Name: Las Cafeteras: Ritchie Forever
Start: 2027-05-14T02:30:00.000Z
End: 2027-05-14T04:00:00.000Z
Location: The Art Kamangar Center at The Merced Theatre

, a powerful live concert experience honoring the life, music, and lasting cultural impact of Ritchie Valens. Blending music, storytelling, and archival media, the performance traces Valens' journey from Pacoima, California, to his brief but transformative place in American rock and roll — celebrating the teenage trailblazer whose sound bridged cultures, generations, and musical traditions. 

Presented on May 13 in celebration of Ritchie Valens' birthday, this performance brings special resonance to a project rooted in memory, identity, belonging, family, assimilation, and artistic voice. Known to Merced audiences for their explosive live performances, Las Cafeteras bring their signature fusion of son jarocho, rock, hip-hop, folk, and spoken word to an unforgettable season-closing evening of music, movement, and celebration. 

Free for UC Merced students. Limit one ticket per student; 


"Student" includes any college student with valid student ID.
"Child" includes individuals under 18. 

Friends of UC Merced Arts at the Supporter level and above are invited to a pre-concert reception beginning one hour before the performance. 

Learn more about joining Friends of UC Merced Arts

The 2026/27 UC Merced Arts Season is sponsored by

UC Merced's Division of Equity, Justice, & Inclusive Excellence (EJIE)

UC Merced's School of Social Sciences, Humanities, & Arts (SSHA)

Las Cafeteras: Ritchie Forever

Las Cafeteras return to Merced with Ritchie Forever, a high-energy concert honoring Ritchie Valens through music, storytelling, archival media, and cultural memory.

Las Cafeteras: Ritchie Forever at UC Merced Arts

General Admission [$20]

UCM Students [Free]

College Students (must show ID) and Children [$5]

4-Concert Flex Pass

5-Concert Flex Pass

6-Concert Flex Pass

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Las Cafeteras: Ritchie Forever

Date

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UC Merced Arts

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