From performances by Teatro de las Américas to the Oxnard Salsa Festival and Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, events filling up summer season
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805
From theatrical performances to moving to the salsa beat and tasting the salsa heat, and preparations for one of the largest multi-day fiestas in the region, event organizers are gearing up for a variety of cultural activities in the next few weeks as summer moves into high gear.
On the stage
One of the first cultural events on the calendar will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, July 10 when Teatro de las Américas presents Emilio Carballido’s comedy, “A Rose By Any Other Name / Rosa De Dos Aromas” at the Oxnard College Black Box Theatre, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.
The play focuses on Gabriela, a translator, and Marlene, a hair stylist, who meet in a prison waiting area. After they engage in a casual, friendly conversation they discover that they are there to visit the same man. And then the fun begins. Gladys Ramos and Iriany Sánchez head up the cast of this comedy presented in Spanish with English supertitles. And no, the play is not appropriate for minors.
The play will continue at 8 p.m. on July 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25, concluding at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19. The cost is $25 for VIP reserved seating, $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors, students and members of the military and $5 for Oxnard College students. Visit www.teatrodelasamericas.org for more information.
Another performance coming to the region is the “Old School & Comedy Concert” featuring Tierra, comedian Willie Barcena and House Arrest at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at the Majestic Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Presented by Santa Paula Halos, tickets are $60. Click here for more information.
Outdoor activities
The 22nd annual Oxnard Salsa Festival returns to Plaza Park during the weekend of July 25 and 26. The festival kicks off with a special “Friday Night Concert” featuring Oscar Hernandez and Alma Libre, with special guests Justo Almario and Dr. Bobby Rodriquez at 7 p.m. July 24. Hernandez is known as a very gifted pianist and arranger on the contemporary Latin, Latin Jazz and Salsa scene and is considered one of the most important composer / arrangers of Latin Jazz today, event organizers reported in a media release.
His recording of “Un Gran Día en el Barrio” resulted in a Grammy nomination and Latin Billboard award for Salsa Album of the Year. Admission is $15 per person for adults and $10 for kids 6 to 14 years of age for general concert or lawn seating, with tables for six available for $120.
The festival itself begins with performances by Orquesta Rumbankete, Son Mayor and Carlo Lopez and the Echo Park Project on Saturday, July 25, and Conjunto Oye!, Sabor De Mi Cuba and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron on Sunday, July 26 at Plaza Park.
Orquesta Rumbankete, known for its explosive rhythm section, powerful trombones and energetic vocal delivery, kicks off the celebration on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., festival organizers reported. Next at 2 p.m., Son Mayor takes to the stage, performing its unmistakable vintage and contemporary Cuban sounds. Closing on Saturday is Carlo Lopez and the Echo Park Project, bringing legendary NYC-style salsa to Southern California. Their set begins at 4:45 p.m.
Sunday’s celebration begins with Conjunto Oye!, an 11-piece band specializing in classic Nuyorican salsa. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sabor De Mi Cuba will entertain the crowd with its Afro-Cuban roots influenced by world music. The 12-piece Big-Band orchestra, Tabaco y Ron closes out the festival with its high-energy, hard-edged brand of salsa music.
“Dancing With Our Community Stars” image courtesy Oxnard Salsa Festival.
Besides the concerts, the festival brings backs its traditional “Dancing With Our Community Stars” fundraiser with contestants Christina Albert (dancing for Soroptomist of Oxnard); Jim Duran (The City Center); Meredith Garofalo (Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties); Mary Jo Fuentes Leste (Loving Heart Hospice Foundation); Tyler Marie (Community Action) and Edgar Mohorko Jr. (Oxnard PAL Police Activities League). Dancers and their charities can be supported by going to http://oxnardsalsafestival.com/dance/.
Other festival favorites include The Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge, the Salsa Tasting Tent Experience, the Festival Marketplace Food & Shopping and the Kids Korner with Tortilla Art.
