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Celebrating La Cultura

Cinco de Mayo events in the valley By Heather Zimmerman PERHAPS THE MOUNTING CONTROVERSY over the abundance of alcohol vendors at recent Cinco de Mayo celebrations explains it, but it's certainly noticeable that this year's festivities seem to focus more on celebrating la cultura--and less on plain old celebrating. The Center for Latino Arts (MACLA) hosts three days of celebratory events. On Saturday (May 3), Grupo Germinal presents the folklore and music of Latin America; 7:30pm, $5. May 4 features a poetry reading by Círculo Artístico y Literario de California; 4pm, $5. On May 5, Grupo Huichol gives a workshop and presentation; 6pm, $5. Call 408/998-ARTE for details. Also on Saturday, the Episcopal Church of St. Joseph in Milpitas offers a celebration with mariachi music, arts and crafts and homemade Mexican food, 3­5pm, followed by a dance, 7­10pm. Call 408/262-3751 for details. On Sunday, bring the family to enjoy seven stages of international talent, crafts and food--and the traditional parade--at Parkside Hall and the Discovery Meadow at Guadalupe River Park, in San Jose. 8am-5pm. (408/923-1646). The San Jose Flea Market hosts Celebracion Magnifica, featuring music from Banda Kampesino, Los Ligeros Zacatecas and others, as well as a children's stage, Mexican food and drink, kiddie rides and games, noon­5pm (408/453-1110). Local DJs Mark Farina, Spun, Rick Preston, Ryan Tapia, Manny and el Jefe host a Cinco de Mayo Disco BBQ, 11am­7pm, at Coyote Hellyer Park, Highway 101 South, Hellyer Avenue exit, San Jose. A vehicle-entry fee will be charged. On Sunday, Los Lupeños de San Jose presents Celebración de Nuestra Tierra, a bilingual concert featuring folkloric dance, music, humor and drama. It starts at 7:30pm at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose (408/292-7370). On Monday at 10pm, KTEH (Ch. 54) broadcasts Mi Vida: The Three Worlds of Maria Gutierrez, a documentary by two Santa Cruz filmmakers about the life of a Mexican immigrant as she goes from a migrant labor camp in the San Joaquin Valley to the University of California; the documentary is followed by Geronimo: His Story, about a young man who fights the stereotype of an illegal immigrant. [ Metro | Metroactive Central | Archives ]