Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — Mayor Javier Villalobos said McAllen is continuing to invest in arts and entertainment as a way to bring people together, expand cultural opportunities and strengthen the city’s quality of life.
Villalobos delivered his remarks during the Fall for the Arts presentation at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, where city officials and arts leaders announced upcoming performances, youth initiatives and efforts to increase access to live entertainment.
“McAllen has always been a city that believes in creating experiences that bring people together,” Villalobos said. “Whether it is music, theater, dance, or live entertainment, the arts have an incredible ability to do exactly that.”
The mayor said the city is preparing for a new season that includes returning programs, new initiatives and a broad schedule of performances.
“There is a lot to be excited about,” Villalobos said. “On behalf of the McAllen City Commission and the entire City of McAllen, thank you to our partners, sponsors, artists, community organizations, and everyone who continues to support the performing arts in our city.”
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil said McAllen’s arts strategy includes attracting major touring productions while ensuring more residents, particularly young people, can experience them.
“The arts are central to that vision, not as an extra, not as a luxury, but as a core part of who we are and who we are becoming,” Tawil said.
Tawil announced the next phase of Arts for All, an initiative intended to connect approximately 900 to 1,000 students each year with five or six Broadway productions at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Businesses, organizations and individuals can sponsor a student’s Broadway series for $250.
“When we talk about quality of life, we cannot define it simply by what exists in our community,” Tawil said. “We must define it by who has access to it.”
Kevin Pagan, chairman of the McAllen Performing and Cultural Arts Foundation, said the organization is working toward the same goal through scholarships, free concerts and programs for young performers.
“When you look at all these programs together — from scholarships and free concerts to Noche de Vino, Sunset Live, the McAllen Wind Ensemble, and the Palm Awards — you begin to see what our foundation is really all about,” Pagan said. “It’s about access. It’s about opportunity.”
The foundation has awarded multi-year scholarships to three middle school students that will continue through their high school graduation. Its support has also helped increase free concerts offered through the Performing Arts Center from six to 12 annually.
Assistant City Manager Elvira Alonzo said McAllen has also worked to establish itself as a destination for major touring artists and productions.
“McAllen has worked hard to earn a place on the national touring circuit,” Alonzo said.
During the presentation, Alonzo announced that Italian singer and songwriter Matteo Bocelli will perform a special holiday concert at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Dec. 19.
Villalobos said the growing arts calendar reflects the city’s continuing effort to create experiences for residents and visitors.
“Today, we invite you to Fall for the Arts,” he said.
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