ACCD News & Events

PAC Hosts "Simplemente Lara" Outdoor Concert

For Immediate Release
September 18, 2006
Contact: Vincent Bosquez, Director of Public Relations, Palo Alto College
(210) 921-5269
vbosquez@accd.edu

Jose Ruben De Leon (R), along with pianist Aaron E. Prado and bassist George Prado, perform “Simplemente Lara” during an outdoor concert on the Palo Alto campus Sept. 15. Photos by Duncan Perez

Palo Alto College echoed with the sounds of romantic Mexican music when Jose Ruben De Leon performed “Simplemente Lara” at an outdoor concert on the campus courtyard to more than 500 community residents to kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15.

“It’s truly wonderful to see such a large gathering of our neighbors on campus,” said Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman, PAC president, as she welcomed everyone to Palo Alto. “It’s a pleasure to kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month with a musical performance by one of Mexico’s most celebrated composers sung by one of San Antonio’s premier musical artists.”

Accompanied by the father-son team of bassist George Prado, and Aaron E. Prado on the piano, De Leon gave stirring renditions on the music and life of famed Mexican composer Agustin Lara under a star-filled night on the 100-acre campus. From the opening sounds of “Vera Cruz” to the final note of “Palmera,” De Leon and company created an evening of nostalgia and harmony for the Southside community.

The free community concert was sponsored by Palo Alto College and the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, along with PAC’s Student Services Fees Advisory Committee.

Palo Alto College is a fully accredited community college located on the Southside, and awards associate degrees, short-term certificates and offers non-credit continuing education classes. The college is recognized nationally for its high transfer rate. The campus is located at 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. at I-410 South and Texas Hwy. 16 or online at <www.accd.edu/pac>.