Sones de México Ensemble travels to southern Illinois to present our Fiesta Mexicana family concert and a series of workshop activities at Art in the Park.

1:30 PM – Workshops

Aztec Ceremonial La Danza de Sol
Afromexican Mimetic Dance/Zapateado
Danza de Viejitos Mask-Mak

2:30 PM – Fiesta Mexicana

Fiesta Mexicana is a 45-minute interactive concert for kids and their parents based on our Parent’s Choice Award-winning album “Fiesta Mexicana: Mexican Songs & Stories for Niños & Niñas and their Papás & Mamás.” The program includes songs, storytelling, and interactive games delivered in English and Spanish.

Embark on a journey through Mexican music and the magic world that surrounds it. Children will learn about the four sacred elements of nature for the Aztecs: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Then they learn songs about different animals that inhabit the Mexican ecosystem, including the acamaya (a crawfish), the crocodile, the legendary mermaid, a mouse, a buzzard, a duck, and even a cat! Clap to Mexican rhythms and learn the difference between a slow and a fast tempo with the help of Doña Sabina, our 100-year-old special guest.

First and foremost, everyone in the audience will learn how fun it is to play and dance Mexican music.

Other activities include the SIU Ballet Folklorico “Dos Fronteras” and Latin Dance with the Salsa Night Dancers.

Art in the Park is free and open to the public.

The celebration is presented by SI CABE: Southern Illinois Culture and Arts in Bilingual Education and Salsa Dance Night and is generously supported by an Illinois Arts Council Agency Artstour & Live Music grant, the Illinois Humanities Foreground Rural Initiative, the National Endowment for the Arts, Alto Vineyards, El Paisano Restaurant, with help from numerous community (CMS Beta Club) and SIU student volunteers.