2008 Woodie Awards
Cafe Serves More Than Just Coffee
Cafe doubles as community center in Sylmar.
Jesus Esquivel
Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Valley Life
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After expanding in 2003 to become a non-profit learning and cultural arts center in Sylmar, Tia Chucha's has been hosting art exhibits, workshops in music, readings, dance lessons, performances and film showcases, as well as being a bookstore with a full coffee bar.
Next door to the café is the non-profit center where the Tia Chucha Press has published 35 poetry books and a CD. Dos Manos Records, which started in 2002 and has produced CDs of poetry and music and Xispas, an online magazine that features community artists and writers, both work out of the center.
"It's about giving back to the community," said co-owner Luis Rodriguez. "It costs a lot of money to run this place, but when the kids come here and learn, that's what makes it worth while."
Rodriguez, best known for his international best seller "Always Running," opened the café with his wife Maria Trinidad Rodriguez and long-time activist Enrique Sanchez in 2001.
"We opened it here because there isn't anything out here," Rodriguez said shaking his head. "There isn't even a mall or theater; people have to drive to Hollywood or Northridge to catch a movie.
"No one would expect a place like this here, this is a working community. Barnes and Noble wouldn't touch this place with a 10-foot pole."
Rodriguez feels that in a town where every corner has a 99 Cents store or a taco stand, Tia Chucha's is an anomaly, providing community services and a venue for the community's musicians inside a coffee bar slash bookstore.
Tia Chucha's live music events are awesome sights. Bands set up in the back corner near the colorful art gallery and just to the side of a long bookshelf. Not a common set up, but the venue still draws crowds.
"I've seen that place get so packed that all the windows fog up," said local musician Robert Flores.
Performances are always diverse. They cater to all tastes by hosting punk rock, folk, alternative, world music and everything else that's out there.
This Saturday at 5 p.m., Tia Chucha's will celebrate its fourth anniversary with live music, poetry readings, Aztec dances, a raffle and free food.
