Mesa Arts Center to Celebrate 10th Year with Los Lonely Boys, Ballet Hispanico & More

Mesa Arts Center will celebrate a major milestone in 2015-16: the tenth season of entertainment and education at One East Main Street in Downtown Mesa. Everyone is invited to join the celebration at a free Season Kickoff Festival on Friday, September 11, 6-11 p.m.

The family-friendly festival will take on the atmosphere of a Latin street party with an outdoor performance by Chicano rock power trio Los Lonely Boys with opener Matt Anderson, lessons in Latin social dance from New York-based Latino dance organization Ballet Hispanico, and new exhibitions in Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, including three that will showcase works from actor/comedian Cheech Marin's collection of Chicano art. Festival goers will see custom low-rider cars and motorcycles on display, hear nonstop live music, watch live street artists and live artist demonstrations on the campus Shadow Walk, tour Mesa Arts Center's art studios and enjoy delicious foods from local vendors.

Five exhibitions will open in Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum on Friday, September 11. Take Ten: The Past Decade of Collecting by Cheech Marin will draw from the renowned private collection of entertainer and arts advocate Cheech Marin, who has amassed one of the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of Chicano art. Curatorial Spotlight: Ricardo Ruiz will feature highlights of the curious paintings of Texas artist Ricardo Ruiz from Cheech Marin's collection. 10 pick 10 will showcase the work of ten pivotal Chicano artists, whose work has become the cornerstone of Marin's collection, and ten works by emerging artists at a juncture in their career. Yonder Peasant...The Photography of Pedro E. Guerrero will showcase iconic artist portraits and architectural photographs by the celebrated Arizona photographer Pedro Guerrero. And Chicano State of Mind will feature eight Arizona artists whose work explores the idea that being Chicano is a state of mind that goes beyond a restrictive classification.

Mesa Arts Center is located at One East Main Street in downtown Mesa. There is no charge to attend the Season Kickoff Festival or the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum's opening, and parking is free. More information can be found at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6500.

Editor's Note: Images are available for download in Mesa Arts Center's online Press Room at http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/misc/about/press-room/login. (Password is macmedia). Photos included in release are courtesy of Mesa Arts Center. Left to right: Los Lonely Boys, Cheech Marin, Small Guns by Robert Palacios, and Ballet Hispanico.