Estimados,

September has begun, and we can almost hear the sounds of fall at ¡VivaFest! 2013: the warm tenor voice of Fernando de la Mora, the strumming guitars and lively syncopations of Grupo Mono Blanco, the delight of crowds having a blast at our many concerts, dance performances and parties. Come join our community and bring the whole family!

We're especially thrilled to welcome Fernando de la Mora and Grupo Mono Blanco as part of our autumn line-up, on Sept. 7 and Sept. 14, respectively. They're leading lights in their musical genres, both at home in Mexico and beyond, and we're providing a rare opportunity to see them perform here in the Bay Area.

In addition, we're excited to team up with our LGBT amigos to present Queerseañera, a September 6 evening of food, art, music, performance and community resources.

Stay tuned for our next newsletters, which will provide an in-depth look at our local artists, and our film series at The Tech Museum of Innovation.

Saludos,

Marcela

Meet the artists

Fernando de la Mora's operatic tenor has taken him all over the world, from the Metropolitan Opera in New York to the Teatro alla Scala in Milan to the Hanoi Opera House in Vietnam. He's sung the role of Pinkerton in "Madama Butterfly," Don José in "Carmen," the title role of Faust. On September 7, he'll be with us in San José. 

The tenor is passionate about his heritage, and in honor of ¡VivaFest!, his concert will honor his roots; the theme will be "The Romance of Mexico." Join us at SAP Center -- and enjoy this preview of his golden voice:

Fernando de la Mora performing "Jurame."

Grupo Mono Blanco, a multi-generational group of over 20 members, is bringing the Mexican folk musical style of Son Jarocho to town -- with a twist. The group's September 14 concert at the San Pedro Square Market is themed "Ireland Meets Mexico." 

If anyone can mix and mingle different sounds with flair, this group can. Besides being masters of performance, these talented musicians also teach workshops on traditional song, dance, guitar, violin and other instruments through their music school The House of Popular Music of Veracruz. Take a listen:

Grupo Mono Blanco performing in 2012.

¡VivaFest! Celebrates With LGBT Pride

Join us this Friday, September 6, 2013, for a very special community event celebrating and sharing common ground with our LGBT amigos:

Curated by Maribel Martinez, a leader in San Jose's LGBT community, this event will host a Latino celebration of community and culture created specifically to create a safe and fun place for our communities to get together to affirm our identity and common interests. Join us for an evening of music, dancing, great food and friendship!

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 National Endowment for the Arts, The TomKat Charitable Trust, The Hewlett Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Union Bank Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank, Mundo Fox, 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.