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¡VivaFest! Begins This Weekend!   

Full Schedule of Events Below


Hola VivaFesters!

 

The time we've all been waiting for is finally here! ¡VivaFest! 2012 kicks off this weekend with the presentation of Rick Najera's indie film, Taco Shop, at 7pm Saturday evening -- that's tonight! This is just the first in a fabulous series of film, concerts, and other events that are sure to make this year's festival one of the best ever!

 

We've planned such a wealth of exciting, entertaining cultural activities that, even for me, the list of dates and events is almost too much to keep track of. But don't worry... You'll find a full schedule of festival events below, with links to help you find tickets and more information. Now is the time to plan your festival attendance, mark your calendars, and purchase those tickets! 

 

Also, read on to learn about two unique dining events at this year's festival -- sumptuous meals to delight even the most adventurous foodies among you.  

   

[ Image from Isaac Artenstein's documentary, 'Tijuana Jews' ] But first, a little update on our film series.  

 

I'm thrilled to announce that Isaac Artenstein, producer of the hit comedy A Day Without A Mexican and director of the documentary Tijuana Jews, will be with us for an in-person Q&A after our screening of Tijuana Jews on September 12. Joining him, from Nogales, Arizona, will be border expert and historian Axel Holm. Mr. Holm comes from a pioneer border family and will be sharing his insights on border life ayer y hoy (yesterday and today). They will also be joined by southwest troubadours Michael Ronstadt and Ronstadt Generations, who will perform before the screening and join in the discussion afterwards. (Read more from Isaac Artenstein and Axel Holm.) 

 

I also want to remind you that the filmmakers who created Mosquita y Mari, an Official Selection at this year's Sundance Film Festival, will be present at the screening on September 19, which will be held at SJSU's Morris Dailey Auditorium. For more about Mosquita y Mari, and about all the other films in this year's series, check out our previous newsletter

 

Stay tuned for details about other ¡VivaFest! events in upcoming newsletters. In the meantime, I hope to see you at The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater at The Tech Museum this week for the screenings of some fantastic films, as ¡VivaFest! 2012 begins! 

 

Marcela Davison Avilés
President and CEO
Mexican Heritage Corporation
mdaviles@mhcviva.org  

 

 

Food:Foodie Events at the Festival    

Explore Mexican Culture through Food 

 

[ Image of traditional Mexican foods ]Around the world, culture and cuisine go hand in hand. So it's only natural, for this year's festival, that we will be exploring the culture and history of Mexico through food. We've planned two unique events that will delight your taste buds while engaging your mind.

 

20th anniversary Como Agua Para Chocolate dinner

 

20 years ago, the movie Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) enthralled audiences with the tale of a young woman who discovers that her cooking has magical effects. On Saturday, September 15, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of this beloved film with a six course meal, featuring all of the recipes from Laura Esquivel's best-selling novel Como Agua Para Chocolate (the basis for the movie). Join us for an incredible dining experience, and find out if these recipes really do have magic! (More info

 

Maya Calendar Revealed, featuring foods of the Maya 

 

It's 2012, and everyone is talking about the Maya calendar. But the true story of this calendar is not a tale of apocalypse. It is a story of tradition, endurance, and heritage. Join us at The Tech Museum's New Venture Hall for a screening of the short documentary 2012: The Beginning, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker, an astronomer, a Maya elder from Guatemala, and others. This special event will be capped off with a multi-course dinner, featuring traditional foods of Mexico's Yucatán region, dating from before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Delve into turkey with kol and recado, tropical fruits and vegetables, and other tantalizing dishes. (More info)  

 

 

Schedule:¡VivaFest! Schedule of Events    

   

Here's a full run-down of all the fabulous events that make up ¡VivaFest! 2012 -- more than two weeks of music, movies, food, and culture! Stay tuned to future newsletters for full details about the Outdoor Feria and the California History Walking Tours, or simply click on over to the ¡VivaFest! website to learn more. 

