Hispanic Heritage Celebration downtown Lee
LEE, Mass. - People of all ethnicities will come together September 26, 2009 for the Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the First Congregational Church Park, Main Street, Lee, MA. The diverse Latino community will assemble that Saturday to remember their varied traditions. Our celebration begins in the morning with dancing in the Lee Founder’s Day Parade. At 4:00 PM the 14th Annual Festival Latino of the Berkshires begins its 4-hour presentation by Latin American folkloric dancers who perform stunning dances in beautifully crafted, colorful costumes.
The program features folkloric dance companies from many different Latin American countries. Through their performances and music, the dancers entertain and educate the audience with the ceremonies, rituals, and stories of these exceptionally rich cultures. Delicious ethnic Latin American dishes will be available from local vendors. The festival is free of charge, and open to the public. Everyone is invited to enjoy this celebration of Latin American culture! Faculty and students of all Berkshire County schools are especially invited and encouraged to attend.
The most talented and accomplished Folkloric Ballets in the Northeast come to the official Berkshires celebration of the federal Hispanic Heritage Month. Performers from “Expresiones de Chile,” the only folkloric ballet from Chile in New York City, will showcase music and dances from Chile, including the national dance “La Cueca.” The Ecuadorian Andean culture will be represented by “Nukanchik Sapi-Ayazamana,” from Long Island, and “Ballet Folklorico Mexicano Nuestra Señora del Refugio,” of the Bronx, Nueva YorkBronx. Dance troupes include “La Sociedad Cultural Colombo American” from Pawtucket RI, “Salsa con Clase” from Springfield MA, and the Berkshire Multicultural Dancers, among other local artists who will perform. D.J. Albaro will provide music for dancing. Ethnic dishes such as lechona, tacos, chorizos, arepas, tamales, empanadas, horneado and pupusas will be on sale
As the only event in the area that brings so many Latinos together to take pride in their heritage, we welcome donations to defray the expenses of producing 2009 Festival Latino and maintaining the Festival’s artistic excellence at Latino Festival Fund c/o Berkshire Taconic Foundation, P.O. Box 1021, Lee, MA 01238. Organizers continue to seek businesses to become sponsors wishing to inform the community about their services and reach thousands of Latinos residents all over Western Massachusetts. Your tax-deductible gift is deeply appreciated.After 9:30 PM, the Festival will continue with dancing at Bogies, Main St., Great Barrington, featuring a live Latin band from New York led by salsa phenomenon Charlie Cajares & his Salsa Ensemble, El Abogado de la Salsa (formerly of Las Estrellas de Niche and Los Latin Brothers) Also appearing: Charlie Cajares, originally from Cali, Colombia, a singer, composer and percussionist, featuring Salsa, Tropical Cumbias, Mambo & Merengue; D.J. Albaro Francisco Cover Charge $20.00 will help meet Festival expenses ~ ID Required
For further information please contact Gladis Rave at 413-329-0206 or Liliana Ortiz-Bermúdez at 413-243-3961. Please visit us on our website at www.festivallatino.org.
