Hola Hola.
Sorry it's been a while. Have been a bit busy with the family, renovating a bedroom in the house into an office, helping out with the family business and develpoing some investments. Also, the job hunt is keeping me at bay. I also got to attend La Ley concert last, last Saturday and a free Aleks Syntek concert in Matamoros this past Thursday. They both were AWESOME AWESOME shows. Ely Guerra and Control Machete also came to McAllen with Cafe Tacuba this past Saturday but I disappointingly missed that show. The thought of it makes me want to hit my head on the wall but I was busy putting a wood floor into the new office and it was butt-kicking work. If you have ever tried to put in illaminated wood floor, then you must know what I am talking about. The Kumbia Kings were also in town this Saturday.

So what I know about art events:

The Cuatro del Valle show is still up at the Narciso Martinez Center in San Benito. The opening reception was good and I was able to get my books signed by all four artists. Go check it out because the pieces are very well composed and each reflects a personal style that contributes and derives from the Chicano experience in the Rio Grande Valley. Xavier Garza's painting style struck me most because it reminded me of another artist, Verdirosi, whose exhibtion I went to in Orvieto, Italy. Their scenes are narrative and figuratively stylized like a cartoon, which casts a lighter tone to their paintings. It would have been awesome if they could also have sold some prints at the show.

I also briefly read about an art exhibition at Imagenes Studio at Paseo Plaza which is located on FM801 past Bennigans.

The musical "Hair!" will be playing at the Camille Lightner Playhouse. Their website is located on the links list so check it out for more info.

Okay, gotta go. Sorry I am a bit dried up in info and out of loop. I will try to juice it up more next posting. TTFN!

There is an art opening occuring this upcoming Saturday at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center. Here are some links to sites about the artists so you can have a sneak preview as to what you may encounter at the show.

I plan to go but I may not be able to because my Dad wants to take a quickie trip to Puebla all of sudden. But if I do go, count on a whole review of the event to be posted.

Another detail I thought I should point out, but I was only able to find one link about artist Celina Hinojosa. I found a whole lot more info for the male artists....hmmmm. Not that I want to start pointing a feminist finger, because one of the most prominent Chicano artists is a woman. All of a sudden, I just became more interested in looking into the Valley art scene concerning women. This may not even be an issue of gender but more of lack of technological access. But who knows what one may find out. :::wheels turning in head:::

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sat. July 10th, 6:00 pm - "Cuatro del Valle" group art show
Xavier Garza:
http://www.gallista.com/garza
http://www.lapena-austin.org/english/events/xaviergarza.html
Celina Hinojosa:
http://latinoartcommunity.org/community/ChicArt/ArtistDir/CelHin.html
Luis Valderas:
http://latinoartcommunity.org/community/2004AILAF/Auction/lotpages/LuiVal.html
http://latinoartcommunity.org/community/2004AILAF/Auction/lotpages/LuiValLosTres.html
http://www.panam.edu/news/index.cfm?newsid=2312&curtype=release&curbar=news
Carlos Gomez:
http://blue.utb.edu/cgomez/New%20Gomez%20site.html
http://www.nuevosantander.com/gomez.htm

Opening reception and book signing of Chicano Art for our Millennium.
http://www.asu.edu/brp/newandforthcoming/MillBook.html

Book reading by Xavier Garza - Creepy Creatures and other Cucuys.
http://latinoartcommunity.org/community/OnlineCom/Events/2004-Events/2004-March.html

YAY!
I got the links up! If anyone has a link they would like to be added let me know.
Email me by clicking here.

I am interested in posting links to sites about valley artists, arts and culture organizations, etc...
If your site has something of interest to Brownsville or the Rio Grande Valley/Rio Bravo Frontera Region or if you are a Brownsville/Frontera native who has a site or weblog you want to share, then let me know!

***Links will be posted with discretion. The Art of Brownsville WILL NOT post links to web pages that discriminate regarding race, ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, language or native tongue, sex, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.

I know the red-tape is a downer, but for the most part this blog will remain an inclusive forum where all people can feel comfortable to get a cultural fix. That doesn't mean that there will be no room for discussion and commentary. If there is one thing that I strongly believe about art is in its ability to allow artists and its audience a forum upon which to create discussion and evaluation, and for the most part it is an inclusive medium that allows all sorts of perspectives, conclusions and analysis upon it. What is also so great about art is that you can change your mind about it later if you want, which won't usually come back to bite you.

