Uncategorized

Latin America Culture Fest Sizzles

The sights, sounds, and smells of Latin America converged on the Cincinnati Museum Center on November 1 and 2 as the third annual Latin American Culture Fest took place. The festival featured music from Patricia Paz, an Argentinean singer, Latin Salsa from Salsa Caliente, and Son Corazon performing Jazz. There were also various dance demonstrations such as Argentine Tango, Columbian folk dance, and a beautiful demonstration of traditional Panamanian dance.Other activities included Family Fiesta Time, interactive learning, food, art, and shopping. Family Fiesta Time allowed children to celebrate Latin culture through crafts, music, and games. One of the interactive learning sessions that adults took part in was “Ojo de Dios.” The demonstrators showed how to make these “eyes of God” as is traditionally done in Mexico and Bolivia, and then explained why it is done. The culture fest also had a marketplace where traditional Latin American items were sold, and a Latin food sampling that let you taste the wares of various Latin countries.

But of all the events, displays, and demonstrations, the Spanish class of Professor Kirsten Nigro of UC’s Clifton Campus, created one of the best. They constructed a “Day of the Dead Altar” in the spirit of the Mexican the holiday “El Dia de los Muertos.” The students dedicated the altar to the memory of the seven astronauts who died in the space shuttle Columbia, as well as Cuban singer Celia Cruz who died in July.

The Latin American Culture Fest 2003 was a great learning experience and a terrific time. And with all of that culture going on you almost forgot you were still in Cincinnati. If you missed this festival the Cincinnati Museum Center will be hosting an African Culture Fest in January which should be every bit as exciting.