History

Boleros, Flores y Chocolate! Honoring Mom on Mother's Day

Leticia Rodriguez celebrates Mother’s Day at Esquina Tango, May 9, 3:00 until 5:00 pm, 209 Pedernales St., Austin Tx, by bringing classic boleros to share with your family. These songs, familiar to Latin families the world over, share Latin culture and are passed generation to generation. Tickets are $7.00, half-price for children ten and under. Bring your family to sing, dance, or sit back and listen while we share our favorite songs and stories. Chocolate, flowers and coffee will also be served to all arriving Moms and guests! Reservations recommended: 512-940-2315.

A percentage of these proceeds will go to benefit Liam Jessin, a ten-year-old child who recently underwent a successful double lung transplant. Liam is the son of Austin teacher, dancer and friend, Lydie Jessin. For information on Liam see: www.milesofhope.net

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/liamjessin

Rodriguez is accompanied by Christian Fernandez, Ed Friedland, Richard Price and Steve Vidal. Guitarist, Christian Fernandez is a regular musician with Atash, O-Positive and 909. Bass player, Ed Friedland has played with top musicians internationally, Larry Coryell, Illinois Jaquette, Michael Urbaniak, to name a few. In Austin, a short list includes: The Sideshow Five, Jim Stringer & The AM Band and Hal Ketchum. Richard Price and Steve Vidal are long-time musicians in the Austin Latin scene. They have been at the forefront of Austin’s vibrant world music growth playing for bands such as La Tribu, Cubano Pop, Rumba Son, Cerronato and Myrna Cabello Rocks.

For more info: http://esquinatangoaustin.com/index.php/social-events/leticia-rodriguez

Musical Performance: 8th Annual Pumpkin Fall Festival at Greenwood (2009)

Celebrate the harvest season with activities that include: Pumpkin Painting, Hay Bale Maze, Magic Fishing Hole, Corn Husk Doll Making, Face Painting, Pumpkin Toss Sweet Tree Forest, Storytelling, and Live Music with Leticia Rodriguez!

WHEN: Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 3:30 PM

WHERE: Austin, Texas

HOW: greenwoodschool.net

TICKETS: $7.00

Musical Performance: "Cielito Lindo" de los Muertos (2009)

Las Monas Performance Group, will host San Antonio’s first ever "Cielito Lindo" Baile De Los Muertos. Hay, Dios Mio!!!!! Las Monas, an international original, specializes in promoting our Dia De Los Muertos culture through visual arts, costume design, and Larger than Life Calaveras. Music by Austin’s Latina artist, Leticia Rodriguez, belting out her Boleros y Canciones Rancheras. They will take you back to the romantic era of 1920s thru 1950s. Bien Mitotera y Chula tambien!!!!!!!!!!

This is an art event people, dress the part!!!! You gotta be “Drop Dead Gorgeous.” There will be lots of dead ancestors, dead world leaders, dead movie stars, dead comedians, dead musicians, dead everyday people, oh y dead samba dancers.Day of the Dead celebrates life!! It is a thanksgiving of family ties and togetherness, as well as an experience of the seamless continuity of life and death. One day we will all unite in our Lord’s Glory. Amen!!!!!!

Reserve by e-mailing me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call me 1-210-834-4038. Can’t wait to hear from you, you are gonna love this.

WHEN: Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 7:30 PM

WHERE: La Villita, Plaza Nacional, San Antonio, Texas

TICKETS: $25.00

HOW: Reserve by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 1-210-834-4038

MORE: lasmonas.org

Musical Performance: PE at El Sol y La Luna (2009)

Photo by: Brenda Ladd

JOIN US

For Paloma Patrones, dancing to Boleros Tropical con Leticia Rodriguez and chillin at the NEW El Sol y La Luna ...

DATE: Sunday, April 5th

TIME: 5 - 8 PM

WHERE: 600 E 6th, El Sol y La Luna

(NEW LOCATION)

SUGGESTED DONATION: $10-20/person

(food and drinks sold separately)

PARKING: Convention Center or along the curb areas

MAP: Map to El Sol

For more information:

Call 825-1499

or Email us @

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PE is a 501(c3) non-profit organization.

