Caption: La Estudiantina, a Multi-age Musical Troupe from Alamos Mexico, opened fiesta.
The 8th annual Scottsdale Day of the Dead Fiesta was very successful as it unveiled one of the cultural events of Mexico and Latin America, celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed away. Scottsdale Sister Cities and it’s oldest sister city, Alamos, Mexico, partnered with the City of Scottsdale in this three-day fiesta by presenting the eleven members of “La Estudiantina”, a long established group of strolling musicians from Alamos, Mexico, dressed in 17th-century Spanish costumes. They performed throughout the festival, including the opening procession from the Old Adobe Mission to the Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
The Alamos delegation, including the recently elected new Alamos Mayor Samuel Borbon, his wife, and several new staff members were able to meet with Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega before the fiesta began. They discussed their new relationship and possibilities for the future.
Caption: Incoming Alamos Mayor Samuel Borbon and Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega.
Caption: Alamos City Committee meets with the mayors and SSCA President, Neil Ciarfalia, far left.
The Alamos/Scottsdale citizens committee was also able to join the Alamos group for a very exciting festival, renewing ties with our SSC Alamos Committee, discussing current projects and planning for our numerous events scheduled for next year.
Our group was privileged to view the incredible dance performance, “Danza De Muertos” featuring the Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. There were two presentations with nearly full houses.
The last evening the SSC Alamos Committee hosted a “Carne Asada” dinner, that was prepared by José Enriquez and Arlene Lara, a wonderful couple who has recently joined the Alamos Scottsdale citizen’s group. They produced a delicious meal, using a custom bar-b-que grill that Jose had presented on an earlier visit. To top off the evening, “La Estudiantina” serenaded this farewell party with several Mexican songs.
-photos and text by Alamos Committee Chair, Bob Rink, bob@bobrinkphoto.com
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