The first weekend of Coachella might have just ended, but it’s time for this weekend’s Bookchella. The return of the biggest book festival in the country is right around the corner. The Los Angeles Festival of Books will take place on April 18 and 19 on USC’s campus.
The promised ‘fun for all ages’ event will feature over 500 authors and celebrities, 200 author events, and activities for book lovers of all genres and, of course, ages. While general admission is free, some exclusive events will require paid admission. Make sure to purchase tickets before they sell out on the L.A. Times Festival of Books website!
This annual L.A. literary staple not only highlights major authors but also creates a space for Latine voices to be heard. Many of these events will be held on the De Los Stage, presented in association with L.A. Times en Español. It will be located outdoors in the Cardinal Zone near South Trousdale.
Through these Spanish-language panels and discussions that explore themes of culture and identity, attendees can immerse themselves in the diverse, rich stories written by Latine authors.
There will be many different events to choose from, even for the little ones in your life! On Saturday, April 18, there will be Lil’ Libros Storytime with Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Adrian Garcia-Marquez and Author Patty Rodriguez from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the De Los Stage. Make sure to bring your siblings or kiddos along for this amazing opportunity!
Lil’ Libros is a series of children’s bilingual literature books published in both English and Spanish for children everywhere to enjoy. They were created to celebrate cultural diversity and bilingual literature with boundless enthusiasm, igniting the imagination of all little readers.
Shortly after at 11:55 a.m., the Mariachi Corazon Hispano band of Legacy Visual Performing Arts High School will perform in celebration of the release of Lil’ Libros’ new book: Mariachi: Musical Instruments/Instrumentos musicales.
On that musical note, the Mexican Music is American Music panel will also be held on the De Los Stage. Authors Sam Quinones, Fidel Martinez, and Larissa Mercado-López will examine the relationship between music and migration and explore how Mexican music made its way into the United States and left its mark on American culture. This panel will be held on Saturday from 12:25 p.m. to 12:55 p.m.
Telemundo morning news Anchor, Julio Vaquiero, will also be returning this year to continue his conversation on Mexico, the United States, and the return of Donald Trump’s presidency. He will be interviewed exclusively by Reporter Soudí Jimenez and speak about his book, Rio Bravo.
He will present important arguments on issues in our world today, such as migration and the outcome of recent political shifts in both Mexico and the US. The panel offers insight into issues that directly impact Latine communities on both sides of the border. It’s set to happen on Saturday from 1:05 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Another highlight of the festival includes a panel discussion about Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny. From an underground SoundCloud rapper to the world’s most-streamed artist and the Super Bowl LX halftime headliner, Benito has done it all while staying true to himself and representing his cultural pride and values.
Suzy Exposito, Vanessa Diaz, and Petra Rivera-Rideau will lead the conversation on the potential of using the loved artist’s music to inspire substantial change in Puerto Rico. The panel will highlight how pop culture can serve as a platform for representation and empowerment within Latine communities, especially those native to Puerto Rico. This event is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
These are just a few of the many events taking place during the Festival of Books this upcoming weekend. They highlight the wide range of stories and perspectives that Latine voices bring to the festival, showing how identity, culture, and current events shape their narratives. Make sure to visit one or all of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences!
For more information on panels, times, transportation, and more, please visit the LA Times Festival of Books website.