KYCC is hosting the El Mercadito Mágico Traditional Healing Arts Festival at MacArthur Park on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event will explore diverse healing practices from Koreatown, Westlake, and Pico-Union. KYCC’s Prevention Education, Recovery Services, and Koreatown Storytelling Program will welcome local healing artists to lead workshops in acupuncture, plant-based medicine, and bodywork. These artists represent culturally rooted practices, reflecting the traditions of our diverse community.
“Whether it’s acupuncture or home remedies, traditional healing arts carry a deep and rich history in our immigrant communities and continue to be integral to Los Angeles’s Koreatown,” says Katherine Kim, Program Director of the Koreatown Storytelling Program. “We hope this festival will be a place where these healing practices are not only celebrated but also more accessible to the wider community.”
KYCC Prevention Education Manager Melanie To adds, “Cultural traditions can play a vital role in healing from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.” As we partner with the KYCC outpatient clinic for those recovering from substance use disorders, Hiroko Makiyama, Recovery Services Manager, emphasizes how these practices are incorporated into personalized treatment plans.
The festival will feature a marketplace of local vendors and wellness businesses, with live interpretation in Spanish, Korean, and English. Workshop leaders include Meztli Projects, Dongguk University, Dr. Hong Tack Chung, Indigenous Circle of Wellness, and more. The event and our programs are funded and supported by the Office of Eunisses Hernandez, Los Angeles Council District 1, California Arts Council, California Humanities, Eisner Foundation, Sierra Health Foundation, ArtsHERE, Snap Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Dr. David Shorter, UCLA Professor of World Arts and Culture/Dance, will serve as the Humanities Advisor. Enjoy free food, live interpretation in Spanish, Korean, and English, and much more!
RSVP HERE to secure your spot!
KYCC is actively recruiting oral history narrators, including acupuncturists, herbalists, shamans, and traditional healers from our diverse ethnic communities. Please contact Katherine Kim at kkim@kyccla.org if interested in participating.
For more information, visit www.kyccla.org and for additional details, please contact Katherine Kim at kkim@kyccla.org (English/Korean) or Deisy Gutierrez at dgutierrez@kyccla.org (Spanish).
El Mercadito Mágico Schedule
9:00 a.m. - Community Mandala
Please bring fruit, flowers, or seeds as an ofrenda (offering) to the Tongva land where we are holding this ceremony. We will set a community intention and bring positivity and healing to MacArthur Park.
9:30 a.m. - Registration Opens
10:00 a.m. - Introduction and Traditional Aztec Dancers
KYCC FSC Coordinator Deisy Guttierez and Prevention Education Parent Councilmember Vanessa Hernandez will be guiding the audience through the day’s events. Aztec dancers will open the festival.
11:00 a.m. - Workshops Begin
12:00 p.m. - Lunch is served
3:45 p.m. - Raffle (Please complete survey to receive raffle ticket!)
4:00 p.m. - Closing Ceremony with Danza Tenochtitlán
These performers will guide the festival into a community Aztec dance to end our festivities.
Workshop and Demonstration Schedule
Our workshops are first-come, first serve, and are limited to 20 participants. Sign-up sheets will open at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event. We ask that participants limit to two (2) workshops, so that everyone has a chance to participate. We will have ASL, Korean and Spanish interpreters. If you require additional langauge assistance, please let us know when you RSVP!
AREA A
11:00 a.m. - Deisy Guttierez, KYCC FamilySourceCenter Coordinator and traditional healer, AlmitadeLUZ: “El llamado del ALMA/The Call of the SOUL”
Deisy Gutierrez is originally from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, and grew up immersed in the wisdom and ancestral medicine of her Zapotec community, learning from her grandmothers, aunts, and mother. Her journey into spirituality began in 2017 after participating in a three-month intensive transformation workshop. During this experience, Deisy felt an internal activation that led her to encounter various teachers who introduced her to different healing techniques, guiding her in her process of inner healing.