 

Saturday, September 8

Film Series -- Taco Shop

The Tech Museum, 7pm (Info | Tickets)

 

Monday, September 10

Film Series -- Mexican Movie Night (in Spanish)

The Tech Museum, 7pm (Info | Tickets)

 

Wednesday, September 12

Film Series -- Tijuana Jews

The Tech Museum, 8pm (Info | Tickets)

 

Thursday, September 13

Film Series -- The Weight of the Nation

The Tech Museum, 7pm (Info | Tickets)

 

Festival Music & Dance Workshops Begin

The Tech Museum & The Fairmont Hotel (Info | Register Online)

 

Student Showcase Concert

Theatre on San Pedro Square, 8pm

 

Friday, September 14

Film Series -- 20th anniversary screening: Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate)

The Tech Museum, 7pm (Info | Tickets)

 

Saturday, September 15

Film Series -- The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz 

The Tech Museum, 7pm (Info | Tickets)

 

Foodie Event -- 20th Anniversary Como Agua Para Chocolate Dinner

Adobe Lodge at Santa Clara Mission (Info | Tickets)

 

Sunday, September 16

Mariachi Mass

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, 10am (Info)

 

FREE Family Event -- Outdoor Feria del Mariachi

HP Pavilion Arena Green, 11am-7pm (Info)

 

Concert -- Domingo Gigante (Super Sunday: A Night of Stars)

HP Pavilion, 7pm (Info | Tickets)

 

Wednesday, September 19

Film Series -- Mosquita y Mari

Morris Daily Auditorium at SJSU, 7pm (Info | Tickets

 

Friday, September 21

California History Walking Tour -- Adobe to Adobe: A Walk Through History in Downtown San José

Meet at San Pedro Square Market, 6:30pm (Info)

 

Saturday, September 22

California History Walking Tour -- Adobe to Adobe: A Walk Through History in Downtown San José

Meet at San Pedro Square Market, 10:30am (Info)

 

California History Walking Tour -- Arte en el Parque: Latino Art, Murals & Architecture

Meet at Fairmont San José lobby, 1:30pm (Info)

 

Sunday, September 23

California History Walking Tour -- Arte en el Parque: Latino Art, Murals & Architecture

Meet at Fairmont San José lobby, 10:30am (Info)

 

California History Walking Tour -- Adobe to Adobe: A Walk Through History in Downtown San José

Meet at San Pedro Square Market, 1:30pm (Info)

 

California History Walking Tour -- Catholic History of Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe

Meet at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joséph, 3pm & 4pm (Info)

 

Sunday, September 30

Foodie Event & Movie -- Maya Calendar Revealed

The Tech Museum, New Venture Hall, 2pm (Info | Tickets)

 

 

 

Tickets:Get Your Tickets Now for Domingo Gigante (Super Sunday)  

 

Join us for an unprecedented evening of entertainment, featuring the top stars of Latin music, together on one stage -- Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Lila Downs, Ozomatli, and the legendary Paquita la Del Barrio -- plus special appearances by Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and our very own Los Lupeños de San José!

 

What: ¡VivaFest! presents Domingo Gigante, Una Noche de Estrellas (Super Sunday, A Cavalcade of Stars)
Where: HP Pavilion Arena
When: Sunday September 16, 2012
Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster or the HP Pavilion box office


 [ VivaFest presents Domingo Gigante, Sept. 16, 2012. Click for tickets! ] 

   


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About Mexican Heritage Corporation
The mission of the Mexican Heritage Corporation is to affirm, celebrate, and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Mexican Community and showcase multicultural arts within the region. Visit the art and soul of Silicon Valley -- the Mexican Heritage Plaza -- surrounded by the historic Mayfair and Alum Rock neighborhoods, two of the oldest Latino communities in San José.
 


Mexican Heritage Corporation 
Marcela Davison Avilés
President and CEO
More Information: 877-MHC-VIVA