ABOUT
US
Villapalooza is a collective of Latinx arts organizers dedicated to promoting safe spaces for arts, culture and community engagement. All core leaders have a longstanding relationship with Little Village, as well as a commitment to the development of a thriving youth arts culture in the neighborhood. Villapalooza’s annual festival is a free, all-day, all-ages event held on in Little Village. It is one of Chicago’s most well-attended and diverse grassroots music festivals.
MISSION & VISION
Villapalooza is dedicated to promoting safe spaces for arts, culture, and community engagement.
We strive to reframe the dominant narrative of Little Village through the development of multiple platforms to showcase local talent and preserve our neighborhood’s cultural identity.
THE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2011, Villapalooza is a free, all-day, all-ages music festival. Drawing both local and international musicians, Villapalooza is one of the fastest growing grassroots music festivals in the city of Chicago. Nearly half of LV residents are under the age of 25 which is the foundation of this grassroots festival.
Villapalooza is the invigorating culmination of all Little Village has to offer. The festival brings together over 30 local artists, 40 musical performances, and the most authentic Mexican flavors our community has to offer.
Each year, Villapalooza attracts over 30,000 attendees across five city blocks on 26th street, the main corridor of the Midwest’s largest Mexican community.
THE CREW
Jevus Contreras Jr
Board President
Vanessa Sanchez
Board Vice President
Zully Mijangos
Board Treasurer
Vicky Cambray
Board Secretary
Deborah Garcia
Board Member
Mario Hernandez
Board Member
Claudia Rangel
Board Member
Jerry Reyes
Board Member
Vida Sardena
Board Member
Ray Arroyo
Crew Member
Simone Alexander
Crew Member
Paulina Camacho
Crew Member
Rich Contreras
Crew Member
Salvador 'Greedy' Garcia
Crew Member
Izaac Guzman
Crew Member
YOUTH COMMITTEE
Silvia Morales
Youth Committee Lead
Alejandro Colunga
Youth Committee Co-Lead
Nataly Hernandez
Youth Committee Member
Marycarmen Hernandez
Youth Committee Member
Ariana Zambrano
Youth Committee Member