VIVA MEXICO - EL PASO

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

"VIVA MEXICO!" IS PRESENTED BY MEXICO VIVE SHOWCASE INCORPORATED. ~A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION~

"VIVA MEXICO!” is an original historical musical production performed predominantly by local volunteer dance artists, actors, and singers as an interpretation of the culture and history. It chronicles almost 500 years of Mexico’s history through significant vignettes of song, dance and music that allow the audience to become one with the rich history and at the same time, peer into the very soul of what is means to be of Mexican descent. From the moment the curtain opens for the first act, the audience is drawn to participate in a historical tour that presents the lively pre-Columbian music and dance of the Aztecs; honors the Virgin of Guadalupe through the rhythmic drum and dance of Matlachin dancers, witnesses the gradual birth of Mexican nationalism and consequent conflict with Spain, as symbolized by powerful Flamenco dancers, and relives the climaxing cry for independence ending the first act. The second act mesmerizes the audience with it nostalgic and energetic music and dance, as Mexico searches for its identity, leading it to independence and revolution. The production culminated with an inspiring rendition of the song, “VIVA MEXICO!” “VIVA MEXICO!” provides an interpretation of life, culture and history. With each new era, the people, the customs, and the music of the time tell a story of the hardships, the battles and the love of the land. “VIVA MEXICO!” provides and educational lesson in Mexican history through original song, traditional costumes and authentic scenery. It will give a lesson of individuals and events that have helped shape present day Mexico. History is brought to life.

“VIVA MEXICO!” is a significant production whose MISSION is two fold, chiefly, to re-introduce the richness of Mexican cultural roots to the Southwestern region’s Mexican-American youth, and secondly, to reveal the diversity of Mexican culture to other ethnic and cultural groups living in or visiting the region. In both cases, the production successfully embraces Mexican culture and may expand its goals to a lager audience. Because of the amalgamation of history interwoven in the music and dance of the production, the audience is engaged in its development as can happen only through a musical. The unique blending of acting, music, and dance, serve to educate and entertain the audience at the same time. Adding to the original historical research done by the director and producer, the production requires a great degree of interdisciplinary collaboration, beginning with the attempt at presenting veraciously historic dates, personalities, and occurrences, interspersed with accurate period dress, music, and dance, and ending with the cooperation required between:

Matlachin
Folklorico
Flamenco
Prehistoric
Mariachi

This creation is a result of the direct partnership between the producer and presenter, Ms. Malena Cano, who is a Renown folkloric singer artist inducted into the Smithsonian Institute’s National Archives by Texas Folk Life Resources, and Ms. Magda Garcia, a noted playwright and musical composer. Their ability to affiliate with local artistic leaders has led to a production combining numerous original musical compositions and dance choreography with traditional ones. The result is a rousing musical production that fuses different artistic disciplines in one.

The ultimate mission of “VIVA MEXICO! ” is:

To provide Fine Arts Scholarships for traditional and non-traditional students
Assist financially, people in the Community with Special Needs, i.e., terminally ill patients, people with disabilities, people in distress, etc...
Given to opportunity, to travel with the production throughout the United States

“VIVA MEXICO!” features internationally renown singer Malena Cano, “La Perla”, up and coming singers, a Chorale group, Teatro de El Paso Director Carlos E. Ayub, flamenco dance choreography by Ms. Monica Hernandez, and folklorico dance choreography by Prof. Arturo Guerrero.

The 12th annual “VIVA MEXICO!” will take place on SEPTEMBER 18, 19 and 20, 2009. It is planned to take place at Chamizal National Memorial Theater, 800 S. San Marcial.

“VIVA MEXICO! ” offers an unprecedented opportunity for corporate sponsors to reach families and music lovers from the El Paso and Juarez area, and to gain visibility in the community. Corporate sponsors of this event will also align themselves with other supporters of Hispanic art.

“VIVA MEXICO!” had been years in the planning. With the enthusiasm and cooperation of many visionaries like themselves, Malena Cano and Magda Garcia (r.i.p) finally brought to life, in the form of music, their long awaited dream. It is their wish and goal to enhance our culture’s historical knowledge and comprehension of the reasons for our celebrations and traditions throughout the year. . “VIVA MEXICO!” will walk the annals of Mexico’s history through chronologically staged events, beginning with the conquest of the Aztec Empire by Spain, through our modern day cultural achievements. Each costume change (and there are 7) scenery and music will take the audience from one era to the next and will musically portray the influence of cultures left by Mexico’s government. The first “VIVA MEXICO” took place in September and November, 1995 and has become an eagerly awaited event in the El Paso area in September.

The primary target audience for “VIVA MEXICO! ” is men and women 35-65. The secondary target is children Audience capacity in the Chamizal National Memorial Theater is 477 per performance. Headliner Malena Cano, “La Perla” has performed her annual concerts to “sell out houses in the theater since 1991. In addition, the cast consists of more than 60 members, from ages 8 months to 72 years of age.

“VIVA MEXICO!” was planned for September to coincide with El Paso’s Hispanic Month, and Mexico’s celebration of Independence from Spain. The Celebration of Independence, as well as the historical factors which led to it, is depicted in this historical production.