Listening by Moonrise x Take Me to Your River

Listening by Moonrise returns for a special night in collaboration with our cultural atlas project, Take Me to Your River. Join us on Wednesday, November 5, from 6:30–9:00 PM at Los Candiles Night Club, in Glassell Park for an evening of music, culture, and community.

This 21+ event* will feature performances by Azucar LA and Marco Ortiz, one of LA’s top Juan Gabriel impersonators. Hector “King” Rey will get you on your feet and dancing as he shows you the steps to cumbia. David Torres, owner of Los Candiles, will introduce you to this beloved Northeast LA nightclub through his stories that demonstrate its deep local roots.

Wednesday November 5, 2025
6:30 - 9:00 PM
Los Candiles Night Club
2100 Cypress Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90065

$5-$10 Ticket | 21 + Only

*Note: We love your children and dogs, but please leave them at home for this 21+ event!


ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Azucar LA is a high-energy Latin band based in Los Angeles, led by seasoned musician Tony Tovar. Specializing in cumbia, salsa, merengue, and classic Latin hits, Azucar LA brings the vibrant sounds of Mexico, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and beyond to every stage.

From stadium performances to Levitt Pavilion and packed nightclubs across LA, the band has earned a reputation for lighting up dance floors and celebrating Latin culture with every performance. Whether it’s a wedding, quinceañera, private party, or club night, Azucar LA guarantees an unforgettable experience filled with rhythm, pride, and pure joy. Get ready to dance—Azucar LA brings the sabor!

Marco Ortiz is LA’s premier Juan Gabriel impersonator with over 30 years in the industry. His superb level of showmanship has him booked all across the country from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to New York and many other cities worldwide.

King Dance is a dancer originally from El Salvador, with over 25 years of experience performing and teaching diverse dance formats. Passionate about exploring different cultures through movement, he brings the joy of salsa and cumbia together with the spirit of Line Dance—from traditional to Funky Line styles. Known for his enthusiasm and energy, King Dance has earned his name through years of dedication. His mission is to spread happiness and create moments of connection where music and dance become bridges for community and celebration.

ABOUT LOS CANDILES
Since 1979, when purchased by Don Jorge and the late Doña Betty Torres, Los Candiles has faithfully served the Northeast LA community, captivating audiences with live music shows, impersonator acts, and drag performances. At the height of, and after, the AIDS pandemic, it functioned as space for coexistence at a time in which the queer community was still very much stigmatized and persecuted. Los Candiles didn’t turn away queer individuals but rather invited them in, whether as performers or customers. 

Today, under the ownership and direction of their son David Torres, Los Candiles enters a new era, while maintaining the same welcoming environment that has delighted patrons for the past 46 years.

“The whole point of my parents starting this was to transport people to a place that makes them relax and hopefully [that’s] what Los Candiles means for the community—a place where you can express yourself and just have fun.”

This program is a celebration of the communities that make up Northeast LA, and a space for reckoning with the way these areas are drastically changing. As gentrification displaces local residents, it also erases the complex histories of these neighborhoods. We invite you to join us for a night of dancing and entertainment, but also one of reflection. 

ACCESSIBILITY

Arrival
Los Candiles is located at 2100 Cypress Ave, and can be accessed by the 251, 90, and 94 bus lines. This event is 21+ only. 

Parking
There is only free street parking available around Los Candiles. Please check all parking signs and give yourself plenty of time to park and walk over!

Restrooms
There are several restrooms on site.

SUPPORT
Listening by Moonrise is generously supported by Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles (ARLA). 

Take Me to Your River, and related programs, are supported through generous funding from the Mellon Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant, the California Arts Council, The Nature Conservancy, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, and Clockshop’s generous community of individual donors.