Photo by Ryan Lely
This Sunday Sept. 16, starting at noon at the Plaza, the Vineyard Workers Services Events Committee proudly presents the most important local event for Latinos, the celebration of Mexican Independence.
The celebration includes delicious homemade taquitos, tortas, tamales, chicharrones and traditional Mexican “aguas.” There will also be an exhibit of art by Latino students from Sonoma Valley High School. Special guests El Mariachi Jalisco and La Banda El Milagro will provide musical entertainment.
The masters of ceremony duties this year will be shared by Mario Castillo from Vineyard Workers Services and Gabriel Sánchez Navarro, Spanish teacher at Sonoma Charter School and director of the local theater group Los Trovadores. The vice-consul of México, Agustín Pradio, is coming from San Francisco to lead the formal ceremony, including the traditional “Cry of Independence” at 6 p.m. This beloved event celebrates the deep cultural and historic ties between Sonoma and Mexico. People from all walks of life are encouraged to participate in a spirit of family, fun and friendship. The celebration is a nonprofit event, offered gratis to the community of Sonoma. For details please call Vineyard Workers Services at 707.933.0897.
Mendoza’s art celebrates Mexican Independence Day
Rogelio Mendoza, a Sonoma Valley High School graduate, created the drawing used for the promotional poster advertising the celebration of Mexican Independence Day. Mendoza, selected by the Vineyard Workers Services Events Committee, will also coordinate the Latino youth art exhibit at the festivities.
Mendoza’s family immigrated to Sonoma from Mexico. He now attends Santa Rosa Junior College, and hopes to transfer to the Art Institute of San Francisco.
“Everything started in May as an idea from Vineyard Workers Services to find the work of Latino students in our community,” said Diego Garcia, vice-president of the Vineyard Workers Services Events Committee. “In a visit to Sonoma Valley High School, Tony Garcia and I had the opportunity to see Mendoza’s paintings and we were impressed.”
After Diego Garcia and Tony Garcia met Mendoza they decided to collaborate on a project for Mexican Independence Day that could involve Latino students from the high school. “The students will be able to show and sell their art pieces at the celebration on Sunday,” said Diego Garcia. “We want to support these young people, to encourage them to stay in school, and also to help them find that they can express themselves and experience success through art.”
Event Schedule
Noon
Latin jazz with The Alex Garcia JazzTet
Celebration begins, food booths and exhibits open.
1 p.m.
Mariachi Jalisco
This popular group plays a wide range of music and has been performing at the Mexican Independence Day celebration for many years.
3 p.m.
Local entertainment
Featuring dance performances, a talent contest and local entertainer George Webber.
4 p.m.
Ballet Folkloric Nezahualcoyotl
This dance company performs regularly at local festivals and community events and was founded in San Rafael in 1996. Director Netza Vidal, born in Nayarit, studied at the acclaimed Escuela de la Danza Mexicana and was a member of the Ballet Folklorico Mexcaltitan.
5 p.m.
Banda El Milagro
This talented 19-member band from Santa Rosa is well-known throughout Northern California and is a special favorite of the Latino community.
6 p.m.
Formal Ceremony
The Formal Ceremony features Mexican and American hymns and the traditional “Cry of Independence” by Agustín Pradio, the vice-consul of Mexico in San Francisco.
6:45 p.m.
Banda El Milagro
8 p.m. – Event closes.
