Ocu-Pasión

Send a text Capítulo 027: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by multidisciplinary artist, host of "Sobre Mesa" and co-founder of "Mi Latinidad", Alix Rhode.  Listen in as we discuss navigating the theatre landscape, creating creative community, and launching a multimedia company  that produces theatre, showcases, digital media, and other works by Latinx artists. Alix R...

Send a text Capítulo 026: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Singer, Actor, and Songwriter Gerard Flores. Listen in as we discuss developing music with a message, forging bonds with audiences, and the role of the Artist in the modern world. "The role of the artist is to create balance in the world by offering more beauty" * New single “Vente Ya”  out April 8th Gerard Flores i...

Send a text Capítulo 025: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Master Brewer Kassy and Jess Fierro, Colorado's first Female and Latina Owner/Head Brewer and  winner of Season 1 BEERLAND on VICE presents Atrevida Beer Co.  Listen in as we discuss operating a female forward brewery, winning a national homebrew competition called BEERLAND ,and producing unique flavors that challenge tr...

Send a text Capítulo 024: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Dancer, choreographer, and instructor and Founder of 3-19 Dance Art, Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez. Listen in as we discuss the beauty of dance, the mission of 3-19 Dance Art company, and forging a new path for inclusivity in Ballet. Born in Bogota Colombia (South America), Beatriz studied with Internationally world known teachers...

Send a text Capítulo 023: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by writer, creative and social justice scholar Laura Tejeda. Listen in as we discuss exploring the dynamic Los Angeles street vending community, honoring your history & roots, creating "Hungry in East Los", and writing/hosting for L.A TACO. Laura Tejeda is a lifelong East LA resident.  She has a Masters Degree in H...

Send a text Capítulo 022: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by writer, director, editor, and graphic designer Chris Banda. Listen in as we discuss the process of character building, sharing authentic stories, and healing through writing.  Raised in West Covina, California. Chris was always interested in art and enrolled at Mt. Sierra college to become a graphic designer. Though his abili...

Send a text Capítulo 021: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Dancer and Performance Artist Salomé Egas. Listen in as we discuss exploring intersectional identities, action driven artwork, and venturing beyond the traditional theatre landscape to engage with audiences head on.  SALOMÉ EGAS is an Ecuadorian mestiza performer, educator and entrepreneur who is permanently questioning her i...

Send a text Capítulo 020: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Author of "Jefa-in-Training" and Founder of Womxn Crush Music Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda. Listen in as we discuss building community for rising women & non-binary songwriters, coaching creative entrepreneurs on how to grow their businesses, and writing the first Spanglish project-launching toolkit for the new gene...

Send a text Capítulo 019: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Artist, Musician, Activist, and Founder of The Pharmacy, Gary "Galapagos" Viteri. Listen in as we discuss the process of building a collaborative community space, creating inspired art, and supporting the local music scene for generations to come. GARY “GALAPAGOS” VITERI Andean-American Artist & Activist Based i...

Send a text Capítulo 018: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Broadway veteran, university instructor, theatre facilitator, and director Michelle Rios. Listen in as we discuss Theatre within social activism, collective creation, and the art of storytelling.  Michelle's  credits include the Tony Award nominated Broadway productions of Paul Simon and Derek Walcott's The Capeman...

Send a text Capítulo 017: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Singer and Actor Adassa. Adassa  most recently performed the principal role of Dolores Madrigal in Disney's Encanto and is featured on Billboard's chart-topping song "We Don't Talk About Bruno."  Listen in as we discuss  the importance of representation in film, the magic of live performance, and taki...

Send a text Capítulo 016: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by acclaimed visual Artist Gerardo Castro. Listen in as we discuss artistic truth, inspired introspection, and joining the creative charge for LGBTQ+ rights and BIPOC visibility.  "I was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, grew up in the New York metropolitan area.  I obtained my MFA from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY in 1997. My w...

