Growing Old In East L.A.

Summary:

An audio version of David Greenberger?s Duplex Planet magazine, Growing Old In East L.A., offers a look into the lives of elderly Mexican-Americans. The diversity of voices reveal universal themes: identity, reflection in old age, and the dignity of the individual. With music by David Hidalgo and Louise Perez of Los Lobos

Website:

http://www.growingoldineastla.com, www.duplexplanet.com

Additional Credits and Funding:

All credits are prerecorded, included at end of piece.

Timely on:

September: Hispanic Heritage Month

Tones:

Amusing, Engaging, Inspiring

Language:

English

Description:

Growing Old in East L.A. is an hour-long radio piece that takes its shape from the print and performance pieces of David Greenberger?s Duplex Planet. For more than a quarter century Greenberger has been talking with old people in nursing homes, mealsites and senior centers, collecting conversations and stories. He has been publishing The Duplex Planet since 1979 and has released more than a dozen CDs of monologues with music performances audio verit? documentaries and a range of other books and audio works.


Growing Old In East L.A. begins with David?s introduction to his work, mixing with the voices of the people he met visiting senior centers in East Los Angeles as part of the California Council for the Humanities, California Stories Documentary Project. East L.A. natives David Hidalgo and Louie Perez who are both known for their band Los Lobos, created the music.

Over time, as is the case in friendships, individuals return to tell more of their stories, and we come to feel as though we know the speakers. Small details empower their stories about the ways we live our lives, the things in which we believe. In the end the stories grow more tender and intimate, reflecting on the end of life, lasting hopes and hard-won wisdom. The rich variety of voices reveals unexpected diversity and common bonds found in East L.A. As listeners, we meet individuals; we grow to understand that diverse communities can connect with each other ? the collective threads are the universal themes: identity, reflection in old age, and the dignity of the individual.


LENGTH: Newscast compatible-
52:31, including 1:00 station break. Audio promo is 0:30.

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