Musician Mark Guerrero

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Museum of Ventura County with a stroll through their invitational low rider car show, and a screening of Chicano Rock! The Sounds of East LA, the documentary film by Emmy winning filmmakers Jon and Nancy Wilkman. The event on Sunday, October 9 also includes an expert panel discussion about music of that era, as well as a special performance by musician and songwriter Mark Guerrero, who led the popular East Los Angeles band Mark & the Escorts in the 1960s.

The car show runs from 3:00- 4:30 p.m. and the film screening begins at 5:00 p.m. Admission is $15 for the general public, $10 for museum members, and also includes entry to all museum galleries. For reservations, call (805) 653-0323 x 7.

Chicano Rock! The Sounds of East Los Angeles is based on the book Land of a Thousand Dances by Tom Waldman and David Reyes, and traces the history of Chicano music in Los Angeles from the legendary Lalo Guerrero to the groups Cannibal and the Headhunters, Tierra and Ozomatli. It tells the story of how generations of young people from the country’s largest Mexican American community created a unique musical voice and used it to express their identity. Narrated by Edward James Olmos, the hour documentary combines the exuberant music with intimate interviews and rare archival photos and film.

A panel discussion will follow the film, and include such notables as the filmmakers Jon and Nancy Wilkman; musician, songwriter and Chicano music historian Mark Guerrero; music producer Max Uballez, formerly of the Romancers; Tom Waldman and David Reyes, noted authorities on Chicano rock and roll and co-authors of Land of a Thousand Dances: Chicano Rock and Roll from Southern California.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.