PCAL Calendar
Wednesday, November 11th
- Location: Main Gallery, 2nd Floor FAC
- Time: 8:00am - 4:30pm
This competitive juried exhibition showcases a selection of work in a variety of media created by students in the WKU Department of Art & Design.
- Location: Jody Richards Hall Auditorium
- Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Against political resistance and industry skepticism, Luis Valdez pushes Chicano storytelling from the fields to the film screen with Zoot Suit and La Bamba, crafting iconic works that challenge, celebrate, and expand America’s story.
Acclaimed playwright and director Luis Valdez recognized early on the profound impact of seeing one’s own humanity reflected onstage and on screen. He used theater to ignite change while working alongside farmworkers and Cesar Chavez, and he made films that amplified Chicano experiences. His work expanded audiences, bringing in people who had rarely seen their stories told before. Now, director David Alvarado reveals the fuel behind his legendary career.
Alvarado brings us close to Valdez, charting his career milestones and enduring cultural influence. He employs vibrant stylistic choices, using split screens, remarkable archival footage rescued from decay, and a pachuco narrator who tells it like it is by interjecting candid commentary throughout. Alvarado ensures Luis Valdez’s contributions are unmistakable and that his message — “America is Chicano” — resonates proudly, which feels especially vital for today.
Free tickets are available at https://capitolbg.org/. After the screening, a Q&A with filmmakers will be offered.
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