Mercado La Paloma has recently earned a reputation as a foodie destination - as it not only is home to Yucatan-flavored Chichen Itza, but it also spawned Mo-Chica. The food court atmosphere near the DMV just east of USC on Grand Avenue also has a tailor and Mexican gift shop.

And now the business incubator is mixing in art and culture with a new series in January and February to celebrate African heritage.

The Common Ground II Art Exhibition on January 18 from 7pm-9pm. The photo-centric installation will explore the artistic, culinary and cultural dynamics of African and Latino Americans in Los Angeles.

The series will continue with screenings of “The L.A. Rebellion” films to coincide with the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend from January 19-21. Charles Burnett’s film, “Selma, Lord, Selma,” which chronicles the events of Bloody Sunday will also be screened.

“The African Influences in Latin America” Music Presentation and Workshop are scheduled for February 2 and 9 will be led by performance artist, Imodoye Shabazz, director of the Aladunn New African Performing Arts Group.

Common Ground II Art Exhibit Opening:: FREE

January 18, 2013 - 7:00PM - 9:00PM

"Common Grounds II – Shared Experiences" illustrates the parallel experiences between African and Latino Americans in the areas of food, music dance and (mis)perceptions. Curated by Vida Brown, Program Manager for Visual Arts with California African American Museum, Common Ground II - Shared Experiences is a presentation of photographic images by 13 artists, Abel Alejandre, Mari Beltran, Marlon Cacpal, Di’Jonn Cooper, June Edmonds, George Evans, Michele Evans, Jeanette Godinez, Nery Gabriel Lemus, Marissa Lopez-Donatt, Milton Loupe, Jessy Nerio, MonaLisa Whitaker.

“The L.A. Rebellion” Film Presentation :: FREE

In the late 1960s, in the aftermath of the Watts Uprising and against the backdrop of the continuing Civil Rights Movement and the escalating Vietnam War, a group of African and African American students entered the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, as part of an “Ethno-Communications” initiative designed to be responsive to communities of color. Now referred to as the L.A. Rebellion, these mostly unheralded artists created a unique cinematic aesthetic that set their films apart from their contemporaries. Curated by Director Billy Woodbury, we will be screening films during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend:

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Hoover Street Revival, by Sophie Fiennes, 90 minutes, 2002

With a Q&A segment with Director Charles Burnett

To Sleep With Anger, by Charles Burnett, 106 minutes, 1990

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Your  Children Come Home to You, by Alile Sharon Larkin, 30 minutes, 1979

A Different Image, 51 minutes, Alile Sharon Larkin, 51 minutes, 1983

Q&A Segment with Directors

Bless Their Little Hearts and The Pocket Book, by Billy Woodberry, 1984, 1978, 98 minutes

Monday, January 21, 2013

Selma, Lord Selma, by Charles Burnett, 94 minutes

Q&A with Director

Citizen King, Orlando Bagwell, 120 minutes

“The African Influences in Latin America” Music Presentation and Workshop :: FREE

February 2nd & 9th, 2013 - 11:00AM - 2:00PM