For example, I was reading the commentary section in today's Brownsville Herald editorial page and was pleased with the replies people sent in concern to a viewpoint entry about a certain liberal columnist from the New York Times. So far, the Herald has not posted the replies online but from what I can recall, there were two replies commending the Herald for providing the public with columns from different points of view. In my opinion, I don't think there can ever be a political comment without a biased perspective. It's the ugly game of political public relations. So in awareness of this, I would better appreciate an editorial forum that can provide me with as many different perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum, thus allowing me to make my own decision as to what I want to believe. That people, is the beauty of democracy, that is freedom...give me the beautiful and the bad, the Michael Moores and Rush Limbaughs, The Herald and El Rocinante, The New York Times and The Washington Post, the Renaissance Art and the Avant Garde! I am sounding like a Walt Whitman knock-off. ::chuckle::

So on the topic of Renaissance Art, here is another more controversial example of appreciated democracy that just knocked my shoes this week. Dan Brown's novel The DaVinci Code generated an incredible amount of response among the religous community and public for the controversial theories it reveals in concern to the origins of organized Judeo-Christian religion. Here is a snippet from an interview on the Da Vinci Code website:

"THE TOPIC OF THIS NOVEL MIGHT BE CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL. DO YOU FEAR REPERCUSSIONS?
I can't imagine why. As I mentioned earlier, the theory I reveal is one that has been whispered for centuries. It is not my own. Admittedly, this may be the first time the theory has been unveiled within the format of a popular thriller, but the information is anything but new. My sincere hope is that The Da Vinci Code, in addition to entertaining people, will serve as an open door for readers to begin their own explorations.

HAS ANYONE IN ORGANIZED RELIGION COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF YOUR NOVEL?
Yes, many people in organized religion have come out in support of this novel, and, of course, many have come out in opposition as well. The opposition generally comes from the strictest Christian thinkers who feel the idea of a "married Jesus" serves to undermine His divinity. While I don't agree with this interpretation, this is immaterial because the dialogue itself is a deeply empowering and positive force for everyone involved. Suddenly, enormous numbers of people are passionately debating important philosophical topics, and regardless of the personal conclusions that each of us draws, the debate can only help to strengthen our understanding of our own faith. Much of the positive response I get from within organized religion comes from nuns (who write to thank me for pointing out that they have sacrificed their entire lives to the Church and are still considered "unfit" to serve behind the altar). I have also heard from hundreds of enthusiastic priests. While many of them disagree with some of the ideas in the novel, they are thrilled that their parishioners are eager to discuss religion. Father John Sewell of St. John's Episcopal Church in Memphis stated it particularly eloquently in the press recently, saying: "This [novel] is not a threat. This is an opportunity. We are called to creatively engage the culture and this is what I want to do. I think Dan Brown has done me a favor. He's letting me talk about things that matter."

So here you have two people from the opposite sides of a spectrum (Dan Brown and Father John Sewell), agreeing that the benefits of disagreement are more good than bad. They see opposition not as a threat or detrimental, but as opportunity for exploration, evaluation and spiritual growth. How awesome is that! To balance my excerpt from Dan Brown's interview, here is a response to the DaVinci Code by Opus Dei, a catholic organization that is addressed in the novel quite extensively.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So in short my point is, The Art of Brownsville will be a platform for the discussion of art and culture in Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley/Rio Bravo Frontera. I just used the examples from politics and religion to get some points across about the importance of having different perspectives and dialogue in our life; to take conflicts of interest as a beneficial challenge by trying to understand them, to learn from them and to ultimately make our own decision. We have to freedom to do so. So appreciate democracy by using your individual rights and privileges to form your own beliefs. Ignorance is a price too high to pay these days.

In honor of the greatest music of all time, Rock en Español, I thought I shoud inform you of some acts that are going to be in the vicinity!

La Ley
Sunday, July 11
La Villa Real Center, McAllen, Texas
I believe you can by tickets at the Boot Jack which is located in the shopping center where the nightclubs Copa Cabana and Bucana's are located, on the expressway before the exit for Sunrise Mall.

I heard there will be a private concert in Brownsville for $100 per person, if I am correct on July 12th or July 14th. I am thinking there is more of a chance they perform July 12th because they are due to perform in Denver the 13th and then Salt Lake the 15th, so that would mean they would have to fly back just to perfrom in Brownsville on the 14th. But who knows, maybe they will, it is a pricey concert. Anyways, the way I heard it is that Bucana's nightclub is sponsoring the performance at the Brownsville Events Center. I have a sneeky suspicion this could all be an urban myth, I have yet to hear any updates on this concert from the grapevine.

