La Peña is a performance venue focused on arts education, community building, and social activism.
La Pea Cultural Center links the arts and culture to a vision for peace and social justice. We book musical and theater performances at no cost to you, in fact you will get paid based on the night's attendance. We also rent the space for meetings, fundraisers, weddings, birthday parties, and much more! See below for more information.
We are committed to the belief that culture can be used as a vehicle for social change. The Center presents local, national and international music, theater, dance, film and visual artists whose works examine contemporary social issues and are reflective of a wide variety of cultural traditions. Located in Berkeley, California, La Peña is inspired by the peñas (gathering places) of Latin America where contemporary social movements have been nurtured by collective action and the wisdom of cultural traditions. La Peña has been a home, a hub and a catalyst for cultural and social action. If we feel that your program falls within our mission we will present your program as a community partner, with no up front costs to you.
Keywords: La Pena Cultural Center, berkeley venue, afro-peruvian classes, bomba class, adult classes, kid's classes, vocals classes, hip-hop, jazz music, live art, Spanish classes, folk music, west african dance class, free film nights, kid's camp
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
40 years.
What is your primary product or service?
We are a performance venue that focuses on promoting social justice through the arts, our educations programs, and community partnerships.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
The peña tradition started in Chile in the early sixties and later spread to Argentina in the late sixties. The main idea, developed especially by Violeta Parra, was to have a gathering place where artists of all disciplines could share a space. The mission of the peña was to provide good food, music and an overall aesthetic response to an institutional culture that did not provide the space for other creative forms to exist. Peñas in Chile became a major backbone of the cultural program during Salvador Allende’s government from 1970 to 1973. It was here where artists-poets, musicians, painters, cooks – gathered to preserve cultural forms and to create new ones.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We ensure our venue is accessible to the community at large providing an affordable rental space or free for events that charge door fees.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
1
Provide detailed directions to your location
Shattuck and Prince are the cross streets in south Berkeley.
What type of payments do you accept?
Some events are free, other we accept: cash/check/credit card
Which areas do you service?
All Bay Area
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
No owner, we are a 501(c)3 non-profit.
What are your hours of operation?
Office is open Tuesday - Friday, and nighttime programs are every night.
Check our calendar for more information: http://lapena.org/events/
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
That they feel like they are a part of the La Peña family.
Contact La Peña Cultural Center:
