October 2, 2001

Mexican Fiesta Brings Halloween to Life at MASS MoCA

(North Adams, MA) MASS MoCA celebrates Halloween with a Mexican Fiesta Dance Party on Wednesday, October 31, at 8:00 P.M. Grammy-winner Santiago Jimenez Jr. and his band will set dancing feet ablaze with lively music. The New York Times described one performance saying "above the springy dance rhythms, he spun ever-evolving variations, skipping and sprinting and stuttering with unmistakable wit." Novice dancers or those needing a refresher course can learn on-site from a dance instructor arranged by Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In the spirit of the season, costumes while not required are heartily encouraged with prizes handed out for the best ones.

"Last Halloween we had tremendous response to a screening of The Shadow of the Vampire so we decided to go further this year with a full-fledged dance party that MASS MoCA has become known for," said Jonathan Secor, Director of Performing Arts for MASS MoCA. "For Halloween, we let our production design staff's imaginations run wild and we're sure to raise spirits this year!"

Santiago Jimenez Jr. is a singer and accordion virtuoso with an impressive family tree. His grandfather began entertaining in South Texas in the early 1900s. His father, Don Santiago Jimenez Sr., was one of the pioneers of the conjunto instrumental style while his brother Falco Jimenez has incorporated jazz, country, rock, and rhythm and blues with cojunto collaborating with Ry Cooder, Dwight Yoakum and Buck Owens.

Santiago Jimenez Jr. began playing guitar as a child and accordion at 15. After several singles he recorded his first full length LP at 17. Today Santiago is a Grammy-winner with his own unique style which incorporates his brother's Cajun Zydeco approach while staying true to his father and grandfather's traditions. Variety magazine said of one performance "the man with the dancing right hand and the singing left hand, worked his red pushbutton squeezebox with infectious zeal."

Food and drink will be provided by Nancy Thomas and the staff at eleven, MASS MoCA's newest restaurant. As proprietor of Mezze, Thomas was renowned for her annual Halloween parties. "We're so happy that we can join forces with Nancy this Halloween," commented Secor. Doors will open at 7:00 for food and drink before the dance lessons begin at 8:00.

MASS MoCA's galleries will also be open until 7:30 for party guests to have a chance to tour the museum. Gallery admission is just $5 with the purchase of a ticket to the dance party.

MASS MoCA's Dance party series is co-sponsored by Old Saddleback Brewing Company and Holiday Inn Berkshires.

Tickets to the Mexican Fiesta Dance Party are $12 for adults and $6 for kids. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams from 10 am until 6 pm daily. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located off Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org