“There’s a hole on top so you can nail them on the wall,” indoors and out, and Montes, an acclaimed artist, believes people will respond to the affordability as well as the uniqueness of the medium. “I’m really getting into this” and garnering “a lot of personal reward out of doing them.”Fandango performers also include Chucumite with John Robles and Ray Perales (debuting their new CD), and Conjunto Xi performing musica Huasteca featuring Leticia Callela-Austin on vocals and violin.“Of course ‘us,’ Conjunto Callejon, my neighbors, the kids, will be playing about three or four quick songs” and, noted Montes, “to mix it up a little bit, Trio Los Principes is playing boleros and rancheras... and of course our own Conjunto Hueyapan featuring, and back by popular demand, Isabel ‘Chavela’ Herrera.” Also appearing is Mariachi Aguilas de Mexico, who will also accompany Lencho Moraza, Carmen Moraza, and Delia Gonzalez.Montes said the day’s “folklorico dance group is Folklorico Tecalitlan del Dr. Gonzalez,” honored in 2008 by Santa Paula Latino Town Hall with its prestigious Cultural Arts Award. Finishing off the Fandango will be Los Amigos, “playing Cumbias, boleros and rancheras for our dancing pleasure. Master of Ceremonies will be Lencho Moraza, and you know him once he gets goin’!”Music and merriment will fill the venue - located just west of the corner of 10th and Santa Barbara streets, facing Mill Street - with this unique celebration, one of the most popular in Ventura County.Montes warned there is limited seating and guests are urged to bring their own chairs to this free day of entertainment. And bring a hat to protect from the Labor Day Weekend sun.“And for those who want to continue the celebration,” Montes said there will be a “party down the street at Los Arcos restaurant featuring Jerry Lugo and his Trio... it’ll be a full day and night of fun and Fandango!” For more information, call 525-8961 or go to: www.decoloresartshow.com or www.xaviermontes.com.
|
Fandango organizer Xavier “Big X” Montes promises a dazzling event: “We will have music all afternoon, food, the children’s activity table called ‘El Rincon de Niños,’ and of course our popular Mercado with a variety of vendor booths.” |
Fandango: Art, music, festival make for a triple play day of fun
September 02, 2009
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesIt’s been missed, but a triple play day of fun will again be had with the Fandango, to be held Sunday, September 6 at the Railroad Park Gazebo. The fourth Fandango, a joint partnership of the city’s Community Services Department and the famous De Colores Art Group, will be held from noon to 7 p.m. featuring singing, dancing, a Mercado with plenty of vendor booths, and fun activities for the children.Fandango organizer Xavier “Big X” Montes promises a dazzling event: “We will have music all afternoon, food, the children’s activity table called ‘El Rincon de Niños,’ and of course our popular Mercado with a variety of vendor booths.”Featured artist is acclaimed harpist Violeta Quintero, a native of Mexico City who showed remarkable musical talent even as a child; she learned to play the mandolin, guitar, harp, violin and the tresillo. Discovered early on, Violeta performed five times a week on a children’s television program - playing various instruments, singing and dancing on the program similar to Sesame Street.She was a recording artist when she moved to the United States and attended college: “She took her education very seriously, put down her instruments and worked on her studies,” said Montes. After graduation from CSUN, Violeta began teaching music at various colleges throughout Los Angeles, while also taking time to tour Europe.In the mid-1980s Violeta began to teach a senior citizen music class at a community center in San Fernando, and although she was told the group “was too old to learn,” Violeta was insistent. Within a relatively short time, Violeta and her group of seniors began performing under the name Los Sueños de Oros (Golden Dreams). The group, most are in their 70s and 80s, have performed live and on television.A tiny woman, about 4’10” and a “bundle of enthusiasm and energy,” Violeta will appear at the Fandango with 30 of her Los Suenos de Oros. “This ‘young’ group’ play jarocho music and also do skits and comedy to their music. They are a delight... a real crackup.”Montes believes that audiences respond to Fandango based on its “acoustic approach to a concert... it’s almost like a folk festival. Throughout the years electric music blasting has burned out myself - and others - and there’s something very natural about acoustic, especially in the outdoors. Santa Paula almost lends itself to acoustic, surrounded by mountains, natural music played outside.”And the Santa Paula Fandango is “one of its kind in Ventura County.” Montes is grateful to the cash strapped city for their support: “Fandango could not happen without the city; they really stepped up to the plate, are doing a lot... it wouldn’t happen without the city.”Another strong aspect of Fandango is the art, and Montes is displaying his clay tiles. “They’re small slabs, about the size of a tile but irregular shapes. I fire them once, do the artwork, then glaze them. It’s almost folk art-ish,” with the clay tiles sporting iconic images.
