La Voz - March 2019 by Esperanza Peace and Justice Center

March 2019 Vol. 32 Issue 2

San Antonio, Tejas

Tribute to Rita Vidaurri “La Calandria”

La Voz de Esperanza March 2019 Vol. 32 Issue 2

Editor: Gloria A. Ramírez Design: Elizandro Carrington

Contributors

Pilar DeCamp, Susan Guerra, María Velásquez Miller, Gloria A. Ramírez, Nadine Saliba, Graciela I. Sánchez, Margarita Vásquez

La Voz Mail Collective

Alicia Arredondo, Valentine Gonzaba, Ray & Lucy Pérez, Ray Pérez, Jr., Mary Agnes Rodríguez, Helen Suárez, Gloria Castillo, Juan Díaz, Jack Elder, Ray Garza, Araceli Herrera, Patria Huitfeldr, Paul Bain Martin, Olivia Martinez, Angie Merla, Molly, Ceci Pérez, Lucy Andrew Perreta, Guadalupe Segura, Helen Villarreal

Esperanza Director Graciela I. Sánchez

Esperanza Staff

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Elizandro Carrington, Yaneth Flores, Sarah Gould, Eliza Pérez, Paul Plouf, Kristel Orta-Puente, Natalie Rodríguez, Imgard Akinyi Rop, René Saenz, Susana Segura, Amelia Valdez

Conjunto de Nepantleras —Esperanza Board of Directors—

Norma Cantú, Rachel Jennings, Amy Kastely, Jan Olsen, Ana Lucía Ramírez, Gloria A. Ramírez, Rudy Rosales, Lilliana Saldaña, Nadine Saliba, Graciela I. Sánchez, Lillian Stevens • We advocate for a wide variety of social, economic & environmental justice issues. • Opinions expressed in La Voz are not necessarily those of the Esperanza Center.

La Voz de Esperanza

is a publication of Esperanza Peace & Justice Center 922 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212 210.228.0201 www.esperanzacenter.org Inquiries/Articles can be sent to: lavoz@esperanzacenter.org Articles due by the 8th of each month

Policy Statements

* We ask that articles be visionary, progressive, instructive & thoughtful. Submissions must be literate & critical; not sexist, racist, homophobic, violent, or oppressive & may be edited for length. * All letters in response to Esperanza activities or articles in La Voz will be considered for publication. Letters with intent to slander individuals or groups will not be published.

Rita Vidaurri passed away in January leaving a gaping hole in the heart of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. She was a constant presence at Esperanza inspiring us with her stories as an international singer in the 40s to the 60s and of her life in San Antonio before and after her career. The house she grew up in on el Callejón Montezuma still stands and her home on Texas Ave. has been left full of memories. At the rosary for Rita, an array of photos and newspaper articles left us wistful—but the most poignant display was that of a pink and black cape hanging next to her casket. The cape (pictured at left) was one she’d worn on an album cover. It was striking and left us in awe. In this issue, dedicated to her life and times, a few more pieces of her life emerge. One thing for sure is that she was firmly rooted in her sense of self, her family and her community. She inspired elders in San Antonio and whereever she went in Texas and beyond. She was the catalyst for the formation of the elder group of singers, Las Tesoros de San Antonio and she found a place for herself at the Esperanza advocating for issues of social justice and telling stories at Casa de Cuentos on many a Second Saturday. Rita was honored in San Antonio in recent years with her own loteria card by Juan Ramos, as a parade marshal at the annual Diez y Seis celebration and as Queen Huevo for San Anto Cultural Arts’ 2017 annual fandango. She ranks among other San Antonio stars like Eva Garza, Rosita Fernández, Lydia Mendoza, Perla Tapatia and the remaining Tesoros, Beatriz “La Paloma Rita often spoke or sang at del Norte” Llamas and Blanca Rita’s childhood home on the Westside. City Council chambers. “Blanca Rosa” Rodríguez. As Esperanza readies our Museo del Westside, I hope that we can fully honor Rita’s memory not only as a star but as part of La Gente del Westside. The stories in this tribute issue clearly show that Rita was not one to put on airs but that she was truly part of “el pueblo de San Antonio.” There is still so much we don’t know about Rita and we’ll keep on collecting stories and photos about her life. Send your stories to: lavoz@esperanzacenter.org or come by 922 San Pedro with your recuerdos. Mil gracias to all who contributed to this very special issue. Estarás siempre en nuestra mente, Querida Rita, La Calandria. Rita (left) with the remaining Las Tesoros de San Gloria A. Ramirez, Antonio, Beatriz Llamas and Blanca Rodríguez Rita’s loteria card by Juan Ramos Editor of La Voz ATTENTION VOZ READERS: If you have a mailing address correction please send it to lavoz@ esperanzacenter.org. If you want to be removed from the La Voz mailing list, for whatever reason, please let us know. La Voz is provided as a courtesy to people on the mailing list of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. The subscription rate is $35 per year ($100 for institutions). The cost of producing and mailing La Voz has substantially increased and we need your help to keep it afloat. To help, send in your subscriptions, sign up as a monthly donor, or send in a donation to the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. Thank you. -GAR VOZ VISION STATEMENT: La Voz de Esperanza speaks for many individual, progressive voices who are gente-based, multi-visioned and milagro-bound. We are diverse survivors of materialism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, classism, violence, earth-damage, speciesism and cultural and political oppression. We are recapturing the powers of alliance, activism and healthy conflict in order to achieve interdependent economic/ spiritual healing and fuerza. La Voz is a resource for peace, justice, and human rights, providing a forum for criticism, information, education, humor and other creative works. La Voz provokes bold actions in response to local and global problems, with the knowledge that the many risks we take for the earth, our body, and the dignity of all people will result in profound change for the seven generations to come.

Remembering Rita

“In 2001 we were producing an homenaje to Lydia Mendoza at the Plaza del Zacate by Market Square. Out of nowhere, a 70ish year old woman came up to me and said she was Rita Eden.” —That was the beginning of a comeback for Rita Vidaurri, La Calandria. The rest is history.

