“Oaxaca de Mis Amores” is the title of a song praising the beauty of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It’s also the title of a cultural celebration set to take place Sunday at the Junior Seau Amphitheatre in Oceanside.
Organizers say it’s the first Oaxacan event in the city.
"What's unique about Oaxacan culture is that the Oaxacan state itself has eight different regions, and each region has its own identity, including food, dances, even in some cases languages,” said Gabriela Ximenez, one of the event’s organizers. “That's really what the beauty of Oaxaca is, that you can go to different parts of Oaxaca and have a completely different experience.”
Experiences at Sunday’s festival will include local vendors offering traditional Oaxacan foods like tlayudas: large toasted tortillas piled with spiced black beans and toppings like a Oaxacan cheese called Quesillo, cabbage, salsa and varieties of meat.
There will also be guided arts activities for children, local retailers, music and dancing featuring many Oaxacan dance groups, often referred to as candelas. Each candela has different dances, attire and music specific to their pueblo of origin in Oaxaca.
Candela Valles Centrales is one of the groups set to perform, beginning their dancing with 10-foot tall “monos,” giant paper mache human figures with frames made from a material similar to bamboo that are hoisted on dancers’ shoulders.
“We go with those ones so they can get the attention,” said Rosie Molano, who runs Candela Valles Centrales with her husband.
She said the group will perform three to four dances, and then throw candy to spectators. “Once we do that, it's like it's an invitation for the people to join us,” she said.
Oaxaca de Mis Amores is a free event, and will run from noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.
