Ben Feigin Dies: ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Executive Producer Was 47

 Award-winning producer Ben Feigin, who served as an executive producer on Schitt’s Creek, died Monday of pancreatic cancer. He was 47.

Feigin played a key role in the launch of Schitt’s Creek by crafting its unique business model. He sourced non-traditional financing and sold the series on a non-exclusive basis to multiple licensees worldwide. He also masterminded the show’s top-grossing international tour with LiveNation, as well as the Netflix documentary Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt’s Creek Farewell, its pop-up immersive experience that sold-out in under one minute around the globe, and even turned an entire town in upstate-New York into a permanent Schitt’s Creek.

He won multiple awards for his work on the comedy, including a 2020 Emmy, a 2021 Golden Globe, and a 2021 Producers Guild Award.

Born in Silver Springs, MD, Feigin graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara and began his career at Warner Brothers. He then joined William Morris as an agent trainee in the storied mailroom, where he met his wife, Heidi. He later worked at UTA before becoming a Founding Member of The Collective in 2004.

In 2006, Feigin moved to Anonymous Content, where he founded both their comedy and enterprise divisions while representing A-list talent, filmmakers, writers, comedians, authors, and brands, in addition to his work as a producer. He later launched Equation Unlimited LLC, an entertainment company, in 2016.

Early in his career, Feigin made history as a pioneer behind the first ever live-streamed event featuring an line-up of comedians and musicians. The partnership with AOL was a breakthrough in how live content could be consumed on new platforms. Feigin also reunited Cheech & Chong after 25 years by cutting a lucrative deal with LiveNation for international touring and executive producing their theatrically released, first-ever concert film, Cheech & Chong: Hey Watch This.

Note: He didn't reunite C&C. He negotiated the deal.

Feigin led classes at UCLA, NYU, and UC Santa Barbara and also worked closely with non-profits including StandUp2Cancer, Gilda’s Club World-Wide, The Tony Hawk Foundation, The Creative Coalition, and the Laurene Powell Jobbs’ Emerson Collective. Additionally, he served as a Judge for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Internship Program, as well as an Official Juror for the International Emmy Awards. He was a member of The Producers Guild of America, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, and The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Feigin is survived his wife, UTA talent agent Heidi Feigin, and their 11-year-old daughter Ellie. Services will take place this Thursday at 12:30pm at Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills. Donations can be made to Stand Up For Cancer, the Ben Feigin Pancreatic Research Fund.

Decadent Ales Cheech and Chong's Holidaze Hazy IPA

 Cheech & Chong may be most notorious for their unique brand of stoner comedy, but today they cross

over into another "budding" industry: Hazy IPA! We are extremely excited to bring you Holidaze Hazy IPA, a beer produced in tandem with the comedy duo themselves. Often have hops and cannabis been compared for the dankness of their aromas but for this special holiday release, Cheech & Chong enlisted the wizards at Decadent Ales to turn the dankess up to 11!

Available for pre-order.

Hot Dog Stand Back Open After City Shuts Them Down Over Cheech and Chong Mural

 CHICAGO (CBS) -- A dispute over a colorful mural on the side of a Pilsen hot dog stand prevented the business from renewing its licenses with the city.

We told you about that story earlier this month. But just a day after our story aired, the owners say the city reversed course and let the stand reopen.

As CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reported Thursday night, this is the first week back in business for Memo's Hot Dogs, 1447 W. 18th St. – and the owners are glad to have the grills sizzling again.

"We've got our business license and we are back up and running," said Memo's owner Janette Garza.

But the owners still want to know how a mural on the side of the building forced owners Janette and Gerrado Garza to shut down for weeks.

They were unable to renew their license due to unpaid fines over a colorful Cheech and Chong mural on the side of the building.

The mural on the side of Memo's is the work of artist Angel Silva, also known as Debso. It went up in 2019.

The Garzas said the city considers the alley-side mural a public advertisement, which requires a separate permit.  

"For us, it's our sole income - so we did struggle a bit," said Janette Garza. "We did get into some financial debt."

We first told you about this conflict between the small business and the city at the start of the month. A day after our story aired, the Garzas say Kenneth Meyer, Commissioner of the city Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, called them personally to clear a path for their license renewal.

"We're grateful," said Janette Garza. "We're grateful to the media."

