Latino Movie Nights in San Antonio.

Conexión – the bilingual “weekly voice of la cultura” for the San Antonio community – hosted the first ever “Latino Movie Night” on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at the Alamo Drafthouse, a local theater and restaurant in San Antonio, recognized for its eclectic programming, first-rate food and one-of-a-kind special events.

Conexión readers and movie lovers joined Conexión at the Alamo Drafthouse in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original release of the movie classic, “La Bamba.”

“Latino Movie Nights is something we have talked about for a long time. We wanted to provide our readers the opportunity to watch films that have impacted our Hispanic communities,” says Dino Chiecchi, editor of Hispanic Publications at the San Antonio Express-News, a Hearst newspaper.

After watching the film about Ritchie Valens, a young Latino who skyrocketed up the music charts to become a rock legend, fans of all ages waited after the movie for a panel discussion on “La Bamba” with special guest, Bob Morales, the brother of Ritchie Valens.

Conexión’s panel members also included San Antonio filmmaker, Veronica Rodriguez, whose film “El Ride” was recently premiered at the San Antonio Underground Film Festival, and who provided insight from her experience in film. Carlos Acosta, a professor from Northwest Vista College, who teaches Mexican American Studies and History, added background about the Latino culture to the discussion. Melissa Rentería, a Conexión staff writer who wrote about “La Bamba” in a special issue of Conexión, also was on the panel, discussing her interviews with a number of people associated with the movie, including director Luis Valdez.

Morales, who said he has never been able to watch the entire film, posed for pictures and signed autographs before, during and after the movie for more than 300 Conexión readers who were drawn to the event.

“Latino Movie Nights is something we created for our readers and we’re very proud of the turnout,” says Raul Flores, editor of Conexión. “This shows us that Conexión is a publication that is distinct and relevant to the Hispanic community in San Antonio.”

Conexión and Cancha will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage month with a continuation of Latino Movie Nights in September through mid-October.

“We expect another large turnout and we are more than happy to provide another great experience for our readers,” says Flores.