Season of Change, Season of Celebration
Season of Change, Season of Celebration
Musical Heritage Update
Contribution by Sunny Sauceda, Director of Musical Heritage
Reflecting on 41 years, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the milestones shaping our future
As the long days of summer fade and the first signs of fall begin to settle in, Texas Folklife finds itself in a season of transition, moving from the energy of summer into the reflection and renewal that fall brings. It is also Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when we celebrate the traditions, stories, and artistry that have shaped Texas and continue to guide our work. From music to visual arts, foodways to festivals, Hispanic heritage runs deep in the cultural fabric we document, preserve, and share. This season reminds us that honoring heritage is not just about looking back, it is about carrying those voices forward with pride, respect, and love.
This summer we gathered in Nacogdoches for a powerful Bridging Borders event, strengthening community through music and cultural exchange. Soon after, our Executive Director, Dr. Oliver, traveled to Rhode Island to meet with our New England partners. She returned refreshed and inspired, sharing how deeply they respected our work, and in some cases even pointed to our programs as a model. Moments like this remind us that we often do not see the full impact of our work until it is reflected back to us.
As I often say, the world is your stage. Like a race car driver, you do not know how fast you are going until you step off the track. Taking a moment to reflect shows us just how far we have come, a reminder that humility and gratitude guide the journey.
This fall is already full of milestones. On September 1, applications opened for the 20th anniversary season of the Big Squeeze, a celebration that will continue all year long. We proudly participated in the Big Give San Antonio and the Big Give North Texas, growing support across the state. On October 3, Dr. Oliver and I will present at the East Texas Historical Association, followed by our Salon Series and Membership Drive in Nacogdoches on October 8. Then on October 11, we partner with Lancaster Forward for the Fall Harvest event, bringing in polka talent to celebrate the season and showcase the joy of folk traditions.
This fall also marks personal growth in my role as Director of Musical Heritage. I am honored to be part of the Leadership Arts Institute (LAI), a program of the Business Council for the Arts in Dallas. This experience equips me with new tools in leadership, advocacy, and community engagement, all of which directly strengthen my work at Texas Folklife. Dallas, now home to the nation’s largest arts district and our corporate headquarters, is central to this growth as we expand partnerships, cultivate supporters, and amplify our reach.
Looking ahead, we are preparing for the official launch of Texas Folklife Records. This initiative will digitize four decades of archival treasures while creating opportunities for new tradition bearers and emerging artists. Alongside this launch, our refreshed rebranding reflects not only a new look but also the living history of 41 years of cultural leadership, a reminder that we remain grounded in our founding mothers’ vision while opening doors to the future.
On September 25, Music Advocacy Day, I met with the office of Congressman Chip Roy as part of the Recording Academy’s nationwide effort. These conversations about funding the National Endowment for the Arts are personal to me. At Texas Folklife, I see how the arts sustain traditions while fueling local economies, jobs, and cultural tourism across Texas.
I also carry the perspective of a father of a special needs child, knowing that access to the arts change’s lives at home as much as it does in classrooms and concert halls. Advocacy, then, is more than policy, it is lived experience, and it is why the work we do at Texas Folklife matters now more than ever.
This season of transition reminds us that while summer gave us momentum, fall offers renewal and the promise of what is to come. As we celebrate 41 years of Texas Folklife, the 20th anniversary of the Big Squeeze, and the upcoming launch of Texas Folklife Records, we remain rooted in the vision of Pat Jasper, Kay Turner, and Betsy Peterson, whose field work laid the foundation for Texas Folklife to thrive.
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Book I am Reading: All Over the Map: True Heroes of Texas Music
Song on Repeat: Una Más (Borracho Bailando) by Blaze Brothers
Podcast I am Listening To: The Mel Robbins Podcast (a daily reminder to keep moving forward with clarity and purpose)
Artist I am Appreciating: Jesse Treviño (1946–2023), a San Antonio legend whose mosaic murals and photorealist works reflect the spirit and resilience of Chicano culture. His art reminds us that creativity can both honor heritage and transform communities.
Fitness Personal Challenge: Pull-ups remind me a lot of folklore work, it is about building strength one rep at a time. I am holding at five after working sets, with my eyes on ten unassisted reps.
Shout Outs:
- Texas Country Music Association (for uplifting Texas Country and creating new bridges across genres)
- Texas Folklore Society (for carrying forward the scholarship and stories of our state)
- Texans for the Arts (for standing with us in advocacy and legislative work)
- Lancaster Forward (for bringing community together through Fall Harvest)
- Business Council for the Arts, Dallas (for welcoming me into the Leadership Arts Institute)
- Our Big Squeeze family (20 years strong, and still growing)
Quote I am Pondering:
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” — Unknown