"After the issue became public, the license was restored," said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th). "Now, we have to do this more and more often. We have to make these issues public to get a response from the Fifth Floor; from the Mayor's office."

Ald. Sigcho-Lopez calls the city's enforcement of the mural inconsistent and heavy-handed, particularly given that it ultimately forced Memo's to close for weeks.    

"In this case, a mural shutting down a business - we thought it was a disproportionate policy," said Ald. Sigcho-Lopez.

"It was just kind of harsh the way they came down," added Gerardo Garza. "There was no way of going around it."

For more than 60 years, Memo's has been in the neighborhood - and with the city's change of heart, it will be around for a few more.

"We do feel hopeful that we will be able to pass it down another generation - at least one more generation," said Janette Garza.

The city office that regulates business licenses says once the proper paper was submitted and a renewal fee was paid, the license was reinstated.

The alderman has launched an investigation with the Office of the Inspector General. 

Cheech & Chong Have Cameo Role In Disney+ The Muppets Mayhem

Thanks to Disney+, the Muppets are returning with an all-new show called "The Muppets Mayhem." This time, we're following the Muppets' resident rock stars Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem as they embark on an adventure to record their very first album. But just like any other Muppets production, this series from Adam F. Goldberg, Jeff Yorkes, and veteran Muppets performer Bill Barretta will feature a number of cameos from various celebrities and musicians.

Though the producers were extremely tight-lipped about the cameos in the series, Goldberg did let a big one slide during their panel at New York Comic Con. While he and Yorkes explained that the show is more grounded in the real world (meaning there's no talking vegetables or a fork in the road), they mentioned a "surreal side to Zoot," the saxophone player in the band. It would be a fourth-wall-breaking moment that still "plays in the reality within the world."

Then Goldberg said, "We're not allowed to talk about our cameos, I'm going to get into trouble for saying this, but Zoot even freaks out Cheech & Chong."

Chong to Sue US Government for Destroying his Bongs

 Chong provided TMZ additional details on what happened when FBI agents raided the Chong's Glass warehouse. Agents actually smashed the bongs.  They didn't need to, they just did it to make an example.

They caused millions of dollars in damage and Tommy Chong is going to sue the US government.

Chong Supports Biden Even Though he Wrote the Law that Landed him in Prison

Tommy Chong tells TMZ he supports Joe Biden even though Joe wrote the paraphernalia law that sent Chong to prison.  Chong goes on to say he supports Biden because he is anti-Trump.

Hey Pres. Biden, how about pardoning anyone convicted of selling bongs while you are at it. It was your stupid law in the first place. @JeromeBaker420

— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) October 6, 2022

Cheech Marin to do Meet and Greet in Massachusetts

 The High Lifestyle Show October 7-9, 2022 We are super stoked to announce, a true renaissance man, our guest Cheech Marin. Cheech will be meeting fans and signing items, art and autographs all weekend long. Limited tickets are available now!

One half of the stoner-hippie comedic duo Cheech and Chong, Richard “Cheech” Marin has become perhaps one of the most well-known and respected Chicano achievers in the world of entertainment. As an actor, director, writer, musician, art collector and humanitarian, Cheech is a man who has proven that he has the intellect and wit to make a simple smile appear in any situation.

Tommy Chong, Son Settle Suit Over Marijuana Marketing Deal

 Before you read this article, keep in mind that Tommy, Shelby and Paris Chong have done this before with other companies and people.  They agree to deals and then demand more money, or steal the project/idea.

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Tommy Chong and the comic's son have reached a settlement with a licensing company that sued the pair alleging they cut them out of the profits generated from a marketing plan the plaintiffs established to sell marijuana products and accessories.

Evergreen Licensing LLC and its founder, Brian Vecchio, named Tommy and Paris Chong as defendants in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit, along with Jon-Paul Cowen, described in the complaint as a business associate of the Chongs.

On Friday, Judge Robert S. Draper vacated the scheduled Oct. 11 trial date for the case. The terms of the accord were not revealed in court papers announcing the settlement that were filed by the plaintiffs on Aug. 25.

Chong, now 84, was chosen to help market the Evergreen project because he is a "well-known and longtime proponent of the legalization and responsible use of cannibis," the suit filed in April 2018 stated.

