Rock, Culture & Community: The Creative Journey of Luis Zapata
Rock, Culture & Community: The Creative Journey of Luis Zapata
September 9th, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | ACL Room 16th floor | 701 Brazos | Inside the OMNI hotel
What can music teach us about culture, identity, history, and the communities we build together?
Join Prosper XO for an evening with Luis Zapata; founder of Rock Lectures, Executive Director of the Pecan Street Festival, longtime music and event industry professional, metal enthusiast, cultural historian, and advocate whose work has helped shape and uplift Austin's creative community for decades.
Born in Lima, Peru, Luis earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked in the music industry since 1994.
His career has taken him across nearly every corner of the music and event ecosystem. Luis spent years working with record labels spanning blues to metal and with influential artists ranging from Austin blues legend Grey Ghost to Metallica. His experience extends across labels, artists, touring, festivals, event production, technology, and community-building.
Luis also played an important role in expanding the visibility of Latin music in Central Texas. He helped introduce Rock en Español to the region and created the Latino Rock Alliance, building platforms and opportunities for Latino rock and alternative artists and helping connect those communities with Austin's broader music scene.
That commitment to recognizing overlooked musical histories continues through Rock Lectures, where Luis explores the cultural history of rock and metal, including the significant—and too often underrepresented, contributions of Latino and Native American artists and communities to the music we know today.
His impact also extends into cultural preservation and education. Luis supports scholarships and the Luis Zapata Collection at the University of Texas Libraries, helping preserve music history and make it accessible to future generations.
Today, as Executive Director of the Pecan Street Festival, one of Austin's longest-running arts festivals, Luis continues creating opportunities for artists, musicians, makers, local businesses, and creative communities. His work in event production has also explored how modern technology and more sustainable production practices can help shape the future of live events.
This Prosper XO Town Hall will explore Luis's extraordinary journey through more than three decades of music and culture, from record labels and touring to Rock en Español, festivals, event production, cultural preservation, and Rock Lectures.
Whether you're an artist, event producer, educator, entrepreneur, student, music lover, or simply curious about the history behind the music you love, this is an opportunity to learn from someone who has spent decades living, studying, preserving, and actively shaping music culture.
Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2024/05/17/luis-zapata-austin-pecan-street-festival.html
At Prosper XO, we believe artists are essential cultural partners. Through our monthly Town Hall series, we bring together artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to share their experiences and explore the ideas shaping the future of creativity, culture, and artist prosperity.
Join us for an evening celebrating music, history, cultural identity, and the people and communities who keep culture alive.
This event is free and open to the public.
Because when artists prosper, culture thrives.
Parking: Park in the Omni Hotel garage below Capital Factory and pick up a voucher at the event for a reduced $8 fee.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Networking & Community Gathering
6:30 PM – 6:40 PM
Welcome from Prosper XO
6:40 PM – 7:40 PM
Featured Conversation with Luis Zapata
7:40 PM – 8:10 PM
Audience Q&A
8:10 PM – 8:45 PM
Networking & Community Connection