“I’m thrilled,” said De Colores founder, award-winning artist and musician Xavier Montes, his trademark white Panama hat soaring above the crowd. “I worked like crazy off and on for a year, back and forth, but this makes it all worthwhile,” he noted as kids wearing traditional Mexican masks they made themselves at a special table scampered by.Food bars were hosted by Hozy’s Santa Paula Grill and Manuel and Lola Mendez and those pausing for refreshments were able to view not only the art in the courtyard, but the dancers in the street.The festivities began with a traditional Aztec blessing dance by Nahui Ollin which was followed by day-long music from some of Santa Paula’s best known musicians, including Joe “Gotin“ Ramirez, Simon “Mon” Hernandez, Carlos Leal, Otilio and Janet Robles, Lalo and Lola Moreno, Richard “El Surdo” Corral and the Salas Brothers.The Cuban-style salsa sounds of Los Angeles-based Orquesta Charangoa brought more dancers to the streets with their spicy music that offered irresistible beats.Bob and Tillie Borrego were among the dancers. “I think this is wonderful. Santa Paula should have more festivals like this with different musical groups. . .it’s good clean fun. I love it!” As he and Tillie swirled away, Borrego called over his shoulder, “I wish I was younger though!”
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On Sunday the Cuban-style salsa sounds of Los Angeles-based Orquesta Charangoa brought dancers to the streets with their spicy music that offered irresistible beats. A big crowd enjoyed the sights and sounds of the De Colores festivities. |
Expanded cultural De Colores Art Show a big hit
April 17, 2002
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThere was dancing in the streets Sunday when the 8th Annual De Colores Art Show celebrated Latino culture, the memory of Cesar Chavez, Santa Paula’s Centennial and art at the California Oil Museum.Paintings, sculpture, pottery, photography, even some pretty amazing installations filled the museum, it’s courtyard and out into the streets, where a stage was filled with musicians all day.“This is fascinating, very impressive,” said Carolyn Colborn Muller, herself an artist, as she looked at the dazzling array of De Colores art.Connie Tushla, who has been working with Centennial Committee, said she distributed 500 fliers about this coming weekend’s array of events. “This is just fabulous,” she said of the hundreds of people jamming the closed street outside the museum. “People are here from all over Ventura County,” as well as from various Los Angeles cities.“When the Centennial idea first came up I had no idea it would be like this. ..it’s incredible, the width and breath of this is wonderful,” said Councilman John Procter. “De Colores should be expanded like this every year.”Mexican Folk arts and crafts, framed and unframed reproductions of the displayed art, clothing and jewelry were all available during De Colores. Author Amanda Perez was on hand to sign her books, including the bestselling “My Very Own Diary (Mi Propio Cuartito).”
