This number one group is back a second time to honor a hallowed fifth day.
Viva El Cinco De Mayo will fill Flushing’s Colden Auditorium with colorful costumes, lively dance, and celebratory music on Saturday, May 4, at 3 pm.
Presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in New York, the festive program will showcase world-renowned ensembles, including Tlen Huicani from Veracruz, Mariachi Real De Mexico, and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York. Plus, New York City Opera veteran José Adán Pérez is the special guest.
Tickets cost $20 with no extra fees.
Tlen Huicani, whose name translates as “the singers” from the Aztec language Nahuatl, makes the harpa jarocha (folk harp) the centerpiece of its music. Founded in 1973, the group was named best folk group in Mexico by the union of music and theater critics.
The Grammy-winning Mariachi Real De Mexico is considered to be the ambassador of Mariachi music in the United States. It was founded by Ramon Ponce and his son, Ramon Ponce Jr., in 1991.
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York, which is celebrating 41 years of action, shares Mexican traditions and cultural heritage via regional dances.
José Adán Pérez is an alum of the Domingo-Thornton-Stein Young Artist Program of LA Opera, Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Aspen Opera Theater, IVAI Israel, and SIVAM Opera Program. The Mazatlán native has a rich baritone voice.
Colden Auditorium is located at 153-49 Reeves Ave. on the Queens College campus. (A few parking lots are nearby.) The 2,000-seat venue, which is operated by Kupferberg Center for the Arts, has just undergone a one-year HVAC project with other enhancements.
“After the success of our first Cinco De Mayo event in 2023, we are thrilled to bring back this family celebration again in 2024,” stated Kupferberg Center for the Arts Director Jon Yanofsky.
Images: Kupferberg Center for the Arts