PBS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, 2009, and Beyond
La Prensa San Diego Entertainment Sep 11, 2009
Carlos Santana is one of the artists featured in LATIN MUSIC USA, airing Mondays, October 12-19 on PBS.
Hispanic Heritage Month 2009 (September 15-October 15) is coming up, and PBS is celebrating with a great lineup of programs that entertain while examining the history, heritage and cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
A highlight of PBS’ Hispanic Heritage Month programming is LATIN MUSIC USA. From Latin jazz and mambo to salsa, Tejano, Chicano rock, Latin pop and reggaeton, the four-hour series tells the story of the rise of new American music forged from powerful Latin roots and reveals the often overlooked influence of Latin music on jazz, hip hop, rhythm and blues and rock ‘n’ roll — and on all of American culture.
It’s a fresh take on America’s musical history, reaching across time and across musical genres to embrace the exciting hybrid sounds created by Latinos, musical fusions that have deeply enriched popular music in the U.S. over more than five decades. Jimmy Smits narrates. LATIN MUSIC USA airs Mondays, October 12-19, 9-11 p.m. ET on PBS, and also airs on V-me, the national Spanish TV network, on Tuesdays, October 13-20, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. ET.
Other highlights include GREAT PERFORMANCES “Los Angeles Philharmonic Opening Gala With Gustavo Dudamel” and fascinating documentaries, including a look at Argentina’s troubled past (INDEPENDENT LENS “Our Disappeared/Nuestros Desaparecidos”).
PBS’ celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month extends beyond the broadcast and onto pbs.org. PBS’ video player (pbs.org/video) — where viewers can watch hours of free PBS programming online and on their own time — features an extensive lineup of programs honoring and exploring Latino culture in “Nuestras Historias | Our Stories,” a special Hispanic Heritage Month collection that will feature LATIN MUSIC USA, POV “Ella Es el Matador,” the short-film series “Latinos in 60 Seconds” and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “Roberto Clemente,” among others. The collection launches September 10 at www.pbs.org/nuestras historias.
SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY TO HOST ANNUAL FIESTA
The Spring Valley Branch of the San Diego County Library, 836 Kempton Street, will host its fourth annual fiesta in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, September 19, from noon – 3 p.m. The fiesta will feature a visit by best selling author Victor Villaseñor and guest speaker Lucky “Two Tears” Morales. Another highlight of the event will be a low rider car exhibit from Amigos Car Club, artwork on display by Salvador Barajas, along with entertainment, a community information fair, refreshments, children’s activities, prizes, and much more. The event is free of charge and the public is invited.
Nationally known best selling author Victor Villaseñor will speak about his life and works, which include the popular Rain of Gold, Burro Genius and Crazy Loco Love. His books will be available for sale and autographs. Lucky “Two Tears” Morales is a community activist who promotes peace among Chicano gangs. Every Sunday for the past decade, he can be seen walking with a Mexican flag through some of southeast San Diego’s toughest neighborhoods in order to educate gang members in dealing with their differences in a less violent way. Well-known local artist Salvador Barajas was a main contributor to the Chicano Park murals. One of his colorful murals fills an exterior wall of the Spring Valley Library.
The Montgomery Middle School Mariachi troupe and the Ballet Folklorico Aqetzalli de Lemon Grove will perform, along with the REC*resent Hip Hop Dance Group from the local Teen Center. A DJ will also provide music.
The event will be held inside the library and in its parking lot. For more information call (619) 463-3006.
Showing posts with label Latino Celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latino Celebrations. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Six Flags hosts Festival Latino
Six Flags hosts Festival Latino
Times-Herald, 09/05/2009
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom hosts Festival Latino from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday.
Presented by T-Mobile, Fanta Toronja and La Raza, this annual two-day "fiesta" is parkwide with live music and entertainment including salsa, cumbia and mariachi, and traditional Mexican, South American and Caribbean fare.
Festival Latino is free with park admission or a Season Pass. Bring in a can of Fanta for discounted general admission price of $29.99.
Scheduled performances by Banda MS, Julio Chaires, Los Buitres, Los Creadores del Pasito Duranguense, Hechizeros Band and Arranque de Tierra Caliente. VIP concert seating is available with special in-park purchase of Fanta product.
Festival Latino is free with park admission or a Season Pass. Bring in a can of Fanta for discounted general admission price of $29.99.
Times-Herald, 09/05/2009
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom hosts Festival Latino from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday.
Presented by T-Mobile, Fanta Toronja and La Raza, this annual two-day "fiesta" is parkwide with live music and entertainment including salsa, cumbia and mariachi, and traditional Mexican, South American and Caribbean fare.
Festival Latino is free with park admission or a Season Pass. Bring in a can of Fanta for discounted general admission price of $29.99.
Scheduled performances by Banda MS, Julio Chaires, Los Buitres, Los Creadores del Pasito Duranguense, Hechizeros Band and Arranque de Tierra Caliente. VIP concert seating is available with special in-park purchase of Fanta product.
Festival Latino is free with park admission or a Season Pass. Bring in a can of Fanta for discounted general admission price of $29.99.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Latino festival draws crowds
A family-friendly Festival Latino draws afternoon crowds this year
By Marla Matzer Rose, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, August 15, 2009
Near-perfect weather today coupled with a return to earlier hours and free admission generated sizable crowds for Festival Latino.
This year's event, held Downtown along the Scioto River in Genoa Park next to COSI, attracted a steadily growing audience throughout the afternoon to its concert stage and concession booths.
It was a transitional year for the 14th annual festival, which continues through Sunday. After making changes that alienated some patrons last year - including shortening the festival to evening hours only and charging $30 for the second night, which featured a big Latin music line-up - the festival reverted to free admission and hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
"I've heard from a lot of people in the community that they're glad it's more daytime hours this year," said Rosa Rojas, who sits on the Latino advisory committee for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts. She was helping out at various concession booths yesterday. "In the past, it had gotten kind of rough. Gang members showed up at night."
CAPA took over the festival this year from the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks, though the event still received $10,000 from the city. The festival featured all types of food, from Mexican-style taco trucks and South American specialties to typical festival fare such as gyros and elephant ears.
Gloria Schanely, who works as a court interpreter by day, called to passers-by in both English and Spanish to try her colorful array of fresh-squeezed juices and flavored teas. Business was brisk as temperatures reached the upper 80s.
"Drinking fresh juice is a way of life in Latin cultures," said Schanely, raised in Venezuela as the daughter of American missionaries.
In her third year as a vendor at the festival, Schanely said she appreciates the more family-friendly atmosphere.
"It seems very organized this year. If people feel more comfortable coming here with their families, we'll all benefit."
Jessica Velazquez, who had just finished taking a half-hour group salsa lesson offered by members of dance school MAS y Mambo with her 5-year-old daughter, Loahni Hernandez, said she appreciated feeling "safe" by being able to park just steps away at COSI. It was her third year returning to the festival, she said.
Others just happened upon the event.
"I heard the music from across the river, and just came over to check it out. I'm really enjoying it so far," said Larry Jefferson, who was visiting from Dayton. "I just love all kinds of music."
Some, though, miss last year's higher-profile lineup of music acts.
"I came last year because I'm a fan of Latin music," said Sergio Ramirez of Galloway, who had found a shaded place to sit on the grass with daughter, Gizelle, 8, and son, Sergio Jr., 11. "This year, I came to check it out, but I've never heard the names of the performers before."
mrose@dispatch.com
By Marla Matzer Rose, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, August 15, 2009
Near-perfect weather today coupled with a return to earlier hours and free admission generated sizable crowds for Festival Latino.
This year's event, held Downtown along the Scioto River in Genoa Park next to COSI, attracted a steadily growing audience throughout the afternoon to its concert stage and concession booths.
It was a transitional year for the 14th annual festival, which continues through Sunday. After making changes that alienated some patrons last year - including shortening the festival to evening hours only and charging $30 for the second night, which featured a big Latin music line-up - the festival reverted to free admission and hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
"I've heard from a lot of people in the community that they're glad it's more daytime hours this year," said Rosa Rojas, who sits on the Latino advisory committee for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts. She was helping out at various concession booths yesterday. "In the past, it had gotten kind of rough. Gang members showed up at night."
CAPA took over the festival this year from the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks, though the event still received $10,000 from the city. The festival featured all types of food, from Mexican-style taco trucks and South American specialties to typical festival fare such as gyros and elephant ears.
Gloria Schanely, who works as a court interpreter by day, called to passers-by in both English and Spanish to try her colorful array of fresh-squeezed juices and flavored teas. Business was brisk as temperatures reached the upper 80s.
"Drinking fresh juice is a way of life in Latin cultures," said Schanely, raised in Venezuela as the daughter of American missionaries.
In her third year as a vendor at the festival, Schanely said she appreciates the more family-friendly atmosphere.
"It seems very organized this year. If people feel more comfortable coming here with their families, we'll all benefit."
Jessica Velazquez, who had just finished taking a half-hour group salsa lesson offered by members of dance school MAS y Mambo with her 5-year-old daughter, Loahni Hernandez, said she appreciated feeling "safe" by being able to park just steps away at COSI. It was her third year returning to the festival, she said.
Others just happened upon the event.
"I heard the music from across the river, and just came over to check it out. I'm really enjoying it so far," said Larry Jefferson, who was visiting from Dayton. "I just love all kinds of music."
Some, though, miss last year's higher-profile lineup of music acts.
"I came last year because I'm a fan of Latin music," said Sergio Ramirez of Galloway, who had found a shaded place to sit on the grass with daughter, Gizelle, 8, and son, Sergio Jr., 11. "This year, I came to check it out, but I've never heard the names of the performers before."
mrose@dispatch.com
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Latinos invited to California State Fair
California State Fair Offers Tons of Recession-Proof Family Fun!
PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO- In this tough economic climate, everyone is searching for ways to cut back on expenses without sacrificing family fun. This year more than ever, the California State Fair is planning events & activities to make sure the State Fair is the ideal destination for a family vacation in your own backyard. With attractive new discounts, fairgoers can enjoy Northern California’s biggest party for hundreds less than a typical vacation. With just one week left on discount State Fair tickets, now is the perfect time to get your tickets to BIG FUN!
