IN THE MIX BY MIC DIAZ PRESENTS
weekly
VOL. 1 • ISSUE 3 • JUL 5 - JUL 11, 2026
Art, Music, and Culture Take Over Grand Avenue During DTLA ArtNight BY MIC DIAZ | PUBLISHER
Downtown Los Angeles came alive during DTLA ArtNight as museums and cultural institutions along Grand Avenue opened their doors for an evening celebrating art, creativity, and community. Visitors explored destinations including The Broad, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and Grand Performances, making it easy to experience world-class visual and performing arts in one walkable corridor. One of the evening's highlights was Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind at The Broad, the artist's first solo museum exhibition in Southern California. Organized in collaboration with Tate Modern, the exhibition spans more than seven decades of Ono's work as a visual artist, performance artist, musician, filmmaker, and peace activist. Visitors were invited to experience participatory works, including Wish Tree, where guests tied handwritten wishes to olive tree branches as a symbol of hope and peace. Another memorable installation, My Mommy Is Beautiful, invited visitors to write messages honoring their mothers, while video galleries featured Ono and John Lennon's iconic peace campaign, including "Give Peace a Chance," reinforcing the exhibition's enduring message of peace, love, and human connection. Just across the street, Grand Performances presented J. Period and Josh Kun Present: The Art of the Crossfade, a musical lecture exploring how DJs and producers blend different genres and cultures to create new musical experiences. The program highlighted how crossfading serves as both a technical skill and a powerful symbol of cultural exchange, demonstrating how music can bridge cultures and create new artistic expression. DTLA ArtNight once again showcased why Grand Avenue remains one of Los Angeles' premier arts destinations, giving visitors an opportunity to experience contemporary art, live music, and creative expression— all in one unforgettable evening.
Photos by Mic Diaz
2 • JUL 5 - JUL 11, 2026 • VOL. 1 • ISSUE 1
WWW.MICDIAZPRESENTS.COM • IN THE MIX WEEKLY
CHAT WITH MIC
It's Never Too Late to Discover a New Passion BY MIC DIAZ | PUBLISHER
After decades of caring for patients as a registered nurse, Priscilla Villena De La Peña is discovering a new passion—acting. The Los Angeles-based nurse is part of the cast of Nurse the Dead, an iWant Original supernatural comedy series that shines a light on the lives of Filipino nurses while blending humor, heart, and the supernatural. The groundbreaking series is the first Filipino-produced television series filmed in Hollywood. On an episode of Chat With Mic, De La Peña reflects on how joining the series came at just the right time in her life. As an empty nester, she embraced the opportunity to step outside her comfort zone and pursue something she had never imagined for herself. She shares how acting challenged her in new ways and reminded her that it's never too late to discover another passion. While nursing will always be at the heart of who she is, this unexpected journey has given her the confidence to explore new possibilities and write a new chapter.
CHAT WITH MIC Episode 70: Priscilla De La Peña
De La Peña hopes her story encourages others to remain open to life's surprises. Sometimes the next opportunity comes when you least expect it—and all it takes is the courage to say yes. Beyond sharing her own journey, De La Peña hopes viewers will be inspired to pursue the dreams they've put on hold. Whether it's learning a new skill, exploring a creative passion, or simply taking a chance on something unfamiliar, she believes every stage of life offers an opportunity to grow, evolve, and discover something new about yourself. Watch Priscilla Villena De La Peña's inspiring conversation on Chat With Mic on Youtube, where she shares her journey of reinvention, courage, and new beginnings. DON’T MISS OUT!
Check out the full article in In the Mix Magazine – Issue One on Filipino Excellence. New conversations every week on Chat With Mic Talk Show at Mic Diaz Presents Youtube Channel
IN THE MIX WEEKLY • WWW.MICDIAZPRESENTS.COM
VOL. 1 • ISSUE 3 • JUL 4 - JUL 11, 2026 • 3
ART & CULTURE
Eliseo Art Silva Reclaims History Through Art BY MIC DIAZ | PUBLISHER
Filipino American artist Eliseo Art Silva recently showcased his work in Self-Evident Truths, a group exhibition at Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park. Silva’s painting, Sixto Lopez Crossing Manila Village in 1903, depicts Filipino diplomat and independence advocate Sixto Lopez arriving at Manila Village, Louisiana, an early Filipino settlement in the United States. The composition draws inspiration from the iconic American painting Washington Crossing the Delaware, connecting two histories through a familiar image of revolution and independence. The Manila-born Silva is known for artwork exploring Philippine and Filipino American history and identity. In Los Angeles, he is perhaps best known for Gintong
Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana, his landmark mural in Historic Filipinotown. Silva also co-designed Talang Gabay: Our Guiding Star, the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway, with architect Celestino Geronimo Jr. Created in 2017 using acrylic on canvas, Sixto Lopez Crossing Manila Village in 1903 reflects Silva’s use of historical figures and events to explore the Filipino experience across generations. Through his work, Silva brings often overlooked stories into public view, connecting the past with new generations.
4 • JUL 4 - JUL 11, 2026 • VOL. 1 • ISSUE 3
WWW.MICDIAZPRESENTS.COM • IN THE MIX WEEKLY
ART & CULTURE
Dancing Under the Stars BY MIC DIAZ | PUBLISHER
Downtown Los Angeles came alive with music and movement when we attended The Music Center’s Dance DTLA: Salsa on July 10 at Jerry Moss Plaza. The free summer series invites Angelenos of all skill levels to dance under the stars, with beginner-friendly instruction followed by a DJ-led dance party. Now in its 22nd season, Dance DTLA brings a different dance style to Jerry Moss Plaza on select Friday nights throughout the summer. Following Salsa on July 10, the series continued with Reggaeton on July 17, Disco on July 24, Cumbia on July 31, Afrobeats on August 7, and Bollywood on August 14. Each free event runs from 7 to 11 p.m., giving Angelenos a chance to learn new moves and experience different dance traditions. Whether learning new steps or simply enjoying the music, Dance DTLA offers a fun way to experience Los Angeles through movement, culture and community.
U P C O M I N G EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS
JULY 11 & 12
45th Lotus Festival at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles feat. host country Sri Lanka
JULY 14
Bastille Day (French National Day) Celebration at California Plaza, DTLA
JULY 16
Garth Garcia Sings the Classics at Catalina Jazz Club
JULY 17
Miss Philippines USA 2026 Acoustic Night at Korner Hut, Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles
JULY 18
Rey Zipagan Art Exhibition at ROK Art Gallery, 5029 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles
JULY 18
WONDER-FULL Tribute to the Music of Stevie Wonder feat. DJ Spinna, DJ Monalisa, Tatiana Tate and more!
JULY 19
Sunday Sessions free summer dance series at Gloria Molina Grand Park, DTLA