This 8th annual event will be a poetic tribute to local music legends
Eight of San Antonio’s most exciting poets and spoken word artists will celebrate in verse and voice the accomplishments of some of the musical legends who helped establish the sonic and melodic soundscape of San Antonio. The 2022 Viva Poesía: Palabras, Música, y Cultura returns as an in-person event after being virtual the past two years with the theme, “La Música Que Somos.” The City of San Antonio World Heritage Office will present this 8th annual event at historic Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave., on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 6-9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The featured poets for this year’s event include San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, Diamond Mason, Tomas Castillo-Roque, Nicole Marie Moore, Don Mathis, Amalia Ortiz, Nephtali De León, and Mandy Lynn Lara. Participating poets will honor in words “Eight Greats” of San Antonio’s music scene: Sunny Ozuna, Vernon “Spot” Barnett, Emilio Navaira, Jim Cullum, Jr., Augie Meyers, Nina Diaz, Patsy Torres, and Flaco Jimenez. The evening will also include performances by Jake Castillo, Los Callejeros, and Santiago Jimenez, Jr.
Each year, Mission Marquee Plaza hosts the local kickoff to National Poetry Month with Viva Poesía, a celebration and showcase of poetry and spoken word artists in San Antonio. Nationally, poetry month is traditionally celebrated in April to raise awareness of the cultural contributions that poets have made and continue to make in our society. As in previous years, this local event focuses on a theme that highlights the diversity and cultural richness found in our city.
“San Antonio is a city unlike any other – with its rich culture and traditions, and unique mix of the historical with the modern,” said District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran. “Mission Marquee Plaza continues to be a community space to showcase all of these facets of San Antonio’s diverse story, especially through the longstanding traditions of music and poetry.”
Anthony “The Poet” Flores will serve as the event master of ceremonies, and attendees will enjoy interactive workshops, make-and-take art activities for the entire family led by San Antonio artists and poets, food trucks, vendors, and more.
For the first time, the World Heritage Office is partnering with Live From The Southside Magazine to give young local writers an opportunity to share their poetry. Students in grades 3-12 can submit poems and family-friendly pieces for a chance to be featured during this year’s Viva Poesia. All material must be related to the event theme. Four individuals will be selected to read their poems at the event. Two winners will be published in Live from the Southside Magazine and win $100 each. More information is available at www.southsidesanantonio.com.
Viva Poesía is part of the kickoff to the new programming season at Mission Marquee Plaza, which began on March 5 with the Farmers & Artisans Market. This year’s season will include approximately 75 scheduled events. Other special cultural events will also include Selena Zumba on September 17, Dia de los Muertos on October 29, and others. The popular Mission Marquee Plaza Outdoor Family Film Series will begin on Saturday, May 7, with a free screening of “Encanto,” and continue through November.
“From celebrating our city’s musical legends and the descendants of San Antonio’s historical missions, to honoring our military legacy and the community’s diverse cultures – there will be something for everyone this year at Mission Marquee Plaza.” said Colleen Swain, Director of the World Heritage Office.
Nestled near the historic San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mission Marquee Plaza continues the site’s long tradition as a community gathering space by hosting seasonal events including free movie screenings, farmers markets, cultural events, music and literary festivals, and more. In 2007, the City of San Antonio acquired the former Mission Drive-In property. In June 2014, Mission Marquee Plaza officially opened its doors for the next generation of nearby Southside families and all of San Antonio residents and visitors to enjoy.
More information on Viva Poesía and other events at Mission Marquee Plaza is available at www.missionmarquee.com. San Antonio area vendors interested in participating can also find vendor registration information on the website. More information on the World Heritage Office is available at www.sanantonio.gov/
PHOTO: Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, Don Mathis, and Santiago Jimenez, Jr. (L-R) are among the poets and performers who will take the stage at Mission Marquee Plaza for Viva Poesía: Palabras, Música, y Cultura on Saturday, March 26, 2022.
Source: City of San Antonio World Heritage Office.