By Graciela I. Sánchez

recording a new CD as an elder. Ten years later, at 90 she released her last CD, Celebrando 90 años, both produced by the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center.

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once beautiful stars had been forgotten by San Antonio and the Editor’s note: The following tribute was delivered by Graciela world. They felt abandoned. They wanted and needed people to I. Sánchez, Director of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, remember them. They wanted to be back on stage, or at least Rita at the rosary for Rita Vidaurri Eden held at Castillo Mission did. Funeral Home on Thursday, January 24th. Unfortunately, we do forget our elders. They get in our way You’ve heard me say this over and over again, but I’ll say it because they’re slower, because they can’t hear, because they again—the Westside es el Corazón de San Antonio, but for most complain about their aches and pains, because they need people of its/our history, the Westside has been portrayed as the bad side to love them and hear their stories over and over again. of town. And since I grew up in the Westside, I know that the But my parents taught me differently. We don’t throw away story told by our visitor’s bureau, our politicians or by our own our elders. We respect them. We honor them. We love them. So, internalized racism is a lie. So how do we change the story. We tell the truth. We research, I went on a search for the audio tapes that these women had just self-produced hoping that I would find information in order to write, produce and present the voices, images, histories of the track Rita and Rosita down. This was no easy task. I listened to people themselves. We let the people tell their own stories. We the tapes, and sadly, I could tell that whoever helped Rita produce search for the treasures. her tape, had swindled her beAnd in that quest for the treacause it wasn’t a very good tape sures, our tesoros del Westside, at all. You could hear other voices I ran into a story in La Prensa talking in the background while around 1999 or 2000, about she sang in the foreground. Why two singers, Rosita Fernandez would someone take advantage and Rita Vidaurri, two Mexican of her? American singers who had just I learned that Rita Vidaurri produced their own audio tapes. Their question to the community? hung out at Rita’s Restaurant on “Do you remember me?” Bandera. I wondered if she was That article was hard to read. the owner. But no, her tocaya, Rita was finally inducted into the National Hispanic Music Hall of Fame in 2004 after Do you remember me? These Rita, the restaurant owner of the

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and pick to practice. We (Esperanza) also bought her a microphone, mic stand, and a speaker big enough so that she could be heard by audiences when she performed at senior centers and nursing homes, but small enough to carry if she had to go out on her own, which she often did. Initially, we had no musicians backing her up, but she explained all she needed was her pistas. She had a few of her favorite songs that were recorded without a voice and she used those pistas everywhere she went. Next, I took her with me to Estela’s Restaurant on Martin St. on Sundays to see if we could get Las Alteñas, an all women’s mariachi group, to let her sing a song or two with them. No surprise—the mariachis and the public adored her. Rita singing with Las Alteñas, an all women mariachi group, at Estela’s Restaurant on Martin St. on the Westside (now closed). Then she said, “Gracielita when are we going to same name, told me that I should look for Rita Eden (her married record my CD?” But I had name), not Vidaurri. Well, Rita was nowhere to be found. no experience on what it meant to record a CD. How much does In 2001 we were producing an homenaje to Lydia Mendoza at it cost? What about royalties? How do you know if you’re not the Plaza del Zacate by Market Square. Out of nowhere, a 70ish being taken by the recording studio? Well, Rita found us Salomé year old woman came up to me and said she was Rita Eden, una Gutiérrez from Del Bravo Music to record the CD for free. And comadre de Lydia Mendoza, and she wanted to sing her a song then once we had 1000 CDs, how to sell them? Off we went to to pay her homage. All I could do was give Rita a great big hug. Janie’s Record Shop and Rita sang and autographed copies of Finally, Rita had found me and the Esperanza. She belted out Los the CD. We went to KEDA and KCOR and anywhere that she Laureles and from then on, Rita became part of the Esperanza remembered from her past. But times had changed, and radio familia. stations were no longer owned by local folks. It was hard to conDuring these earlier years of our involvement in her life, vince radio stations to help us sell her CDs or interview her. But Rita was still working as a home health care provider. I couldn’t Rita didn’t give up. understand how this famous Westsider had to work until her mid“Gracielita, when 80s taking care of other old people. She complained about having are you going to book to carry and wash this viejito or otro viejito, all elders who were me somewhere else?” bigger than she was. But she never talked about quitting. This “Gracielita, here are was her job and she was proud she could still work at her age. people you should And when she couldn’t take care of any more elders, she call in Alice, Texas, started caring for the little children at the hospitals and at the VIA get them to invite me daycare. The fact that she worked until her mid-80s was about to play down there survival. This money allowed her to be able to live in her own again.” “Y Gracielita, home, pay her bills, and make ends meet because performers like when am I going to Rita never got paid royalties for all their musical recordings in the have my own con1940s-60s. And so while others around her retired, Rita worked. cert?” In 2004, Esperanza honored Rita on her 80th birthday at the Finally, we started Plaza Guadalupe. Hundreds showed up including Rosita Ferputting together connandez and Beatriz Llamas, La Paloma del Norte. Beatriz would certs at the Esperanza later join Rita, Blanca Rodríguez and Perla Tapatía to become the where she performed performing legends Las Tesoros de San Antonio. with all-women After this event, Rita wanted more. So I went with her to buy mariachis like Las her a guitar. She wanted to start playing again and needed a guitar Alteñas, Las ErendiRita with Graciela I. Sánchez, Director of Esperanza.

Rita regained popularity because we put pressure on all the media to recognize her, but also because individuals like Yvette Benavides, Dave Davies and Hector Saldaña helped to write stories or produce radio and TV programs featuring Rita. And much to their surprise, the San Antonio public responded and requested that they rebroadcast her radio and TV shows several times. I could go on and on about my adventures with Rita, but I do want to say that while I worked with the Esperanza to highlight this Tesoro to our San Antonio, South Texas and world community, I also gained so much knowledge about San Antonio, female singers and musicians from the 1940s-60s and just being a woman in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Rita was my teacher. Walking the streets of the Westside or downtown suddenly is different to me because those buildings are no longer empty. I now imagine Rita walking downtown with her guitar by her side, climbing the stairs to the second floor to get to one of the many clubs where she sang. I see the Alameda and know that Rita sang there, also. And I imagine the Nacional, Zaragoza and the many other theaters she graced in San Antonio, Mexico, Colombia and Cuba. Thank you Rita for a wonderful time together. Initially, it was just the two of us figuring out how we were going to bring you back to your adoring fans. Now, thousands Rita singing at Guadalupe Plaza celebrating her 80th birthday where Beatriz Llamas showed up. throughout the world love and respect you and miss you so very, very much. Keep singing your heart out and telling ras and Las Coronelas. The young women were surprised that Rita your jokes con todo los santitos y angelitos and everyone else you had been performing on stage 60 plus years before they were even meet along the way. You never did discriminate. You loved us all. born. But they could see she was an entertainer with class and real style.

