Alexandria, Louisiana to Host New Spain Fiesta" Labor Day Weekend The Duke of San Carlos and Ambassador Javier Ruperez to attend

Alexandria, Louisiana will host the first ever New Spain Fiesta-- a Spanish culture and heritage festival to be held Labor Day weekend, August 30 to September 1, 2003. The three-day Spanish cultural exchange, which will also serve to kick off the long awaited Heart of Spain Exhibition, will bring new awareness to Spains influence on Louisiana.

Alexandria, Louisiana (PRWEB) August 11, 2003 -- Alexandria, Louisiana will host the first ever New Spain Fiesta-- a Spanish culture and heritage festival to be held Labor Day weekend, August 30 to September 1, 2003. The three-day Spanish cultural exchange, which will also serve to kick off the long awaited Heart of Spain Exhibition, will bring new awareness to Spains influence on Louisiana.

The events will include international food displays, live music, dancing, childrens activities, and art. Opening festivities begin at the Alexandria Museum of Art with a Gala reception and a first-time viewing of The Heart of Spain Exhibition.

Other events include a private inaugural mass and brunch, hosted by Spanish Ambassador Javier Ruperez, plus a number of public events, including a fireworks extravaganza on Sunday night. The Duke of San Carlos, His Grace Alvaro Fernandez Villareal, and Spains Ambassador to the United States, Javier Ruperez will attend all New Spain Fiesta events.

To participate in the weekends activities, as well as other Spanish-heritage functions, members of the international and domestic press corps are invited to contact the Alexandria Museum of Art at 318.443.3458.

WHO:    The Alexandria Museum of Art
      The Alexandria/Pineville Convention & Visitors Bureau
      The State of Louisiana
      The Nation of Spain
   
WHAT:   The New Spain Fiesta"-the inaugural Labor Day celebration of the Heart of Spain Exhibition
   ** Please refer to the attached schedule of events for further information on the New Spain Fiesta. To become a part of our inaugural weekends Heart of Spain Media Familiarization trip, please contact Janina Farinas at the Alexandria Museum of Art.

WHEN:   Saturday, August 30th- Monday, September 1st

WHERE:   Downtown Alexandria, Louisiana
      The Alexandria Museum of Art
      
For more information and to attend contact:
Janina E. Fariñas
Director of Public Relations & State of Louisiana Liaison
C/O Alexandria Museum of Art
318.443.3458

Louisianas New Spain Fiesta
Inaugural Celebration of the Heart of Spain Exhibit
Saturday, August 30th- Monday, September 1, 2003

Saturday, August 30th

12:00 NOON -- 2:30 PM      Press Corps Welcome Lunch at Tunks on Lake Kincaid
            Experts Panel-The Heart of Spain in the Heart of Louisiana
A discussion moderated by Eugene Schreiber, Managing Director of the Louisiana World Trade Center, and featuring the following panelist discussions:

•   Dr. Lester Sullivan, University Archivist, Xavier University, with expert opinion on THE SPANISH DURING THE LOUSIANA PURCHASE
•   Dr. Eugene Darwin Cizek, Director, Preservation Studies Program, Tulane University, with expert opinion on SPANISH ARCHITECTURE IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA
•   Dr. Javier Morales, Commissioner of Art, Patrimonio Nacional de España, with expert opinion on CURATING THE HEART OF SPAIN
•   Dr. William De Marigny Hyland, Archivist, Parish of St. Bernardo, with expert opinion on THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LOS ISLEÑOS TO LOUISIANA
•   Dr. Pete" Gregory, Northwestern University Historian, with expert opinion on LA ESPAÑA Y LA LOUISIANA
•   Note-This event is open only to members of the media.

2:00 PM -- 4:00 PM      Land Grant Luncheon
            A private welcome" event for Spanish dignitaries
            River Oaks Arts Center (By invitation only)

6:30 PM- 8:30 PM      Inaugural Patron Reception & Private First-time" Viewing of the Heart of
Spain Exhibition
Alexandria Museum of Art (Ticketed event)

8:30 PM -- 11:30 PM      New Spain Gala With BIG" Band Vivaz!
            Hotel Bentley (Ticketed event)                                

Sunday, August 31st

10:00 AM         Inaugural Mass
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

11 AM- 1PM         Ambassador Javier Ruperez Brunch
Bistro on the Bayou ( By invitations only)

Noon until         PUBLIC FIESTA
Alexandria Museum of Art & Downtown Outdoor Stages
Visual and Performing Arts, Food Booths, Childrens Activities, Judging-Barbacoa" Contest on the Levee

1:30 PM- 2 PM         Formal Dedication of Exhibit

2PM- 6PM         The Heart of Spain" Exhibit
OPENS TO MEMBERS ONLY

5:00 - 6:30 PM         Fuerza Latina (Salsa) Performs at Downtown Rocks Stage

6:30 - 8:00 PM         Zydeco Band Performs at Downtown Rocks Stage

8:00 - 9:30 PM         Almas Gemelas (Latin Rock) Performs at the Amphitheatre Stage

9:45 -- until         Fiesta Fireworks at the Alexandria/ Pineville Levee

10:00 - 11:30PM         Los Babies del Merengue perform at the Amphitheater Stage    

Monday, September 1        

6:00 - 7:30 AM         Inaugural Sunrise Service
Capilla de la Santa Cruz de Maderuelo
            Alexandria Museum of Art

9:00 -- 10:30 AM         Spanish Land Grant Breakfast (Media Only)
            The closing event of the New Spain Fiesta!

8:00 AM -- 6:00 PM      The Heart of Spain Exhibition Opens to the Public

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