But after three years of development and spending $1 million on the project, Chong and Cowen conspired to "take it all away, even hacking into Evergreen's Gmail account in order to misappropriate social media sites that plaintiffs created for the project," according to the suit, which alleged the defendants "cut plaintiffs entirely out of the picture, the project and the revenue and profits the project was going to generate and is generating."

Although Chong "cultivated the public image of a trustworthy, pot- smoking, laid back, good guy," the plaintiffs found out "to their chagrin and injury ... that he was anything but that type individual in his business dealings with them," the suit stated.

Chong co-starred with Cheech Marin in the 1978 film "Up in Smoke," which is credited with establishing the stoner comedy genre.

In their court papers, defense attorneys alleged in a countersuit that Evergreen failed to provide quarterly statements, pay $130,000 in royalty fees and get written approval for Tommy Chong's intellectual property rights.

Cheech and Chong Will No Longer Perform Live

On Tuesday, Tommy Chong told WRAT-FM's Carl and Dave that Cheech and Chong are no longer performing live.  They will only do Q&A sessions.  In addition, he said he prefers doing the Q&As with his wife, Shelby.

Tommy also claims Shelby has a "following" (what following?) and he'll be doing appearances with her to promote her stuff (what stuff?).

During the interview, he rehashed the story about meeting Shelby when she was 16 years old, doing acid with her and conceiving Precious Chong.

Tommy has no filter and no concept of right and wrong.

We also learned that Shelby designed Tommy's costume for the film, Up in Smoke.

Green Globe International Inc (OTCMKTS: GGII) Reversal Brewing as Hempaco Heats Up on Nasdaq

Green Globe International Inc (OTCMKTS: GGII) is beginning to trend northbound off its $0.004 base and looks to be back under accumulation after topping out at $0.0199 on Monday morning. This comes as majority owned Hempaco went public on the Nasdaq raising $6 million by selling 1 million shares at $6. Following a wild day of trading on Wednesday HPCO bulls stepped in on Thursday pushing the stock to a $8.35 close on 50 million shares traded. At the current price based on 23,010,124 shares outstanding HPCO trades at a $192 million market valuation; 79.9% of HPCO common stock is owned by GGII making the Company’s stake in HPCO worth $153 million. GGII has a history of big moves skyrocketing to over $0.16 per share during summer 2021. 

Green Globe entered into a lock-up agreement with Hempacco whereby the Company will not sell any of its shares for a period of 1 year. Hempacco is a vertically integrated Hemp manufacturing company in San Diego, California operating out of a 53,000 square foot state of the art Manufacuring facility. Hempaco is focused on Disrupting Tobacco™ by manufacturing and selling nicotine-free and tobacco-free alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Hempacco utilizes a proprietary, patented spraying technology for terpene infusion and patent-pending flavored filter infusion technology to manufacture hemp and herb-based smokable alternatives. 

Green Globe International Inc (OTCMKTS: GGII) is a fast-moving consumer goods incubator and holding company of intellectual property, products, and companies that better people’s lives by helping them feel and look better inside and out. Green Globe (GGII) owns or has interests in several brands and companies including; Green Star Labs, Inc., changing how people feel about themselves inside and out with nutritional supplements, CBD, and beauty products, and hemp CBD cigarette and rolling paper manufacturer Hempacco Co. Inc., Disrupting Tobacco’s™ $1 Trillion tobacco industry, with its subsidiaries and joint ventures including HempBox Vending, Inc. vending and advertising company, Cali Vibes, Inc. Cannabinoid cigarettes, HempHop Smokables, Inc., partnering with music producer and rapper Rick Ross, Cheech and Chong Smokables, Inc. delivers cannabinoid Hemp CBD cigarettes to consumers with Cheech and Chong as partners. The Real Stuff Smokables, Inc. Green Globe is publicly traded under the ticker symbol GGII, and continues to look for best-in-class companies, products, and patents to create Fast Moving Consumer Goods and channels for selling them, including retail automation and advertising platforms. 

GGII owns or has interests in several brands and companies including: Green Star Labs, Inc., changing how people feel about themselves inside and out with nutritional supplements, CBD, and beauty products, and hemp CBD cigarette and rolling paper manufacturer Hempacco Co. Inc., Disrupting Tobacco’s™ $1 Trillion tobacco industry, with its subsidiaries and joint ventures including HempBox Vending, Inc. vending and advertising company, Cali Vibes, Inc. Cannabinoid cigarettes, HempHop Smokables, Inc., partnering with music producer and rapper Rick Ross, Cheech and Chong Smokables, Inc. delivers cannabinoid Hemp CBD cigarettes to consumers with Cheech and Chong as partners. The Real Stuff Smokables, Inc. 

Hempacco is a vertically integrated Hemp manufacturing company in San Diego, California operating out of a 53,000 square foot state of the art Manufacuring facility. Hempaco has conducted research and development in the smokables space and are engaged in the manufacturing and sale of smokable hemp and herb products, including The Real Stuff™ Hemp Smokables. The Company’s operational segments include private label manufacturing and sales, intellectual property licensing, and the development and sales of inhouse brands using patented counter displays. Hempaco inhouse brands are currently sold in over 200 retail locations located in the San Diego, California, area. The Company’s private label customers include well-known and established companies in the cannabis and tobacco-alternatives industries, and we currently own approximately 600 kiosk vending machines which the Company plan to refurbish and use to distribute its products in a wider fashion under its HempBox Vending brand.

Food and Fun Become One on Guy's Ultimate Game Night

It's all fun and games as Guy Fieri welcomes his celebrity friends to the Flavortown Lounge for outrageously fun and entertaining food-inspired games on Guy’s Ultimate Game Night, premiering on Wednesday, August 31 at 9|8c. The new game show puts a culinary twist on classic party games as the celebrity contestants compete in front of a live studio audience for the chance to win prizes for their favorite charity. Chef Antonia Lofaso assists with all the action of the competition, as the celebrities play with food in the hands-on challenge and test their culinary knowledge with trivia and word puzzles. They must stay on their toes as they never know what Guy will throw their way. Let the games begin!

“If you put a game show, late night talk show, and a food competition show in a blender, you get Guy's Ultimate Game Night,” said Fieri. “It’s the best dinner party you’ve ever been to...filled with food, booze, off-the-hook games and the funkiest live soundtrack around."

In each episode, three celebrity teams compete in five rounds of games that are all about food, from Cooktionary, where they must guess the food item Guy and Antonia draw, to Dish Pics, where they must solve a picture puzzle of images that when correctly combined represents a popular dish. There is also Some Assembly Required, where the celebrities must use their creativity in challenges from designing pizza that looks like Guy, to blindly decorating cakes, and to constructing houses made from breakfast ingredients. Plus, there are wild games of Hot Potato, Charade the Pantry, Cloche Encounters, and Shop ‘Til You Drop.

Guy’s Ultimate Game Night contestants include chef Nyesha Arrington, actress Lauren Ash, chef Maneet Chauhan, actor Ben Feldman, actress Vivica A. Fox, television host Kevin Frazier, comedian Ron Funches, actor Billy Gardell, sports reporter Jay Glazer, television host Matt Iseman, magicians Penn Jillette and Teller, chef Troy Johnson, television personality Carson Kressley, actress Natasha Leggero, Olympian Tara Lipinski, comedian Cheech Marin, television personality Ross Matthews, chef Aaron May, television host Maria Menounos, musician Brett Michaels, actress Alyssa Milano, comedian Bobby Moynihan, actress Francia Raisa, filmmaker Kevin Smith, television host Charissa Thompson, chef Jet Tila, television host Nischelle Turner, DJ tWitch, chef Michael Voltaggio, Olympian Johnny Weir, comedian Kym Whitley, and musician Carnie Wilson.

Cheech and Chong Present Red Hot Chili Peppers with MTV VMA Global Icon Award

This evening, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong presented the Red Hot Chili Peppers with the MTV VMA Global Icon Award.

Shelby Chong walked the red carpet with Cheech and Tommy.  For some reason, she thinks she's a member of the group.  Cheech and Chong...and Shelby.  This is why she always opens for them on tour, even though she's not a comedian.

They both looked good.  Tommy looked healthy, although age has caught up to him.  He had difficulty reading the teleprompter.  Tommy also had difficulty hearing people, but that's what happens when you spend your early life performing in Rock bands.

Anthony Kiedis called Cheech and Chong "Bad Mother F...flip flops."

Cheech, Chong and RHCP stood out like a sore thumb among the freaks at this typical MTV production.  MTV and record labels force their ideals and music on the youth of America by airing the Video Music Awards on every Paramount-owned network.

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers Chose Cheech and Chong over Johnny Depp

Cheech & Chong will be on hand at this Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards. The iconic stoner comedy duo will present the Red Hot Chili Peppers with the Global Icon Award, per an MTV rep. The band is also scheduled to perform live at the 2022 MTV VMAs, which air Sunday, August 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

RHCP could choose Johnny Depp or Cheech and Chong.  They chose Cheech and Chong.

Cheech and Chong to Present Global Icon Award to Red Hot Chili Peppers at MTV VMAs

Cheech & Chong will be on hand at this Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards. The iconic stoner comedy duo will present the Red Hot Chili Peppers with the Global Icon Award, per an MTV rep. The band is also scheduled to perform live at the 2022 MTV VMAs, which air Sunday, August 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The long-running band, who have won eight VMAs, will return to the show’s stage for the first time in more than two decades, last performing in 2000 when they received the coveted Video Vanguard Award. They scored their 29th nomination — and first since 2006 — in the best rock category for “Black Summer,” the lead single from their twelfth studio album, “Unlimited Love.” The group — which in 2019 returned to its longest-running lineup of singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante — has sold more than 60 million albums, won six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Up in Smoke Assistant Producer Mike Moder Dies At 86

Mike Moder, the Emmy-nominated producer whose credits included Beverly Hills Cop and Crimson Tide, died August 15. He was 86.

The son of director Dick Moder, he was born on April 25, 1936, in North Hollywood. He attended Notre Dame High and graduated from Loyola University before starting his career in the film industry in 1960. Moder’s credits include working as a first AD on Jeremiah Johnson, Little Big Man, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Rio Lobo, Diner and Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke, before he produced those big studio films among many other features and TV.

He shared an Emmy nom as a producer of the 1997 telepic Cinderella, starring Brandy Norwood.

Moder also was a production manager on dozens of TV shows and telepics, ranging from The Wild Wild West and miniseries Blind Ambition to Easy Street, Snoops, Father Dowling Mysteries, Jake and the Fatman and several Perry Mason and Diagnosis Murder TV movies. Per IMDb, he was executive in charge of production for the first seven seasons of ABC’s Matlock, starring Andy Griffith.

He also served as first AD on The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, the 1976 telefilm starring John Travolta, and was an AD on episodes of such 1960s series as The Big Valley, The Rifleman, Stagecoach West, Ensign O’Toole, The Law and Mrs. Jones and Wanted: Dead or Alive.

Moder and his wife Patti married in 1958 and went on to raise Debbi, Jane, John, Jyl and Danny. Moder was the proud grandfather of nine, and had two great grandchildren.

After Patti passed away in 2001, Moder married Marisa Megurian in 2003. They were living in Nipomo, CA, at the time of his death. Moder will be remembered not only for his towering presence and understated humor but also for his wealth of stories from a full life well lived.

Cheech Marin will be on Guy Fieri’s New Hollywood Cooking Game Show

Food Network continues to cook up its relationship with popular host Guy Fieri, who is gearing up to launch his sixth show with the network.

Fieri’s next outing is “Guy’s Ultimate Game Night,” a culinary game show with celebrity guests competing in food-related games and trivia that brings some Hollywood flavor into the TV chef’s ever-growing repertoire.

The series — which launches on Aug. 31 at 9 p.m. — will air on both Food Network and Discovery Plus, further establishing Fieri’s presence in the new Warner Bros. Discovery era, both on linear and streaming.

“If you put a game show, late night talk show and a food competition show in a blender, you get ‘Guy’s Ultimate Game Night,’” Fieri said in a statement. “It’s the best dinner party you’ve ever been to — filled with food, booze, off-the-hook games and the funkiest live soundtrack around.”

The culinary game show, which was first announced at the company’s Upfront, will see Fieri welcome his famous friends to the Flavortown Lounge to play classic party games, word puzzles and trivia with a culinary twist. Some games include garnishing a pizza to resemble Fieri, blindly decorating a cake and “Cooktionary,” a take on Pictionary but with food.

The celebrity contestants will compete in front of a live studio audience for the chance to win prizes for their favorite charity.

