Los Angeles Latin rockers Ozomatli will perform at the Rialto Theatre on Saturday in a concert to benefit Save Ethnic Studies.
"We are creating awareness for a cause that we support and raising money for that cause," said Raul Pacheco, the politically infused band's lead vocalist and guitarist.
The band will perform to support the Acosta plaintiffs, the 11 teachers and two students of Mexican American Studies involved in a federal lawsuit to save ethnic studies in the Tucson Unified School District.
"Some of it is very tragic, with Native people, with Mexican people, there are a lot of conflicting views," said Pacheco. "I just think it should all be allowed to exist. I think it is an opinion that is as valid as any other opinion. I just don't think it should be banned."
Ozomatli formed 17 years ago to create an eclectic musical mix of punk rock, cumbia, salsa, Indian, reggae, hip-hop and funk while standing up for a cause.
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"We started as a band to raise money for different causes. Our first cause was to help raise money for a community center in Los Angeles, the Peace and Justice Center," said Pacheco. "The building was a place for young people to do anything, and we needed to raise money to keep the community center going."
Ozomatli members continue to express their beliefs and stand up for causes with their music.
"It's the way we started. It has always been part of us. It's not like we got together and decided we were going to form a political band. Some of us just grew up with this in our households and we were open to that perspective," said Pacheco. "I think we try to create a space, when we play, where people can connect in a way that is non-verbal."
Last month, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal declared the Mexican American Studies program illegal on the basis that it promotes racial resentment.
"I have actually sat in on a few classes and I have never felt anything like that. I mean, I only went to two classes, but I never felt any kind of hatred," said Pacheco. "If anything, I felt a kind of empowerment."
Since the concert was announced, TUSD's governing board voted to end the program, but the lawsuit and efforts to save it continue.
This is not Ozomatli's first political protest in Arizona. Two years ago, the band was involved in the nationwide protest to boycott Arizona over SB 1070.
"I think there is so much happening there, in Arizona. For us we definitely have an opinion, and we have a side. We side with a more safe immigration policy, and we do side with groups who do promote that," said Pacheco. "When we go to Arizona we don't shy away from that. Right now, we are happy to play there and play for ethnic studies."
Most recently, the band has participated in other protests involving women's rights, educational funding and Occupy events in downtown L.A., said Pacheco.
"We don't specifically start writing our music any certain kind of way. We just get together and write about what is on our mind, and sometimes they are very political. We just all have to like it," said Pacheco. "We tend to write music that is high energy because we want to get people to move and celebrate one another. We just want to get people to dance."
Deriving from the Aztec language word representing dance, fire and passion, the word "Ozomatli" could not better describe the band's scintillating multicultural performances.
"To be able to win people we don't know over with our music, that is what we like to focus on," said Pacheco.
Future plans include working on a musical and a TV show, doing music for video games, scoring films and creating a kids album, Pacheco said
These projects, including introducing Ozomatli's own brand of coffee, help the band expand its audience, said Pacheco.
Ozomatli's newest album may by available by summer.
As for the benefit, Pacheco hopes it is a relief for people who need it and a celebration for people who support Save Ethnic Studies.
"For people who don't support it and still come to the show I hope they realize it can be a positive thing for young people," said Pacheco. "In the end, the world is made of everybody and we all live in it, and it's important to learn how to be creative together to express our various opinions."
If you go
• What: Ozomatli in concert, with Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta in a benefit to "Save Ethnic Studies."
• When: Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday.
• Where: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.
• Tickets: $22 in advance; $24 day of show. Call 740-1000.
Marisa Bernal is a UA journalism student who is an apprentice at the Star. Contact her at 573-4117 or at starapprentice@azstarnet.com
