QUICK SUMMARY
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center will present its Awards of Excellence this weekend, honoring local leaders in Latino cultural arts. This year's recipients include Claudia Chapa of the Austin Opera and Walter Guzmán of Guzmán Ballet Folklórico. The event will be livestreamed for public viewing.
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center will present its Awards of Excellence this weekend, celebrating significant contributions to Latino cultural arts in Austin. Established in 2009, the awards highlight local leaders who have made a meaningful impact. Honorees include Claudia Chapa, a performer and curator at the Austin Opera, and Walter Guzmán, founder of the Guzmán Ballet Folklórico. Lifetime achievement awards will honor Fred Cantú and Daniel Llanes, the latter of whom is currently battling liver cancer. His daughter, Carmen Llanes Pulido, recently initiated a fundraiser for his treatment. The ceremony will occur at the Long Center on Saturday and is by invitation only. However, the public can watch the event via a livestream on Facebook. Recognizing these cultural contributors underscores the importance of Latino arts in the Austin community.