Folks around the Thanksgiving table at Isidra Chavez's home in Lawton, will have a little more to be thankful for this year. Isidra is to be honored by Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry at the 31st Annual Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony. Isidra will receive one of the prestigious Community Service Awards, which "recognizes individuals for significant contributions to the arts in... the areas of leadership and volunteerism."
Specifically, Isidra is being recognized for contributing to the cultural diversity and the artistic beauty of Mexico’s folk dancing since 1976, when she started the Mexican Folkloric Dancers of Lawton. Under her direction, the dancers perform throughout Southwest Oklahoma at schools, nursing homes, and a host of community festivals, events and organizations. In beautiful costumes, sewn by volunteers, her dance troupe is a welcome and positive attraction wherever it appears.
The ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 on the 4th Floor Rotunda of the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Open to the public. From my own experience of attending the event to cover - and last year as a recipient of the Governor's Arts Award for media - I can tell you, it's standing room only. So if you want to be there and cheer for this deserving Southwest Oklahoman, and have a seat, arrive at least a half hour early. It runs less than an hour, followed by a reception on the 2nd floor. There's plenty of parking, but you do have to walk a ways.
For the whole list of awards recipients this year, go online to http://www.arts.ok.gov/about/gaa.html.
Congratulations, Isidra Chavez. Your hometown since 1967, when you became a citizen, is proud of you. |