Festival Latino of the Berkshires could not be made possible without the support our Sponsors & Volunteers Bloom Family rolfansen.com Visit our RAFFLE! All Proceeds help pay our event’s many expenses! Prizes include local gift certificates from: La Fogata Special Thanks to all who believed in the importance of our Festival Latino to the Community! William R. Basinait, Lee Chamber of Commerce, The Lee Congregational Church & Pastor Bill Neill, Lee Founders Day Committee, Lori Gazzillo-Berkshire Bank, Haddad Motor Group, Franck Tessier (President Lee Chamber of Commerce), Litnetsb, Claudia Zapata & Brian Formel. Festival Latino Organizers: Bermudez Family, Bill Basinait, Ashton Cruz, Mary Vasquez-Slack, Gloria Escobar, Thomas Trabka, Ruth Bloom, Joe Johnson, Sally Mahoney, Maria Soria, Sharon Fleck, Cristina Velez, Livia Driscoll, Angela Spitia, Evelyn Gonzalez, Enrique Leon. And our many other volunteers: Laura Qualliotine, Marcelo Melendez, Andres Bermudez, Megan Carberry, Matthew Palmer, Jazmine Sanclamente, Señor Bouvier’s MMRHS A.P. Spanish Teacher Class, WILLINET, CTSB, DCTV, WBCR-LP 97.7FM Jeffrey Roosa, Chief of Police, Colleen Henry & Scott Prevost Henry's Electric Opening Remarks & Host: Angela Bermúdez Chair and Co-Founder of the Festival Latino Liliana Ortiz Bermudez Masters of Ceremonies Aston Cruz (English) & German Bermúdez (Spanish) Activities: Children’s Costume Pageant ZooBomBom (Dance Instruction/ D.J. Mixes) Special Guests: Amanda Morton Miss Berkshire County William “Smitty” Pignatelli - MA State House Representative Sueño Ecuatoriano Ecuadorean Dance Group from Queens, NY Exhibiting Ecuadorean and history culture through tradtional dances and exquisite costumes. Ballet Nuestra Señora del Refugio Organized by Comite Guadalupano de la Iglesia el Refugio Professional Mexican Folkloric Dance Group from the Bronx Featured in the New York Times: “An art of old Mexico steps into New York” Trio Candela Organizer Aimee Gelinas Playing rhythmic beats from Cuba, Domincan Republic, and Puerto Rico in addition to their original creations from the Berkshires. Ballet Folkorico Panameño Founder Norberto Basilio Mowatt Panamanian Folkloric Dance Group from Brooklyn performing Cumbia Abierta, Danzon Cumbia, Espina, & Denesa. Cali Salsa Pal Mundo Director, Choreographer & Dancer Jonathan Ramos Winners of the Miami World Salsa Summit 2015, Connecticut Salsa Fest, and Cali Salsa at Orlando Salsa Congress 2014. United States Hispanic Heritage Month Each year, Americans observe September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The day September 15 is significant because it’s the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In Addition Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18. Also Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza falls within the observation. About Us Over twenty years, the Festival has become the most eagerly anticipated cultural event for the Latino communities in the Berkshires. Our unique celebration educates the public about the histories and cultures of the diverse Latino countries through the exposition of music, dancing and food. Spectators have expressed their deep appreciation for this cultural infusion each year. The Festival Latino of the Berkshires works with Spanish Teachers throughout Western Massachusetts to encourage Spanish Language students to attend the event as part of their educational experience. Historia La comunidad latinoamericana de los Berkshires se complace en participar nuevamente en las festividades anuales en conmemoración de los fundadores de la ciudad de Lee, conocidas como "Founder’s Weekend". Nuestra voz se hace sentir con el Festival Latino de los Berkshires. Este festival nació de las mentes soñadoras de Liliana Ortiz-Bermudez y Doris Orellana, quienes hicieron realidad el sueño de hacer conocer públicamente ante la población de Lee y de los Berkshires la riqueza cultural, la diversidad étnica, el hermoso folclor, el arte milenario y el noble sentimiento de nuestra raza. El Festival se celebró por primera vez y en forma independiente el 14 de julio de 1995. El año siguiente se unió a la celebración Lee Founders Weekend The Festival Latino Continues TONIGHT …. Doors Open: 9:00 P.M. Eastover Estate & Retreat 430 EAST ST. Lenox, MA Cover: $20w $25m I.D Required Preforman: CHARLIE CAJARES “El Agobada del Salsa”