Free Summer Films at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Returns in June

Another summer of free movie screenings is just around the corner at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. On June 30 LA Plaza launches the return of its annual free summer film series with a screening of Up in Smoke.

LA Plaza’s summer film series will feature five Latino-themed films over five months, one each month, concluding on October 20. Films will be accompanied by cast appearances offering meet and greet opportunities, live music, and other on-site activities and/or exhibitions.

All series events are free to the public and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Each screening will feature live music, along with food and beverages for sale. Doors for each film open at 6 p.m., except for October 20, when doors open at 5 p.m.

Check out the complete schedule of films below.

Saturday, June 30Up in Smok(1978)

Up in Smoke, starring Cheech and Chong, is a picaresque stoner comedy whose dialogue has inspired the work of Quentin Tarantino. Martin Scorsese is such a fan of the cult classic, he cast the duo in his film After Hours.

Saturday, July 28Walkout (2006)

Directed by Edward James Olmos and starring Alexa Vega, Walkout is based on the true story of a student walkout in East L.A. back in 1968 after a group of high-schoolers tire of inferior school conditions.

Saturday, September 21Variedades on Olvera Street (2016)

Music, spoken word, theater, comedy and art converge to tell the story behind the oldest street in Los Angeles. Loosely based on early 20th-century Mexican vaudeville shows, this documentary includes Latina punk rock icon Alice Bag. A live musical performance from La Victoria will proceed the show.

Saturday, September 29Born in East L.A. (1987)

A Mexican-American native of Los Angeles is mistaken for an undocumented immigrant and deported to Mexico in this comedy starring Cheech Marin.

Saturday, October 20Machete (2010)

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Machete stars Danny Trejo as a former Mexican Federale (and major badass) now living in Texas. After a ruthless drug lord (played by Steven Seagal) kills Machete’s wife, Machete seeks vengeance by any means necessary. Machete also stars Robert De Niro as a ruthless politician, along with Jessica Alba.  (Note that this movie is rated R)

Story courtesy of We Like LA.