Fiesta de Reyes Late Summer Entertainment Schedule Set
This summer, Fiesta de Reyes will have live, free entertainment in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The Fiesta de Reyes stage, located in the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard, will host a variety of authentic folk-culture performances for the pleasure of diners, shoppers and passers-by.
“The entertainment selection was hand-picked to feature groups showcasing the traditional values and styles of Old California,” said Chuck Ross of Old Town Family Hospitality Corp., operators of Fiesta de Reyes.
Live performances will be held every day of the week, excluding Wednesdays and there is no cost to attend.
Folklórico dancing will be performed on the Fiesta de Reyes stage Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30, Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The term folklórico literally means “folk dance” in Spanish and is a collective term for traditional Latin American dances that celebrate local folk culture. Dancers wear brightly colored costumes reflecting traditional Spanish influence and dance to music featuring horns and guitars. The dancing groups at Fiesta de Reyes consists of professional dancers, students and young children.
On Thursdays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9, Tinku will occupy the Fiesta de Reyes stage with the traditions, customs and rhythms of various Latin American countries. Tinku roughly translates into “the coming together” of two different segments of society. Incorporating native instruments into music with Latin, folk and world influences, Tinku will delight any audience.
The Fiesta de Reyes stage will welcome Luis Max & Blue Moon on Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30. The band features music straight from the heart and was influenced by growing up in Mexico. Its sounds are a fusion of Latin, rock and pop music. Rich in Latin percussion with a hint of jazz, it will satisfy even the most sophisticated of musical tastes.
Entertainment at Fiesta de Reyes would not be complete without a true story of romance, scandal and political power. On Aug. 15 and Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. and 2, the Fiesta de Reyes stage will welcome “The Bells of Doña Josepha,” a 25-minute melodrama written by Agustin Castañeda.
Last and surely not least, Fiesta de Reyes also has a roving house Mariachi band. Los Rios will be out in the crowds every Wednesday through Sunday to take requests of traditional mariachi songs, Santana, Kool and the Gang and even Pink Floyd tunes.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is known for capturing the ambiance of California’s first European settlement at the time California was evolving from a Mexican pueblo to an American frontier town. The entire Old Town community is home to eight hotels, 35 restaurants, 85 merchants, 30 historic sites, and 18 free museums that include beautifully restored original adobes and recreated historic homes to showcase this era of the golden west.
The shops and restaurants, live musicians and local artisans demonstrating their artistic craft make Fiesta de Reyes a lively experience with a permanent party ambiance. It is located at Juan and Calhoun streets, a one-block stroll from the Old Town Trolley Station. For more information call (619) 297-3100 or visit www.FiestaDeReyes.com.
