Local Music Showcases the Culture of Northern New Mexico
LAS VEGAS, NM- Local musicians, community members, and local school children alike participated in the 26th Annual Fiesta de la Hispanidad at Ilfeld Auditorium on the New Mexico Highlands University campus on Sunday, April 14, 2024. The event, a showcase of Northern New Mexican culture, music, and language was attended by 200 people from the area.
The Fiesta resumed last year after being shut down for 3 years due to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. This year the Fiesta de la Hispanidad returned to its full glory. Ilfeld Auditorium was packed with proud parents, school children, mariachis, musicians, and local music lovers who came to support the mission to continue the Northern New Mexican traditions and enjoy the show.
One proud parent, Crista Gallegos, said, “It makes me so proud to see my son sing the same songs we learned growing up. Sometimes you do not realize how important it is to keep our language alive.”
The Fiesta de la Hispanidad was hosted by Norma Valenzuela, the Department of Languages and Culture chair who said the following about Sunday in an emailed statement,” The Department of Languages and Cultures wishes to express its most sincere appreciation to all the performers and in particular the maestras bilingues, the wonderful students, parents, family, and loved ones. We had a full house at Ilfeld Auditorium! Mil gracias Charles Weber and staff.Fiesta is a cultural event aimed at fostering the bilingualism of Northern New Mexico and supporting our future generations of artists. In closing, quiero agradecer a Dr. Eric Romero who co-hosted with me, and to our wonderful support staff and volunteers.”
The artists included Brenda Ortega, Abe Garcia, and students from schools such as Don Cecilio, Meza Union, Luis E. Armijo, and Tony Serna Elementary. The ages of the performers ranged from 5 to 85. It was sponsored by the NMHU Foundation, the NMHU President’s Office, the Spanish Club, Abraham’s Tiendita, and the Language Learning Center.
