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Musical Journey

Fiesta Bound: Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano and Ballet Folklorico Ollin

The Fiesta of La Posada brings the traditions of Christmas in Mexico to San Jose

By Judi Blackwell

The month of December in Mexico is filled with a myriad of regional fiestas. Although many of these observances trace their roots back to the customs of native Indians, a great number have been replaced by Christian ones, the most popular of which is, the Fiesta of La Posada, or the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

This Sunday (Dec. 3), the Mexican Heritage Corporation brings those traditions of Christmas in Mexico to life in a gala production of "Fiesta Navidad," a family Christmas show featuring song, dance and theater re-enacting the Fiesta of La Posada. As galas go, this one will be hard to top, for on hand from start to finish is Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, arguably the world's leading mariachi.

The Posada began in the 16th century as a liturgical event to celebrate the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, but has since evolved into a nine-day event in which people participate by asking for symbolic lodging.

In Mexico, the first Posada begins on the night of Dec. 16, with the participants divided into two groups: the guests, who ask for lodging; and the hosts, who provide it. Families and friends organize a schedule of homes to be visited; then the host home is decorated, and food and drink prepared for the visitors.

The guests gather outside the home to request a place to stay, and the hosts answer, first by refusing and then receiving them, which signals the beginning of the evening's fiesta. Then, by singing a traditional song, the hosts and guests recreate Joseph and Mary's search for lodging.

There are regional variations to the ceremony, so the first half of the Mexican Heritage Corporation's re-enactment will feature a fiesta in Jalisco, where the mariachi tradition began. The musical journey of Mariachi Los Camperos begins with the traditional petition for lodging (the Posada), followed by the breaking of the piñata and closing with a dance performance by Ballet Folklórico Ollin and roping tricks by Roper Muñoz.

The second half of the program features traditions from the state of Veracruz, which include Jarocho music. In Veracruz, celebrants walk through the streets singing "La Rama" and carry a branch or "rama" from house to house requesting gifts through song--"Noche de Ronda," "El Pastor" and "Don Arbolitos."

The musical journey ends with the mariachi version of traditional Christmas carols, in which the audience members can join Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in singing "Noche de Paz" (Silent Night), "Campanitas" (Jingle Bells), "Aqui Viene Santa Claus" (Here Comes Santa Claus) and more.

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The Fiesta of La Posada takes place Sunday (Dec. 3) at 2pm at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Tickets are $20. (408/292-5197)


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