A free celebration of Mexico’s independence and Hispanic heritage month

Santa Rosa, Calif. (August 22, 2023)—Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (LBC) and Redwood Credit Union will host the 14th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, September 10, from 1 to 7 pm at the LBC campus. Organized by the Center’s Latino Advisory Council, the free, family-friendly, campus-wide festival celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, especially Mexico’s Independence, with a traditional fiesta, authentic food, music, games, and performances.

In partnership with Los Cien of Sonoma County, LBC also will present its annual Community Leadership Awards, to an individual and an organization that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the Latino Community through volunteerism, education, mentorship, or other personal or professional efforts.

Headliner performances at this year’s fiesta include Mina La voz de la Cumbia and Alan y Los Felinos. LBC’s own student bands, Mariachi Cantares de mi Tierra and Mariachi Luna Naranja, will perform, and Ballet Folklórico Ireri and the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers will bring their renowned vibrancy to the stage. The event will offer children’s activities, including carnival games, face painting, a jumpy house, piñatas, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County’s Museum-on-the-Go, and the BiblioBus from Sonoma County Library, which will have an activity and hand out library cards. Exhibitions will include a lowrider car show with 1 Firme Car Club, and cultural exhibitions by students from Roseland University Prep’s MEChA Program.

“Fiesta de Independencia acknowledges Mexico’s independence from Spain’s rule and signifies liberty, democracy, and joy of community, similar to what most American’s celebrate on the 4th of July,” said Candido Morales, a member of LBC’s Latino Advisory Council. “In that same spirit, people come together to share the celebration of culture, foods, arts, and music of Mexico. We come to hear the representative from the Mexican Consulate of San Francisco declare a Grito de Indepencia (Cry of Independence) – the ceremony in which the authority of our government proclaims again an enactment of our independence.”

Service organizations offering information on their programs and resources that day will include, Family Justice Center Sonoma County, Latino Service Providers, Sonoma County Family YMCA, Sonoma County Fire District, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma County District Attorney – Victim Services, County of Sonoma, Soluna Outreach Solutions/Zero Waste Sonoma, Sonoma County Dept of Child Support Services DCSS, Sonoma County Registrar of Voters, County of Sonoma Human Services, Valley of the Moon Children’s Center, and Santa Rosa Junior College. 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. Drawing more than 5,500 community members each year, the event has become a Sonoma County tradition. The Fiesta is a community-wide celebration of cultures, people, and traditions that also increases awareness about Hispanic history and tradition, service organizations that support our community, and the many Latinx businesses in Sonoma County.

To help ensure experiences are enjoyable for all, LBC has created policies and procedures to promote a secure, safe, and welcoming environment at all events held at the Center. Guests should anticipate security presence and safety screenings upon arrival.

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 800 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. For more information, visit lutherburbankcenter.org.

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