Mexico City exhibitions celebrate Tepito's culture through football and music

Mexico City is celebrating the cultural richness of the iconic Tepito neighborhood with two new exhibitions that highlight its vibrant identity through football and music. The 'Tepito on the Court' exhibition, hosted at the Galería José María Velasco, showcases the work of various artists and donations from residents. It explores the deep connection between the community and the sport, featuring items like jerseys, medals, and photographs that represent neighborhood football and the diverse social fabric of Tepito's teams.

Complementing the football theme, 'Dinastía Duende, 50 Years: Finding Gold at the End of the Rainbow' pays tribute to the Dinastía Duende, a prominent local music family. This musical dynasty began with Ricardo Mendoza García, known as 'Sonido Duende,' and his wife Élfega Gómez, 'Sonido Butterfly,' who became an emblem for the community. Their tradition continued with their children, Marisol and Ricardo, and has now been passed down to their grandchildren, Axel and Arlett.

The exhibition delves into the world of 'sonidera' music, a unique fusion of tropical rhythms like cumbia and salsa, modified through turntables. A defining characteristic of this genre is the 'sonidero's' voice, acting as a master of ceremonies to send real-time greetings and messages. Luis Miguel León Cornejo, director of the gallery, stated that "Football and music are two of the emblems of a neighborhood as rich in culture as Tepito." Both exhibitions are open to the public until September 20.