FESTIBA 2024 Schedule
OVERVIEW
The Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) was established in 2006 to promote the importance of literacy, culture and the arts to students, parents, educators and community members throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
The imagery for FESTIBA 2023-2024 is the hummingbird, which has fascinated humans since ancient times, thus becoming a powerful symbol. Hummingbird symbolism, both spiritual and physical, is found in cultures all over the world. Encountering a hummingbird is seen in many cultures as an indication of good news and impending positives changes. Characteristics associated with hummingbirds include endurance, eternity, good luck, health and vitality, and divine messages. These beautiful and unique birds are associated with life, love, beauty, joy and freedom. They remind us to forever seek out the good in life and beauty in each day.
Friday, February 23
EDINBURG BOOK FESTIVAL with FESTIBA COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
Join us for this fun community event, which will feature an amazing list of family-friendly events including a variety of author presentations, book signings and distributions, musical performances, children’s activities, book and art displays. Featuring Jazminne Mendez - poet, educator and award-winning author. Free books will be distributed by the South Texas Literacy Association!
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library, 1906 South Closner Boulevard, Edinburg
STUDENT TESTIMONIOS: Voices in Academia and Community
Description: Students from several disciplines will present their own testimonios around issues of their identity, class, family, ethnicity, gender and their paths toward a university education. Testimonios are narratives rooted in Latin American and Latinx literary, cultural and activist spheres, where the individual offers a personal story that shows resistance to injustice, oppression, or erasure within dominant culture. Through testimonio one’s story becomes a community’s story. Join our undergraduate students as they share their own stories or those of others they have witnessed.
Presenters: Students from the ENGL 4357 Creative Writing and Social Action class and
instructor jo reyes-boitel.
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Location: Online event. Email jo.reyesboitel01@utrgv.edu for link.
DISTINGUISHED ARTIST SERIES
Jazminne Mendez is a poet, educator and award-winning author. Mendez has had poetry and essays published by The New England review, Crab Creek Review, Kenyon Review, Gulf Coast, The Rumpus, and others. She is the author of two poetry/prose collections: Island of Dreams, which won an International Latino Book Award, and Night-Blooming Jasmin(n)e: Personal Essays and Poetry (Arte Publico Press, 2018). She is an MFA graduate of the creative writing program at the Rainier Writing Workshop at Pacific Lutheran University and a University of Houston alumni.
Co-sponsored by Dept. of Creative Writing.
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library, 1906 South Closner Boulevard, Edinburg
Saturday, February 24
SOUTH TEXAS LITERACY SYMPOSIUM AT FESTIBA 2024
FESTIBA’s Librarians and Educators Day collaborates with Texas Literacy, and the South Texas Literacy Coalition to present the South Texas Literacy Symposium, a professional development conference for local literacy providers. This free conference is sponsored by Literacy Texas. This symposium is offered free of charge to educators, volunteer tutors, ESL teachers, and other library and nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. Featuring Keynote Speaker - Jazminne Mendez, poet, educator and award-winning author.
Co-sponsored by Dept. of Creative Writing.
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Ballroom
To register, visit literacytexas.org/SouthTX.
FESTIBA 2024 ART EXHIBITS
PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX GALLERY EXHIBIT
Julia Santos Solomon is a Contemporary Dominican artist creating paintings, sculpture, and digital media for over forty years. Her vision shaped generations of successful LatinX artists as a founding member of Altos de Chavon School of Design, and she taught Fashion Illustration and Design at Parsons School of Design in NY. Santos Solomon's work has been exhibited and collected nationally and abroad. Represented in permanent collections at Latin Art Museum, Hudson River Museum, Indiana University Museum, Museo de Arte Moderno, Altos de Chavon Foundation. She is archived at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art and the Dominican Studies Institute at CUNY.
