MECA PRESENTS 2018 - 2019 SEASON
Each year, MECA provides arts education and programs, including performances and exhibitions to over 963 students, 14,890 their families and the Houston community.
September 2018
MECA Ballet Folkloric Master Class Residency – Taught by master teachers, of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico School of Amalia Hernandez are: Profesor Renato Levi Garcia Moreno, Director de la Escuela - Nivel intermedio con el Estado de Sinaloa y Sones Serranos de Jalisco; Profesor Karin Eduardo Cruz Hernandez, Maestro de la Escuela - Nivel avanzados con el Estado de Zacatecas y Danza de la Pluma.
MECA Ballet Folklorico is under the Direction of Julio Lopez.
September 6th - 8TH Classes, September 8th - 6:30 COMMUNITY PRESENTATION
Taught by master teachers of The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico School of Amalia Hernandez. “Amalia Hernandez, a dancer and Mexican choreographer, founded The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico School in 1952, and it is emblematic of the folkoric art of the country. Amalia Hernandez dedicated herself to rescue the Mexican national dances that had been lost with time, as well as an effort to improve the quality of the dances.
Ivan Vargas Flamenco Master Class in collaboration with UNDEBEL Flamenco
September 29th - September 30th
Ivan Vargas is one of the most internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancers. This will be his first performance and Master Classes in Texas, along with Houston based flamenco dancer Mercy Renteria. He is one of the most internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancers.
Ivan Vargas was born in Granada, Spain in the Sacromonte district, specifically in the cave "La Rocío" where he joined the world of dance at the hands of his family, Los Maya, a dynasty of renowned dancers such as Manolete, Mario Maya, Juan Andres Maya. Representing centuries of history, flamenco blends Andalusian, Iberian, Arab, and Romani culture into one spectacular show with live vocals, live music, and highly technical dancing.
October 2018
Día de los Muertos Altares and Retablos31 Exhibitions and Tours
October 15th – November 16th
October 19th, 7:00 PM – Altares Exhibition Opening Reception
MECA’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration kicks off the annual Altares (Altars) Exhibit, in which MECA families and friends are invited to set up individual spaces honoring/memorializing their loved ones who have died. There is also a community altar that is often filled with personal mementos throughout the month-long celebration. Luis Gavito is the curator for the Ofrenda Exhibitio. The opening reception for the Altares Exhibit is scheduled for Friday, October 19th.
In collaboration with Lawndale Art Center, this year’s exhibit will include the Retablos31 Exhibit. The retablos, tin panels traditionally created in honor and veneration of saints and loved ones, in the tradition of devotional painting by local/regional artists. Theresa Escobedo is the curator for Retablos 31 project.
October 27th & 28th, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM – MECA Día de los Muertos Festival
The annual Día de los Muertos Festival is FREE to the public and includes performances by local and national musical and dance ensembles, a children’s activity area, an artisans market, and various food booths serving traditional and local favorites. 10,455 attended the 2-day festival in 2017.
November 2018
November 2nd, 7:00 to 11:00 PM – Calavera Rendezvous and Retablos31 Auction Ticketed Event
This year, the annual Calavera Rendezvous (Gathering of the Skulls), a fun-filled night of Día de los Muertos themed art, music, and fashion will also host the Retablos31 Silent Auction. The 21+ soiree will feature a Catrina fashion show, music and dance performances.
November 9th, Mischlinge Expose – Concert and film
Carolyn Enger, New York Steinway concert pianist with spirit, talent, and a voice for the suffering of countless victims during a dark period in history. Each performance selection is representative of honoring the resiliency, suffering and commitment for the truth of stories of a people through – The Holocaust victims and survivors. Carolyn’s performance project, the Mischlinge Expose, centers around her family history and the Mischling designation. The concert interweaves the music of prominent converts with testimony from Carolyn’s godmother and her father who was considered by the Nazi regime a Mischling, Grade A. Performances of works by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, Arnold Schoenberg, Alexander Zemlinsky , and Gustav Mahler illustrate the historical situations so aptly described through poetry by Rachel Varnhagen and Heinrich Heine . Kristallnacht falls on November 9th.
