Las Vegas, N.M. – The 24th Annual New Mexico Highlands University Fiesta de la Hispanidad brings music and dance center stage to Ilfeld Auditorium April 22 at 2 p.m.
“This beloved community event celebrates the local Hispanic culture and Spanish language,” said Sara Harris, emcee. “It promotes the talented participants who appear year after year as well as a wave of new performers. These entertainers are the heart and soul of the fiesta.”
Harris is a Highlands University Spanish language professor emerita who has organized Fiesta de la Hispanidad every year since its inception.
“The fiesta always brings pride and enjoyment to the audience because it gives people a chance to see our own friends, relatives and neighbors perform on the beautiful Ilfeld stage. Over the years, I’ve been honored to be the facilitator for this joyous community celebration,” Harris said.
The family show is bilingual.
The cost for Fiesta de la Hispanidad is $5. The university’s historic Ilfeld Auditorium is at 900 University Ave. There will door prizes and refreshments.
Proceeds from the show benefit Highlands University students through scholarships the Highlands Foundation awards from the Fiesta de La Hispanidad Scholarship Fund.
“This is a win-win event for all involved,” Harris said.
The doors open at 1:30 p.m. with a pre-show performance by the Memorial Middle School Mariachi Cardenal Juvenil and the Robertson High School Mariachi Cardenal. Martín Sena directs both groups.
The program for the show includes:
- Gladys Hightower – “Star Spangled Banner”
- Raelenea Durán
- Christian Sánchez
- Nita Luján
- Timo – Timothy Martínez
- Sarah’s Ballet and Jazz Company
- Gabriel Serna, Jr.
- Los Tres Caballeros – Charlie Tuna, Toby Sena, Dave Sánchez
- Intermission: Johnny Bad Boy – John Luján, Jimmy John Maldonado, Jake Márquez, Antonio Peña, Jerrold Roybal, Kevin Zoernig
- Gabriella Tafoya
- Liana Fernández
- Latina
- James Garza
- Grand Finale: La Banda Seria – Andrés Pacheco, Martín Pacheco, Jarrod Archuleta, Patricio Jaramillo, José Martínez
Advance tickets are on sale at the university’s KEDP radio station ticket office, Studio 103, 901 University Ave., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 5 p.m. Or call 505-454-3238.
Sponsors for Fiesta de la Hispanidad include Southwest Capital Bank, the Highlands Department of Languages and Culture, and the Highlands Foundation.
“It’s exciting that the Department of Languages and Culture is helping promote the fiesta this year. Professors Norma Valenzuela and Edgar Vargas Blanco are helping get the word out. Next year they will collaborate with me to organize Fiesta de la Hispanidad,” Harris said.