Springfield Sister Cities Association proudly presents Taste of Tlaquepaque: Cultivating Love on Friday, October 14, 2022 beginning at 7 p.m. at The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing, 3060 N. Kentwood Ave., Springfield, Mo. The event is a celebration of Springfield’s 19-year-old sister city relationship with Tlaquepaque (tuh-lah-kay-pah-kay), Jalisco, Mexico.
Enjoy music and art from Tlaquepaque, dinner by Casa Bella, drinks and opportunities to forge friendships across cultures. Dancing and singing is encouraged. Attire is festive.
Entertainment is performed by Paco Padilla and Mr. Q, a group from Tlaquepaque that features accomplished musicians Javier Iniguez, Paco Padilla, Fernando Quintana, German Quintana, Hector Quintana and Sheila Rios. Hector and Sheila have been members of Maná, one of the best-selling and most successful Latin American bands of all time.
The party also features world-renowned ceramicist Rodo Padilla from Tlaquepaque. His work expresses the daily life of Mexicans the way he sees them: humble, kind, loving, cheerful and hard working. A variety of Rodo’s pieces are available for purchase through the event’s silent auction.
Purchase tickets for $60 through October 5; tickets are $75 after October 5. Student tickets are $45. Sponsorships start at $300 and include admission to the pre-party event for some extra time with the special guests. Sponsor at $1,500 or more for access to the private patron party on October 13.
For more information and to purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit peacethroughpeople.org/taste. Proceeds benefit Sister Cities cultural programs that promote “Peace Through People.”
The public is invited to attend the unveiling and dedication of Rodo Padilla’s “Cultivating Love” sculpture at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden on Thursday, October 13 at 3 p.m. This sculpture was commissioned by Springfield Sister Cities and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board to honor Cindy Jobe, Springfield Sister Cities’ first Executive Director. Cindy retired in 2019.
Special thanks to Taste of Tlaquepaque sponsors: Great Southern Bank, Missouri State University International Programs, Simmons Bank Private Wealth, Springfield Public Schools, Sally and Rob Baird, Chandler and Tom Carlson, Tom Finnie, Debbie and Bill Hart, Kim and Tom Prater, Linda and Tony Shalloup, Gail and Clif Smart, The Whitlock Company, Lisa and Randy Bakerink, Bank of Missouri, Rhonda and Bill Christopher, Carolyn Gerdes, Brigitte Marrs, Betty and Todd Parnell, Mary and Denny Pilant, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Suzanne and Michael Thomas.
Special thanks to Springfield hosts who have opened their homes to the visiting Tlaquepaque delegates: Lisa and Randy Bakerink, Tom Finnie, Araceli and Mike Hanks, Karen and Rick Maxson and Wendy Rios and Curt Krafka.
