Come enjoy a wonderful evening at the historic Fox Tucson Theatre as we honor the beautiful life of Tucson’s beloved Julie Gallego. It will be an unforgettable night of music and dance celebrating the extraordinary legacy she built. The program will feature vibrant performances by Viva Folklórico Dance Company and the internationally acclaimed Mariachi Sonido de México.

For nearly four decades, Julie Gallego was the heart and soul of Viva Performing Arts Center. As the Director and Founder of Viva, she inspired generations through her passion, dedication, and love for the cultural arts and her community. She touched thousands of lives through her folklorico instruction, creative productions, dedicated mentorship, and her kind and loving heart.
Julie taught far more than folklórico and dance to her students—she instilled discipline, a strong work ethic, self-confidence, and lifelong values. She built a community where our Tucson youth could connect with their Hispanic culture and embrace it beautifully with pride. On June 8th of this year, we devastatingly lost our beloved “Ms. Julie” to pancreatic cancer.

As our Tucson community mourns the loss of a remarkable woman, we come together to celebrate her beautiful life and honor her extraordinary legacy.
Today, Julie’s daughter, Chanel Tolentino, proudly keeps the doors of Viva open, carrying her mother’s legacy forward alongside her dedicated instructors and Viva families who continue her mission. Julie’s legacy will continue to live on forever through her students for generations to come.