Vanguardia America

21/11/2025

-Grammy Award winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval to perform at the Phoenix Symphony, Nov. 21-23-

Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/2s4fscy9

Grammy Award winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval talks to Vanguardia America host James E. Garcia about Sandoval's love of music, artistic freedom in the U.S., and the joys of performing with a full symphony.

Sandoval will present his "Trumpet Concerto No. 2" with the Phoenix Symphony orchestra on Nov.21-23.

For tickets and information, visit The Phoenix Symphony.

Vanguardia Arizona and Vanguardia America episodes air live on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. on 99.5 FM/1190 AM in Phoenix ( https://www.laondaradio.digital/).

Or find us wherever you get your podcasts.

Vanguardia America · Episode

25/10/2025

-Transqueer Pueblo demands release of migrant cancer victim-

Listen to this report: tinyurl.com/yvckt6ta

At a press conference this week, Phoenix-based Transqueer Pueblo, which advocates for migrants and the LGBTQ+ community, demanded the release of Arbella Rodríguez Márquez from the ICE detention center in Eloy.

Yari, as she’s known to family and friends, is a permanent U.S. resident and battling leukemia. She’s been held in ICE custody for the past nine months.

Arizona Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari condemned her detention, adding that reported abuses of migrants throughout the ICE detention system nationwide have become widespread.

At least 20 people have died in ICE custody this year, according to federal data—nearly four times the number of migrants who died in federal custody during the Biden administration.At

14/10/2025

- Author Lorenzo Sierra on surviving Covid, his wife's cancer battle, and polarized America -

Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/yc4yap6v

Lorenzo Sierra's memoir is called “Fight Like Hell, Love, Politics and the Will to Live.” Host James E. Garcia talks to Lorenzo about his career, his wife's battle with cancer, and his own harrowing, near-death experience with Covid-19.

A former state legislator, Lorenzo garnered national attention when he referred to the pandemic as an enemy with “no lands to invade, no ideology to defeat.” The book is about overcoming tragedy and cherishing all that’s good in life.

Lorenzo will appear at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix on Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. The book comes out Oct. 14.

Vanguardia Arizona and Vanguardia America airs weekly on 99.5 FM/1190 AM in Phoenix, from 9 to 10 a.m. To hear this and previous episodes find us on Spotify.

06/10/2025

- Poet and Author Sandra Cisneros on writing, her new opera, fascism in America and her upcoming novel, Infinito -

Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/3z3rdyaz

Welcome to Vanguardia America. This week, host James Garcia talks to poet, author and essayist Sandra Cisneros in a free-wheeling conversation about life, death, fiction, poetry, fascism, spirits, her new opera based on her first novel, "The House on Mango Street," and her upcoming novel, Infinito.

Cisneros will be at Arizona State University on Oct. 11, 2025 as the keynote speaker for the ⁠Desert Nights, Rising Stars writers conference⁠.Go to piper.asu.edu/conference

To learn more about the author, go to ⁠sandracisneros.com⁠.

23/09/2025

- Chicano opera composer and librettist Hector Armienta reimagines Zorro as a revolutionary avenger -

Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/3h776uup

The Arizona Opera premieres Zorro, Sept. 27-28 in Phoenix, and Oct. 4 in Tucson. Host James E. Garcia talks with Chicano composer and librettist Hector Armienta, baritone Armando Contreras and AZ Opera President and Managing Director Brian Demaris about this new take on the masked avenger.

Diego de la Vega comes home to a land ruled by oppression—and rises as Zorro, the swashbuckling defender of the people. Passions ignite and swords clash as he battles corruption, faces lost love, and sparks a revolution.

Performed in English and Spanish, Armienta reimagines Zorro in a crowd-pleasing opera that fuses Puccini-inspired melodies with a Latin flair and blazing sword-craft.

For details and tickets, visit ⁠azopera.org⁠.

Vanguardia Arizona airs every Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. on La Onda, 99.5 FM/1190 AM, in Phoenix. To hear previous episodes of our show, and our sister program Vanguardia America, find us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

23/09/2025

-AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes on her run for reelection, her statewide agenda, and pushing back against 'authoritarianism' in the White House-

Listen to this interview: https://tinyurl.com/3fmtpmre

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced her bid for reelection. Host James E. Garcia talks to Mayes about the more than 20 lawsuits — and counting — she’s filed against the Trump administration in the past nine months, and her broader statewide agenda, including countering housing fraud and preventing elder abuse.