All proceeds are tax deductible.

To realize visions, a tall yarn, a good pair of dancing shoes,
and a supportive community goes a long way. - Anon. 2009

PE is funded, supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and an award from the Nat'l Endowment for the Arts, which believes that great nations deserve great art.

PE Presents: Home Entertainment has Never Been Like This! (2009)

Read The Austin Chronicle's Robert Faires, Arts Editor, rave review of Home Entertainment 2009 here.

Tickets still available for Thursday (June 4), Friday (June 5) and Saturday (June 6). Call 512-474-8497. Reserve your dinner and show now!

Home Entertainment 2009 opened May 28 and, as promised, Performance Encounters produced an entertaining brand new edition of its highly acclaimed performance art series, Home Entertainment.

Home Entertainment 2009 is a a one of a kind full dinner theatre experience with delicious culinary delight by Joe Cooks! Catering accompanied by a theatrical performance of heart, soul with storytelling, music, and film and fun for all generations.

Home Entertainment 2009 preparation has been going on right under our noses for months. Audio interviews have been chronicling the experiences of a fascinating spectrum of the lives and culture of one of Austin’s oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods, Blackland.

Home Entertainment 2009 opens Thursday, May 28.

Additional evenings will be May 29, May 30, June 4, June 5 and June 6.

Dinners will be served at 7:00 P.M., and Performances will begin at 8 P.M. at Joe Cooks! Catering, 1814 East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Austin.

Save when you Pre-Purchase Tickets Online here.

Full Dinner & Theatre Experience Tickets - $30 each Online (Save $10 each)

Theatre Only Experience Tickets - $15 each Online (Save $5 each)

Tickets will also be available at 6:30 P.M. at the door.

Full Dinner & Theatre Experience Tickets will be $40 each at the door.

Theatre Only Experience Tickets will be $20 each at the door.

Discount Tickets for Students and Seniors are available here.

Discount Tickets will also be available at 6:30 P.M. at the door:

Discount Full Dinner & Theatre Experience Tickets are ONLY $20 each.

Discount Theatre Only Experience Tickets are ONLY $10 each.

Go here or call (512) 474-8497 to purchase tickets. For more information on the show go to Calendar section of this website.

Learn more about Home Entertainment (2009) here.

Read rave reviews of Home Entertainment (2009) here.

Watch videos of Home Entertainment (2009) here and here.

View photos of Home Entertainment (2009) here.

PE Presents: Performance Encounters at Frontera Fest (2009)

PE performs at Frontera Fest

WHAT: OMG FRONTERA FEST- Short Fringe - a five week performance jamboree presented by Austin Script Works and Hyde Park Theatre featuring Austin artists doing original works.

Performance Encounters presents Play It By Ear, life in the burbs.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 27th 8 PM

WHERE: 511 West 43rd Street/Hyde Park Theatre

HOW: For reservations and information call:
479-PLAY or order online at hydeparktheatre.org

Director: Jenifer Carsrud

Performers: Eric Calistri, Mario Gonzalez, Ric Furley and Leticia Rodriguez

Written By: Leticia Rodriguez

PE Presents: Austin Museum of Art presents Studs Terkel (2008)

Performance Encounters collaborates with Austin artists to bring Studs Terkel's oral histories to life.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 3rd, 7 PM

Musical Performance: Fall Season (2008)

September 16th Celebrate Diez Y Seis de Septiembre
Central Market North
4001 So Lamar Blvd
6:30 PM
Stories y musica on the patio
November 1st
El Sol Y La Luna
1224 So Congress Ave
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Sizzling music on the patio
November 2nd
Central Market North
4477 So. Lamar Blvd
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Brunch y musica on the patio
November 30th
Manuels Downtown
310 Congress Ave
11:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Brunch and smooth sounds downtown

PE Presents: Canciónes for Generations (2008)

The Mexican American Cultural Arts Center and Performance Encounters presents Canciónes for Generations, a solo performance by Leticia Rodriguez, exploring identity, culture and heritage through pagentry and panache!

