Dr. Beatriz de la Garza Presentation and Book Signing in Austin

The Austin History Center and Austin History Center Association are sponsoring a presentation and book signing by author Dr. Beatriz de la Garza on Sunday, April 28, 2013 from 2p.m. – 4p.m. at the Austin History Center – David Holt Photo Gallery, 810 Guadalupe Street.

Using family papers, local chronicles, and scholarly works, de la Garza tells the story of the Republic of the Rio Grande and its people from the perspective of individuals who lived in this region from the mid-eighteenth to the mid-twentieth century.

The program is open to and free for the public and the parking is free on Sundays. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 512.974-7499 or visit http://www.austinhistory.net

Source: City of Austin, Austin History Center

Liz Lopez

Texas Folklife Presents “Border Songbirds: Alondras de la Frontera” by Gene Fowler

Texas Folklife presents “Border Songbirds: Alondras de la Frontera,” an evening of discussion about Tejana vocalists of the past and present. The free program, sponsored by Humanities Texas, of lectures and recorded musical selections takes place on Thursday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. at the Texas Music Museum, 1009 E. 11th St.

Gene Fowler, who is currently writing a script on Tejana vocalists for Texas Folklife, will talk about artists of the past such as Lydia Mendoza, Rosa Dominguez, and Chelo Silva, in addition to veteran artists who are still performing in the quartet Los Tesoros de San Antonio, including Rita Vidaurri and Beatriz Llamas.

Based on the book Border Radio: Quacks, Yodelers, Pitchmen, Psychics and other Amazing Broadcasters of the American Airwaves, co-written by Gene Fowler and Bill Crawford, “Border Songbirds: Alondras de la Frontera” will be the third in the Border Radio Program series produced by Texas Folklife. Live theatrical productions were recorded for public radio broadcasts nationwide; “Border Radio: Big Jukebox in the Sky” was produced in 2005 and “Electronic Campfire” in 2007.

Fowler will present a sneak-preview on the research completed for the third Border Radio script. In addition, Gloria Espitia, historian with the Austin History Center, will talk about her research and documentation of contemporary female musicians in Austin.

For more information on Texas Folklife visit www.texasfolklife.org