Bilingual Weekly
culture
Cultural Connection through Dancing at Pacific
“Dancers carefully execute complicated footwork while maneuvering intricate waves through the gathered ruffles of their skirts.” -Lorena Becerra
www.bilingualweekly.com | By Mayra Barrios
STOCKTON, CA – (bw) Lorena Becerra smiles softly as she twirls her multicolored ruffled skirt along the music.
Ballet folkloriaco a broadly used term to describe all forms of Mexican folk dancing combines elements of the Mexican history, folklore and culture with rhythm and body movement.
Mexican folk dancing has been around for hundreds of years,” said Becerra a dancer with more than 20 years of experience is part of Los Danzantes de Pacific and is also a Spanish Professor at the University of The Pacific.
OPINON: Rest In Peace Mexican Comedian Gaspar Henaine “Capulina”
Por E. Buendia
I recently learned of the death of Gaspar Henaine better known along the artistic world as “Capulina” [Famous Mexican big screen comedian]; a man with a distinct ingenuity in its jokes. He knew how to make his audience laugh without being vulgar.
Festival seeks To Educate on the Corn Crisis in Mexico
www.bilingualweekly.com | “We are the children of the corn, [is] what represented the Aztecs, “said Jonathan Sanchez, instructor of the Aztec dance group Ocelotl, after performing at the Festival.
But the future for Mexican corn farmers and the meaningful crop is uncertain.
- Aztec Dancer at the Corn Festival by Mayra Barrios
by Mayra Barrios (bw) SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – Cristina Gonzales spent her childhood learning about the native corn production alongside her father in Michoacán, Mexico.
Today, Gonzales is part of Los Hijos Migrantes del Maiz (Migrant Children of the Corn); a committee that has organized the Corn Festival in Stockton in the last four years — a festival which this year took place at Taft Park on Sunday August 28. Continue reading
Independence for Mexican Arts Organization
ith more than 7,500 square feet, the location, “offers further growth in potential partnerships, fundraising events, dance classes, exhibits, education and a coffee shop,” envisioned Gracie Madrid Treasurer of the Center.
- Illustration of Angelique at the Mexican Heritage Center by Ra.
www.bilingualweekly.com | by Sarah Lippincott
(bw) STOCKTON,C A — Reflecting in a Mirror at the Mexican heritage Center’s dance hall, Angelique Grijabla- a dance instructor for children, practices her dance moves. It is both a look into the future for the Mexican Heritage Center and a figurative look into the past. Continue reading
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Quinceañeras: Redefine Rite of Passage Celebrations Paying a High Tab.
www.bilingualweekly.com (bwnews) SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA – Obdulia Chavez, owner of Stockton’s based Vanessa’s Decoration takes detailed information to ensure that she makes dreams to a reality. For over 8-years Chavez has fined tuned her specialty in understanding her clients — 15-year-old teens who dream of having their Quinceñera parties (Tradicional Latino 15th Birthday parties similar to a Sweet Sixteen), “Every year the demand for more specialized themes challenges the industry,” explained Chavez. Continue reading
Cantinflas: At 100 years of his birth, 28 of his visit to Stockton…
www.bilingualweekly.com | Special to bw by Roberto Radrigán
Stockton, CA -This month the Spanish-speaking world remembers one of its most beloved comedians and film actors of all time. Mario Moreno —known to most as Cantinflas— would be a 100 this August if he was still among us.
I met Cantinflas, here, in Stockton. The year was 1983 and on that warm September night the Stockton Metropolitan Airport was full of life like never before —and probably never after. Thousands of local residents —most of them Mexican and Mexican Americans— arrived to see up-close the arrival of a legend they had seen only projected on the screen.
After a brief ceremony that included receiving the Keys to the City from the mayor, Arnold Rue, Cantinflas started his three-day stay in the city-by-the-tules.
Cantinflas had not come to Stockton to work in the fields, but to share the stage with Mexican ballad singer Jose Maria Napoleon on a fundraiser benefitting Catholic Charities’ local programs. Cantinflas was the only —out of a long list of stars that were approached— to come for free.
At the many receptions Moreno attended in those two feverish days, he signed autographs and posed for photos with everyone who succeeded on breaking through a weak barrier of volunteers. Opposed to his well-known character, Moreno wore an expensive suit most of the time… but the back of his shirt was always hanging out.
