01 May THE ORIGINAL CINCO DE MAYO 150th ANNIVERSARY ONE-OF-A-KIND RE-ENACTMENT PLUS SPECIAL GUEST ALEX LORA (FULL SCHEDULE)

{An authentic version of a traditional Mexican-American celebration as never seen before in the United States}

ORIGINAL CINCO DE MAYO 150 ANNIVERSARY  

ONE-OF-A-KIND RE-ENACTMENT OF THE CALIFORNIA CELEBRATION OF THE BATTLE OF PUEBLA 

Olvera Street in Los Angeles on N. Main St. Stage -May 5 & 6, 2012 

Performances by Puebla legend Alex Lora, the Father of Latin Rock 8:00 p.m.

Re-Enactment 3:33 p.m.

Welcoming Ceremony May 5, at 6:00 p.m.

Los Angeles (May 1, 2012). In a unique observance of Mexican history in the USA, La Union de Poblanos en el Exterior (UPEXT), organization that been in charge for the past 10 consecutive years of organizing this festivity, will received a special recognition from the City of Los Angeles for their work efforts with the immigrant community. 

On this occasion joining in partnership with The Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture, UCLA, David Geffen, School of Medicine, who will present and host a traditional, cultural and artistic event celebrating the 150th year of a tradition in a very authentic way: Original CINCO DE MAYO.

Visit 5 de Mayo: http://cincodemayoenlosangeles.com/ 

This unique celebration kicks off May 4^th at 10: 00 am at Los Angeles City Hall with a proclamation bestowed to rock legend Alex Lora as Ambassador of the Union of Poblanos abroad in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, followed by a press conference later that day at 2: 00 p.m. at Plaza Mexico in Inglewood with the unveiling of his statue.

A special ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 5^th at 6: 00 pm featuring:  José Huizar, Gloria Molina, David Figueroa, Pedro Ramos, and Dr. Hayes-Bautista amongst others and special performance by Alex Lora at 8:00 p.m.

Schedule:

 

Original CINCO DE MAYO is a unique Cinco de Mayo celebration that will take place throughout the United States. This one-of-a-kind event showcases the authentic version of this tradition uniting Mexican immigrants, Chicanos, and Latinos alike in a feeling of honor and respect for accurate history and culture.

It invites everyone to create a strong relationship with the Mexican community and to enjoy the celebration, featuring recreations of the historic event of the Battle of Puebla in California a first time effort that includes actors in originally made for costumes, through dance and poems, lectures on the history of this celebration, games and family entertainment, dancers, famous singers and a unique opportunity to delight your taste buds with exquisite food from Mexico.

GRAMMY® award-winning rock legend Alex Lora, originally from Puebla, Mexico, and recognized with his band El Tri as one of the founders of Rock En Español, will headline the musical festivities with a performance on Saturday, May 5^th at 8:00 p.m., the day that the re-enactment will also take place. Also performing throughout the weekend is emerging Mexican Pop artist Brenda, Folklore Poblano amongst others.

Original CINCO DE MAYO is expected to be huge and a unique celebration that is an honest reflection of the need to have an authentic Mexican festivity for this date and occasion, and establish a tradition for many years to come to maintain important cultural roots alive.

History of Cinco de Mayo:

Mexican Cinco de Mayo celebrates the heroic victory of Mexico against the French army, an event which took place in 1862 and is remembered as “The Glorious Battle of Puebla” or “La Gloriosa Batalla de Puebla.” The local recreation of this traditional celebration will provide the opportunity for families to gather and enjoy a day of Mexican folklore and observe regional values. It will create a friendly environment that brings back for a day the scent, music, and the dance and flavors that Mexicans cherish.

About The Re-enactment:

The exhibition explores the experience of Latinos in the newly created state of California following its annexation. After the U.S. victory in the Mexican-American War, the debate roiled over slavery in the newly acquired Mexican territories as well as the French assault on the state of Juarez, Mexico. Inspired by the book by Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, Cinco de Mayo an American Tradition, from the University of California Press, the exhibition examines the previously little known connection between the historical events of the time and the uniquely American holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

According to the text, with the initial, improbable victory of Benito Juarez’s forces, led by General Zaragoza, at Puebla on May 5, 1862, Latinos in California found cause to celebrate the possibility of a reversal of the threats gathering around them. Spontaneous political organizations, or “juntas patrioticas” (“patriotic gatherings”), mobilized to support Juarez’ government with financial donations, covert arms shipments and even volunteers. They supported the Union, forming militias to fight against the Confederacy in the territories and organized politically to support Lincoln’s re-election. They celebrated the eventual Union victory, mourned the death of Lincoln and erupted in jubilant celebration at the withdrawal of French troops in Mexico.

As new waves of immigration from Latin America came to California, the holiday was re-shaped, gradually losing its initial connection with historical events. Its origin in the simultaneous threats posed by the Civil War and French invasion of Mexico had meaning for Latinos negotiating a new country and culture that often marginalized them, and it continues to resonate through contemporary debates about immigration, language and power. 

About UPEXT (Union de Poblanos en el Exterior):

Unión de Poblanos en el Exterior (UPEXT) is a Los Angeles based organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the people and culture of Puebla, Mexico. With events such as the 5^th Annual Feria de los Moles to be hosted October  7, 2012 at Olvera Street (Mole Fair) (www.feriadelosmoles.com)  , UPEXT fosters appreciation for the unique contributions of Puebla abroad, and preserves the cultural richness provided by a successful group for community leaders from the State of Puebla, Mexico to the rest of the world.

In 2011, The City of Los Angeles and Councilmember José Huizar, presented the organization “Unión de Poblanos en el Exterior en Los Angeles” (Los Angeles Union of Puebla In The Exterior- UPEXT) with a Proclamation in recognition of their efforts to foster cultural appreciation for the Mexican community abroad at the Van Nuys, California Civic Center, a recognition arriving just in time for the last year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Original CINCO DE MAYO is supported by:

El Estado de Puebla, Hermandad Mexicana, Consulado de México, Ciudad De Huntington Park, Condado de Los Ángeles , Club Jiquilpan Michoacán USA, Ciudad de Los Ángeles, Federación de Jaliscienses del Sur de California Comunidad Poblana, Comunidad Mexicana, Comunidad Chicana, University of UCLA and COFEM.