Hello, 

Well, this Sunday is finally the day we gather together to celebrate the humble, but mighty tortilla! It’s also the day I am so grateful that I’m short because as a judge, I can pretty effectively hide behind the round cocktail tables set up on stage to hold our tortillas and water. If I have to go through the excruciating process of coming out of my shell, you better be there! Nothing worse than coming out to crickets. 

The big fiesta that’s about to go down reminds me of another fiesta long ago, before the pandemic cemented my hermit tendencies, when KCRW threw a picnic to thank our volunteers, friends, and family for all their help throughout the year. As the then Director of Volunteer Services, I planned it perfectly, or so I thought. It was a great park on a beautiful day and the staff — Eric J. Lawrence, Raul Campos, Jason Groman, etc. — pitched in to set up baseball and other games, our newest DJ, Anthony Valadez, brought his equipment to teach our guests how to scratch, KCRW staff grilled hundreds of burgers, and I think I remember a BIG cake. Of course, I had to get a couple of giant piñatas — one for adults and one for the kids. Because the adults might get crazy since that piñata was filled with amazing donated gift certificates, music CDs and USBs (I said a long time ago), those little alcoholic chocolates, shhhh, and various other goodies, we had the kids go first. Theirs was a huge Dora The Explorer with enough candy to piss off a few health-conscious parents, I’m sure. Now, there weren’t too many kids, and the ones who were there were not Mexican as far as I could tell, but I didn’t think of it at that moment. The first little girl up — about 6 or 7 — clung to her parents and they reassured her that she would have fun. “This is her first piñata,” they said as they handed her the stick and gently tapped Dora to show her what she had to do. She took the stick, held it for a long while, then went sobbing to her mother’s legs. I was feeling so bad. I had never seen a child reject a piñata! Much less a friendly Dora in her heyday! After a sniffly conversation at eye level, her mom stood up and almost embarrassed, said to me, “She doesn’t want to hurt Dora. She doesn’t know why she has to hit her because she loves her.”

Wow, wow, wow. I was so stunned. What a lesson in different cultures and customs. Nothing could lead this poor, sweet girl to violently take a festooned stick to her idol’s head for no reason other than candy that she hardly ate anyway — what?? No candy? Man. What madness was I raised in? Anywho, there was only one kid there who had piñata experience from a birthday party he’d been to and he broke it while the other kids stood back and waited instead. The little girl was turned fully around with her eyes closed so as not to see Dora’s savage beating. What a day — you better believe the next time I got a piñata for kids who weren’t as used to them, I made sure it was a villain! Like for my son’s childcare place for his birthday, where the teacher sat all the kids on the ground, told them not to move, and asked me how many pieces of candy I wanted each kid to pick up…what?? As many as they can shove other kids aside for! But no, that’s not what I said. I said, “Five? Ten?” Sigh…ha! Anyway, we’ve come a long way, haven’t we? A whole to-do about tortillas. Yesss.

Connie 

Your KCRW Insider since 2001

P.S. KCRW members, you really want to go to Tortilla — your perks are bananas! Free tastings, big discounts at so many vendor stalls, and more! Not a member? Become one by Sunday or onsite, or make friends with one! 

Introducing: How’s Your Sex Life?

Sex and dating are supposed to be fun. But everyone on dating apps either seems to be overstimulated or over it. And it can seem like a strange world for those in long relationships or grappling with a new identity. There are so many complicated feelings, expectations, connections, and sense of ourselves wrapped in our sexuality and relationships. And it feels like all the advice out there is too raunchy, too restrained, or just ill-informed. 

KCRW's new podcast How’s Your Sex Life? is a place for non-judgemental, fun, and big-hearted sex and relationship advice from Myisha Battle, a sexologist and certified dating coach. For her, nothing is too shocking. Submit your questions to sexlife@kcrw.org or eavesdrop on the conversation now. New episodes are out weekly on Wednesdays. Love it? Then...

This Fool is our KCRW Tortilla Tournament Judge!

Gustavo Arellano writes: “If you haven't seen Hulu's This Fool, then you don't love Los Angeles. Co-creator, star, and writer Chris Estrada's love letter to South L.A. is television at its best: hilarious, scabrous, poignant, and of the moment. Sadly, the comedian can't talk about his show right now. Although the WGA strike is over, the SAG-AFTRA strike continues, and Estrada ain't no rata about to cross the line. But you know what he can talk about? Tortillas. Estrada is the guest judge for my KCRW #TortillaTournament, which is now in its Fuerte Four stage. He'll be there this Sunday, Oct. 8 at Smorgasburg LA along with myself and fellow judges Evan Kleiman, Connie Alvarez, and Sean Vukan to determine who will win this year's Golden Tortilla and hoist the Chiquihuite Cup. RSVP today!” Check out Gustavo’s interrogation of Estrada’s tortilla tendencies.

A Bookworm Celebration

Bookworm’s Special Celebration episodes feature guest hosts Steve Erickson, Anne Beattie, Mary Corey, Claudia Rankine, Dave Eggers, Alan Felsenthal, and longtime Bookworm editor Alan Howard as they take us through the decades of insights from Bookworm guests grouped by theme, topic, and tone such as The Nobel Laureates, Grief & Loss, and Friends of Michael, among others.

Listen to the complete special series that brings 33 years of Bookworm to an end. Michael Silverblatt's beloved archives will always be available to you. If you'd like to send a note of gratitude to Michael for years of championing literature via in-depth conversations with the brightest minds of the written word, please call the KCRW voicemail line: (877) 789-TELL (8355) or record a voice memo and email to listenervox@kcrw.org. We'll pass it, and your well-wishes, along. Thanks to Lannan Foundation’s unwavering support of 33 years of Bookworm.

KCRW’s Podcast Bootcamp Returns!

Are you an underrepresented aspiring podcaster who wants to take your storytelling to the next level? If you’ve wanted to start a podcast but didn’t know how, this camp is for you. If you have a podcast but you want to further develop your skills, this camp is for you. Ideally, applicants have an interest in writing, hosting, journalism, or audio production, but experience is not required — just be available and ready to work with professionals on Saturday, October 21, 11AM - 3PM at KCRW HQ in Santa Monica. 

Partner Screening: The Persian Version

KCRW and Sony Pictures Classics invite you to a special advance screening of The Persian Version followed by a conversation with director, Maryam Keshavarz and film composer, Rostam moderated by KCRW’s Madeleine Brand. Coming from two countries at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the labels society is so quick to project upon her. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila navigates her relationships at arm’s length in an effort to keep her “real” life separate from her family life. However, when her secret is unceremoniously revealed, so are the distinct parallels between her life and that of her mother Shireen (Niousha Noor).

"KCRW is a sanctuary for me. There’s a program and host for every moment of the day and night. You are a constant source of fuel for my imagination, education, and good vibes. Thank you!"
– Elaine (Redondo Beach)

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