MECA CELEBRACION: Fortieth Anniversary Free Concert

It’s the MECA CELEBRACION: Fortieth Anniversary Free Concert!

The program highlights guest artists and performers that have shaped the reputation and recognition of the organization over the past 40 years.

The program will feature four main themes and will include performances and reminiscences in a variety of art forms:

1) the music of Robert Avalon, MECA’s first music director, with a performance by pianist Paul Boyd and vocalist Alison Greene;

2) youth musical theater with a performance by MECA alums Tania Rivas and Diana Garza, accompanied by the Curt Warren Jazz Trio (El Paso, Texas), as well as a brief excerpt of Peter Webster’s bilingual adaptation of Romeo and Juliet;

3) cultural music/dance traditions, including performances by MECA Ballet Folklórico, a gospel song performed by Cleola Williams, accompanied on piano by Andre Pleasant, celebrated vocalist and MECA alumna, Vanessa Alonzo, accompanied by Latin American trio, Tres en Punto de Colombia, and the noted Mariachi Autlán de Houston;

and 4) San Francisco-based spoken word poet and theater-maker, Paul Flores, rounding out the evening with excerpts of his own contemporary work.

A haven for underserved youth and adults, MECA is committed to providing high quality arts instruction and performance, visual, and cultural arts programming annually to thousands across the city of Houston.

FEATURING:

• Mariachi Autlán featuring Vanessa Alonzo (MECA alumni)
• Curt Warren Jazz Trio: Curt Warren (Montana), Erik Unswerth, Ricky Malichi (El Paso)
• Paul Flores (San Francisco), performance poet and teatrista
• Gospel sung by Cleola Williams and Andre Pleasant (Houston)
• Tres en Punto de Colombia: Jorge Mancilla, Luis Bastidas, Gustavo Sanclemente
• Paul Boyd (piano) and Alison Greene (soprano) performing music by Robert Avalon
• Diana Garza and Tania Rivas (MECA alums) performing music from West Side Story
• Romeo and Juliet excerpt, featuring Nikki Montgomery and Luis Mendoza (MECA alums)
• Indre Rapalaviciute and Rodrigo Carrizales (Argentine Tango)
• MECA Ballet Folklórico