Gather, learn, give, and celebrate with us! 🎉
This fall, join us for Mi Oaxaca’s Gala-Guetza, a gathering taking place at the close of Hispanic Heritage Month. While the broader month often uplifts Latine stories, our Gala-Guetza shines a light on the often-overlooked existence and contributions of Indigenous peoples of Oaxaca within and beyond the diaspora.
Why Gala-Guetza?
Our Gala-Guetza is inspired by the spirit of Guelaguetza—a Zapotec practice that embodies Indigenous lifeways and worldviews through the exchange of gifts, services, and care. For centuries, it has been a celebration of reciprocity, mutual support, and communal joy. Carrying that spirit forward, we invite you to gather, give, and celebrate with us as we honor tradition while welcoming new beginnings.
A Celebration of Milestones
We’re thrilled to celebrate two big moments with you:
Our new 501(c)(3) designation—marking an important chapter of growth that strengthens Mi Oaxaca’s ability to sustain programs and amplify Indigenous voices across borders.
The first public sharing of our Community-Based Research Project, launched in fall 2023. Using a decolonial approach, we’ve listened to Oaxaqueñ@/x in Oaxaca and in the diaspora to gather stories about identity, belonging, migration, foodways, and the effects of the mezcal boom on Indigenous communities. Now, we get to share these findings with you through an exhibit-style format that immerses you in lived experience and collective memory.
What to Expect
An exhibit-style environment featuring stories, interviews, and perspectives from our research
Mezcales to sip on and Oaxacan bites
A silent auction and mini-mercado—all supporting Mi Oaxaca’s growth and future projects
A celebration that brings together Oaxaqueñ@/x, allies, and friends in solidarity and community
How You Can Support
Come ready to learn, celebrate, and co-create Mi Oaxaca’s next chapter. Whether you attend, bid in the auction, bring friends, contribute to our campaign, or simply share our event with your networks—you’re helping sustain our purpose of making visible Indigenous and Native Oaxacan people’s cultural and culinary contributions.
Gala-Guezta vendor spotlight
SOLURO 1610 Mezcal
Founder of SOLURO 1610, Luis Humberto Lopez, was born and raised in San Dionisio Ocotepec, a small village located in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. He is a descendant of the Zapotec civilization and is a 3rd generation mezcalero, speaking Zapoteco, Spanish, and English. Luis Humberto currently resides in Los Angeles, promoting his mezcal and sharing its history. Luis came up with the name SOLURO 1610 by combining the first two letters of his and his parent's names, Sofia, Luis, and Roberto, as well as the year his village was founded. Learn and taste his three mezcal expressions, espadin, madrecuish, and tobala at Gala-Guetza!
The history of Tr3s Tiempos mezcal begins five generations back in San Luis Amatlán, in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca. They were born as a cooperative of people committed to preserving traditions, culture, and the purity of mezcal so that lovers of the drink can acquire it directly from the producers. Tr3s Tiempos promotes equity in trade, dignified working conditions, and care for all of the families who are involved in the process of making mezcal. Tr3s Tiempos’ production methods pay tribute to the excellence of the artisanal method that has been transmitted through generations. Taste some mezcales with maguey that are endemic to the Sierra Sur region.
Located in the Mission District of San Francisco, Cafe de Olla is immigrant & LGBTQ+ owned and operated. They offer affordable, high-quality Oaxacan cuisine to their community. We’re proud to serve food by a local food business at the event! There’ll be tamales–Oaxacan style!