As she deepened her spirituality, Deisy realized that to create a healthy environment, it was essential to start with her own well-being. Thus, she has implemented the tools she has learned to heal herself and support others in their healing journeys.
Between 2022 and 2023, Deisy participated in a nine-module training program in Mount Shasta, California, titled "The Mastery of the SOUL," organized by the Mount Shasta Humano Luz Foundation. During a sacred naming ceremony, she received the name Maestra Amorshá. Following this, she completed a 15-day intensive certification in "The Anatomy of the SOUL International." Additionally, she underwent six months of training to become a comprehensive Alphabiotist, achieving the necessary 40 hours of practice for her graduation in December 2023.
Through her journey, Deisy has demonstrated a profound commitment to personal and collective healing, becoming a guide and healer within her community and beyond.
Deisy Gutierrez es originaria del estado de Oaxaca, México, y ha crecido inmersa en la sabiduría y medicina ancestral de su comunidad zapoteca, aprendiendo de sus abuelas, tías y madre. Su camino hacia la espiritualidad comenzó en 2017, tras participar en un taller intensivo de transformación de tres meses. Durante esta experiencia, Deisy sintió una activación interna que la llevó a encontrar maestros en su vida, quienes le presentaron diversas técnicas curativas que la han guiado en su proceso de sanación interna.
A medida que profundizaba en su espiritualidad, Deisy comprendió que para crear un entorno saludable era esencial comenzar con su propio bienestar. Así, ha implementado las herramientas que ha aprendido para autosanarse y para apoyar a otros en su propio proceso de sanación.
Entre 2022 y 2023, Deisy participó en un programa de capacitación de nueve módulos en Monte Shasta, California, titulado "La Maestría del ALMA", organizado por la Mount Shasta Humano Luz Foundation. Durante una ceremonia sagrada de nombramiento espiritual, recibió el nombre de Maestra Amorshá. Posteriormente, completó una certificación intensiva de 15 días en la "Anatomía del ALMA Internacional". Además, se formó durante seis meses para convertirse en Alphabiotista integral, alcanzando las 40 horas de práctica necesarias para su graduación en diciembre de 2023.
A través de su viaje, Deisy ha demostrado un compromiso profundo con la sanación personal y colectiva, convirtiéndose en una guía y sanadora en su comunidad y más allá.
12:00 p.m. - Dr. Hong Tack Chung, DATM, L.Ac., Dial.OM, Jujube Wellness: “Enhancing Daily Life with Acupuncture and Natural Remedies”
Dr. Chung is a distinguished faculty member at Dongguk University Los Angeles, where he specializes in psychology, East Asian diagnosis, sports injuries, and mindfulness. He holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine. Renowned for his innovative teaching methods and interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Chung integrates psychological principles with traditional East Asian medicine to promote holistic healing and mental well-being. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Hong Tack Chung, a visionary in bridging Eastern and Western medical practices. Dr. Chung will demonstrate and discuss the historical background and practices of acupuncture, moxibustion, and/or cupping.
1:00 p.m. - Kylee Jones, Indigenous Circle of Wellness: “Indigenous Approach to Mental Wellness”
Kylee Jones will present a workshop on Indigenous approaches to mental health. She is the Clinical Director and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Indigenous Circle of Wellness, a group private therapy practice owned and operated by Monique Castro (Diné/Xicana). She established the practice in 2017 in response to the need for more healing spaces and mental health providers supporting Black, Native/Indigenous, and People of Color.
2:00 p.m. - Edith Rincon, Mariposa Mistica Alternative Healing Services: “Curanderismo: Energy Clearings”
Edith is an Intuitive Energy Practitioner with over 20+ years of teaching experience in the public school system. I now teach alternative healing methods, mental well-being, and simple daily self-care rituals. My training and certifications include Reiki Levels 1 and 2, Crystal Healing, Curanderismo, and Yoga.
