Here in San Antonio, we take pride in our Hispanic Heritage and celebrate the icons who have shaped it into what it is today. This year, the Hispanic Heroes installation returns to the San Antonio River Walk with a new focus: the musicians, mentors, and community builders who have kept San Antonio singing for generations.
Join us as we explore the Hispanic Heroes project, a vibrant tribute celebrating the people, stories and contributions that make San Antonio’s Hispanic community extraordinary.
The Hispanic Heroes Project
On Display Along the San Antonio River Walk from September 15 to September 30, 2026
This year’s Hispanic Heroes installation, presented by Hennessy, is an extension of The Sounds of San Anto, an oral history archive from CEDISH at UT San Antonio Libraries and Museums that preserves the stories of San Antonio musicians, promoters, and community leaders who have shaped the city’s sound. In partnership with San Anto Cultural Arts, muralists Marco Vargas and Crystal Tamez transformed six of these oral histories into original portrait illustrations, each capturing the spirit and legacy of its subject.
Meet the Heroes & the Artists
Alfredo Flores, Jr.
President, Alamo Music Center
Alfredo Flores, Jr. inherited Alamo Music Center from his father in 1964, growing it from a piano shop into a cornerstone of San Antonio's music community.
Along the way, he introduced music lessons and built partnerships that connected musicians of all ages, later serving as president of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) to advocate for music education nationally.
While visiting, raise a glass to his story with The Monarch's featured Hennessy cocktail, Primero Linea, crafted exclusively for the Hispanic Heroes installation at The Monarch San Antonio.
On display at: The Monarch San Antonio
Find Alfredo Flores, Jr.'s Sounds of San Anto interview here.
Henry Gomez
Musician, Arranger, Producer, and Mentor
Henry Gomez has spent more than five decades shaping San Antonio's musical identity. From mariachi choirs to a respected career as a musician, arranger, and producer at Blue Cat Studios, helping shape Tejano, mariachi, conjunto, and Texas music.
Known for mentoring younger musicians with kindness and humility, he continues performing regularly at Mi Tierra Café.
The Grand Hyatt celebrates him with The Gomez Tea, a Hennessy V.S., Grand Marnier, and green tea cocktail created in his name.
On display at: Grand Hyatt San Antonio
Find Henry Gomez's Sounds of San Anto interview here.
Janie Esparza
Founder, Janie's Record Shop
In 1985, Janie Esparza founded Janie's Record Shop, turning her love of music into a gathering place for artists, DJs, collectors, and families.
A mentor and advocate for Tejano and conjunto music, she helped countless musicians build their careers and was later inducted into the national Hispanic Music Hall of Fame.
Don't miss La Familia at the Hilton Palacio del Rio, a Hennessy V.S. and tamarind cocktail inspired by her story.
On display at: Hilton Palacio del Rio
Find Robert Esparza's Sounds of San Anto interview, sharing his mother's story, here.
Alyson Alonzo
Singer-Songwriter, DJ, and Radio Host
Alyson Alonzo is a singer-songwriter, DJ, and radio host who helped shape San Antonio's grassroots music scene as an openly queer R&B and soul artist, even when the city wasn't ready to embrace her.
Through their weekly KRTU 91.7 FM program, Queer Vibes, she spotlights LGBTQ+ musicians and underserved voices, helping build the community they once had to find on their own.
Hotel Contessa celebrates them with two Hennessy creations: The Alonzo, made in their name with pineapple and a dash of bitters, and the Berry Cognac, blending Chambord with muddled blackberries and mint.
On display at: Hotel Contessa
View Alyson Alonzo's Sounds of San Anto interview here.
Bell Solloa
Founder, High Voltage Music Program
Bell Solloa has spent decades strengthening San Antonio's independent music community as a promoter and nonprofit leader.
In 2016, she founded the High Voltage Music Program, providing free music instruction, instruments, and mentorship to youth who might not otherwise have had access to music education.
At The St. Anthony Hotel, order The Bella Mule, a Hennessy V.S. and ginger beer twist created in her name.
On display at: The St. Anthony Hotel
View Bell Solloa's Sounds of San Anto interview here.
Chastity "Chas" Morales
Chef-Owner, Vicious Eats
Chas Morales has spent her life building spaces where people feel they belong. From San Antonio's punk venues and LGBTQ+ nightlife to her work today as chef-owner of Vicious Eats.
As a teenager searching for her place, she found kinship among punks, artists, and queer communities, shaping her lifelong commitment to fostering inclusion.
Sip on Velvet Berry at the Hyatt Regency, a Hennessy V.S. cocktail layered with Chambord, raspberries, and a hint of basil.
On display at: Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
View Chas Morales' Sounds of San Anto interview here.
Artists Marco Vargas & Crystal Tamez
Marco Vargas is a self-taught Chicano artist based in San Antonio, blending traditional Aztec and Mayan imagery with bold lines and modern style to create work that's both striking and culturally rooted.
Inspired by the street art of his West Side upbringing, Vargas is known for large-scale public murals and energetic live-painting events. He also founded Nomas Arte Studios, offering mentorship and 64 feet of practice walls to help emerging muralists find their own voice.
For this year's Hispanic Heroes installation, Vargas illustrated the portraits of Alfredo Flores, Jr., Henry Gomez, and Janie Esparza.
Crystal Tamez is a San Antonio-born Chicana artist who has painted murals with San Anto Cultural Arts since 1996. Self-taught and community-rooted, Tamez uses soft brush strokes and layered symbolism to turn each mural into a storytelling moment, often giving voice to stories that aren't often brought to light.
Once mentored by local muralists herself, Tamez now mentors the next generation, helping keep San Antonio's mural tradition alive.
For this year's Hispanic Heroes installation, Tamez illustrated the portraits of Alyson Alonzo, Bell Solloa, and Chastity "Chas" Morales.
Cultural Partners
