Story by Lindsey Chester. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – The Ritmo Latino Festival moves its Latin rhythms to Downtown Cary this Saturday, May 19th.

Ritmo Latino Festival

David Flores, president of Diamante,  said that the organization had “listened to feedback from past patrons who said that August was very hot and that the past location in Bond Park limited the festival’s visibility”.

When Lyman Collins, the Town’s Cultural Arts Manager, approached the group to move to Downtown they really liked the idea. Diamante normally holds a book fair during the Spring, so switching that indoor event to the hot month of August, and the outdoor Ritmo Latino to the cooler month of May made a great deal of sense.

Whats in A Name?

“Ritmo” means Rhythm in Spanish, and through music the festival focuses on sharing the Latin Culture with the community, hence “Ritmo Latino”. A full day of music and dance performances highlighting many different Latino cultures is planned on Academy Street between Dry Ave and Park, where the street will be closed to traffic between Noon and 7pm.

Part of Downtown Rejuvenation

Part of the push for more festivals in the streets downtown, the Diamante group is also excited to be more visible and hopes to continue to attract a diverse population to take part in experiencing Latino culture. David added that the group is excited to “support the rejuvenation of the Downtown area” and that he is pleased that the Town “asked us to be downtown.” He added they have given Diamante tremendous support as the main sponsor of their event.

Two Performance Stages

Two stages will be set up, one in front of the Cary Arts Center on Dry Ave will hold seven musical acts and a second stage near Park Street will have dance performances. In addition to the performing stages, fifty vendors will be selling crafts and art and several food vendors will be selling authentic Latino foods for patrons to sample.

A Kids Zone will be set up with free face painting and bounce houses. Cary Creative Reuse Center will show kids how to create crafts from recycled materials. A first for the area will be outdoor laser tag from Extreme Kombat, a company owned by a Diamante board member.

Unique Children’s Group To Perform

The Children’s Philharmonic Orchestra (Kidz Notes) from Durham will take the stage during the day. This group teaches over 150 underprivileged children to play classical music including violin, cello, and violas at little to no cost. Twenty of the group’s musicians perform on Saturday.

Soccer Clinic Too

The RailHawks plan a free soccer clinic from 2-3pm in the grassy area across from the Cary Arts Center. Kids can sign up on the spot to learn from the pros. Swoops the mascot should make an appearance as well.

Special Concert Friday Night

Singer Jenny La Voz will perform Friday May 18, as a prelude to Ritmo Latino, and part of the Starlight Concert series at the Page-Walker. This free concert night is usually the most popular of the Starlight series. Grupo Sarangue will also perform music that is a mix of Meringue and Salsa.

Event Info

Ritmo Latino
Saturday May 19 Noon- 7pm
Academy Street from Dry to Park (street will be closed)
Cost: Free

Also Starlight Concert

Jenny LaVoz and Grupo Sarengue
Friday May 18th, 7pm
Page-Walker Arts and History Center ‘s Outdoor stage, 119 Ambassador Loop
Cost: Free

Story by Lindsey Chester, photos by Brooke Meyer.

Cary, NC – The weather was almost tropical for The Three Kings Parade in Bond Park last Saturday, January 7th, culminating the holiday season for the Latino community.Parade-goers from around the Triangle gathered along the parade route to welcome the Three Kings who walked at the close of the parade symbolizing the Three Maji who came from the East bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.

Among the parade marchers were several dance troupes and organzations representing various Latin American countries with residents here in the community. These included St Michael’s Catholic Church carrying banners for Mexico, the Del Rosario Dancers plus groups from Principe and Princesas, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.

Background of Event

Diamante’s  Estrella de la Esperanza (Star of Hope) Campaign culminates with the Día de los Reyes Parade (Three Kings Day Parade). Traditionally, January 6th is a very important day, especially for children, for it is on this eve that gifts are exchanged for the holidays in most Spanish speaking and some European countries.

Many Spanish speaking countries participate in the Día de los Reyes Parade, walking in traditional dress and some with musical accompaniment. The arrival of these Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings) bring gifts for the children in this community.

The parade concluded at the Kiwanis Shelter, where  authentic food was shared and some  parade participants performed throughout the afternoon on a stage set up in the shelter area.

