What’s Ahead!
El Zòcalo now operates a full season of scalable, replicable programming and established goals.
Up Next:
Alley Theatre El Zócalo in partnership with Houston’s “Viva Frida!” Festival announce a variety of community events and workshops for all ages beginning this April 2023. Houston’s 18th Annual “Viva Frida!” Festival will have something for everyone! Check out our month-long events and experience “Viva Frida!” like never before.
Alley Theatre El Zócalo en colaboración con Houston’s “Viva Frida!” Festival anuncia una variedad de eventos comunitarios y talleres para todas las edades a partir de este abril 2023. ¡El festival tendrá algo para todos! Regístrate para nuestros eventos a lo largo del mes y vive el festival “Viva Frida!” como nunca antes.
18th Annual “Viva Frida!” Festival Events:
“Viva Frida!” Art Exhibition
Saturday, April 8, 2023 | 6-9 p.m.
meca east end | 333 s. jensen dr., houston, tx 77003
FREE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES.
The exhibition will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Frida Kahlo’s art, life, and cultural impact.
Frida en Primavera Dinner & Fashion Show
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 6-10 p.m.
The Ballroom at Bayou Place | 500 Texas Ave., houston, tx 77002
Requires ticket purchase starting at $150
Local fashion designers will style models and showcase their Frida-inspired interpretations on the runway. The evening features Frida’s iconic style, which was known for its bold colors, intricate patterns and the use of floral motifs. Proceeds will benefit MECA.
EDUCARTE: TU VOZ
FRIDAY, April 21, 2023 | 6-8:30 p.m.
MEREDITH J. LONG THEATRE CENTER | 615 Texas Ave., houston, tx 77002
FREE FOR PARTICIPANTS 13+. SPACE IS LIMITED
Participants will learn the ins and outs of poetry writing and reading using two fearless women as inspiration: Frida Kahlo and aspiring bullfighter Elena Ramirez, the character of Alley Theatre’s world premiere play, Torera, written by Monet Hurst-Mendoza and directed by Tatiana Pandiani.
To buy tickets and learn more about TORERA, click here.
18th Annual “Viva Frida!” Festival
saturDAY, April 29, 2023 | 11 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
meca’s historic dow school | 1900 kane st., houston, tx 77007
FREE FOR all ages.
The festival will feature local musicians and performers and an arts market with a wide range of merchants, vendors, artisans and one-of-a-kind finds. We will also have our famous Frida look-a-like contest for all ages. For the first time, we will facilitate the contest online with an announcement of the winner at the Frida Festival. For photos of previous Frida Festivals, please visit this link.
Torera Community Night Reception
Friday, may 19, 2023 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Meredith J. Long Theatre Center | 615 texas ave., houston, tx 77002
free for ages 13+. Space is limited.
Torera Community Night Reception celebrates fearless women such as Frida Kahlo and Elena Ramirez, the character of Alley Theatre’s world premiere play, Torera, written by a stunning new voice in American theatre, Monet Hurst-Mendoza. This event is open to the public and requires the purchase of tickets to the performance of Torera on May 19, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.* Discounted tickets are available for $40 using the promo code TORERA.
*This performance will have Spanish accessibility.
Previous events this season:
COMMUNITY CUENTOS Y CHARLAS SERIES
THE MAKING OF THE FEATURE FILM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 AT 6:15 P.M.
AEOLIAN MANOR, 8507 CHALCOS DR., HOUSTON, TX 77017
Meet some of the actors who brought the characters of Bless Me, Ultima to life in the feature film. Start your evening with a conversation that gives you behind the scenes access to the culture and traditions of el mundo de curanderismo (the world of faith healers). Then, watch the film Bless Me, Ultima and stick around for the celebration. For ages 13 and up.
COMMUNITY CUENTOS Y CHARLAS SERIES
NUESTRA ULTIMA
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 AT 7 P.M.
ALLEY THEATRE FACEBOOK LIVE
This Cuentos y Charlas explores elements of Mexican-American tradition and culture in Bless Me, Ultima and its impact on its impact on the stories of 12 Primer Borrador participants. Join the conversation with community leaders and mental health experts who will guide the discussion about the participant’s journey as storytellers and the inspiration from their childhood experiences. For ages 13 and up.
Historias, Memorias y Recuerdos
STORY SLAM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 7 P.M.
ALLEY THEATRE
Join us on this epic night of community storytelling. Enjoy the personal stories inspired by Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima and presented by Primer Borrador (First Draft) community participants. Community members from 12 Bless Me, Ultima book clubs came together in an intensive 8-hour bilingual storytelling residency learning the structure of storytelling and connecting them with a childhood memory of a personal faith healer. Be a part of their storytelling journey and celebrate with us National Hispanic Heritage Month! For all ages.
NUESTRA PALABRA AND THE EL ZÓCALO ADVISORY COMMITTEE
HOUSTONIAN’S SHAPING THE NATION
Celebrate Community cultural capital
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2022 FROM 6-8 P.M.
HUBBARD THEATRE
Join us for Houston’s release of the new book The Tip of the Pyramid: Cultivating Community Cultural Capital by Tony Diaz, El Librotraficante.
Diaz is a writer and activist originally from Chicago who moved to Houston to become the first Chicano to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. In 1998, he found Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say, Houston’s first reading series for Latino Writers, which sparked a movement for art, culture, and civil rights.