(April 5, 2018) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Texan Cultures will mark its 50th anniversary with a weekend of activities and celebrations, recounting its earliest days at HemisFair ’68, reaffirming its dedication to heritage and diversity, and opening the way for the future of the museum.
Celebrations begin the evening of April 6, 50 years since the opening of HemisFair ’68. At 5 p.m., city leaders and Hemisfair officials, along with museum staff, will gather at the institute to commemorate the event with two new exhibits: Viva HemisFair, and Viva ITC, opening at the museum. The evening will include a new Dome Show at the institute’s 26-screen Dome Theater, and other entertainment, including a performance from Sebastian de la Cruz, the lauded Charro del Oro. This kickoff event is free and open to the public.
During the ceremonies, the institute will introduce its annual Texas Star Heritage AwardTM recipients. The institute began conferring the awards in 2017 to recognize individuals and organizations who have contributed to preserving Texas heritage and championing Texas diversity. The 2018 class includes the Asociacion de Charros de San Antonio; Catalina Torres Schessler of the Panamanian community; Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long of the Long Foundation; Renee Watson of the Bexar County Small, Minority and Women Owned Enterprise program; and Dr. Rajam Ramamurthy of the Arathi School of Indian Dance.
On Saturday, the institute will feature cultural performances, Dome Show screenings, gallery hosts to lead tours, and living historians at the Back 40 outdoor education area to lead guests through the 1800s era buildings. Presenters include the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio and the San Antonio Charros Association.
Saturday evening, the institute will host a "1968 Rewind-Reboot," annual fundraising event. It includes an "ITC-A-GO-GO" Fashion Show by acclaimed fashion reporter and writer Michael Quintanilla. Hors d’ouevres for the evening include flavors inspired by the cultural groups that have made Texas their home. The cocktail selections include drinks popularized in the 60s, courtesy of 1876 Bourbon, Dripping Springs Vodka & Gin, and a selection of Texas beers, courtesy of Big Bend Brewing, Southerleigh, Shiner and GLI Distributing.
The institute’s Free Second Sunday falls on April 8 and will include a schedule of cultural performances and Dome Show screenings. Docents and gallery hosts will staff the exhibit floor and costumed living historians will staff the Back 40. Participating organizations for the day include the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, the Arathi School of Indian Dance and UTSA Acapella.
"We’ll spend this anniversary honoring our past, celebrating our victories and rededicating ourselves to the institute’s mission," said executive director Angelica Docog. "We will continue to preserve and pass on our state’s heritage and we will continue to demonstrate how diverse cultures contribute to the Texan identity."
The Institute of Texan Cultures is located on the UTSA Hemisfair Campus, 801 E. César E. Chávez Blvd. in downtown San Antonio.
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Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
