40th Anniversary Celebration Gala November 21, 2010

Influential Mission District institution and community arts space Galería de la Raza is pleased to announce its 40th Anniversary Season. To commemorate this pivotal milestone, the Galería has created a robust itinerary of events that will take place this Fall.  The celebratory programming is comprised of four events; the Retrospective Anniversary Exhibition, an interactive Family Day, a Latin Jazz concert at Yerba Buena Gardens and an exclusive finale ceremony at Brava Theatre Center featuring Guillermo Gómez-Peña and Sandra Cisneros.

The 40th Anniversary Season will finish with a momentous evening composed of legendary performance, observance of cultural icons, complimentary food and drink as well as VIP celebration all of which are hosted at the Brava Theatre Center. The evening will begin with an awards ceremony honoring Sandra Cisneros, Tomás Ybarra-Frausto, and René Yañez for their worldwide contributions to the Latino community.  Following, pioneer performance artist and activist, El Mad Mex Gómez-Peña (Guillermo Gómez-Peña), will present the San Francisco premier of Strange Democracy. With his signature “Chicano cyber-punk” wit, the artist addresses several issues such as the challenges that Obama is facing as well as the U.S.’s  anti-immigration hysteria.  The performance will include a guest appearance by writer Sandra Cisneros who is known for her contributions to The Village Voice and the New York Times and is the author of The House on Mango Street.  The evening will end with a VIP after-party with music and catering by Radio Africa & Kitchen, who will offer an exotic hybrid menu influenced by the cuisines of the Mediterranean and Red Sea countries.

Official Website: http://www.galeriadelaraza.org