30th Anniversary of ‘Rio Bravo’ Coming to the Guadalupe
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center presents the 30th anniversary of Rio Bravo, featuring the Guadalupe Dance Company and Mariachi Azteca de América, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Buena Vista Theater, UTSA Downtown Campus.
Originally premiered by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in July 1994, it played to sold-out houses at the Carver Theater and became a signature piece for the Guadalupe Dance Company’s repertoire. Rio Bravo is a captivating performance piece that unfolds through five chronological segments, showcasing the vibrant music and dance traditions of the Texas-Mexico border region.
Attendees will be part of this milestone event, which will be filmed live on both nights, courtesy of the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts. The film will be available for educational purposes and used for future screenings by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.
The Guadalupe commissioned Rafael Zamarripa, one of Mexico’s most distinguished visual artists and folklórico directors, to create the brilliant choreography, costuming, scenery and lighting designs for the original Rio Bravo production. His research led him to be inspired by exhibitions at the Witte Museum that include then “Ancient Texans” and a painting by Thomas Allen entitled “Market Plaza.”
While working on the creation of the production, Zamarripa fell in love with the living culture, as he called it, of the Tejano scene which led him to feature choreographed Tejano dance to conclude the entire production. Much of the work’s wide appeal is based on its colorful and dynamic interweaving of the music, dance and culture of the South Texas/Mexico border region from pre-Columbian times to the present.
Each suite in the performance offers a glimpse into different aspects of life and history along the Rio Grande, blending together traditional rhythms, movements, and stories to create a dynamic and immersive experience for viewers. Through music and dance, Rio Bravo celebrates the fusion of Texan and Mexican influences, highlighting the interconnectedness of these two cultures in a visually stunning and emotionally resonant way.
Ticket information
Pre-sale discount tickets are available through Aug. 31, 2024, by using “RBGente” for 10 percent off. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the Buena Vista Live site. Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center members and AARP members are eligible for an extra special pre-sale discount and should contact Guadalupe’s Latino Bookstore at (210) 271-3151, ext. 250, for more information. Tickets are $30 with some special VIP packages for $50 and $75.
Feature photo courtesy of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.