This year the State Fair is celebrating everything Weird, Wild & Wacky about California. With fantastic deals on admission, rides, goodies and activities, the California State Fair is the perfect place to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of California.
The California State Fair offers family fun at an affordable price. Here are just a few of the frugal and free things at the State Fair:
- All the thrilling stage entertainment and incredible exhibits and attractions are free with State Fair admission
- Free Concerts—General viewing of all State Fair concerts is FREE with Fair admission but there are also a limited number of Gold Circle Concert seats available near the Golden1 Stage. At 4 p.m. on the day of the concert wristbands will be given away to secure free seats.
- Kids Day—Every Tuesday kids ages 12 and under receive free admission to the Fair as well as $1 carnival rides for everyone.
- Armed Forces and First Responders Day—Tuesday, August 25 the men and women who serve as first responders can enjoy free admission to the Fair with proper identification in or out of uniform.
- Senior Day—Every Friday is Senior Day. Butler Amusements is offering free wheel rides in the carnival for seniors. In addition, there will be other free activities throughout the fairgrounds like BINGO, health and wellness walks, and silent films. Also on Fridays seniors aged 62 and older who arrive before 8 p.m. will receive fair admission for only $8.
- Read to Ride—Kids in grades K-8 can read three books and get three free carnival rides when they fill out a Read to Ride report form and turn it in at the Fair.
Discount State Fair tickets are only available for sale until August 19, that’s just one week left, at www.bigfun.org!
PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO- In this tough economic climate, everyone is searching for ways to cut back on expenses without sacrificing family fun. This year more than ever, the California State Fair is planning events & activities to make sure the State Fair is the ideal destination for a family vacation in your own backyard. With attractive new discounts, fairgoers can enjoy Northern California’s biggest party for hundreds less than a typical vacation. With just one week left on discount State Fair tickets, now is the perfect time to get your tickets to BIG FUN!
This year the State Fair is celebrating everything Weird, Wild & Wacky about California. With fantastic deals on admission, rides, goodies and activities, the California State Fair is the perfect place to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of California.
The California State Fair offers family fun at an affordable price. Here are just a few of the frugal and free things at the State Fair:
- All the thrilling stage entertainment and incredible exhibits and attractions are free with State Fair admission
- Free Concerts—General viewing of all State Fair concerts is FREE with Fair admission but there are also a limited number of Gold Circle Concert seats available near the Golden1 Stage. At 4 p.m. on the day of the concert wristbands will be given away to secure free seats.
- Kids Day—Every Tuesday kids ages 12 and under receive free admission to the Fair as well as $1 carnival rides for everyone.
- Armed Forces and First Responders Day—Tuesday, August 25 the men and women who serve as first responders can enjoy free admission to the Fair with proper identification in or out of uniform.
- Senior Day—Every Friday is Senior Day. Butler Amusements is offering free wheel rides in the carnival for seniors. In addition, there will be other free activities throughout the fairgrounds like BINGO, health and wellness walks, and silent films. Also on Fridays seniors aged 62 and older who arrive before 8 p.m. will receive fair admission for only $8.
- Read to Ride—Kids in grades K-8 can read three books and get three free carnival rides when they fill out a Read to Ride report form and turn it in at the Fair.
Discount State Fair tickets are only available for sale until August 19, that’s just one week left, at www.bigfun.org!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Latino Fest is a fair within a fair
Latino Fest: 'A fair within a fair'
By Michelle L. Quinn, Post-Tribune, August 9, 2009
CROWN POINT -- Good thing Kristy Burciaga has no trouble singing in front of crowds, because her performance at the Hispanics Out Promoting Excellence inaugural Latino Fest at the Lake County Fair monumentally changed with the opening of a CD case.
The 16-year-old thought she had her music ready, but a half-hour before she was to perform in front of a crowd of more than 500, she discovered she didn't have the CD she needed. But rather than forfeit her performance, Kristy got up and sang Kelly Clarkson's "Moment Like This" a capella.
"It was an accident, but I think I did well," said Kristy, a resident of Calumet Township. "I love to sing, and I'm Hispanic, and both of those things go together for this event. How could I not participate?"
Kristy is just the type of young person HOPE seeks to attract, as the 3-year-old Latino-based group seeks to wipe out the alarming high-school dropout rate of more than 45 percent it has in Northwest Indiana, said Oscar Sanchez, Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez's chief of staff and HOPE member.
The event itself was a fundraiser for the organization so it can continue sending Hispanic students to the Hispanic Leadership Academy it sponsors.
"Forty-five to 50 percent -- that's horrible, so the sheriff wanted to do something about it," Sanchez said of the department's involvement. "We don't want to take the place of parents; we just want to mentor students and get them where they should be."
So far, it's been working nicely: The latest group of students who participated in the academy came back energized and ready to take on the school with a whole new view, Sanchez said.
Jose Arredondo, HOPE's education director, said the group was expecting upwards of 4,000 people to attend the festivities, comprised of popular bands Lobos and Tierra.
"This is our music, our food and our culture. The response has been terrific," he said.
Put together in only 90 days, Lorraine Guillen-Wentz, HOPE's business director, has much bigger plans for next year's program. Instead of one day, it will be two days long and offer much more.
"I see it as a 'fair within a fair,' and it'll focus on more exposure for Spanish businesses," she said. "There's a big community out there who supports a diverse workplace, and we've seen a great mix of people today."
By Michelle L. Quinn, Post-Tribune, August 9, 2009
CROWN POINT -- Good thing Kristy Burciaga has no trouble singing in front of crowds, because her performance at the Hispanics Out Promoting Excellence inaugural Latino Fest at the Lake County Fair monumentally changed with the opening of a CD case.
The 16-year-old thought she had her music ready, but a half-hour before she was to perform in front of a crowd of more than 500, she discovered she didn't have the CD she needed. But rather than forfeit her performance, Kristy got up and sang Kelly Clarkson's "Moment Like This" a capella.
"It was an accident, but I think I did well," said Kristy, a resident of Calumet Township. "I love to sing, and I'm Hispanic, and both of those things go together for this event. How could I not participate?"
Kristy is just the type of young person HOPE seeks to attract, as the 3-year-old Latino-based group seeks to wipe out the alarming high-school dropout rate of more than 45 percent it has in Northwest Indiana, said Oscar Sanchez, Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez's chief of staff and HOPE member.
The event itself was a fundraiser for the organization so it can continue sending Hispanic students to the Hispanic Leadership Academy it sponsors.
"Forty-five to 50 percent -- that's horrible, so the sheriff wanted to do something about it," Sanchez said of the department's involvement. "We don't want to take the place of parents; we just want to mentor students and get them where they should be."
So far, it's been working nicely: The latest group of students who participated in the academy came back energized and ready to take on the school with a whole new view, Sanchez said.
Jose Arredondo, HOPE's education director, said the group was expecting upwards of 4,000 people to attend the festivities, comprised of popular bands Lobos and Tierra.
"This is our music, our food and our culture. The response has been terrific," he said.
Put together in only 90 days, Lorraine Guillen-Wentz, HOPE's business director, has much bigger plans for next year's program. Instead of one day, it will be two days long and offer much more.
"I see it as a 'fair within a fair,' and it'll focus on more exposure for Spanish businesses," she said. "There's a big community out there who supports a diverse workplace, and we've seen a great mix of people today."
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Latino peace officers hosted at baseball game
Latino officers visit Rawhide game
Visalia Times Delta, August 8, 2009
The Visalia Rawhide baseball club will host the National Latino Peace Officers Association, Tulare County Chapter, during the Tuesday California League game against the Stockton Ports at Recreation Park, 440 N. Giddings St., Visalia.
Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the social event begins at 7 p.m. at Rec Park's Hall of Fame Club.
Cost is $35 and includes a catered meal from Acequia on Main. Dress is casual.
For further information, call Gabe Cano, NLPOA Chapter President, at 559-280-6727, e-mail gcano1222@hotmail.com.
Visalia Times Delta, August 8, 2009
The Visalia Rawhide baseball club will host the National Latino Peace Officers Association, Tulare County Chapter, during the Tuesday California League game against the Stockton Ports at Recreation Park, 440 N. Giddings St., Visalia.
Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the social event begins at 7 p.m. at Rec Park's Hall of Fame Club.
Cost is $35 and includes a catered meal from Acequia on Main. Dress is casual.
For further information, call Gabe Cano, NLPOA Chapter President, at 559-280-6727, e-mail gcano1222@hotmail.com.
Hispanic Heritage Night in Tucson
Tucson Botanical Gardens Twilight Thursdays series celebrates Hispanic Heritage Night
Marcy McNally, Examiner, August 8, 2009
The Tucson Botanical Gardens Twilight Thursdays series celebrates Hispanic Heritage Night with fiery performances by Ballet Folklorico San Juan and Mexican folk singer Jesus Garcia, tours of the Barrio Garden and Folklorico dance instruction this Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 5 – 9 pm on the grounds of the 5-acre desert urban oasis located at 2150 North Alvernon Way.
Gates open at 5 pm; the Barrio Garden Tour starts at 6 pm; Ballet Folklorico San Juan performs at 6:30 pm followed by dance instruction at 7 pm and Jesus Garcia entertains from 7:30 pm. Admission is $7 for adults/$3.50 member adults; $3 for children/$1.50 for member children and discounted Family and Friends passes are available for purchase. The Gardens Café featuring Café 54 will sell delicious themed buffet dinner or attendees can bring a picnic meal to enjoy in the Gardens. Tickets for the buffet are available in the Gift Shop.
Founded in 1987 in Tucson by Julie Gonzalez Gallego, Ballet Folklorico San Juan is an international touring Mexican folklorico dance group composed of over 150 dancers from ages 4-18 and has a repertory that ranges from Aztec rituals to the traditional Mexican hat dance. This popular group has performed across the southwest USA and in Mexico. The Tucson Botanical Gardens, designated by Reader’s Digest as America’s Best Secret Garden is a private, non-profit organization that promotes responsible and appropriate use of plants and water in a desert environment through education and demonstration as well as provides a place of beauty and tranquility for Tucson residents and visitors.
