Southern California Hidden Gems Explored In Five New Episodes of Digital Series 'SoCal Wanderer' Now Streaming on PBSSoCal.org and the Free PBS App
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Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the free PBS App. Members of PBS SoCal get extended access through PBS Passport.
Los Angeles, Calif. – Oct. 23, 2023 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS station, announced today five new digital episodes of SOCAL WANDERER, a locally-produced series that explores the rich culture, history and landscape of Southern California. Host Rosey Alvero is back for a new season of the digital-first video series SOCAL WANDERER where she meets BIPOC women-led businesses and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs making a positive impact in their communities. Rosey takes audiences to new locations around Southern California; trying creative taco and margarita pairings in East LA, weightlifting at LA’s first Queer Latina owned gym in Compton and checking out a yoga class at a wellness space dedicated to BIPOC communities in South LA, to name just a few. With support from Wurwand Foundation’s FOUND/LA initiative, all episodes are now available to viewers on the free PBS app and on PBSSoCal.org/socalwanderer. SOCAL WANDERER will roll out episodes weekly on YouTube starting Tues., Oct. 24.
The first season of the series aired as a 30-minute broadcast special with extensive digital content in the fall of 2018 and featured local hot spots and interesting people from Anacapa Island, Ventura and Ojai. In fall of 2021 the series continued on the web to further connect audiences with women business owners of color who act as trailblazers in their communities around Southern California. What started on the website as a popular online blog sharing popular regional destinations and hidden gems, has now morphed into this digital series that remains an insider’s guide connecting engaged enthusiasts and local experts.
Through online articles and videos, SOCAL WANDERER will continue to feature additional digital content highlighting local neighborhoods in Southern California. PBS SoCal will produce companion digital shorts for each episode, providing a deeper dive into each community and offering suggested itineraries for exploring the areas that immediately surround the featured businesses. These short videos will publish two days following the debut of the episodes on YouTube, and later on social media.
The digital episodes in the new season of SOCAL WANDERER now available to stream are described as follows:
“Alchemy Craft: Beers and Wine in Montebello”
Rosey heads to Montebello, east of downtown Los Angeles, to explore some unique restaurants and bars at BLVD MRKT. Founded by entrepreneurs Evelyn and Barney Santos, the outdoor food venue offers a variety of places to eat, including their own craft beer and wine bar, Alchemy Craft. Discover how this couple transformed their quiet suburb into a vibrant food destination. Available now on PBS app and on PBSSoCal.org/socalwanderer & Tues., Oct. 24th on YouTube.
“Los Originales Tacos Árabes de Puebla: Trying the Secret Family Recipe”
Rosey heads to Boyle Heights to discover “Los Originales Tacos Árabes de Puebla,” a hybrid taco truck that combines Middle Eastern and Mexican flavors. Follow Rosey as she learns the secrets behind the “taco Árabe” (Arabic taco) that is traditional to Puebla and discovers the art of running a successful family business. Available now on PBS app and on PBSSoCal.org/socalwanderer & Tues., Oct. 31st on YouTube.
“Babes of Wellness: Working Out for Health and Community in Compton”
Rosey visits Babes of Wellness, a unique women-focused, queer-inclusive, wellness gym in the heart of Compton. Led by owner and trainer Kat Novoa. Rosey experiences the “Swole Babes” class, where she pumps some iron and bonds with the community. Available now on PBS app and on PBSSoCal.org/socalwanderer & Tues., Nov. 7th on YouTube.
“The Tree Yoga Cooperative: Find Wellness in South LA”
Journey with Rosey through health, wellness and mindfulness as she experiences unique yoga sessions and meditation at the Tree Yoga Cooperative. The community space is dedicated to holistic healing, offering resources and tools to help participants practice mental and emotional self-care. Available now on PBS app and on PBSSoCal.org/socalwanderer & Tues., Nov. 14th on YouTube.
“Obet and Del’s: The Coffee Shop Changing the Game in Hollywood”
Located in Hollywood’s Thai Town, Obet and Del’s is a charming mom-and-pop coffee shop that blends tradition and innovation. Rosey discovers culture-inspired coffee crafted by owners Heather Knox and Josh Oliveros where she savors the rich and distinctive flavor of a Filipino iced latte and more, specifically inspired by the neighborhood. Available now on PBS app and on PBSSoCal.org/socalwanderer & Tues., Nov. 21st on YouTube.
Join the conversation on social media by using #PBSSoCal #SoCalWanderer
About Wurwand Foundation’s FOUND/LA Initiative
SOCAL WANDERER is made possible by the Wurwand Foundation’s FOUND/LA initiative, supporting local entrepreneurs to help them build their business, purpose and community. FOUND/LA connects local entrepreneurs - with a focus on women, immigrant and BIPOC business owners - with resources to help them succeed. This includes funding, educational tools, incubator-style workshops, unique mentorship opportunities, and most importantly, a community of other local entrepreneurs.
About Rosey Alvero
Rosey prioritizes living a life aligned with her values, a life full of family and discovery. She has lived and worked all over the world with her favorite stops being in San Francisco (both the California and Mexico iterations), Los Angeles, New York, Paris,and the Philippines. It would be difficult to find her in one place, but if you do, she is likely outside hiking, surfing, skating, camping, cooking, and most importantly, making memories with friends and family. She is thrilled to explore the Los Angeles region as the host of SOCAL WANDERER which recently won an LA Area Emmy for Best Feature Segment.
About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal is the flagship PBS station for diverse people across California and delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and educate. PBS SoCal offers the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, and a broad library of documentary films with works from Ken Burns; as well as educational content including PBS KIDS programs like DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD and CURIOUS GEORGE. PBS SoCal showcases the best of PBS and is a leading source for arts, culture and news in Southern California. Through innovative storytelling, the programming explores and expresses our dynamic local communities helping residents understand and connect with the region's diverse communities and ideas. For additional information about PBS SoCal productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit pbssocal.org. Locally produced original content and PBS programming are available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO SmartCast TV.
