Wander amongst an array of “tricked out” cars and enjoy a cultural voyage on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1-5pm, as a fleet of more than 50 classic lowriders will be parked on Montalvo Arts Center’s Great Lawn in front of the Villa. In addition to the cars, this event will showcase other aspects of Hispanic culture.
This annual gathering of vehicle enthusiasts punctuates a month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Organizers are encouraging people to immerse themselves in the rich heritage and artistic excellence of the Santa Clara Valley’s lowrider community. This free event, which will include music, food trucks, art-making, vendors and dancing, is produced in collaboration with the United Lowrider Council of San Jose and Local Color SJ. Featured participants include Q-Vo and Bayology Radio’s DJ415 (Michael Delgato). There will also be children’s activities.
In January 2023, Cynthia Taylor became the first director of outreach and education here at the non profit organization MAC. Taylor is focused on advancing MAC’s vision of including all communities, something she says the organization values.
“The pandemic made time to affirm this and to reach out,” she said. “All are welcome here. This is a family-friendly event.”
There’s even free parking with a shuttle from West Valley College Parking Lot 5.
This year’s event is dedicated to the legacy of Alcario “Al” Castellano. Q-Vo is a Chicano soul oldies 11-piece band fronted by the daughter of Al Castellano: Carmela Castellano-Garcia.
Art and cultural identity
The Lowrider culture began in the 40s down in Southern California. Stock cars were altered and driven around slowly. The main feature was lowering the car frames so they would sit closer to the asphalt and become a low ride—hence the name. Then these “cool” cars would be driven around the neighborhoods where they were created.
Lowriders became an important art form in the Hispanic community. Today we all can appreciate these rides—as a mode of transportation and a piece of art. And they’re even more extravagant now than the original ones. Some even bounce.
For decades, strict rules about vehicle heights and processions constrained what lowrider enthusiasts were allowed to do. If these requirements were not met, the cars and their drivers could be fined. During the 2021-22 legislative sessions, Assemblyman David Alvarez introduced SB 436, to amend key restrictions. On Oct. 13, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law.
Today the lowrider culture is flourishing. Recently a lowrider parade was held in the Mission District of San Francisco, for example. Some enthusiasts retrofit their cars with unique wheels, custom velvet interiors, hydraulic lifts and custom pinstriping. These works of art are cultural expressions and a joy to see.