TBG offers a wide range of educational programs and activities throughout the year and has a full calendar of special events to enjoy. For more information about Twilight Thursdays or the Tucson Botanical Garden, call 520-326-9686 or go to www.tucsonbotanical.org.
Marcy McNally, Examiner, August 8, 2009
The Tucson Botanical Gardens Twilight Thursdays series celebrates Hispanic Heritage Night with fiery performances by Ballet Folklorico San Juan and Mexican folk singer Jesus Garcia, tours of the Barrio Garden and Folklorico dance instruction this Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 5 – 9 pm on the grounds of the 5-acre desert urban oasis located at 2150 North Alvernon Way.
Gates open at 5 pm; the Barrio Garden Tour starts at 6 pm; Ballet Folklorico San Juan performs at 6:30 pm followed by dance instruction at 7 pm and Jesus Garcia entertains from 7:30 pm. Admission is $7 for adults/$3.50 member adults; $3 for children/$1.50 for member children and discounted Family and Friends passes are available for purchase. The Gardens Café featuring Café 54 will sell delicious themed buffet dinner or attendees can bring a picnic meal to enjoy in the Gardens. Tickets for the buffet are available in the Gift Shop.
Founded in 1987 in Tucson by Julie Gonzalez Gallego, Ballet Folklorico San Juan is an international touring Mexican folklorico dance group composed of over 150 dancers from ages 4-18 and has a repertory that ranges from Aztec rituals to the traditional Mexican hat dance. This popular group has performed across the southwest USA and in Mexico. The Tucson Botanical Gardens, designated by Reader’s Digest as America’s Best Secret Garden is a private, non-profit organization that promotes responsible and appropriate use of plants and water in a desert environment through education and demonstration as well as provides a place of beauty and tranquility for Tucson residents and visitors.
TBG offers a wide range of educational programs and activities throughout the year and has a full calendar of special events to enjoy. For more information about Twilight Thursdays or the Tucson Botanical Garden, call 520-326-9686 or go to www.tucsonbotanical.org.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Hispanic culture celebration in Butler County
Festival to celebrate Hispanic culture
Americans and Latinos invited for fun, food, mariachi Aug. 16; tickets $1.
By Michael D. Pitman, Oxford Press, August 5, 2009
The members of La Voz want to showcase their culture to Butler County.
From noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 16, La Voz, a Hispanic nonprofit association of Butler County businesses, will present the Mariachi Festival at Tori’s Station on Donald Drive in Fairfield.
“We try to help create a bridge of understanding between the Hispanic population and the American population,” said Jorge Martinez, board member of La Voz and local attorney in Hamilton.
During conversations with the presidents of the Hamilton and Fairfield chambers of commerce, Martinez said the idea of a Hispanic festival was developed. Other local Hispanic celebrations are done either north in Dayton or south in Cincinnati.
“We don’t have any Hispanic celebrations in Butler County,” Martinez said. “We don’t have anything local.”
The chamber presidents suggested a local celebration for Hispanics.
“Taking into account the high count of Hispanics in this county, that was a really good idea,” Martinez said.
The festival was named Mariachi because it’s associated with fun and dance in the minds of Americans, Martinez said.
“We’re not doing this for Hispanics,” he said. “We want Americans to come and taste our food and our culture, our music, and enjoy it and celebrate with us the Hispanic culture.”
Fairfield Chamber President and CEO Kert Radel said the county’s Hispanic leaders want people to embrace their culture, as they want to embrace the American culture.
“It’s a showcase for the Hispanic community to show what their culture is all about,” said Radel said.
Radel and Hamilton Chamber President and CEO Kenny Craig met with La Voz and worked as advisers with the Hispanic business association.
“We know the Hispanic businesses are a big part of the community, and a growing part of the community,” Craig said. “It’s a step forward in us recognizing a seldom recognized segment of the business community. We hope it’s a sign of things to come.”
At the festival, there will be two mariachi bands, various types of Hispanic music, Colombian and Peruvian dancers, and children’s games and activities.
Tickets, which are $1, are required for the event. Tickets can be purchased at area Hispanic stores or Kroger, Martinez said.
Americans and Latinos invited for fun, food, mariachi Aug. 16; tickets $1.
By Michael D. Pitman, Oxford Press, August 5, 2009
The members of La Voz want to showcase their culture to Butler County.
From noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 16, La Voz, a Hispanic nonprofit association of Butler County businesses, will present the Mariachi Festival at Tori’s Station on Donald Drive in Fairfield.
“We try to help create a bridge of understanding between the Hispanic population and the American population,” said Jorge Martinez, board member of La Voz and local attorney in Hamilton.
During conversations with the presidents of the Hamilton and Fairfield chambers of commerce, Martinez said the idea of a Hispanic festival was developed. Other local Hispanic celebrations are done either north in Dayton or south in Cincinnati.
“We don’t have any Hispanic celebrations in Butler County,” Martinez said. “We don’t have anything local.”
The chamber presidents suggested a local celebration for Hispanics.
“Taking into account the high count of Hispanics in this county, that was a really good idea,” Martinez said.
The festival was named Mariachi because it’s associated with fun and dance in the minds of Americans, Martinez said.
“We’re not doing this for Hispanics,” he said. “We want Americans to come and taste our food and our culture, our music, and enjoy it and celebrate with us the Hispanic culture.”
Fairfield Chamber President and CEO Kert Radel said the county’s Hispanic leaders want people to embrace their culture, as they want to embrace the American culture.
“It’s a showcase for the Hispanic community to show what their culture is all about,” said Radel said.
Radel and Hamilton Chamber President and CEO Kenny Craig met with La Voz and worked as advisers with the Hispanic business association.
“We know the Hispanic businesses are a big part of the community, and a growing part of the community,” Craig said. “It’s a step forward in us recognizing a seldom recognized segment of the business community. We hope it’s a sign of things to come.”
At the festival, there will be two mariachi bands, various types of Hispanic music, Colombian and Peruvian dancers, and children’s games and activities.
Tickets, which are $1, are required for the event. Tickets can be purchased at area Hispanic stores or Kroger, Martinez said.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Latino fest brings rhythms
Rhythm is gonna getcha at Latino Fest
By Ira Kantor, Boston Herald, August 3, 2009
Thousands of revelers spiced up their Sunday with dancing, singing and other festivities at the 2009 Comcast Latino Family Festival at Fenway Park yesterday.
Organized by the oldest Spanish language newspaper in New England, El Mundo, the event featured live performances from New York-based group Bachata Heightz, Area 51 and salsa sensation Victor Manuelle.
Members of local youth organization ROCA kept the rhythms and crowd energy levels hot, thanks to their dance troupe Essencia Latina. Red Sox [team stats] mascot Wally the Green Monster and Sox legend Luis Tiant also made special appearances.
By Ira Kantor, Boston Herald, August 3, 2009
Thousands of revelers spiced up their Sunday with dancing, singing and other festivities at the 2009 Comcast Latino Family Festival at Fenway Park yesterday.
Organized by the oldest Spanish language newspaper in New England, El Mundo, the event featured live performances from New York-based group Bachata Heightz, Area 51 and salsa sensation Victor Manuelle.
Members of local youth organization ROCA kept the rhythms and crowd energy levels hot, thanks to their dance troupe Essencia Latina. Red Sox [team stats] mascot Wally the Green Monster and Sox legend Luis Tiant also made special appearances.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Columbus Festival Latino lineup announced
2009 Festival Latino Lineup Announced, Held 8/15, 8/16 In Columbus
Broadway World, July 23, 2009
Now in its 14th year, Festival Latino returns to downtown Columbus' riverfront on Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16. Presented by American Family Insurance and produced by CAPA, the festival will offer a variety of local, national, and international Latin-American music acts including Saturday night headliner, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Sunday night headliner, Tiempo Libre. Held in Genoa Park, Festival Latino will also include Latin-American food, merchandise, dance demonstrations, and dance instruction. Admission is free.
Additional festival support is provided by Fronteras de la Noticia, AEP Foundation, McDonald's, The Joseph A. Jeffrey Endowment Fund of the Columbus Foundation, Crush, Ohio Arts Council, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, La Jornada Latina, La Super X 103.1 FM, The Columbus Dispatch, DIRECTV, Miller Lite, Azteca America WCPX-TV 48, WDLR 1550 AM, Latinos Magazine, Chase, David and Mo Meuse, and Columbus Alive.
Fronteras Stage Performance Schedule
Saturday, August 15
12 pm - Sonido Montarbo
1:30 pm - Salpafuera
3 pm - Sammy De León
5 pm - Yumbambé
6:30 pm - Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Sunday, August 16
12 pm - Viento Alegre
1:30 pm - Gerson
3 pm – Acapulco
5 pm - Dejavu
6:30 pm - Tiempo Libre
The Festival Latino marketplace will include jewelry, arts, crafts, and other traditional items from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets for lawn seating. Coolers, chairs, tents, pets, umbrellas, handbills, solicitation or unauthorized sales, video cameras/recording devices, bicycles, and skateboards are not permitted.
Recorded bilingual information line: (614) 719-6744
Web site: www.FestivalLatino.net
Broadway World, July 23, 2009
Now in its 14th year, Festival Latino returns to downtown Columbus' riverfront on Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16. Presented by American Family Insurance and produced by CAPA, the festival will offer a variety of local, national, and international Latin-American music acts including Saturday night headliner, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Sunday night headliner, Tiempo Libre. Held in Genoa Park, Festival Latino will also include Latin-American food, merchandise, dance demonstrations, and dance instruction. Admission is free.