Opening Reception Date: To be announced
Artist's talk: To be announced
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex Exhibit Hall
RUSTEBERG ART GALLERY
Anthromordant - Tim Gonchoroff Exhibition
Tim is a fiber and mixed media artist originally from Appalachian Virginia. His work focuses on traditional crafting processes including natural dyeing, weaving, carpentry, and many others as a conduit for investigating and documenting particular elements in environments that are products of an anthropogenic ecology. He is a self-taught weaver that uses a variety of non-traditional materials from unexpected sources such as plastic shopping bags, vinyl advertising banners, and videocassette tape.
Dates: February 21 - March 8
Opening Reception: February 23 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Brownsville Campus, Rusteberg Art Gallery
VISUAL ARTS BUILDING GALLERY
Cross Connections 2024 Exhibition: International Exhibition and Competition of Visual Communication Design and Emerging Media Design.
Dates: February 26 - March 13
Opening Reception: February 29 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Visual Arts Building (EVABL)
FACULTY AND STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
February 26 - March 3
Monday, February 26
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with Eduardo Villarreal
Featuring Mexican poet Eduardo Villarreal
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 11:00 a.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with María José Mielgo Busturia
Featuring Spanish writer and editor María José Mielgo Busturia
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 12:00 p.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING TOOLS FOR THE 21TH CENTURY CLASSROOM: CREATING A TEACHERS’ GUIDE TOOL FOR K-12 EDUCATION THROUGH THE ANCIENT LANDSCAPES OF SOUTH TEXAS MULTIDISCIPLINARY INITIATIVE
Description: This a component of an annual lecture series to showcase UTRGV's CHAPS Program’s ongoing research. The CHAPS Program class "Discovering the Rio Grande Valley" has focused efforts to build a teachers’ guide for K-12 education which details the findings of the Ancient Landscapes of South Texas multidisciplinary project to utilize alongside TEKS-aligned lesson plans. This study covers millions of years of the geological and natural history and 15,000+ years of cultural history of the Rio Grande Valley and is part of an integrated place-based learning project for the greater Rio Grande Valley community.
Student presenters: Jackqueline Alejos – UTRGV Graduate Student of History and Lead US History Teacher PSJA Early College High School
Faculty Advisor: Roseann Bacha-Garza – UTRGV CHAPS Program Director/Lecturer Anthropology
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Edinburg Campus / EHABW 1.406
VISITING WRITER JOSE ALANIZ
Presenter: Jose Alaniz, public reading
Co-sponsors Department of Creative Writing, Center for Mexican American Studies, Center for Latin American Arts, and School of Art and Design.
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Location: EVABL 1.125
UTRGV WIND ORCHESTRA
Join us for a performance by UTRGV’s own Wind Orchestra!
Presenters: UTRGV School of Music with Ronnie Rios, Conductor
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, UTRGV Performing Arts Complex
Tickets at UTRGV ARTS Showpass
Tuesday, February 27
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with Yolanda Bache
Featuring Professor Yolanda Bache, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 12:00 p.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with Dana Gelinas
Featuring Mexican poet Dana Gelinas
Time: 5:00 p.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI Film Screening
Directed by: Sam Osborn & Alejandra Vasquez
Produced by: James Lawler, Luis A. Miranda, Jr., Julia Pontecorvo
Featuring Edinburg North High School's Mariachi Oro, led by Coach Abel Acuña
104 minutes | USA | 2024 | English | Color
Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Free event, Q & A to following film screening
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Student Union Theater
SOUND ROOTS: PRESERVING COSTA RICA'S ANCESTRAL AND NATIVE SOUNDS AS THE ACCOUSTIC IDENTITY OF THE CENTRAL AMERICAN REGION
Description: The Center for Latin American Arts and the School of Music presents a lecture by Álvaro Díaz of Rombos Sound Studio, Costa Rica.
Moderator: Dr. Andrés Amado
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: EPACB 1.128
Zoom link: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/83952547609
UTRGV WIND ORCHESTRA
Join us for a performance by UTRGV’s own Wind Orchestra!
