The fair ‘habla español’
Published 9:22 pm Saturday, August 28, 2010
MONROE — Elephant ears, cow exhibitions and … mariachi music?
The Evergreen State Fair will conclude its first weekend with Fiesta Sunday, a day that showcases Hispanic culture and music.
“Hispanics are part of the community and the fair celebrates all the community,” said Mark Campbell, fairground manager.
The fair has had a day aimed at the Hispanic community for 10 years and the popularity of the event has been growing each time, according to Campbell.
Music groups New Age Flamenco and Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana will perform at the Courtyard Stage along with folk dancers Bailadores de Bronce (Bronze Dancers) and Aztec Indian dancers during the day. The three-time Grammy winner Chicano band Los Lobos (The Wolves) is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. today at the Grandstand stage.
Sounders FC players Fredy Montero and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado plan to be present to sign autographs at 3 p.m.
This is the fifth time Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana will play at the fair. The band’s manager, Francisco Garay, said that while there are people who find their music a novelty, many more are familiar with it.
The main difference between Hispanic and non-Hispanic listeners are the songs they request, he said.
Non-Hispanics for example, request “Cielito Lindo” (Beautiful Sky) and “La Bamba”, while Hispanics request “El Rey” (The King) and “Caminos de Guanajuato” (Roads of Guanajuato).
“It’s just the songs they are more familiar with,” Garay said.
New Age Flamenco is a trio that plays a mixture of music from flamenco to popular music, including covers of the Gipsy Kings. This Bellevue-based group has performed at the fair six times.
“This is good music for everyone,” said bassist and founder Oleg Ruvinov. “It does not concentrate in one culture.”
There’s a definite Mexican theme to the entertainment, but the fair celebrates all of the Hispanic community, Campbell said.
“It’s a special presentation. We learn from each other by celebrating and we build a stronger relationship,” Campbell said.
Fiesta Sunday will start at 10:30 a.m. and the last presentation will begin at 6:45 p.m.
Tickets for Los Lobos can be bought for $25 at the fairgrounds.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com