Additional festival support is provided by Fronteras de la Noticia, AEP Foundation, McDonald's, The Joseph A. Jeffrey Endowment Fund of the Columbus Foundation, Crush, Ohio Arts Council, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, La Jornada Latina, La Super X 103.1 FM, The Columbus Dispatch, DIRECTV, Miller Lite, Azteca America WCPX-TV 48, WDLR 1550 AM, Latinos Magazine, Chase, David and Mo Meuse, and Columbus Alive.
Fronteras Stage Performance Schedule
Saturday, August 15
12 pm - Sonido Montarbo
1:30 pm - Salpafuera
3 pm - Sammy De León
5 pm - Yumbambé
6:30 pm - Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Sunday, August 16
12 pm - Viento Alegre
1:30 pm - Gerson
3 pm – Acapulco
5 pm - Dejavu
6:30 pm - Tiempo Libre
The Festival Latino marketplace will include jewelry, arts, crafts, and other traditional items from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets for lawn seating. Coolers, chairs, tents, pets, umbrellas, handbills, solicitation or unauthorized sales, video cameras/recording devices, bicycles, and skateboards are not permitted.
Recorded bilingual information line: (614) 719-6744
Web site: www.FestivalLatino.net
Friday, July 24, 2009
Hispanic heritage celebration planned for Tampa
CENTRO Tampa and Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. Join Efforts to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
PRESS RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTRO, the leading Spanish-language weekly publication in the Tampa Bay area, is pleased to announce a partnership with Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. (THHI) to celebrate the official kick-off of Hispanic Heritage Month at CENTRO's annual Festival del SABOR on September 12, 2009 at Centennial Park in historic Ybor City.
The event will mark THHI's 30th anniversary whose main objective is to preserve and promote the Hispanic culture in Tampa Bay. The annual kick-off event features the traditional Miss Tampa Hispanic Heritage pageant. Each participant represents their country of origin and is judged based on three criteria; talent, cultural knowledge, and poise. The pageant will be part of the family oriented activities planned for CENTRO's 4th annual Festival del SABOR.
Festival del SABOR will once again feature the popular Latin recipe contest and cook-off. Amateur cooks are encouraged to participate in order to win prizes for the Entree category. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places. The event's goal is to showcase the SABOR or Flavor of Tampa Bay's Hispanic culture through food, music, and art. This year the event will be bigger than ever featuring a tent expo along side vendors of Ybor Saturday Market for area businesses to showcase and/or sell products. Musical entertainment and bands will be announced at a later time.
According to Orlando Nieves, General Manager of CENTRO Tampa, "Tampa's history is tightly linked to Hispanics. Since the 1860's we've made significant contributions that have helped build a better, stronger community. We are glad to be able to help celebrate this heritage with everyone."
The Tampa Hispanic Heritage official kick-off at CENTRO's Festival del SABOR will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 in historic Ybor City at Centennial Park. The event is hosted by Ybor City Saturday Market and sponsored by The Tampa Tribune, News Channel 8, TBO.com, Univision Tampa, Telefutura, 92.5 Maxima FM, La Gazeta, Telemundo Tampa, and 1300 Super Q AM. For more details and sponsorship opportunities please contact Giovanni Gutierrez, Sales and Marketing Manager for CENTRO Tampa, at 813-259-8475 or ggutierrez@centrotampa.com.
CENTRO Grupo de Comunicacion is a Spanish-language print and online media operation of the Florida Communications Group. The Florida Communications Group (FCG), owned by Media General, includes newspapers, broadcast television and online operations in West Central Florida. It incorporates Media General's converged operations in Tampa, including The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com, the No. 1 newspaper/online combination in the Tampa Bay market; WFLA-TV, (NBC) the market broadcast news leader at 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m. weeknights. FCG also includes Highlands Today, Hernando Today, 12 weeklies, and several shopper and niche publications. Source: Scarborough 2008 Release 2; Nielsen Media Research, November 2008 Sweeps Period, Adults 25-54 and Household Ratings.
www.centrotampa.com
PRESS RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTRO, the leading Spanish-language weekly publication in the Tampa Bay area, is pleased to announce a partnership with Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. (THHI) to celebrate the official kick-off of Hispanic Heritage Month at CENTRO's annual Festival del SABOR on September 12, 2009 at Centennial Park in historic Ybor City.
The event will mark THHI's 30th anniversary whose main objective is to preserve and promote the Hispanic culture in Tampa Bay. The annual kick-off event features the traditional Miss Tampa Hispanic Heritage pageant. Each participant represents their country of origin and is judged based on three criteria; talent, cultural knowledge, and poise. The pageant will be part of the family oriented activities planned for CENTRO's 4th annual Festival del SABOR.
Festival del SABOR will once again feature the popular Latin recipe contest and cook-off. Amateur cooks are encouraged to participate in order to win prizes for the Entree category. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places. The event's goal is to showcase the SABOR or Flavor of Tampa Bay's Hispanic culture through food, music, and art. This year the event will be bigger than ever featuring a tent expo along side vendors of Ybor Saturday Market for area businesses to showcase and/or sell products. Musical entertainment and bands will be announced at a later time.
According to Orlando Nieves, General Manager of CENTRO Tampa, "Tampa's history is tightly linked to Hispanics. Since the 1860's we've made significant contributions that have helped build a better, stronger community. We are glad to be able to help celebrate this heritage with everyone."
The Tampa Hispanic Heritage official kick-off at CENTRO's Festival del SABOR will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 in historic Ybor City at Centennial Park. The event is hosted by Ybor City Saturday Market and sponsored by The Tampa Tribune, News Channel 8, TBO.com, Univision Tampa, Telefutura, 92.5 Maxima FM, La Gazeta, Telemundo Tampa, and 1300 Super Q AM. For more details and sponsorship opportunities please contact Giovanni Gutierrez, Sales and Marketing Manager for CENTRO Tampa, at 813-259-8475 or ggutierrez@centrotampa.com.
CENTRO Grupo de Comunicacion is a Spanish-language print and online media operation of the Florida Communications Group. The Florida Communications Group (FCG), owned by Media General, includes newspapers, broadcast television and online operations in West Central Florida. It incorporates Media General's converged operations in Tampa, including The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com, the No. 1 newspaper/online combination in the Tampa Bay market; WFLA-TV, (NBC) the market broadcast news leader at 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m. weeknights. FCG also includes Highlands Today, Hernando Today, 12 weeklies, and several shopper and niche publications. Source: Scarborough 2008 Release 2; Nielsen Media Research, November 2008 Sweeps Period, Adults 25-54 and Household Ratings.
www.centrotampa.com
Monday, July 20, 2009
Latino culture celebrated through parade
Parade celebrates Latino culture
Sy Becker and Michelle Misiaszek, WWLP, 19 Jul 2009
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Puerto Rican flag was front and center during Sunday's 4th annual Hispanic parade through downtown Holyoke.
Puerto Rican pride was in all it's glory as thousands of Latinos' turned out to salute the Puerto Rican flag and celebrate the culture they have brought to western Massachusetts.
"It's to bring all Hispanic families together. That's why they call it el grande family, and it's tied in with the festival we're having over this weekend in Springdale park," said Sylvia Robello of Holyoke.
It was a gala weekend filled with Hispanic pride that unites the community.
Sy Becker and Michelle Misiaszek, WWLP, 19 Jul 2009
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Puerto Rican flag was front and center during Sunday's 4th annual Hispanic parade through downtown Holyoke.
Puerto Rican pride was in all it's glory as thousands of Latinos' turned out to salute the Puerto Rican flag and celebrate the culture they have brought to western Massachusetts.
"It's to bring all Hispanic families together. That's why they call it el grande family, and it's tied in with the festival we're having over this weekend in Springdale park," said Sylvia Robello of Holyoke.
It was a gala weekend filled with Hispanic pride that unites the community.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Latino culture featured at Chase festival
Chase Latino Cultural Festival offers whirlwind tour of Latin culture in 13th year
Albor Ruiz, NY Daily News, July 12th 2009
It is that time of the year again. The Chase Latino Cultural Festival is once again about to kick off.
This extraordinary artistic event has been taking place in Queens every summer since 1997 and this year's edition promises to be better than ever.
Even in a city like New York, where so many great music, theater and film festivals occur, the Chase Latino Cultural Festival ranks as truly unique.
"This is the largest and most diverse Latino festival in the city," said festival director Claudia Norman. "It offers a wide range of culture, from traditional and folkloric to new and popular voices."
Actually, the festival is much more. It is a whirlwind tour through the richness and diversity of the cultures of Latin America and Spain. As such, it offers New Yorkers the opportunity to enjoy the talent of individual artists and ensembles who - while popular and, in some cases, even legendary beyond U.S. borders - are unknown in this country.
The Chase Latino Cultural Festival is billed as "the nation's largest and most important Latino multidisciplinary cultural festival, featuring music, theater, dance, film and family productions, as well as visual art exhibitions."
This year, 12 events are featured at the Queens Theatre in the Park, in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
The celebration begins on July 30 with Afro-Cuban dance group Oyu Oro, and concludes on Aug. 9 with Mexican jarocho legend Don Fallo and the youthful Son Candela.
The festival runs for 11 days and is full of first-class acts. Here are some of them:
- Toto La Momposina, the grandmother of Afro-Colombia song and dance.
- Japanese singer Anna Saeki, recognized as the tango diva.
- The legendary Chilean group Inti-Illimani with Francesca Gagnon. Their cultural and musical exchange has crossed borders onto the stage from Chile to Canada.
- Popular Cuban singer and songwriter Albita, who will perform original works from her new CD, "Mis Tacones."
- Sabrina Lastman Quartet. Lastman was trained in Israel and Uruguay. Her music is a novel fusion of jazz, Afro-Uruguayan traditions like candombe, and the classics of Latin-American songwriters.
- The Golden Age, a theater group that explores the daily reality of Central and South Americans in Corona, Queens: laborers during the week, and enthused, passionate soccer players on the weekend."
"We think it is important to bring artists to the U.S. from abroad and expose people to the classics and innovators through live performance," Norman said. "We want to communicate that the mainstream Latino culture you get from the media is only part of the story."
