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 Quiñones (Thee Sinseers), Bryan Ponce (The Altons), Denise Carlos & Hector Flores (Las Cafeteras), Angie Monroy (The McCharmlys), Irene Diaz, and Jose Varela (Cutty Flam).