give homage to the pioneer of the Chicano arts movement, José Montoya, who died in September at 81. The posthumous tribute was an extraordinary meeting of Chicano intellectuals and social activists of Northern California. Fernando Andrés Torres was at the tribute event and has this story, to remember this great poet and painter. This feature is part of our series  Raíces: Stories About Grassroots Artists.

I have since learned to prepare the dish, knowing that it takes little time to prepare but a long time to cook. It waits for me when I’m late arriving at my apartment, or if I want to reminisce with friends a little of the home I left not so long ago.