Hemos perdido una joya muy valiosa. Es triste esta separación pero como creyentes sabemos que ahora ella está nuevamente joven, sana y alabando al Señor con su bella voz— nuestra querida Rita Vidaurri. Pero, como creyente, sé que ahora ella está cantando en el Cielo, joven, bella y llena de salud! Como cubana, estoy orgullosa en saber que, visitando mi tierra, ella compartió su música con grandes voces como Olga Guillot, Toña La Negra y Celia Cruz. …Ahora yo soy la que conserva esta foto como "Un Tesoro." Nos veremos en el Cielo Rita... Descansa en Paz Rita, siempre vivirás en nuestro recuerdo… —Pilar DeCamp

Me siento muy privilegiada en haber tenido la oportunidad de compartir esta foto en una feliz ocasión con nuestra querida Rita Vidaurri. La foto fue tomada en la celebración de Día de los muertos, en la Calle Colorado. En la foto están Blanca Rodríguez, Beatriz Llamas, Rita Vidaurri y Olga (en el walker).

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Nuestra Querida Rita

Rita Vidaurri Eden “La Calandria” A Star to be Remembered

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A few thoughts and stories about Rita from our engagements.

and the rest of her loved ones in the audience of the Most High God with angel wings that she certainly deserves to have along with her many crowns. Rita loved to sing along to songs on the radio and, of course, I cherished all those serenades during our drives to errands or her gigs. Rita knew she was limited to the music industry, but with her optimistic character and kindness she shared her story and talent with people who loved her. It just seems unfair to lose one who was able to bring so much to those around her. But, we are glad that she no longer suffers from the health issues that afflicted her within the last few months. We all have happy memories of Rita and these we hold dear in our hearts and cherish them as she cherished us. Her sister Yvonee Vidaurri was reminiscing about her older sister and said that Rita would shower them with beautiful gifts that she would send from her international performances. Rita’s strength came from her

The deep love and sincere affection for Rita is undeniable and there is not a single phrase or word that I could express any better feelings and sentiments shared here this evening. I met Rita Vidaurri, “ La Calandria,” in 2013 at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center during one of her entertaining performances. A very special lady who became my friend and like a mother to me. Rita lived a quiet life, a simple life. To her family, her friends and other people around her, she gave much but asked for very little in return. Rita had no need for airs and graces, she knew who she was, what you saw was what you got, and what you got was a big warm smile, genuine, and full of love. She had strong principles that she believed in and lived by but she was never judgmental and loved people for what they were. I won’t say she was a flashy person… I would say she would dress up and look beautiful for the public and Rita with friends and musicians at Flor de Chiapas Restaurant. her fans whom she loved. She knew what was important especially when she was abroad. strong religious Meaning away from her family to make ends meet, she would send Catholic faith. the proceeds to her family. When I met Rita, she was having gigs She always told and continued doing public service for the elders of San Antonio. me “Déjale las She also sang at Senior Centers and Flor de Chiapas Restaurant. cosas a Dios.” Luxury, to her, was a visit from her children, grandchildren, and Rita and Margaret celebrating Día de los muertos in 2018. We owe it to her loved ones. And as the family grew, she remained the nucleus of it, a to carry on supfocus of love and affection that radiated out and touched those of us porting and looking after one another showing each other the same who were privileged to know her strengths even through adversity. love that she did—so that our memories of her and her songs will She leaves behind a wonderful legacy. Rita Vidaurri songs are not fade, but rather grow fonder as time goes on and we learn more a part of literature of South Texas. And like books, they deserve to of the compassionate Rita Vidaurri, “La Calandria.” be preserved and remembered, appreciated and enjoyed by all— Amada Rita, Mama, as I sometimes called her—her cheerful including audiences around the globe, Rita “La Calandria” will be and loving spirit has endured through all the heartaches and adverremembered for her beauty and vibrant singing. She never doubted sity. Your smiling face is on my mind as I write this. You showed her own ability to sing. To have faith is to have wings and fly free us all what love is and that the quality of our relationships is what without limitations. Rita, you once said that you were “a star at the matters. You are very much loved by everyone as you can wrong time.” But, just like a star you luminated and filled the audisee—even though you are not physically here, at the moence with energy and love. A star to be remembered for infinity— ment. We love you and will dearly miss you. Vaya con Su canto siguera delitando aunque ya no estás aquí. Dios, y descanse en Paz, nuestra Querida Rita. Rita wasn’t one to make a fuss. But life dealt her a cruel blow Fue un placer conocerte, Amiga Mía. when she lost her three adult sons. Every time she would belt out “Amor Eterno,” it was dedicated to her beloved sons. She knew Con todo respeto y cariño, it was my favorite as well, as it reminded me of my mother. But Margaret Vásquez (delivered at Rita’s Rosary) we know that right now she is in God’s Glory serenading her sons