WHERE: Mexican American Cultural Arts Center, 600 River Street

WHEN: Opening Gala September 12th, September 13th,18th - 20th 8 PM

Free Matinees are on September 11th, 12th 10 AM and September 13th 2 PM

Ticket sales begin August 1st

More information about Canciónes for Generations (2008) here.

View photos of about Canciónes for Generations (2008) here.

Musical Performance: El Sol y La Luna (2008)

WHEN: August 9th and September 6th

WHAT: Leticia Rodriguez plays at El Sol Y La Luna classic boleros, musica tropical y rancheras of vintage 1940's con gusto!

Musical Performance: Manuel's Downtown (2008)

WHEN: June 29th, 11:30 - 1:30

WHAT: Leticia Rodriguez will by playing boleros y música tropical.

MORE: MySpace.com/LetMusic for more information.

PE Presents: Canciónes for Generations (2008)

Check out what Aeilli Unleashed has to say about Canciónes...

The Mexican American Cultural Center and Performance Encounters presents Canciónes for Generations, a solo performance by Leticia Rodriguez, exploring identity, culture and heritage through comic pagentry and panache!

WHERE: Mexican American Cultural Arts Center, 600 River St

WHEN: September 18th - 20th 8 PM

Tickets available at this website.For more information call 474-8497.

Check out this blog review on Austin Live Theatre here.

More information about Canciónes for Generations (2008) here.

View photos of about Canciónes for Generations (2008) here.

Musical Performance: El Sol Y La Luna (2008)

Leticia at El Sol Y La Luna

Boleros! Musica Tropical! Buena Gente!

El Sol y La Luna on Saturday, May 24th from 7:30 - 9:30. No Cover. Great comida!

PE Presents: Musica y Cuentos del Corazon (2008)

Musica y Cuentos del Corazon

Stories and music are on tap for the Mexican American Cultural Arts, "Hecho a Mano" monthly arts fair. Performance is January 27th, 2 PM, at the "Barco de Teatro," series, 602 River Street.

Free to the public; fun for the whole family!

ci.austin.tx.us/parks/macc_event.htm

PE Presents: Frontera Fest (2008)

Performance Encounters Goes to Frontera Fest

"Play It By Ear," a new performance by Leticia Rodriguez, will be presented on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at Austin's Frontera Fest, a five week festival of offbeat, new and unexpected works.

It's a perfect "hand and glove" combination as West Austin Meets West Side Story at Hyde Park Theatre.

MORE: fronterafest.org

INSIDER INFO: Rodriguez delivers tips on lawn care while delivering high caliber performance.

Musical Performance: New Year Celebration (2008)

Lunar New Year Celebration

On Wednesday, February 6th, 2008, ring in the New Year by attending "Surround the Fire" - a Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration. Like our Western tradition, the Lunar Celebration brings people together to say goodbye to the old year and celebrates the welcome of the arrival of the new year.

WHERE: 6720 N Capitol of Texas Highway

WHEN: 7:20 PM - 8:20 PM

MORE: For more information, call 346-6789

The Hsiang Yun Temple invites the public to celebrate the new year. Boleros will be performed along with other eclectic entertainment from 7:20 PM - 8:20 PM

PE Presents: Canciónes for Generations (2007)

September 2007

Listen to "Preserving East Austin History" here.

Listen to "Quiero Verte" (Click to play):

Learn more about Canciónes for Generations (2007) here.

Watch a video of Canciónes for Generations (2007) here.

PE Presents: Canciónes for Generations (2007)

Don't miss this celebration of history, family heritage and culture as Performance Encounters presents Canciónes For Generations, a bi-lingual production with live music, stories and video.

DAYS: Thursdays through Saturdays

DATES: September 20th-22nd & September 27th - 29th

WHEN: All shows begin at 7:30 PM

WHERE: Zavala Elementary School Auditorium, 310 Robert T. Martinez Jr. Street

TICKETS: $10 - $20 online

For tickets call (512) 474-8497 (TIXS) or go to TexasPerforms.com

Artistic Director and performer, Leticia Rodriguez, invites you to explore the origins of her Tejana heritage beginning with a beauty pageant and the question; is she, or is she not, a coconut? The evening features inside stories on Mexico’s No. 1 singer in the 1940s, internationally acclaimed, (Tía) Eva Garza, telling video interviews with family members Tía Tina, Mom, singer-songwriter and niece, Carrie Rodriguez and rich boleros and tales performed by Leticia Rodriguez.

