Join us for a bilingual performance of Pedacitos / Little Pieces, written and performed by ACFA Teatro Instructor Cristal González Ávila, with live music by ACFA Music Instructor Alejandro Gomez.
This powerful and engaging reading blends poetry, storytelling, and music to celebrate resilience, identity, and the richness of everyday life. Through the coming-of-age journey of a young woman growing up among the farmworkers and fields that nourish our nation, Pedacitos / Little Pieces offers a heartfelt reflection on culture, community, and self-discovery.
*Book illustrations by ACFA Visual Arts Instructor Ariel Mar
*Recommended for ages 14 and up.
About the Artists
Cristal González Ávila is a playwright, performer, and arts educator whose work celebrates culture, identity, and community. Her solo show La Sombra was featured at the Los Angeles International Womens Festival, her short film Color Cielo recently won Best Drama at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, and she has performed at the Kennedy Center. As ACFAs Teatro Instructor, she inspires children, youth, and families to explore creativity and storytelling through theater.
More about the Cristal www.cristalgonzalezavila.com
Press https://bit.ly/pedacitospress
Order Book https://bit.ly/4g9APXl
Alejandro Gomez, aka Flaco El Jandro, is a songwriter from Salinas, CA, dedicated to advancing the evolution of Chicano music by blending traditional songwriting with modern instrumentation and diverse rhythms. He has independently released three EPs, gained viral attention with his 2022 hit Mi Encendedor, and performed with his band, Los Perros Callejeros, on the NPR Tiny Desk Contest Tour. Deeply rooted in the sounds and culture of his hometown, Flaco continues to tour internationally while honoring his roots and pushing the boundaries of Chicano music.
More about Alejandro www.flacoeljandro.com
Press https://voicesofmontereybay.org/2023/06/09/flaco-el-jandro/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2VVgC1jDpquqRzWjRlaqf6
Ariel Mar is a local Artist, Printmaker, and Muralist from Salinas, CA. Ariel received her education at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, where she studied Illustration and Design. During her time in LA, she worked in printing and began teaching in multiple art programs. Through this work, Ariel developed a passion for working with communities and exploring different ways art and expression can bring healing and connection. Currently, Ariel is the Visual Arts Instructor at Alisal Center for the Fine Arts, where she enjoys working with students and their families to learn and grow, and create beautiful works of art from the heart of Salinas.
More about Ariel https://www.instagram.com/arielmar_studio/?hl=en
Who is ACFA: www.alisalfinearts.org
Since 1986, the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts (ACFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has provided free arts education and cultural programming to children, youth, and families in East Salinas. Over the years, ACFA has grown into a trusted community hub for creativity, mentorship, and cultural celebration. Each year, hundreds of students participate in visual art, guitar, theater, and Baile Folklórico classes, culminating in public performances that engage thousands of community members. By fostering artistic expression, leadership, and cultural pride, ACFA empowers young people to grow as both artists and leadersmany of whom return as mentors and instructors, continuing the centers generational impact.
Why Support:
By donating to ACFA, you are investing in the next generation of artists and leaders while preserving cultural traditions that strengthen our entire community.
Support ACFA here: https://alisalfinearts.org/support/