Life and Times of Rita Vidaurri aware of Rita’s talent for singing and regularly took her to sing at the nuecerías (pecan shelling factories) and carpas, popular vaudeville tent shows like the García y Cubana carpas. There Rita picked up a unique style that would serve her well on stage in Rita Vidaurri, the Golden Age ranchera singer her later years as she would captivate her audience not known as “La Calandria” (the Lark) and La Voz del only with her singing but with her “chistes” (jokes). At 12 Campo (The Voice of the Fields) who achieved fame years of age, she began singing in contests at the Teatro throughout Mexico and Latin America on stage and Nacional and Teatro Zaragoza where her mother would screen in the 1940s and ’50s died in her hometown of take her unbeknownst to her father who disapproved of San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 her singing, at first. Rita would sing tangos in the competiafter a brief illness. She was 94 years young. tions and won most times. After winning first place 18 Rita, the matriarch of a family that spanned five times, she was barred from continuing to compete. generations, is survived by her only daughter, Linda Rita’s sister, Queta and she would perform together Alvarado, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, as Las Hermanitas Vidaurri for five cents in the 1930s. great great grandchildren and many friends and Little by little, she and Queta would tour the small towns colleagues in the music industry. In addition she is of Texas singing. In 1938, at age 14, Rita recorded “Alma survived by her sister, Henrietta Rodríguez; four Angelina,” her debut 78 rpm single, accompanied by her Rita continued singing as an elder. stepsisters, Sofia, Rita, Yvan and Ellena Vidaurri; sister. Her second record, “Atotonilco,” was recorded at and a stepbrother, Rubén Vidaurri. She was preceded in death by her Tomas Acuña’s garage studio. Queta tired of singing, but Rita continued husband, Hillman Edward Eden and three sons, Leo Palewich, Rogelio on her own. One of her first public triumphs was winning a $50 prize at (Roger) González and Hillman Eden Jr.(Eddie), each of whom died as a contest sponsored by H & H Coffee. Her mother kept encouraging her young men in tragic deaths in unique circumstances. Rita would sing shy daughter and paid a neighbor to teach her to play the guitar. Unfora heart wrenching edition of Amor Eterno in memory of her sons at tunately, her mother would not live to see Rita’s success as a radio star many of her concerts and always carried with her a laminated photo of and performer as she died of tuberculosis when Rita was 14 years old. them. Named after St. Rita of Cascia, the patron saint of the imposBy 1941, Rita was a featured performer on José Dávila’s popular radio sible, for those in mourning and for the lonely, Rita said her name program “La Hora Anahuac” suited her. in San Antonio. In 1942, Rita Musician, actor and businesswoman, Rita was born on May 22, would help christen the Guada1924 in San Antonio’s Westside at her home on Callejón de Montlupe Theater. ezuma. She was the oldest of three children born to Juan and Jesusita One of Rita’s early sup“Susie” Vidaurri. Her father, Juan Vidaurri, owned a gas station at the porters was singer-songwriter corner of Guadalupe and Brazos where the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Lorenzo Barcelata who became Center is now located. He kept a punching bag at his shop where the her padrino giving her his own dynamic Rita learned to box in an effort to please her father. She atguitar which he autographed tended the local neighborhood school, “La 21,” now J.T. Brackenridge for her. Barcelata also gave and later attended night school at Lanier High School. She also played Rita her songbird nickname, softball in her teen years. “La Calandria.” In 1943. Mario In the evenings, when her parents would go to bed, Rita would Moreno, “Cantinflas,” saw Rita listen to the radio late into the night dreaming of becoming a singer and singing at the Teatro Nacional learned the songs she heard on radio sung by the likes of popular singers and convinced Rita’s father to Queta and Rita (right) with their father, Juan. like Maria Luisa Landin and other Mexican singers. Her mother was take her to Mexico City to sing. Editor’s Note: This brief biography of Rita Vidaurri Eden was written at the request of her family and delivered at the Rosary for Rita after her passing in January.

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The many faces and ages of Rita Vidaurri, La Calandria: An early childhood photo (top right) and at left described as “La Nena Rita”. At right below, she graces a television guide in Spanish. She was often called, “La Ranchera.”

In Mexico City, Rita, who was referred to as “la pocha de San Antonio”, blew everyone away with her performances. It was Tin Tán, the famous Mexican actor, singer and comedian, who said of Rita—”La huerca” came in like a broom and swept everyone away. On her first trip to Monterrey, Rita wore charro pants where she was told she’d be a laughing stock, but instead, she received shouts of glee and great applause. In Mexico City, when her father took her to the biggest international radio station, XEW, she was given a show in the evening at 11pm. She was 19 years old. Then when she wore Chinaco pants in Mexico City she was called “esa Jorge Negrete” but was well received. She was hired at the famous Mexican nightclub, El Patio, on the spot, to sing rancheras and she became known there as La Ranchera. She even sang in a boxing ring in Mexico City with mariachis— unheard of, at the time—but, once again, well received. Ever popular with the men, Rita met many bullfighters. One, in particular, Pepe Luis Vásquez, wished to romance her but her father would not hear of it. When she was offered a tour in Spain by Pepe Guizar, the famous Mexican composer, her father would not accept it unless he was included in the invite. But for that, Rita would have even sung in Spain. By the mid40s, Rita was a highly sought-after singer in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. She toured Cuba with legends Celia Cruz, La Reina Azucar, and Olga Guillot, Queen of Boleros. Among the other stars with whom Rita performed were Pedro Vargas, Trío Tariacuri, Lalo González (“El Piporro”), Nat King Cole, and many more. She went on to record three albums and over fifty singles during this period of her life. In the late 40s after returning from a tour to South America, Rita

opened and managed a couple of her own night clubs in San Antonio including Maxim’s at Losoya and Crockett streets downtown. There she hosted international orchestras, singers and local celebrities in the carpa tradition including Beatriz “La Chata Noloesca” Escalona and other vaudevillian acts. In 1957, Rita was named as the official Jax Beer poster girl. The poster with her face was seen everywhere throughout the U.S. even on billboards. Her duties took her to New York City where she was given an elegant suite that she did not feel comfortable in alone. She called singer Maria Luisa Landin who lived there and wound up staying with her on a cot. In the U.S., Rita performed in New York City with Eydie Gorme and Trío Los Panchos and she sang at the famous Million Dollar Theater in Los Angeles. In all, during this time, Rita recorded three albums and more than ﬁfty singles. By the time the 60s began, Rita had given up singing to marry her manager, Mr. Hillman Edward Eden, and dedicated her life to being a wife and mother. She was reintroduced to a new generation in 2001 when she appeared at Lydia Mendoza’s 86th birthday celebration sponsored by the Esperanza at the Plaza del Zacate. She asked if she could sing a song to her comadre, Lydia, and belted out Los Laureles accompanied by Juan Tejeda. At the time, Rita had not sung in public for years and was working as a home health aide. Graciela Sánchez of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center encouraged Rita who was in her 70s to return to the stage to

