For Immediate Release
Media Contact: John Cain
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
707.800.7513

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: John Cain
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
707.800.7513
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • 2:00 – 3:00PM
SANTA ROSA, CA (July 9, 2021)—Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (LBC) celebrates the 12th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, September 12 from 2:00 – 3:00PM. Organized by the Center’s Latino Advisory Council, this one-hour, FREE event on September 12th will include performances by Danza Azteca Xantotl, Ballet Folklórico Ireri, LBC’s own mariachi ensemble: Mariachi Cantares de Mi Tierra, and a special headline performance by Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán. LBC is also proud that the Mexican Consulate of San Francisco will continue to participate in El Grito, a moving re-enactment of the history-making Cry of Dolores.
“We are proud to work with members of the LBC Latino Advisory Council (LAC) and our generous presenting sponsor Redwood Credit Union to provide this celebration of culture for the 12th year in a row. We invite every member of our community, regardless of background, to join us in honoring and uplifting the vivid texture of our community fabric. Fiesta de Independencia is a way to commemorate both individual and collective heritage,” states Ashleigh Worley, Director of Education and Community Engagement.
Long-time member of LAC and LBC Honorary Board Member, Ernesto Olivares reflects, “For many years, the Fiesta has brought people together to recognize and honor the rich culture of our community’s residents. While 2020 was a very difficult year, today there is much to celebrate as we continue to recover and heal—the Fiesta is the perfect place for this. I invite everyone to join us as we celebrate our histories and cultures through the universal language music, food, and art.”
Fiesta de Independencia began at the Center in 2010 to commemorate Mexican Independence Day (September 16) and has since evolved to celebrate the rich history of the diverse Latino cultures and people who are an integral part of the North Bay community. In past years, drawing more than 4,000 community members, the event has become a Sonoma County tradition, serving as a kickoff to Latino Heritage month, which runs September 15th-October 15th. The Fiesta is a community-wide celebration of cultures, people, and traditions
that also educates the community about Hispanic history and Latino businesses in Sonoma County. In 2020, the LBC made the decision to continue the tradition virtually to huge success.
This year, in an abundance of caution as the event draws huge crowds and is family-focused, LBC has decided to keep the celebration virtual for one more year; however, they are thrilled to be able to offer the amazing talent of Vargas. Worley states, “We are honored to have Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán perform at our 12th annual Fiesta de Independencia. This is only possible to have Vargas because it will be a virtual event; in any other year, this would not be possible. We’re thrilled to be able to bring the talents of Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán right into the homes of viewers!”
The LBC will be streaming Fiesta de Independencia on their website, premiering on Sept 12th at 2pm and will continue to be available for viewing thereafter. Along with Fiesta, the LBC will be featuring virtual events all month long to celebrate Latino Heritage month. Check out LBC’s Facebook page for additional information, performances, and videos before and after the event.
Fiesta de Independencia is generously sponsored by the Redwood Credit Union.
About Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts is home to world-class performances, nationally recognized education programs, contemporary visual art, and many popular events. The Arts Center is located in the heart of the Sonoma wine country and ranked among California’s top performing arts presenters. Together with its resident companies, the Center presents more than 230 performances in music, dance, theater, renowned speakers, and comedy; provides education programs serving more than 50,000 children and adults; and hosts more than 1,000 community events a year. Owned and operated by the Luther Burbank Memorial Foundation, the Center relies on charitable community donations to achieve its mission – to enrich, educate, and entertain.
###