HemisFair 1968: San Antonio’s Introduction to the World

Through April 5, 2009

 

Anne Frank: A Private Photo Album
Through May 11, 2008

Memorial Memories

May 25, 2008, 2:30 p.m.

 

Texas Folklife Festival

June 13 – 15, 2008

On April 6, the museum celebrated a milestone – 40 years of entertaining, informing, and inspiring the San Antonio community and its visitors. The festivities began with a commemorative ceremony at HemisFair Plaza, followed by a procession led by San Antonio civic leaders to the museum for a ribbon cutting ceremony and public reception to open the exhibit, HemisFair 1968: San Antonio’s Introduction to the World. The exhibit features previously unreleased HemisFair photos from the museum's 3.5 million-image photo archive, film captured at the six-month exposition, and artifacts including event guides, uniforms, souvenirs and more. A video filling 14 screens on the Dome Show Theater showcases photos and footage from the groundbreaking and construction of what became HemisFair. The images, along with a soundtrack of period music, take guests on a nostalgic journey through the ‘60s sharing the story of HemisFair.

The exhibit will run through April 5, 2009. Visit the HemisFair 1968: San Antonio’s Introduction to the World event page for more details, and the Dome Show Theater page for showtimes. Remember, you receive free admission to the museum with your UTSA ID!

As one party ends, another one begins. There is only one month to rest from all of the Fiesta activities before it’s time for the 37th annual Texas Folklife Festival. This year’s theme is “We All Belong,” so bring your family and friends to this three-day cultural event featuring more than 40 ethnic groups. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the music, costumes, ethnic foods, dance, traditional cultural performances, crafts, cooking demonstrations, storytelling, pioneer demonstrations, special exhibits, carnival rides, and so many other fun and educational activities.
 
Your attendance at the festival will help cultural groups from across Texas raise funds to preserve traditions for future generations. Invite your family and friends to participate, have fun, and learn how truly similar Texans are – that we all belong!
 
The Texas Folklife Festival is June 13-15 at UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures.
Friday, June 13, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, June 15, noon to 7 p.m.
Ticket and general information is available at www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org or at the Event Information Line, (210) 458-2390. Advance discount tickets are on sale at all H-E-B locations May 1 – June 15. Visit the web site for UTSA campus ticket locations.

May 1, 1980 – The Dallas Mavericks became the 23rd member of the National Basketball Association, when owner Donald Carter's Dallas National Basketball Association, Inc., was awarded a franchise by NBA commissioner Lawrence O'Brien.

May 12, 1903 – The song, "The Eyes of Texas" was first performed at the Hancock Opera House in Austin, benefiting the University of Texas track team. The song soon became the official song of the University of Texas.

May 22, 1911 – The Carlos Villalongín Dramatic Company, a Mexican theatrical company, opened in San Antonio. The company, founded in Jalisco, Mexico, in 1849, arrived in San Antonio in May 1911 and contracted to perform at the Teatro Aurora for nine months.

Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo originated from the days when France wanted to control Mexico after the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. England, Spain, and France had all invaded Mexico to collect debts Mexico had accrued during the war. France  wanted to use this opportunity to create an Empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. While the Spanish and English armies withdrew, in 1862, the French army began their attack. In a famous battle, under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the "Batalla de Puebla" on the fifth of May (or Cinco de Mayo, in Spanish.)

Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. Today, people of Mexican heritage in the United States still celebrate Cinco de Mayo with parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing and other activities. 

Memorial Day
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. It was established to commemorate the soldiers who were killed in the Civil War. The first documented observance was on May 5, 1866 in Waterloo, New York. Through the years, it has become a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all U.S. wars. People remember our fallen troops by placing flowers on the graves of soldiers, and many communities have parades as tributes to the soldiers who have lost their lives serving this country.
 
On May 25, at 2:30 p.m., UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures will honor Memorial Day with a free concert called Memorial Memories. This musical tribute to America's military men and women features the Sentimental Journey Orchestra under the direction of Ted Conerly, and the Memphis Belles trio, both performing arrangements from the Big Band era. For more information, please visit the Memorial Memories event page.

Mexican Rice
This is a traditional Mexican side dish, and is a great compliment to any Mexican meal you may be serving for Cinco de Mayo festivities!

1 cup rice
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 tablespoons chopped onions
2 tablespoons chopped bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped tomatoes
1 or 2 garlic cloves, crushed
¼ to ½ teaspoon cumin, (comino) crushed or ground
Tomato sauce, enough to color
¼ can Rotel tomatoes with peppers
Salt and pepper

Brown the dry rice in cooking oil. Drain off oil and stir in the other ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add 2 cups water and bring the rice mixture to a boil. When it begins to boil, lower the heat and cover. From this point do not stir the rice. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes or until the water is absorbed. It is then ready to serve.

This recipe is featured in The Melting Pot, the museum’s signature cookbook. You can purchase a copy of The Melting Pot online at The Museum Store.