December 3rd, El Niño Jesus Exhibit; December 7th, reception
The veneration of El Niño Dios, the Child God, was a practice brought by the Spanish to Mexico in the early 16th century and, to date, is considered the most deeply rooted Catholic tradition in Mexico, as well as many parts of Latin America. Mexican Catholics have their own image of the Child Jesus which is honored and celebrated during the Christmas season, especially on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) and Candelmas (Feb. 2nd). This exhibit is a collection of Niño Dios figure images, photographs and related artifacts belonging to families throughout Houston’s Latino community, including MECA alumni. There will also be audio recording of folk songs and stories passed down through generations.
December 12th, 6:00 PM – Fiesta Guadalupana
The Apparitions of Our Lady the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, the miraculous stamping of her Holy Image in his cloak and her message of love for us has as its main purpose to announce her beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the peoples who inhabited the "New World". In the house of Bishop Fray Juan Diego shows the roses he wore in his robes, a sign given by the Virgin. "He unfolded his tilma, where he carried the flowers.” Myth or Truth, her image is venerated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans. In Houston, Texas La Fiesta Guadalupana is a community-based event honoring la Virgen de Guadalupe featuring a mariachi serenade and matachine dances performed by MECA dancers, and sharing of celebratory foods.
December 15th and 16th, 7:00 PM – La Pastorela
La Pastorela "El Wiwicho Si Existe", written and directed by Jackie Krienke, is a satirical comedy starring La Chona, an indigenous woman that thinks that Christmas revolves around material things. Her patron, Don Herculano, tells her the true story and meaning behind Christmas and the perils that Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds suffered during their pilgrimage on the way to Bethlehem. Their entourage fights against forces of evil represented by demons that portray the political hurdles that immigrants suffer in this day and age. The Archangel Michael ultimately defeats the Evil Trumpcifer, proving that kindness always wins.
December 16th, 6:00 PM – La Posada in Old Sixth Ward
La Posada is a community-based reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem traditionally practiced in communities throughout Mexico, beginning on December 16th and continuing through Christmas Eve. In this one-night reenactment, a procession with lit candles and seasonal songs approach the doors of three houses. Together, participants sing and awaken the master of each house to ask for lodging. Those within the first two houses deny them entry. The third house warmly welcomes the guests after learning their identity. La Posada features MECA music faculty and students.
February 15, 2019
Date: An Annual event featuring an exhibition of creative and artistic hearts, a silent auction and a Viva El Amor concert. Performers to be determined. Visual artist curator, Ruth Sosa Bailey, awarded first place for the Houston Art Car Parade in 2018.
February 22 & 23
MECA is returning to support musical theater. A concert version of the musical Evita with songs and dances. This would give students an opportunity to learn beside professional actors, professional musicians, and professional dancers under the guidance of a professional Broadway director. Students would be exposed to the process of producing a musical from point A to point B, a melding of students and professionals. MECA Alum, Gumaro Armando Silva, will participate as choreographer for non Tango dances and Indre Rapalaviciute will choreograph the Argentine Tango dances.
Renee Edd, Producer, is the lead singer of professional corporate band The Lost Boys for the past 14 years; she has appeared at Theatre Under the Stars and in various regional productions as well as directing and producing local commercials. She also is the owner of the Houston School of Film & Theatre and has taught acting for over 15 years.
Kevin Cahoon, Director, made his Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy. On Broadway he played Ed the Hyena in The Lion King directed by Julie Taymor, George in The Wedding Singer, The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and was in the revival of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. with Joan Jett.
