Press Release
March 3, 2020
Contact: Steve Hawkins
Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0754
shawkins@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/historycenter
History Alive! at Oklahoma History Center with “The Stories of Cesar Chavez”
OKLAHOMA CITY — On Thursday, April 9, the Oklahoma History Center will present “The Stories of Cesar Chavez” in the latest installment of its History Alive! series. Fred Blanco will portray Chavez, who was a symbol of hope for millions of farmworkers in the United States.
The OHC will offer two public performances on April 9. The first will begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. The second performance will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. There is no reserved seating, so early arrival is recommended. Tickets are $10 for members of the Oklahoma Historical Society and $20 for the general public, and may be purchased by calling 405-522-0765. This program is generously sponsored by Oklahoma Humanities and Sonic.
Cesar Chavez is revered as a folk hero, particularly by workers in the California grape fields. In 1962 he and a few others set out to organize a union of farmworkers. Nearly everyone told them that this was an impossible task, but they succeeded with the formation of the National Farm Workers Association, later known as the United Farm Workers. Chavez was one of the most inspirational labor leaders of the 20th century, with influence that stretched far beyond the California fields.
Fred Blanco is an actor/playwright based in Los Angeles, Calif. He has toured the Theatre Festival circuit in the United States and abroad, receiving critical acclaim for his solo show, “The Stories of Cesar Chavez.” In 2009 he received the Brickenden Award for Best Touring Production in London, Ontario, as well as Best of Fringe recognition for the show in both the San Francisco, Calif., and London, Ontario, Fringe Festivals.
“I consider the genre of solo performance an art form in and of itself, and I strive to develop pieces that are either brand new or have a fresh perspective,” said Blanco.
The popular History Alive! programs are a series of presentations by highly acclaimed reenactors that portray various historic figures such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt and many others. Many of the living historians that have appeared at the Oklahoma History Center are internationally recognized and have appeared in Broadway plays as well as award-winning movies.
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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