Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize the contributions, history, culture, and influence of our local lowrider community.
Due to popular demand, we are pleased to join the United Lowrider Council of San Jose (ULCSJ) and Local Color SJ to present our 3rd Lowrider Art Showcase. Using the historic grounds of Montalvo and Santa Clara County Park trails, we are excited to bring back this fun, free, family-friendly afternoon—which will feature a fleet of stunning lowrider cars on the Great Lawn; art-making and painting demonstrations in the gardens; local artists and vendors; DJs and dancing; and delicious options from local food vendors.
Free parking and shuttle service to the event will be available from West Valley College (Parking Lot 5). Please proceed directly to West Valley to park your vehicle and take the shuttle; parking at the West Valley lot is free. For shorter wait times, consider Uber or Lyft to get you directly to the event.
On View: United Lowrider Council of San Jose curated Lowrider cars (Great Lawn)
Local Color Art Market & Family Hands-On Art Activities (Charmaine’s Garden Terrace & Oval Garden)
On View Drop-In Screening: Cinco de Mayo & 16th of September: A Tradition of Celebrations in San Jose 1987-1998 (Villa Finn Room)
On View: Legacy Archive Exhibit of Alcario “Al” Castellano (Villa Main Hall & Dining Room)
On View: When the World is Beautifully Strange & A Path Forward: Honoring Ohlone Land & Spirit & Forest Fort (Cottage Gallery & throughout the property)
• 1:00-2:00pm | Performance: Bayology Radio DJ
• 2:00-2:15pm | WELCOME – COMMENDATION PRESENTATION: County of Santa Clara Supervisor, District 2: Betty Duong and County of Santa Clara Supervisor, District 5: Margaret Abe-Koga.
• 2:15-3:00pm | Performance: Q-Vo Band – Bringing Chicano Soul Oldies
• 3:00-4:00pm | Performance: Bayology Radio DJ – The Bay Area’s Oldies Station
• 4:00-4:45pm | Performance: Q-Vo Band – Bringing Chicano Soul Oldies
• 4:45-5:00pm | Performance: Bayology Radio DJ – The Bay Area’s Oldies Station
• 6:00pm | Last Shuttle
For the last 15 years Q-Vo has evolved into an 11 person band bringing back music of the past in order to inspire our audiences to sing and dance along and enjoy good memories. Our music is a mix of R & B, Latin beat, oldies, classic rock and Chicano Soul. We have played gigs throughout the Sacramento region and the greater Bay Area. Q-Vo has been fortunate to have opened for legends such as Los Lobos, MALO, Brenton Wood, Tierra, Flaco Jimenez, and Rick Stevens of Tower of Power. We have sung back up for Richard Bean of MALO and Steve Salas of Tierra as they sang their hits “Suavecito” and “Together.” Working with promoter Henry “Bumpy” Gonzalez of Bump-N-Time Entertainment, Q-Vo has also been fortunate to have the opportunity to play a great variety of gigs and venues including, community celebrations, political events, music festivals, weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties and corporate parties.
Q-Vo is excited to headline the Villa Montalvo Lowrider Art Showcase. Band leader, Angel Garcia, grew up in East San Jose around the corner from King and Story Road during the formation and apex of Lowrider culture in San Jose. This time in San Jose remains the inspiration behind the creation of the band, Q-Vo, as Angel seeks to bring back the music of the past and the beautiful memories that go along with it.
Al Castellano transcended his humble beginnings as a farmworker and grocery clerk to live an incredible life where he shone as a community activist and volunteer, philanthropist and historian. For him, his most important role was that of a loving husband, father and grandfather to his family. Read more >>
A documentary on Cinco de Mayo from The Castellano Family Foundation and Legacy Films .
The 3rd Annual Lowrider Arts Showcase is made possible by the George and Judy Marcus Family Foundation, in addition to the members and donors of the Montalvo Arts Center and the County of Santa Clara.