This December take time to smell the atole. Sit back and take in the aroma of pan dulce and canela. Put the world on hold and enjoy the ambiente.

I know, there’s the whole shopping business that needs to get done, and I know you have to work to pay the bills. All I’m saying is give yourself some chill time.

When you do get to the shopping take a look at Eastsider Writer’s December Feature: The Urban Xic Mercadito (www.urbanxic.com), a concept developed by both Felicia Montes of Mujeres de Maiz/In Lak Ech and Joel “Rage” Garcia a local artist. The mercadito was born from both of their roots in trade and inspired by similar efforts they’d seen in current models of cultural tianguis/markets.

“The focus was to make art/products by LA artists accessible to other communities outside of LA,” said Garcia, a formally trained graphic designer who keeps himself busy with many other projects that support community and immigrant causes. He is also the silent artist behind many CD covers and poster designs that we have become familiar with; including Slowrider, MC76 and Olmeca.

Montes, who also stays busy with local and interstate events/causes, selects the products they carry in the web-store. She bases her selection on simple guidelines, such as but not limited to:

1. That it’s positive, responsible and has nothing that degrades women, race or gender identity.

2. That it’s made by a community oriented artist/designer or musician.

or

3. That the product helps raise funds for different causes that are important to them both. Such as the Peace and Dignity Journeys Compilation CD and Tonatierra Coffee.

Apart from their online presence they have been setting up shop at book fairs, concerts, and community events since late 2007.

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This December visit them online or find them at these events:

Dec.04th
Olmeca’s CD release show at Self help Graphics
3802 Cesar E Chavez Ave, LA CA 90022
8PM

Dec.05th
Imix Books “Autonomo” Sale
5052 Eagle Rock Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041
12-6pm

Dec.06th
Caracol Marketplace at Tropico de Nopal
1665 Beverly Blvd, LA CA 90026
12-5pm

Dec.06th
Tia Chucha’s
13197-A Gladstone Ave, Sylmar CA
12-5pm

Dec.19th
Anti-Mall at Antigua
3400 N. Figueroa, Cypress Park CA 90065
12-6pm

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Do some guilt free shopping this year. Click on the image below. www.UrbanXic.com