Compiled by Magdy Zara
With more than 40 new films, the 11th Watsonville Film Festival is currently taking place, with productions from Latino filmmakers with stories to entertain audiences, inspire and promote positive change.
This year’s festival features an exciting lineup of more than 40 films about ordinary people overcoming great obstacles to do the extraordinary, all focusing on issues relevant to the community.
Another aspect to highlight this year is that the festival includes world premieres of local short films and award-winning films.
The opening night was attended by actor Pepe Serna, who has appeared in more than 100 films and 300 television programs. Serna presented his latest films, Abuelo and Life is Art, followed by a question and answer session with Luis Reyes, director of the film and author of “Viva Hollywood.”
One of the particularities of this year is that the event is open to the public, accessible to all who want to attend, on a “pay what you can” basis, thanks to the generous sponsors and collaborators of the festival.
The main objective of the 11th Watsonville Film Festival is to empower local youth through video production and film culture as a way to transform the world, in addition to promoting cultural and economic development through the cinematic arts. .
The Festival takes place from March 3-12, at the Mello Center and Watsonville Public Library, with online viewing opportunities also available.
National anti-war protest
After the first anniversary of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the recent visit of US President Joe Biden to Kiev, the anti-war movement in the United States, made up of 200 organizations, has planned a national protest against the war.
“Every day, the US war machine brings the world closer to unprecedented disaster. The Pentagon is determined to escalate all possible sources of tension: with Russia in the Ukraine, with China in Taiwan and many other cases. This powerful show of unity from organizations across the country is exactly what is needed at such a dangerous time,” the organizers said.
This demonstration will take place next Saturday, March 18, in several cities of the country simultaneously. In San Francisco it will take place at 12 p.m. In the Pacific Mission and 24th street BART.
For its part, the central protest will be on March 18, at 1 p.m., Eastern Washington DC time, in the vicinity of The White House.
13th San Francisco Salsa Festival
The facilities of the San Francisco Airport Marriot hotel will be the setting of the 13th San Francisco Salsa Festival, during these three nights there will be world-class performances, dancing, competitions, performances, social dancing, DJs, and workshops with the best salsa instructors in San Francisco.
The organizers of the event informed that for every night there will be live bands guests.
They further added “for the last 21 years we have traveled all over the world, from Mexico to China, Korea, Japan, Canada, England and Italy. We have had the opportunity to live abroad, give workshops and shows, and live an amazing life in the global salsa community.”
Along the way -they continued saying- we have been to the most incredible salsa congresses and festivals. We made a lot of friends and met the most amazing dancers in the world. Nothing would have been possible without this beautiful dance that we call salsa and it is because of them that we want to share it with you.
Regarding the value of the tickets, they reported that there will be discounts for large groups or students. For more information, contact them at liz@johnandlizproductions.com and for schedules, list of artists and information about the competition, visit http://sfsalsafestival.com. http://www.sfsalsafefestival.com/ or 510-697-1892.
The 13th San Francisco Salsa Festival will take place March 20-23.
Car and motorcycle exhibition
Several classic car and motorcycle clubs in the San Francisco Bay area have organized a Show & Shine showcasing more than 100 of the best from The Bays.
The free-admission event will include entertainment from several of the Bay Area’s favorite singers, including comedian Dennis Gaxiola, singers Martin Cantu, Akki Starr and more will perform, and will feature a special appearance by the band Malo with Richard Bean.
This will be a family activity, to be held on Saturday, April 1, starting at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.,
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