¡Viva Arizona!
2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23
El Casino Latino437 E. 26th St.
310-1866;vivaperformingarts@gmail.com
The Viva Performing Arts Center presents a chance to travel back in time through 100 years of Tucson's Hispanic musical memories with song, dance and pictures dating back to the 1920s.
During the ¡Viva Arizona! event, performances start in the 1800s with mariachis and move forward in time to hoedown and can-can dances. Performers then transition into the '30s, '40s and '50s with big band orchestras and classical trio performances.
"It's all packaged into one big show," said Julie Gallego, owner and artistic director of the Viva Performing Arts Center. All the dancers are part of the Viva Arizona Dance Company and will be dressed in costumes appropriate to the era they are dancing to. "Not only are people seeing the narrations of Tucson up on the screen, but then dancers come out (with) the live musicians," Gallego added.
Gallego says the event will pay tribute to more than 160 artists who have been involved with Viva Arizona in the past, including Tucson Hispanic radio announcers, mariachi groups and performers from the Tucson Mariachi Conference. They will be honored for their contribution with old pictures and songs.
The event will be in honor of Gallego's father, Ralph Gonzalez. "I wanted to do it one more time for him to see all the narrations and research he did," said Gallego. "He's really looking forward to it."
Be warned: Attendees may be asked to the dance floor to show off popular dance styles of their generations. Advanced reserved VIP dinner admission includes prime seating and full service dinner for $25. General admission is $10. Additional meal tickets are $5. Tickets are sold at Viva Performing Arts Center at 4563 S. Park Ave.