At the close of the celebration, children and families were given the donations that had been collected by Diamante during the month of December. Diamante’s Christmas tree in their Downtown Cary office served as the collection site for non-persihable foods and unwrapped toys.

If you would like more information about this community sharing event, contact David Flores, president of Diamante.

photos and story by Lindsey Chester

Cary, NC- It’s August and it’s hot, but that didn’t stop the crowds from enjoying the Ritmo Latino Festival this past Sunday in Bond Park.

Tents lined the Kiwanis shelter parking lot, serving foods from many different countries as music drifted across the park from Sertoma Amphitheatre. From Tacos to desserts and everything in between. Stalls also had crafts, artwork and jewelry for sale.

Venezuelan Folkloric Dancers perform at Ritmo Latino

Early in the day entertainment included the Venuzuelan Folkloric Dancers. The line up alternated between musical and dance groups and touched on many traditional types of Latino music.  Latino rock band Tercer Divisa Nacional Band had a modern sound that rocked Bond Park.

To help visitors enjoy the show, festival organizers kindly installed a tarp over the Sertoma Amphitheatre seating so patrons could sit in the shade.

Up in the picnic shelter a second stage was set up. The audience loved the Ballet Folklorica Guadalupano’s energetic Mexican-inspired partner dances in which the men brandished cowboy hats and fringed jackets and the ladies stomped their white boots.

The group Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano wowed the crowd with their energetic dancing

All day both stages were busy showcasing performing arts from many area groups. Mickey Mills had wowed the crowds on Friday night at the Page-Walker and his group performed mid day at the festival. The day finished with a  Mariachi band.

This is the seventh year that Diamante, with support from the Town of Cary, has hosted this fun filled cultural festival. It was free for all to attend, and it was great to see people of all different backgrounds coming out in the heat to enjoy the Latin culture that is a big part of the Triangle.

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photos by Hal Goodtree. 

Cary, NC- The Ritmo Latino Festival in Cary, presented by Diamante, showcases the food, music, dancing and fun of Latino culture. Its free to everyone next Sunday, August 7th in Bond Park.

For the seventh year in a row, Diamante has partnered with the Town of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department to host Ritmo Latino.

Diamante President David Flores emphasized that the festival is a good time for everyone. Flores noted that attendees come from as far away as Fayetteville and Charlotte and one of the artists travels all the way from Asheville.

Uniting Latinos through Art and Culture

That phrase is at the top of the Diamante website. But more than that, this event aims to encourage understanding and appreciation of Latino culture by non-Latinos. Flores was quick to point out the statistics about the growing Latino population in our state and the nation. Today Latinos comprise about 16% of the US population.  It is projected that by 2050 that number will grow to 42%.

They are a diverse group, with backgrounds in Central America, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico. Not one style of music or dance or food.

Fun for the Kids

The Carolina RailHawks are a sponsor of the festival. They will hold 2 soccer clinics for children (boys and girls) ages 5-13. Their mascot, Swoops will interact with the kids.

A children’s’ area will include face painting, a game truck with video games, a booth from Be Active, and paintball retooled with foam balls.

For the second year, the Ritmo Lounge will be set up where festival goers can help paint a moveable mural on canvas. Flores mentioned that at the Diamante office they have 6 of these murals on display.

Radio station and event sponsor, Jefa,  will be broadcasting live from the festival during the day.

Triangle Salsa All Stars perform at Ritmo Latino 2010

Music and More

Musical and dance groups will perform throughout the day.

Four bands will grace the stage at Sertoma Amphitheater encompassing island music, salsa and traditional Mexican music. And you can’t have a Latin festival without a little Salsa! Visitors will get a lessons in salsa and zumba.

Preview

On August 5th,  Mickey Mills & Tropic Orchestra, two of the festival bands,  will perform in the last concert of the Starlight Concert Series at Page-Walker Arts and History Center. 

Trinidad native and Carrboro resident Mickey Mills has pounded out Caribbean sounds on his 55-gallon steel drum around the Triangle, opening up for acts like Kenny Chesney. His smooth reggae and positive lyrics make for a rousing family-oriented listening experience.

Tropic Orchestra is a Latin dance band comprised of veteran musicians from the United States, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Venezuela. Frontman Ricardo Diquez, known as “TNT”, will end the series with a high-tempo Latin bang!

