around town Community
Dia Del Nino (Day of the Children)
A Solano County Community Celebration
n Dr. Gethsemane Moss, Ed.D. The celebration of El Dia Del Nino has a long and rich history. Universal Children's Day was first established in 1954 to promote international togetherness and raise awareness of youth and their wellbeing. In 1959 the United Nations adopted the Declaration of Rights of the Child. Thirty years later, Presidents Clinton and Bush promoted National Child's Day, and now Children's Day is celebrated during the second week of June. To date, many countries including Mexico, India and Japan, have established a day to honor children. The Day of the Child (or Day of the Children) is celebrated worldwide with activities for children to celebrate and enjoy a festive day filled with food and music. Families are encouraged to appreciate their children and the essential role they play in everyday life. Teachers are encouraged to organize activities that help children understand their importance. Activities are child-centered with games, music, performances, and fun. Closer to home, our local community leader Jamie Esparza had a vision for the youth of Solano County and partnered and organized Fiesta Primavera as a pre-Cinco de Mayo event. This event will feature a Latin Jazz Fiesta with 30 • Benicia Magazine
acclaimed percussionist particularly in Oakland, where the two Juan Escovedo and grew up. Elevate Oakland, the Escovedo his All-Stars Band, family nonprofit founded by Juan's sister the Mio Flores Band, Sheila E, was created specifically to and introducing solo introduce students to music in Oakland artist Trinny. Esparza public schools. "It is an honor to perform expressed his excitement on the Day of the Children because and hope for the Fiesta our youth need our support and Primavera, stating, "Most encouragement," stated Juan Escovedo. people think that Cinco As mentioned before, Lunitas de Mayo is Mexican Kitchen will prepare dinner prior to the Independence Day, performance for $22.00 in the Empress but it was really about Lounge at 5:30 pm. Part of the proceeds a small, mighty army from the dinner will provide dance who fought against the classes at Ballet Folklorico Moon Azteca French." Esparza went for students seeking financial support. on to state, "This is a perfect time for this The event will take place on Saturday, event because it is the end of spring that April 30, 2022, from 7:30 pm-10:30 pm. showcases culture as well as fundraising Although the youth dancers of Ballet efforts for the children." Esparza had the Folklorico Moon Azteca will perform at idea of bringing people together with the beginning of the show, the remainder live music, fun, and celebration. While of the event is for 21 and over. he plans to engage all of Solano County, Tickets are available at the Empress he would like this event to expand Theatre Box office or online on the throughout the Bay Area. Attendees will TicketFairy website at https://www. also experience the Mood Azteca Ballet ticketfairy.com/event/fiesta-primaveraFolklorico. Food from Lunitas Kitchen 30apr2022 B will be available as well, and a portion of the proceeds from the food sales will benefit the youth in the dance program who are raising funds for their authentic costumes. Featured artists, Juan Escovedo, Mio Flores, and Trinny, appeared recently on OZCAT Radio (KZCT 89.5FM) with radio personality and event promoter Jerome Triple J Wideman, board members from the Solano County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President Jerry Gonzales and Yajaira Rubio Machado, the chamber’s Parliamentarian and Lunitas Kitchen owner. Wideman spent You can follow all of the artists the hour discussing the upcoming on Instagram and Facebook show's purpose while playing songs from Juan Escovedo's newly and find out about their released CD, The J. upcoming performance dates. Juan Escovedo and Mio Flores give back to bay area schools,