We also get her take on federal immigration agents wearing masks when conducting arrests, the growing threat against democracy emanating from the White House, and the challenge of balancing her job as the state's top law enforcement office and motherhood. Mayes is the second woman and first mom to serve as Arizona Attorney General.

For information about her campaign, go to ⁠⁠⁠krismayes.com⁠⁠⁠.

22/09/2025

-Rep. Ansari condemns conditions at federal immigration detention centers and talks about her tenure in office to date-

Listen to this interview: https://tinyurl.com/ms5x8tyc

Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari talks to Vanguardia Arizona host James E. Garcia about the deteriorating conditions at U.S. immigration detention facilities across the country, many of which are now over capacity. After being blocked by authorities, Ansari recently visited the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona to meet with more than two dozen detainees about the center's overcrowded and substandard conditions.

The congresswoman, who took office in January, also discussed her tenure in office to date and her goal to make life more affordable for her constituents and all Americans.

To reach Ansari, visit ⁠https://ansari.house.gov/⁠

Vanguardia Arizona airs Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. Phoenix time on La Onda radio, 99.5 FM/1190 AM. To listen to previous episodes of Vanguardia Arizona, or our sister program, Vanguardia America, go to Spotify ot wherever you get your podcasts.

09/09/2025

- Meet the songstresses of Latinas Divinas II, coming to the Mesa Arts Center, Sept. 13 -

Listen to the Interview: https://tinyurl.com/bdvf9xuw

In this episode, host James E. Garcia talks to a group of local female vocalists and musicians scheduled to appear Sept. 13 at the Latinas Divinas II concert at the Mesa Arts Center.

The show pays homage to the talent and legacy of singer songwriters of the Americas, like Celia Cruz, Selena Quintanilla, Gloria Estefan, Lila Downs, Lola Beltran, Jenni Rivera and more.

Their music will be performed by some of the Phoenix Valley’s top musical talent: Carmela Ramirez, Mary Hurtado, Olivia Calderon, Diana Lee, Debi Dominguez and Angie Gomez-Byrd.
The show also features Mariachi Sonido de Mexico, Ballet Folklorico Quetzali, and Salseros On1.

Tickets at ⁠mesaartscenter.com⁠.

To hear previous episodes of Vanguardia Arizona or our sister program, Vanguardia America, find us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Vanguardia Arizona airs Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. on 99.5 FM/1190 AM in Phoenix. Or stream the show live on Saturdays at https://www.laondaradio.digital/

04/09/2025

The Latina advocacy group, Arizona Adelitas, says it's time to dump Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and elect Democrat Dr. Terry Leyba Ruiz.

Listen to the interview on Vanguardia Arizona: https://tinyurl.com/mry8pxjx

The next election for Arizona Superintendent for Public Instruction is more than a year away, but the group, Arizona Adelitas, wants you to know now why they're backing Democrat Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz for the post and vehemently opposing the reelection of incumbent Republican Tom Horne.

Host James E. Garcia interviewed two representatives from the organization, Hilda Ortega-Rosales and Guadalupe E. Sosa about the race and their organization's wider goals.

Arizona Adelitas advocates for public education, voting, civil rights and Latina empowerment.

To learn more about Arizona Adelitas, email ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Vanguardia Arizona · Episode

03/09/2025

On this week's episode of Vanguardia Arizona, host James Garcia interviews Carlos Montufar and Laura Arellano of Phoenix World Arts Collective and Mario Zapien and Teresa Velasquez of Teatro Mechico about their upcoming performance: De Poesia y Duenda, A Flamenco Tribute to the Soul of Federico Garcia Lorca.

Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/nhduzvw9

Buy tickets: https://phxworldarts.org/events/

Vanguardia Arizona airs Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. on La Onda, 99.5 FM. To hear this and previous episodes of this show, or our sister program, Vanguardia America, find us on Spotify or wherever you hear your podasts.

James Garcia