Oscar Vigil
Latino culture adds flavour to summer in Toronto.
Color, rhythm, taste and passion define the contribution that Latin American culture gives Canadian melting pot, especially during the summer months, when the senses are intensified.
One of the most important festivals celebrating Latin American culture is the Mexican Cultural Festival (June 28), which was appropriately titled this year “Canada Day the Mexican Way “ given its proximity the July 1st. Canada Day celebration.
CANADA DAY THE MEXICAN DAY
The festivities took place at Dundas Square (Yonge and Dundas). It was a free event for not the Mexican and Latin American community of Toronto but also for the many Torontonians and tourists interested in experiencing a rich and vivid culture.
Among the artists participating who participated this year include: Group Dance Azteca Tonantzin; Musical Group Tequila; Singer Esther Sierra; Salsa Music Group; Mariachi Viva Mexico; Group Dance Alliance; Singer Jaime Elizondo; Dueto Xavier and Vivian; Company Mexican Folk Dance; Dancers of Danzon Alejandra and Emanuel; Singer Miguel Monroy; Dance Group Puro Mexico; Musical Group Homeless; singer Rosita Stone; Mariachi Mexico Friend; Musical Group Dirty Mary.
As usual, one of the main attractions of this festival was the exhibition of a replica of the Mexican pyramid of Chichen Itza, which marks a very Latin American stamp on the city of Toronto for several hours.
RHYTHM AND COLOR FESTIVAL
Another Latino cultural festival in Canada is the Rhythm and Color Festival (July 11-13), which takes place at Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West, Toronto), representing some of the most elite groups that Hispanics exist in the country.
During this festival, art lovers and culture enjoy dance, music, painting, cinema, theatre and a host of events that reveal the ancestral Latin American contemporary.
This year’s guest performances include: singer -Etelvina Maldonado, painter -Osvaldo Reyes, muralist-Luis Ramirez, the workshop dance Betty Colon, rap artist -Carlos Eduardo Satizabal and dance without borders Norma Araiza , Among many others.
SALSA ON ST. CLAIR
Another summer celebration of Latino culture is the Salsa Festival on St. Clair (July 12).
Lovers of art, rhythm, culture have the opportunity to satiate their senses. Beside art in its more sublime sense, it is also an excellent opportunity to enjoy good food and good drink originating in countries located south of Rio Bravo.
Sponsored by the television channel Tele Latino -Salsa on St. Clair takes place precisely on the St. Clair, between Oakwood and Bathurst streets, an area that in recent years has gradually become the home of many Hispanic businesses. The area is now know as El Corazon Latino Toronto.
HISPANIC FIESTA
To end the summer with an excellent touch Hispanic celebration, no one should miss the Toronto Hispanic Festival (August 29 to September 1), an event that has been taken place annually for 25 years. Well-known community leader Fernando Valladares has been responsible for this successful event that acknowledges, celebrates and promotes this rich and exciting culture.
The free event takes place at Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge Street, Toronto) and presents an abundance of Latin American art in all its manifestations: music, food, crafts, dance, theatre, painting and poetry, among others.
“The aim of Hispanic Fiesta, since 1982, is to acknowledge Canadian custom, and at the same time to know ourselves among Hispanics from 20 different countries as has been the case for the past 25 years,” expresses Valladares.
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