The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center is the caretaker of Lerma’s, a building on the National Register of Historic Places. For decades, Lerma’s provided a stage for up-and-coming conjunto musicians. The dancehall was an integral part of the social fabric on San Antonio’s Westside, especially for the older Latino couples who came to do the polka and cumbia every weekend. “Save Lerma’s” is a community-driven initiative to restore Lerma’s Nite Club, a landmark located near Culebra and Zarzamora streets. Conjunto music is a very unique American Folk music and Texan fusion of the German, Polish and Czech accordion sounds and the Mexican ranchera played by migrating farmworkers in the fields of Texas ranches and farms. The Texican migrant workers of Mexican descent traveled from crop to crop in communities with strong German and Czech influences entertaining their fellow family and friends. The polka sounds caught their attention and they soon began adopting the use of the accordion with the their own native bajo sexto. The Esperanza is currently in the process of a capital campaign to raise over 2 million dollars for renovation of the structure. With community support the Esperanza has collected over 200k dollars worth of donations, in-kind services and money. Community members have conducted a local survey in the surrounding neighborhood to identify community needs and identify best uses for the building while still keeping Lerma’s culture and historical significance alive. If you would like to join our Preservation effort please contact the Esperanza @ 210-228-0201
