By Imgard Rop

Join Esperanza Peace and Justice Center for the monthly Noche Azul Sabor De México concert with Azul Barrientos, which will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 8pm CST and Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 2pm CST. This month’s episode is dedicated to the beautiful region of Mexico City. Azul has invited Chef Rómulo Mendoza who will be making Chile en Nogada, a dish that is usually prepared in the month of September as part of México’s Independence Day celebration.

This is a new chapter of the life of the Noche Azul concert series, which will showcase traditional Mexican songs while highlighting rich cultural influences. This series will feature guests from every region, every state, sharing their kitchen and dish with us. Mexican food is as diverse as its music, from Yucantan’s Cochinita Pibil and Sopa de Lima to Baja California’s Aguachiles. The ingredients, the traditions, the people, the recipes, and the music are so different; yet all part of the same tapestry.

She will also perform traditional songs composed by composers from Mexico City and musicians accompanying her for this month’s concert include: Aaron Prado (Keyboard), Nina Rodriguez (percussion), George Prado (Bass) and Emilio Alvarez (Cello). This concert has been made possible through generous donations and continuous support of our Buena Gente. You can view the concert at the following links:

www.facebook.com/azulbarrientosmusic

www.facebook.com/esperanzacenter

www.youtube.com/azulmusicachannel

www.youtube.com/esperanzacenter

CHEF RÓMULO MENDOZA was born in Santiago Tuxtla, Veracruz. He attended San Antonio College, Robert Mondavi Vineyards and different schools in Europe, acquiring diverse knowledge within the service industry. In 1998 he joined Paloma Blanca, Mexican Cuisine in San Antonio Texas and during his time there he met Azul. He was featured in the twelfth season of Mexico: One Plate at a Time –with Rick Bayless’ where he prepared Chile Rellenos the classic battered and fried poblano chile stuffed with pork picadillo. He credits his passion for cooking to his beloved grandmother, who ultimately motivated him to remodel the old house on Roldán 37 as a gastronomical center. Mendoza employs both contemporary and traditional Mexican cooking techniques in his creative use of recipes that have been passed down through generations of his family.

ABOUT AZUL: Azul Barrientos is a nationally recognized musician and performer who calls San Antonio her home. She is professionally trained, and inspired by her parents and singers of old, she has been the artist-in-residence at the Esperanza Center since 2007. Throughout her life, she has used her music as a way to make political statements and give voice to various social justice issues. From singing about women in the Mexican Revolution, to sharing the story of the 43 student teachers from Ayotzinapa who went missing in 2014 in Mexico, Azul’s style and message vary with every Noche Azul concert.

For more information please email pr@esperanzacenter.org, for commentaries contact Azul Barrientos at azulmusica@gmail.com

https://romulomendoza.com/index.php/en/home/

https://www.rickbayless.com/mexico-one-plate-at-a-time-season-12-bayless-best-ever/

Contact: Imgard Rop Esperanza Peace and Justice Center 210.454.7292 (cell)