With a soccer shootout and instrument “petting zoo” for younger visitors and margaritas, beers and Cuba Libres for the grownups, Cville Sabroso plans to serve up more options this year than ever before. What hasn’t changed is the local Latin American cultural festival’s emphasis on community and a sense of family.
The 13th annual fundraiser for Sin Barreras, back at Ting Pavilion in downtown Charlottesville for its second year, has scheduled nine hours of music and folkloric dance performances representing Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico and Bolivia, headlined by Colombian cumbia ensemble La Internacional Sonora Dinamita.
Andrea Jacobs, the festival’s chairwoman, told The Daily Progress that the bustling marketplace of Latin American crafts and foods is likely to stir memories of childhood celebrations for many local residents and spark new appreciation of the represented cultures for other visitors.
“It’s a celebration of the great traditions of our ancestors,” said Jacobs, who has been chairwoman for the past three years and volunteered in the previous six festivals. “This cultural programming is for everyone.”
Expanded Kids’ Zone activities are to be spread out this time so families can get a better look at all the festival’s offerings while taking youngsters from activity to activity. The new Copa Sabroso soccer shootout is to offer three rounds of competition, at 2, 3 and 5:30 p.m., and Modern Improvisation Music Appreciation members plan to offer an instrument petting zoo at 5 p.m. to give young music fans a chance to try out musical instruments.
Previous fan favorites should also be going strong. “We can’t ever go wrong with a bouncy house,” Jacobs said.
Performances are scheduled to get started with Casa de la cultura Peru at 1:25 p.m. and continue with Hermosa Venezuela at 1:50 p.m., Raices Ecuatorianas at 2 and 4:15 p.m., Panamanian Traditional at 2:25 p.m., Tahuantinsuyo from Peru at 3 p.m., Tradiciones Bolivianas at 5 p.m., Mexican music by Elizabeth Lainez at 5:20 p.m. and Atrapado Musical at 6 p.m. The festival’s popular parade of flags, or desfile de banderas, is set to begin at 7:20 p.m., and dancers from Foreign Playerz are scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m. before La Internacional Sonora Dinamita performs at 8:30 p.m.
Jacobs said that Foreign Playerz will teach the audience dance moves before the cumbia legends in La Internacional Sonora Dinamita take the stage. Since the original orchestra was formed in 1960, the group has introduced fans around the world to the rhythms of cumbia music.
Vendors in the festival’s “food alley” plan to display the diversity of Latin American cuisine. Look for Argentine fare from Cumbre, Costa Rican foods from Tico Loco, Salvadoran dishes from Tealicious, Guatemalan choices from Le’Seqbe and Mexican cuisine from Guadalajara, La Flor Michoacana and Tacos Gomez.
The annual event is a fundraiser for Sin Barreras, Spanish for “Without Barriers.” The nonprofit group helps immigrants and their families in Central Virginia through advocacy and educational and cultural programs.
The festival drew between 3,500 and 4,000 visitors last year, fewer than expected. Jacobs credited that day’s rainy weather and the venue change to Ting Pavilion with the dip in attendance.
“The thunderstorm that came didn’t help,” Jacobs said, adding that organizers are expecting between 4,000 and 4,500 people to attend this Saturday. “It’s a festival, so we expect a little bit of wonkiness.”
More than 86 volunteers are pitching in to keep the event running smoothly, and organizers intend to maintain a festive and safe atmosphere for residents of Latin American descent amid a larger national climate of uneasiness over deportations and tightening immigration enforcement.
“From our perspective, we’re trying to make this business as usual,” Jacobs said, adding that organizers are not “expecting any incidents.” That being said, Jacobs said she understands if people who feel vulnerable in the current political climate choose “to celebrate from a distance.”
“Everybody has to make the best decisions for themselves and for their families,” Jacobs said.
If you’re deciding on one of those Cuba Libres, expect a mix of white rum, cola and lime juice.
Jane Dunlap Sathe
(434) 978-7249
jsathe@dailyprogress.com
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