Presenters: UTRGV School of Music with Ronnie Rios, Conductor
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Brownsville Campus, TSC Fine Arts Complex
Tickets at UTRGV ARTS Showpass
EAST MEETS WEST
Description: East Meets West is a captivating program that transcends cultural boundaries, bridging the gap between Eastern and Western music and highlighting the profound influence they exert on each other. This unique musical journey takes audiences on a transformative exploration, showcasing traditional Eastern Turkmen, Armenian, and Azerbaijani pieces alongside captivating performances of modern works that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the musicians themselves. Diana Seitz - violin, Nick May - saxophone, and Maya Tuylieva - piano.
VIP Reception: 6 p.m.
Concert Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Gelman Stained Glass Museum
Tickets
Use Code FESTIBA for $5.00 OFF
Wednesday, February 28
GEAR UP DAYS AT FESTIBA 2024
Description: FESTIBA partners with the Region One GEAR UP program to host hundreds of Gear Up students at the UTRGV Edinburg campus. The students attend inspirational presentations and sessions on the power of creativity, development of literacy skills and self-expression for life success, and tips on college-readiness.
Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with Arturo Dávila
Featuring Mexican poet Arturo Dávila
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 12:00 p.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
UTRGV GROUP CLASS PIANO
A Presentation of a Flipping book for Beginning Piano: “Sing and Play Piano of the Spanish Songs”
Presenter: Dr. Liudmila Varlamova – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and students of class piano of UTRGV.
Time: 12:00 pm (CT)
Zoom link: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/7560916043?omn=83832920998
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with Josefa Báez Ramos
Featuring professor and author Dr. Josefa Báez Ramos
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 5:00 p.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
VISITING WRITER JONAH MIXON-WEBSTER
Description: Poetry Performance with booksigning to follow.
Presenter: Jonah Mixon-Webster, poet and scholar.
Moderator: Emmy Pérez
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: ELABS 107
DISTINGUISHED ARTIST SERIES
FLY DANCE COMPANY
Description: Labeled an artistic phenomenon, FLY crosses street dance with classical choreographic principles. Their technique is hip hop, very creative, gymnastic, and highly masculine. FLY's concerts are clean-cut, wholesome artistry designed to cross all audience boundaries, young and old, men and women, sophisticated and unsophisticated, with pieces combining styles and cultures to reflect contemporary Americana.
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex
Tickets at UTRGV ARTS Showpass
Thursday, February 29
DEATH, LIVING AND THE IDEA OF PROGRESS IN
-LO QUE HAY- (2022) BY SARA TORRES
Description: Dr. Cristina Sánchez-Conejero, by means of the novel -Lo que hay- (2022) by Sara Torres explores the idea of progress, how it is represented and its relation with success and well-being.
Presenter: Dr. Cristina Sánchez-Conejero, Department of Spanish
Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Zoom event: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/3230882414?omn=86255368730 Meeting ID: 323 088 2414
Email cristina.sanchezconejero@utrgv.edu for more information.
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with Héctor Carreto
Featuring Mexican poet Héctor Carreto
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 12:00 p.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
Luis Aguilar: In Memoriam
A tribute to Mexican poet Luis Aguilar (1969-2022)
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 5:30 p.m. (CT)
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, EIEAB 1.207
VISITING WRITER JOSE ALANIZ
Presenter: Jose Alaniz, public reading
Co-sponsors Department of Creative Writing, Center for Mexican American Studies, Center for Latin American Arts, and School of Art and Design.
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Online event. Contact jean.braithwaite@utrgv.edu for zoom link.
STUDENT RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
STUDENT RESEARCH PRESENTATION
Description: Regina Cerna Matamoros will be presenting a book called Sabor del Valle. A collection of photographs from the RGV.
