This article has been updated.
San Antonio is gearing up to celebrate its close ties to Mexico with a slate of events themed around Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16 and lasting throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.
Collectively called Fiestas Patrias in honor of the Mexican motherland, events kick off Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at Milam Park with El Grito, a ceremony commemorating Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s midnight war cry of “¡Viva México!” that sparked the drive for the country’s independence from colonial Spain. Mariachi Azteca de America and the Guadalupe Dance Company will entertain before the 8 p.m. commemoration.
At dusk, the Mission Marquee Plaza will screen La Bamba for its free family movie series. The 1987 movie chronicles the rise of Ritchie Valens as the first Latino rock ’n’ roll star.
Music and dance play significant roles in Fiestas Patrias events, with multiple mariachi and folklorico events, and celebrations of modern music by AM Project DJs and the festival-closing Oct. 15 Fiesta Alegria broadcast presented by the Avenida Guadalupe Association.
The association’s president Gabriel Quintero Velasquez grew up DJing, inspired by the rich local history of Latino disc jockeys in San Antonio.
For example, Velasquez said, “the whole disco era was mobilized by Latino DJs — Disco Al, Disco Pete, Tito — all these names that were behind this movement” locally and far beyond.
“We want to make sure that when we’re looking at Hispanic heritage, that we also understand that this is a global phenomenon,” he said. “We’re part of the greater whole.”
And although Fiestas Patrias events focus on Mexican identity and heritage, “It’s a celebration of all of us because we all influence each other,” Velasquez said.
The association will present its 41st annual Dieciséis de Septiembre parade on Sept. 17, kicking off at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Guadalupe and Brazos streets on the near West Side. Labor leader Sam Tabet Alvarado will serve as parade grand marshal.
Market Square will come alive Sept. 17-18 for El Grito weekend, with music on multiple stages and artisan vendors.
The San Antonio Charro Association will host a 16 de Septiembre Charreada at its Padre Drive home, featuring an Escaramuza girls drill team performance.
The Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival takes place Sept. 24 at the Arneson River Theater, and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will present Celebrando Tradiciones on Oct. 8 with mariachi and folklorico, and Viva Mi Cultura on Oct. 12, a participatory learning experience centered on the dance, costumes and music of folklorico.
Other organizations joining the celebration include the Magik Theatre and the Estancia del Norte hotel, which join together for Celebrar Unidos on Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., with DJs from the AM Project and a special performance of “Selena Maria Sings” by the children’s theater.
A full list of city-sponsored events is available on the City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture website.
Estancia del Norte
The Estancia del Norte hotel and event center follows with weeks of culinary programming, dance events and a lotería family game night Oct. 14 called by Consul General of México Rubén Minutti-Zanatta and mayoral first lady Erika Prosper.
The Pearl
The Pearl begins its celebration of Mexican Independence Day with Viva Dieciséis on Sept. 16, a free evening of events including multiple mariachi performances throughout the grounds, stilt walkers from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, and lotería games.
Restaurants and retailers including Dos Carolinas, Feliz Modern Pop, and Tex Mex Dance Party will join in with Latin-themed food specials and sales on clothing, art and artisan goods.
Other participants include the Dakota Ice House with the Thank You, Xicanext poetry and spoken word performance Sept. 18, and the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute with online presentations Sept. 22 on Chicana feminism and politics. On Oct. 8, Trinity University will hold a free daylong symposium starting at 9 a.m. with expert panelists presenting the history and living heritage of folklorico dance.
UNAM
Deep inside Hemisfair resides the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, otherwise known as UNAM. To celebrate Mexican independence, UNAM hosts the free Una Fiesta del 16 de Septiembre Sept. 15-17 with activities for all ages including a Spanish Language Book Fair, and presentations on folklore, literature, and culinary arts.
Photographer Joel Salcido will give a presentation — mostly in Spanish — on the inspirited subject of his 2017 book The Spirit of Tequila in the UNAM Auditorium Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.
Palo Alto College
To celebrate Latinx Heritage Month and honor the indigenous heritages of South Texas, Palo Alto College has prepared a full slate of events.
Kicking off with an opening ceremony featuring musician, activist and former Palo Alto professor Juan Tejeda Sept. 15, the festivities continue throughout the month with an art exhibition on view through Oct. 15 at Concho Hall, keynote speakers John Quiñones and Julissa Arce, and a discussion on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Movement.
For a full schedule of events, visit the Palo Alto College website.
