The Fifth OC Film Fiesta Kicks Off on September 18th

And much a kicking it will do.

The 5th OC Film Fiesta kicks off on Thursday, September 18 with Volando Bajo, (Flying Low), which is a parody on 80’s Mexican música grupera, directed by Beto Gómez. The director focuses on this music genre associated with pop music acts like Los Bukis, Los pastels Verdes, and Rigo Tovar, or that of any band performing so-called música versátil typically heard at a quinceañera or reunion of that sort. Gómez is no stranger to Santa Ana. In 2004 his black & white film El sueño del caimán (The Caiman’s Dream) was shown at the then-called Metropolitan Fiesta Twin Theater, on 4th street downtown, for the first-ever Orange County Latino Film Festival. Gómez is, perhaps, better known for his parody Saving Private Pérez, which had a limited release in U.S. theaters in 2011.


Festival director Sandra Peña wanted to weave in a soccer theme into this year’s festival. Initially there were plans to bring a Chivas USA soccer clinic and player appearances to Green Heart Park, but things didn’t go as planned. One of the players sought, Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista, left Chivas USA after a short stint. The other, Erick “El Cubo” Torres, an MLS All-Star, has had too much on his plate with call-ups to the MLS All-Stars and the Mexican National Team. The Film Fiesta will screen the family flick Atlético San Pancho, about a boys soccer team, in a flick reminiscent of Kicking and Screaming with Will Farrell.

Also showing, and keeping with this year’s soccer theme is the documentary-style film Ilusión Nacional (A Nation’s Dream).

The OC Film Fiesta closes with Around the World in 80 Days, starring Mario Moreno, “Cantinflas.” Festival organizers hit a home run with the showing of Around the World in 80 Days, to ride the wave of interest in the recent Lionsgate & Televisa (Pantelion Films) theatrical release of Cantinflas; the biopic of Mexico’s greatest comic icon, Mario Moreno. It’s precisely because the Cantinflas biopic treats the subject of the production of what went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture in 1956, that showing Around the World in 80 Days in a movie theater, for this film festival, is so appropriate. Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” contributed greatly to the success of that movie that he won a much-deserved Golden Globe for his role in the film.

For more showtimes refer to the graphic below or visit OC Film Fiesta online.

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Bernal, León & Co. Present: Kilson Street

Longtime Santa Ana singer-songwriter Richard Bernal and Santa Ana audio engineer and published author Conrad León present Kilson Street, a TV show with a focus on showcasing local musical talent.

Kilson Street debuts with a showcase of Santa Ana band Electro City, with video that is coming soon to the Kilson Street Youtube channel.

The show is, “A bi weekly showcase for local up and coming musicians in the Orange County area. Uncut and personal. If you would like to see yourself or someone you know on this, then let us know. Please subscribe and spread the word,” according to the Kilson Street Facebook page.

Kilson Street is written by Richard Bernal and Modesto Briseño and Co-produced by Modesto Briseño, Conrad León, Miguel Briseño and Rick Aguilar.

About Richard Bernal

Longtime Santa Ana singer, songwriter, guitarist and Downtown Original Richard Bernal has been involved with a number of local musical projects including “The Lost and Found Sound,” “Devil and His Friend,” and most recently “The Gray Wolf.“

About Conrad León

Santa Ana audio engineer Conrad León is a graduate of the Musicians Institute (MI) in Hollywood, CA. He is the author of “How to EQ and Compress,” a guide for audio producers, which is available online at Barnes & Noble. For samples of Conrad’s work visit Souncloud.com/leonconrado.

Zoé & Fobia at the Observatory

Mexican rock bands Zoé and Fobia come to Santa Ana’s Observatory Theater on Sunday, October 21st. Opening up for them are Los Bunkers. Doors open at 8pm.

Tickets are available here.

This will be Fobia’s second appearance in town. Santa Ana-based promoter MX Live Entertainment brought them to the downtown for the 2011 Cinco de Mayo festivities. MX Live also brought pop singers Aleks Syntek (September 2010) and Reyli (September 2012), and rockers Moderatto (September 2010) to Santa Ana.

The Observatory is Santa Ana’s house of rock and pop en español. Café Tacuba’s concert here in August was a sellout although tickets sold at a high price. That same month Chilean rap artist Ana Tijoux performed at the Observatory’s Constellation Room.

For more on the decades-long careers of Mexican rockers Fobia, click here.

For more on Zoé click here and here.

“American Soldiers” Now Playing at Phillips Hall Theatre

The stage play “American Soldiers” written by Matt Morillo and directed by Chris Cannon is now playing at Phillips Hall Theatre at Santa Ana College.

Remaining shows are October 18, 19 and 20 at 8:00 pm and October 21 at 2:30 pm.

Synopsis

Angela, an Army veteran and war hero, returns home emotionally scarred. After a Middle East tour of duty she views her “modern” Catholic family as nothing more than cogs in the machine of conformity. Now Angela’s father, a Vietnam War veteran, has one last chance to save his daughter, family, and self-respect as he and Angela fight for control, understanding, and meaning in their own war torn world.

Tickets are $14.00 for General admission, $12.00 for students, seniors, and staff, and $10.00 for children.

Buy online:
www.sac.edu/theatre

Café Tacvba Comes to Santa Ana

Rock en español finally returns to Santa Ana, where shows of this type are incredibly and inexcusably few and far between. We’re lucky to get one a year.

Mexican rock group Café Tacuba will perform at Santa Ana’s Observatory Theater (Formerly Galaxy Concert Theater) on August 13. Doors open at 7pm. This is an all ages event.

Café Tacuba’s Santa Ana concert is the fourth of a four city California tour. They kick off their tour in Oakland on August 9, followed by stops in Los Angeles on August 10, San Diego on August 11, and Santa Ana on August 13.

Will the Observatory now give the Yost a run for its money? Absolutely. This is the route that the Observatory has to take.