Free Film Screening of ‘La Bamba’ at Union Station Friday, June 13

Celebrate the classic hit movie “La Bamba” with Metro and Los Angeles Film Festival at Los Angeles Union Station on Friday, June 13. There will be a free screening of the movie as well as a dance-along. The screening is a continuation of Metro Presents, the agency’s ongoing program of arts and cultural events at the iconic station.
The film will be shown at 8:30 p.m. in the Union Station old ticket concourse and will be preceded at 7:30 p.m. by a jitterbug dance lesson. Following the movie, there will be a Q & A session with the cast and filmmakers. The program is produced in cooperation with Dance Camera West and Film Independent.
Metro customers who show their TAP cards at check-in will gain access to preferential seating; otherwise it is first come, first served. Guests may bring food but alcoholic beverages will not be allowed.
“La Bamba,” written and directed by Luis Valdez, follows the life and career of Chicano rock ‘n’ roll star Ritchie Valens and the effect that his career had on the lives of his halfbrother Bob Morales, his girlfriend Donna Ludwig and the rest of his family. “La Bamba” exploded out of nowhere in 1987, becoming an instant critical and commercial hit and making stars of both Lou Diamond Phillips and the band Los Lobos.
“Ritchie Valens was a native Angeleno, so it’s fitting that ‘La Bamba’ should be shown at the iconic Los Angeles Union Station,” said Lou Diamond Phillips. “I hope everyone will come out, dance in the beautiful ticket concourse and join us for a great time…leave your cars at home and experience this historic station as a transit rider.”
Union Station is accessible via Metro Rail, Metro Bus and several municipal bus lines. Use the Trip Planner at metro.net for routes and connections. Car and bicycle parking are also available on site.
The public film screenings continue Metro Presents, the program of arts and cultural events at Union Station. Past events featured screenings of “Chinatown” and “Strangers on a Train,” live music performances by jazz, swing and salsa bands, a theatrical magic show and a dessert giveaway celebrating the rare convergence of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.
“We’re pleased to present the ‘La Bamba’ dance-along screening as part of LA Film Fest and animate Union Station’s historic ticket concourse in such a fun and unique way,” said Maya Emsden, Deputy Executive Officer in Metro Countywide Planning. “Because we offer perks like preferred seating to TAP card holders, it’s also an opportunity to entice people to take transit, sometimes for the first time.”
About Metro
Metro is a multimodal transportation agency that is really three companies in one: a major operator that transports about 1.5 million boarding passengers on an average weekday on a fleet of 2,000 clean air buses and six rail lines, a major construction agency that oversees many bus, rail, highway and other mobility related building projects, and it is the lead transportation planning and programming agency for Los Angeles County. Overseeing one of the largest public works programs in America, Metro is, literally, changing the urban landscape of the Los Angeles region. Dozens of transit, highway and other mobility projects largely funded by Measure R are under construction or in the planning stages. These include five new rail lines, the I-5 widening and other major projects.
About the Los Angeles Film Festival:
Now in its 20th year, the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by Film Independent, showcases diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision in new American and international cinema, and provides the movie-loving public with one-of-a-kind events featuring critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world. The Festival’s signature programs include the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film Nights at The GRAMMY Museum®, Celebrating Women Filmmakers, Master Classes, Spirit of Independence Award, LA Muse and more. Over 200 features, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 40 countries, make up the main body of the Festival. The Festival also screens short films created by high school students and a special section devoted to music videos. The Festival hosts juried cash awards for best narrative and documentary features, best narrative, documentary and animated short film, and a jury award for best performance in the narrative competition. Audience awards are presented to best documentary, narrative and international feature, short film and music video. The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times. The Official Host Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. Subaru is the Official Automotive Sponsor. Relativity is a Principal Sponsor. Platinum Sponsors include HBO, Jaeger-LeCoultre Stella Artois, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and EFILM. The University Sponsor is Loyola Marymount University. Renwood Winery is the Official Wine Provider. Tanqueray is the Official Gin Provider. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent. More information can be found at lafilmfest.com.

More from Arcadia Weekly