Several hundred people gathered in Panorama City Monday morning for a celebration honoring the legendary Mexican cumbia group Los Angeles Azules. The event, which kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month, recognized the cultural legacy of the popular band, which was in person to officially unveil “Los Angeles Azules Square” at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Chase Street.
Although their arrival was delayed, enthusiastic fans held on to their seats, and eagerly waited more than two hours to catch a glimpse of the band despite the warm weather. People of all ages danced and sang along with a live mariachi band and a DJ, which both played the hit songs by Los Angeles Azules and other popular Latino music.
The festivities and square dedication were presented by Los Angeles City Councilmember Imelda Padilla, who represents the 6th District. She was joined by Ambassador Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, the Consul General of Mexico in LA.
Mayor Karen Bass, who is currently running for re-election against LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, also made an appearance.
“Happy Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month. The beautiful part of Los Angeles is … all of the nationalities, the races, the ethnicities that are here, and the Latino population. Que vivan los Latinos [Long live Latinos]!” said Bass, who drew cheers from the crowd as she danced several cumbias on stage with two of the band members alongside Padilla.
The new sign in the square says, “Los Angeles Azules Square, From Iztapalapa to the world!” – a reference to the band’s hometown in Mexico, where the band was formed in 1976. The group includes the Mejia Avante siblings: Elias, Alfredo, Pepe, Jorge, Cristina and Guadalupe.
Although Los Angeles Azules didn’t perform, they greeted fans, shaking hands and taking photos with them. Elias Mejia expressed his gratitude for the celebration, and for their fans.
“Thank you all for supporting us,” he said. “Our trajectory has been long, with ups and downs. … I was told I had a terrible voice, but it didn’t matter. I kept singing and playing anyway, and look where we are today. This recognition fills us with so much emotion and we’re so happy to be here with all of you today.”
When Padilla was selected to be the “godmother” of this year’s El Grito celebration in downtown LA, Padilla said she wanted a group to perform that played dance music and would energize the audience.
She also wanted a celebration for the community she represents – the same community where she grew up – which has “always supported me,” she said. That inspired the idea to invite Los Angeles Azules to Panorama City.
“In this community is where we came to the movies … where we came to dances. This is where we used to come to do our shopping, and to get our pictures taken at Montgomery Ward,” recounted Padilla.
“Thank you for being here,” said Padilla, addressing those gathered, “especially because I know there are many people in our community who are still very fearful, but you all came out to show that we are resilient, that our culture is resilient.
“Today we are here to celebrate this group,” she continued. “I imagine that everyone here has a story of a moment when listening to their music took them from sadness to smiles.”
In addition to naming the square in their honor, Padilla said they also created a commemorative plaque featuring the name Los Angeles Azules surrounded by their handprints at Plaza Del Valle, a shopping center near the square, which strives to be somewhat similar to Olvera Street in downtown LA. She also presented group members with certificates of recognition for being “one of the most known musical groups in all of Latin America.”