Presenters: Regina Cerna Matamoros
Time: 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex Lobby
A JOURNEY THROUGH FAITH:
FROM SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS TO SAN JUAN, TEXAS
Presented by Downtown San Juan Cultural Arts District UTRGV Historian Intern- Eliseo Zavala
Time: 4 p.m
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex Lobby
CREATIVE WRITING IN A TIME OF CRISIS
Description: This event will feature readings by graduate and undergraduate students in Dr. Steven Schneider's course "Creative Writing in a Time of Crisis." The works will feature poems and short nonfiction pieces written in responses to the U.S/Mexico Border crisis, the climate change crisis and the post-pandemic mental health crisis.
Presenters: Readings by graduate and undergraduate students.
Moderator: Professor Steven Schneider
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Online event. Email steven.schneider@utrgv.edu for link.
Thursday - Friday, February 29 - March 1
READING ROCK STARS VISITS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH BOOK DISTRIBUTIONS
Description: “Reading Rock Stars” program in collaboration with the Texas Book Festival, is a popular mainstay of FESTIBA. Children receive a reading and signed book by an author of national repute.
Reading Rock Stars Schools: Rayburn Elementary, McAllen; Singleterry Elementary, Donna; Stainke Elementary, Donna; Canterbury Elementary, Edinburg; PFC Mario Ybarra Elementary, Weslaco; Dr. R.E. Margo Elementary, Weslaco
Authors: Raul the Third; Jasminne Mendez, Michael Genhart, David Bowles, Adriana Camacho-Church, Diana Lopez and Monica Brown
Friday, March 1
MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
GUEST PRESENTERS
FAMILY STORIES OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Description: The story of the Underground Railroad as it moved through South Texas and into northeastern Mexico is shaped particularly through family stories along the border. It is an under told part of American history. This session will explore the history of the Underground Railroad to find commonalities and differences that may be geographical, political, cultural, and social.
Presenters: Museum CEO Francisco Guajardo, Exhibits & Collections Coordinator Melissa Peña and Communications Officer Pamela Morales de Hendricks
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: River Highway galleries at the Museum of South Texas History (2nd floor)
DR. GARCIA’S GOLD
Description: Let’s tell the story of gold that was buried under a house during the Great Depression and then uncovered by a plumber many years later. It is an exciting story and yet under told story in South Texas history that highlights not only a family that buried the gold, but a story of unprecedented philanthropic generosity in the history of South Texas and in American history. The content for this session comes from a family archival collection that was donated to the Museum of South Texas History in 2022.
Presenters: Museum CEO Francisco Guajardo & Communications Assistant Tony Peña
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Dr. García’s Gold at the Museum of South Texas History in the Cell Block Gallery on the second floor of the 1910 Jail
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with the Elena Poniatowska Foundation
Featuring Felipe Haro and Carolina Aranda Cruz
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 10:00 am
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
JORNADAS LITERARIAS LIBRO ABIERTO
A Conversation with Mexican Poet Socorro Soto
Featuring Mexican poet Socorro Soto
Dr. Elvia Ardalani-University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Time: 12:00 p.m. (CT)
Zoom Event: Contact elvia.ardalani@utrgv.edu in the Department of Spanish to request Zoom link.
EL PIANO LATINOAMERICANO
Description: A Women at the Piano: A Celebration of Piano Music by Women Composers! A three-day piano festival exploring the rich and diverse heritage of Latin American piano music. For details and schedule, follow on Facebook or email juan.andrade@utrgv.edu.
Presenter: Dr. Juan Andrade
Final Concert: March 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Brownsville Campus, TSC Fine Arts Complex
Friday - Sunday, March 1 - 3
Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman
Directed by Dr. Brian Cheslik
Metamorphoses debuted on Broadway in 2002, winning Zimmerman a Tony Award for Best Director. Join us in this poetic retelling of classical Greek and Roman myths by Ovid. Passionate and captivating stories performed in a pool of water, actors will share with you tales of love, loss and transformation.
Genre: Drama
Ages: 18+
Content Warning: Contains adult themes
March 1 & 2 at 7:30 p.m.
