The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will present “Nuestras Voces: Stories of Resilience,” an original, multidisciplinary production, at the UT San Antonio Downtown campus’ Buena Vista Theatre on Sept. 20. It highlights five of San Antonio’s most influential activists and Mexican American leaders: Lydia Mendoza, Emma Tenayuca, Americo Paredes, Willie Velasquez and Jovita Idar. The show follows these pioneers in chronological order as they pave the way for change in Texas.
Education Director and Cast Member Belinda Menchaca explained how the five activists were selected.
“We just felt very strongly about their Texas origins, the fact that we could somehow demonstrate and bring their life to stage through dance, and then just Mexican-American leaders that people can relate to and that would inspire,” Menchaca said. “We feel like their stories inspired us, and we want to inspire our community as well.”
Mexican-American history in Texas has always been a major theme for the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. UT San Antonio, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, serves as the perfect setting for this production. It benefits from these stories of representation and strength in Mexican-American culture.
In its 34 years, the Guadalupe Dance Company has made significant efforts through their art to amplify Mexican-American voices with original works by the team. The company blends different dance styles together, based in folklorico with touches of contemporary dance throughout their choreographies. Audiences learn forgotten histories of the Mexican-American pioneers through dance and music.
“Our first major production was in 1994, and it was called Rio Bravo,” Menchaca recalled. “It was a chronology of music and dance of the South Texas border with Mexico, and so it’s a chronology of very primitive dance all the way to Tejano dance.”
“Nuestras Voces” will feature students of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s dance company, accompanied by live musicians from Mariachi Azteca de America to deliver a powerful performance about the struggles of prominent women in Mexican-American history.
A 15% off discount is available for students with general admission tickets only through show time on Sept. 20. Use the education discount code “NVEDU” at checkout.
“Nuestras Voces” is open for one night only on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The production will take place in the Buena Vista Theatre at UT San Antonio’s Downtown Campus located at 501 W César E. Chávez Blvd.