Christina J. Moore, 2006 - 2007 B. Iden Payne award winner for best director of American Fiesta, William Meadows, Austin Critics Table award winner 2006 for Requiem, René Pinnell, director of the current OnNetworks.com hit Backpack Picnic and artists Eric Callistri, Pam Fletcher-Friday, Claire Huie and Jennifer Rogers combine their talents in working with theatre, live music and video to create an unforgettable evening.

Finally, Zavala families support the performance by sharing stories of their family heritages and community history.

Watch a video of Canciónes for Generations (2007) here.

Listen to music from Canciónes for Generations (2007) here.

PE Presents: Mini Events (2007)

PE performs at Zavala Elementary’s Reading Rally Day on May 11th, from 10:30 AM to noon. Along with the school’s students and staff, parents and alumni and event the Texas Longhorn Band, PE shared stories and video on family histories.
PE performs music at the UT Alumni Center on the evening of May 4th for the opening of the new website for the Latino and Latina Oral History World War II Project.
PE performs May 18th at Zavala Elementary’s 70th Anniversary Celebration from 6-7 PM, at the Pan American Hillside Theater. PE will also have a booth to share information regarding the upcoming show in September.

PE Presents: A Place to Land (2006)

Produced by Performance Encounters

DATES: June 3rd - June 17th, 2006

DAYS: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays

WHERE: 1610 West 9th Street Austin, Texas

Experience a performance wrapped in a tour of the history of a 1934 Clarksville home. Austin artists; Sharon Marroquin, Rene Pinnell, Leticia Rodriguez, Richard Schildgen and Suzi Stern asked the question, "What makes a house, a home?" Combining theatre with social activism, these artists from all disciplines wove storytelling, dance, live music, video and visual art, to bring into focus the qualities of home life which exist for the homeless and the home owner to sold out audiences.

"I believe this piece honored the heart of family life in a very genuine and universal way." - Rich Armington

This multi-sensory performance included the perspectives of persons outside Austin's mainstream populace. Artist, Debbie Krieger, from Imagine Art, Foundation Community residents and artists from Art from the Streets show art, and were photographed and interviewed to additionally share with the audience a different perspective from the performing artists. Cookies were baked (and served) during every show.

"It was a magical night for my family, the one I came with AND the transformed one I left with!" - Pam Friday

Read a rave review of A Place to Land (2006) here.

Watch videos of A Place to Land here and here.

View photos of A Place to Land (2006) here and here.

PE Presents: Home Entertainment (2005): Espectáculo Casero

Produced by Leticia Rodriguez

DATES: September 16th - October 1st, 2005

DAYS: Fridays and Saturdays

WHERE: Clarksville, Barton Hills and Southside 45 Private Residences Austin, Texas

Austin, TX – Have you ever asked why we can’t just walk down the street for a good look at the sunset, meet a few friends and neighbors and enjoy some light-hearted entertainment? Try a little “Home Entertainment.” Shows took place in the backyards of friends and neighbors making entertainment happen for their neighborhoods. Performance times were at sunset. Three diverse Austin locations made it possible to walk, bike or drive right from your house! (Beverage was free when you showed us your bike.)

With popcorn and sodas, live music and dance; stories by both artists and neighbors were shared. Directed by Leticia Rodriguez, with collaborator, Tim Mateer, fine art was juggled with fun. Guest artists from among Austin’s eclectic fine arts communitiy were also included to lend their musicianship, video expertise and artistry.

Home Entertainment: Espectáculo Casero made the top ten list for "most original idea for entertainment all year." - 2005 Austin Chronicle, Barry Pineo.

PE Presents: Chicken n Beans: Collected Musings (2004)

Produced by Leticia Rodriguez

WHEN: September 9th - 12th, 2004

WHERE Santa Cruz Center for Culture, 1805 East 7th Street, Austin, Texas

Austin, TX – Imagine yourself attending an event that tickles your senses, makes you think about life, and asks about your muse? All of these ideas mixed together created a very delectable serving of "Chicken and Beans: Collected Musings."

