Fiesta Alameda, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 12pm-5pm

2149 Ferry Point, Alameda CA

05 November, 2022

Description

WHERE: Alameda Point Taxiway, 2149 Ferry Point, Alameda, CA 94501 EVENT INFO: WestEndArtsDistrict.org/fiesta-alameda ADMISSION: FREE, ALL AGES Alameda-based arts organization, West End Arts District, is thrilled to announce the first Fiesta Alameda, a free one-day event celebrating Latin music, dance, culture, food, and drinks. Taking place on the Taxiway at Alameda Point with its unique views of SF and the Bay, the crowd will be jumping to the beats of headliners like Santana tribute band CARNAVAL, and dancing alongside carnival regulars SAMBAFUNK!. 12pm: SAMBAFUNK! 1pm: DJ Raul 1.30pm: Los Alegres Callejeros 2pm: La Mixta Criolla 3pm: DJ RAUL 3.30pm: Los Alegres Callejeros 4pm: CARNAVAL Guests will be encouraged to head to the food court for a range of Latin fare and over to the bar for craft beers and cocktails. E. & J. Gallo Winery is providing a range of seltzers, spirits, and Camarena tequila. East Bay local, FICKS, will be making all-natural, low-sugar cocktail mixers. Artists of all ages are invited to try their hand at traditional Mexican crafts and to peruse the wide selection of arts vendors from Alameda, Oakland, and beyond. Free crafting activities for the whole family led by Mexican artist Ernesto Olmos is a special feature at Fiesta Alameda’s Family Crafting Zone. Ernesto has spent more than 20 years developing arts programs and curriculums for a number of institutions in Oakland as well as exhibiting and performing his own work as both a musician and artist. He works to keep sacred arts thriving with the intention of remembering indigenous roots. Thank you to our sponsors for making this festival free and welcoming to all. Fiesta Alameda is supported by funding from the City of Alameda Public Arts Commission; East Bay realtor, Michael Lane; and the generosity of local corporate sponsors. "Fiesta Alameda celebrates the diversity and creativity of the Latinx community in Alameda and beyond. We're so excited to be launching an important new Alameda tradition," — Jessica Xiomara Garcia, West End Arts District Board Member Musical Spotlights: Sambafunk! (www.sambafunk.com) Life and soul of countless events (including Oakland, San Francisco and Atlanta Carnivals; America’s Got Talent; as well as the Presidential Kick Off Rally for then Vice President elect Kamala Harris,) Sambafunk! is a collective of dancers, musicians, artists whose infectious energy lifts all around them. As well as performing, Sambafunk! offers dance classes, workshops and residencies bringing to life the essence of Carnaval in their work. Sambafunk! will be opening the days programming so make sure you join us early. La Mixta Criolla (www.facebook.com/LaMixtaCriolla) La Mixta Criolla is a dynamic Bay Area ensemble with deep roots in the creole music of the Caribbean. Blending instruments and styles from diverse Afro-Latin traditions, this hard swinging septet captivates dancers and music lovers everywhere with soulful performances of singular strength and beauty. La Mixta Criolla’s repertoire consists of originals and funky renditions of traditional tunes and features a variety of swinging Caribbean grooves, from plena, bomba, guaracha jíbara, seis and guinaldo, to merengue, son, rumba, cumbia and salsa. Carnaval (www.CarnavaltheBand.com) The Bay Area’s premier Santana tribute band — a group of seasoned musicians (formerly known as Caravanserai) with a massive local following — and a deep respect for the music and work of SF Bay music legend, Carlos Santana. The combined experience of the musicians of this group is mind-blowing. Each one of them has tens of years of experience playing with ‘Latin rock royalty’ and together they remind us why the music of Santana has been a mainstay in rock music for the past five decades. Los Alegres Callejeros (www.facebook.com/losalegrescallejeros) Los Alegres Callejeros originally formed in 2017 at Agave Uptown, a Oaxacan restaurant in Oakland, where they still play every First Friday. Their sound is heavy in the traditional Colombian style of Cumbia and range to Peruvian Chicha, Salsa, and an occasional Bolero. The current band members have roots from Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico and Chile. Alegre means cheerful and Callejero means street performer; they draw from musical traditions to bring forward a distinct musical experience. Whether upbeat Latin dance music or slow hypnotic minor key vamps, their melodies are infectious and their rhythms are guaranteed to make you move and groove. DJ Raul Castro Born in Los Angeles and raised in Orange County, Raul Castro created a name for himself in the San Francisco Bay Area during the swing craze of the 90’s as a professional DJ, dance instructor and top-notch performer with Work That Skirt Dance Company. His 40+ years experience as a DJ and host extraordinaire, coupled with his impeccable sense of style and courteous manner, have given Raul a spot at many of the local clubs including Bimbo’s, The Red Devil Lounge, The Riptide, The Fireside Lounge, Harlot, Novela, and Supperclub to name a few. Raul has appeared alongside major label acts, such as The English Beat, Dramarama, Madness, General Public, and ABC. He's been a featured DJ at LA and Bay Area Prince tributes, Roller Derby matches and aboard Chartered Yacht Cruises by Commodore, Hornblower and Compass Rose. His sets include burlesque performances, the Castro Valley and Alameda Pride Festival and as DJ, MC and Auctioneer for the Academy of Art University Faculty and Alumni Live Auctions since 1997. Artist Spotlight: Ernesto Hernandez-Olmos is a multifaceted artist from Oaxaca, Mexico. His art is expressed through painting, sculpture, music and dance. Currently, he runs a wide variety of art and cultural programs in the Bay Area. For instance, his music/dance group, Besh Beni (Jaguar of Light) creates Toltec, Zapotec and Mistec inspired performances for schools and traditional gatherings throughout California and internationally. He has also created several murals, including the ones displayed at the MacArthur Bart Station in Oakland and one at La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley. About Alameda’s West End Arts District – “empowering artists to transform the public space” Alameda’s West End Arts District (WEAD) was founded in 2015 by community member and business owner Sandra Russell, who understood that the best way to build community and revitalize the area was through the arts. Blues, Brews & BBQ launched that same year and continues to be the WEAD’s flagship event, attracting crowds of music lovers to Webster Street every September. Since then WEAD’s programming has expanded, presenting dance, theater, music, comedy and subculture events, commissioning visual art and murals and providing fiscal sponsorship and support for arts groups and artists working on the Island. Location Since the opening of the Alameda Point Waterfront Park, and the new ferry terminal at the start of the year, the Taxiway which runs alongside Alameda’s Seaplane Lagoon is regularly teeming with activity. The wide open space with its incredible views over the Bay and the SF skyline allows for plenty of space for people to spread out and safely enjoy performances and activities. For anyone wanting to continue the party after 5pm, head over to Spirits Alley or down the road to Almanac Brewery for a sundowner. Info: www.WestEndArtsDistrict.org