This special event is made possible by the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, PineCone, Diamante, Inc. and the American Turkish Association-NC.

About Diamante

The Diamante Group is headquartered in downtown Cary in the Cooper building on N. Academy Street. Founded by Lisette Watko 17 years ago in her house and has grown tremendously.  Board members live throughout the Triangle, they chose Cary because of its central location.

Diamante also promotes higher education with 2 scholarships. The Diamante Awards gala is held in October, and for the 16th year, Diamante will announce awards for outstanding leaders in the community. The youth award is a monetary scholarship for 2 high school or college students.

The group hosts four events a year to help raise funding and awareness. In January, they hold The Star of Hope Campaign at the Herb Young Community Center. This event encompasses a tree lighting, charitable giving and a parade. In the Spring there is a book fair to promote literacy. In August there is Ritmo Latino festival and then in October the Diamante Awards.

Look for these events to be featured in CaryCitizen and in our Calendar of Events.

Event Info

Ritmo Latino
Saturday, August 7th
Noon- 6pm
Free to the public

Bond Park
801 High House Road
The Sertoma Amphitheater and Kiwanis Shelter areas

For this and other great Cary events, visit the CaryCitizen Calendar of events. If you would like us to post your Cary event, contact Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC – For the sixth year in a row, the Ritmo Latino Music, Art & Dance Festival will bring authentic Latino culture to Cary’s Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 801 High House Road, this Sunday August 15. The event, co-sponsored by Diamante, Inc., will be held rain or shine and is free and open to the public.

Children are invited to participate in a free soccer clinic hosted by Carolina Railhawks players and staff from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From noon to 6:30 p.m., guests can enjoy Latin American folk, classic Mexican Norteño, Latin rock, Latin gospel, and Latin Jazz music along with traditional Latino dance, arts and crafts.

For 2010, the committee has selected The Triangle Salsa All-stars as the main Festival Ritmo Latino artist group and educational outreach performers. In 2009 Diamante teamed up with Ricardo Granillo and brought together a group of the best of the best of the vast Latino Musical Salsa, Merengue, and Latin Jazz Artists from across our state to form an All Star Salsa Band specifically for our Festival.

The Band received such great reviews and responses by the community that it sparked a demand for more.  Here is a taste of last year’s performance:

Videos Credit Sylvia P. “La Salsera” Onda Carolina

Ball boy at Railhawks game. Photo by Chris Adamczyk.

Cary, NC – Diamante and the Carolina Railhawks will be sponsoring a free soccer clinic for kids 5-14 at Bond Park on August 15.

Register at the Event

Registration will begin at 9:00 to allow ample time to get ready and the clinic will run from 10:00 to 1 p.m. The RailHawks will be teaching kids skills, tips and tricks to improve their game. There will also be fun and games for fans of all ages.

Soccer fans of all ages are encouraged to come out to this free event and meet the RailHawks and enjoy the day at Bond Park in Cary starting at 10:00 a.m. The first 40 Kids to register will receive a free Event T-shirt!

The clinic is part of Diamante, Inc.’s festivities as they hold their 6th annual Ritmo Latino Festival. Diamante, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation, development, and promotion of the culture, heritage, and artistic expressions of the diverse Latino/Hispanic population in North Carolina.

For More Info Visit www.diamanteinc.org or contact Rafael A. Osuba at rafael.osuba@gmail.com 919-995-9763.

News on CaryCitizen is sponsored by SAS Championship.

Cary, NC – Diamante, one of the leading Latino arts and culture organizations in the state, has announced La Feria del Libro, the Latino Book Fair, set for May 22, 2010 at the Town of Cary’s Bond Park Community Center.

La Feria del Libro aims to highlight Latino writers in the state and to promote a love of reading. The event, co-sponsored by the Mexican Consulate, The Town Of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources and J&L Publications will feature a reading and mixer at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center with a distinguished Mexican author brought in especially for this event on May 21 as a preview to the book fair.

CALL FOR AUTHORS

Diamante is looking for Latino book authors of every genre, published both in Spanish and English, to promote their work during La Feria. Email Rafael A. Osuba or call 919-995-9763.

