A Plática with Las Tesoros de San Antonio

Join us for a plática with Las Tesoros de San Antonio. Rita “La Calandria” Vidaurri, Beatriz “La Paloma del Norte” Llamas, and Blanca “Blanquita Rosa” Rodríguez, will be joined by Antonia I. Castañeda as moderator. The plática will be a deeper exploration of the lives of these women — from the sexist music industry of the 40s-60s to their struggles against racism and poverty.

Las Tesoros de San Antonio are a group of elder women performers whose incredible singing careers soared both locally and internationally in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. They include Rita “La Calandria” Vidaurri, Beatriz “La Paloma del Norte” Llamas, and Blanca “Blanquita Rosa” Rodríguez. A fourth member, Janet “Perla Tapatia” Cortez, passed away in 2014. Rita, Beatriz, and Blanca continue performing, recently having a second /CD Release Concert in February 2017.  Through the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, these women reemerged and teamed up to preserve our Mexican and bicultural musical expressions through their singing and storytelling.

All four artistas grew up in the Westside of San Antonio, Texas and are locally and internationally renowned performers. Each singer, with her personal style and grace, forms part of this unique ensemble that represents the important sound of the Mexico/Texas border and of San Antonio, Texas. Each woman was inspired by and connected to many other important Tejana singers including the great Lydia Mendoza and internationally recognized, Eva Garza, who died at an early age but opened doors for many other female singers including each of the Tesoros.