Viva México

Event Partners:

Univision
Our local Spanish-language news station will be providing bilingual presentations for the event! They bring high-energy excitement to our announcements in Spanish/ English. Univision will be bringing some of their community partners to this event so expect fun giveaways, dynamic activations and exciting activities including loteria!

     Univision Special Guest Hosts:
     Juanita Buenrostro
     Blanca Gaytan
     Veronica del Fierro
     Wendy Daza
     Edwin Guzman

Sonora Hechicera
All-female Cumbia band based out of San Antonio, Texas. Many of the members are music educators and have set their main mission to providing young female musicians representation in the San Antonio music community and beyond. These ladies have grown into a popular highly followed band in the central Texas area. They strive to keep the music they grew up with in the hearts and ears of the next generation.

Danza Azteca Guadalupana
A local dance group founded in 2011 by the Flores family, these dancers bring traditions from San Luis de La Paz, Guanajuato. This ancient dance is rooted in Mexico’s indigenous history. The sacred garments worn in Aztec dance promote the traditions of Pre-Columbian Mexico that are carried on by new generations on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Ricardo Castillon y La Diferencia
Ricardo grew up in the Texas panhandle, and rose to prominence as the charismatic leader of La Diferenzia, dominating the Tejano charts throughout the 1990s.Their 1994 Grammy-nominated self-titled record (Best Mexican/Mexican-American album) includes the hit singles “Si Lo Quieres” and “Linda Chaparrita”. “Mundo Sin Guitarras” quickly became Song of The Year at the 1998 Tejano Music Awards. After considerable success with La Diferenzia, he embarked on his solo career in 1999. He continued his work with critical acclaim throughout the decades, and in early 2025, is releasing further solo work: Renacimiento del Phoenix. The album features 12 original tracks, each accompanied by a music video, entering a new era that honors his roots while pushing the boundaries of Latin music. 

Ballet Folklorico de Austin
Ballet Folklórico de Austin (BFA) is a vibrant cultural dance group founded in 2014 by Artistic Director Edgar Yépez-García. Known for vibrant, authentic regional costumes and educational performances, the company brings the rich, joyful dances of Mexico—especially Yépez-García's native Oaxaca—to the Austin community. They collaborate with master dance instructors and directors from different Mexican states to preserve traditional choreography, and they hold annual and seasonal events in Austin, such as their Mexico de Colores at the MACC on September 20th, the Guelaguetza Oaxaqueña, and Día de Muertos celebrations.

Samantha Ledezma Montenegro
Samantha is an Austin-based Mexican actress, writer, and theater producer. She is actively involved in the local theater community and focuses on projects that empower women and promote cultural arts. She operates her own production banner, Montenegro Producciones, through which she writes, directs, and performs in original comedic and dramatic plays across Austin. She was featured as a central performer in the multi-disciplinary poetry and music event "SOUL / ALMA", a collaborative project between The Long Center for the Performing Arts and ConnectARTE. Beyond acting, she writes original scripts and librettos for local live-action Spanish-language theater and sketch comedy. Samantha wrote an original play about "La Corregidora" for Viva Mexico, giving viewers insight into an often-overlooked female figure in Mexico's Battle for Independence.

Consulado General de Austin
It is a MACC tradition to invite our Mexican Consulate to commemorate this annual Viva Mexico event. Consul General Humberto Hernández Haddad will give the “Grito” of Independence. El Grito de Dolores or Grito de Independencia, was a speech given by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810, in Dolores, Mexico, that called for Mexicans to fight for independence from Spain. Hidalgo rang the church bell to gather the village and encouraged them to revolt against the Spanish authorities, triggering the Mexican War of Independence.

Casa Canta Choir
The Himno Nacional de Mexico, Mexico's National Anthem, will be sung by the participants of the MACC's "Casa Canta" program, a singing workshop that is part of the MACC's ongoing series of workshops and classes called "Casa de la Cultura".

Mariachi Alma Mexicana
Founded by Michael Diaz in 2024, Mariachi Alma Mexicana has come an award-winning Mariachi in 2 years, placing in the top 3 both years at the Mariachi Conference in Albuquerque New Mexico in 2025 and 2026. This Mariachi is built to promote the Mariachi talent within the City of Austin for Stage Shows and performances.

Latin Breed
Born on the south side of San Antonio, The Latin Breed is one of the most distinctive tejano bands to survive the Chicano/Tejano renaissance. The 10-piece Tejano band continues performing across the nation. Starting out in San Antonio back in 1969, the thought of becoming one of the most time honored bands in la Onda was the last thing on their minds. After logging thousands of gigs over the years, with multiple festival, award show and other big appearances in cities across the country, they find ourselves in our 53rd year of performing latin music. Latin Breed is also known for their strong hornline and for hit songs such as Ay Mujer and Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros.