LUPE Arte holds one of the Inaugural Summer Camps at the Mexican American Culture Center in July 2007.

AUSTIN, Texas—June 27, 2007— Latinas Unidas Por El Arte in collaboration with the Mexican American Culture Center is holding one of the very first programs at the newly-built center.  Fresh from the success of  “The Kids Are Alright Fest” a Music Festival for bands and kids 18 years and under produced by SXSW music producer James Mays to benefit LUPE Arte, this non-profit, arts organization is keeping busy over the summer to add to their year-round programming with this historic summer camp.  Through the efforts of the Music Festival, LUPE Arte received musical instruments donated by musicians from all over Texas.  One of the instruments is a Flugel horn that was once played in Don Henley’s band. The musician donating the instrument considered LUPE Arte’s use for teaching free, after-school, music classes in Austin schools the best place for the very expensive and very special instrument to be.   

“We are thrilled with the success of the Music Festival and our gratitude goes out to James Mays and his wife, Kate who worked so hard to put everything together and rounded up these magnificent instruments for our kids.  We look forward to using these instruments in our upcoming summer camp and throughout the school year”, said Marita De La Torre, Executive Director for LUPE Arte.
The Summer Camp will be held at the Mexican American Cultural Center at 600 River Street (west of Holly Street) from 9 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 30th through Friday, August 3rd.  The LUPE Arte Summer Camp will feature Mariachi Music and Cultural Dance Instruction.  Texas State University Instructor, Lorenzo Waterhouse will hold the Mariachi camp and University of Texas Graduate Student, Marina del Sol will teach, “Los Viejitos” a dance curriculum incorporating dance and theatre in a tribute performance for community elders.   The outcome performances of the Mariachi and Dance will be showcased at the grand opening of the Mexican American Cultural Center on September 16, 2007. The camp is free to lower income students as defined by AISD and will serve twenty students on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, contact:
Marita De La Torre
Executive Director: Latinas Unidas Por El Arte
(512) 241-9799
marita@lupearte.org

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