Top: Rita sits on her horse, Duke, during an event at Elmendorf Park in San Antonio. Bottom: At XEW Radio in Mexico City where she performed wearing a charro outfit with pants which was almost unheard of at the time. However, she won over all of her audiences with her singing and grace.

sing as part of the Arte es Vida program. Gradually, Rita began her journey to capture hearts in San Antonio and once again perform on stage. On October 29, 2004, Rita was finally inducted into the National Hispanic Music Hall of Fame and by then recorded a new CD, La Calandria Canta. Ten years later, at 90 she released her last CD, Celebrando 90 años, Rita Vidaurri Le Canta A Su Gente. Rita’s association with the Esperanza reignited her career and Rita eagerly became involved with preservation efforts and other issues affecting the Westside, often going before City Council to speak or sing with Esperanza’s buena gente. Rita was once again, recognized as a musical icon and she brought along other retired singers who had been forgotten. At the time of her death at 94 years of age, Rita, was the oldest of a group of elder vocalists that she helped bring together as Las Tesoros de San Antonio sponsored by the Esperanza shortly after recording her CD in 2004. The group was so popular that they become known as “The Golden Girls” of ranchera and bolero music. In 2007 when Lydia Mendoza died, Las Tesoros, including Rita, attended her funeral and sang at her grave side. In 2016, Las Tesoros became to subjects of a video documentary, Las Tesoros de San Antonio—A Westside Story by director, Jorge Sandoval. Each one of the singers, like Rita, had had their

own illustrious careers as performers from the 1940s to the ‘60s. The group originally four mujeres is now left with only Blanca Rodríguez aka Blanca Rosa and Beatriz Llamas aka La Paloma del Norte. Janet Cortez, aka Perla Tapatía, passed away in 2014. Rita is now revered as a local musical legend who never forgot where she came from—her querido San Antonio, Texas. Tejano music historian and collector Ramón Hernández calls Rita Vidaurri, La Calandria, a true pioneer and musical giant stating: “She ranks with the all-time greats and still hasn’t received all the recognition she deserves.” Shortly before her death, Rita visited a beloved restaurant, Flor de Chiapas on Bandera Rd., where she and other elder musicians would gather for weekly impromptu jam sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Those same musicians as well as others gathered at the facility that cared for her on her last days and they sang to her. Vidaurri enjoyed serenades from musicians she regularly performed with—Henry Gomez, Albino Alonzo, Francisco Pérez, Ricardo García and Daniel Gallegos. They played favorites like “Tómate Una Copa,” “Cuatro Vidas,” “Que Seas Feliz” and “Fué Un Placer Conocerte.” She also enjoyed a visit with Beatriz Llamas, aka La Paloma del Norte, and time with Blanca Rodríguez, aka Blanca Rosa, part of Las Tesoros. As Rita ascended to another world surrounded by her family and friends, a faint smile would occasionally appear on her face and she would mouth the words of the songs she had sung so many times before on many stages. Her daughter, Linda, recalled that her mom had wanted to pass on while singing and, indeed, she did. She will be missed.

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Rita’s career spanned a lifetime—from global to local venues including Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. Above she poses in front of a poster with her name (Cantante Mexicana de Rancheras) followed by the name, Olimpo Cárdenas. At right, in San Antonio, she poses with performers in one of her clubs. The woman in center “La Chata Noloesca” was a popular local comedienne.

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By Nadine Saliba

Otro Mundo es Posible, Creating Positive Change, a panel discussion on local to global issues, held at the Esperanza Center as part of Dream Week on January 18, 2019 included (l to r): moderators, Marissa Ramírez & Yaneth Flores and speakers, Nadine Saliba (author of this article), Carolina Canizales, Amy Kastely, and Alex Birnel.

discovery of oil in the region propelled it into the center of I was born in Lebanon to a Lebanese father and a Syrian international politics, given the importance of this resource to mother. While we lived in Lebanon, we would go to Syria the growth and development of capitalist industrialized states. frequently to visit my mother’s family. We took the trip by Control over the ME and its resources has guaranteed the car crossing a politically and historically fraught border that United States continued military and economic supremacy. was created after the First World War by the colonial powers Western powers, including the US, have used a variety of the time, Britain and France. They divided the region into of methods to maintain and expand their control over the several states in such a way as to serve their own imperial inregion, from undermining and terests, imposing these new borders overthrowing independent regimes and a new map on the people of the region. Even though I’m speaking The Syrian refugee crisis has to supporting and protecting client regimes to using military intervenof something halfway across the had repercussions on political tion to prop up their allies and world, I think this border reality their imperialist interests. is not unfamiliar to many in San developments across the world. protect The people of the ME however Antonio and South Texas. One of the consequences of The specter of the Syrian refugee resent US support for many of the tyrannical regimes that rule over dividing the Middle East1 was the - or terrorist in the eyes of the them, blocking their economic creation of the colonial settler state development and their democratic of Israel on the ruins of the indigIslamophobes - has helped aspirations, in an effort to control enous Palestinian society. I bring up this issue because I will eventutransform domestic politics from their resources. US wars, invasions and bombings have devasally talk about parallels between tated many countries, intensifying Israel-Palestine and the US-Mexico Europe to the US. regional frustration as people live border. Western colonial and impeunder extremely stressful condirial powers enabled the creation tions with no prospects for positive change. of Israel in order to serve as an outpost of Western imperialWhile US militarism has been a key reactionary factor in ism in a region that is vital for their political and economic global politics, we can not downplay the reactionary nature hegemony. of other—perhaps lesser—imperialist powers, such as Russia. The Middle East (ME) has historically been coveted by Especially as we look at the Russian role in Syria, the site of Western imperialist powers, including the United States, due the most murderous war in the ME since the 2003 US invato its geo-strategic location and its oil-rich resources. The 1 Even though I use the term “Middle East” in my presentation, I want to acknowl-

its problematic nature. It is a eurocentric term coined in the 19th century by 10 edge Westerners who divided the “Orient” into three regions - Near East, Middle East

and Far East - based on each region’s position relative to Europe. But as the most commonly used term in Western media and therefore the most recognizable in public discourse, I will continue to use it.