Cantinflas was a pious man and was not to miss his Sunday’s mass, so St. Mary’s Parish Father Fernando Villalobos had to resort to every chair available in the Diocese to accommodate attendees— who overflowed the church across Washington Street and way under the Crosstown Freeway.
The final event at the Stockton Civic Auditorium on September 4th was more than sold-out; people ringed the building just to hear or get a glimpse of Cantinflas… Napoleon’s $10K show was an expensive intro for the one who everyone wanted to see and hear. Then the whole thing bombed: the tapes Moreno had brought to playback his singing did not match the Auditorium’s sound system… the music started and no voice came out. Moreno couldn’t sing, but Cantinflas came to his rescue: with humor and charisma he improvised the show —that included a sampling of his trademark nonsense speeches— and the people just loved it! It was a long night, for Moreno never left without obliging to his fans.
When he finally boarded the plane to exit the county forever, Cantinflas had drawn a smile on the face of thousands of local Hispanics who —for at least a couple days—felt they were part of a movie. Amongst those whom were able to enjoy his visit up-close, he left a difficult-to-explain “good-feeling” that lasted days after his departure.
It could be that Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” was the genius so many claim he was, or maybe he was just a good actor playing a routine that guaranteed him the laughs, only time will tell. What is certain is that everyone I know in Stockton who experienced that iconic visit in 1983 has never forgotten the smallest details.
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Arts and Education Advocate contracted as Interim Executive Director
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA — On August 15, 2011, the Mexican Heritage Center & Gallery (MHC&G) board of directors voted unanimously to contract Stockton native and arts-advocate Joel Reyna Jr. as interim Executive Director.
Five Community Members Inducted into Mexican American Hall of Fame
Photos by Arturo Vera
Stockton, CA — two education advocates, one devoted religious volunteer, one health care champion and a dedicated community member form the five exemplary community members being inducted into the 2011 Mexican American Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 27th. The Hall of Fame recipients are:
Chis Isaak honored in Stockton Arts Awards
Stockton, CA -Thursday, Sept. 29th, at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel (formerly called the Lexington) the Stockton Arts Commission will dedicate a night to honoring some of Stockton’s leading artists, art patrons and volunteers in the annual Arts Awards Celebration. Continue reading
The Mexican Consulate opens its doors to Students
www.bilingualweekly.com by Mayra Barrios
Mayra Barrios (bw) — Sacramento, CA
The Mexican Consul, Carlos Gonzales Gutierrez, met on Monday with university students in an open forum at the recently established Mexican Consulate location in Sacramento. Continue reading
CHANGES IN THE TIDE: Gallery Explores New Walls
STOCKTON, CA -
The Tidewater Art Gallery is planning on a rotating art exhibit in the County Administration Building in Downtown Stockton. According to Artist and Board Member Denny Ah-Tye the County Administration exhibits will last through the summer for the Art Walks and hopes “to pursuit exhibiting long term in the county building.” Ah-Tye shared his gratitude as, “they [county staff] are giving us the opportunity during these summer months to display Tidewater artwork.”
17 TO RECEIVE STOCKTON ARTS GRANTS AWARDS
Stockton, CA – Seventeen artists and arts groups will receive grants totaling $50,000 from the Stockton Arts Commission for 2011-12. The checks will be handed out at a City Council
meeting in July.
El Corazon de Mexico Visita el Bob Hope
Stockton, CA –
Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 PM the Bob Hope Theatre will host Corazón de México (Heart of Mexico) by dance company Compañia Mazatlán Bellas Artes(CMBA) under the direction of Steven Valencia.
New Library Marks 73 Anniversary
Bilingual Weekly
STOCKTON, CA – 73 years later La Comission Honorifica Mexicana (Honorific Mexican Commission) known as “La Jamaica” —one of the pioneer Latino agencies in Stockton— launches a public library during their anniversary celebration.
C.S. Lewis Evening at the Gallo
Bilingual Weekly
MODESTO, CA – David Payne’s esteemed one-man show, “An Evening with C.S. Lewis,” will come to the Gallo Center for the Arts on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. Payne has performed for sold-out crowds throughout the U.S. and Europe, delivering a message of encouragement, hope and redemption. Continue reading
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