Episode 2: El Corazón Mexicano de Tucsón (Length: 4:45, Released September 16)
Tucson’s story cannot be told without celebrating the Mexican heart that has shaped the city’s culture, history, and identity for generations. Episode 2 of the Tucson 250+ docu-series, El Corazón Mexicano de Tucsón, takes viewers into the vibrant traditions, voices, and spaces that keep Tucson’s Mexican heritage alive.
Honoring Tucson’s Mexican Heart
From the Presidio to the neighborhoods that once thrived in downtown Tucson, Mexican culture has always been at the center of the city’s heartbeat. This episode brings together powerful voices who reflect on the history, resilience, and living traditions that make Tucson unique.
A Visual Celebration of Culture
Episode 2 is filled with breathtaking visuals and sound. Tucson High Magnet School’s Mariachi Rayos del Sol fills the air with music, while the dancers of Ballet Folklórico Tapatio bring energy and tradition to life through stunning performances. These moments unfold in what was once the heart of a diverse Mexican and Mexican American community in downtown Tucson. This place still holds memory, pride, and deep cultural meaning.
Why This Story Matters
The Mexican heart of Tucson is more than history — it is a living, breathing culture. It’s in the music that echoes from Tucson High, the dances that enliven community festivals, the food that Tucson is so well known for, and in the stories families pass down across generations. As Tucson marks over 250 years of continuous history, this episode reminds us that the city’s identity has always been shaped by its Mexican roots.
Watch Episode 2 Now
Join us in celebrating Tucson’s rich heritage by watching El Corazón Mexicano de Tucsón. Discover how the voices of tradition, community, and culture continue to make Tucson one of the most unique and continuously inhabited cities in the United States.
Cast:
Albert Elias, retired city manager, City of Tucson
Mauro Trejo, historian, Tucson Presidio Trust
Rikki Riojas, executive director, Los Descenientes de Tucson
José Luis Baca, director, Ballet Folklórico Tapatío
Justin Enriquez, director and instructor, Mariachi Rayos del Sol
Director & DP: Alan Scott Davis
1st AD and Producer: John Ouano de Dios
Executive Producer: Czarina Naffarate, multicultural marketing manager, Visit Tucson
Production Assistants:
Gaël Baup
Benjamin Evans
Glenn “Cuatro” Fluker IV
John Schindler
Drone Pilot: Alan Scott Davis
Special Thanks:
Jaynie Adams
Arizona Historical Society
Daniel Buckley
Lorraine Rivera
Diocese of Tucson
Patronato San Xavier
Victor Mercado
Mayor Romero’s office
Episode 3: Cuk Ṣon & the O’odham (Length: TBD, Release Date: October 20)
Episode 4: The Yoeme & The Yaqui (Length: TBD, Release Date: November 20)
Episode 5: The City of Gastronomy (Length: TBD, Release Date: October 20)