Throughout the 1960s and 70s Discoteca Batalla was a well-known landmark in the Latino community in Venice, California. This mom-and-pop discoteca (Spanish for “record store”) was a haven for desperately homesick immigrants from all over Mexico and Latin America. It was a spot to gather, exchange news from home, buy the latest Spanish language pop exitos, or maybe just enjoy some sweet coffee and pan dulce with the proprietors, Barbara and Jorge Batalla. Jorge was a singer and radio DJ. He knew the lyrics to every traditional Spanish language song ever written. His wife Barbara hand wrote letters home for working men and women separated for years at a time from their families.

Perla Batalla is their daughter—a singer best known for her solo career, plus her decade-long work with Leonard Cohen, as well as with such artists as Lou Reed, Sonny Rollins, k.d. lang, Rufus Wainwright, Jackson Browne and Laurie Anderson. While the record store closed its doors over 40 years ago, the experiences and stories are part of L.A.’s heritage.

Supported by CAP UCLA, Discoteca Batalla is an homage to this important place and moment in time. It is a celebration of the people whose lives and identities shape the fabric of L.A. and inspire resilience.

Go to online.cap.ucla.edu for access to CAP UCLA’s free online programming through January 2021.

Grammy-nominee Perla Batalla returns to CaltechLive! on October 18 at 3:30 p.m. PT

Join us for a rare glimpse into the life (and living room) of singer and songwriter Perla Batalla, known for her rich contralto voice and ability to imbue a wide range of songs—traditional Mexican ballads, jazz standards, the work of mentor Leonard Cohen—with heart-stopping emotional depth.

Longtime colleague Michael Alexander will engage Batalla in a conversation about her musical and professional influences, including the bustling Latino music scene at her mother's West L.A. record store and the pivotal first meeting with Leonard Cohen, in which a wise sartorial decision set off a decades' long friendship and launched a successful solo career.

Interspersed with concert footage from 2019 (recorded on her last tour before the COVID-19 crisis), the hour-long chat offers a deep dive into the trajectory of a renowned performer, a love letter to L.A. by a true musical omnivore, and a candid discussion with a prolific artist living through a global pandemic.

We invite you to open your hearts and homes as we create an unforgettable digital viewing experience with the largest, most fun, most successful progressive fundraising event on the Central Coast! Fund for SB: Advancing progressive change by supporting movements for social, political, economic, & environmental justice.

Prior to the event, guests will receive email communications with details about our drive-thru pick-up parties and information on how to watch and participate in the programming. Additional information to follow.

The program is free to all and will be streamed from the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC through our new platform, Uscreen.

Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen

Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen. As part of LiveClimate's Music with a Mission Series, EARTHCONCERTS

Perla Batalla's "Discoteca Batalla". Throughout the 60s and 70s Discoteca Batalla was a well-known landmark in the Latino community in Venice, California. This mom and pop discoteca (Spanish for record store) was a haven for desperately homesick immigrants from all over Mexico and Latin America. It was a spot to gather, exchange news from home, buy the latest Spanish language pop exitos or maybe just enjoy sweet coffee and pan dulce with the proprietors, Barbara and Jorge Batalla. Jorge was a singer and radio D.J. He knew the lyrics to every traditional Spanish language song ever written. His wife, Barbara hand wrote letters home for the working men and women separated for years at a time from their families. Perla Batalla is their daughter—a singer best known for her decade-long work with Leonard Cohen, as well as with such artists as Lou Reed, Sonny Rollins, k.d. lang, Rufus Wainwright, Jackson Browne and Laurie Anderson. While the record store closed its doors over 40 years ago, the experiences and stories shared there are part of L.A.’s heritage. Batalla’s new work, Discoteca Batalla, is an homage to this long lost moment in time.

Design for Sharing 50th Anniversary!

Focus on the Masters; A Conversation with Perla Batalla. FOTM selects ten artists each year to receive in-depth documentation. The documentation consists of an extensive oral history; the collection of printed material, publications and ephemera; and, a visual library of the artists’ work. All of the documentation culminates in a videotaped monthly Artist Spotlight, interview conducted before a live audience.

Artists are selected for this honor because they have; -Demonstrated mastery of their craft; -Gained the respect of their peers -Contributed to the development of the arts in Ventura County and beyond.

A night with Perla Batalla and Maria Muldaur

Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen

Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen

Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen

Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen

Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen