(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) presents a screening of La Bamba in 35mm on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 7:00pm. The screening marks UCPAC's salute to Hispanic Heritage Month. After the movie, there will be a dance party celebrating Richie Valens' music and other Latin rock and pop hits by the artists he inspired!
La Bamba stars Lou Diamond Phillips as Richie Valens and tells the story of the brief life of the young American Chicano star who influenced Latino rockers like Carlos Santana and Los Lobos. Valens is best known for his rock n’ roll adaption of the classic Mexican folk song “La Bomba.”
The film’s cast includes Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle von Zerneck, and Joe Pantoliano. Musicians of note seen in La Bamba include Brian Setzer as Eddie Cochran, Marshall Crenshaw as Buddy Holly, and Los Lobos, who performed all of Valens’ songs in the movie at Valens’ family’s request. Other cameos in the film include Connie Valenzuela, Richie Valens’ mother.
Tickets are $17 in advance and $22 at the show. Advance tickets are available for purchase online. Union County Performing Arts Center is located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, New Jersey.
At just 17 years old, Valens sadly passed away in a 1959 plane crash that also took the lives of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and the pilot, Roger Peterson. The incident was the inspiration for singer/songwriter Don McClean’s 70s classic “American Pie” and became known as “the day the music died,” but the songs Valens left behind will live forever.
This screening of La Bamba (Rated PG-13) is part of the I. Joseph Hyatt Classic Film Series. It’s a trip back in time to the days when going to the movies was an event! Make sure to come early so you don’t miss their “Biggest Little Wurlitzer” organ in action. The 35mm Classic Film Series is ongoing and features films from all eras.
Upcoming screenings in 35mm include Ghostbusters on October 30th, Who Framed Roger Rabbit on November 20th, and The Muppet Christmas Carol on December 18th.
