‘Taller the Hat Closer to Heaven’ documentary showcases bailes in Picolandia

A short documentary gives a snapshot of the dancing life at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena and the young people who attend to find friendship and love. 

James Pearson-Howes directed the short doc called “Taller the Hat, Closer to Heaven,” an expression overheard as people dressed in boots, jeans and hats line up to enter the rodeo. 

Norteño music blasts as bodies get close and dance to the rhythm of the tambora and horn section. 

The arena, or Picolandia as it is also known, usually features bandas, norteños and tamborazos every weekend or at least once a month. 

Pearson-Howes structured the film around the main characters getting ready, Dalia, Richy and Junior.  “It makes me feel free,” Dalia talks about dancing. “It takes all my stress away. It’s therapy.” Richy is a Black young man from South Central who fell in love with the bailes at Pico. We also follow Junior as he gets his hair ready before the baile. 

“At least once a month, East L.A. venue Pico attracts countless young Angelinos in search of love and fun; they come in droves, dressed to the nines and itching to move their bodies,” the documentary’s site states. 

The video features men and women dancing, as well as men dancing together. 

“I was amazed to see this new generation picking up this tradition. It’s queer-friendly, the doors are open to all people,” Pearson-Howes said, who became interested in the community of young people who participated in the venue’s bailes each month. “I thought it was a really cool thing—the antithesis of western cowboy stuff, which is all bravado.”

He shot “Taller the Hat Closer to Heaven” in two days, with minimal equipment.

The short is available to stream through We Present, a project from WeTransfer.