SAN ANTONIO – One of the city’s most storied downtown landmarks will be the focus of a National Hispanic Heritage Month event highlighting both its history and what could come next.
The Bexar County Heritage Center is presenting “The Historic Alameda: Its Past and Its Future,” a symposium centered on the Alameda Theater. The downtown theater has been closed for 36 years, but it remains the largest Latino-oriented performing arts venue in the United States, according to the Bexar County Heritage Center.
Originally opening in 1949, the 1,100-seat Alameda became a staple of San Antonio culture, hosting Mexican performers including Grammy Award winner Vicente Fernández and Golden Age icon actress and singer María Félix.
Three speakers are scheduled to discuss the theater’s significance: Pete Cortez, chief executive officer of La Familia Cortez Restaurants; Sarah Gould, an executive director for the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute; and Hector Saldaña, curator of the Texas Music Collection for The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. Former San Antonio Express-News metro columnist and current co-host of the Buena Vista Project podcast Elaine Ayala will moderate.
“This partnership means so much to our community. It gives us a chance to come together to rediscover our roots, honor the stories that shaped us and ensure they continue to flourish for generations. The Alameda has such a profound impact on Bexar County, and we want everyone to understand and feel the importance of its legacy,” said Mari Tamez, Bexar County heritage manager.
The symposium will be held at the historic Bexar County Courthouse in the Double-Height Courtroom, 100 Dolorosa St., from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend.