Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – The Palm Awards and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) have partnered for a third year to bring top talent from the Rio Grande to Washington D.C. to perform at the annual Noche Musical Gala. Four Palm Award students, alongside award-winning mariachi from Edinburg CISD featured in Netflix’s Going Varsity in Mariachi, will light up the stage at NHFA’s Noche Musical on September 18, 2024. Noche Musical features live performances and NHFA’s annual Visibility Awards, attended by entertainment industry executives, globally renowned artists, and Washington D.C. dignitaries.
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The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts was founded by actors Jimmy Smits, Merel Julia, Esai Morales, Sonia Braga, and prominent attorney Felix Sanchez to promote and advance the presence of Latino students, artists, and storytellers. The students invited to perform will join past Palm Awards students in NHFA’s Musical Residency Initiative.
The Musical Residency Initiative is a subprogram within the Foundation’s Artist Mentorship Program dedicated to vocalists and musical theater performers. Designed to nurture and empower talented musicians and performers, the initiative utilizes a combination of mentorship, collaboration, and performance opportunities to cultivate the next generation of Latino talent.
Students are invited to annual events including the Visioning Summit, Salon Dinner at the Ambassador of Spain’s residence, and the star-studded Red Carpet. This year, the White House has invited students to attend a select screening of Going Varsity in Mariachi at the Office of Public Engagement. Students will also have the opportunity to perform their award-winning selections at this special event on September 17, 2024.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS GALA
The two-day event culminates at the Noche Musical and the 28th Annual Visibility Awards, which honor people who have and continue to directly influence and further the presence of Hispanic Americans in the entertainment industry. The Raul Julia Award in Excellence and the Horizon Award are presented to the organization or individual whose work most advances the presence of Latinos in television and/or film. Past recipients include Rita Moreno, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robert Rodriguez, Sandra Bullock, Eva Longoria, and last year’s recipients Eugenio Derbez and Ramon Rodriguez.
“It’s always an honor to be invited to be part of an event of this magnitude,” asserts John Garza, Palm Award President. “Our students own the night in front of a packed house of stars, elected officials, and dignitaries. It is quite inspiring.”
“We are thrilled to work with the Palm Awards on this amazing project. It is an incredible opportunity for the ECISD Mariachi students who will be representing the talent that South Texas has,” adds Nelinda Villarreal, ECISD Director of Fine Arts.
A STAR-STUDDED EVENT
Former Palm Award winners and nominees will perform alongside ECISD Mariachi at this year’s Noche Musical. Gabriela Garza, Madelynn Forcier, Victoria Martinez, and Trip Shirah have been selected to proudly represent the RGV, adding their unique flair to this unforgettable evening. Over 50 students auditioned before these four finalists were selected by NHFA to perform.
“The talent in the area is beyond words,” states Felix Sanchez, NHFA Chairman. “We are so excited to showcase what the students in South Texas have to offer. It really is a hidden treasure trove of talent.”
Gabriela Garza, recent Point Park University graduate, adds, “I was so honored to be included in this year’s performance. Getting to perform classical songs and pieces from musicals in mariachi style is so unexpected. I can’t announce what we’re singing yet, but it will be special.”
The inclusion of ECISD Mariachi follows Netflix’s release of a documentary on Edinburg North Mariachi Oro entitled Going Varsity in Mariachi.
“It’s been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks, to say the least,” announces Edinburg North Mariachi Oro director Abel Acuna. “First, the documentary being released, and now this invitation to perform in D.C., it just seems unreal.”
Acuna adds that he jumped at the chance to showcase our local talent nationally. “When this came together, I didn’t hesitate to be part of it. Our students are too good to keep under wraps and hidden. We get to tell our story on a national stage, and I thank NHFA for this invitation.”
Recent McAllen High School graduate Victoria Martinez is no stranger to performing on the national stage. She was a recent Jimmy Awards semi-finalist performing in a nationally televised competition straight from the stages on Broadway.
“I love what I do,” said Martinez. “My community has played a big part in developing my passion for theatre. There is so much talent in the RGV that still needs to be seen, and I thank NHFA for giving us a national platform to come together and represent our culture.”
As the spotlight shines on the vibrant and talented students from the Rio Grande Valley, the Noche Musical Gala will celebrate unparalleled artistic excellence and cultural pride. The event not only underscores the growing prominence of Latino talent in the arts but also reaffirms the enduring commitment of the Palm Awards and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts to fostering the next generation of performers. With a stage set for unforgettable performances and influential conversations, the gala stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the transformative impact of the arts.
Garza concludes, “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this remarkable convergence of talent and tradition as we honor the contributions of young artists and their role in shaping the future of entertainment.”
Catch Noche Musical live on September 18 on the Palm Awards social media platforms and NHFA’s website (hispanicarts.org).