Trump’s language about border security has sought to frame immigration as some sort of military invasion, claiming that migrants, “like an invasion,” are trying to “violently overrun” the border. In arguing in favor of building a wall, he has repeatedly drawn comparisons with the walls that Israel has built. Indeed, Israeli companies have been instrumental in building the wall along the US-Mexico border and providing the technology for border control. Elbit Systems won a contract to provide electronic detections system and its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have patrolled the US-Mexico border. This Israeli technology was developed for use against Palestinians and it is marketed with a “battle-proven” stamp on its promotional brochure. Elbit’s US-traded stock shot up by 6% during Israel’s war on Gaza in 2014. Another Israeli company NICE Systems founded by former Israeli military and intelligence personnel provided surveillance technology for Sheriff Arpaio’s Maricopa County jail system in Arizona. These borderlands, whether in Israel-Palestine or USMexico serve today as laboratories for tech companies to develop, test and showcase surveillance and “security” technology as border security is becoming a global industry. In their article “Gaza in Arizona: How Israeli High-Tech Firms Will Up-Armor the US-Mexican Border,” journalists Todd Miller and Gabriel Schivone point out that the homeland Security market will grow from an annual business of $51 billion dollars in 2012 to $81 billion by 2020 in the US alone, and $544 billion worldwide by 2018. The business of border control—from building the wall to running privatized for-profit prisons and everything in between—is a multi-billion dollar market. It is also a stage for racist policies seeking to keep out the other, whether Palestinians, undocumented immigrants from Latin America or indigenous people. What gives one hope is a growing recognition of “the spirit of indivisibility of Justice,” as Angela Davis put it recently after a decision to honor her with a civil rights award was rescinded due to her activism on behalf of Palestinian rights. It is the recognition that the fight for social justice and against racism, xenophobia, wars and imperialist policies are inseparable.

Donald Trump who visited El Paso on Monday night, February 11, 2019 to push for the border wall was met with counter protests against the wall.

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • March 2019 Vol. 32 Issue 2•

sion and occupation of Iraq. The Russian military has engaged in brual bombing campaigns against Syrian communities in support of the genocidal Syrian regime that has waged an all out war against the Syrian people in order to maintain its grip on power. One of many horrifying results of the Syrian war has been turning millions of Syrians into refugees. The Syrian refugee crisis has had repercussions on political developments across the world. The specter of the Syrian refugee—or terrorist in the eyes of the Islamophobes—has helped transform domestic politics from Europe to the US. An anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment has been used by right-wing extremists to make electoral gains across Europe. And these far right movements have been promoted by Russian president, Vladimir Putin. In the US, this trend was on display in the rise of Donald Trump. His racist rhetoric as a presidential candidate against Mexicans and Muslims has translated into policies under his administration targeting immigrant communities and banning people from Muslim-majority countries, foremost among them are Syrian refugees. We have seen the rise of right-wing populist movements and authoritarian-leaning politicians across the world. These are symptoms of what Syrian dissident writer Yassin al-Haj Saleh call the Syrianization of the world. It is waking up in San Antonio to the headline “Border agents now removing children from their immigrant parents.” It is the escalation of state violence against the most vulnerable segments of society, it is normalizing shocking cruelty against the unprotected. We have seen in recent years alarming developments on a global scale, from the sad fate of the Arab uprisings against repressive regimes, to the rise of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), to the unprecedented numbers of refugees across the globe, to the resurgence of the European far right and the rise of Donald Trump and white supremacist groups in the US. All of this in the midst of a global crisis of capitalism. The recession ushered in by the financial crisis in 2008 came after decades of neoliberal policies that had reversed the promise of economic security made by liberal democracies after WWII. This destabilization of global economic conditions have fed into xenophobic rhetoric against immigrants.

Remembering Rita Vidaurri

A Fina

A vignette from my Mother, Ernestine Morales Guerra (1920 – 2007)

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Susan Morales Guerra, writer and facilitator; San Antonio, Texas and Oslo, Norway.

When my mother passed away suddenly, does, I wished, more than ever, for a miracle—that Mama could’ve been alive for that performance at the Casa de in 2007, I recalled something she told Cuentos, in the same neighborhood; and heard Rita sing me one day while I was with her, leaned one more time, and recall again how my father threw three against the kitchen counter cleaning pieces of dried corn kernels at her to get her attention at the beans, in her brown and pink kitchen on neighborhood dance beneath the tents filled with people, Oriole Lane in the northwestern part of San Antonio,“ To think it all started with amongst the bales of hay, lights strung for decoration three bits of corn! Oh, your Daddy!” and talented musicians playing their As I listened, she told me instruments. He did get her attention, about how my father, a young and as they celebrated their 62nd and handsome man five years wedding anniversary, when she told younger than she; captured me the story, I thought: “To think, her attention at a Saturday eveit all started with three pieces of corn!” Rita would surely have made ning dance in the neighborhood a song about that! where they lived at the time, on the westside of San Antonio. She told me that their form of entertainment was “home grown” and that talented musicians and singers from the neighborhood got together to make dances, usually outdoors, beneath tents placed on lots which were empty in between the rows of Rita Vidaurri sings at the Casa de Cuentos at a Second Saturday event. shotgun houses. She told me about Rita Vidaurri singing there, before she ever made it big, and how Above left: Susan everyone loved her voice and the Guerra tells her story at Esperanza’s Casa canciones she offered to the neighde Cuentos in 2007. borhood young people, those alone or Middle: Susan’s parents walking on in love, and/or in search for a suitable Houston St. as a young couple. partner. Rita’s voice made a good memory for my mother—that was obvious from the tome of her voice as she told me this. From this memory she relayed to me, I made a story which I told at the Esperanza’s Casa de Cuentos, in 2007, as a tribute to my Mama and those mothers like her, after she died. The Esperanza booked Rita Vidaurri, whom I had never heard, to sing after I told my story. When I put the two together, it became even more meaningful for me, and I wished, as a true romantic always

al Farewell Missing my best friend, Rita I met Rita, La Calandria, a couple of years ago while

