CINCO DE MAYO EVENTS TO TOAST CULTURE.Byline: Mary Beth Alexander Daily News Staff Writer Local 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. 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. will kick off today with activities at Cal State Northridge and Northridge Park. Other celebrations are planned throughout the weekend in several sections of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . Cinco De Mayo or May 5 commemorates the day in 1862 when outnumbered Mexican troops defeated the French at the 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 . Although it's a minor holiday in Mexico compared with Independence Day, Sept. 16, it has become a popular observance in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . ``I think the reason it's celebrated here, it's more a celebration for the community and its culture,'' said Cal State Northridge Chicano Studies Chicano studies is an academic discipline. Like most branches of Ethnic studies, it incorporates aspects of various other disciplines, including history, sociology, psychology, and literary and textual analyses from the academic studies of the English and Spanish languages. Professor Raul Ruiz. ``It lends itself for celebrating Mexican culture day.'' Today, Cal State Northridge will host a noon festival in the Student Union's Court of Community near the center of the campus, 18111 Nordhoff St. Sponsored by several student organizations on campus, the celebration will include performances by solo percussionist CoCo Villalobos; 7-year-old singer Tatiana Bolanos; mariachi musicians Alma De Mexico Aerolíneas Mesoamericanas (Commercial name: ALMA de Mexico) is a just - cost airline based in Guadalajara, Mexico. It operates services to more than 18 domestic destinations, with future plans for international services to the USA. ; and Ballet Folklorico Las Rosas. The production is free and open to the public. At San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. Park, 208 Park Ave., a ceremony and celebration will be held from noon to 3 p.m., and feature guest speakers, magicians, mariachi music, singers and folklorico dancing performed by elementary school students. The event is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the San Fernando Mental Health Center, who will provide free information on available services. Other celebrations showcasing Mexican music, dance and food are scheduled throughout the weekend. They include: On Friday, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, home of famed Olveras Street, will launch its traditional three-day Cinco de Mayo fiesta, transforming the historic district into a giant carnival. The celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. all three days. Friday, noon to 2 p.m., a Cinco de Mayo Health Fair in front of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 5601 De Soto Ave., Woodland Hills, will include information booths, catered ``healthy'' Mexican food, mariachi music and Aztec Indian Dancers. The event is free. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., mariachi bands, pinatas and folklorico dancing will be featured at the La Fiesta celebration at the Guadalupe Community Center, 21600 Hart St., Canoga Park. Admission is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. All ages are welcome, and proceeds will help fund the purchase of a new playground for the center. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Sam's Club's First Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, 12920 Foothill Blvd., will feature music, food booths and live entertainment. The Latino Marrow Donor Program will provide education, and free blood testing for all minorities interested in becoming bone marrow donors. Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., a fiesta sponsored by the San Fernando High School San Fernando High School, located in San Fernando, California, is a secondary school that is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school colors are black and gold. All girl teams are referred to as Lady Tigers, all boy teams simply as Tigers. Centennial Committee will be held at the school, 11133 O'Melveny Ave. Mariachis, Aztec dancers and Ballet Folklorico will entertain. Children 9 and under are free; admission is $3 for ages 10 and over. |
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