The Avenida Guadalupe Association (AGA) continues its 30-year tradition of hosting a Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration by featuring the San Antonio Philharmonic, Guadalupe Dance Company and beloved San Antonio singer-songwriter Azul Barrientos in a grand performance on May 5 from 8:00 p.m – 9:30 p.m.
The celebration will be at Plaza Guadalupe, 1327 Guadalupe Street on the historical near west side, and is free of charge. Registration is required at saphil.org/event/cinco-de-mayo.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg will kick off the evening with an official proclamation, joined by other community leaders including Consul General de Mexico Ruben Minutti Zanatta who will offer words about the mutual history of Mexico and San Antonio.
Audiences will hear for the first time the song “Divino Amor” by Barrientos as well as symphonic arrangements of Mexican folk songs by San Antonio’s José Irizarry performed by Barrientos and the San Antonio Philharmonic. These include “El Relámpago,” “La Llorona,” “La Sandunga,” and “Cielito Lindo.” The Philharmonic orchestra will also perform well-known classics by Gerónimo Giménez, Franz von Suppé, and José Pablo Moncayo.
Additionally, the Guadalupe Dance Company will perform traditional Mexican folkloric dances to favorite songs including “Jarabe de Colima,” “Jarabe Tapatío” and “Avellanada.”
With her music, Azul Barrientos builds bridges between Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Mexico. She is devoted to preserving traditional songs from Latin America and exploring their diverse musical histories.
The Guadalupe Dance Company and Cultural Arts Center seek to cultivate, promote, and preserve traditional and contemporary Chicano, Latino and Native American arts and culture through multidisciplinary programming.
Performing in the Cinco de Mayo Community Celebration helps fulfill the Philharmonic’s founding mission of presenting high-quality orchestral performances and educational opportunities for San Antonio, in and beyond the concert hall. Its musicians seek to involve new audiences in the transformative power of music. The concert is funded in part by Bexar County.
The San Antonio Philharmonic was created in June of 2022 by musicians of the former San Antonio Symphony who were determined to keep the local tradition of professional classical music alive. During its inaugural season the Philharmonic has performed for 123 elementary schools in nine different high schools, reaching approximately 28,000 third through fifth graders.
Its season continues with two more classical concerts, May 12 and 13, and May 26 and 27 at First Baptist Church, downtown.
For further information, see SAphil.org
