¡VivaFest! inaugurates a new speakers series about the Latino experience in our community

Estimados,

Did you ever wonder how Cinco de Mayo became an unofficial US holiday? Or how it feels to travel hundreds of miles in search of family? Are you interested in a career in the media? Have you ever followed that place where music takes you?

These questions and more are the topics of our new speakers series, "VivaTalks!" which inaugurates the 2013 ¡VivaFest! season. You'll meet National Book Critics nominee Reyna Grande, violin maestro Andrés Cardenés, historian Dr. Humberto Morales, author and former military pilot Graciela Tiscareño-Sato and Bay Area communications executives who run media strategy for the region's top broadcast, print and consumer retail companies. We've invited them to a month-long series of conversation, insight and storytelling designed to illuminate the Latino experience in our community. So join us and get in on all the news that's fit to discuss -- the series is free to the public. View our schedule. 

We are also delighted to announce our new partnership with the San José Consulate of Mexico! For the last several months our ¡VivaFest! team has joined consular staff in a new "imagineering" of the festival and its programs. Together we designed a season of events that informs, celebrates and examines our shared heritage with the cultural experience of both sides of the border. You'll be hearing more about our fabulous fall events and new creative partnerships in our next newsletter!

Saludos,

Marcela

Michoacan selection from the "Alma de Mexico" folklorico concert in February, featuring Los Lupeños de San José.

Sones Jarochos selection from the "Alma de Mexico" performance featuring Los Lupeños de San José.

An excerpt from a dance selection, "Jalisco," performed at "Alma de Mexico" by Los Lupeños de San José.

Funding for the Mexican Heritage Corporation and its programs such as ¡VivaFest! and Los Lupeños de San José is provided in part through: a grant from the Office of Cultural Affairs of the City of San José, and from The San José Arena Authority, The TomKat Charitable Trust, The Hewlett Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Union Bank Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank, Kaiser Permanente, earned revenue from ¡VivaFest! and from readers like YOU. THANK YOU. To learn more about all of our generous donors please visit www.vivafest.org/sponsors.