The 12th annual Fiesta on the Mesa 2016 will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Student Union Outdoor Plaza at Fort Lewis College. The public is invited to join the college community to celebrate the kick-off of Hispanic Heritage Month with authentic food, colorful folkloric dances and live music provided by Las Cafeteras from East Los Angeles.
All Fort Lewis College students, faculty and staff have dinner free with ID. Dinner is available to the public for $8 for adults and $4 for children under 10. Fiesta on the Mesa's live outdoor entertainment is free and open to all.
This year's live music and dance will be provided by Las Cafeteras. Fusing traditional and modern beats, Las Cafeteras are known for their energetic multi-lingual performances. Combining Afro-Mexican (Son Jarocho), Hip Hop, Folk, Native American & many more styles, creating a new American sound. This six member band takes a modern day storytelling approach to their music with socially charged stories, music and dance that aim to provoke thought as well as fun. Their 30-minute set is free and open to the public and begins at 5:30 p.m.
Fort Lewis College's own student DJ Euphoria will kick off the event. Other entertainment includes a live performance by Ballet Folklorico de Durango beginning at 5:15 p.m., a piñata for children, and the annual El Grito contest to celebrate the loudest and most authentic Mexicano shout.
El Centro de Muchos Colores in collaboration with Club del Cento, Campus Dining and Union Programming hold this Fiesta to promote pride in language and Hispano culture. Prospective and current students, their families, alumni and community members are encouraged to attend.
The purpose of Fiesta on the Mesa is to kick-off FLC's month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated nationally from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The date also commemorates one of Mexico's most important national holidays, "El Dia del Grito," known as Mexico's Independence Day.
Las Cafeteras will perform live at the Community Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m., tickets range from $19-24, with discounted student and group rates available. Tickets are at www.durangoconcerts.com. A video performance of the Las Cafeteras performing at KUTX Austin at www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-81VFgpSe0&feature=youtu.be.
For more information, contact El Centro de Muchos Colores at 247-7654 or visit http://www.fortlewis.edu/elcentro.
