A groundbreaking documentary on Latin music from WKAR producer John Valadez will air nationally in primetime on PBS this May.
His film, “The Chicano Wave,” is the third hour in a four-part series called “Latin Music USA.” Featuring musicians and performers like Selena, Ritchie Valens, Los Lobos and Linda Ronstadt, it explores the history of Mexican American music to showcase the influence of Latino culture.
“In America, we are all interconnected in ways that are complicated, often subtle, unseen and unarticulated, and so this series, Latin Music USA, that’s kind of what it’s about,” Valadez said. “It’s about making unexpected connections that are actually very beautiful and surprising. It’s about what it means to be American.”
The “Chicano Wave” will air at 9 p.m. May 5 on PBS. A preview screening of the film will be hosted by WKAR and Prabu David, dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, at 7 p.m. Thursday in ComArtSci 145. A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., and a Q&A with Valadez will take place after the screening.
In addition to his role with WKAR, Valadez has joint appointments as professor of practice with the Department of Media and Information and the Film Studies Program at MSU.
Event details and RSVP information can be found here.