LA FERIA

La Feria del Libro will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 22 at the Bond Park Community Center . It will feature readings by Latino writers, panel discussions with writers and publishers, exhibits and a book drive to give away thousands of books in Spanish.

This event is free and open to the general public.

For more information, visit: www.diamanteinc.org

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Feria del Libro BUSCA AUTORES Latino PUBLICADOS

Diamante, Inc, una de las destacadas organizaciones de arte y cultura  Latina en el estado, busca autores Latinos de todo género, publicados tanto en español como en inglés, que quieran promover sus obras durante La Feria del Libro, el 22 de mayo del 2010 en el Bond Park Community Center en Cary.

El propósito de La Feria del Libro es destacar  a los escritores Latinos en el estado y promover la apreciación de la lectura. El evento, co-patrocinado por el Consulado Mexicano, The Town Of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources y J&L Publicaciones figurará una lectura y una oportunidad de conocer a un distinguido autor Mexicano en el Page-Walker Arts and History Center traído especialmente para este evento el 21 de mayo,  para introducir la feria.

Las horas de La Feria del Libro serán de las 10 a.m. a las 5 p.m. el sábado 22 de mayo en Bond Park Community Center. La feria incluirá lecturas por escritores Latinos, discusiones en panel con escritores y agentes de publicación, exhibicoinés y libros serán donados al público u organizaciones. Este evento es gratis y está abierto al público.

Para mas informacion contacte a Rafael A. Osuba at: 919-995-9763 info@diamanteinc.org o visite: www.diamanteinc.org

Sobre Diamante, Inc

Diamante, Inc. se dedica a la preservación, desarrollo y promoción de la cultura, y las expresiones artísticas de las poblaciones diversas Latino / Hispana en Carolina del Norte.

Diamante es la organización líder para reconocer los logros y las contribuciones a las comunidades Latinas / Hispanas de Carolina del Norte. Diamante es un incorporado 501 (c) 3 sin fines de lucro.

315 N. Academy Street, Suite 256, Cary NC 27513 –  919-852-0075 info@diamanteinc.org

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CaryCitizen is sponsored by FrantzForHouse.org.

L-->R Don Frantz, Harold Weinbrecht, Paul Wasylkevych and Jack Smith

Cary, NC – The Town of Cary’s outstanding volunteer for 2010 and recipient of the Herb C. Young Award is Paul Wasylkevych.

Wasylkevych and hundreds of other volunteers who give their time to town events, activities, boards and commissions, were honored Tuesday night at a banquet and celebration at the Herb C. Young Community Center.

More than 400 town volunteers were in attendance.

Wasylkevych has provided more than two decades of volunteer service to the town, according to parks, recreation and cultural arts director Mary Henderson, who made the announcement, as Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and councilmen Don Frantz and Jack Smith presented the honors.

“Our honoree was the first recipient of the Cultural Arts Award in 1997. He has served multiple terms with the Cultural Arts Committee and the board of directors for the Friends of the Page-Walker. He was last year’s co-chair of the Festivals Committee. He led the spruce-up of the White Plains Cemetery, coordinating the work of many other volunteers to provide stewardship for this historic resource,” Henderson told the crowd.

Wasylkevych said, after the announcement, “This is such a surprise and not deserved. It’s all of you, all of the volunteers I work with, who did this.”

Also recognized at Tuesday’s event:

DON SMITH AWARD – Rick Adamson

Adamson received the Don Smith Award, recognizing outstanding leadership, serving as a role model to children and promoting the Athletics Division philosophy of participation, skill development, sportsmanship and fun. Henderson said, “The coach being recognized tonight, received numerous nominations from parents and players who participated on his teams he has served as an assistant coach in girls softball and assistant and head coach in baseball. One parent writes, ‘WOW, what a coach! Words that come to mind include awesome, stupendous, knowledgeable, encouraging, respectful, leader, kind and fun.’”

DISTINGUISHED NEW COACH AWARD – David Buchanan

Buchanan received this award recognizing the contributions of a volunteer who has coached for less than five years. “This coach is all about the total team,” Henderson told the crowd. “Everyone plays, everyone improves, everyone enjoys the game. He leads by example, promoting friendship and respect among the team members. This coach insists that each player try their best and is very quick to give praise.”