For those of you who don't know it, the Queens Theatre in the Park occupies a great building originally designed as the New York State Pavilion in the 1964 World's Fair. It is an air-conditioned, extremely comfortable state-of-the-art performing space.
As always, tickets are reasonably priced "to encourage audiences to experience the wide variety of performance traditions found in Latino culture," said festival organizers. Admission is free to selected events for children and families.
For a complete schedule, tickets or other information, call the Queens Theatre in the Park at (718) 760-0064, or visit its bilingual Web site at www.queenstheatre.org.
aruiz@nydailynews.com
Albor Ruiz, NY Daily News, July 12th 2009
It is that time of the year again. The Chase Latino Cultural Festival is once again about to kick off.
This extraordinary artistic event has been taking place in Queens every summer since 1997 and this year's edition promises to be better than ever.
Even in a city like New York, where so many great music, theater and film festivals occur, the Chase Latino Cultural Festival ranks as truly unique.
"This is the largest and most diverse Latino festival in the city," said festival director Claudia Norman. "It offers a wide range of culture, from traditional and folkloric to new and popular voices."
Actually, the festival is much more. It is a whirlwind tour through the richness and diversity of the cultures of Latin America and Spain. As such, it offers New Yorkers the opportunity to enjoy the talent of individual artists and ensembles who - while popular and, in some cases, even legendary beyond U.S. borders - are unknown in this country.
The Chase Latino Cultural Festival is billed as "the nation's largest and most important Latino multidisciplinary cultural festival, featuring music, theater, dance, film and family productions, as well as visual art exhibitions."
This year, 12 events are featured at the Queens Theatre in the Park, in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
The celebration begins on July 30 with Afro-Cuban dance group Oyu Oro, and concludes on Aug. 9 with Mexican jarocho legend Don Fallo and the youthful Son Candela.
The festival runs for 11 days and is full of first-class acts. Here are some of them:
- Toto La Momposina, the grandmother of Afro-Colombia song and dance.
- Japanese singer Anna Saeki, recognized as the tango diva.
- The legendary Chilean group Inti-Illimani with Francesca Gagnon. Their cultural and musical exchange has crossed borders onto the stage from Chile to Canada.
- Popular Cuban singer and songwriter Albita, who will perform original works from her new CD, "Mis Tacones."
- Sabrina Lastman Quartet. Lastman was trained in Israel and Uruguay. Her music is a novel fusion of jazz, Afro-Uruguayan traditions like candombe, and the classics of Latin-American songwriters.
- The Golden Age, a theater group that explores the daily reality of Central and South Americans in Corona, Queens: laborers during the week, and enthused, passionate soccer players on the weekend."
"We think it is important to bring artists to the U.S. from abroad and expose people to the classics and innovators through live performance," Norman said. "We want to communicate that the mainstream Latino culture you get from the media is only part of the story."
For those of you who don't know it, the Queens Theatre in the Park occupies a great building originally designed as the New York State Pavilion in the 1964 World's Fair. It is an air-conditioned, extremely comfortable state-of-the-art performing space.
As always, tickets are reasonably priced "to encourage audiences to experience the wide variety of performance traditions found in Latino culture," said festival organizers. Admission is free to selected events for children and families.
For a complete schedule, tickets or other information, call the Queens Theatre in the Park at (718) 760-0064, or visit its bilingual Web site at www.queenstheatre.org.
aruiz@nydailynews.com
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th celebrated by Latino immigrants
A Nation of Immigrants Celebrates Independence Day
PRESS RELEASE, July 2, 2009
Washington, DC - As America celebrates its 233 birthday, we are reminded of the many contributions immigrants have made to America throughout our great history. Nowhere will this be more celebrated than in the 50 naturalization ceremonies taking place around the nation this weekend where 6,000 immigrants will become Americans at venues like Disneyworld and George Washinton's Mount Vernon. Five hundred of those about to pledge their allegiance to America are already defending our nation on a daily basis as members of the armed services. They will take part in naturalization ceremonies in Baghdad, Norfolk, Camp Lejeune, and Nellis Air Force Base.
As USA Today's editorial board reminds us this Independence Day, new Americans "symbolize what's right with America, a nation of immigrants that was built by opening its doors...America remains the envy of much of the world and a magnet for millions who come seeking opportunity they can't find elsewhere."
In honor of the Fourth of July, the IPC has compiled a new fact sheet on immigrant contributions to our economy and society, as well as a collection of some of our favorite resources that tell the compelling story of America's immigrants.
* Immigration Policy Center: Strength in Diversity: The Economic and Political Clout of Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians
* Ellis Island: The Immigrant Experience
* The National Immigration Forum: The Journey
* The American Immigration Law Foundation: Becoming American
PRESS RELEASE, July 2, 2009
Washington, DC - As America celebrates its 233 birthday, we are reminded of the many contributions immigrants have made to America throughout our great history. Nowhere will this be more celebrated than in the 50 naturalization ceremonies taking place around the nation this weekend where 6,000 immigrants will become Americans at venues like Disneyworld and George Washinton's Mount Vernon. Five hundred of those about to pledge their allegiance to America are already defending our nation on a daily basis as members of the armed services. They will take part in naturalization ceremonies in Baghdad, Norfolk, Camp Lejeune, and Nellis Air Force Base.
As USA Today's editorial board reminds us this Independence Day, new Americans "symbolize what's right with America, a nation of immigrants that was built by opening its doors...America remains the envy of much of the world and a magnet for millions who come seeking opportunity they can't find elsewhere."
In honor of the Fourth of July, the IPC has compiled a new fact sheet on immigrant contributions to our economy and society, as well as a collection of some of our favorite resources that tell the compelling story of America's immigrants.
* Immigration Policy Center: Strength in Diversity: The Economic and Political Clout of Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians
* Ellis Island: The Immigrant Experience
* The National Immigration Forum: The Journey
* The American Immigration Law Foundation: Becoming American
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hispanic heritage festival returns to Iowa
Hispanic festival returns Saturday
Day features music, food and other entertainment
By ANDREW POTTER, TIMES-REPUBLICAN, June 3, 2009
The Marshalltown Central Business District, partnering with Iowa Valley Continuing Education and other volunteers, have taken the reins of the Hispanic Heritage Festival which was canceled last year when the previous organizer moved out of town.
The event is back for the fifth time and will include a day full of music, food and entertainment at the Marshall County Courthouse lawn Saturday.
"The CBD took it over as one our events to make sure it continues to happen," said Tina Shapley, co-chair of the event.
The day will begin with food vendors at noon followed by music at 1 p.m by the Mexicana band Universo Musical.
Augustin Chavez will do his impersonations of famous Mexican entertainers at 4:30 p.m. The day wraps up with a performance by the band Perdido at 6 p.m.
For local Hispanics, the festival is a way to celebrate their culture. For others, it's a way to learn.
"It's a way to get to know about another culture in a fun, relaxed atmosphere," Shapley said.
The Families for Woodbury Elementary School will be doing a fundraiser from 1 to 3 p.m. at the event. It is a truck climb where children can climb into different types of vehicles including an ambulance, fire truck and police car.
Event organizer Beth Burkemper said she experienced a similar event in Iowa City.
"The concept is so simple yet so entertaining that I couldn't resist trying it in Marshalltown," she said.
There will be no entry fee to see the music and other entertainment but children's games, food and the truck climb will have a charge.
Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com
Day features music, food and other entertainment
By ANDREW POTTER, TIMES-REPUBLICAN, June 3, 2009
The Marshalltown Central Business District, partnering with Iowa Valley Continuing Education and other volunteers, have taken the reins of the Hispanic Heritage Festival which was canceled last year when the previous organizer moved out of town.
The event is back for the fifth time and will include a day full of music, food and entertainment at the Marshall County Courthouse lawn Saturday.
"The CBD took it over as one our events to make sure it continues to happen," said Tina Shapley, co-chair of the event.
The day will begin with food vendors at noon followed by music at 1 p.m by the Mexicana band Universo Musical.
Augustin Chavez will do his impersonations of famous Mexican entertainers at 4:30 p.m. The day wraps up with a performance by the band Perdido at 6 p.m.
For local Hispanics, the festival is a way to celebrate their culture. For others, it's a way to learn.
"It's a way to get to know about another culture in a fun, relaxed atmosphere," Shapley said.
The Families for Woodbury Elementary School will be doing a fundraiser from 1 to 3 p.m. at the event. It is a truck climb where children can climb into different types of vehicles including an ambulance, fire truck and police car.
Event organizer Beth Burkemper said she experienced a similar event in Iowa City.
"The concept is so simple yet so entertaining that I couldn't resist trying it in Marshalltown," she said.
There will be no entry fee to see the music and other entertainment but children's games, food and the truck climb will have a charge.
Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com
Latino teacher awards planned
Chicanos Por La Causa gears up for Esperanza Latino Teachers Awards
AZCENTRAL.COM, Jun. 2, 2009
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC) is gearing up for the annual Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards, and teachers, principals and superintendents are encouraged to submit their nomination forms by Friday August 14.
In its 11th year, the Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards honor teachers who go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of students in low-income areas. CPLC understands the vital role teachers play in educating future generations and empowering these communities, and we take pride in paying special tribute to them each year.
Teachers, colleagues, principals and superintendents in Maricopa County can nominate educators for the award by filling out a nomination form, which must be postmarked no later than Aug. 14, 2009 and mailed to: Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., Attention: Allisia Lopez, 1112 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85034.
Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.cplc.org or requested by emailing events@cplc.org.
All nominees should meet the following criteria:
• Possess a valid Arizona Teaching Certificate
• Inspire students of all backgrounds to learn
• Play an active role in the school and community
• Obtain a letter of recommendation and/or support from the school’s principal
• Teach at a public school within Maricopa County
This year, CPLC has partnered with sponsoring organizations Salt River Project (SRP), Wells Fargo, University of Phoenix, State Farm, Channel 12 and Univision. The Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards continues to be the only awards program in Arizona that specifically honors and pays tribute to Hispanic teachers.
Honorees will be announced at an elegant dinner ceremony Oct. 22 at the Wyndham Hotel Downtown Phoenix. Each Esperanza honoree will be presented with a cash stipend.
