Our 19th Annual Celebrating Words Festival is happening on May 18, 2024, from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Vaughn G3 Academy (Global Green Generation), located at 11200 Herrick Ave. Pacoima, CA 91331.
The Celebrating Words Festival provides an accessible, brave, and dynamic space that encourages creativity and supports intellectual growth and healing, for people of all ages, in the vital and unique way that arts and literacy do. The 19th annual Celebrating Words Festival returns this year and will be held on May 18, 2024 from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm inside the Vaughn G3 Academy campus.
Our Book Giveaway is intentionally designed to be a literacy resource that supports our community in becoming active readers and owners of personal libraries. Our book options include brand new titles in English, Spanish, and Bilingual options, for all ages. Books will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. One book per person.
Access our Book Giveaway Catalog here for this year’s book selection.
2:00pm - 2:35pm Opening Ceremony with Kalpulli Temachtia Quetzalcoatl
Live music performances, poetry, and words by:
2:35pm - 2:40pm Tia Chucha's Founders Trini & Luis Rodriguez
2:45pm - 3:05pm Joyas Divinas
3:25pm - 3:45pm Livid Dream
4:05pm - 4:45pm Nicolas y su Conjunto
5:00pm - 5:40pm Thee Heart Tones
5:45pm - 5:50pm Rosalilia Mendoza
6:10pm - 6:55pm The McCharmly's
What will you create at our festival? From 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm participate in one or all of our free creative arts workshops. Open to all ages. This year we're featuring:
Make a Book! Haz un libro! by LACMA
Empowerment Banners by Chile Morena
My Story in a Mini Zine! by Blancis the Creative
Collaging Through Printmaking by Alfonso Aceves of Kalli Arte Collective
Recordando: A Block Print Workshop by Xitlalic Guijosa. Sponsored by The Big Read
Charms 'n Things by Jo and Jo
Tu Arte, Tu Voz by Abby Aceves
Fun Fact Light Up Bookmark by DIY Girls
Paint Me Maximo: A Pop-Up Art Exhibit and Coloring Station
Visionary Vessels by The Getty
Herbal Tea Station by Yerba Mystica
Pacoima Outdoors by Nature For All
The Magic of Compost by LA COMPOST
Wellness for Every Body by The Wild Plum
Flower Magic Eco Printing by Deyaworldwide
Native Plants Poster Screenprint by Meztli Projects
Solidarity Stencils by Guadalupe Gutierrez
Pot-a-Palooza: Planting Paradise by Pacoima Beautiful & Mr. List
"Civilization of Death: Zapatista Philosophy & Autonomy"
by Sexta Grietas del Norte and facilitated by Dr. Bryant Partida
3:30pm - 4:30pm Zapatista Philosophy
5:00pm - 6:00pm Autonomy
Lil' Readers Storytime! By Tia Chucha's
3:00pm - 3:20pm
4:15pm - 4:45pm
Comida en Resistencia! by Guayaba Kitchen
3:30pm - 4:00pm
5:00pm -5:45pm
Shop art, jewelry, and more with our guests artisan vendors. Vending with us this year is:
Come hungry to our festival, you will want to try the delicious food from:
We're giving away limited edition artwork created gby talented artists from all over Los Angles and the San Fernando Valley. Take home a poster, bookmark, stickers, and a coloring book!
Special Edition Art Poster by Heidi Moreno
Special Edition stickers by Noctamy & Riimachii
Special Edition Bookmark by Erica Friend Insomniart
Coloring Book by 818 artists:
Karen Ugarte
Get connected with local organizations making a change in our community. This year we're welcoming:
El Nido
Black and Latino Men Read
& Young Women Of Color Read
Danzone
MEND
CHIRLA
MEChA de LAMC
LA Poet Society
Plaza Comunitaria Sinaloa
Valley Views KROJ (Radio Olin)
El Centro de Amistad
Vida Mobile Clinic
Enrichment Works
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Festival Producer: Karina Ceja, celebratingwords@tiachucha.org
Bookstore Manager, Karen Ugarte, karen@tiachucha.org
Program Coordinator, Cecilia Lopez, cecilia@tiachucha.org
Volunteer Opportunities for all ages and experiences! Email Alexis at alex@tiachucha.org for more information or register below.
At La Casita - Vaughn Community Center
11217 Herrick Ave. Pacoima, Ca 91331
&
Pacoima Charter School
(Underground Parking)
11010 Herrick Ave. Pacoima, Ca 91331
festival parking
Will be available in the G3 Driveway and possibly at the front of the school. Check for
signs. Please bring your handicap placards in your car for entry.
Accessible parking
We are offering shuttle service from other Vaughn School Parking lots! Get on the party bus and avoid the traffic jams. Shuttle services will be available from 2:00 pm - 7:15 pm. The shuttle vans will be circling every 15 minutes depending on traffic. Parking attendants will be on site! Look for festival parking signs!
Vaughn International Studies Academy
11505 Herrick Ave. Pacoima, Ca 91331
Shuttle Parking
Check out last years Festival
On our 18th annual celebration we gave away 1,300 brand new books, hosted over 20 creative workshops, 7 on stage performances, literary workshops, artisan and food fair, resources and more.