He left his role in The Lion King to perform the eighth show of the week for John Cameron Mitchell in the title role of Hedwig in Hedwig and The Angry Inch at The Jane Street Theater Off-Broadway, eventually taking over the role and starring as 'Hedwig' in Boston, the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, and an extended eight-month run at The Victoria Theatre in San Francisco. He was also featured in the documentary film Whether You Like It Or Not: The True Story of Hedwig. He is a Houston artist who attended the High School for the Performing Arts.
March 2019
Date: TBD, Sor Juana and the Chambered Nautilus – an original multimedia theater production written and performed by Angeles Romero. Romero brings to life Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz; a 17th Century Mexican nun known for her voracious drive for knowledge and an exceptional genius as a writer.
April 5th and 6th . 2019
Date: TBD, National Performance Network Creation and Residency project featuring actor and playwright, Paul Flores performance titled Tenemos Ire/We have Ire. The performance is a multi-disciplinary and tri-lingual (English, Spanish, Lucumi/Yoruba) referring to the current administration denying visas, shouting down the embassy and calling Cuba dangerous.
May 3, 2019
Craig Hauschildt and the Cage -
Latin Percussionist Performance
Percussionist and MECA resident, Craig Hauschildt, presents a program of contemporary chamber music for
percussion and other instruments that explores the concept of cultural identity in music. Although Classical music is often perceived as old art form represented by the images of dead white men, it is a genre of music that is constantly reinventing itself by each new generation of composers and performers. These musicians stand on the shoulders of their predecessors while creating their own artistic voice, often challenging preconceptions and creating magical new sound worlds in the process.
Date: TBD, CPAP – Children’s Prison Art Project – An arts education nonprofit that introduces juvenile offenders to an innovative educational theater and visual arts where they can express their visions through constructive and artistic vision.
September 2018
MECA Ballet Folkloric Master Class Residency – Taught by master teachers, of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico School of Amalia Hernandez are: Profesor Renato Levi Garcia Moreno, Director de la Escuela - Nivel intermedio con el Estado de Sinaloa y Sones Serranos de Jalisco; Profesor Karin Eduardo Cruz Hernandez, Maestro de la Escuela - Nivel avanzados con el Estado de Zacatecas y Danza de la Pluma.
MECA Ballet Folklorico is under the Direction of Julio Lopez.
September 6th - 8TH Classes, September 8th - 6:30 COMMUNITY PRESENTATION
Taught by master teachers of The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico School of Amalia Hernandez. “Amalia Hernandez, a dancer and Mexican choreographer, founded The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico School in 1952, and it is emblematic of the folkoric art of the country. Amalia Hernandez dedicated herself to rescue the Mexican national dances that had been lost with time, as well as an effort to improve the quality of the dances.
Ivan Vargas Flamenco Master Class in collaboration with UNDEBEL Flamenco
September 29th - September 30th
Ivan Vargas is one of the most internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancers. This will be his first performance and Master Classes in Texas, along with Houston based flamenco dancer Mercy Renteria. He is one of the most internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancers.
Ivan Vargas was born in Granada, Spain in the Sacromonte district, specifically in the cave "La Rocío" where he joined the world of dance at the hands of his family, Los Maya, a dynasty of renowned dancers such as Manolete, Mario Maya, Juan Andres Maya. Representing centuries of history, flamenco blends Andalusian, Iberian, Arab, and Romani culture into one spectacular show with live vocals, live music, and highly technical dancing.
October 2018
Día de los Muertos Altares and Retablos31 Exhibitions and Tours
October 15th – November 16th
October 19th, 7:00 PM – Altares Exhibition Opening Reception
MECA’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration kicks off the annual Altares (Altars) Exhibit, in which MECA families and friends are invited to set up individual spaces honoring/memorializing their loved ones who have died. There is also a community altar that is often filled with personal mementos throughout the month-long celebration. Luis Gavito is the curator for the Ofrenda Exhibitio. The opening reception for the Altares Exhibit is scheduled for Friday, October 19th.