For more information, please contact Allisia Lopez at (602) 257-0700 ext. 2121 or allisia.lopez@cplc.org.
AZCENTRAL.COM, Jun. 2, 2009
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC) is gearing up for the annual Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards, and teachers, principals and superintendents are encouraged to submit their nomination forms by Friday August 14.
In its 11th year, the Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards honor teachers who go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of students in low-income areas. CPLC understands the vital role teachers play in educating future generations and empowering these communities, and we take pride in paying special tribute to them each year.
Teachers, colleagues, principals and superintendents in Maricopa County can nominate educators for the award by filling out a nomination form, which must be postmarked no later than Aug. 14, 2009 and mailed to: Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., Attention: Allisia Lopez, 1112 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85034.
Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.cplc.org or requested by emailing events@cplc.org.
All nominees should meet the following criteria:
• Possess a valid Arizona Teaching Certificate
• Inspire students of all backgrounds to learn
• Play an active role in the school and community
• Obtain a letter of recommendation and/or support from the school’s principal
• Teach at a public school within Maricopa County
This year, CPLC has partnered with sponsoring organizations Salt River Project (SRP), Wells Fargo, University of Phoenix, State Farm, Channel 12 and Univision. The Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards continues to be the only awards program in Arizona that specifically honors and pays tribute to Hispanic teachers.
Honorees will be announced at an elegant dinner ceremony Oct. 22 at the Wyndham Hotel Downtown Phoenix. Each Esperanza honoree will be presented with a cash stipend.
For more information, please contact Allisia Lopez at (602) 257-0700 ext. 2121 or allisia.lopez@cplc.org.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Latino and Jewish communities celebrate
L.A. Jewish, Latino communities to celebrate
JTA.org, May 11, 2009
LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- The Jewish and Latino communities will join in a “Fiesta Shalom” at the spot where the Israeli flag was raised for the first time in Los Angeles.
The site is in front of the Breed Street Shul in Boyle Heights, once the city’s largest Jewish enclave but now predominantly Latino. The flag was raised there on May 15, 1948.
Thousands of people from the two communities, joined by Boyle Heights’ African Americans and Asians, are expected at the May 17 event. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other dignitaries are scheduled to address the crowd.
Breaking new bilingual ground, the weekly Jewish Journal and the Hispanic daily La Opinion will jointly publish an English-Spanish insert in their May 15 editions, with both publications looking toward future collaborations.
Israeli Consul General Yaakov Dayan conceived the novel celebration and enlisted City Councilman Jose Huizar, whose district includes Boyle Heights, the Jewish federation, organizations and business enterprises.
Boyle Heights evolved into Los Angeles’ largest shtetl in the five years following World War I, when the city’s Jewish population rose from 19,000 to 45,000, and remained predominant until the late 1940s. As a growing number of Latinos, as well as African Americans and Asians, moved in, Boyle Heights became a vibrantly diverse community.
Fiesta Shalom has historical antecedents in the 1894 multiethnic Fiesta de Los Angeles and the Friendship Festival of the 1940s, which pioneered the Jewish community’s outreach to other ethnic groups.
In its modern incarnation, “Fiesta Shalom will, we hope, send the message of unity and mutual support between American communities and Israel from Los Angeles to the entire United States,” Dayan said.
Huizar said that “as a Latino growing up in Boyle Heights, I know very well about the community’s storied Jewish and Latino histories. Fiesta Shalom gives us the unique opportunity to come together to celebrate these two cultures that have been so influential in making Boyle Heights and Los Angeles the vibrant communities they are today.”
JTA.org, May 11, 2009
LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- The Jewish and Latino communities will join in a “Fiesta Shalom” at the spot where the Israeli flag was raised for the first time in Los Angeles.
The site is in front of the Breed Street Shul in Boyle Heights, once the city’s largest Jewish enclave but now predominantly Latino. The flag was raised there on May 15, 1948.
Thousands of people from the two communities, joined by Boyle Heights’ African Americans and Asians, are expected at the May 17 event. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other dignitaries are scheduled to address the crowd.
Breaking new bilingual ground, the weekly Jewish Journal and the Hispanic daily La Opinion will jointly publish an English-Spanish insert in their May 15 editions, with both publications looking toward future collaborations.
Israeli Consul General Yaakov Dayan conceived the novel celebration and enlisted City Councilman Jose Huizar, whose district includes Boyle Heights, the Jewish federation, organizations and business enterprises.
Boyle Heights evolved into Los Angeles’ largest shtetl in the five years following World War I, when the city’s Jewish population rose from 19,000 to 45,000, and remained predominant until the late 1940s. As a growing number of Latinos, as well as African Americans and Asians, moved in, Boyle Heights became a vibrantly diverse community.
Fiesta Shalom has historical antecedents in the 1894 multiethnic Fiesta de Los Angeles and the Friendship Festival of the 1940s, which pioneered the Jewish community’s outreach to other ethnic groups.
In its modern incarnation, “Fiesta Shalom will, we hope, send the message of unity and mutual support between American communities and Israel from Los Angeles to the entire United States,” Dayan said.
Huizar said that “as a Latino growing up in Boyle Heights, I know very well about the community’s storied Jewish and Latino histories. Fiesta Shalom gives us the unique opportunity to come together to celebrate these two cultures that have been so influential in making Boyle Heights and Los Angeles the vibrant communities they are today.”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
WANTED: Latino Veterans for parade
Memorial Day parade seeks more Latino veterans
By ROEL GARCIA, The Holland Sentinel, May 10, 2009
Vietnam veteran Sergio Orozco has lived in the Holland area for about 20 years, yet he’s never marched in the Holland Memorial Day Parade.
“I’ve never been invited,” said Orozco, 64, of Fillmore Township, who served in the U.S. Army.
The Holland Memorial Day Parade Committee is now extending the invitation to Latinos and other minorities interested in participating in the annual parade.
“We want all veterans to feel it’s their parade and be honored. We want them to march,” said Diana Van Kolken, committee co-chairwoman.
Interested in marching?
For information on how to participate or march in the Memorial Day parade, call Diana Van Kolken at (616) 396-4588 or Judie Zylman at (616) 392-9070.
Orozco participated in the South Haven parades when he lived in Glenn. Since then, he’s not marched in a parade.
When he marched in those parades, Orozco was the lone Latino marching. The same went for the time he marched in a parade in a small town in Indiana.
“I don’t know why we (Latinos) don’t march in the parades,” he said. “I’ve never marched here in Holland, but it wouldn’t hurt me any to march every once in awhile.”
This year’s parade will start at 9:30 a.m. on May 25 in downtown Holland.
The parade will start on Eighth Street and finish at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Marta Muniz feels Memorial Day is special. Her father, Candelario Garcia, was a World War II veteran and is buried at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Muniz’s father never marched in the parade.
“It’s something I wish he’d done. I don’t know if he just didn’t know how to be in the parade or what,” Muniz said.
Muniz talked with Van Kolken and is trying to get the word out to all veterans to march in the parade.
She also talked to her brother, who served in Vietnam, and some friends to try to get them to participate.
The parade committee will start placing flyers out this week to alert all veterans about the opportunity to march.
Veterans do not have to wear uniforms or walk — convertibles will be available to transport veterans unable to walk, said committee co-chairwoman Judie Zylman.
“We’ll line up veterans on Eighth Street in line with the war they served in. And if they served in between, they can choose whether they want to go with the war ahead or the war behind,” Zylman said.
By ROEL GARCIA, The Holland Sentinel, May 10, 2009
Vietnam veteran Sergio Orozco has lived in the Holland area for about 20 years, yet he’s never marched in the Holland Memorial Day Parade.
“I’ve never been invited,” said Orozco, 64, of Fillmore Township, who served in the U.S. Army.
The Holland Memorial Day Parade Committee is now extending the invitation to Latinos and other minorities interested in participating in the annual parade.
“We want all veterans to feel it’s their parade and be honored. We want them to march,” said Diana Van Kolken, committee co-chairwoman.
Interested in marching?
For information on how to participate or march in the Memorial Day parade, call Diana Van Kolken at (616) 396-4588 or Judie Zylman at (616) 392-9070.
Orozco participated in the South Haven parades when he lived in Glenn. Since then, he’s not marched in a parade.
When he marched in those parades, Orozco was the lone Latino marching. The same went for the time he marched in a parade in a small town in Indiana.
“I don’t know why we (Latinos) don’t march in the parades,” he said. “I’ve never marched here in Holland, but it wouldn’t hurt me any to march every once in awhile.”
This year’s parade will start at 9:30 a.m. on May 25 in downtown Holland.
The parade will start on Eighth Street and finish at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Marta Muniz feels Memorial Day is special. Her father, Candelario Garcia, was a World War II veteran and is buried at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Muniz’s father never marched in the parade.
“It’s something I wish he’d done. I don’t know if he just didn’t know how to be in the parade or what,” Muniz said.
Muniz talked with Van Kolken and is trying to get the word out to all veterans to march in the parade.
She also talked to her brother, who served in Vietnam, and some friends to try to get them to participate.
The parade committee will start placing flyers out this week to alert all veterans about the opportunity to march.
Veterans do not have to wear uniforms or walk — convertibles will be available to transport veterans unable to walk, said committee co-chairwoman Judie Zylman.
“We’ll line up veterans on Eighth Street in line with the war they served in. And if they served in between, they can choose whether they want to go with the war ahead or the war behind,” Zylman said.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hispanics in Philanthropy celebrate
Soledad O'Brien, Anthony Romero and Other Latino Leaders Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Hispanics in Philanthropy
Press Release
NEW YORK, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the evening of Thursday, April 23, Hispanics in Philanthropy, a network of funders committed to Latino communities, celebrated its 25th anniversary with an event at the Time Warner Center overlooking Central Park.
"It's because of organizations like Hispanics in Philanthropy that our Latino communities across America can feel empowered for real social change," said Soledad O'Brien, CNN anchor and special correspondent, and one of five guests honored that evening. "I am honored to be chosen as one of HIP's distinguished Latina honorees. As a journalist who so often reports on people in need, the least I can do is shed some light on these important stories that need to be told."