3:00 p.m. - Dr. David Delgado Shorter, UCLA Professor of World Arts and Cultures/Dance: “Botánicas and Community Wellness”
Dr. David Delgado Shorter is a professor at UCLA. He worked with an Indigenous community in Mexico for 25 years and his book about that work won a National Book Award. He teaches about healing across cultures at UCLA. His Archive of Healing is the largest publicly-available and searchable, collection of healing modalities on the Internet. He was not only raised by his great-grandmother who taught him her healing practices, but he has his own practice in the San Fernando Valley where he offers limpias, cartas, and energy assistance.
AREA B
11:00 a.m. - Joel Garcia, Meztli Projects: “Natural Dyes From Acorns & Oak Galls”
Join Meztli Projects to learn about the magical uses of oak trees, specifically the acorns and oak galls offered by this very important keystone species that has provided food and shelter for Indigenous communities. You will have an opportunity to create a custom cotton altar cloth.
Joel Garcia (Huichol) is an artist, arts administrator and cultural organizer with 20+ years of experience working locally and transnationally focusing on community-centered strategies. His approach is rooted in Indigenous-based forms of dialoguing and decision-making (non-hierarchical) that uplifts non-institutional expertise. Joel uses arts-based strategies such as printmaking, installations, creative action, and altar-making to raise awareness of issues facing underserved communities, youth, and other targeted populations. As a fellow of Monument Lab’s National Fellowship (’19) and current fellow (20-’21) of “Shaping the Past” a partnership between the Goethe-Institut, Monument Lab and the German Federal Agency for Civic Education he’s using altar-making as a means to create artistic programs to dialogue about memory and place. Currently, he's an Artist-In-Residence at the LA Cleantech Incubator. He’s the co-founder of Meztli Projects, an Indigenous-based arts & culture collaborative centering indigeneity into the creative practice of Los Angeles. He served as Co-Director at Self Help Graphics & Art (‘10-’18) a nationally acclaimed arts organization founded in 1972 which helped nurture Chicano Art and Dia de los Muertos.
1:00 p.m. - Stella Han, Yoga and Meditation Teacher: “Sound Bath”
Stella Han, MSW, is a yoga instructor with a passion for fostering wellness and self-discovery through yogic practices. Stella has been practicing yoga her whole adult life. Stella has accumulated 12 years of teaching experience. Stella blends traditional and modern forms in her classes; emphasizing healthy alignment, mindful movement, breath awareness, and meditation. Stella’s style seeks to radiate kindness and cultivate welcoming space for all levels. Stella will offer a sound bath meditation for the community.
2:00 p.m. - Blanca Rios, Essential Oils
Blanca Lucio has been living in South Los Angeles with her family for more than 20 years. She is originally from Puebla, Mexico, and is very proud to share a little of her homeland. She uses ancestral recipes passed down from her best teacher, her mother. Her recipes for oils, creams, soaps, candles and more are made with native, organic and natural plants including rosemary, lavender, sage, chamomile, and more. These plants can help you improve your mood and external health.
Mi nombre es Blanca Lucio y llevo más de 20 años viviendo en el sur de Los Ángeles con mi familia. Soy mamá y me considero una mujer trabajadora y resiliente. Siempre estoy buscando oportunidades tanto para mi familia como para mí. Una de las razones por las que me mantengo activa en diversas organizaciones es para aprender y desarrollar mis habilidades de liderazgo, lo que beneficia mi vida personal y me permite compartir con mi comunidad. Ser activa es esencial para nuestro bienestar, y construir conexiones con otras personas es una herramienta saludable para nuestro crecimiento personal. Soy originaria de Puebla, México, y estoy muy orgullosa de compartir un poco de mi tierra natal. Utilizo recetas ancestrales transmitidas por mi mejor maestra, mi mamá. Mis recetas de aceites, cremas, jabones, velas y más son elaboradas con plantas nativas, orgánicas y naturales.
3:00 p.m. - Sion Kim, Apiologist “Traditional Korean Bee Venom Healing”
Sion Kim (김석연) is a Korean beekeeping expert with extensive knowledge of traditional beekeeping methods and the healing properties of bee venom. Having practiced for many years, he is experienced in natural healing effects. His expertise includes caring for bees and using bee venom therapy, a practice valued in traditional medicine.