In collaboration with Lawndale Art Center, this year’s exhibit will include the Retablos31 Exhibit. The retablos, tin panels traditionally created in honor and veneration of saints and loved ones, in the tradition of devotional painting by local/regional artists. Theresa Escobedo is the curator for Retablos 31 project.
October 27th & 28th, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM – MECA Día de los Muertos Festival
The annual Día de los Muertos Festival is FREE to the public and includes performances by local and national musical and dance ensembles, a children’s activity area, an artisans market, and various food booths serving traditional and local favorites. 10,455 attended the 2-day festival in 2017.
November 2018
November 2nd, 7:00 to 11:00 PM – Calavera Rendezvous and Retablos31 Auction Ticketed Event
This year, the annual Calavera Rendezvous (Gathering of the Skulls), a fun-filled night of Día de los Muertos themed art, music, and fashion will also host the Retablos31 Silent Auction. The 21+ soiree will feature a Catrina fashion show, music and dance performances.
November 9th, Mischlinge Expose – Concert and film
Carolyn Enger, New York Steinway concert pianist with spirit, talent, and a voice for the suffering of countless victims during a dark period in history. Each performance selection is representative of honoring the resiliency, suffering and commitment for the truth of stories of a people through – The Holocaust victims and survivors. Carolyn’s performance project, the Mischlinge Expose, centers around her family history and the Mischling designation. The concert interweaves the music of prominent converts with testimony from Carolyn’s godmother and her father who was considered by the Nazi regime a Mischling, Grade A. Performances of works by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, Arnold Schoenberg, Alexander Zemlinsky , and Gustav Mahler illustrate the historical situations so aptly described through poetry by Rachel Varnhagen and Heinrich Heine . Kristallnacht falls on November 9th.
December 3rd, El Niño Jesus Exhibit; December 7th, reception
The veneration of El Niño Dios, the Child God, was a practice brought by the Spanish to Mexico in the early 16th century and, to date, is considered the most deeply rooted Catholic tradition in Mexico, as well as many parts of Latin America. Mexican Catholics have their own image of the Child Jesus which is honored and celebrated during the Christmas season, especially on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) and Candelmas (Feb. 2nd). This exhibit is a collection of Niño Dios figure images, photographs and related artifacts belonging to families throughout Houston’s Latino community, including MECA alumni. There will also be audio recording of folk songs and stories passed down through generations.
December 12th, 6:00 PM – Fiesta Guadalupana
The Apparitions of Our Lady the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, the miraculous stamping of her Holy Image in his cloak and her message of love for us has as its main purpose to announce her beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the peoples who inhabited the "New World". In the house of Bishop Fray Juan Diego shows the roses he wore in his robes, a sign given by the Virgin. "He unfolded his tilma, where he carried the flowers.” Myth or Truth, her image is venerated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans. In Houston, Texas La Fiesta Guadalupana is a community-based event honoring la Virgen de Guadalupe featuring a mariachi serenade and matachine dances performed by MECA dancers, and sharing of celebratory foods.
December 15th and 16th, 7:00 PM – La Pastorela
La Pastorela "El Wiwicho Si Existe", written and directed by Jackie Krienke, is a satirical comedy starring La Chona, an indigenous woman that thinks that Christmas revolves around material things. Her patron, Don Herculano, tells her the true story and meaning behind Christmas and the perils that Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds suffered during their pilgrimage on the way to Bethlehem. Their entourage fights against forces of evil represented by demons that portray the political hurdles that immigrants suffer in this day and age. The Archangel Michael ultimately defeats the Evil Trumpcifer, proving that kindness always wins.
December 16th, 6:00 PM – La Posada in Old Sixth Ward
La Posada is a community-based reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem traditionally practiced in communities throughout Mexico, beginning on December 16th and continuing through Christmas Eve. In this one-night reenactment, a procession with lit candles and seasonal songs approach the doors of three houses. Together, participants sing and awaken the master of each house to ask for lodging. Those within the first two houses deny them entry. The third house warmly welcomes the guests after learning their identity. La Posada features MECA music faculty and students.
