Latest news with #ElPasoCommunityFoundation
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Luis Valdez to appear at El Paso's Plaza Classic Film Festival with 2 film screenings
Legendary writer and director Luis Valdez is the first guest announced for the 2025 Plaza Classic Film Festival. This will be the 18th year for the El Paso Community Foundation's film series, which will run from July 17-27 in and around the Plaza Theatre. Valdez will appear for on-stage interviews before two of his classic movies — 1987's "La Bamba", about Mexican American rocker Ritchie Valens, at 7 p.m. Friday, July 18, and "Zoot Suit" (1981), considered the first major Chicano feature film, at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Both events will take place at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets for each program will be $10 and will go on sale with the rest of the Plaza Classic Film Festival schedule, starting Tuesday, June 10, at the Plaza Theatre box office (no service fees) and (with service fees). Valdez is one of the most important American playwrights and filmmakers living today. He has been successful in theater, television and film. He wrote "Zoot Suit," which explored Los Angeles' racially motivated Sleepy Lagoon murder trial of 1942 and 'Zoot Suit Riots' of 1943, debuted in Los Angeles in 1978 and became the first Chicano play on Broadway a year later. La Bamba was written for the screen and starred Lou Diamond Phillips. Both films are preserved in the National Film Registry. Valdez founded the Obie Award-winning theater company El Teatro Campesino in 1965 in California's Central Valley, joining César Chávez in his United Farm Workers' rights movement. It is the longest-running Chicano theater in the United States, according to a news release. The prolific 84-year-old debuted his latest play, "Adiós Mamá Carlota," on May 10 at El Teatro Campesino Playhouse. Valdez's honors include the Presidential Medal of Arts, Mexico's Aguila Azteca Award, and the Peabody Award for his 1987 PBS documentary, Corridos: Tales of Passion and Revolution. The 18th Annual Plaza Classic Film Festival will take place from July 17 to 27. This year's Plaza Classic Film Festival will feature 100 movies over 11 days, including "Cabaret," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", "The Godfather Part II", "Notting Hill", "Saving Private Ryan", "Toy Story", "Schindler's List", "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back", and many more. Festival passes are on sale for $200 now and include access to almost all ticketed festival movies, reservations for Philanthropy Theatre movies, special events, and discounts at nearby eateries. Festival tickets go on sale June 10 at the Plaza Theatre box office and Ticketmaster. More: Free summer concert series in El Paso: Your guide to outdoor music María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@ @ on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'La Bamba' director Luis Valdez joins Plaza Classic Film fest lineup
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
El Pasoan returns home to film narratives on U.S.-Mexico border
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An El Paso filmmaker is returning home in hopes of 'reframing narratives surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border.' The El Paso Community Foundation is welcoming Valeria Contreras back home as the new artist for the Border Art Residency (BAR) for the spring and summer seasons. The BAR is an El Paso Community Foundation project that 'enables artists to pursue their craft without the worry of immediate sales or an outside job to pay for housing expenses,' according to a news release by the foundation. The residency provides artists like Contreras a six-month retreat for creative work with a fully furnished living space and work studio in El Paso's historic Five Points neighborhood, a monthly stipend, and paid utilities, the release said. Contreras is an award-winning filmmaker and a University of Chicago and Columbia University graduate. She has received the Michael Hausman/Buffalo Mike Filmhaus Foundation Award and the 3Pas Studios Award, according to the news release. In addition, Contreras has served on the Young Mezcal Jury at the Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara and is the founder of her independent production company, Apis Mellifera Productions. Apil Mellifera Productions is collaborating with different filmmakers worldwide, including from the U.S., Colombia, Nigeria and Canada, according to the El Paso Community Foundation. Currently, Contreras is developing a feature film screenplay, 'Oranges,' that is set in El Paso. 'After growing up in this community, I am passionate about reframing narratives surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border. With 'Oranges,' I aim to highlight connections — family, love, and shared experiences — rather than the often-emphasized themes of separation, violence, and chaos. The story explores the relationship between two sisters and their sense of movement across time, anchoring their story with the historic El Paso streetcars,' Contreras said. Contreras' first short film, 'Homesick,' screened at festivals, including Femme Frontera and the Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival, according to the El Paso Community Foundation. To donate to the El Paso Community Foundation or to learn more about the Border Art Residency, you can visit the foundation's website, visit the BAR's website, or call (915) 533-4023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Panel seeks ‘Better Way Forward' on immigration
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, and other local leaders took part in a panel discussion on Monday, March 17 about border security and migration. Escobar joined with County Attorney Christina Sanchez, the El Paso Community Foundation and local immigration advocates to discuss an initiative called 'A Better Way Forward.' The event was held at the El Paso Community Foundation's headquarters in Downtown El Paso. The event was spearheaded by which bills itself as a bipartisan political organization seeking immigration reform. The policy initiative is being developed by Andrea Flores, a Las Cruces native and vice president of immigration policy and campaigns for the group. 'The framework presents new and practical recommendations for policymakers to reimagine border security and reduce unauthorized migration,' according to a news release sent out by the group. 'During the panel, the panelists will discuss the need for Congress to enact a proactive policy response to create an immigration system that secures the border, modernizes the asylum system, and creates new legal pathways for immigrants,' the news release said. The initiative highlights six major policy interventions: Reduce irregular cross-border movement in the region Expand access to humanitarian and labor pathways closer to countries of origin Increase legal pathways to the United States Modernize border security infrastructure and asylum processing Reform the U.S. asylum system Develop a federal resettlement process for asylum seekers Here is a link to the policy paper that was discussed at the panel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
El Paso ice cream shop opens new location in Texas State Capitol
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An El Paso-based ice cream shop has opened its newest location in the Texas State Capitol. Gozo's Ice Cream's is now available in Austin in the office of state Rep. Mary González, D-El Paso, 'bringing both joy and purpose to the halls of government,' according to the news release by Gozo's. Gozo's Ice Cream is a project of the El Paso Community Foundation that is dedicated to providing employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). El Paso ice cream shop wants to impove lives of those with disabilities 'At Gozo's, we believe in the value and potential of adults with IDD and that everyone deserves the opportunity to work, grow, and be part of something bigger,' Adam Tirres, program officer at the El Paso Community Foundation, said. 'We're thrilled that Rep. González is helping us share our mission — and our delicious ice cream — with leaders and constituents from across Texas.' According to the ice cream shop, Gozo's provides adults with IDD the chance to learn skills, build confidence and find a community. In addition to opening Gozo's Ice Cream, González is raising awareness of the importance of mission-driven businesses that create pathways for people with IDD, according to the news release. Visit Gozo's Ice Cream's website for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