CULTURAL ARTS AWARD – Rafael Osuba

The Cultural Arts divisions promotes literary, performing and visual artists by providing opportunities for enjoyment and development through a variety of activities. “Our (award recipient) has volunteered hundreds of hours and worked in conjunction with the cultural arts division to develop, organize and promote initiatives such as Ritmo Latino Festival at Bond Park, the Latino Arts in the School, the Latino Arts and Culture Summit, the Three Kings Day Parade and more,” Henderson told the audience.

PARTNER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR – Cary Teen Council

This newly created award is given to the non-profit, school, club or organization that has partnered with the department to achieve its mission. “Our inaugural Partner Organization of the Year is the Cary Teen Council. The Cary Teen Council recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary. This group has now grown to over 500 middle and high school students who give of their time and talents. Over the past year alone, the teens volunteered over 10,000 hours, with 3,500 of those hours directly in support of parks and recreation activities throughout all areas of the department,” Henderson said.

EVENTS VOLUNTEER AWARD – Robin Jones

This new award honors the volunteer who helps the town produce special events throughout the year. Jones played an integral role in the inception of the Cary Community Tennis Association, that was later renamed the Western Wake Tennis Association. This organization was recognized this year by the USTA Southern Section, which includes nine states, as the Community Tennis Association of the Year,” Henderson said. “When Robin commits to a project, you can rest assured that it will be on time and always in a top-rate, first-class fashion.”

OUTSTANDING TEEN VOLUNTEER – Christine Nacewicz

Nacewicz has been a community volunteer for the past seven years, beginning as a 7^th grader. “She has accrued over 625 volunteer hours in activities such as Santa’s workshop, Breakfast with the Bunny, Lazy Daze, Safe n Sane and others. She has served as the teen representative to the Athletics Committee for four years and led the teens’ volunteer activities for Safety Town,” Henderson said.

SENIORS IMPACTING SENIORS AWARD -Bernie Kellog

Kellog was honored for his volunteerism in the SeniorNet program at the Cary Senior Center. “He created and taught the graphics class where students learned how to make Christmas and birthday cards, posters and other graphics, he created the classroom signs that explain the classes, he created an introductory presentation for the instructors, coaches and students, and he has served as the group’s Outreach Council coordinator to take the programs to retirement communities,” Henderson said.

PARKS & TRAILS AWARD – Mandy Astor

Teenager Mandy Astor began her experience serving as the middle school Teen Council’s representative on the Hemlock Bluffs board five years ago. “For a few of her specific contributions, she developed a scrapbook for the Friends, produced a Mother’s Day Event photographic exhibit showcasing a time line for the event’s 10^th anniversary, and made the Friends’ holiday ornament for the Cary Community Christmas Tree. Our recipient’s parents say that she has matured greatly because of her experiences volunteering and has increased her passion for nature and the outdoors,” Henderson said.

In his remarks to the audience, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht thanked the group of volunteers for all they contribute to the town. “By volunteering, you are a leader in this community,” he said. “We see you as eager, we see you as creative, we see you as spirited.”

Guest speaker Bill Leslie of WRAL-TV said that being a volunteer is a unique personal experience. “It’s kind of like being in a special club,” he said. “You have to be a part of it to really understand.”

Leslie told the volunteers, “You are, indeed, the lifeblood of this community.”

More than 800 volunteers were invited to the event this year.

Award winners from the 2010 Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department annual Volunteer Awards.

Cary, NC – First Gary Cooper. Then Henry VIII. Now the Three Kings of the Magi will be coming to Cary for the annual El Dia de los Reyes Magos parade beginning at 2:30 on Saturday at the Bond Park Boat House.

El Dia de los Reyes Magos — Three Kings Day — is a Latin American holiday celebrating the Nativity story of the wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus after following the light of a bright star. Also known as The Epiphany,  it is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season. This year, the end of the 12 days of Christmas fell on January 6th.

Traditional Rosca de Reyes bread and other holiday foods from various Latin American countries will be on hand. All are invited to share in traditional songs, music and the Desfile de los Reyes – the Three Kings Parade. The Magi will also distribute gifts of food to needy families.

The event is co-sponsored by Diamante and the Town of Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department.

Check the Cary Calendar for more fun stuff this weekend.

Photos from Diamante.