IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6-06-06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION
SILVER CITY--Chicano culture, music, and customs will be celebrated with a fandango planned as part of the Chicano Institute from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, at the Western New Mexico University Old James Stadium.
Entertainment includes a car show, ballet folklorico, music, food booths, and a tattoo contest. The mistress of ceremonies will be Patricia Cano, WNMU professor of Spanish and Chicano studies.
The Devotion Car Club will have a number of award-winning cars and bikes on display throughout the day.
A community mural will be created beginning at 11 a.m. Armando Cepeda, a well-known California mural artist plans to involve individuals attending the event. The finished product will be temporarily displayed at the Multicultural Affairs/Student Activities Office until a permanent location for the mural is determined.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m., WNMU student and award-winning mariachi singer, Jessica Juarez, will perform. She is a 2006 graduate of Deming High School and plans to begin attending classes at WNMU in the fall. She was a member of the mariachi band from Deming High School.
The Ballet Folklorico Tierra del Encanto led by Jose Tena, founder and artistic director, and the Mariachi Rayos del Sol will perform from noon to 1:30 p.m. The two Las Cruces groups will perform a variety of dances and music from different regions in Mexico.
Individuals are encouraged to show off their tattoos during a tattoo contest to be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in five different categories. Anyone interested in showing off his or her tattoos should sign-in at the Information Booth.
“We want to acknowledge tattoos as part of the culture. Tattoos are an art form that celebrates spiritual connections, self-expression, family, and often tells a story. We would like to see a number of people come share their art with us,” said Maria Dominguez, Multicultural Affairs/Student Activities Director.
At 2:30 p.m. the Ballet Folklorico de Bayard Elementary led by director Margaret Lopez will perform.
Silver City native and singer Andrew Dalh-Bredine will perform songs in Spanish and other Latino styles beginning at 3 p.m.
Ricardo Medrano, Bayard native and WNMU student, will perform mariachi music at 3:30 p.m.
At 4:30 p.m. A2 Entertainment presents “Latino Stand-Up Hip Hop Talent” featuring Aaron Amador, DJ Seven & CEO. This event will feature a number of local Chicano rappers.
Concluding the day’s events will be a dance beginning at 6 p.m. featuring the local band, Illusion, led by Monica and Rick Garcia of Bayard. The band will perform Spanish music cumbias, rancheras and more.
“We encourage the community to join us in celebrating Chicanos, who are culturally and spiritually, and our roots. This is an event for families to bring their lawn chairs and plan on spending the day with us,” said Dominguez.
The performances and activities are all free of charge. If an organization would like to have a food booth or sell items as a fundraiser, please contact Maria Dominguez at 538-6611. There is no charge for the booth space.
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