The success of The Festival Latino of the Berkshires 2022
On September 24, 2022, at Town Hall Giggle Park and St. James Place in Great Barrington, the Berkshires community enjoyed the 26th Hispanic Heritage Celebration, organized by the Latino Festival of The Berkshires. This annual cultural event showcases our Hispanic Heritage and the presence of the Latino Community in the County.
Latin Food and Music
The celebration started at 12:00 noon. a variety of Latin American cuisine vendors prepared delicious typical dishes such as tacos, chorizos, arepas, tamales, empanadas, arroz con pollo, beans, tostones and more. Yuris’s Kitchen, Tony Sombrero, Crazy Arepas, Esmeralda and Yolanda Quispe, were in charge of offering the most delicious Latin food.
D.J. Bernardino provided the best Latin music hits throughout the afternoon soundtrack while the visitors were exploring the foods, social services, artists, artisans, and activities present at the festival. Carmen Beker supported the activity in the Hablemos Español’ tent with MAPP & Kim Chirichella, Muddy Brook school’ teacher, practicing conversation in Spanish and reading Children Spanish’ books.
Dance Companies
During the afternoon the Festival Latino of the Berkshires presented talented and highly accomplished Latin American folkloric dance companies who performed at Saint James Place theater and in the park. Cali Salsa Pal Mundo, “Salsa CABARET” from Colombia, Brazil in a Heart Beat, choreographed by Luana Dias David and finally the unique innovative choreographies of Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater company NYC representing the ancestor culture from Honduras.
Local Artists
In the Gazebo throughout the afternoon, we could enjoy local performers Latinos Unidos of the Berkshires, children group from Great Barrington, representing dances from Ecuador, Mexico and Colombia. Ecuatorianos por El Mundo, from Pittsfield, lineup from Laneborough, The Cortes Siblings, entertained everyone with their Mariachi Concert of Violin, Vihuela & Guitar. Little flamenco performance by Joanne Bockemuehl a Flamenco dancer, teaching artist/choreographer. Local group Tornado Musical performed music for us all to dance to.
Latino children were present!
Strengthening our Hispanic heritage, the children were great protagonists in this celebration. They were supporting different activities throughout the event. The Latino Festival of the Berkshires fulfills its purpose when these children live and represent their Latino roots. Proof of this were the presentations by the Cortes Siblings, Latinos Unidos of the Berkshires and Ecuatorianos por el Mundo. In addition, the Festival counted with the participation of Ivanna Aguilar in the Hablemos Español tent, Victoria Ospina in the stage with our Master of Ceremonies and Isabella Riano, who reported on social media about the event.
