Yes you can. They are the three words that inspired a movement and defined the legacy of the iconic American civil rights leader and living legend Dolores Huerta. This Sunday, November 13, at 7pm, The Soraya at Cal State University’s Northridge Campus will honor Dolores with a one-night-only celebration for the pioneer of social justice.
Widely recognized as one of the most influential women of the 20th century, Dolores is an American labor leader and human rights activist who has worked tirelessly for decades to question and challenge gender barriers, campaigning for women’s rights, and correct economic injustice.
While the 92-year-old is known by many for her civil rights achievements and repeated global impact, what may not be as well known is her passion for music, dance and culture.
In planning the tribute concert, The Soraya? working with Director Dan Guerrero, Music Director Cheche Alara, and Mark Torres of KPFK Radio? they went directly with Dolores to ask she Who would you like to see on stage?
It all begins with the host of the night, Comedian Cristela Alonzo ? Texas native who created, produced, wrote and starred in Christella, his own primetime comedy show in the United States. She is the first Latina woman to ever do so.
Earlier this year, Cristela released her second Netflix special titled ?Cristela: Middle Classy? and invited Dolores Huerta to participate in two scenes. Before its premiere, Cristela posted on Twitter that the special is ?a love letter? towards her community, which is why she asked Dolores, Joaquín Castro, Mariachi Las Mexicanas, and many others, to accompany her. In addition to hosting the show, Cristela will give a few words about Dolores and she will also present a comedy number.
Asking Dolores about her interests, The Soraya learned of her love for just about any style of music! From Mariachi to Rhythm & Blues, Dolores was interested in highlighting many musical genres for her tribute.
To fulfill her wishes, The Soraya invited The Marisoullead singer of the Mexican-American band La Santa Cecilia, Gaby Moreno, Guatemalan Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist, who sings in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Representing Dolores’ love of pop and soul music will be members of the 1960s band Fifth Dimension. Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Also performing with them will be David Aguilar, a well-known independent Mexican singer-songwriter who was recently nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist; John Doe, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the Los Angeles punk band X, whose music runs the gamut from rock, punk, country, and folk; Y Mariachi Garibaldi by Jaime Cuellar, founded in 1994 by Jaime Cuellar and now directed by his son ? composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist and three-time Grammy winner Jimmy Cuellar.
Dolores has been greatly honored throughout her long history of service, her accolades include the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Four educational institutions bear her name and she was named to the Hall of of California Fame in 2013.
Even at 92 years old, she continues to work tirelessly developing leaders and promoting the rights of the working poor, women and children. She also works with migrant communities in the San Joaquin Valley ensuring they become familiar with the laws and agencies that can protect them and what benefits they are entitled to. And, as founder and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, she continues to travel the United States campaigning to influence laws that support equality and defense of civil rights.
She will be worthily honored at The Soraya on November 13 at 7pm in the Concert for Dolores: A Musical Tribute to Dolores Huerta. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased here.