In 2023, the Mexican Cultural Institute in NYC partnered with Celebrate México Now to mark the festival's 20th Edition from November 14th to 21st. This collaboration highlighted contemporary Mexican culture in New York City through a dynamic program of performances, discussions, and exhibitions.

Highlights of the Festival:

  • Performances:

    • Grammy winner Antonio Sánchez presented his project SHIFT, featuring BAD HOMBRE, Thana Alexa, BigYukii, and Lex Sadler.

    • Ampersan, known for blending Mexican folklore with electronic music, and Echoes in Proximity, an alternative jazz project by Carlo Nicolau and Juan Cristóbal Pérez Grobet, opened the festival.

    • Mayan rapper Pat Boy, featured in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, also performed.

  • Dance and Choreography:

    • The "Mexican Choreographers on the Move" segment showcased Lourdes Luna, Geraldine Cardiel, Erick Montes, Argelia Arreola, and Raúl Tamez in their latest solo works.

  • Family and Educational Events:

    • Tesoros de México offered a musical journey through Mexican piano works by César Reyes.

    • Alicia, el Ballet y Yo by Reyna Pérez engaged children in an interactive storytelling experience about ballet.

  • Tributes:

    • The festival honored the late Mexican photographer Lourdes Grobet with her final projects.

    • A screening of Macario, the first Mexican film nominated for an Oscar, paid tribute to iconic actor Ignacio López Tarso.

  • Culinary and Visual Arts:

    • Diana Wangeman, a Brooklyn-based Oaxacan chef, presented on maize species and traditional ingredients.

    • Mexican-American photographer Daniel Ramos discussed his solo exhibition Eres Muy Hermosa.

  • Literary Events:

    • Artist Ximena Pérez Grobet led a seminar on creating a limited edition of Reading Finnegans Wake.

    • Translator Christina MacSweeney and authors Jazmina Barrera and Valeria Luiselli explored themes of travel, art, identity, and translation in a conversation moderated by CJ Evans.

    • "Mexico Writes Now," curated by Carmen Boullosa, featured writers Álvaro Enrigue, Ximena Santaolalla, Naief Yehya, and Oswaldo Zavala discussing the impact of Mexican identity on their work.

This year's festival, through its diverse and vibrant program, significantly enriched New York City's cultural landscape, showcasing the rich tapestry of Mexican arts and heritage.

CLAUDIA NORMAN - Founder, Director & Producer

Claudia Norman is a distinguished arts producer, consultant, and manager based in New York City with 25 years of experience in international performing arts. Her career includes notable roles such as working with Sheldon Soffer Management on projects with Nederlands Dance Theater, Noche Flamenca, and Ravi Shankar; serving as Program Manager for the Americas at Arts International; and directing the Latino Cultural Festival at Queens Theatre in the Park. She also produced public programming for Lincoln Center's Out of Doors and Midsummer Night Swing festivals.

Norman has curated and produced high-profile events including Yo-Yo Ma’s The Bach Project in Mexico City, Farewell Concert for Chavela Vargas at Carnegie Hall, and various concerts celebrating Chavela Vargas. She also produced the Leyendas Series at Town Hall and co-produced the Rebel Spirit Series at L.A. Phil. Her recent projects include producing new work by Odissi dance master Bijayini Satpathy and founding Celebrate Mexico Now Festival, New York City’s first festival focusing on contemporary Mexican arts.

Norman has held leadership roles in APAP, served as a panelist for various arts organizations, and has been a guest speaker at international arts events. Currently, she is a member of Creative & Independent Producers Alliance (CIPA), NAPAMA/Mexico Committee, and International Presenting Commons (IPC). Since 2021, she has been teaching Arts Management and Entrepreneurship at The New School in New York.

Born and Raised in Mexico City, Ms. Norman studied Latin American Studies at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and holds a Certificate in Arts Administration from New York University.