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO ANA E. SANDOVAL CITY COUNCILWOMAN DISTRICT 7

To the family of Rita Vidaurri: Rita’s passing marks the end of an era. Era La Calandria, a trailblazer, a beloved queen from San Antonio’s westside. She brought verve and dynamism to every stage she graced. When I heard that she grew up boxing, I wasn’t surprised; her singing had already knocked me off my feet—visualizing her as a boxer just seemed fitting.

attending a performance by Las Tesoros del Westside at the Rinconcito de Esperanza. Later on, she and I became the best of friends. My mom, Carmelita, had passed away before I met Rita and then later my husband, Jim, also passed away. I was very lonely and depressed and so was Rita. She became like a mother to me. She would always worry about me and everyone else and would call me to make sure I got home okay. We would attend events day and nights, go home, then talk all night over the phone —Maria Velásquez Miller then be ready for breakfast the next P.S. Thank you Rita for all the good morning. And, to memories church we’d go on every Sunday Rita surrounded by friends and musicians at Flor de at San Martin de Chiapas Restaurant. Porres. Rita would drive herself everywhere until she got sick and couldn’t drive anymore at the age of 94. At church one day she saw Albino Alonzo, who Maria Velásquez Miller dances to the is a musician that plays at the Flor de music at Flor de Chiapas Restaurant. Chiapas Restaurant on Bandera Rd. every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I invited Rita to go join him and the other Hector Saldaña with Rita at Flor de Chiapas musicians. Rita told me: I’ve known Restaurant located on Bandera Rd. Albino all my life! So, I told her: “Let’s go! You sing and I’ll dance!” We did and everyone enjoyed our performance. The word got around and more people came to the restaurant on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed it very much. It was good therapy for the both of us. It took some of our depression and loneliness away.

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Then, one day, Rita invited Hector Saldaña from the Express-News to the restaurant and the following week he brought his photographer with him. He liked it You are in my thoughts, so much that we came out in a front-page article of Yours in public service, Ana E. Sandoval the Express-News, [Classic Mexican ballads still mainstay of San Antonio café, Thursday, February 25, 2016]. We thank you, Hector, with all our heart because you made us so very happy. I miss you a lot, Rita. Vaya con Dios, my friend.

* community meetings *

Amnesty International #127 Call Arthur @ 210.213.5919 for info. Bexar Co. Green Party: Call 210. 471.1791 | bcgp@bexargreens.org

PFLAG, meets 1st Thurs. @ 7pm, University Presbyterian Church 300 Bushnell Ave. | 210.848.7407.

Celebration Circle meets Sun., 11am @ Say Sí, 1518 S. Alamo. Meditation: Weds @7:30pm, Friends Meeting House, 7052 Vandiver. 210.533.6767.

Parents of Murdered Children, meets 2nd Mondays @ Balcones Heights Com. Ctr, 107 Glenarm | www.pomcsanantonio.org.

DIGNITY SA Mass, 5:30pm, Sun. @ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1018 E. Grayson St. | 210.340.2230

Rape Crisis Center, 4606 Centerview Suite 200, Hotline: 210.349.7273 | 210.521.7273 Email:sschwab@ rapecrisis.com

Adult Wellness Support Group The Religious Society of Friends of PRIDE Center meets 4th Mon., 7-9pm @ Lions Field, 2809 Broadway. meets Sunday @10am @ The Friends Meeting House, 7052 N. Vandiver. | Call 210.213.5919. 210.945.8456. Energía Mía: Call 512.838-3351. S.A. Gender Association meets 1st & Fuerza Unida, 710 New Laredo Hwy. 3rd Thursday, 6-9pm @ 611 E. Myrtle, www.lafuerzaunida.org | 210.927.2294 Metropolitan Community Church. Habitat for Humanity meets 1st Tues. for volunteers, 6pm, HFHSA Office @ 311 Probandt.

SA AIDS Fdn 818 E. Grayson St. offers free Syphilis & HIV testing | 210.225.4715 | www.txsaaf.org.

LGBTQ LULAC Council #22198 meets 3rd Thursdays, 6:45pm @ Pride Center, 1303 McCullough, Suite 160, Metropolitan Medical Bldg. E-mail: info@lulac22198.org

SA Women Will March: www. sawomenwillmarch.org | (830) 4887493

NOW SA meets 3rd Wed See FB | satx.now for info | 210. 802. 9068 | nowsaareachapter@gmail.com Pax Christi, SA meets monthly on Saturdays. Call 210.460.8448

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • March 2019 Vol. 32 Issue 2•

Proyecto Hospitalidad Liturgy meets Thurs. 7pm, 325 Courtland.

oasanantonio.org | 210.492.5400.

Metropolitan Community Church services & Sunday school 10:30am, 611 East Myrtle. Call 210.472.3597 Overeaters Anonymous meets MWF in Sp & daily in Eng. www.

SGI-USA LGBT Buddhists meet 2nd Sat. at 10am @ 7142 San Pedro Ave., Ste 117 | 210.653.7755. Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Tues. 7pm & Sun. 9:30am 257 E. Hildebrand Ave. | 210.222.9303. S.N.A.P. (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). Contact Barbara at 210.725.8329. Voice for Animals: 210.737.3138 or www.voiceforanimals.org

Donate to the Esperanza!

Big Give San Antonio!

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Join us for The Big Give SA and help support the Esperanza’s 2019 programming and organizing! Our goal is to raise $16,000 and get 400 unique donors! What is the Big Give? The Big Give is South Central Texas’ 24-hour online day of online giving fueled by the power of generous donors, creative nonprofits, social media, collaboration, and you! How can you help us reach our goal? • Donate on THURSDAY, March 28 during our Power Hours (12pm-2pm or 10pm-12am) at bit.ly/BigGiveEsperanza

SA’s LGBTQA Youth meets Tues., 6:30pm at Univ. Presby. Church, 300 Bushnell Ave. | www.fiesta-youth.org

• Save Time & Pledge Early at

bit.ly/BigGivePledge

• Or call 210.228.0201 to donate

Send your 2019 tax-deductible donations to Esperanza today! I would like to donate $________ each month by automatic bank withdrawal. Contact me to sign up.

