Adobe PDF version of 2006 Diez y Seis de Septiembre Calendar

Friday, September 1
Diez y Seis de Septiembre News Conference
Spanish Governor’s Palace, 105 Plaza de Armas.
Join the Diez y Seis de Septiembre Commission as it officially kicks off this year’s Mexican Independence festivities. 9:00 a.m. 207-8979

Thursday, September 7
Diez y Seis de Septiembre Proclamation
City Council Meeting, City Council Chamber, Municipal Plaza Bldg., 114 W. Commerce.
Mayor Phil Hardberger will issue a proclamation declaring the official beginning of the Diez y Seis de Septiembre festivities. 5:00 p.m. 207-8979

Diez y Seis de San Antonio – FOTOSEPTIEMBRE
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Visual Media Arts School & Gallery, 723 S. Brazos.
Opening reception: 7:00 p.m. Exhibit on display: September 1 – 22. Viewing hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. A vintage photography exhibit commemorating Diez y Seis de Septiembre celebrations from the early 1900’s to 1940’s. In partnership with City of San Antonio Diez y Seis Commission, The Institute of Texan Cultures, and FOTOSEPTIEMBRE USA. 271-3151 or 207-8979

Friday, September 8
Fiestas Patrias en la Avenida Guadalupe - Diez y Seis Gala
Hyatt Regency, 123 Losoya, Regency Ballroom
Reception: 6:00 p.m.; Dinner/Program: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Elegant dinner and ERNIE award presentation. The ERNIE, named after Ernest C. Olivares, is an award given each year, recognizing outstanding service and commitment to the Avenida Guadalupe Neighborhood.
Keynote Speaker: John Phillip Santos, author of Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation. Ernie Award: Individual - Pastor Fred Garcia; Business - Giovanni’s Pizzeria; Civic - Mary Cruz; Large Corporation - Laredo National Bank; Lifetime Achievement - Arthur Emerson. By ticket only. 223-3151 or imorales@agatx.org

Sunday, September 10
16 de Septiembre Mass
San Fernando Cathedral, 111 Soledad. 8:00 a.m. Reception to follow.

Diez y Seis Scholarship Awards Reception
The Alameda National Center for Latino Arts and Culture, 318 W. Houston.
The Diez y Seis de Septiembre Commission awards scholarships to deserving local students. Emcee: Maclovio Perez, WOAI, Channel 4 Meteorologist. Entertainment: Show Janitzio. 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 207-8979

Wednesday, September 13
Viva Mi Cultura Dance Demonstration
Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe Street, 1:30 p.m.
Viva Mi Cultura is an hour-long interactive lecture and dance demonstration featuring the Guadalupe Dance Company performing a variety of traditional Mexican Folklórico dances. Young audiences are given the opportunity to see professional dancers perform, as well as talk with them, ask questions and even have a "mini" dance class on stage. Lively program illustrates the music, costuming and dance that thrives in San Antonio through a fun and interactive format to encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation for Mexican culture and traditions. Free for area schools. For reservations, call 271-3151 extension 24.

Friday, September 15
Senior Kermes
Convention Center, Ballroom A
For seniors registered at City nutrition centers. Featuring a dance, mariachis and food. Contests and awards to follow for best regional costumes and table decorating. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 207-7172

Official Ceremony of “El Grito” -
196th Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence
Municipal Auditorium, 100 Auditorium Circle. 7:00 p.m.
Free admission. 227-9145, ext. 225 or 223-5100

Friday - Sunday, September 15 - 17
Diez y Seis Fiestas Patrias Celebration at Market Square
Market Square, 514 W. Commerce.
Three days of great entertainment, food and fun for the entire family awaits everyone as LULAC Ladies Council 648 brings an array of musical talent, mariachis and folklorico groups of all ages to help celebrate Diez y Seis in San Antonio. Opening Ceremonies - Friday at 5:00 p.m. on Mariachi Stage with scholarship awards presented to students by local dignitaries, followed by dancing groups and bands. Saturday (12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.), the fun begins with a special performance by the Texas A&M Band. Free giveaways by several exhibitors will be provided as the music and entertainment continues for the entire family. Sunday (12:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.) wraps up the event, which funds college scholarships. 207-8600

Saturday, September 16
Civic Ceremony
HemisFair Park, Plaza Mexico, 600 HemisFair Way.
Commemoration of the main figure of the Mexican Independence, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. 10:00 a.m. Free admission. 227-9145, ext. 225 or 223-5100

Festival de Los Niños
Plaza Juarez, La Villita. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In partnership with Wal-Mart, performances by Cat Paws, the Magik Children's Theatre, Perpetual Puppets presenting the Diez Y Seis de Septiembre story, and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center youth troupe. Mexican cultural activities by the San Antonio Library, the San Antonio Children's Museum, and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Free hot dogs, cotton candy, sno-cones, face and hair painting. Free and open to all children and families. 207-8979

Mariachi Concert
Arneson River Theatre, La Villita. 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Free concert featuring local middle schools, high schools, college and professional mariachi groups and ballet folkorico dancers from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Emcee: Elizabeth Ruiz, KTSA – 550 AM. 207-8979

Fiestas Patrias en la Avenida Guadalupe - Parade
New route begins at S. Brazos and Guadalupe streets, continues west on Guadalupe to Zarzamora and disbands at the Texas Diabetes Institute, 701 S. Zarzamora. Starts at 11:00 a.m. Time Warner Cable presents Nicholas Gonzales of FOX’s The OC as Grand Marshal. Honorary Grand Marshal: Spurs Coyote. Parade will be televised nationally on Telemundo (KVDA-TV 60) and its affiliates with an expected 30,000 viewers and 2,500 spectators along the route. Following the parade, awards will be presented during the Festival (see details below). 223-3151 or imorales@agatx.org

Fiestas Patrias en la Avenida Guadalupe - Festival
Plaza Guadalupe, 1327 Guadalupe St.
Free admission to top-notch entertainment from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with headliner La Mafia and opening bands Solido, Grupo Mojado, Los De La Cumbia, Los Padrinos, and Pochimex. Kid’s Area, open to families from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., features games, moonwalks, special appearances from the Spurs Coyote and other characters. 223-3151 or imorales@agatx.org

Sunday, September 17
Diez y Seis de Septiembre Charreada
6126 Padre Dr.
The San Antonio Charro Association will hold their annual Charreada. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. with mariachi performances; Ballet Folklorico dancing at 2:00 p.m.; Charreada starts at 3:00 p.m. Food and beverage booths will be available. Admission is $10.00 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets at the gate. 532-0693