The theme of the event was "Cambio" (change). Five leaders were honored with the HIP Leadership Award for sowing meaningful social change in Latino communities. Time Warner Inc. hosted the sold-out event, which attracted 150 foundation CEOs, philanthropic and corporate leaders, and nonprofit managers. "The significance of this moment and the theme 'Cambio' are not lost on me," said Lisa Quiroz, Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Time Warner. "The country has voted for change, and we can help lead that change with one united Latino voice."
The other recipients of the HIP Leadership Award were Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union; Lin-Manual Miranda, star, creator & composer of the Tony-winning Broadway musical In the Heights; Luis Ubinas, president of the Ford Foundation; and Linda Griego, CEO of Griego Enterprises and a trustee of the Packard Foundation.
"When Diana started Hispanics in Philanthropy 25 years ago, Hispanics were an invisible minority, unseen and unheard in the philanthropic world," said Ubinas, the first Latino President of the Ford Foundation. "Hispanics in Philanthropy deserves credit for opening doors and for raising the question, how can business and government [continue to diversify]." Ubinas noted that several large foundations are now led by Latinos.
The honorees spoke of the importance of giving back to their communities and working for social change. O'Brien said her parents taught her "first to succeed in education and then to turn around and help others with the chances we'd been given."
Several honorees shared personal histories and family life stories that influenced their careers and their commitment to social change. Growing up in New York, Lin-Manuel Miranda said that he was either "the Puerto Rican kid" at the private elementary school he attended in Manhattan or "the kid with the gringo accent" in Washington Heights. He described his experience at Wesleyan University as "the first time that I was with other kids who were straddling American culture and Latino culture just as much as myself... and it gave me permission to write [In the Heights]. The irony of all of this, and feeling like I never fit into any community, is that I really created that community out on stage. Through the success of that show, I get to be in a room of people whose work I admire so greatly. I am honored to be recognized with these illustrious people who do so much for people with so little."
Anthony Romero was introduced by Dr. Natalia Kanem, president of ELMA Philanthropies, who called Romero a "legend in his own time" and said that his leadership of the ACLU had helped keep the United States safe and free in the years following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Romero, who was an active member of HIP before he took the helm of the ACLU, said that HIP and the evening's honorees epitomized the values of leadership, giving, and connecting. Reuniting with colleagues and friends from HIP reminded him of a saying his grandmother had told him growing up: Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres. ("Tell me who you walk with, and I'll tell you who you are.") Romero said, "And so the fact that I walk with HIP and all of you tonight is an incredible blessing and privilege if in fact it tells you who I am."
In addition to Time Warner, other sponsors of the event included the Ford Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation(R), the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Wal-Mart.
The event was part of an ongoing celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), a network of funders committed to increasing resources for Hispanic communities in the U.S. and Latin America. Over the past 25 years, HIP has raised nearly $38 million, brought together 163 funding partners, and supported nearly 500 Latino nonprofits in the U.S. and Latin America.
HIP was founded in 1983 when a handful of Latinos working in philanthropy recognized the value of coming together to encourage greater investments in Hispanic communities. More than twenty-five years later, HIP is an active network of more than 550 philanthropic leaders that has supported communities, leaders and organizations across the United States and Latin America.
SOURCE Hispanics in Philanthropy
Press Release
NEW YORK, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the evening of Thursday, April 23, Hispanics in Philanthropy, a network of funders committed to Latino communities, celebrated its 25th anniversary with an event at the Time Warner Center overlooking Central Park.
"It's because of organizations like Hispanics in Philanthropy that our Latino communities across America can feel empowered for real social change," said Soledad O'Brien, CNN anchor and special correspondent, and one of five guests honored that evening. "I am honored to be chosen as one of HIP's distinguished Latina honorees. As a journalist who so often reports on people in need, the least I can do is shed some light on these important stories that need to be told."
The theme of the event was "Cambio" (change). Five leaders were honored with the HIP Leadership Award for sowing meaningful social change in Latino communities. Time Warner Inc. hosted the sold-out event, which attracted 150 foundation CEOs, philanthropic and corporate leaders, and nonprofit managers. "The significance of this moment and the theme 'Cambio' are not lost on me," said Lisa Quiroz, Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Time Warner. "The country has voted for change, and we can help lead that change with one united Latino voice."
The other recipients of the HIP Leadership Award were Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union; Lin-Manual Miranda, star, creator & composer of the Tony-winning Broadway musical In the Heights; Luis Ubinas, president of the Ford Foundation; and Linda Griego, CEO of Griego Enterprises and a trustee of the Packard Foundation.
"When Diana started Hispanics in Philanthropy 25 years ago, Hispanics were an invisible minority, unseen and unheard in the philanthropic world," said Ubinas, the first Latino President of the Ford Foundation. "Hispanics in Philanthropy deserves credit for opening doors and for raising the question, how can business and government [continue to diversify]." Ubinas noted that several large foundations are now led by Latinos.
The honorees spoke of the importance of giving back to their communities and working for social change. O'Brien said her parents taught her "first to succeed in education and then to turn around and help others with the chances we'd been given."
Several honorees shared personal histories and family life stories that influenced their careers and their commitment to social change. Growing up in New York, Lin-Manuel Miranda said that he was either "the Puerto Rican kid" at the private elementary school he attended in Manhattan or "the kid with the gringo accent" in Washington Heights. He described his experience at Wesleyan University as "the first time that I was with other kids who were straddling American culture and Latino culture just as much as myself... and it gave me permission to write [In the Heights]. The irony of all of this, and feeling like I never fit into any community, is that I really created that community out on stage. Through the success of that show, I get to be in a room of people whose work I admire so greatly. I am honored to be recognized with these illustrious people who do so much for people with so little."
Anthony Romero was introduced by Dr. Natalia Kanem, president of ELMA Philanthropies, who called Romero a "legend in his own time" and said that his leadership of the ACLU had helped keep the United States safe and free in the years following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Romero, who was an active member of HIP before he took the helm of the ACLU, said that HIP and the evening's honorees epitomized the values of leadership, giving, and connecting. Reuniting with colleagues and friends from HIP reminded him of a saying his grandmother had told him growing up: Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres. ("Tell me who you walk with, and I'll tell you who you are.") Romero said, "And so the fact that I walk with HIP and all of you tonight is an incredible blessing and privilege if in fact it tells you who I am."
In addition to Time Warner, other sponsors of the event included the Ford Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation(R), the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Wal-Mart.
The event was part of an ongoing celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), a network of funders committed to increasing resources for Hispanic communities in the U.S. and Latin America. Over the past 25 years, HIP has raised nearly $38 million, brought together 163 funding partners, and supported nearly 500 Latino nonprofits in the U.S. and Latin America.
HIP was founded in 1983 when a handful of Latinos working in philanthropy recognized the value of coming together to encourage greater investments in Hispanic communities. More than twenty-five years later, HIP is an active network of more than 550 philanthropic leaders that has supported communities, leaders and organizations across the United States and Latin America.
SOURCE Hispanics in Philanthropy
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Latino tradition gets downsized
Economy has Latinos downsizing quinceañeras
By Leslie Berestein, SignOn San Diego, April 26, 2009
The current recession was years away when Nayely Casas' parents began saving for their oldest daughter's 15th birthday. Like many Latino parents in the United States, shortly after their daughter was born, they began dreaming and making plans for the ultimate party – her quinceañera.
Over the past few decades in this country, the Latin American coming-of-age tradition that was once a homespun celebration marked by a church service has evolved into a gala, generating business that rivals the wedding industry with specialized dress shops, photographers and emcees.
But as the economy has tightened, so have parents' budgets. And much as the wedding industry has slowed, so has spending on the cascading pastel dresses, Humvee stretch limos and elaborate ballroom banquets that have become trappings of the modern American quinceañera.
“My quinceañera was celebrated at home,” said Maria Casas, Nayely's mother, who grew up in Tijuana and now lives in Chula Vista. “It's totally different now, and you want to give them the best you can, within your budget. But we've had to think about cutting here, cutting somewhere else. We think, 'If there is more money, we can get more photos. Or maybe we'll have one video camera instead of two.' ”
Job losses, the threat of layoffs and other aspects of the recession have prompted some families to put their daughters' parties on hold, said Marco Salcedo, publisher of the San Diego edition of Quinceañeras magazine, a four-year-old Las Vegas-based magazine dedicated to quinceañeras and vendors. (One recent cover line: “A Limo: 6 Reasons Why Every Princess Deserves It.”)
The magazine, distributed in a dozen cities nationwide, is among a handful of quinceañera-related publications online and in print launched in the past few years.
“This year, the economy has really affected parents,” said Salcedo, whose magazine regularly sponsors quinceañera expos, much like bridal expos. “Many people have had to move their dates back. For girls who were going to be quinceañeras, the perfect excuse now is to wait until next year, when they're sweet 16.”
Derived from quince, the Spanish word for 15, quinceañera refers both to the girl being celebrated and the celebration. It is a tradition observed throughout Latin America and in the United States where Latino immigrants live.
At its heart is a religious ceremony, typically a Roman Catholic Mass, held to mark a girl's transition into womanhood. Decades ago, the service was followed by a simple celebration at home. While this still often holds true in rural Latin America, the after-church reception is now the far-bigger event for those who can afford it, here and abroad. As Latino immigrants in the United States have prospered, the receptions have become ever splashier.
Adding up the expenses of ballroom rental, food, decorations, dresses and tuxedos for the quinceañera and her court, entertainment, flowers, party favors and other expenses, the average event can cost at least $8,000 to $10,000, Salcedo said, on par with many wedding budgets.
Banquet managers at facilities that do quinceañera business – some offer packages, cake and flowers included – say that as with weddings, guest lists this year are shorter. Less expensive meals, such as chicken, are in demand. Some facilities have lowered prices to compete.
