It's a "Brown Christmas" at Tongue and Groove

When: Sunday, December 9, 6:00-7:30 pm
Where: The Hotel Café, 1623 ½ N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA
Cover: $5.00 / 323-937-0136

Four compelling figures in contemporary Chicano culture will lend their voices to the December 9 installment of Tongue and Groove’s monthly reading series at the Hotel Café: poet Jose Montoya (co-founder of the Rebel Chicano Art Front), his son, Richard Montoya, of the comic troupe Culture Clash, writer Luis Rodriguez (“Always Running”), and Mario Rocha, subject of the documentary “Mario’s Story.”

The lives and work of each of these men testify not only to the power of an artist engaged in one’s community, but to the transforming power of the written word—whether it’s Jose Montoya, back in the Bay Area after the Korean War, drawn to the influence of the Beats; his son, Richard, using biting satire to stir up the cultural pot; Luis Rodriguez, saved from the ravages of la vida loca by a stroll into an East LA bookstore; or Mario Rocha, who enrolled in a writing program while serving nine years in prison on a wrongful conviction.

The December 9 evening presents a rare blend of voices from the Chicano community—voices that span generations and genres:

Poet Jose Montoya is one of the premier cultural activists in the Chicano movement. He co-founded the Rebel Chicano Art Front (later known as the Royal Chicano Air Force), an internationally recognized artists’ collective. His work helped lay the foundation for contemporary Chicano culture, through visual art, poetry and songwriting. He’s the author of three collections of poetry, including the highly acclaimed “In Formation: 20 Years of Joda.” He is also featured in over 40 anthologies.

His son, Richard Montoya, is a member of the planet’s leading Latino performance trio, Culture Clash, whose shows include “Radio Mambo,” “Anthem,” and “Zorro in Hell.” He is a mayoral appointee to the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission.

Luis Rodriguez is the author of 13 books, including “Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.” and is a recipient of the Carl Sandburg Literary Award. He is the founder of Tia Chucha Press and the Tia Chucha Cultural Center.

Mario Rocha is the subject of the award-winning documentary “Mario’s Story,” which portrays his struggle to overturn a wrongful conviction for murder and his emergence as a writer under the tutelage of a prison writing program.


Pound for pound and word for word, one of the best readings events in town! T&G is a word extravaganza offering short fiction, personal essays, poetry, spoken word and music. Hosted by Conrad Romo, a native Angelino and writer himself, this unique event usually happens at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.

Show up early because seating is limited and we’re starting on time!

Contact: conrad.romo@gmail.com, www.tongueandgroovela.com, www.hotelcafe.com