South First Fridays at MACLA
as part of SoFA District Art Walk
All performances are FREE!
MACLA is excited to bring Bay Area’s most prominent Latin American music and dance companies to our Castellano Playhouse in the heart of Downtown San José for an evening of free and engaging performances. South First Friday is presented by MACLA during the SoFA District Art Walk on the First Friday of the month (except January & July).
South First Friday at MACLA!
Upcoming South First Friday Performances
Past South First Friday Performances
February South First Friday! — Los Calderones
Organizer
-
MACLA
-
Email
info@maclaarte.org -
Website
https://maclaarte.org/
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
Join us this February South First Friday featuring Los Calderones, delivering Cuban and Afro-Latin rhythms in a high-energy live performance.
Los Calderones is a Cuban entertainment company dedicated to bringing joy and culture to events of all kinds focused in Afrolatino culture, including brass band second line.
There will be two free sets starting at 6:30PM and 7:30PM.
On view in our gallery is From Their Hands to Ours, an exhibition in partnership with Montalvo Arts Center, which highlights how ancestral wisdom and childhood experiences shape identity. Debuting new work by Estefania Ajcip, Miguel Arzabe, rafa esparza, Edra Soto, and Arleene Correa Valencia, the exhibition weaves together stories of tradition, trauma, and growth through painting, sculpture, textile art, and video.
It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays. Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
November South First Friday! — Voces del Campo Poetry Party
Organizer
-
MACLA
-
Email
info@maclaarte.org -
Website
https://maclaarte.org/
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
Join us this November for South First Friday for Voces del Campo Poetry Party, an evening celebrating two powerful poets, Mayra Flores and Cristal González Ávila. Come experience their vibrant storytelling in new books.
On view in our gallery, There Are New Suns, with works by Cecelia Perez, KLAWD and Samantha Saldana
Mayra Flores
Mayra Flores is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants de Zacatecas y Durango, of her East San José community and mother to her daughter and her words. She is a San José State University graduate and continuous student de las plantitas magicas de su abuelita Sofía. Mayra’s poetry has been previously published in East Side Magazine and Love Letters to San Jose. She stands on the shoulders of luchistas and mujeres indomables. Mayra carries with her the power to protect our collective joy and stories, with the daily asistencia de sus antepasados y su bolígrafo favorito. Her first book – “Flores – A collection of poetry and stories connecting generations of family across borders and time” – was self published in December 2024. www.mayrafloreswrites.com
It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays. Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
September South First Friday! — Exhibition Opening & The Homegirls of Soul, led by DJ Soulera
Organizer
-
MACLA
-
Email
info@maclaarte.org -
Website
https://maclaarte.org/
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
Join us September First Friday for the opening of There Are New Suns, an interactive exhibition exploring cultural resilience and gentrification at the intersection of art and technology.
With works by Cecelia Perez, Claudia KLAWD Blanco and Samantha Saldana; and music by The Homegirls of Soul, led by DJ Soulera
It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays. Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
August South First Friday! — Artist Talk & Mercadito
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
REGISTER TODAY!
Join us August First Friday for an Artist Talk with Jet Martinez August 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM, and check out Jet Martinez‘s latest body of work, El Arbolito. Last week to grab the exhibition companion book, available for purchase only in our gallery.
Stay after the artist talk and shop in our Mercadito in our Castellano Playhouse, featuring local Latinx art vendors; Cynthia Gonzalez, Stephen Longoria, Rayos Magos, Orgullo 831 & kaory santillán bueno. Support community artists, grab some unique finds, and celebrate cultura with us!
Join us for our Artist Talk & Mercadito, August 1 until 9:00 PM.
REGISTER TODAY!
It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. Go to ParkSJ.org
There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.
Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
June South First Friday! — Perreo y Poesia
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
REGISTER TODAY!
We’re wrapping up South First Friday with a poetry party—because what better way to end the night than with poems and perreo?
Come through for an evening of music and spoken word featuring some of our favorite artists:
Joseph Rios, former Fresno Poet Laureate and author of Shadowboxing
Cristal González Ávila, a powerful performer and playwright whose work centers mujeres, memory, and movement.
DJ Sizzle, aka La Sizzla, will be on the decks bringing the vibes—expect everything from perreo classics to queer dancefloor bangers.
We’ll also have space for first-time performers and folks who want to get on the mic. Sign-ups will be open at the door, so if you’ve been wanting to share your work, this is your chance.
This is a space to celebrate our stories, dance a little, and build community.
Join us for Perreo y Poesía, June 6 in our Castellano Playhouse.
REGISTER TODAY!
Our South First Friday Fiesta’s are supported in part by Santa Clara County. It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. Go to ParkSJ.org
There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.
Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
May South First Friday! — Joteria!
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
REGISTER TODAY!
Join us for a night of music, drag, and plenty of jotería as we celebrate queer Latinx culture through Jotería!, a Lotería-inspired game created by Antonio Castellanos.
Your hosts for the night, La Chucha and Sally Limón from Chillonas SF, will bring the drama, the glamour, and the vibes. Expect fierce performances, good company, and plenty of chances to win fun prizes.