February 15, 2019
Date: An Annual event featuring an exhibition of creative and artistic hearts, a silent auction and a Viva El Amor concert. Performers to be determined. Visual artist curator, Ruth Sosa Bailey, awarded first place for the Houston Art Car Parade in 2018.
February 22 & 23
MECA is returning to support musical theater. A concert version of the musical Evita with songs and dances. This would give students an opportunity to learn beside professional actors, professional musicians, and professional dancers under the guidance of a professional Broadway director. Students would be exposed to the process of producing a musical from point A to point B, a melding of students and professionals. MECA Alum, Gumaro Armando Silva, will participate as choreographer for non Tango dances and Indre Rapalaviciute will choreograph the Argentine Tango dances.
Renee Edd, Producer, is the lead singer of professional corporate band The Lost Boys for the past 14 years; she has appeared at Theatre Under the Stars and in various regional productions as well as directing and producing local commercials. She also is the owner of the Houston School of Film & Theatre and has taught acting for over 15 years.
Kevin Cahoon, Director, made his Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy. On Broadway he played Ed the Hyena in The Lion King directed by Julie Taymor, George in The Wedding Singer, The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and was in the revival of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. with Joan Jett.
He left his role in The Lion King to perform the eighth show of the week for John Cameron Mitchell in the title role of Hedwig in Hedwig and The Angry Inch at The Jane Street Theater Off-Broadway, eventually taking over the role and starring as 'Hedwig' in Boston, the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, and an extended eight-month run at The Victoria Theatre in San Francisco. He was also featured in the documentary film Whether You Like It Or Not: The True Story of Hedwig. He is a Houston artist who attended the High School for the Performing Arts.
March 2019
Date: TBD, Sor Juana and the Chambered Nautilus – an original multimedia theater production written and performed by Angeles Romero. Romero brings to life Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz; a 17th Century Mexican nun known for her voracious drive for knowledge and an exceptional genius as a writer.
April 5th and 6th . 2019
Date: TBD, National Performance Network Creation and Residency project featuring actor and playwright, Paul Flores performance titled Tenemos Ire/We have Ire. The performance is a multi-disciplinary and tri-lingual (English, Spanish, Lucumi/Yoruba) referring to the current administration denying visas, shouting down the embassy and calling Cuba dangerous.
May 3, 2019
Craig Hauschildt and the Cage -
Latin Percussionist Performance
Percussionist and MECA resident, Craig Hauschildt, presents a program of contemporary chamber music for
percussion and other instruments that explores the concept of cultural identity in music. Although Classical music is often perceived as old art form represented by the images of dead white men, it is a genre of music that is constantly reinventing itself by each new generation of composers and performers. These musicians stand on the shoulders of their predecessors while creating their own artistic voice, often challenging preconceptions and creating magical new sound worlds in the process.
Date: TBD, CPAP – Children’s Prison Art Project – An arts education nonprofit that introduces juvenile offenders to an innovative educational theater and visual arts where they can express their visions through constructive and artistic vision.
*These events are free to the public
MECA Presents is a platform to convene community through the arts and encourage dialogue about issues ranging from social justice and equity to diversity and community transformation. From incubating works in progress to presenting local and touring work, MECA seeks to collaborate with innovative and socially engaged artists whose work expands the boundaries of tradition and practice. MECA is especially interested in projects that bring to light the experiences of life on the margins of societies, economies, and cultures.
MECA is supported in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.
MECA Presents is a platform to convene community through the arts and encourage dialogue about issues ranging from social justice and equity to diversity and community transformation. From incubating works in progress to presenting local and touring work, MECA seeks to collaborate with innovative and socially engaged artists whose work expands the boundaries of tradition and practice. MECA is especially interested in projects that bring to light the experiences of life on the margins of societies, economies, and cultures.
MECA is supported in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.
