A “Desmadre” was promised, and a party full of laughter, dancing and music that had people swaying to the oldies was delivered by Culture Clash and other “originals” last Sunday. The “friends” of Culture Clash all took turns breaking in the newly renovated stage at the Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood.
They’ve shared a similar road as Latinos working in show business and gigs across the country and paying their dues many times over and it was that well tuned talent and experience that made a successful lineup with each act bringing in their “OG” voice and unique style to this old style Culture Clash variety show.
Tierra played their signature songs that of course included the song “Together,” (made famous by the late Isaac Avila, Tierra’s former lead singer, a San Fernando High alumni.) which always gets the audience singing along. Giving a wide spectrum, a true original punk rocker, Alice Bag sang boldly about everything from date rape to a song about the Chicano moratorium while stand up veterano Rudy Moreno, known as the “Godfather” of Latino comedy told the audience how to tell the difference between someone on a date vs. a married couple.
Actor Emilio Rivera aptly delivered charm and Suavecito and was the winner of the welll known Culture Clash skit, “Jeopardy.”” Pacifico Dance Company gave the audience everything from folklorico to cumbia.
Sandra Valls represented the rainbow and gave a string of jokes about life as a lesbian and poked fun at the challenge of understanding accents by imitating her Mom and the clerk at the fast food drive-thru window. Valls also announced after her routine that she would sing but told the audience not to worry, because she sings well, and she did, she actually brought down the house and many in the audience gave her a standing ovation for her bilingual rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Culture Clash wove the night together with some of their favorite routines. It was a refreshing new beginning for the Ford Amphitheater which finally completed it’s renovation that gratefully now has comfortable chairs for the audience, new lighting and two castle facades that frame the stage.
“I haven’t seen this many Mexicans here since the Battle of Cahuenga,” Ric Salinas joked, “or was it last night when they were cleaning up this place?”
This performance is said to represent a new page for the Ford, with a fresh look and a new administration that promises to “ignite” their stage with national talent that includes the talent from Los Angeles.
— Diana Martinez