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Notas Y Más March 2019

Brief news items on upcoming community events. Send items for Notas y Más to: lavoz@esperanzacenter.org or mail to: 922 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212. The deadline is the 8th of each month.

The Department of Arts & Culture of San Antonio invites you to apply for the FY2019 Annual Call for Public Art Qualifications. The Department is seeking qualifications from San Antonioarea, regional, national, and international applicants to be submitted for each of these categories: Public Artists and Public Art Support Services. Deadline: March 1st. Apply at: sanantonio.gosmart.org/ For more contact pasa@sanantonio.gov or check www.GetCreativeSanAntonio.com

Sessions, Transgender/Non Binary/Gender Non-Conforming Texans and their allies gather at the capitol for a day of citizen lobbying. Check: transtexas. networkforgood.com/events/10564transgender-education-network-of-texaslobby-day And, Monday, March 18th from 10am to 4pm at the Texas State Capitol is All In For Equality Advocacy Day urging state lawmakers to protect LGBT Texans from discrimination. Check: https://www.equalitytexas.org/

Gemini Ink has released its schedule of classes and events for spring 2019. It includes Barbara Renaud González’s Multicultural Memoir Workshop starting on March 4th for 6 weeks; Anel Flores and Erika Casasola writing workshop using medicina tradicional starting on March 20th; and an ongoing writing lab Toward A Cartography of Writing with Jo Reyes-Boitel meeting on March 19th. Visit geminiink.org for details on these and many more offerings for the spring!

Join Esperanza’s Buena Gente on March 9th for our monthly 2nd Saturday Convivio from 10am to 12pm at Esperanza’s Casa de Cuentos at 816 S. Colorado. Enjoy food and drink and join in the sharing of stories and recuerdos of the Westside of San Antonio. Bring photos for scanning or artifacts from your family history or set up an appointment by calling 210.228.0201.

The Julian Samora Research Institute (JSRI) at Michigan State University is holding a Graduate Student Paper Competition as part of its 30th Anniversary Conference Celebration on October 31 – November 2, 2019. The conference theme is “Latina/os and the Renewal of U.S. Democracy.” The winner will receive an award of $2,000 and will present at the conference. Submissions should focus on Latina/o communities in the Midwest. Deadline: August 2nd. See: jsri.msu.edu.

Madrid Lecture and Symposium series presents:

Chicana Teatristas: Past & Present

March 1st | 9am-5pm @ Trinity University • Holt Center, 106 Oakmont Court Denise Chávez

Plus sessions with

Cherríe Moraga Marisela Barrera @ 3:00 pm Virginia Grise @10 am

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Opening Keynote @ 9:15am

Univ. of California Santa Barbara

Closing Keynote @ 4:00 pm

María Ibarra @ 11:15 am Ruby Nelda Pérez @ 2:00 pm

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • March 2019 Vol. 32 Issue 2•

PFLAG San Antonio reminds everyone: Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) Lobby Day is on March 7th from 8am to 5pm. During Legislative

The 7th annual San Antonio Book Festival will take place on April 6th at the Central Library (600 Soledad) and Southwest School of Art from 9am to 5pm. Visit saplf.org for more.

The Nation, the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the U.S., and the most widely read weekly journal of progressive political and cultural news has been hosting unique travel experiences for readers and supporters since 1998. Coming this spring is Native American Voices: The Dakotas, Colorado and New Mexico from May 12-20, an 8-night journey meeting with community and tribal leaders, story-tellers, artists, and activists on a scenic road trip that will delve into some of the pressing political issues, passionate activism, and rich diversity of Native American cultures. Find out more at: thenation.com

LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • March 2019 Vol. 32 Issue 2•

On exhibit through March 31, 2019 Hours: M-F 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm

Plus! Wednesday March 20 6:30-8 PM

Platic a

El Mero Weso: Heritage, Inequality, & Gentrification In San Anto’s Westside

For exhibit info call Sarah at the Esperanza, 210-228-0201.

Noche Azul de Esperanza March 16, 2019 @8pm

milam park , Mar.2

Central Library, Latino Collection & Resource Center, 1st fl. 600 Soledad St., SATX • 210-207-2500

10 am • 11 am START

LOS COURTS an Exhibit about the Alazan-Apache Courts

bit.ly/FB_IWD_2019

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center

922 San Pedro San Antonio TX 78212 210.228.0201 • www.esperanzacenter.org

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID San Antonio, TX Permit #332

Haven’topened Haven’t openedLa LaVoz Vozinina awhile? while? Prefer Prefertotoread readititonline? online?Wrong Wrongaddress? address? TO CANCEL AA SUBSCRIPTION SUBSCRIPTIONEMAIL Email:lavoz@esperanzacenter.org lavoz@esperanzacenter.orgCALL: CALL:210.228.0201 210.228.0201

Tickets $7 más o menos at the door Homenaje a Mercedes Sosa Legendary Latin American Singer 210-228-0201 Esperanza 922 San Pedro Ave San Antonio TX 78212

Hilos que hablan:

Chicana Movidas | Book Celebration and Roundtable Discussion The Textile Legacy & Life of Mariana Ornelas Sun. March 3, 2019 at 2pm, Esperanza

Exhibit & Sale Saturday, March 9, 2019 6pm Opening Reception 7pm Blessing & Program Esperanza Peace & Justice Center 922 San Pedro, SA TX 78212 210.228.0201 Exhibit & Sale hours: M-F 10-7 pm, thru May 10 Co-editors Dionne Espinoza, María E. Cotera & Maylei Blackwell, along with contributors Martha P. Cotera and Brenda Sendejo. Free and Open to the Public

A tribute to the life of Mariana Ornelas and in honor of her wishes—the Esperanza will also host an exhibit and sale of textiles and huipiles that Mariana donated to Esperanza. Join us in a very special event.