Mexican American Cultural Center Celebrates Mexican Independence

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is poised to celebrate Mexican Independence with a music concert and gallery exhibit openings.

The celebration is scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 15, (the day before the actual date of commemoration) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Among the music featured will be a concert honoring Anthony Ortiz, Jr., an accordion instructor during summer camps at the MACC before his death of cancer last July when he was just 24 years old.

Entertainment will include the Roy Lozano Ballet Folklorico Dancers, the up-and-coming ranchera singer and recipient of the 2018 Awards of Excellence Emerging Artist Award, and Lesly Reynaga. Members of Ortiz's family also will be performing.

In addition, Mariachi Corbetas will be playing some of the late Anthony Ortiz Jr.’s favorite Mexican songs with a special performance by Eric Ortiz, the ten-year-old accordionist following in this late brother's footsteps. Juan Diaz will also be performing on accordion in the Black Box Theater from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Free parking will be available at the premises along with shuttle bus service from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sanchez Elementary and Martin Middle School. The MACC is located at 600 River St.

Flyer via City of Austin

Specially tailored art exhibits will further accentuate the occasion.

This year’s celebration will coincide with the opening reception for visual artist Peter Ortiz (cousin of the late Anthony Ortiz Jr), beginning at 7 p.m. in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery. The opening reception performances include a reunion show by the band Cerronato, with members Clemencia Zapata, Mike Maddock, Brad Taylor, and Javier Palacios. Jillian de la Rosa will also perform original songs, while Tammy Gomez will be presenting spoken poetry, and Yvette Mendez will be conducting a blessing of the space inspired by traditional indigenous practices.

La Yerba Buena by Peter Ortiz

The ESB-MACC will hold an opening reception for Peter Ortiz’s show, La Yerba Buena, on exhibit through Nov 25. This show features never-before-seen artwork including the work on paper Blue Jay Feather. Peter’s work is rooted in his upbringing in East Austin in the Montopolis neighborhood. His work is intimately tied to his culture and his surroundings and often features elements of nature and the environment intertwined with the human form in various shades of colors that invite the viewer to see the beauty in diversity.
“In my images or stories, I describe some as spiritual or earthly matters using people in not so ordinary colors to connect with all races, fish, water and plants. I try not to use contemporary elements or clothing in belief this keeps my work timeless”- Peter Ortiz.

Caminos Student Exhibit

Teenagers in the ESB-MACC’s Caminos program will present a collection of their artwork in the Community Gallery, located on the first floor of the ESB-MACC. This exhibit invites the viewer into the visual world of Austin’s youth, providing insight into the artistic process that students undergo in the Caminos program, which is a paid, year-long entrepreneurial internship program at the ESB-MACC.
Maya Outdoor Sculpture

The ESB-MACC will debut a public artwork, the limestone sculpture, Maya, by Reynaldo Alaniz. The piece was commissioned by TEMPO, the Austin Art in Public Places temporary public art program, in 2017. Maya is a hand-carved limestone sculpture that invites the viewer to consider the history of Mexico's indigenous past. Maya is a modern adaptation of a Chacmool that uses simplified lines and minimal detail to evoke the presence of the ancient figure while holding its own as a contemporary art piece.

Augmented Reality App for Smartphones
The City of Austin has partnered with Augzoo to provide an educational virtual reality tour experience. The Augzoo app allows visitors to the ESB-MACC to listen to inspirational speeches by former Austin mayor Gus Garcia. Smart phone users visiting the ESB-MACC can download the app to hear Garcia’s views on race, politics, and leadership.

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>>> Top image via City of Austin