Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Events

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The ESB-MACC building is currently closed to the public. For information on the building expansion and renovation, visit MaccPhase2. Our programs are taking places at Recreation Centers, Libraries, and other sites!

See a full calendar of Museums and Cultural programs! (at various locations such as the Carver, DAC, AARC, etc)

Check our Facebook (@ESBMACC) for the most up-to-date event details. 

 View the MACC Holistic Wellness Calendar in English & Spanish.  

PROGRAMS BY TYPE:

Holistic Wellness Program

 

**All classes are free & bilingual (English and Spanish) - Todas las clases son gratis y bilingües (inglès y español)** View the MACC Holistic Wellness Calendar in English/Spanish. For questions, please email maccwellness@austintexas.gov

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Salsa & Bachata

⏰ Thursdays in June @ 6:30-7:30pm 
📍 Pan Am Recreation Center | 2100 E 3rd, Austin, TX

These weekly classes will teach steps and body movements that define these popular Latin American dances. No prior experience or partner is needed.

Pre-registration requested. Please email maccwellness@austinexas.gov

**NOTE: NO CLASS JUNE 19th**
 

Español

Salsa y Bachata

⏰ Jueves en Junio @ 6:30-7:30pm 
📍 Pan Am Recreation Center | 2100 E 3rd, Austin, TX

En estas clases semanales se enseñarán los pasos y movimientos del cuerpo que definen estos populares bailes latinoamericanos. No se necesita experiencia previa ni pareja.

Pre-registro solicitado. Envie un email a maccwellness@austinexas.gov

**NOTA: NO HAY CLASE 19 DE JUNIO**

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Beginner's Swim Lesson

📍 Mabel Davis Municipal Pool | 3427 Parker Ln. Austin, TX
⏰ Tuesday & Thursday @ 6-6:40pm
📅 June 10 - July 3rd

📍 Colony Park Pool | 7201 Colony Loop Dr, Austin, TX
⏰ Monday and Wednesday @ 6-6:40pm
📅 July 7 - July 30th

Students will become familiar with the aquatic environment and acquire rudimentary aquatic skills to develop positive attitudes and safe practices in and around the water.

Two separate concurrent classes available for Adult and Youth (5-17) learners.
**NO CLASS THURS, JUN 19**
**CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT**

Pre-registration required. Please email maccwellness@austintexas.gov

Español

Clases de Natación para Principiantes

📍 Mabel Davis Municipal Pool | 3427 Parker Ln. Austin, TX
⏰Martes y Jueves @ 6-6:40pm
📅 10 de junio - 3 de Julio

📍 Colony Park Pool | 7201 Colony Loop Dr, Austin, TX
⏰ Lunes y Miércoles @ 6-6:40pm
📅 7- 30 de Julio

Los estudiantes aprenderan a sentirse cómodos en el agua y habilidades acuáticas básicas para desarrollar actitudes positivas y prácticas seguras dentro y alrededor del agua. Dos clases concurrentes separadas disponibles para adultos y jóvenes (5-17).

**NO HAY CLASE EL JUEVES 19 DE JUNIO**
**LOS NIÑOS DEBEN IR ACOMPAÑADOS POR UN ADULTO**

Se requiere pre-registro. Envíe un email a maccwellness@austintexas.gov

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Community Drumming

⏰ 4th Saturday of each month @ 3:30pm
📍 Windsor Park Library | 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin, TX 78723

Learn to play rhythms influenced by West African, Afro-Latin and contemporary styles. Drums provided - feel free to bring your own drum or percussion instrument. 

Español

Tambores en Comunidad

⏰ Cuarto Sábado del mes @ 3:30pm
📍 Windsor Park Library | 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin, TX 78723

Aprende a tocar ritmos influenciados por el África occidental, el afro-latino y estilos contemporáneos. Tambores proporcionados - siéntase libre de traer su propio tambor o instrumento de percusión. 

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Chair Yoga with Sana Yoga

⏰ 3rd Wednesday of each month @ 10am
📍 Dove Springs Recreation Center| 5801 Ainez Dr, Austin, TX 78744

⏰ 3rd Friday of each month @ 10:30am
📍 Windsor Park Library| 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin, TX 78723

A gentle form of yoga that can be performed seated in a chair. These modification make yoga accessible to people with various physical abilities

Español

Yoga en silla con Sana Yoga

⏰ Tercer miércoles del mes @ 10am
📍 Dove Springs Recreation Center| 5801 Ainez Dr, Austin, TX 78744

⏰ Tercer viernes del mes @ 10:30am
Windsor Park Library| 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin, TX 78723

Una forma suave de yoga que se puede practicar sentado en una silla. Estas modificaciones hacen que el yoga sea accesible para personas con diferentes capacidades físicas

 

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Cine de Oro

⏰ Tuesday, April 29 @ 9am-12pm
📍Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center | 808 Nile Street, Austin, TX 78702

Join us for a screening of a film from the golden age of Mexican cinema. Lunch will be served.

Español

Cine de Oro

⏰ Martes, 29 de abril @ 9am-12pm
📍Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center | 808 Nile Street, Austin, TX 78702

Acompáñanos a la presentación de un película clásico del cine mexicano. ¡El almuerzo será servido!

Activities/Collaborations

Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin

The purpose of TGSA is to foster excellence in genealogy through educational programs and projects that preserve, produce and disseminate knowledge of genealogical or historical value. Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin has monthly Saturday meetings and Thursday Study Group sessions at the Carver Genealogy Center.  The Genealogy Center is the little house facing the street.  On the right side of it is the Carver Library and behind it is the Carver Museum. It is a big complex. You will find parking in front and on the south and north sides of the complex.  If you park on the north side be prepared to do some climbing---lots of steps!  One more important thing---no food is allowed in the building, so there will be no coffee or pan dulce. - TGSA Staff

WHO: All Ages
WHEN: 1st Saturdays of the month from 10AM - 12PM
WHERE: G.W. Carver Museum & Cultural Center 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702

CONTACT: Minnie Wilson: minswil@yahoo.com

The Bronze Community Band Project

The Bronze Community Band Project (BCBP) is a group of Austin musicians dedicated to preserving Mexican American music. Rooted in community-based practice, the project provides culturally relevant music education in the regional bajo-sexto conjunto and orquesta tradition of Mexican American heritage. The Bronze Community Band Project’s mission is to research, promote and preserve the bi-musical heritage of the Mexican American community.  

Artistic Director Robert Rivera Ojeda developed the project to give young adult to elder instrumentalists and vocalists an opportunity to: 1) increase their musicianship skills through basic music reading literacy, 2) showcase their talent, and 3) capture Mexican American music (normally passed down by oral tradition) in written notated form. 

BCBP have repeatedly taught and performed at ESB-MACC in their commitment to music preservation and community education, bridging the young and older generations. It has also collaborated with other esteemed City of Austin partners like the Oakwood Cemetery and Austin Central Library in dedication to keeping Mexican American music alive and flourishing in Austin! 

Examples of past collaborations with the Bronze Community Band Project include:

2018 - First showcase of the “Tribute To La Musica Chicana”at the Oswaldo Cantu Pan American Recreation Center.  

2019 - Received the Raza Award at the 34th Annual Dia de la Raza Celebration presented by ESB-MACC

2019 - Second showcase of the “Tribute To La Musica Chicana” at the Austin Central Library. Partly funded by the Austin Central Library, Austin Cultural Arts Division, and ESB-MACC.

2020 -  Historical presentation of Old California and Texas music (1769-1850) at the Austin Oakwood Cemetery (as part of a program called “Sacrificios”.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact Robert Ojeda: robertojeda937@gmail.com
Contact Marie Ortiz marie.ortiz@austintexas.gov

Video (Below)  The BCBP presented Old California and Texas music (1769-1850) at the Austin Oakwood Cemetery as part of their program called “Sacrificios". Their music can also be found at Reverb Nation.

