Ritchie Forever: A Tribute to An American Dreamer

Experience an electrifying celebration of the kid from Pacoima who changed American music forever. Ritchie Forever honors the 85th birthday of Ritchie Valens, tracing his journey from a teenage trailblazer to a global icon of bicultural identity. Through a multidisciplinary fusion of live music, narration, and archival visuals, the program connects Ritchie’s 1950s legacy to the modern immigrant experience, honoring the rebel, romantic, and dreamer who refused to assimilate. This unforgettable night culminates in a powerful sonic bridge between the past and present, featuring an all-star lineup of contemporary voices: Nick Waterhouse, Shannon Shaw (Shannon & the Clams), Joey Quiñonez (Thee Sinseers), Bryan Ponce (The Altons), Denise Carlos & Hector Flores (Las Cafeteras), Angie Monroy (The McCharmlys), Irene Diaz, and Jose Varela (Cutty Flam).

Angie is the creative force behind The McCharmlys, a four-piece band from Santa Ana blending oldies-inspired rock & roll with a modern edge. Rooted in vintage warmth and driven by a fresh, contemporary energy, the band’s sound bridges nostalgia and now—pulling classic influences into something distinctly their own.

Shannon Shaw, the captivating vocalist, bassist, and founder of Shannon & the Clams, valiantly strikes out on her own, gracing us with her first solo album, [i]Shannon In Nashville. In a nod to Dusty Springfield's 1969 classic Dusty in Memphis, Shaw made her own pilgrimage down South to collaborate with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and a congregation of revered old-school session musicians who have played on notable records by Elvis, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin, Sturgill Simpson, and Nikki Lane, to name just a few.

Irene Diaz, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a singer-songwriter, whose captivating vocals and soulful melodies have garnered critical acclaim. Her voice, often described as "powerful" and "without fault in any genre," Irene blends elements of folk, soul, and Chicanxs influences, creating a sound that is both intimate and expansive.

As the leader of the modern Chicano soul outfit, , and releasing a string of singles as a solo artist, Quiñones and his crew have recently been ushering in a new era of modern soul. It is the type of music that shares a genesis with the birth from the soul, and R&B sounds emitted from the classic lowrider cruising down Whittier Boulevard to the sunshine-y vibes of traditional ska and dancehall reggae. 

Denise Carlos, MSW is a lyricist, lead vocalist and jaranera for the East L.A. band Las Cafeteras, who have increasingly gained national recognition for their vibrant musical fusion of Afro-Mexican/ East L.A. sounds and socially-conscious message. Recently featured on Democracy Now! , Denise and Las Cafeteras utilize music as a means for marginalized communities to heal, claim space and re-tell their own stories through a power-lens.

Born and raised East of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music as modern day troubadours. They are a sonic explosion of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and powerful rhymes that document stories of a community seeking to ‘build a world where many world fit.’ From Afro-Mexican to Americana, from Soul to Son Jarocho, from Roots to Rock and Hip Hop, Las Cafeteras take folk music to the future.

Vocalist and Guitarist for The Altons.

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