By Frank X. Moraga • AmigosNAZ
It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend and folks are getting ready to celebrate and recognize the holiday in their own way.
For some, the holiday is just another reason to head to the local bar and knock down a Mexican beer, ala the recent TV commercial showing the new “Most Interesting Man in the World” outlasting a competitor in a chile pepper-eating competition this Cinco de Mayo.
What that has to do with the 1862 victory by Mexican defenders in the Battle of Puebla against a vastly superior French invasion force, who knows?
More appropriate celebration efforts feature music, dance and cultural history. If that is more toward your liking try these:
Micky Cruz performing his twist of Cumbia, Salsa and Reggae “Cumbegue,” a combination that creates a strong and danceable beat, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6 at the Twin Arrows Casino Resort, between Flagstaff and Winslow on I-40. Before his performance on Saturday you can also catch Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. televised live at the Arrows Sports Bar. Chavez is the son of famed Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez.
Cinco de Mayo featuring Vox Urbana and Rock Nine on Friday, May 5 at the Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8. Tickets are $8.50.
Vox Urbana is a seven-piece band that combines Latin-based sounds with stories and experiences that occur in the Arizona/Sonora border region, according to the group’s media release. The bi-national band is based in Tucson, Arizona and has been creatively narrating stories of the border community since 2010. The band’s original repertoire breaks any language barrier through its 100% danceable grooves. Vox Urbana’s instrumentation consists of guitar, keyboard, sax, trombone, bass guitar, congas, and drums. As a collective composing body, Vox Urbana continuously aims to learn and expand its musical influences. Among the musical styles found in the band’s sound and identity is a meztizaje of ethnic sounds such as Huapango (Southern Mexico), Cumbia (Colombia), Chicha (Peru), Cha-cha-cha (Cuba), along with a variety of electronic textures such as synthesizers and voice effects. Such musical recipe guarantees a high-energy performance, as well as a culturally fruitful experience to younger and older audience in the U.S./Mexico region.
Rock Nine features lead singer and Flagstaff resident Dina Barnese, guitar player “Too Tall” John Lutz, bassist Ray Flagg and drummer Ward Bailey.
The Twin Arrows Casino Resort then goes all at this Cinco de Mayo weekend with “Latin Night” featuring performances of Los Kortez de Sinaloa and Tropicalismo Apache Official, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting 8 on Saturday, May 6. General admission tickets are $25. Click here for more information.
The celebration shifts outdoors with the annual Cinco de Mayo and Fiesta del Tlaquepaque from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in Sedona.
Ritmo Latino will perform on May 6 at Tlaquepaque. AmigosNAZ file photo.
Enjoy the festivities while cheering and whistling to the music of mariachi musicians, clapping to the steps of Folklorico dancers and savoring traditional Mexican food, organizers reported. Stop in and be a judge at the Great Sedona Chili Cook- Off.
Entertainment includes:
Tlaquepaque North:
- Mariachi Familia Rojas — 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Eric Miller — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Anthony Mazzella and the Old Souls — 4 to 6 p.m.
Patio Del Norte:
- Gaetano Frankel of Mosaico Flamenco — 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Mariachi Familia Rojas — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Jaleo Band — 3 to 5 p.m.
Patio de La Fuente:
- Ballet Folklorico La Paloma Internacional — 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Patio de Las Campanas:
- David Merino — 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Ritmo Latino — 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Patio de Las Rosas:
- Mariachi Familia Rojas — 10 a.m. to noon
There will be free Face Painting for the kids and Free Pinata Breaking in our Patio de Las Campanas 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Another way to learn about Latino culture is the ongoing “Todos Unidos: The Hispanic Experience in Flagstaff” exhibit presented by the Arizona Historical Society and the Pioneer Museum, 2340 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff. ]The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday and most state holidays through May. Admission is $6 for adults, $65 for those age 65, $3 for ages 7 to 17 and free for those age 6 and under.
Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2017
This exhibit focuses on how Hispanic residents experienced Flagstaff from the 1880s to 1950s. Todos Unidos is an opportunity to explore a wide range of complex historical issues interpreted through unique objects and immersive text. The exhibit presents the connection between past and current topics facing our community.
Debuting with Todos Unidos is “Cuseum” – a new way of interacting with visitors. Cuseum is a digital curator mobile device application adding depth and experience for visitors to enjoy with the exhibit. Cuseum is a free downloadable smart phone app that will assist visitors in the exploration of Flagstaff’s communities. By providing access to exclusive exhibit media content and location based notifications, visitors can continue their museum experience long after they leave Pioneer Museum.
To download the Cuseum app for Todos Unidos, click here.
Of course responsible partying is always an option so how about celebrating Cinco de Mayo high above Flagstaff at the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort. AZCentral reports that the biggest snowfall in 12 years has allowed the resort to remain open for the Cinco de Mayo holiday for the first time in its history.
The celebration at the resort, during its final weekend, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 5 through 7 featuring a live DJ from 1 to 4 p.m., tacos and enchiladas, and drink specials on the Agassiz Lodge deck. The retail store will offer up to 75 percent off winter outerwear and other merchandise Friday through Sunday.
On Sunday, Canyon Diablo Spirits will offer tastings of Grand Canyon Vodka, Sonoran Rose Vodka, Desert Rain Gin, and their new Grand Canyon Whiskey from 2 to 4 p.m. on the deck.
As usual, AmigosNAZ urges folks to drink responsibly and have a designated driver, especially considering visitors will have to navigate down that winding mountain road.
Visit Arizonasnowbowl.com or call 928-779-1951.
Cinco De Mayo & First Friday with DJ Bear Cole at Majerle’s Sports Grill, 102 E. Route 66, Flagstaff from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Let’s celebrate Cinco De Mayo & First Friday in Downtown Flagstaff Together. DJ Bear Cole will be playing a set full of Latin Dance, Moombahton, Reggaeton, Modern Dance & Hip-Hop, mixed with a little bit of Tejano, Salsa, and Classic Dance Music. Come Celebrate your Cinco de Mayo, Southwest Heritage, and the energy of Mexican & Latin Dance with us! Let’s keep Downtown Flagstaff Eclectic & Fun! Mexican-themed beer specials. Visit 928-774-6463 for more information.
Coming up:
Crossing Borders, a fundraiser for No Mas Muertos, will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Coconino Center for the Arts, 2300 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff. Please come join us at our Crossing Borders concert, a fundraiser for No Mas Muertos. We will be singing songs about crossing borders, be they physical, mental, spiritual, or other. We will be joined by the Nau Mariachi group Mar Y Sol, Ed Kabotie, and other special guests. No Mas Muertos is a humanitarian organization that seeks to end death and suffering in the Mexico–US borderlands through civil initiative: people of conscience working openly and in community to uphold fundamental human rights. Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $12 at the door. Children under 12 free. Visit http://www.flagstaffsings.com/schedule.html or call (928) 779-2300 for more information.
Metalachi will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at The Museum Club, 3404 E. Route 66, Flagstaff. Admission is $10. Visit http://metalachi.com/about-us/ for more information.- The Greenroom Flagstaff presents La Inédita, Peruvian Chica, Hip Hop, Dancehall, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. Click here for more information.
- The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff will present its 22nd annual Fiesta de Mayo on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21 at the Greenlaw Village Shopping Center on 4th Street.
The event features live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, a carnival and dancing. - Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present its annual Summertime Tardeada from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Entertainment includes DJ Music – Oldies starting at 11 a.m., Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico de Holbrook, Northern Latin Express, Mariachi Inspiracion de Tucson, Ballet Folklorico de Colores de Flagstaff, Mariachi Herencia Musical de Tucson, along with an oldies car show, Veterans Recognition and Raffles. Visit http://www.flagstaffnuestrasraices.org for more information.