Contestants include Vivica A. Fox, Ron Funches, Billy Gardell, Jay Glazer, Carson Kressley, Natasha Leggero, Tara Lipinski, Cheech Marin, Ross Matthews, Maria Menounos, Brett Michaels, Alyssa Milano, Bobby Moynihan, Francia Raisa, Kevin Smith, Johnny Weir, Kym Whitley, Carnie Wilson, Penn and Teller, plus a handful of celebrity chefs and more.

Joining Fieri is chef Antonia Lofaso — a fan-favorite from Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and shows like “Chopped” and “Cutthroat Kitchen” — who will assist Fieri in the fun-and-games, almost like the Vanna White of Food Network.

“‘Guy’s Ultimate Game Night’ is a culinary game show unlike any other,” said Jane Latman, president of home and food content and streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery. “Audiences will love playing along at home, trying to guess the answers and will pick up new food facts too. We get to join the party and enjoy the hilarious games led by the game master himself, Guy Fieri.”

Richard "Cheech Marin" Turns 76

  Comedian/actor/art aficionado, Richard 'Cheech' Marin, turns 76 today.  He was born July 13th, 1946 in Los Angeles California.

Tommy Chong Returning as Leo in That '70s Show Reboot

That '90s Show continues shaping up to be a true successor to That '70s Show – and today brings those connections a bit closer, as a fan-favorite actor from That '70s Show has joined the upcoming Netflix reboot. Tommy Chong revealed during a recent podcast appearance that he is part of the cast of That '90s Show; Chong regularly appeared on That '70s Show as "Leo" the aging burnout hippie who ran the Foto Hut photoshop. 

Chong's presence (as one half of iconic comedic stoner duo, Cheech and Chong) was part of the running gag about the kids of That '70s Show being potheads – without ever being able to directly reference it onscreen. Chong earned a lot of laughs playing up his actual '70s stoner screen persona for a whole new generation – and now he gets to do it again! 

Funny enough, Chong was pretty much in step with his own persona by breaking this news to The Dave Mark Show: "They never gave me any instructions, so I don't know if I'm supposed to be talking about it or not," Chong said. "I really don't give a shit to tell you the truth. That's what I'm known for...I'm back as Leo."

Happy Birthday! Tommy Chong is 84 Years Old

 The dopemaster, Tommy Chong, turned 84 today. Tommy was born May 24th, 1938 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

‘Cheech’ Marin to receive lifetime achievement award in San Jose

 Cheech Marin will be in San Jose later this month to receive a community award for his lifetime achievements as an actor, activist, and Chicano art supporter.

Marin, who is most known for his role in the comedy “Cheech & Chong” during the 70s and 80s, will be presented the Latino Leadership Alliance’s lifetime achievement “Ollin Award.” The award derives from MesoAmerican Indigenous cultures (Ollin meaning ” movement” in the Aztec’s Nahuatl language) and is associated with being a great leader who possesses wisdom, long life, good advice, and mental balance.

The actor is set to open “The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts & Culture,” which is being called the world’s largest Chicano art collection later this summer in Riverside, California where more than 700 pieces of Chicano Art will be housed.

“After collectively surviving the last two years of a pandemic,  we are celebrating our arts leaders who create, curate, and celebrate the beauty of our communities daily – many of whom are still struggling to recover,” said Mayra Flores, LLA Co-Chair. “Cheech’s efforts to not only support but center and uplift Chicano art through his museum serves as a leadership example we want to honor.”

The Ollin Award has been presented to five of California’s most influential Latino leaders, including the State’s first Latino Senator Alex Padilla (2021, former Santa Clara County Supervisor and the first Latina San Jose City Council member and Vice Mayor Blanca Alvarado (2020), Latino Leadership Alliance co-founder and former East Side Union High School District Trustee Eddie Garcia (2019), Stanford University Professor Emeritus and one of the founding scholars of the field of Mexican American history and Chicano Studies Dr. Albert Camarillo (2018), and Actor/Producer, Founder of Centro Legal de La Raza, and Founder of the National Association of State Latino Chambers of Commerce Tony Quintero (2013).

Marin will receive the Ollin Award during LLA’s 5th Annual Gala on May 25 at The School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose and will also deliver the evening’s keynote address.

“Art is an essential part of our society and it can help and inspire leadership,” said Erika Bustamante, LLA Co-Chair. “We are excited to celebrate both, art and leadership, at our Gala and we are thrilled to be able to honor Cheech and his efforts with our Ollin award.”