Mosaico Arts and Music Festival Comes to Perris Hill Park

The San Bernardino Symphony and the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department have teamed up to bring an exciting Arts and Music Festival to the San Bernardino community over Cinco de Mayo weekend. Made possible by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, the Mosaico Arts and Music Festival will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, at Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino. Free to the community, the festival will host a myriad of family-oriented activities and dynamic entertainment. Opening the festival from 2 to 3 p.m. will be a performance by the students of CKC Music and a visit by the beloved character Cri Cri ("The Singing Cricket"). At 3:30 p.m. popular ensemble Milpa Music will take the stage. At 4 p.m. the Chamber Orchestra of Ensenada presents "El Renacuajo en Llano Alegre" or "The Wandering Little Tadpole." This family-oriented production, sponsored by the San Bernardino Consulate of Mexico and Wells Fargo Bank, includes the beautiful music of a 25-piece orchestra, colorful set backdrops, and life-size puppetry which audiences are sure to love. At 5:30, there will be a colorful performance by regional folklorico group, Herencia Mexicana Folklorico. The acclaimed dance ensemble will bring over 70 dancers to the Roosevelt Bowl stage. The Mosaico Arts and Music Festival will culminate with a full symphony concert performance at 6 p.m. featuring the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, singers Ana González (mezzo-soprano) and Gustavo Hernández (tenor), and the Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles. Conducted by Maestro Frank Fetta, the orchestra will perform much loved Latin American classics to include "Huapango," "Amorcito Corazón," "Cielito Lindo," "Bésame Mucho," "Sabor a mí," and "Zacatecas March." According to Fetta, "It has been a joyful experience participating in the production of the Mosaico Music Festival. It is absolutely fabulous that we can bring together the elements of Cinco de Mayo and great Latin American music, and provide a family-friendly musical evening at Perris Hill Park." The Symphony performance will include a storytelling segment by Dr. Judith Valles, former mayor of the City of San Bernardino and current president of the San Bernardino Symphony Board of Directors. Valles, who grew up with an appreciation for all types of music, will share remembrances of the region’s significant artistic history. According to Valles, "We at the Symphony are very excited about this free concert we are providing for the entire community. I believe this is the first time we have partnered with the city to produce such an event and we are so grateful for all they have done. We are also especially proud of the community arts groups who have stepped up to partner with us. This will be a glorious day for all who attend." Following the concert will be a free dessert reception for all community members in attendance, sponsored by Cardenas Markets. Some of the many other free festival activities centered around Latin American themes include tissue flower making, papel picado (cut paper), huipol art (yarn painting), jewelry making, block painting, a folklorico photo booth, book giveaways, and button-making.There will also be piñatas throughout the afternoon for children and the young at heart. All activity booths activities have been generously sponsored by area non-profit organizations. The Patrons of the Roosevelt Bowl have also coordinated the addition of food and vendor booths. One of the many festival highlights will include local artist Phil Yeh who will design two 4-by-8-foot murals themed around the costumes of the regions of Mexico. Community members in attendance will be able to paint into these murals which, once completed, will be used onstage during the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra’s performance. According to San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Mickey Valdivia, "The City of San Bernardino is thrilled to partner with the San Bernardino Symphony to offer this unique opportunity. The live orchestra, songs, entertainment, arts activities, and partnerships with local artists will combine to display our appreciation for the arts and cultural diversity."