Seattle Fiestas Patrias Features Cumbia and Mariachi, 9/18-19

Seattle Center Festál: Seattle Fiestas Patrias, Sept. 18 -19, 12 noon - 6 p.m., in Center House and Fisher Pavilion, celebrates the independence from colonial rule of countries in Central and South America and recognizes the diversity of the Latino culture in Western Washington.

This "Patriotic Holidays" celebration features a wide assortment of entertainment, traditional Hispanic foods, dance, mariachi music, outstanding art and cultural exhibits, a health fair and a variety of activities for children and families.

Highlights include:

La Sonora Dinamita, Colombia's illustrious Cumbia group credited with helping to popularize the genre throughout Latin America; Sept. 18, 9 p.m.

Mariachi Ayutla, internationally acclaimed mariachi music direct from Guadalajara.

Low-riders Parade, with "tricked out" cars that dance and sway; Sept. 18, 9 a.m.

Health Fair, offering dental, medical services and behavioral health information by professional providers; disease-prevention education; free cholesterol tests, glucose, and blood pressure screening and other preventive health services.

El Grito de Dolores (Mexico's famous "Cry of Independence"), an annual tradition and festival favorite, with Consul of Mexico, Ambassador Alejandro Garcia Moreno, along with several local state elected officials and dignitaries. A special event is planned to mark 200 years of independence in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia; Sept. 19, 4 p.m.

Youth boxing tournament, featuring former boxing greats Joe "The Boss" Hipp, the first Native American WBA and WBC heavyweight champion, and Renton's Greg Haugen, four-time WBA and WBC light-heavyweight champion.

Press Note: A press package with photos and with more information about each of the above is available at www.seattlefiestaspatrias.com.

The 22 Festál cultural celebrations highlight The Common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Our 2010 "did you knows" will explore some of these commonalities and differences.
 
Did you know?  The most common colors of Central America are blue, red, white and yellow. Foods are regional and include tacos, enchiladas, beans, rice, mole, birria and posole. Latin American people are proud of their family, food, languages, literature, film, music, dance, customs, art, and handicrafts. In the larger Latin America countries, economies are driven by oil, silver and corn production: growth in telecommunications also has a major impact.

Seattle Center Festál: Seattle Fiestas Patrias is presented by Seattle Center in partnership with the Seattle Fiestas Patrias Committee and Sea-Mar Community Health Center. For more information go to seattlefiestaspatrias.com, and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center programming, click on seattlecenter.com/festal or call 206 684-7200.

Seattle Center Festál, a series of 22 world festivals presented at Seattle Center on weekends throughout 2010, highlights the distinct cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in our region through traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops and more. This collection of cultural events is produced with the generous support of Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless and KUOW 94.9 Public Radio. Additional support is provided by Seattle Center Festal and the City of Seattle.

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