“People are looking for more value and bang for the buck,” said Margo Della, director of catering and sales for the Marriott hotel in Mission Valley, which does about 30 quinceañeras a year and twice as many weddings. “They'll come back to you and say, 'You know, about that ice sculpture . . . ' or, 'Can I have someone else do the cake for less?' ”
Quinceañeras have become a smaller piece of the hotel's banquet market this year than in 2007 and early 2008, said Della, whose packages start at about $30 per guest, a reduction of about 25 percent from last year.
At the California Fiestas rental hall in Chula Vista, quinceañeras continue to comprise 60 percent to 70 percent of business, banquet director Jose Luis Flores said. But while families are still booking banquet packages that run $4,000 and up, many now wait until the last minute to commit financially, he said. Flores noticed a slowdown around November, continuing into the first few months of this year.
“It was mostly because of the panic they were hearing in the news,” he said.
To be competitive, the facility began promoting Friday and Sunday bookings as an alternative to costlier Saturdays.
Rafael Aguayo, the Las Vegas-based publisher of the Quinceañeras chain, estimated that the industry nationwide has shrunk by about 15 percent since last year.
In San Diego, where the cost of living is high and numerous industries employing Latinos have slowed, quinceañera business is down by about 30 percent, Salcedo said.
“Many Hispanics have jobs tied to the construction industry, and construction has stopped,” Salcedo said. “It's logical.”
The Casas family, which derives its income from construction, has so far been spared, but not without sacrifice. Nayely's father, a project manager, spends Monday through Friday working in Las Vegas, then flies home on weekends.
It's inconvenient, but “there is more work there than there is here,” Maria Casas, 42, said. “Here, it's a little slow.”
The couple have done all right saving for Nayely's quinceañera in June. They have been putting money away for both Nayely's party and college since shortly after she was born, Casas said, and though the price tag for their daughter's 200-guest event will likely be twice the $8,000 their wedding cost 16 years ago, the party will go on.
“Her dream is going to come true,” Casas said. “She's going to have it. Even if the economy is bad, it's worth the sacrifice.”
Relatives and friends have also pitched in, Casas said. It's not uncommon for quinceañeras to enlist sponsors, referred to as madrinas and padrinos – or godparents – to help with a particular expense as a gift, such as a dress or photographs.
Cynthia Ponce of Spring Valley, whose daughter Jusel's quinceañera was this month, had help from a cadre of relatives, including a baker aunt who donated the cake.
There was a madrina for the dress, a madrina and padrino for photos and video, even sponsors for small items like the Bible she carried with her in church, said Jusel Ponce, 15. These sponsors are often thanked in the invitations.
In this case, though, “we only put in the madrina for the dress, because it would be a huge list if we put all of them there,” Jusel said. “But I plan on giving them thank-you cards.”
Sponsors are common for photos, one of the higher-ticket items, said Hugo Benson, a San Diego photographer who specializes in quinceañeras. While families cut back on other details, photos tend to be one item they keep in the budget.
“Many invest in photos or video but save on something else, like flowers or favors,” he said.
Finding sponsors is one way families ensure the festivities happen, said Charlie Bradley, a San Diego emcee and disc jockey who specializes in quinceañeras and weddings.
“And these daughters, let's face it, they expect it,” Bradley said. “I meet 9-year-old girls who look forward to their quinceañera. The economy might change drastically between now and 2015, but when the day comes, they are ready to go. They have been planning all along.”
For families with several daughters, they can't save enough. Before long, Nayely will be in college, Maria Casas said. Then by the time she's graduating, it will be about time to start preparing for their second daughter's quinceañera.
“She's 5,” Casas said. “We have 10 more years.” Leslie Berestein: (619) 542-4579; leslie.berestein@uniontrib.com
By Leslie Berestein, SignOn San Diego, April 26, 2009
The current recession was years away when Nayely Casas' parents began saving for their oldest daughter's 15th birthday. Like many Latino parents in the United States, shortly after their daughter was born, they began dreaming and making plans for the ultimate party – her quinceañera.
Over the past few decades in this country, the Latin American coming-of-age tradition that was once a homespun celebration marked by a church service has evolved into a gala, generating business that rivals the wedding industry with specialized dress shops, photographers and emcees.
But as the economy has tightened, so have parents' budgets. And much as the wedding industry has slowed, so has spending on the cascading pastel dresses, Humvee stretch limos and elaborate ballroom banquets that have become trappings of the modern American quinceañera.
“My quinceañera was celebrated at home,” said Maria Casas, Nayely's mother, who grew up in Tijuana and now lives in Chula Vista. “It's totally different now, and you want to give them the best you can, within your budget. But we've had to think about cutting here, cutting somewhere else. We think, 'If there is more money, we can get more photos. Or maybe we'll have one video camera instead of two.' ”
Job losses, the threat of layoffs and other aspects of the recession have prompted some families to put their daughters' parties on hold, said Marco Salcedo, publisher of the San Diego edition of Quinceañeras magazine, a four-year-old Las Vegas-based magazine dedicated to quinceañeras and vendors. (One recent cover line: “A Limo: 6 Reasons Why Every Princess Deserves It.”)
The magazine, distributed in a dozen cities nationwide, is among a handful of quinceañera-related publications online and in print launched in the past few years.
“This year, the economy has really affected parents,” said Salcedo, whose magazine regularly sponsors quinceañera expos, much like bridal expos. “Many people have had to move their dates back. For girls who were going to be quinceañeras, the perfect excuse now is to wait until next year, when they're sweet 16.”
Derived from quince, the Spanish word for 15, quinceañera refers both to the girl being celebrated and the celebration. It is a tradition observed throughout Latin America and in the United States where Latino immigrants live.
At its heart is a religious ceremony, typically a Roman Catholic Mass, held to mark a girl's transition into womanhood. Decades ago, the service was followed by a simple celebration at home. While this still often holds true in rural Latin America, the after-church reception is now the far-bigger event for those who can afford it, here and abroad. As Latino immigrants in the United States have prospered, the receptions have become ever splashier.
Adding up the expenses of ballroom rental, food, decorations, dresses and tuxedos for the quinceañera and her court, entertainment, flowers, party favors and other expenses, the average event can cost at least $8,000 to $10,000, Salcedo said, on par with many wedding budgets.
Banquet managers at facilities that do quinceañera business – some offer packages, cake and flowers included – say that as with weddings, guest lists this year are shorter. Less expensive meals, such as chicken, are in demand. Some facilities have lowered prices to compete.
“People are looking for more value and bang for the buck,” said Margo Della, director of catering and sales for the Marriott hotel in Mission Valley, which does about 30 quinceañeras a year and twice as many weddings. “They'll come back to you and say, 'You know, about that ice sculpture . . . ' or, 'Can I have someone else do the cake for less?' ”
Quinceañeras have become a smaller piece of the hotel's banquet market this year than in 2007 and early 2008, said Della, whose packages start at about $30 per guest, a reduction of about 25 percent from last year.
At the California Fiestas rental hall in Chula Vista, quinceañeras continue to comprise 60 percent to 70 percent of business, banquet director Jose Luis Flores said. But while families are still booking banquet packages that run $4,000 and up, many now wait until the last minute to commit financially, he said. Flores noticed a slowdown around November, continuing into the first few months of this year.
“It was mostly because of the panic they were hearing in the news,” he said.
To be competitive, the facility began promoting Friday and Sunday bookings as an alternative to costlier Saturdays.
Rafael Aguayo, the Las Vegas-based publisher of the Quinceañeras chain, estimated that the industry nationwide has shrunk by about 15 percent since last year.
In San Diego, where the cost of living is high and numerous industries employing Latinos have slowed, quinceañera business is down by about 30 percent, Salcedo said.
“Many Hispanics have jobs tied to the construction industry, and construction has stopped,” Salcedo said. “It's logical.”
The Casas family, which derives its income from construction, has so far been spared, but not without sacrifice. Nayely's father, a project manager, spends Monday through Friday working in Las Vegas, then flies home on weekends.
It's inconvenient, but “there is more work there than there is here,” Maria Casas, 42, said. “Here, it's a little slow.”
The couple have done all right saving for Nayely's quinceañera in June. They have been putting money away for both Nayely's party and college since shortly after she was born, Casas said, and though the price tag for their daughter's 200-guest event will likely be twice the $8,000 their wedding cost 16 years ago, the party will go on.
“Her dream is going to come true,” Casas said. “She's going to have it. Even if the economy is bad, it's worth the sacrifice.”
Relatives and friends have also pitched in, Casas said. It's not uncommon for quinceañeras to enlist sponsors, referred to as madrinas and padrinos – or godparents – to help with a particular expense as a gift, such as a dress or photographs.
Cynthia Ponce of Spring Valley, whose daughter Jusel's quinceañera was this month, had help from a cadre of relatives, including a baker aunt who donated the cake.
There was a madrina for the dress, a madrina and padrino for photos and video, even sponsors for small items like the Bible she carried with her in church, said Jusel Ponce, 15. These sponsors are often thanked in the invitations.
In this case, though, “we only put in the madrina for the dress, because it would be a huge list if we put all of them there,” Jusel said. “But I plan on giving them thank-you cards.”
Sponsors are common for photos, one of the higher-ticket items, said Hugo Benson, a San Diego photographer who specializes in quinceañeras. While families cut back on other details, photos tend to be one item they keep in the budget.
“Many invest in photos or video but save on something else, like flowers or favors,” he said.
Finding sponsors is one way families ensure the festivities happen, said Charlie Bradley, a San Diego emcee and disc jockey who specializes in quinceañeras and weddings.
“And these daughters, let's face it, they expect it,” Bradley said. “I meet 9-year-old girls who look forward to their quinceañera. The economy might change drastically between now and 2015, but when the day comes, they are ready to go. They have been planning all along.”
For families with several daughters, they can't save enough. Before long, Nayely will be in college, Maria Casas said. Then by the time she's graduating, it will be about time to start preparing for their second daughter's quinceañera.
“She's 5,” Casas said. “We have 10 more years.” Leslie Berestein: (619) 542-4579; leslie.berestein@uniontrib.com
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