He is a retired pastor who made a living as a handyman. Now, he is busy gardening, raising chickens, and keeping bees. He became interested in apitherapy after experiencing healing from bee sting therapy. Initially, an acquaintance helped him get started with beekeeping, and after that, he read numerous books and resources on therapies related to bee products and learned to administer bee stings. He provides bee sting therapies to close families and friends who need or want them.
김석연 씨는 전통 양봉 방법과 봉독의 치유 특성에 대한 폭넓은 지식을 가진 한국 양봉 전문가입니다. 오랜 기간 동안 양봉을 해온 그는 자연 치유 효과에 대해 많은 경험을 가지고 있습니다. 그의 전문 지식은 벌을 돌보는 것뿐만 아니라 전통 의학에 해당되는 봉독 요법의 관한 활용 방법들도 포함됩니다.
그는 은퇴한 목사로, 현재는 핸디맨으로 생계를 이어가고 있습니다. 정원 가꾸기, 닭 키우기, 벌 양봉 등 다양한 활동으로 바쁜 일상을 보내고 있습니다. 봉침 치료를 통해 직접 치유 효과를 경험한 후, 양봉에 깊은 관심을 가지게 되었습니다. 처음에는 지인의 양봉 시작을 도우며 발을 들였고, 이후 벌 제품과 관련된 다양한 치료법을 공부하며 봉침 치료법에 대한 전문 지식을 쌓았습니다. 현재 그는 봉침 치료가 필요한 가까운 가족과 친구들에게 이 치료법을 제공하고 있습니다.
Vendors and Outreach Tables
UCLA Archive of Healing: The AOH is the largest publicly-available and searchable, collection of healing modalities on the Internet.
Blanca Lucio - Essential Oils
Diana Norman - Reiki Master
Dongguk University, Los Angeles: DULA offers an accredited Master of Science program in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, available in both English and Korean, as well as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine program.
Hajo Holistic: Dr. Hanjik Kim, D.O.M., LAc. is a Licensed Acupuncturist with over 25 years of experience in clinical practice and teaching. Han Jik Kim specializes in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and oriental medicine classic texts such as Shang Han Lun, Jin Gui Yao Lue, and Wen Bing Xue. He is a dedicated teacher who has trained countless students to pass their accreditation and license examination. Dr. Kim has authored and edited literature on oriental medicine and presented at numerous international conferences.
Indigenous Circle of Wellness: Indigenous Circle of Wellness, a group private therapy practice owned and operated by Monique Castro (Diné/Xicana). She established the practice in 2017 in response to the need for more healing spaces and mental health providers supporting Black, Native/Indigenous, and People of Color.
Jujube Wellness
Meztli Projects: Meztli Projects is an Indigenous-based arts & culture collaborative centering indigeneity into the creative practice of Los Angeles.
Sobador - Juan Torres 10-12; Edith Rincon 12-2; 3-4
Tara Natural Wellness
Vibe High Tribe Wellness: Chivas and Brenatuan Mays are the mother-daughter co-owners of Vibe High Tribe, which was opened in 2022 a small Black-owned business with a passion for natural healing remedies and nature. Vibe High Tribe specializes in essential oil crafting and smudge sticks, offering products that promote a healthy vibration for the mind, body, and spirit. We believe in presenting wellness to our community in a high vibration to connect with a tribe that resonates with everyone.
Zenluxe Element: Elevate your mind, body, and spirit with ZenLuxe Elementals. Offering a curated selection of spiritual cleansing tools, aura balancing products, and calming essentials to raise your vibrations. From energy-clearing smudge kits and manifestation jars & bath teas, to evil eye protection jewelry. ZenLuxe Elementals empowers you to cleanse your space and center your soul. Feel the energy, live the vibe.
INFORMATION FOR VENDORS
INFORMATION FOR WORKSHOP LEADERS
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