The rhythms of Latin music and lively dance performances had everyone moving to the beat at Fiesta Hispana, hosted by Evanston Pride at Fountain Square on Thursday night. The family-friendly event brought community members of all ages together for a celebration of diversity, cultural heritage and unity.
Evanston Pride co-president Rada Yovovich welcomed attendees and invited the kids to gather around a colorful pinata and take turns swinging, sending young residents, and those who are young at heart, scrambling for the sweet treats that poured out.
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Puerta Arbierta student, Arbin Rees-Punia, 2, takes his turn at the piñata. Credit: Sydney Johnson -
Lily Kendrick, 2, gasps at how much candy her mother’s gathered from the pinata. Credit: Sydney Johnson
Yovovich also introduced performers including the Ensemble Español community dancers. “They’ve been supporters of this event every year that Evanston Pride has been running it,” Yovovich told the RoundTable.
The dancers were accompanied by Karla Koziura, one of the teachers of the community dance classes at the Ensemble Español through Northeastern University.
“Flamenco takes many forms,” Koziura told the RoundTable before the show. “We’re starting with a regional dance called Sevillanas from Seville, Spain,” she said.
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A group of community dancers from Ensemble Español gathers after their annual Fiesta Hispana performance. Credit: Sydney Johnson -
Doris Barrett shares a dance with her daughter Karen Callum, a performer with Ensemble Español. Credit: Sydney Johnson -
Jocelyn Leving fixes her dance partner Marfil Keller’s hairpiece. Credit: Sydney Johnson
Koziura said one of their other dances developed after Spaniards came to America. “They took the rhythms of Cuba and Africa that they found in America back to Spain and incorporated them into their flamenco dance.” The group also did a classical dance with castanets. At the conclusion, captivated audience members were invited to participate, adding to the communal nature of the occasion.
Another highlight was the Chicago band, Mariachi Flor de Primavera, featuring lead vocalist and guitarist Adielene Ross. Aaron at DJ Impact Productions mixed Latin music from around the world to keep the beats going.
Attendees purchased food and handcrafted items from vendors at tables along Orrington Avenue, which was closed for the event. Chef Ernesto Rodriguez gave interested fiesta-goers information about his El Molcajete mole sauces, each of which has over 20 different ingredients. Mariela Pineda, a vendor and owner of Mexican’Elas, sold clothing, jewelry and handbags, all handmade in Mexico.
“This is amazing,” Pineda said. “I love that everybody is enjoying the art from Mexico.”
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