36 BLOCKS OF CINCO DE MAYO.Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer SOME 500,000 people will converge on 36 square blocks of downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or Sunday for the biggest Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo (Spanish; “Fifth of May”) Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862. The French army, better-equipped and far larger than the Mexican army, had been sent by Napoleon III to conquer Mexico. kickoff in the country. Fiesta Broadway, now in its 13th year, commemorates more than Mexico's historic defeat over the French army during 1862's Battle of Puebla Noun 1. Battle of Puebla - a battle in which Mexican forces defeated the French in 1862 Mexico, United Mexican States - a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810 . It celebrates the diversity of L.A.'s growing Latin community, not all of whom are of Mexican heritage. This is reflected in the event's sampling of Latin cuisine stands, sprawling exhibits such as one on the World Cup and, most noticeable of all, its world-class entertainment. Six concert stages will simultaneously feature the music of artists such as undisputed queen of salsa Celia Cruz Celia Cruz (October 21 1925 – July 15 2003) was an Afro-Cuban-American salsa singer who spent most of her career living in New Jersey, and working in the United States and several Latin American countries. , Italian pop star Laura Pausini, Puerto Rican vocalist Luis Fonsi and Mexico's celebrated Banda el Recodo Banda Sinaloense el Recodo de Don Cruz Lizárraga, often referred to as Banda el Recodo or simply La Banda Sinaloense (Spanish: "the Sinaloan Band") is one of the best-known Mexican banda groups. ; the latter will serve as Fiesta Broadway's grand marshal. Tenor Daniel Rodriguez, the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of policeman on duty Sept. 11 when the World Trade Center Twin Towers collapsed, will kick off the festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. with his stirring operatic rendition of ``The Star-Spangled Banner.'' Fiesta Broadway began when Univision's KMEX (Channel 34) was approached by then-L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley's office to create a kickoff event for all Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Larry Gonzalez, executive producer of Fiesta Broadway for the past nine years, was KMEX station manager at the time of Fiesta Broadway's inception. ``What we decided to do was put together a small street festival downtown to bring greater attention and give greater exposure to Broadway, knowing that business section is a major thoroughfare for Latino shoppers,'' Gonzalez said. The event lost money in the beginning, but, thanks to Gonzalez, who went on to found All Access Entertainment with his business partner, Peter Bellas, Fiesta Broadway has flourished. Today, it's a tradition for many in L.A.'s Spanish-speaking community to attend this Cinco de Mayo celebration, if not for the party atmosphere then for the music. Abraham Contreras, talent coordinator for Fiesta Broadway, said that a free concert event of this magnitude doesn't come along every day. ``You're not going to see Alejandra Guzman and Celia Cruz together in one place, for free, anywhere else in the country, the world,'' he said. The event also features the performances of newcomers such as Jorge Moreno, a 27-year-old Cuban-American artist whose Latin alternative songs resulted in his getting signed with the Latin branch of Madonna's Maverick label. Speaking from his home in Miami, Moreno said that the international lineup at L.A.'s Cinco de Mayo celebration is proof that music transcends borders. ``Music is music, and it's melody and it's sound, which evokes an emotion, and it shouldn't be limited to language or culture,'' he said. ``That's the beautiful thing.'' FIESTA BROADWAY Featuring: Banda el Recodo, Celia Cruz, Charlie Zaa, Alejandra Guzman, Paquita la del Barrio Paquita la del Barrio (rough English translation: "Frannie from the neighborhood") is the stage name of Francisca Viveros Barradas, a Mexican singer of rancheras and other Mexican styles. , Jose Luis Rodriguez, Christian Castro, Luis Fonsi, Ziroq, Vilma Palma Palma or Palma de Mallorca (päl`mä thā mälyôr`kä), city (1990 pop. 325,120), capital of Majorca island and of Baleares prov., Spain, on the Bay of Palma. and more. Where: Broadway, between First and 11th streets, downtown Los Angeles. When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. How much: Free. CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1) Celia Cruz (2) Alejandra Guzman (3) Charlie Zaa (4) Jorge Moreno |
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