WXXI FREE Screening: American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez

Join WXXI for a free screening of the film American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez followed by a moderated discussion.at WXXI Studios
About this Event

Join WXXI for a FREE screening of American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, a film produced, written and directed by David Alvarado., Follow the legacy of filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez. A founding figure of the Chicano Movement, Valdez is best known for his play Zoot Suit, the Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba and the theatre company El Teatro Campesino.

The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Julio Sáenz, WXXI Chief Content Officer

Details:
"American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez" Screening & Panel Discussion
Thursday, October 1, 2026. Doors open at 6 p.m. Screening starts at 6:30 p.m.
WXXI Studio A
280 State Street, Rochester, NY

Parking available next door at High Falls Garage.

This event is free, but reservations are required due to limited space. (Click Reserve Spot at the top of this page. )

Moderator: Julio Sáenz, WXXI Chief Content Officer.
Panelists:
Annette Ramos, Latinx Community Leader, Social Justice Advocate, Arts Curator & Executive Director Rochester Latino Theatre CompanyRicardo Figueroa, Director, School of Film and Animation at Rochester Institute of Technology & John Traver Endowed Professor
Jason Barber, Co-Founder and Curator of ¡Presente! Film Series, Educator /Community Engagement Expert/Artist

Cover Photo: Luis Valdez in interview. Credit: Frasier Bradshaw.

: The film will be presented by American Masters and VOCES, and produced, written and directed by David Alvarado. The film premieres on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.

Note: By attending, you agree to allow event organizers to take photographs and videos for promotional, social, and archival purposes. You also agree to receive follow-up information from WXXI. You may unsubscribe at any time to stop receiving information.

ASL interpretation will be provided for opening remarks and post-screening panel discussion. This film is presented with open captions. . Additional accommodations may be requested during the registration process. Please contact Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, Project Manager for Move to Include, at [email protected] with any questions.

This event is part of WXXI’s Hispanic Heritage Month programming.