Festival admission and parking are free. No pets or coolers are permitted on site. Visit http://oxnardsalsafestival.com for more information.
The 2015 Heritage Square Summer Concert Series has also begun its run at Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard, with performances every Friday evening through Aug. 28.
The Chico Band will perform its blend of Latin, Cumbia and Old School music on July 31, with Myst performing smooth Rock ‘n’ Roll en español on Aug. 7 and the Caliente 805 Band playing Salsa, Cumbia and Old School on Aug. 14.
Visit http://heritagesquareoxnard.com/concerts.html for pricing information for reserved seating.
It was standing room only as an overflowing crowd watched performers during a recent Old Spanish Days’ “La Fiesta Pequeña” (“The Little Festival”) celebration in front of Mission Santa Barbara. Amigos805 file photos by Frank X. Moraga ©2015
Meanwhile, organizers in Santa Barbara are gearing up for the annual 91st annual Old Spanish Days, with the fiesta itself on Aug. 5 through 9 throughout Santa Barbara.
But before that, a number of pre-fiesta events are planned.
• The Old Spanish Days Annual Costume Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 11 at the Carriage and Western Art Museum, 129 Castillo St., Santa Barbara. Free to the public; event organizers say the event is the perfect opportunity to find fiesta costumes. Contact 805-962-8101 or info@oldspanishdays-fiesta.org if interested in selling items at the Costume Sale.
• The exhibit “Project Fiesta! — Building a Complete History of Old Spanish Days” will be presented from July 18 through Sept. 15 at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 E. De La Guerra St. The exhibit will feature vintage posters, restored costumes, artifacts and historical photos. Visit http://www.santabarbaramuseum.com/events.html for more information.
• La Fiesta del Museo by SB Historical Museum will be held from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at the museum. The elegant fundraiser will include the opening of the exhibit “Project Fiesta!” and a special performance entitled “La Noche de Gala y Desfile de Moda,” an auction and dancing under the moonlight to the sounds of the Martinez Brothers Band. Tickets are $125 for members, $150 for guests of members and $1,000 for a members table for eight, plus additional fees. Click here for more information.
• La Recepción del Presidente will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at Plaza del Sol will be at the Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara. Guests are greeted by the official receiving line of El Presidente Cas Stimson and his family, as well as his Fiesta family including the Spirits, Saint Barbara and Vice Presidentes. The evening includes guests in their finest fiesta attire, a Mexican buffet and entertainment by artists including the Spirits, and concludes with dancing as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Tickets are $90 and must be purchased in advance. Ticket sales end at noon Saturday, July 27. Must be 21 years of age and older. Click here for more information.
Strolling mariachis performed throughout downtown Santa Barbara as part of “Old Spanish Days.” Amigos805 ©2015
A number of events are planned for the official opening of Old Spanish Days on Wednesday, Aug. 5 including:
- Santa Barbara Mission Docent Tours
- Courthouse Fiesta Tours
- El Mercado de la Guerra
- El Mercado Del Norte
- Casa Cantina
- La Fiesta Pequeña
- Crazy Horse Cantina
Events continue on Thursday, Aug. 6 with such special events as:
- La Misa del Presidente
- Celebración de los Dignatarios
- Las Noches de Ronda (“Nights of Gaiety”)
- Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia de los Vaqueros)
- The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Tour
• The Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado, featuring a wide array of Mexican cuisine and entertainment, will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7 at 227 North Nopal St., Santa Barbara.
• The 91st anniversary of the El Desfile Histórico (Historical Parade) will be held at noon Friday, Aug. 7 in downtown Santa Barbara. It will feature floats depicting episodes from the history of the state and city. Descendants of local Native Americans, Spanish pioneers, the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and local service clubs and organizations all reenact historical scenes. Viewing the parade is free. Guaranteed shaded seating is also available for online purchase at $18 for general seating and $30 for deluxe seating.
Click here for information on all Old Spanish Days Fiesta events.