Local cultural center La Raza Galeria Posada has just received a grant for $15,000 to promote musical events in Sacramento.

The grant came from the California Arts Council, and was the only grant awarded to an organization in Sacramento County. 43 other non-profit groups from 39 California counties were selected from more than 160 applicants.

La Raza Executive Director Marie Acosta said in a press release, "This is a wonderful boost for both La Raza and for Sacramento music fans. And, it comes right on the heels of La Raza being awarded the 2009 Arts Management Excellence Award from the Arts & Business Council of Sacramento."

La Raza Galeria Posada is a multi-disciplinary cultural center located at 1022-1024 22nd St. between J & K streets in Midtown. It stages Latino/Chicano and Native American arts exhibitions, art education programs, and workshops. The Galleria's current exhibition is The Larry Hoover Collection of Mexican Ritual Masks, which is on display through November.

The funds came from a settlement from a 2003 anti-trust suit against five of the country's largest CD distributors and three national retail chains for fixing prices on music CDs. The settlement gave 665,000 CDs worth $9 million to public schools, colleges and libraries. California consumers who filed claims got $13.86 each, and the leftover money, $549,000, was divided up between arts organizations who applied. 

La Raza will spend its $15,000 on a planned May 2010 concert called "Song for Cesar," a concert in honor of Cesar Chavez. Headlining the show will be Latin rock supergroup called The Voices of Latin Rock, featuring largely-local players from classic rock bands Santana, Malo, Tower Of Power, Journey, and Sly and The Family Stone.