MACC Education Department

SABADOS EN FAMILIA
Saturdays at various locations:

3/8/2025, 12-2pm, North Village Branch Library
4/12/2025, 12-2pm, Pleasant Hill Branch Library
5/10/2025, 12-2pm, Milwood Branch Library

Sábados en Familia is a free kids’ cultural arts and crafts program delivered by the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center. The program takes place at libraries all over Austin. Families with kids of all ages can participate for free. A craft project follows the read-along.

*Kid- friendly, all ages
*Hands-on story and activity for families
*Cultural art education

Academia Cuauhtli:

Academia Cuauhtli is made up of a coalition of educators and community advocates helping families explore their cultural heritage through an inclusive curriculum centering the language, art, and history of Latinx/a/o/e and Indigenous cultures. Academia Cuauhtli provides a range of free extracurricular programs, including its Saturday bilingual arts program and summer coding camp, offered in partnership with Aztech Kidz Code.

Questions? Email katya.guzman@austintexas.gov

COSECHA: YOUTH SUMMER CAMP
with the MACC Education Department

We are proud to offer dual-language cultural arts camps during Spring and Summer breaks. In these camps, youth explore the themes of Social and Environmental Justice as they rotate through curriculum in music, dance, visual art, theatre, and puppetry. Students learn the history of social movements throughout Latinx communities while learning the importance of caring for people, the environment, and the world around us.

Details for 2025 Camps will be posted at AustinTexas.gov/SummerCamps

Figúralo: Youth Exhibit 
with the MACC Education Department 

The Youth Exhibit, Figúralo is the annual youth exhibit featuring artwork from young artists from across central Texas. Figúralo showcases the exploration of artistic mediums through figurines, figurative images and figurative narratives. This winter exhibit asks the question, where can my imagination take me?

WHERE: Virtual Exhibition through the Smithsonian Learning Lab

Check out the last year's digital exhibit on the Smithsonian Learning Lab! 

Signature Events

Each year the ESB-MACC hosts four signature events organized for the community to honor, share, and celebrate our culture and heritage. Always free to attend and participate. Learn more about our yearly events below!

Viva Mexico

Viva Mexico is hosted every year in September close to the 15th of September. In 2025, Viva Mexico will be held on Saturday, Sept 13. Location is TBD. All details will be updated at www.austintexas.gov/vivamexico. The day of Mexico's Independence from Spain is remembered on the 16th of September. Mexico's father of independence is Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who started the revolt on the eve of the 15th of September.

La Mujer

A celebration of women inspired by the first feminist of the New World, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, with food, art, and performances by womxn. All details for the 2025 La Mujer event on April 26, 2025 can be found at https://www.austintexas.gov/MACCLaMujer

Awards of Excellence

Award Ceremony recognizing remarkable Latinx for the highest artistic excellence they bring to the cultural arts of Austin, TX.  The Awards took place on July 29, 2023 at the Long Center.

Dia De Los Muertos

This beloved tradition brings family and community together to celebrate the lives of our ancestors, family, and friends, veterans, and public figures. This multi-day celebration and festival includes kid's activities, local markets, food trucks, community altar exhibits, music, & dance performances. 

In 2023, the MACC's Day of the Dead celebrations will take place on November 2nd at Oakwood Cemetery and November 4th at the Pan American Recreation Center.

COLLABORATE WITH US!

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is a vibrant arts center with 100,000 annual visitors. Since 2007, we have been offering countless cultural events and art classes focusing on performing arts, music, literature, film screenings, and the Latino Arts Residency Program. A collaboration is a one-time presentation that is co-produced with the ESB-MACC.  It can be a panel discussion, music or theater presentation, film screenings or community engagement discussion. The ESB-MACC organizes year-round activities and also cooperates with a large number of partners who complete and strengthen programming through rentals and collaborations. For more information, email Estrella.DeLeon@austintexas.gov.

Read more about collaborations!