MUSCATINE, IOWA (October 7, 2022) — The Muscatine Art Center, LULAC Muscatine, and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security are collaborating to offer an evening of dancing, music, and more on Thursday, October 20, 5:15-6:45PM.
The West Liberty student group, Los Cometas Mariachi, will begin the evening at 5:15PM. The group began in January 2021 with funding from the Racial Justice Fund awarded by the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine under the direction of Ashley Smith, director of bands at West Liberty High School. The mission of Los Cometas Mariachi is “Empowering youth, building community, and teaching culture through authentic music education.” The group’s first public performance was in May 2021 and has since performed in a variety of venues.
Students from Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico (QCBF) will share the Mexican culture through the art form of dance during a one-hour performance beginning at 5:30PM. The QCBF consists of about eighty students ranging in ages from four to eighteen years old. Since its founding in 1984, the group has performed at a variety of events such as local fiestas, art festivals, and school functions.
In addition to the performances, several crafts will be available, including a Luchadores paper-mask activity led by artist Miriam Alarcon Avila and a mini-piñata craft presented by the Muscatine Art Center. Student groups, West Liberty Latinos Americanos 4-H, and Muscatine UNIDOS 4-H, will provide activities for children and families. Muscatine Community College LULAC will sell desserts.
Attendees will receive tickets for two free tacos catered by Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant. The performance is free of charge thanks to a grant from the Mary Jo and Richard H Stanley Human Conditions Grant through the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine. The performances will be held on the grounds of the Muscatine Art Center, and attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the performances and activities will be moved indoors to the Muscatine Art Center’s Music Room and studio.
The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10AM-5PM, Thursday evenings until 7PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5PM. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a quarterly newsletter.
