It's summertime in Colorado, which equates to the season of festivals, fiestas, festales! Colorado's increasingly diversifying Front Range guarantees several ethnic cultural celebrations are happening at any given time.
The second annual Westminster Latino Festival brought more than 3,000 people to the Irving Street Library grounds for a day of music and entertainment lucha libre (Mexican style wrestling), food from across Latin America, and lowriders.
It was great to witness community coming together to showcase aspects of Latin urban culture. Of course, it's always inspiring to see traditional dance and music. But as cultural events go (and I've been to many of them), it often feels like communities of color are performing to the expectations of mainstream audiences.
Let me provide an example from the Asian American Pacific Islander community. It's customary for Asian American festivals or events to always start off with a Chinese lion dance; never mind the diversity of Asian American ethnic groups! Not all Asian cultures celebrate dancing lions, but mainstream audiences somehow "expect" to be entertained by lion-people puppets at Asian events. I realize this may sound harsh, and I acknowledge the economics and dynamics of hosting cultural events that seek sponsorship from predominantly white mainstream organizations. I understand how challenging it is to raise money for cultural spaces.
Still, it's great to see other models of cultural work that centers and maintains the integrity of the community's cultural experience. At the Latino Festival in Westminster, Mexican wrestling and lowriders were not displayed for the white gaze. It was quite the empowering experience to witness communities taking charge of their own narrative.
Can't wait for next year's celebration!