The sights and sounds of traditional Jalisco dances will radiate through Pensacola on Cinco de Mayo this Sunday to celebrate the Mexican holiday.
Instead of a stationary festival, The Costa Latina will feature three festive dance celebrations this year performed by San Patricio Grupo Folklorico of Loxley, Alabama.
“I just always wanted to do a flash-mob type performance in a crowded place like the mall or downtown,” said Grace McCaffery of Latino Media Gulf Coast Inc.
Look for the colorful San Patricio Grupo Folklorico dresses and accompanying music at these locations during these times:
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12:30 p.m.: Wahoos Stadium (prior to the first pitch of the 1:05 p.m. Wahoos game against Biloxi) at 351 W. Cedar St.
1-2:30 p.m.: Look for them between the post office at 101 Palafox Place and Plaza de Luna at 900 S. Palafox St., during this time.
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Cordova Mall Center Court at 5100 N. Ninth Ave.
San Patricio Grupo Folklorico dances a traditional folk dance from Jalisco, Mexico, a state in the west of the country near the Pacific Ocean.
“Each state has its own dance and its own costume,” McCaffery said. “This one in particular (is) from Jalisco.
The Costa Latina has hosted festivals in the past, but McCaffery said the group chose not to compete with the dozens of simultaneous parties held on Cinco de Mayo this year.
“We just want to make sure we’re keeping something authentic in the community,” she said.
Jake Newby can be reached at jnewby@pnj.com or 850-435-8538.