Cafe Tacvba

Austin, Texas concert with Ely Guerra and Control Machete
Date:
07/14/2004
Doors Time:
8:00 PM
Venue:
La Zona Rosa
Address:
612 West Fourth Street

~~~~

Cafe Tacvba will also be performing here but I am unable to find any confirmation online. I did hear an announcement on FM 91.3 . I will keep my ears open and update this info ASAP.

Remember my new found addiction to Cable TV? So I have also found that I am a sucker for TV movies. This morning I cried when Macauly Culkin died in "My Girl" and tonight I cried when Selena died in the Selena movie. Wow. I remember I went to go see Selena at Movies 10 and as a former, avid Tejano NON-fan, I remember trying to fight tears at the end. Now, I like Tejano okay, so I let myself bawl it out at the end of Selena, but I was suprised by crying for "My Girl". I didn't cry when I watched it like 10 years ago (eek!). I can even remember going to see it at the Northpark Plaza. I remember movies costed $1.50 back then! And then we would go on Tuesday nights to get in for 50 cents. Now I think that theatre is a church or something like that. No disrespect to the church, but I think it would be awesome if someone would revive that theatre and make into an indie theatre, like the Landmark Dobie Theatre in Austin. They could also show old Mexican films with Pedro Infante and Cantinflas! La India Maria too! God those films are the bomb!

So on the topic of film, I heard that CineSol will be held in McAllen this year and not at the Island. I heard the City of McAllen offered the film festival a considerable amount of money to hold the event there. I also hear that there will be a a lot of great entries this year. I will try to keep you all informed.

I am having trouble figuring this new template out so I have not managed to get the links up. I may have to look into different options or return to a simpler format. Who knows....anyone have any suggestions?

Hey, if you have a website whose link you think would be of interest to The Art of Brownsville visitor, then let me know. Thanks!

Here is another event I just got wind of. Sounds like fun and proceeds will go to support cultural endeavors at the Narciso Martinez Center which serves the Rio Grande Valley region! So go, have fun and feel great about yourself too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cool Jams Inc. presents

Los Cadetes de Linares

Friday July 2, 2004
8:00 pm

International Convention Center
4434 E. 14th Street
Brownsville, Texas

Admission - $25

tickets available at the International Convention Center
for more information call 956-546-8878

part of the proceeds will benefit
The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center of San Benito, Texas

Yesterday was the ground breaking for the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art's new building which will be located next to Gladys Porter Zoo and Ringgold Park. Click here for recent media coverage by the Brownsville Herald.

This is a very exciting event in the progression of Brownsville's cultural venues, not excluding the Ringgold Park renovation, the renovation and expansion of the Capitol Theatre and the plans for Linear Park. We should support these initiatives as well as the smaller creative endeavors, be it by buying hand crafted jewelery by a self-supporting artist at an art fair, attending an improv poetry night at the local coffee joint or cheering on a your local comedians at a comedy club. The point is, big or small, all artistic endeavors in Brownsville and the Valley need your support and/or participation! So go on, get out there, learn a thing or two and have fun!

Check there events out at the Narciso Martinez Center. Everytime I go to an event with the NMCAC, I end up learning something new and having a good time! Take a friend or two as well!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center      
225 E. Stenger Street
San Benito, Texas
(956) 361-0110

July Events:

Tues. July 6th, 7:00 pm - Writers' Forum
Everyone is invited to share their poetry, fiction and prose in English or Spanish with other writers.

Sat. July 10th, 6:00 pm - "Cuatro del Valle" group art show
Xavier Garza, Celina Hinojosa, Luis Valderas and Carlos Gomez

Opening reception and book signing of Chicano Art for our Millennium.
http://www.asu.edu/brp/newandforthcoming/MillBook.html

Book reading by Xavier Garza - Creepy Creatures and other Cucuys.
http://latinoartcommunity.org/community/OnlineCom/Events/2004-Events/2004-March.html

Wed. July 14th, 7:00 pm - "El Second Weensdee"
Oral history series on conjunto music featuring Santiago Jimenez Jr.
http://www.ondanet.com/tejano/artists/Santiago.Jimenez.Jr/

Thurs. July 15th, 7:30 pm - Book reading and signing
Border-Line Personalities: A New Generation of Latinas Dish
on Sex, Sass and Cultural Shifting
by Michelle Herrera Mulligan and Robyn Moreno of New York City
http://www.harpercollins.com/catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0060580763

Every Friday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm - "North of the Border"
a program of Mexican Roots Music with Rosa & Joe Perez
on Public Radio 88 FM - KMBH/KHID
(88.9 lower Valley, 88.1 upper Valley)
http://www.kmbh.org/radio/local.htm