Submitted by Larry Schmitt
On January 24, 2024, one-hundred-forty (140) Kansans from all over the Rio Grande Valley met to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s January 29, 1861, admission to the Union. What was super special is that twenty-two (22) Kansans joined the group for their first time. YAY!!
The McAllen Wind Ensemble is excited to announce its 50th Anniversary season. Their next concert, titled “Animation,” is Tuesday, February 13, 7:30 p.m., at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Animation spans generations of styles, genres, and cultures.
From the earliest days of moving pictures, animation captured the hearts of audiences, often due to engaging music. Classic childhood cartoons often had a backdrop of classical music to add both gravitas and humor. The band will perform one of the most hummable examples of this in an arrangement of Rosini’s Barber of Seville. Modern composers draw on the memory of these classics and the band will perform one of the most creative adaptations with Russell Stanbridge’s Animation (Episode 1: WABBIT!).
Read more: Take a musical journey through the diversity of animation
Valley Star Awards tickets are still available, but we do have a limited supply. So, if you are still thinking of going to show, you should buy your tickets soon, before we sell out.
Remember, we have a great lineup of entertainment. We will have Leslie Blasing, Bruce Boudreau, Mark Merchant, Diego and Edith, Dale and Gayle, and the Night Howlers performing. Where else can you see six entertainers for such a low price.
This year’s Valley Star Awards will be held on Wednesday, February 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. with an intermission. It will be held at Mission Bell Resort in Mission, and they will have lunch available for a small price before the show at noon.
Join others for a day of shopping and visiting at St. Mark’s 32nd annual Affair of the Heart Gift Fair on Saturday, February 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This McAllen day long favorite features vendors selling a wide variety of items including jewelry, clothing, home décor, accessories, gift items, baked good, and some unique finds.
Grieving a loss? Join First Presbyterian Church in Mission starting February 13. The class is held every Tuesday, for 13 weeks. After the first three classes, the class is closed until a new session starts.
Classes are held from 4 to 6 p.m. Topics of discussion include is this normal, your grief journey, loneliness and sadness, self-care, fearful and overwhelmed, anger, regrets, grief and your household, grief and your friendships, questions for God, stuck in grief, hope and resilience, and what do I live for now.
Frist Presbyterian Church is located at 1102 Ash Drive, in Mission. Call (956) 585-4829 or (956) 603-6511 for more information and to register for the class.
Experience ranch life and culture during Ranch Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 10, at the Museum of South Texas History.
Ranch life and culture demonstrations such as rope making, roping cattle and horseshoe making will showcase how these important tools were used on the cattle trail. Other demonstrations focused on ranch living are knitting, wood carving and leather work. New this year is boot making, featuring the Mandujano Brothers from Weslaco, which is a long-standing tradition for vaqueros, ranch hands and owners. The brothers will also create a makeshift workspace using the business’ 40-year-old working bench. Cappadona Ranch will share the process of making mesquite beans into coffee and flour—both products can be purchased at the Museum Store.
Read more: Ranch Fest to highlight ranch culture and history
If you haven’t made any New Year’s resolutions yet, or you need some ideas, Colleen Hook from Quinta Mazatlan offers some advice on how to unplug and renew in 2024.
She offers five ideas for making nature-minded resolutions that help your well-being.
