Chicano Park Celebration Next Weekend

From the latest Calaca Press newsletter:

35th CHICANO PARK DAY CELEBRATION APRIL 23RD

“LA GUERRA ESTA AQUI - 35TH CHICANO PARK DAY” is the theme of the 35th Annual Chicano Park Day on Saturday, April 23, 2005, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, in historic Chicano Park, located in the Barrio Logan community, south of downtown San Diego. This family celebration is free and open to the public.

Established by Chicano activists on April 22, 1970, Chicano Park has received international recognition as a major public art site for its commanding mural paintings of the past and present struggle of Mexican and Chicano history.

This year’s Chicano Park Day Anniversary Celebration is dedicated to the memory of five of our past members & supporters who passed away this past year. The most influential Chicano leader of all time, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, the “Father of Chicano Music” Lalo Guerrero, the great poet Phil Goldvarg, artist Tony De Vargas and Brown Beret Danny Cavada. They will be honored during our flag raising ceremony.

Visitors to Chicano Park Day will experience traditional music and dance, including one of the most beautiful performances of Aztec indigenous dance with dancers from throughout the U.S. and Mexico, coordinated by Toltecas En Aztlan. Live bands like LOS PELUDOS, LOS NATIVOS, POUND DOG, AGUA DULCE, ACTEAL, PEACE x PIECE, GRUPO FANTASMA & LEDESMA BROS. ALSO MUSIC BY MARIACHI JUVENIL MEXICO, LOS ROMANTICOS, MARIACHI GREIGO, & KORYN CUEVAS. GRUPO FOLKLORICO TAPATIO, BALLET FOLKLORICO YAQUI, GRUPO FOLKLORICO CHICANO, GRUPO FOLKLORICO CHICANO-YOUTH. AND KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FERNANDO SUAREZ DEL SOLAR AND HERMAN BACA. Plus poetry by MARK GONZALEZ, AMALIA ORTIZ, EMMANUEL ORTIZ, MARISSA RAIGOZA and MICHAEL CHENO WICKERT. In addition, there will be a display of classic low rider cars presented by Amigos Car Club, and children’s activities, which includes the FERN STREET CIRCUS. Food, T-shirts, and arts & crafts vendors will be selling their specialties throughout Chicano Park, as well as informational booths.

Chicano Park is located off Interstate 5 (Cesar Chavez Parkway), under the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge.

For further information, please call (619) 563-4661, or e-mail at cpscchicanopark@ixpres.com, or visit our web site is www.chicano-park.org.