Article on the BSPA published by the
Mesquite Review in their
April/May 2001 Issue. 110700

Visit their great website at www.mesquitereview.com and subscribe!

 

by Priscilla Rodriguez

Wow. After my Saturday spent in Brownsville, this was the one word that popped into my mind. Having lived here most of my life, I can count the times that I actually made the effort to travel to Brownsville.

Not that it is that far of a trip to make from Weslaco, but for some reason, I sometimes forget that Brownsville is part of the Rio Grande Valley. For those residing in McAllen or the neighboring area, it may seem that traveling to Brownsville for an event or for entertainment is not worth the time to take the trip. However, it is.

As I discovered Brownsville and experienced it for myself, I felt as someone slapped me in the face, and a slight tug in my stomach assured me of what I already knew: yes, I too am guilty of becoming so absorbed in the cultural or performing arts events in the Upper Valley, that I completely disregard the Lower Valley. It’s not like I do it to be mean-spirited or unsupportive, but sometimes a person becomes so overwhelmed by the exciting bursts of creativity that occur frequently in McAllen that it becomes difficult to imagine it happens anywhere else.

I plead: ignorance.

I just didn’t know. But I realize that it does not excuse me. And quite honestly, I am not sure how I was supposed to know about all of the stimulating performing arts events. Sure I read the paper, but does that really explain things to me? Sadly, there are very few mediums to transmit this sort of information. Just ask yourself: how many times have you run across a story about a city (the actual city itself, elected officials and all) and an alliance of organizations (yes, I said alliance—groups actually working together instead of competing with each other) dedicated to revitalizing their town by promoting the arts?

I bet you do not hear about something like this everyday. Yet, that is exactly what is occurring in Brownsville. This city seems to be miles ahead of every other city in the Rio Grande Valley as far as their approach, dedication, commitment and passion to the arts and performing arts. Other cities would do well to follow Brownsville’s example. Imagine if every city in the Valley placed such an emphasis on the arts—and the galleries and museums and schools and businesses and the Chamber of Commerce and the city officials sat down and agreed to work together and support each other with their respective projects.

I know it sounds like a fairy tale, but it can happen. Thankfully, it is happening in Brownsville, and it is the entire Valley’s responsibility to support their endeavors in the hopes that the other cities will follow suit, so that the Rio Grande Valley will become the cultural, art, and economic Mecca that a border region should be.

You may be asking yourself right now: So what is it about Brownsville that makes them so special?

I’ll tell you. The umbrella organization, and the driving force for this commitment to the arts is the Brownsville Society of Performing Arts (BSPA). This organization is known for bringing world-class musical concerts to Brownsville ranging from Latin Jazz, Gospel, Classical, Blues, Flamenco, and Rock-n-Roll and more. Their signature event is the Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival that occurs toward the end of October, which includes a week of regional and national acts.

Not only are their events well organized, they are also fun. I had the pleasure of attending the BSPA Sticky Fingers concert (they are the Rolling Stones tribute band). As I danced the night away with society members, laughed as Dick Swagger (not Mick Jagger) serenaded me, and sat around and drank cold beer, it occurred to me that more people from across the Valley should have been at this concert. At the very least, they would help support the performing arts, as 100 percent of the profit generated from the concerts is reinvested in more concerts, festivals and other performing art activities.

Also, according to their season program, “the BSPA was recently restructured with a new vision for the future of Brownsville. Designed to strengthen and reinvigorate our community through the Performing Arts, it is now a coalition that shares its resources, and know-how with all concerns, public and private, that seek to promote the Performing Arts in Brownsville….”

This coalition is quite impressive by all standards. It includes the City of Brownsville, whose commitment to restoring Brownsville as the jewel of the Valley through a campaign to revamp the Brownsville Historical Downtown District is commendable. Also, another alliance member, the Capital Theatre Restoration Project, is at the center of the overall endeavor to restore downtown to a cultural and entertainment district through the renovation of the Capital Theatre. The plans include turning the historical theatre into a state of the art facility that is open 365 days a year for art and cultural acts. According to George Ramirez, president of BSPA and self described “interested bystander” for the performing arts, the Capital Theatre project needs the entire community support, as it will be “the anchor to the downtown entertainment district.”

Also, alliance members from the Patron of the Arts Series as well as the Arts and Entertainment Season at Jacob Brown Auditorium both offer a variety of musical presentations throughout the year ranging from Russian Ballet, Latin Dance performances, classic performances and much more….

The South Texas Talent Commission (STTC) along with the Imagen Foundation are also alliance members. STTC was started with the help of Congressman Solomon Ortiz whose work with the Imagen Foundation, a group of Hollywood executives from the top networks and movie companies, is helping promote Latinos in the performing arts. The STTC brings Hollywood to Brownsville in a showcase of regional talent ranging from dance to musical acts. This showcase, occurring in April, is one of the many exciting projects of the BSPA.

Other alliance members include Casa de Cultura Carlotta Petrina, a cultural museum dedicated to the world renowned artist Carlotta Petrina, the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, KMBH 88.1 fm radio, the South Texas Classical Guitar Society, and CineSol Film Festival.

And that’s just the BSPA.

There is much more happening in Brownsville: the art shows at the Neale House, home of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art and the Brownsville Art League.

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