Send a text Capítulo 015: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by polyglot and language tutor Sandra Zeller, founder of La Peruanita Tutoring. Listen in as we discuss innovative immersive language learning, promoting Peruvian culture, and launching an online Spanish tutoring service.  "I'm a multilingual Peruvian mom of two living in Schertz, Texas. I have traveled to four contine...

Send a text Capítulo 014: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by accomplished singer, actress, and stunt performer, Nohely Quiroz. Listen in as we discuss the world of stunt performing, first-generation arts participation, and overcoming setbacks with grace. Nohely Quiroz is a First Generation Mexican-American singer, actress, stunt performer, writer, producer, and proud latina from a Rará...

Send a text Capítulo 013: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Rafael Menendez, founder of Maltas Con Leche. Listen in as we discuss family unity through the engagement with the arts, mural making, and raising creative children. "Maltas Con Leche is a family of artist established since 2012. Maltas consists of nine members and growing. As a family we have participated in workshops t...

Send a text Capítulo 012: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Madelyn Dorta, writer, producer, and founder of Wrightwood studios. Listen in as we discuss creating authentic, diverse, and epic works of fiction!     "Allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to find creative joy" "At the age of six, I got superpowers. That’s what I thought at the time. I had the ability to pic...

Send a text Capítulo 011: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Dionis Ortiz, a New York-based  a multimedia artist, community art producer, and educator. Listen in as we discuss  process-oriented creation, fatherhood, and transforming everyday items into complex, layered compositions.   "My work comes from the truth to show people of all shades of black, from all corners of the worl...

Send a text Capítulo 010: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by artist and coffee roaster, Esperanza Salgado, founder of Brewja Co. Listen in as we discuss building creative spaces, developing a line of coffee and tea, and finding wonder in the things that make us ‘weird’. "I desire to cultivate a life of healing. My purpose and mission is to decolonize the arts through community hea...

Send a text Capítulo 009: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Chef Keith, also known as "The Friendly Neighborhood Chef". Listen in as we discuss creative cooking, navigating the New York food scene, and breaking traditional food barriers. As a native New Yorker, Keith’s flair for cooking in fast paced kitchens and his mouth-watering dishes are inspired by one of the largest m...

Send a text Capítulo 006: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Haywood Cepeda, a Bronx-based Comic Book enthusiast, community builder, and founder of No Masss Comics. Listen in as we discuss all things comics including New York Comic Con.  Haywood is the founder of No Masss Comics, a New York City based online Comic Book Retailer specializing in rare and exclusive comics whose philosophy...

Send a text Capítulo 007: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by ZZ, an Artist, Horticulturalist, and overall free spirit! Listen in as we discuss gardening, wellness, and maintaining connection to her Dominican roots through communing with nature.  ZZ describes herself as a proud Afro-Latina and horticulturist as well as a multidisciplinary Queer Creative whose passion for Nature is deepl...

Send a text (Updated Edit) Capítulo 008: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Ashley Nell Tipton, Fashion Designer and Winner of Project Runway Season 14. Listen in as we discuss fashion, creativity, her collection at New York’s Full Figured Fashion Week, and the importance of prioritizing mental health.  Ashley’s passion for fashion started at a very young age where she learned to sew o...

Send a text Capítulo 005: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Angela Ramos, a Colombian-Caribbean multi-disciplinary artist that strives to produce thought-provoking work that challenges the status quo in order to open avenues of expression to those whom history has silenced.  Listen in as we discuss acting, songwriting, performance writing, and theatre-making with a focus on social act...

Send a text Capítulo 003: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Jessie Diaz-Herrera, a Bronx-based body positive dancer, health & wellness influencer, fitness enthusiast and overall badass! Listen in as we discuss dance, wellness, body liberation, and methods of keeping the Curves With Moves community alive during the Covid Pandemic.  Jessie is the founder of Curves With Moves, a Hip-...

Send a text Capítulo 004: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Luis J. Rodriguez, LA-based poet, novelist, journalist, critic, and columnist who served as the 2014 Los Angeles Poet Laureate. Listen in as we have a soulful discussion on writing, gang life in early years, and his cultural contributions to the world. Luis J. Rodriguez has been a champion for the arts since he escaped gang l...