March 3 at 2 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
General Admission: $17 Senior/Military: $12
UTRGV Student, Faculty, Staff w/ valid ID: $7
Location: Edinburg Campus, Albert L. Jeffers Theatre
Tickets at UTRGV ARTS Showpass
Friday - Saturday, March 1 - 2
FESTIBA 2024 MARIACHI FESTIVAL
Featuring: Workshop, Competitions & Concert
SPECIAL GUESTS: Mariachi Los Camperos, Jonathan Palomar
$45.00 registration fee includes concert ticket. Individual Concert tickets are $10. Limited number of seats available. For more information and registration, visit:
www.utrgv.edu/festiba
FESTIBA 2024 MARIACHI FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, March 1
8:30 - 9:30am: Registration
9:30 - 10:00am: Presentation of Music with Mariachi Los Camperos and Mariachi Aztlán
10:00am - 12:00pm: Instrumental Workshops with Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Aztlán, and Iván Velasco
10:30 - 11:30am: Directors’ Masterclass with Jonathan Palomar and Dr.
Adolfo Estrada, moderator
12:00 - 1:00pm: Lunch on your own
1:00 - 3:00pm: Instrumental Workshops with Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Aztlán; Jonathan Palomar and Iván Velasco
1:30 - 2:30pm: Directors’ Masterclass with Jesus “Chuy” Guzmán and Eddy López, moderator
3:30 - 5:30pm: FESTIBA 2024 Mariachi Festival Vocal Competition for Middle School and High School Semi-Finals (Tickets: $5 General Admission)
7:00 - 8:30pm: FESTIBA 2024 Mariachi Festival Concert 1
featuring Jonathan Palomar and Mariachi Aztlán with Middle School first place winner and five High School Vocal Competition Finalists. Winners announced at the end (Tickets: $10 General Admission; Workshop Registration includes free ticket to Concert 1)
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex
Tickets at UTRGV ARTS Showpass
Saturday, March 2
9:30 - 11:30am: Middle School, JV and 4A Group Competition
12 - 4pm: 5A and 6A High School Group Competition.
Division winners and Grand Champion announced at the end.
7 - 9pm: FESTIBA 2024 Mariachi Festival Grand Concert: Middle and High School Vocal and Ensemble Competition winners, Mariachi Aztlán, and Mariachi Los Camperos (Tickets: $5/10/20; Workshop Registration includes free ticket to Grand Concert)
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex
Tickets at UTRGV ARTS Showpass
Saturday, March 2
THIRD ANNUAL MAYOR JOE V. SANCHEZ MEMORIAL BOOK FESTIVAL
Mayor Joe V. Sánchez was a longtime mayor of Weslaco, superintendent of schools, a veteran, and an author. The annual book festival was created in his memory to promote literacy, the arts and culture throughout the community and beyond while celebrating creativity. The itinerary includes author panels, children’s story time, read-alongs, arts and crafts, games and video games, and t-shirt giveaways, with a free book distribution by The South Texas Literacy Coalition.
Time: 1 - 5 p.m.
Location: Mayor Joe V. Sánchez Public Library in Weslaco
Sunday, March 3
DANCE ADJUDICATION FESTIVAL
UTRGV Dance Program will be hosting the Dance Adjudication Festival Gala Concert. The objective of this Gala concert is to present the most outstanding performers/groups from the Dance Adjudication Festival.
Faculty Presenter: Miguel Peña with Ballet Folklórico UTRGV
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex
Tickets: $10 General Admission and $5 students/children
Tickets at UTRGV ARTS Showpass
Special thanks to our partners and sponsors:
City of Edinburg
Dustin M. Sekula Library
Museum of South Texas History
Gelman Stained Glass Museum
San Juan Cultural Arts District
Tocker Foundation
South Texas Literacy Coalition
Literacy Texas
Texas Book Festival
National Endowment for the Arts
College of Fine Arts
Department of Creative Writing
UTRGV Art Galleries
Center for Latin American Arts
College of Liberal Arts
Center for Mexican American Studies
School of Art and Design
Department of Spanish
For more information, visit www.utrgv.edu/festiba or call (956) 665-2353.