Vanguardia with James Garcia

12/05/2026

- Immigrants rights activists working to curb, expose "horrific" conditions in federal detention facilities -

Listen to the interview: https://tinyurl.com/7ft9ydmj

Our panel of activists say federal immigration authorities are running roughshod on the law, but they remain hopeful concerted efforts to push back and expose abuses can turn things around. Our guests are Zaira Garcia of ⁠Fwd.us⁠, immigration attorney ⁠Emilia Bañuelos⁠, and Vivian Sarafin of Living United for Change in Arizona (⁠LUCHA⁠). (20 mins.)

Vanguardia with James Garcia · Episode

06/05/2026

- Teatro Mechico's Festival Cultural Latino is May 9-

Listen to the interview: https://tinyurl.com/ykec53jp

The Latino Cultural Festival, hosted by TeatroMeshico, celebrates the international roots and richness of Latinx identity.

Our guests for this episode of Vanguardia with James Garcia, Theresa Valenzuela and Mario Zapian, talk about what's in store for the event.

Now in its fifth year, the festival features poetry, theater, folkloric dances, art exhibitions, live music, and children 's arts activities.
The festival is May 9, noon to 5 p.m., at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 East Jefferson St., Phoenix, Arizona.

Admission is free to this all-ages family event.

For information, email [email protected]

22/04/2026

- Renowned jazz venue, The Nash, hosts summer boot camp featuring some of the world's top musicians -

Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/yc4npmza

The Nash is enrolling for its Jazz Summer Camp at Arizona School for the Arts, a weeklong immersive jazz program for student musicians that runs from June 14-20, 2026.

On our show this week to talk about the summer camp are jazz musicians and camp instructors Corcoran Holt, Clark Gibson and Ashlin Parker.

The camp is open to instrumentalists and vocalists 12 and up. It offers intensive, hands-on jazz instruction led by a nationally and world renowned performers and educators.

Full details on how to register, visit ⁠⁠thenash.org/2026-summer-camp⁠⁠

Scholarships

A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available for students under 18.

To get more information, contact Director of Education Clark Gibson at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.

Vanguardia with James Garcia - AZ · Episode

22/04/2026

- Si Se Vota leaders on getting out the Latino vote in AZ -

Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/442kmbjp

Our guests are Lydia Guzman of Chicanos Por La Causa and Danny Ortega from the CPLC Action Fund. Host James E. Garcia talks to them about CPLC's Si Se Vota campaign, and the growing importance of Arizona's Latino electorate as we approach the ⁠state's July 21 primaries⁠ and November's general election. ⁠Recent⁠ ⁠polling⁠ shows Latino voters, who are expected to play an increasingly decisive role in elections this year, have turned against President Trump and the GOP in a big way.

To learn more about the Si Se Vota campaign, check out ⁠sisevota.org.⁠

⁠To register to vote, go to https://www.sisevota.org/how-to-vote

16/04/2026

-Teatro Dignidad's "Bocon" addresses family separation through the eyes of its protagonist-

Listen to the interview: https://tinyurl.com/mpjszwht

Our guests are Alba Jaramillo and Alida Holguín Wilson-Gunn of Teatro Dignidad. The Tucson-based theater company is presenting ¡BOCÓN! by Lisa Loomer, a fable filled with mysticism and truth that tells the story of Miguel, a storyteller and irrepressible bocón or big mouth.

Miguel loses his voice when his parents are taken by immigration authorities. He decides to embark alone to find his voice on a treacherous journey where he meets up with mythical guides, including La Llorona, an ominous immigration judge, green coyotes, and tricky viejitas.

The production features the music of ⁠⁠TucSon Jaracho⁠⁠ and runs through May 3, 2026. The production is staged in cooperation with ⁠⁠Coalición de Derechos Humanos.⁠⁠

For details or ticket information, go to ⁠⁠teatrodignidad.org⁠⁠, call 520-975-8172, or find ⁠⁠Teatro Dignidad on Facebook.

16/02/2026

- Arizona Independent Party offers voters new, better choice, says Chair Paul Johnson -

Listen to the interview: https://tinyurl.com/4w35hweu

The state's voters deserve a better choice than what Democrats and Republicans have to offer, says Arizona Independent Party Chair Paul Johnson. He calls the so called legacy parties corrupt, unwilling to work together, and incapable of solving the state's most pressing problems. His party, Johnson tells host James E. Garcia, is ready to fill the gap.

Learn more about the ⁠AZ Independent Party: https://www.arizonaindependentparty.com/

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.