Travis Vega ~ Smooth Axe: Current Performances

Wow! What a great time I had. Thanks for a wonderful time.

Wow, what a show at Restaurante Orozko inside The Nugget. The crowd was amazing as always, both me and Jason want to thank you guys for making us feel welcomed. The day before the show, I along with Jason had an interview with Amy Mattingly from 92.1 FM, Reno Smooth Jazz Station and that went very well. The next night we were ready to rock the house, with the music flowin' and the feet a stopmin', we knew we were home. Our set included songs from all three of our releases, with the touch of a classic cover, and you know when that song comes on everyone is on there feet dancing! On behalf of Jason and I we would like to thank Amy, 92.1 FM, Glenn, Orozoko, the fans and The Nugget for a wonderful time.

Artistas del Valle
Mission Statement

The original members of the group began exhibiting together about 1975 in a Cinco de Mayo celebration at San Joaquin Delta College. Later on, they continued to exhibit their work for the 16th of September and Dia de Muertos in October. Some of the artistas had been friends, colleagues, or students of one another. Because mainstream venues were often inaccessible to Latino artists, these exhibits allowed them to reflect their cultural heritage and socio-political view of the world. As the notoriety of the group grew throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the Bay Area, new members were added and the group took on the title: Artistas del Valle. About 1997 the group helped form The Mexican Heritage Center in Stockton, California through which they continue to exhibit and encourage the arts and culture in the community.
Moreover, it is their love for the Mexican culture—its language, art, traditions, and color—that unites them. They share similar origins: immigration, poverty, farm labor, and parents and grandparents who left Mexico during the Mexican Revolution (1920-1920) because of economic reasons. Some of them are first in their family to graduate from high school or college.
In the end, it is their love for art that binds them. Since many of the artistas are educators, they seek to educate the community to the importance of art and culture and to serve as mentors to a new generation of Latino artists.