Businesses along North Cortez Street, plus food trucks, vendors and live bands, will celebrate all things Latinx in an epic block party from 3 to 6pm Saturday, May 4. The DJ party begins at 7pm on the Fairweather Social Club stage.
NoCo District organizer Rebecca Horniman invites the community to this family-oriented event open to everyone, whether they identify as Latinx or just want to experience and learn about the cultures, art and foods of many of the countries south of the US border.
The district takes in the businesses lining North Cortez Street between Gurley and Sheldon streets, focusing mainly from The Raven Café on the west side north to Peregrine Book Company on the east side.
Cloud Oakes, owner/manager of the Art Hive gallery and studio space at 203 N. Cortez, said the idea for La Fiesta came to her and Horniman about a year ago as a way to spend a day celebrating Prescott’s diverse community. With Susan Cooper, a writer for Alianza Spanish News, they have organized a cultural event where people can enjoy interacting face-to-face and possibly dispel a lot of stereotypes.
“There is no litmus test for how Latinx you are,” Cooper explained. “Come and learn; it’s about being as inclusive as possible.”
Oakes has a call out for Hispanic artists and vendors for the May 4 event. Local artists Julio Perez and Carlos Duran will be featured in the Art Hive’s front gallery space. The exhibit will open during the 4th Friday Art Walk on April 26. Perez will also have four large mural paintings on display leading into Studio 27, the facility’s performance studio.
Tables offering information and support for services such as English-language classes and citizenship materials will be available, as are children’s art projects and games, performances by folkloric dance groups, and traditional and contemporary music, both live during the afternoon and on the Fairweather Social Club stage at 222 N. Cortez, with a DJ party starting at 7pm offering salsa, mambo and other world music.
Oakes said people can almost do a “progressive culture crawl” beginning at Raven Café with a special menu and moving outside to what she calls Raven Park, the adjacent parking lot, which will contain vendor booths with gifts and items from the Americas.
Across the street at 147 N. Cortez a new business, Haus of Themes, plans to open May 3 with an immersive experience that will transport guests to the Aztec jungle.
In the former Wells Fargo Bank parking lot at Willis St. attendees will find food trucks and arts-and-crafts activities for kids. Oakes is hoping for lots of participation in the sidewalk-decorating enterprise that will lead people onward to Fairweather Park, where three or four bands are scheduled to play. An interactive mural with milagros and room for some soccer play make this a cool place to relax and enjoy a beverage. Local charities will benefit from 25% of the Fairweather Social Club proceeds from the DJ party.
Toyful Toy Shoppe, 205 N. Cortez and also accessible through the Hive, offers a lot of merchandise made in Mexico and other American countries, including the many colorful piñatas hanging from the ceiling right now.
The Peregrine Book Company at 219 N. Cortez will have books for children, young adults and adults on display celebrating Hispanic authors. The store also will provide a venue for anyone in the community who wishes to share a favorite Latinx book or author, or who wants to read a section of a book that has affected them.
Oakes said the Art Hive will be celebrating its first anniversary as a gallery and artist-studio space during La Fiesta.
Prescott has always had a vibrant Latinx community. Horniman said being visible at downtown arts events is important for Hispanics, who are not always represented at such occasions.
Cooper agreed, adding, “It was challenging to not have role models in professional settings that looked like me. This event is exactly what we need.”
For more information or to reserve a booth or space to exhibit original artwork, contact Cloud Oakes at 360-298-4065 or cloud@arthive.space.
