 Fiesta Noche
Del Rio
Under the Leadership Of
A Lady
of Song and Dance
By DONNA HINKELMAN
Photography COURTESY OF
FIESTA
NOCHE DEL RIO
When you’ve got talent, performing
is a labor of love. So it is
with Elizabeth Sanchez-Lopez, who is
launching the 51st season of San
Antonio’s golden treasure, Fiesta Noche
del Rio, as she enters her own 16th season
with the live theatrical production of
music, song and dance.
Sanchez-Lopez was with the Noche cast
in 1986 and 1987 as a dancer. In 1993 she
rejoined it as choreographer and director,
and in 1999 she also became the show’s
lead singer. This San Antonio native brings a
wealth of talent and experience to Fiesta
Noche del Rio. Her dance background
includes performing for Fiesta Texas and Sea
World of Texas, directing and choreographing
for Sea World and the Miss Pan-American Pageant, and serving as dance
coordinator for the U.S. Olympic Festival.
In the Noche off-season, Sanchez-Lopez is the director of fine arts for
Stevens High School in the Northside
Independent School District. She is married
to Gerald Lopez, who runs the production
and operations of the show; she
is also the mother of three children, the
youngest being not quite 3 years old!
 When asked what makes her continue
with the time-intensive production that starts
casting and rehearsals in December of
each year, Sanchez-Lopez is quick to
respond, “I love that Fiesta Noche del Rio
brings together the cultures of Texas,
Mexico, Argentina and Spain. It is a microcosm
of San Antonio.And it provides a wonderful
showcase for the musical talent we
have in this community while it raises money
for children with special needs, through Any
Baby Can and Respite Care of San Antonio.
It continues with the goals it had when it
was founded half a century ago by Rosita
Fernandez and the Alamo Kiwanis Club. I
am honored to be able to continue this tradition
and showcase for San Antonio.”
Fiesta Noche del Rio runs live every
Friday and Saturday evening, May 18
through Aug. 11 (July 6 and 7 are sold
out for private performances). The show
starts at 8:30pm with gates open at 7pm
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors,
and $5 for children 6-14. Children under
6 are free; discounts are available for
groups of 10 or more adults, senior citizens
and military.
Tickets can be purchased online
by going to www.fiestanochedelrio.com
or www.alamo-kiwanis.org, or by contacting
the Alamo Kiwanis Club office at (210)
226-4651. Tickets can also be purchased
at area H-E-B Grocery Stores and on
show dates at the Arneson River Theater.
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