Latino Rock Concert to Benefit Children

As Southland roc en espanol bands make their way out of underground clubs and into the House of Blues, a Cal State Northridge student figured it was time his school got a taste of rock--Latin style.

Juan Avila, a CSUN engineering student, began to gather phone numbers at gigs two years ago because he had a hunch that Spanish rock could serve a higher purpose than just producing really great noise. After many phone calls and proposal drafts, he managed to get the university, community members, Latino artists and some of L.A.’s most head-turning bands to back CSUN’s first roc en espanol concert--”El Tremendo Huarachon,” to benefit underprivileged children in Tijuana.

Avila jokes that the show’s title refers to all the dancing he expects the concert’s audience members will do in their Mexican huaraches--leather sandals.

Avila hopes the benefit will raise $4,000 to buy Christmas toys for the children. The concert, scheduled from 8 to midnight Friday in CSUN’s Performing Arts Center, will feature Dim, Pes de yet, Pastilla and Ley de Hielo.

“We chose a roc en espanol benefit because of the music’s political statements and higher consciousness,” Avila said.

“The concert is about two things--helping and unifying,” he added, saying one goal in organizing the event was for Latino performers to disregard whether they are of Mexican or South American descent and unite to raise money and awareness to aid the poverty many of them have seen in Latin American countries.

It was this message, supporters concede, that persuaded them to take part in a risky venture that involved a musical genre some critics predict will fade like the Brazilian lambada.

“This is a chance to prove to the community that Latinos can excel in any musical style, and not just folkloric music,” said guitarist Pino Yllescas of Ley de Hielo. “And also an example of how we find ways to open our own doors rather than wait for someone to open them for us.”

Tickets are $8, available through Ticketmaster or at the door. For information, call (818) 365-1343. Concert-goers are also encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy.