May 3, 2005
Del Mar College Spanish Club Hosting La Fiesta del Cinco de Mayo with Dancing
and Music by Ray High School Ballet Folklórico and El Mariachi Jalisco
on May 4
Celebration giving College and community one-day head start on annual holiday
observance
WHAT: La Fiesta del Cinco de Mayo, hosted by the Del Mar College Spanish
Club
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 4
WHERE: Harvin Student Center, first floor, Del Mar College East Campus,
Ayers at Kosar (campus map available at www.delmar.edu/maps/east.html)
VISUALS: From the singing of both the American and Mexican national
anthems and a reading about the significance of May 5 to traditional mariachi
music, ballet folklorico and refreshments–including Mexican snacks, the
Del Mar College Spanish Club’s annual observance of Cinco de Mayo will
give participants a taste of how celebrations will occur across Mexico and
the U.S.-Mexican border on Thursday, May 5.
FYI: Del Mar College’s Spanish Club, a registered student organization,
continues their tradition of sponsoring the institution’s annual Cinco
de Mayo celebration. This year, participants can get a head start on their
observance of the annual holiday with the club providing a two-hour celebration
one day early–May 4–in the College’s Harvin Student Center.
The free event, which is open to the public, will celebrate Mexican culture
as well as commemorate the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Among event highlights
are Ray High School Ballet Folklorico’s dance performances of Baile del
Norte, México Romántico/Canciones y Bailables and El Jarabe
Tapatio (Mexican hat dance). Additionally, El Mariachi Jalisco will perform
with the dance group as well as play Tú Solo Tú, Amor Eterno
and Canciones Alegres. Activities also inlcude Spanish Club president Roxanne
Bower reading “The Fifth of May” to explain the significance of
the holiday.
Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, commemorates the Mexican Army’s defeat of the
French during the Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla). While Mexico won its
independence nearly 50 years earlier, the Cinco de Mayo holiday represents
Mexican unity and patriotism during a time of French occupation.
Today, the holiday brings individuals together to celebrate culture with dance,
music and food.
CONTACT: Carla Chapa, DMC Spanish instructor and Spanish Club advisor,
at 361/698-1222
-DMC-mce