Fairs and festivals abound!

The PTE-Hope, Inc. Multicultural Fair, held April 27, was sponsored by the City of San Diego and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Greg Cox and Ron Roberts. Ms. Philippines National 2013, founder and executive director of Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence and SDSU student Kristen Paruginog, was one of the emcees of the event.

We enjoyed watching several entertainers including Lei Oleander Dancers (Kayla Pimentel, Alex Honore and Jenna Narvoza), “Year of the Snake” Chinese dancers and 9-year-old Melanie Jimenez, a Hollywood Bowl finalist winner who mesmerized the audience with her rendition of Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire.” The Janeiro’s Models showed off Biblia Fashion’s evening wear and custom jewelry during the fashion show. The 3 Wise Men DJs provided music for the event.

National City Mayor Ron Morrison made an appearance and spoke about the diversity of the city and how it’s important to explore each other’s similarities. PTE-Hope, Inc. is a multi-cultural partnership of the federal government and the state of California to promote community awareness, cooperation, hope, unity, respect and goodwill among various cultural and ethnic groups.

Mariachi Festival

A few minutes away from PTE’s event, at Pepper Park, was the 1st annual Mariachi Festival and Competition, sponsored by The National City Chamber of Commerce and HMC Advertising. We watched several groups from all over the country and Mexico as they competed for $4,000 in cash prizes. Jointly organized as the 11th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, it provided entertainment for families to come together and celebrate San Diego’s heritage through mariachi music and traditional ballet folkloric dancing. There were also merchant booths, arts and crafts, food vendors, music displays and a children’s area.

Adams Avenue Unplugged

Previously known as the Adams Avenue Roots Festival, this free music festival, held the weekend of April 27-28, stretched along Adams Avenue, from University Heights on the west end, through Normal Heights, and into parts of Kensington on the east. The performances were staged in restaurants, bars, coffee houses and galleries, as well as four community stages along the avenue. Many of the Unplugged performers played multiple sets, which allowed attendees to catch their favorite artists while enjoying the neighborhoods’ many distinctive shops. We watched Robin Henkel’s performance at the Adams Avenue Park stage. We found a perfect spot in the shade to enjoy the sounds of jazz and blues. It reminded us of when we were back home in New York City and watched summer concerts in Central Park and Prospect Park.

Circo de Mayo

Circo de Mayo, held May 4, was a full-length showcase performance from the DLP Aerial Fitness students at SD United Training Center. DLP Aerial Fitness students learn a variety of acrobatic and aerial disciplines from professional performers. The show featured aerial silks, aerial lyra, aerial hammock, static trapeze and contortion. It felt like we were watching the next generation of Cirque du Soleil performers. The training center offers gymnastics, cirque/acro, cheer/tumbling, parkour, tricking and break dancing classes.