- Play Jotería! and test your luck
- Enjoy drag performances that will give you life
- Jotería board game available for purchase—perfect for your next gathering
Sally Limón is the East Bay’s Saltiest, Sourest, and Shortest Chicana Diva! She brings the audience to the stunning intersection of camp, glamour and more camp! She is an up and coming hostess, actress, singer, and wig stylist but she does drag because of her love of the LGBTQIA+ community. Remember to always Live, Laugh, and Limón!
La Chucha Rude is what happens when you mix a little bit of spook, a little bit of camp, and a sprinkle of politic with a whole lot of Chicana! This bearded diva, born and raised in the Bay Area, is on a mission to keep drag interesting. You can catch her at her party, Chillonas, as a cohost of Batcave SF, or at your favorite local shenanigans.
Come play Jotería! this May 2 in our Castellano Playhouse.
REGISTER TODAY!
Our South First Friday Fiesta’s are supported in part by Santa Clara County. It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. Go to ParkSJ.org
There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.
Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
April South First Friday! — Batey Tambó
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
REGISTER TODAY!
Join us for South First Friday Fiesta as we celebrate Mujeres, Música y Puerto Rico with Batey Tambó. Experience the power of bomba, the Afro-Indigenous rhythm and dance of Puerto Rico, in an evening of live music, movement, and cultural connection.
Led by Oakland percussionist Denise Solís, founder of Las Bomberas de la Bahía, and Julia Caridad Cepeda, from Puerto Rico’s renowned Cepeda family, Batey Tambó is a women of color-led collective dedicated to preserving and innovating the bomba tradition.
Come ready to dance, learn, and immerse yourself in the energy of bomba. This event is free and open to all.
Batey Tambó is performing two free 45-minute sets April 4 starting at 7:30 pm and at 8:30 pm in our Castellano Playhouse.
REGISTER TODAY!
Our South First Friday Fiesta’s are supported in part by Santa Clara County. It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. Go to ParkSJ.org
There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.
Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
March South First Friday! — DJ Toonin
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
REGISTER TODAY!
DJ Toonin is a fresh and upcoming DJ that got her start from San Jose’s all female DJ group, ‘Ladies1stDJclub’. From funk, house, hip-hop, to reggae and cumbias, Toonin has fun with all genres. Intentional with each moment, Toonin creates a fun, ecstatic, and welcoming atmosphere, connecting music to the present moment.
DJ Toonin is performing two free 45-minute sets March 7 starting at 7:30 pm and at 8:30 pm in our Castellano Playhouse.
REGISTER TODAY!
Our South First Friday Fiesta’s are supported in part by Santa Clara County. It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. Go to ParkSJ.org
There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.
Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
February South First Friday! — ¡AZUCAR! Cuban Cabaret with DJ Leydis & Latin Bay Ashé
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
REGISTER TODAY!
¡AZUCAR! is more than an event; it’s a mission to unite people of diverse perspectives through music and dance. Attendees will experience an evening filled with rhythm, movement, and an authentic celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and beyond.
DJ Leydis
Born and raised in Cuba, DJ Leydis masterfully blends contemporary hits with a unique fusion of Latin flavors, classic R&B, Hip Hop, Afro Beats, and Cuban Timba. A prominent figure in the Cuban hip-hop movement, DJ Leydis has made waves internationally, performing at iconic events, including a historic appearance at the White House during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2016. Her work continues to bridge communities through the universal language of music.
Latin Bay Ashé
This vibrant dance company, founded by skilled Bay Area performers, brings the spirit of the Caribbean to life. With a repertoire rooted in Latin, Salsa, and Cuban Timba traditions, their performances capture the essence of celebration, connection, and cultural pride.
DJ Leydis & Latin Bay Ashé are performing two free 45-minute sets February 7 starting at 7:30 pm and at 8:30 pm in our Castellano Playhouse.
REGISTER TODAY!
Our South First Friday Fiesta’s are supported in part by Santa Clara County. It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. Go to ParkSJ.org
There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.
Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.
December South First Friday! – San Cha
Location
- MACLA Castellano Playhouse
- 510 South 1st Street, San Jose CA 95113
All Program Categories
Using her Mexican American upbringing, San Cha channels a wave of cultures to beautifully collide in a mix of genres. As eclectic in sound as she is in emotion and storytelling. At times haunting and full of ache and quickly thereafter an unstoppable dance force.
By subverting the tropes of popular culture from her Mexican roots to make something new, San Cha has managed to make an impact on the music world, thanks to a highly original sound that encapsulates who she is. With her on-going singles series Processions, San Cha’s essential voice is not only evident, but proves why she is a unique presence in the music industry. These series of EPs will lead to the finale, the grand ceremony.
San Cha continues the ascent of her trajectory as a multidisciplinary artist through the conclusion of Processions, the release of a new, conceptual audiovisual album, and the 2025 debut of her Opera, Inebria Me. Inebria Me is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund Project co-commissioned by MACLA, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, Performance Space New York and Long Beach Opera.
San Cha is performing two free 45-minute sets December 6 starting at 7:30 pm and at 8:30 pm in our Castellano Playhouse.
Our South First Friday Fiesta’s are supported in part by Santa Clara County. It’s easy to find parking in Downtown San Jose. Go to ParkSJ.org
There is limited metered ($2/hour) street parking adjacent to MACLA. First Street & I-280 lot is FREE on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.
Visit ParkSJ.org for real time parking information, maps and more.