This was the third installment of the variety show series "Chicken and Beans," which brought together Austin artists Leticia Rodriguez, Britt Welin Adams, Bill Jeffers, William Meadows, Tim Mateer, and Stephen Pruitt. Their talents were showcased in this fresh, fun, and heartfelt collaborative work, consisting of dance, poetry, music, theatre and visual art. "Musings" inspired both the artists and the audience by combining humor with probing questions on current social and political events.

Watch videos of Chicken n Beans: Collected Musings (2004) here.

PE Presents: Chicken n Beans: Side Order (2003)

Produced by Leticia Rodriguez

DATES: September 26th - October 4th, 2003

DAYS: Fridays and Saturdays

WHERE: Tai Chi Studio of Heloise Gold, 2525 Wallingwood, Building 7A, Suite 702B, Austin, Texas

Returning to the stage to skewer stereotypes, appraise culture and combine social and political conditions with tasteful humor, "Chicken n Beans" returns! Austin artists; Heloise Gold, Tim Mateer, Bill Jeffers, Stephen Pruitt, Glen Rexache and Leticia Rodriguez performed with professional abandon. With live music, drama and dance, these talented individuals teamed up to dish out in a "down-home" manner, zany, poignant and heartfelt theatre.

Special guest artist, Philip Rodriguez heated up the stage with sister, Leticia Rodriguez, and milk and cookies were served for any late night stragglers.

PE Presents: Chicken n Beans (2002)

Co-produced by Heloise Gold and Leticia Rodriguez

DATES: May 24 - June 2, 2002

DAYS: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

WHERE: Santa Cruz Center for Culture, 1805 East 7th Street, Austin, Texas

"...moments in "Chicken & Beans" feel like authentic invitations into the cultural environments which have helped mold these two women into the talented performers they are." - M.B. Rice Austin Chronicle 2002

What do you get when you cross a chicken with a bean? A vegetable that clucks? A chick pea? Look for the answer in “Chicken and Beans,” a dance concert created by dancers/choreographers Heloise Gold and Leticia Rodriguez. In this collaboration, these two well-traveled performers delved into their own roots in the Jewish and Latino cultures. Gold and Rodriguez also tapped their varied performance talents in a series of duets about the intricacies and dynamics of human relationships.

Gold said “Chicken and Beans” is inspired by spiritual interests of both artists as well as the common thread of interest in family relationships, reflected by the use of taped interviews and stories from family members. It’s funny, too. “We do a great deal of spontaneous interaction and humor – it almost becomes vaudevillian at times,” said Gold.

Rodriguez described "Chicken and Beans" as being a very accessible dance concert, especially in terms of the music. “We are using music which derives ideas from various sources – avant garde, conjunto, klezmer, boleros, pop and classical. Some I gathered from flea markets in Mexico -- Mega Hits No. 2, Aniceto Molina’s “El Tigre Sabanero” – but at the same time, we use the Partita No. 1 in B Minor of Bach.”

Pianist/composer Billy Wolfe, who produced the CD, “Springs,” was a special guest.

Read a rave review of Chicken n Beans (2002) here.

Watch a video of Chicken n Beans (2002) here.

Listen to Chicken n Beans (2002) "On Language" here.

PE Presents: Collectivos: Seeds of Our Ancestors (1999)

Co-produced by Aztlan Dance Company and Leticia Rodriguez

DATES: October 22nd - 24th, 1999

WHERE: Santa Cruz Center for Culture, 1805 East 7th Street, Austin, Texas

The Aztlan Dance Company and Leticia Rodriguez presented six of Austin's most prolific Latino dance companies/artists in a unique-collaborative dance event. Performing companies included Aztlan Dance Company, Auspicious, Inc., Ballet East Dance Theatre, Tony Bravo and Kinesis Dance Theatre Project, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance Company and artist, Leticia Rodriguez. Collectivos showcased duets, trios and ensemble work in an array of styles reflective of both contemporary and traditional dance forms. From Breakdance to Jazz, Folkloric to Performance Art, the evening was filled with the mysterious magic of Latin humor, culture and rhythms.