(Above: Mariachi music is an integral part of the annual Fiesta Cultural.)

By Randi Bjornstad

Lane Arts Council says its Fiesta Cultural is Lane County’s largest celebration of Latino/a/x heritage, culture, and arts. The seventh-annual version begins with the downtown Eugene First Friday ArtWalk on Sept. 3 and goes on into December.

Not surprisingly, this year celebration again has to be handled with caution because of the continuing covid-19 pandemic, so unlike 2019, when 2,000 people attended the kick-off and the entire Fiesta Cultural included more than 40 multicultural events, some of this year’s activities will be in-person, while others will be available either in-person or live-streamed, or sometimes both.

All in-person get-togethers will require social distancing and the wearing of face masks, according to the Lane Arts Council and the leaders of the Fiesta Cultural, coordinator Jessica Watson said in announcing this year’s activities.

“Although we are disappointed (that) we are not able to gather again for the big kick-off event, we learned a lot last year about how the festival can still be successful, providing opportunities to safely participate in programming,” Watson said. And looking on the bright side,“Fiesta Cultural is even more accessible now that many events and activities are virtual or include virtual components.”

It’s important to continue this celebration even with adjustments, Lane Arts council executive director Stacey Ray said.

“Community members have shared how much they appreciate that Fiesta Cultural creates welcoming opportunities to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together, even though we can’t gather together in the same way as usual,” she said. “This feels especially important right now.”

What’s happening at the Sept. 3 Fiesta Cultural

So here’s the plan for the Fiesta Cultural Pop-Up during the Sept. 3 First Friday ArtWalk, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and runs to 8 p.m. in Kesey Square at Broadway and Willamette streets and “The Streatery” outdoor eating and activity space on West Broadway.

  • Community art activity with Jen Hernandez, featuring art and take-home art kits
  • Music by Mariachi Monumental in the Streatery, starting at 5:30pm
  • Mini Whiteaker Community Market, featuring work of local artists
  • Comics and graphic novels from Books with Pictures, in English and en Español, with Latinx protagonists by Latinx creators
  • Bright and whimsical cartoons and illustrations by Erick Wonderly Varela in the Broadway Commerce Center at 44 W. Broadway
  • Food for purchase at the Morelos food cart

Fiesta Cultural Events September through December

Fiesta Cultural will showcase dozens of virtual and in-person cultural events throughout the fall, highlighting Latino/a/x arts and culture in Lane County, including art exhibits, theater, art kits, music and dance performances, classes and workshops, presentations, and cultural celebrationssuch as Día de los Muertos.

Some of the highlights include:

  • Sept. 10 —Hispanic Heritage 2021 in Springfield (presented by Noche Cultural & Eugene Arte Latino)
  • Oct. 2 and 16 — Two virtual one-act plays by José Cruz González, Watermelon Kisses and Marisol’s Christmas, presented by the University of Oregon University Theater
  • Nov. 20 — Tish Hinojosa Trio benefit concert for Centro Latino Americano at the Community Center for the Performing Arts (WOW Hall)
  • Mid-September through Nov. 7 — El Día de los Muertos activities in Springfield, at the Springfield Public Library and the Springfield History Museum

For more information and to view the full listing of Fiesta Cultural events, go online to lanearts.org/fiesta-cultural

Fiesta Cultural is happening in partnership with many local businesses, organizations, and artists. Sponsors include the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace (oregonhealthcare.gov); Oregon Arts Commission; Law Offices of Lourdes Sánchez; City of Eugene Cultural Services; Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (UO); and attorneys Hecht & Norman.

Community organizations that support Fiesta Cultural include La Qué Buena, La E-Kiss, Centro Latino Americano, Huerto de la Familia, Downtown Languages, Salseros Dance Company, League of United Latin American Citizens of Lane County, Eguene Arte Latino, Bailamos!, and KLCC-FM radio.

The project also has financial support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Lane Arts Council

The nonprofit Lane Arts Council’s mission is to cultivate strong and creative arts communities throughout Lane County by providing high-quality arts experiences, engaging people of all ages in arts education, and encouraging artistic endeavors.

Children’s art activities with Jen Hernandez are part of the Fiesta Cultural celebration.