Advertise on podcast: Critically Human (Video)

These five siblings got their start playing in various other bands in the Vancouver music scene before joining together to form SuddenRush. Their sound is a seamless blend of Hmong sentimental song style and epic country rock, which works so well together it’s surprising more people haven’t thought to do it. The band had a break-through hit with their song “Mi Noog” in 2007, and has remained popular with Hmong audiences in Canada and the US ever since. Series: "Critically Human" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 37328]

Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles prides itself on being the world’s first LGBTQ mariachi band. Their tight, energetic, and intricate sound has been honed by the work they’ve had to do to navigate the typically hypermasculine and heteronormative world of mariachi as gay and trans musicians. The band has performed at numerous gay and transgender pride events as well as in the #SchoolsNotPrisons tour for the California Endowment. They have been featured multiple times on Univision morning shows, and in the Smithsonian Folklife magazine. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 37330]

Ellas is a new trio that performs an exciting blend of mariachi, jazz, country, and various other styles. This performance presented by UC Merced UpstART is one of their debut concerts. Series: "Critically Human" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 37327]

This short film showcases two community-engaged graduate student research projects. “Historic Places Merced” is an online database developed by graduate students that permits residents to co-produce an inventory of historical places in downtown Merced, including the social memory of lived experiences. “Merced: A City of Arts and Culture,” studies the opinions of residents about creating an inclusive downtown arts and culture district for a diverse Merced. These projects were funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. Series: "Critically Human" [Education] [Show ID: 37333]

The band La Santa Cecilia, named for the patron saint of music, is dedicated to voicing the experience of a new bicultural generation in the United States. Their music is rooted in their Mexican heritage, but also inspired by traditions of bossa nova, rumba, bolero, tango, jazz, rock, and klezmer. They have made seven albums, and their 2013 release Treinta Días won the Grammy for Best Latin Rock Album (Alternative or Urban). They have also been nominated for two Latin Grammies, and their album El Valor was named one of the best of the year by NPR’s Alt Latino. Series: "Critically Human" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 37329]

This short film showcases two graduate student community-engaged research projects related to youth and access to resources in the San Joaquin Valley. One is on the experience of collaborating with local youth as they research and produce a comic book about historical inequities in Merced and the other is on the process of cannabis legalization in Merced and an inquiry into whether new tax revenues are being allocated to youth services as intended. These projects were funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. Series: "Critically Human" [Education] [Show ID: 37332]

Sweden is mostly known internationally for being a pop music powerhouse, but they also have an equally vibrant folk and world music scene less well known to the outside world. Sallyswag is a nine-woman power band that has taken that scene by storm, weaving together its roots in dance hall, Balkan, R&B, Swedish folk, hip-hop, and afro-beat to create an entirely original sound that’s been electrifying audiences since their foundation in 2014. They took home the Newcomer of the Year award at the 2015 Swedish Folk and World Music Gala for being a “refreshing sucker punch” (approximate translation) and have been performing to rave reviews on their national circuit ever since. This was Sallyswag’s first concert for a North American audience. Presented by UC Merced UpstART. Series: "Critically Human" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 37326]

This short film showcases two community-engaged graduate student research projects related to California Indian baskets. Learning about basket traditions from local Yokuts basket weavers connects to an exploration of how 3D digitization of baskets can assist with cultural revitalization. These projects were funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 37331]