¡Viva México! Mexican Festival – Day One | RSVP Needed

Thursday, September 15 – Friday September 16, 2022, the University of Minnesota School of Music will host the ¡Viva México! Festival to celebrate the vibrant and expanding role of Mexican art and culture in the Twin Cities, and to showcase the achievements of Mexican and Mexican-American musicians and artists. The festival coincides with the celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 16. Organized by students and alumni of the School of Music with strong connections to Latin American countries, the festival is centered around four main events: two concerts featuring Mexican piano and chamber music, an introduction to Indigenous Mexican art and culture by scholar/advocate Osiris Gómez, and a discussion on contemporary Mexican visual art with leading Mexican-American artist Luis Fitch. A concluding concert, "Serenata Méxicana," will feature new arrangements of traditional Yucatecan songs. Mexican street food will be available for purchase, with a DJ and setlist of recent Mexican popular music. Events are free and open to the public, with pre-registration required. 

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Slideshow Display of Artwork by Luis Fitch
Thursday, September 15, 7 – 9 PM
Ferguson Hall Lobby

Luis Fitch is an international artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur. He is the founder of UNO Branding, a multicultural, strategic visual communication agency. Raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Luis moved to the U.S. in 1985. His artwork has been presented nationally and internationally and is in more than 100 collections in Latin America and the U.S.

Sounds of Mexico*
Thursday, September 15, 7 PM
Ultan Recital Hall

“Sounds of Mexico” will feature musical performances from School of Music students and alumni who are from Mexico or Central America, or are of Mexican heritage. The program includes the Minnesota premiere of Manuel Ponce’s Piano Sonata no. 2.

Welcome by Dr. Gwendolyn Freed, Interim School of Music Director with an introduction by Dr. Malinda Lindquist, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, College of Liberal Arts.