Sunday Nov. 1, the United Lowrider Council of San Jose (ULCSJ) members parked classic lowrider cars on Montalvo Arts Center’s Great Lawn in front of the Villa. In addition to viewing of lowriders this event showcased aspects of the vibrant Hispanic culture, to share and enjoy.
Attendance at this family event was free. This event is produced in collaboration with ULCSJ, Local Color San Jose and the MAC, all nonprofits.
This was a culturally enlightening and relaxing afternoon. Food trucks provided savory eats. And there was a full bar on the terrace. Bayology Radio (bayologyradio.com)—AKA “The Bay Area’s Oldest”—provided the disjockeying.
A culture emerges
Lowrider culture began in the 40s in Southern California. Stock cars were lowered towards the road and driven around neighborhoods slowly. These lowriders cars helped to promote a cultural identity—and became quite the art form—within the Hispanic community.
Today’s lowriders are much more extravagant than the original ones. Many are considered works of art. This year’s fourth annual ULCSJ event was held on Dia de los Muertos. Many lowriders had altars of remembrance in them, displaying traditional symbolism and history behind this sacred date. These cultural expressions were a joy to see.
Erin Salazar, the founder and of Local Color San Jose spoke. “We are an artist-led nonprofit that supports creatives and creative work across the South Bay,” Salazar said. “I also want to shout-out to the Lowriders Council—and every single one of the artists that brought their creations and their beautiful creations out here for us to view today.” At Charmaine’s Garden Terrace, Local Color artists along with Montalvo volunteers set up their wares. There were even arts and crafts tables.
How about an all-women lowrider car club? Angel Romero founded one. When she was very young, her mother drove her in lowrider groups to fall asleep. Today, Romero’s lowrider has her mother’s portrait painted on her lowrider in remembrance. In another lowrider “Chola” Lola’s lowrider’s trunk displays an altar with photos of her pets that had gone “over the rainbow bridge,” as well as family members that have passed on.
Hispanic heritage
In addition to the stunning lowrider cars on display, cultural dances were performed and children’s activities were held.
Presentation High School’s folklórico performance group Alebrijes de Flor Performing Arts, is a nationally recognized competitive dance team. Their dancing expresses the spirit of people’s lives through movement and music—both historical and contemporary.
In the crafts area tin-stamping (repujado) was offered to all. For this type of craft, you take thin sheets of tin and stamp or impress them with designs and colors.
Montalvo Arts Center reaches out
Montalvo Arts Center Executive Director Angela McConnell told the festive crowd their vision can be distilled down to a single word: belonging. “It really is our goal to enhance the lives of all people—with ALL, with a capital ‘A’ underlined, in italics and bold—ALL people. So, we hope you feel very welcomed, and we hope you will come back and check out our programming. We are open almost every day of the year—to hike, look at art and be inspired by the creative process. So, thank you for being here. We love these cars, we love our patrons and our friends, and we love all of you.”
If you missed the lowriders this year, just know it is an annual event. Plans are being made for next year’s lowrider afternoon at Montalvo.
To learn more about the United Lowrider Council of San Jose (“uplifting San Jose’s legendary lowrider history through community engagement”) contact its president David Polanco: da**********@*******al.net
